4 New Foods To Enjoy At The Target Center
In the world of professional sports, it's all about the stadium. And in the world of stadiums, it's all about the food.
In today's foodie driven world, sports fans are following suit and demanding more than the typical game fare of hot dogs and nachos. And stadiums are complying.
Embracing the fast-growing fast-casual concept, stadiums and arenas are offering specialty burgers, unique finger foods and full sized entrees for fans.
This year the concession and catering company Delaware North introduced 31 news foods at the Target Center, 80 percent of which are locally sourced.
"We actually swapped out our beef vender so we would have a Minnesota provider," Garon Rowland, Concession Management with Delaware North, said. "We now work with Rancher's Legacy."
This year they've also brought in local restaurants like Butcher and the Boar and Man Cave.
From specialty burgers like the Jack Mac – a burger topped with a patty of deep friend pepperjack mac and cheese – to mouthwatering paninis named after players like the Wiggins - a Nutella and marshmallow topped sandwich, the Target Center has something for everyone.
To help narrow down the search for new items, here's a look at four new items found in Section 106 on the lower concourse.
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Brats From Butcher and the Boar
Few things are more Midwest than bratwurst.
So, the Target Center decided to elevate the standard hot dog to a Minnesota brat from local eatery, Butcher and the Boar.
After taste-testing several different options, Delaware North decided upon the traditional bratwurst and a smoked cheddarwurst.
Both wursts have a bold flavor with just a hint of spice. The first bite, complete with the snap of the tight casing, invites a flood of savory juices and tender meat.
The cheddarwurst is filled with a creamy, spicy cheese that compliments the meat perfectly. Watch out for that first bite, though! The cheese tends to come out fast.
Each can be topped with onions and sauerkraut.
For the very first time ever the Target Center is now offering Asian cuisine.
Pagoda, located on the lower concourse near section 106, offers appetizers and full entrees. Among their popular dishes are the pork potstickers.
Served with a choice of a sweet chili or sweet bourbon sauce, each order comes with three potstickers.
Reminiscent of sweet and sour sauce, the sweet chili maintains the same fruity-flavor with a nice heat. The sweet bourbon has a hint of smoke mixed with a maple flavor.
Each pair well with the soft potstickers, filled with a mixture of tender pork and crunchy veggies.
Of the popular entrees Pagoda offers, the Target Center is putting Orange Chicken on their menu.
Bite sized pieces of juicy chicken are breaded and coated with a sweet, orange flavored sauce, and placed on top of a bed of vegetable fried rice.
Finish off your meal with a build-you-own frozen yogurt!
Target Center partner Cherry Berry has added a build-your-own station right outside section 106. Choose from four different flavors – Chilly Vanilly, Birthday Cake, Cookie Monster and Chocolate – and top it with candies of your choosing.
Toppings include M&Ms, Butterfinger, Oreos, nuts and more.
Unlike other frozen yogurts, Cherry Berry isn't tart but has more of the consistency of a thicker, Italian ice.
Of course, if frozen yogurt isn't your favorite, try to the self-serve Mike & Ike station. The kiosk, near the Cherry Berry stand, is filled with flavors like Caribbean Punch, Pineapple, Green Apple and Blue Raspberry.
If you're looking for something to wash down your meal, check out any of their 13 brews from eight different Minnesota breweries.
