NFL’s Final Four Teams Represent Cities with Iconic Food Favorites

As you look forward to the NFL’s conference championships this weekend, you’ve undoubtedly begun to ponder what your gameday menu will look like. In the final four teams, the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Cincinnati Bengals, and Kansas City Chiefs each represent cities that are identified with a specific food favorite.

Whether you’re inclined to put on your chef’s apron and recreate these tasty treats or prefer to have them arrive on your doorstep, we’re here to help.

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

For a San Francisco-themed meal, we’re inclined to shine a light on two items instead of one for no other reason than the fact that one complements the other. We’re thinking of cioppino as our main course, with the city’s legendary sourdough as the perfect accompaniment.

If you want to leave the work to others, visiting Goldbelly’s website is your best bet for a great version of both dishes. For your cioppino, Phil’s Fish Market should do the trick. Not only is the seafood stew Phil’s trademark dish, but owner Phil DiGirolamo even knocked off Bobby Flay on “Throwdown with Bobby Flay.”

Feeling adventurous and eager to whip up Cioppino at home? Then arm yourself with Giada De Laurentiis’ recipe and get to your local fishmonger. You can’t go wrong either way. Well, actually, you can, and that’s only if you opt to ignore the sourdough. If you perfected a sourdough starter during the pandemic like so many home cooks did, by all means, bake your own loaf, but if bread baking isn’t in your wheelhouse, San Francisco’s Boudin Bakery is just a few keystrokes away.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

Hosting the Niners in the NFC Championship are the Philadelphia Eagles, who represent a city known as much for its cheesesteaks as its unique style of hospitality (pelt Santa Claus with batteries?! Yup, that’s Philly!). But with Santa back at the North Pole catching up with the missus, let’s focus on the iconic cheesesteak.

Again, if you’re the hands-on type, get yourself some ribeye, onions, Cheez Whiz, and top-notch rolls and get to work. If you want Philly to come to you, Goldbelly can help make that happen; where you can order from the self-proclaimed originator of the sandwich, Pat’s King of Steaks, or Jim’s Steaks, another popular option.

CINCINNATI BENGALS

Over in the AFC, that championship game’s visiting team is the Cincinnati Bengals, representing a city whose airport is in another state and a fan base with a decade’s-long football inferiority complex. When it comes to food, though, their game is on-point.

Giving Goldbelly the assist again, a visit to the site will lead you to Cincinnati’s Skyline Chili. Cincy’s version of chili is unique, as it’s more of a sauce than the traditional chili you may be familiar with and is served over spaghetti adorned with raw onions and finely-shredded cheddar cheese. This iteration also dresses a hot dog perfectly as well, so its versatility may appeal to you as you plan your menu.

While not dunk-worthy like the aforementioned sourdough in San Francisco’s cioppino, there is another quintessential Cincinnati product that would perfectly follow your chili. The city’s Graeter’s Ice Cream is exactly that, Graet(creative license alert!)! More specifically, their Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip belongs in the pantheon of all-time great ice creams.

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Playing host to the Bengals in the AFC Championship game is the Kansas City Chiefs, whose own culinary identity is quite strong. While debates persist about which region’s barbeque is the best, KC’s legendary Arthur Bryant’s supports the city’s claim for top honors. Sure, you can fire up your Big Green Egg and rely on your own recipe, but why not take the occasion of the Chiefs playing this weekend to try this iconic restaurant’s ribs, burnt ends, and pulled pork? Its status is well-earned.

Who you’re rooting for on Sunday is immaterial. Watching football demands great food, and San Francisco, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, and Kansas City represent some of the best gameday choices you could possibly have. Thanks to Goldbelly, foodie nirvana awaits.