NFL burgers and sandwiches hitting stadiums this season

MIAMI, FL – AUGUST 22: A detailed view of NFL footballs with the 100 seasons logo on them before the start of the game between the Miami Dolphins and Jacksonville Jaguars at Hard Rock Stadium on August 22, 2019 in Miami, Florida. (Photo by Eric Espada/Getty Images)

New NFL burgers and sandwiches are making the stadium experience even more special for foodie football fans.

The 100th season of pro football means a new array of NFL burgers and stadium sandwiches, and like every year, the concession fare is an integral part of the stadium experience, especially if they are also foodies.

With culinary competition from college stadiums and Canadian teams like the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ massive Walby Burger, NFL teams are seeking to stay ahead of the curve with their munchies. This year, plant-based alternative options to beef seem to be the hot trend of the season.

FoodSided looks at some of the new arrivals to stadium menus this season, beginning with unusual burgers:

Baltimore Ravens – M&T Bank Stadium

Frank’s Buffalo Chicken Burger

A Hoffman Farms burger patty, buffalo chicken dip, Frank’s RedHot Buffalo Sauce, ranch dressing and American cheese.

While “chicken burger” in the name might throw some people off at first, Ravens fans who like things on the spicy side should definitely give this burger a try.

Chicago Bears – Soldier Field

Vegan Burger

A LightLife plant-based burger patty, with shaved lettuce, tomato and onion on a brioche bun.

Since real bears are omnivores, it makes sense that some superfans of Da Bears would want a vegan option.

Denver Broncos – Broncos Stadium at Mile High

Frank Bonnano Concepts’ French 75 French Dip Sandwich

A French dip sandwich is pretty straightforward, which fits the mindset of stadium food, though it feels a little unusual to go with a gameday experience.

Still, prime rib on a hoagie roll served with 48 hour au jus sounds delicious, and an excellent way for Broncos fans to stay warm during cold games.

Detroit Lions – Ford Field

Impossible Mac Burger

A plant-based burger patty promises the same aroma and juiciness as a normal beef patty, with lettuce, tomato and pickle chips on a double brioche bun. It comes with fries, of course, and is available at the Corner Bar.

Lions fans might want to give this updated classic a test drive.

Waffle Burger at Arrowhead Stadium, photo provided by Aramark

Tasty new NFL burgers are awaiting Kansas City Chiefs fans at Arrowhead Stadium.

Out of Town Burger

For vegan fans, the Out of Town Burger is a simple classic, using a Beyond Burger patty with arugula, tomato and red onion.

Given how the Chiefs are breaking new playoff ground since the addition of former Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback Patrick Mahones, it seems logical that fans who might not be typical consumers of a meatless burger could want to experiment with a new style of food, especially if it comes in a familiar package.

BBQ Brisket Waffle Sandwich

Chopped brisket stars in this sandwich, which is accompanied by provolone cheese, bacon jalapeno jam and sweet potato crisps on a sweet potato waffle.

Everything about this sounds amazing, and we really want one now. It sounds like a surefire Pro Bowl recipe.

Waffle Burger

A fresh burger patty with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and sliced red onion on a classic buttermilk waffle.

A little odd, but sure, why not?

TAMPA, FLORIDA – AUGUST 23: Baker Mayfield #6 of the Cleveland Browns passes during a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Raymond James Stadium on August 23, 2019 in Tampa, Florida. (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)

NFL burgers galore await Cleveland Browns fans at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Traditionally, Cleveland’s FirstEnergy Stadium is known as the Dawg Pound, and there’s a lot of delicious puppy chow available for Browns fans, who are hoping former Oklahoma Sooners quarterback Baker Mayfield can lead the team to their first playoff win since their reincarnation two decades ago.

Jonathan Sawyer’s Nashville Style Hot Chicken Sandwich

For adventurous spice hunters, this Nashville Hot chicken sandwich is topped with pimento cheese and pickles.

This sounds very appealing, especially washed down with a Bud Light from a Browns-themed Victory Fridge.

Michael Symon’s Deluxe Bacon Cheeseburger

This is pretty much what it sounds like – a B Spot bacon cheeseburger with a special OBJ sauce (onion bacon jam) topping things off, tying into new wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr’s arrival, since the former Pro Bowl New York Giants wideout goes by his initials.

Kind of plain, but then again, the team’s colors are brown and orange, and they don’t have a logo on their helmets. This works.

Michael Symon’s Thin Lizzy

This burger consists of a B Spot Impossible Burger plant-based patty, cheddar cheese, grilled onion, mayo and pickles.

Seems like a good idea for venturing out of your comfort zone, since this sounds like a basic patty melt.

CLEVELAND, OHIO – AUGUST 29: Running back Ty Johnson #38 of the Detroit Lions during the first half of a preseason game against the Cleveland Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium on August 29, 2019 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)

NFL burgers and stadium sandwiches include a mighty amount of regional favorites, including foods that may not seem to be at home from a geographic standpoint.

Detroit Lions – Ford Field

The Dueling Waffle Taco

This Motor City offering sounds bizarre and wonderful – it’s seems to be a double-barreled meal, consisting of a peppered bacon BLT waffle taco with maple aioli, and a Nashville Hot chicken taco with a special honey glaze. It’s available at the South Club.

We would certainly be willing to give both parts of this a shot, but it’s a little curious how the maple aioli and the Nashville Hot chicken would fit together, since it seems like there would be a little overlap of mingled flavors during the journey from the concession stand to the customer’s mouth.

Tennessee Titans – Nissan Stadium

Indiana Smoked Beef Sandwich

This offering stars 14-hour smoked brisket, coleslaw, fried jalapeno chips and red cabbage.

Yum! The coleslaw and red cabbage would both likely provide some tang to balance out of the smokiness of the brisket and the heat of the jalapeno chips. We do wonder how Colts fans feel about their region being invaded – the Titans and Indianapolis are both members of the AFC South.

San Francisco 49ers – Levi’s Stadium

Bulgogi Cheese Steak

This consists of Bulgogi barbecue sirloin, American cheese, sauteed peppers and onions, gochujang aioli on a LeBoulanger hoagie roll. It’s available at kiosk 106.

This sounds amazing, with the variety of flavors and tastes giving this a particularly Northern California flair. 49ers fans should definitely check this out.

The 2019 NFL season kicks off Thursday, September 5, at 8:20 p.m. ET, when the Green Bay Packers go on the road to take on their loathed rivals from Chicago on NBC.

If you’re going to attend a professional or college game this football season, be sure to tag your Instagram post with the hashtag #FoodSided to share your snackish discoveries! We’d love to hear what you think of some of these NFL burgers.