New Menu for 2011-2012 Season At Lincoln Financial Field

Seared ahi tuna, jumbo shrimp and crab claw cocktails poached in court bouillon with lemons and Grey Goose-spiked cocktail sauce. Hot London broil with a horseradish cheddar cheese, chopped brisket with jalapeño slaw. And of course, crab fries, cheesesteaks and the Schmitter.

We’re not talking about another food festival here, or some new world cuisine gastropub. No, these are the highlights from Lincoln Financial Field’s 2011-2012 menu for concessions, club and suite level seating. Aramark executive chef James Hennessey, (ex of the Borgata) and stadium staff revealed the menu to members of the media late Wednesday morning at the stadium.

From “a number of different surveys and focus groups,” Aramark staff explored what fans considered part of coming to the Linc, according to Leonard Bonnacci, director of event operations for the Eagles. And what those fans wanted was food that reflected the city’s cuisine.

“Food is woven into the NFL experience,” Bonnacci said. “We want to challenge what’s possible in a stadium.”

So is beer. A number of local microbrews (like Victory and Yards just for starters) will also be available this season.

The Linc, which won an award last year for being the most vegetarian-friendly NFL stadium (insert vegan football fan joke here), has already been home to local staples Tony Luke’s and Rick’s Steaks, Chickie’s & Pete’s, Planet Hoagie, Bassett’s Original Memphis BBQ and Federal Pretzel. This year’s additions include the cheesesteak pretzel from Philly Pretzel Factory and two signature sandwiches designed by Hennessey for the park. Those are the aforementioned London broil on an onion brioche roll, the Inside LB, and the house-smoked brisket sandwich, known as the Chop Block.

“We wanted to bring an atmosphere of fine dining to the stadium,” Hennessey said. He insisted that he wanted to create a menu that made for “easy eating”–finger foods, but at a white-napkin level.

New ways to eat at the game this year include mobile trucks in Headhouse Plaza from The Dapper Dog. And this Sunday, before the Birds take on the G-Men, Jose Garces’ Guapos Tacos truck will be on the scene.

And for you tablet-slinging super-geeks out there, also new this year? Club seat ticketholders will be able to order food from their mobile devices and have it delivered right to their seats. Which, all joking aside, is kind of awesome.