Superbowl 2008

Doing the Super Bowl Justice

I’m always nostalgic when the Super Bowl comes around.

For me, the Super Bowl means my dad and his buddies screaming fervent directions to a television set, as I, amused, waited for the commercials. Mmm, I can almost smell greasy potato chips and cigar smoke ten years later.

But, if you’re from where I’m from, you like to do everything in style, and the Super Bowl is no exception. Sometimes, chips and pretzels just don’t cut it.

Who wants to watch the event (or commercials) of the year while munching on Pringles? Not I.

Since its instatement in 1967, the Super Bowl has become a de facto national holiday, in addition to the most watched television broadcast of the year. Not the mention, the second largest food consumption day next to Thanksgiving.

So where is the North Shore to go to celebrate this annual milestone in style? Not that you’d want to do it any other way.

And, if hosting a gala in the comfort of your own home, what will ensure its success? The answer, in case you were wondering, is food.

Now before you rush to the nearest grocer for some pseudo football cake and a few bags or munchies, clam down and read on. We’ve done most of the work for you.

Evanston’s Buffalo Joes, rated by Chicago CitySearch to have “the best wings in town,” expects a large number of a carryout orders for the event, including an order from a local fraternity for 1,500 Spicy Wings, their most popular (also comes in mild and suicide… I was too afraid to inquire further).

812 Clark St
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 328-5525

Or, if you’re looking to span beyond buffalo wings, Prairie Grass Café in Northbrook is offering a special Super Bowl To-Go menu ranging from shrimp cocktail to baby back ribs to double chocolate cake… I’m tempted to list the whole delicious menu, but if you’re interested they will kindly fax you a copy.

601 Skokie Blvd
Northbrook, IL 60062
(847) 205-4433

Deerfield Bakery offers a wide assortment of cakes, serving anywhere between 8 and 25 people. From cakes that look like football fields complete with players and goalposts to cakes cut in the shape of a football jersey to individual mini cakes, cupcakes, and cookies these customized treats will simultaneously impress the neighbors and your taste buds.

Deerfield Bakery
813 North Waukegan Road
Deerfield
847-520-0068
201 Buffalo Grove Road in Buffalo Grove
25 South Roselle Road in Schaumburg

Boston Blackies, with locations in Deerfield and Glencoe, will be showing the event throughout the famed retro hamburger joint. Managers also mentioned something about discounted drinks and appetizers, as if their gargantuan half pound burgers won’t do the trick.

405 Lake Cook Road OR
73 Green Bay Road
Deerfield, IL 60015
(847) 418-3400

73 Green Bay Road
Glencoe, IL 60093
(847) 242-9400

Bar Louie in Evanston plans to ring in the event with 5 dollar buckets of Bud, Bud Lite, and Bud Select, 6 dollar Bloody Mary’s, and 25 cent Buffalo Wings. Get stuffed and buzzed economically while watching the event on any and all of their plasma Televisions.

1520 Sherman Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 733-8300

Or enjoy the warm atmosphere Tommy Nevin’s Irish Pub in Evanston, complete with 9 flat screen TV’s, 2 ceiling mounted projector screens, a pool table, and $3.50 Sam Adam’s pint specials.

1454 Sherman Ave
Evanston, IL 60201
(847) 869-0450

If there is anything the North Shore that’s not lacking, it is food, drinks and loads of entertainment.

Enjoy the game and the commercials!

Bakara Wintner