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Stadium Journey is proud to announce our rankings for the Best NFL Stadium of 2009. Rankings are based on the FANFARE scoring system that takes into account Food & Beverage, overall atmosphere, the neighborhood, fans, access, and return on investment. When ties occurred we used atmosphere as our primary tiebreaker. The secondary tiebreaker went to the stadium with the fewest “etc” points.
Click on the name of each stadium to see the full review. We consider to strive to be your source for how to make the most out of your sports travel experiences.
One quick disclaimer about the list; since the Giants and Jets share Giants Stadium we only did one review of the venue, and it was during a Giants game. Next year we’ll be sure to attend during a Jets game at the new (still to be named) Stadium. So here are the rankings from worst to first, of every NFL stadium for 2009.
FANFARE Score: 16
What we liked: The Neighborhood- “The best thing about the dome, its one lone redeeming quality, is that it is located in the heart of the city’s downtown bar scene. It is right in between the strip of trendy bars that line Washington Avenue and the blocks of bars and casinos that inhabit the cobblestone streets of Laclede’s Landing.”
What we didn’t like: The Fans- “What fans? St. Louis has always been more of a baseball town than a football town anyway, but the recent lack of success for the Rams has pretty much knocked off most of those that jumped aboard the “Greatest Show on Turf” bandwagon.”
FANFARE Score: 19
 Georgia Dome Aerial View What we liked: The Neighborhood- “The effort to promote the new “Falcons Landing” in the plaza just outside the main gates is going well enough, though the activities (passing and kicking stations, face painting) are obviously geared towards kids. At least there’s some activity, including live music and broadcasts by the radio and TV affiliates, where there could be just scalpers and people hoping to find the rest of their party.”
What we didn’t like: The Atmosphere- “Well, it’s a dome, so you’re indoors. It’s not so bad as trying to play a football game in a gym, but the experience is slightly reminiscent of that. The lighting is just too unnatural, giving off that sterile, fluorescent feel that really shouldn’t be associated with pigskin.”
FANFARE Score: 22
What we liked: Food & Beverage- “Fed Ex Field offers some unique food and beverage options. In addition to burgers, dogs, nachos, etc., there are a few Johnny Rockets restaurants located on the ground level concourse. Their menu consists of a variety of burgers, fries, onion rings, and even a chicken tender basket. There are also several Papa John’s stands located on the concourse.”
What we didn’t like: The Neighborhood- “If you’re standing on the steps of Fed Ex Field, all you can see is parking lots and trees.”
FANFARE Score: 23
 Superdome Exterior What we liked: The Fans- “Saints fans are among some of the passionate and loyal in the NFL. After rumors circulated in 2005 that the Saints would move to San Antonio or Los Angeles after Hurricane Katrina forced the Saints to evacuate the city for a full season, fans have sold out every game since the start of the 2006 season and that trend appears likely to continue for many more years.”
What we didn’t like: The Access- “New Orleans does not have a good public transportation system so expect to walk everywhere.”
FANFARE Score: 24
What we liked: Food & Beverage- “For a few bucks more, though, several local-flavor niche options offer a departure from the regular: “El Gato Grande” (which translates, fittingly, to “The Big Cat”) is an outpost of Burrito Gallery, a local Meixcan restaurant, and Andrew Jackson’s BBQ makes a decent ‘que in the trademark Florida style: sauceless, smoky, and tender.”
What we didn’t like: The Fans- “But there just aren’t enough butts in the seats to give these fans their full due. Those present are true-blue enough for any fan base, but almost 17,000 season ticket holders decided not to renew for the 2009 season and the city at large seems only mildly interested in its team.”
FANFARE Score: 25
 Upper Deck View What we liked: The Access- “Parking and restrooms are easily available and cost effective. In my travels to other stadiums and hearing exploits from others, the accessibility and associated costs are second to none.”
What we didn’t like: The Atmosphere- “A less than ideal place to watch a game with average historical significance: a shiny, new toy where the old broken one once sat. The major problem is the stadium security taking fan complaints too far; stories of fans being told to sit because they are standing and cheering are a far cry from the original Dawg Pound that gave this rabid fanbase the reputation it deserves.”
FANFARE Score: 25
 Arrowhead Exterior What we liked: Food & Beverage- “Gates Bar-B-Q, a local restaurant in Kansas City, also holds a spot on Arrowhead’s food concourse. There you can order a beef, ham, or turkey sandwich soaked in one of their famous sauces.”
What we didn’t like: The Neighborhood- “Arrowhead is part of the Truman sports complex, which also includes the Royals’ Kauffman Stadium. Because of this, the entire area surrounding Arrowhead is a parking lot. This allows for plenty of parking space, but leaves little room for bars and restaurants.”
FANFARE Score: 25
What we liked: The Access- “There is no problem getting to the stadium, parking, tailgating, or going into the stadium. A very well set up area, Land Shark Stadium provides a simple and convenient parking and tailgating area that is an easy walk to the stadium.”
What we didn’t like: The Neighborhood- “Well folks, it isn’t South Beach. Land Shark Stadium is located in a relatively desolate area, which is located mostly around residential areas. The closest restaurants or bars require a trip back on the highway either to the outskirts of Fort Lauderdale or North Miami.”
FANFARE Score: 25
What we liked: The Atmosphere- “When I walked out of the corridor into the stadium proper, it was half full and shining in the bright California sun. It was a sight, and a feeling I will never forget. The whole atmosphere, from the warm ups to the end of the game, was fantastic. This stadium has so much history, you can almost feel it.”
What we didn’t like: The Neighborhood- “The only downside was the food was quite limited, the drinks were very over priced ($8 for a beer), and there were no real bars or facilities outside the stadium.”
FANFARE Score: 25
 Ralph Wilson Stadium What we liked: The Atmosphere- “Inside the stadium, it is also bedlam, with fans decked out on the team’s red and blue colors, and the team’s longtime anthem, the “Shout” song, blaring as the players take to the field, and following each Buffalo score.”
What we didn’t like: Food & Beverage- “Ballpark dreck is the buzzword for the food offerings at the Ralph, with the basic fare – hot dogs, nachos, beer, pop, peanuts and popcorn on the menu.”
FANFARE Score: 26
What we liked: The Access- “At $10, the Lions’ average parking rate is the lowest in the league. If the on-field product ever produces another winning season, expect these skyrocket. Enjoy the value while you can, Lion fans.”
What we didn’t like: The Fans- “Beaten down like Chicago Cub supporters over the years, few fan bases in America can relate to the neurosis associated with Lion fanship. Owning the worst NFL record this decade (42-117), futile season after futile season has eroded the spirit of Detroit’s football community. And nowhere is it more evident than in game attendance.”
FANFARE Score: 26
What we liked: The Atmosphere- “The atmosphere at the 67,000 seat facility is exciting and intense. Before every game, fans are treated to a thundering pyrotechnic display as the Seahawks’ players enter the field. The team is led by its mascot Taima, an Auger Hawk that flies out of the tunnel to a rousing ovation from the crowd.”
What we didn’t like: The Access- “Though there is a car garage with a capacity of 2,000 vehicles next to Qwest Field and team officials say there are 6,500 spaces near the stadium, parking is difficult to find. It is expensive in most lots ($25) and drivers are accustomed to circling the field before finding a spot. Recent construction of a ramp onto I-90 has not made the situation easier.”
FANFARE Score: 27
What we liked: The Atmosphere- “The retractable roof is awesome allowing games under the stars. The natural grass playing surface on rails that roll outside is amazing. Good sightlines from all seats.”
What we didn’t like: The Neighborhood- “Located in Glendale Arizona, the stadium is on the western outskirts of the valley away from many of the cultural activities of the Phoenix area. Besides the football stadium there is the hockey venue. Businesses are beginning to be built up around the area but it still feels somewhat isolated from the rest of the Valley of the Sun.”
FANFARE Score: 27
What we liked: The Atmosphere- “Aside from domed stadiums, which get an obvious advantage, there is no place louder than the Q. That was evident in late December, 2009 when Carson Palmer and the Bengals committed three straight penalties because their signals could not be heard over the din.”
What we didn’t like: The Access- “The bus is probably the easiest of the three options. Boarding locations can be found throughout San Diego County and drop you close to the stadium gates. The big plus is that buses have priority access upon exiting postgame.”
FANFARE Score: 27
 Exterior M&T Bank Stadium What we liked: The Neighborhood- “The stadium is a 15 to 20 minute, leisurely stroll from Baltimore’s Inner Harbor. But before you get there, you have to pass Pickles. If you are a Ravens fan, or like to be with hometown fans, or just like $1 draft beers on game day, Pickles is the spot.”
What we didn’t like: Return on Investment- “This is a great stadium in which to watch a football game, but not much else. I mean, you can eat and drink and be full while you do it, but the best thing going on here is the view from your seat. Not a lot to do inside other than that. Outside is another story.”
FANFARE Score: 28
What we liked: The Fans- “Titan fans are energetic and passionate, and LP Field is known as one of the loudest venues in the NFL. Fans take pride in generating noise when the other team has the ball, and they relish being rewarded with false starts from the other team. The Titans have sold out every home game since they began playing in LP Field.”
What we didn’t like: The Atmosphere- “No historical significance to the stadium since it is relatively new, but it is a great place to watch a game.”
FANFARE Score: 28
What we liked: The Atmosphere- “When the Vikings score, the horn sounds and the crowd is treated to the song ‘Skol Vikings.’ As the crowd is urged to tell the Vikings to Fight! Fight! Fight!; the cheerleaders race around the field carrying flags that spell out V-I-K-I-N-G-S.”
What we didn’t like: Food & Beverage- “There is nothing special about the food at the dome. There is pizza, hot dogs, and hamburgers. Peanuts, popcorn and nachos with the cheese and jalapeno peppers on the side are also available. Nothing is outstanding about the traditional stadium food but nothing is so poor that you regret your choice.”
FANFARE Score: 28
 Linc Interior What we liked: The Atmosphere- “The atmosphere here is amazing. Tailgating is crazy, and it can be very difficult to play here for visitors. The stadium has special metal flaps over the top of each side which are designed to reflect the crowd noise back onto the field.”
What we didn’t like: The Neighborhood- “ The stadium is part of the Philadelphia Sports Complex as mentioned above, which consists of three full sized sporting venues (four, if you count the Spectrum, now closed and soon to be demolished) and parking for each.”
FANFARE Score: 28
 Inside Invesco Field at Mile High What we liked: The Atmosphere- “Nothing compares to taking your seat, where the beautiful rocky mountains provide a backdrop for the players and field. There is not a bad seat in the house unless you are sitting in the bitter cold, and the game experience is unbelievable.”
What we didn’t like: Food & Beverage- “The food and beverage certainly did not exceed expectations. I had a hot dog, some kettle corn, and some lemonade. The food and beer sold at the game are relatively expensive, which is no surprise.”
FANFARE Score: 28
What we liked: The Fans- “Sitting surrounded by Bears fans, was truly interesting. There was a real good variety of knowledgeable fans, fantasy football talk, cheering, and drunken buffoonery. While I could have done without the drunken buffoonery, especially the Browns fan dressed in Ohio State garb that dumped half a beer on the head on the Bears fan in front of him, overall the fans were great.”
What we didn’t like: Return on Investment- “If you are lucky enough to snag tickets at face value, then the price won’t seem quite as bad. However, for me a $150 ticket in the upper half of a 400 section seemed like a bit much. Add in the cost of the food and drink, and you approach $200 pretty quickly. Now, start to imagine doing this with a family of four, and there it is, your entire vacation budget for the year.”
FANFARE Score: 28
 Gillette Stadium Exterior What we liked: The Atmosphere- “Whatever the reasons, the place feels like big-time professional football. From the tailgate-swamped lots to the bustling shops to the concourses and stands, it exudes place-to-be appeal.”
What we didn’t like: The Access- “Some people park in the $40 spots around Patriot Place, while some choose the $20 lots down the highway. (No one uses the town’s stores, whose game-day towing policies are ferocious.) Some head for the exits in the fourth quarter, while others wait out the storm for hours after the game at their tailgates. All of them must confront the bumper-to-bumper gridlock that builds in both directions away from Gillette.”
FANFARE Score: 28.5
What we liked: Return on Investment- “Despite the stadium’s age, the 49ers have done a lot for a stadium the franchise does not own. Prices are not exorbitant. I saw lots of small and teenage kids with parents at the game, so it’s popular with parents and children.”
What we didn’t like: The Access- “The traffic delays are particularly irritating when we play the Oakland Raiders every other season at Candlestick. There is much more traffic and subsequent delays at those games because so many Raiders fans get weekend get-out-of jail passes for those games.”
FANFARE Score: 29
What we liked: The Neighborhood- “Tailgating is a must when you come to Charlotte; you can look across the parking lots and see people grilling, throwing the football and playing beer pong and the bean bag toss game.”
What we didn’t like: Food & Beverage- “You can find a Bojangles, Wendy’s, and the BBQ Shack. They also sell personal pan Domino pizzas only cheese or pepperoni for $5.”
FANFARE Score: 29
 Heinz Field Scoreboard and Fans What we liked: The Fans- “The city of Pittsburgh boasts a reputation for having great fans, and it is well-deserved: The Steelers have sold out every home game since 1972.”
What we didn’t like: The Neighborhood- “The neighborhood surrounding the Stadium is a strange mix of riverfront properties, highways, parking lots and parking garages blending into an old residential neighborhood known as the North Side.”
FANFARE Score: 30
What we liked: The Atmosphere- “The pre-game atmosphere around Giants Stadium is always quite impressive. There’s always a BIG buzz in the air and tailgating is right up there with the best in country.”
What we didn’t like: The Access- “Access to Giants Stadium is always a BIG pain in neck because all roads give you access to New York looming in the background of the stadium.”
FANFARE Score: 30
 National Anthem at Lambeau Field What we liked: The Atmosphere- “Inside the stadium, the bowl-shaped architecture gives it a college football feel and just knowing the great players who played and the games that occurred inside the stadium give it a chilling feel as you walk up the tunnel. It’s truly something every sports fan needs to experience before they die.”
What we didn’t like: The Fans- “The only problem with the fans is that their homerism bleeds through sometimes, booing at obvious penalties and being way too hard on the coaching.”
FANFARE Score: 30.5
What we liked: The Neighborhood- “The train line makes all of downtown Houston part of the neighborhood. Anything under the sun is available and only a few minutes away by a $1 train ride. Tons of bar and restaurants.”
What we didn’t like: The Access- “Parking is somewhat difficult without a pre-paid pass. The train line is very helpful. Bathrooms are plentiful, spacious and generally clean.”
FANFARE Score: 31
 Pirate Ship What we liked: The Neighborhood- “The stadium sits on the main thoroughfare of the city, Dale Mabry Highway that can connect you to a number of nearby restaurants and bars.”
What we didn’t like: The Fans- “Buccaneer fans are a strange lot. With Tampa Bay being a transient community (most residents were born in the Northeast or Midwest), some in the fan base have divided loyalty to the team and the old team they grew up watching.”
FANFARE Score: 31
What we liked: The Fans- “I was especially impressed during the opening graphic on the scoreboard how loud the crowd got when the animated Bengal slashed its claw through a flag of the opposing team. Bengals fans went nuts, and only touchdown plays resulted in louder eruptions.”
What we didn’t like: Food & Beverage- “…there is nothing surprising about the offerings at a Bengals game, although most of the standards seem to be well done.”
FANFARE Score: 31.5
 The Approach to Cowboys Stadium What we liked: Food & Beverage- “There is definitely a variety of food at Cowboys Stadium. Some unique items include a Kobe Burger, a Chipotle Chicken Sandwich, and Sweet Potato Fries.”
What we didn’t like: The Access- “Parking was painful and very expensive. We had trouble finding our appropriate parking lot that corresponded with our seating section. Because of that, we ended up circling the stadium before finally finding the correct entrance. Generally, parking is $60, but our section cost us $75.”
FANFARE Score: 32
What we liked: The Fans- “Fans in the state of Indiana are nothing if not devout. While their first love may be on the hardwood (the Pacers used to begin player introductions with a video that boasted, ‘In 49 states, it’s just basketball…but this is Indiana’), they know their sports and you’ll enjoy the opportunity to take in an NFL game with 63,000 of them.”
What we didn’t like: We liked it all. That’s why its Stadium Journey’s Best NFL Stadium of 2009!
     
Review by Johnny Lawrence, Stadium Journey Correspondent
The Detroit Lions embody mediocrity.
Poor upper management hirings, incompetent coaching, and a lack of player development have contributed to just one playoff win since 1963, the year owner William Clay Ford purchased the team. The losing has bred a generation of youth who adopt favorite squads outside of Detroit. A disconnect between fans and franchise remains an effect of negative consistency, but many believe the gap has closed a bit since Mr. Ford swapped the oversized, impersonal Silverdome, thirty miles outside the city, for a prime location downtown.
 Next Door Neighbors: Ford Field and Comerica Park Erected next to Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers, is a modern structure composed mainly of brick, steel, and glass that occupies a full city block. Wonderfully picturesque, the stadium appeals to both classic and avant-garde tastes. The Brush Street entrance features a charming seven-story glass atrium, which allows natural light to seep in during a game. Two shelled-out J.L. Hudson warehouse buildings comprise the south wall of the stadium, contributing to the old-time feel. Eighty years old, they contain 132 luxury suites distributed among three levels that offer views of the playing surface. Other frills at Ford Field include 8,600 club seats, a club lounge, conference and convention areas, and two 27 x 98 foot high definition video scoreboards in each end zone.
After 40 years, Mr. Ford finally presented Lion fans a product far from mediocre.
FANFARE Score: 26
Food & Beverage: 5
The range of food and drink is expansive, as is the number of stands waiting to serve. A stroll down the ground concourse will reveal 56 restaurants and huts, ready to load you up on pizza, roasted nuts, or gummy worms. Local-themed Poletown Sausage, a tribute to Detroit’s sizable Polish population, brings an international flavor into the mix, while the Taverna stand, Greece’s in-stadium representation, offers lamb and chicken gyros. Perhaps the most exotic chow, their $7 gyros can be complemented with a thick tzatziki sauce, a delicacy likely found in no other NFL venue.Stepping back into the mainstream, a wallet-friendly Big Boy restaurant serves hundreds every Sunday. A $5 kids meal (PB&J, apple slices, baby carrots, and juice box), $4 milkshakes, $2.50 hot cocoa are some of Detroit’s favorite game day treats.
For a few extra shekels, walk on down to Charlie Sanders Hall of Fame BBQ. Here you can satisfy your hunger with a BBQ pulled pork or chicken sandwich for $10.50. Paradise Deli, a short promenade from the main entrance, offers toast turkey BLT sandwiches for $12, as well as a BLT salad and corned beef sandwiches.
Vendors reside in every section at all times. Hot dog slingers come by a little less frequent than beer and pop dealers, but you are never more than 10 minutes away from your next purchase. If you would like to avoid relying on others all together, Detroit sells an “All You Can Eat” ticket. For $73, you can feast on as many hot dogs, bratwursts, nachos, chips, and buckets of popcorn as you desire.
Atmosphere: 3
Ford Field has the potential to be a voracious twelfth man. In fact, decibel levels here can creep up as loud as any other domed structure in sports. Unfortunately, the organization has given fans little reason to get excited other than the existence of this top of the line venue. Straddling apathy and outright disgust, the optimism of most attendees sours early on. Of course, the longer the Lions keep the score close, the better vibe remains. After each home score, Theo “Gridiron” Spight, the man in the double-zero Lions jersey and hard hat, belts out the team’s fight song, Gridiron Heroes. Though cheesy in nature and execution, it succeeds at rallying Detroit supporters.
One more glaring positive, regardless of seat location, is the scoreboard coverage in each end zone. Always in view, fans can watch replays of snaps that helped and hurt their team on screens close to a hundred feet wide. The Adams Street concourse is another obvious success of Ford Field’s organization. Just inside the main entrance, fans have access to dozens of restaurants and gift shops within a three minute walk. Everything is clean and information desks are strategically stationed to assist. Despite these obvious attractions, a visitor can sometimes forget he is in the company of NFL football upon returning to his seat.
Neighborhood: 4
Sunday safety has never been in question around Ford Field. As the parking lots swell with automobiles, tables, and coolers, satellite dishes and footballs dot the sky.
Within a 10-minute walk of the stadium is Greektown, old-world home to a dozen Greek establishments, as well as a few other international food and beverage stops. GQ Magazine recently ranked Niki’s, located on Beaubien Street in Greektown, one of America’s top-25 best pizzas joints. Load your square with lamb or feta cheese. If you’re not in the mood for pizza, the menu extends plenty of other exotic options. Other renowned Greek locations include Pegasus Taverna, Plaka Cafe, and New Parthenon.
Old Shillelagh, Detroit’s most famous Irish pub, serves hundreds on game days. The $7 Shepherd’s Pie is a popular choice among bar goers, who can also load up on $7.50 Bud Light pitchers after 2pm. This spot is sure to be rocking as fans stream out of the gates and onto Monroe Street.
Fans: 2
 "Fans" at Ford Field Beaten down like Chicago Cub supporters over the years, few fan bases in America can relate to the neurosis associated with Lion fanship. Owning the worst NFL record this decade (42-117), futile season after futile season has eroded the spirit of Detroit’s football community. And nowhere is it more evident than in game attendance. Despite Ford Field’s status as an elite venue, the stadium only fills two or three times a year.
Always infused with a large collection of visiting fans, it is a quiet haven for the self-loathing and masochistic. Between Transiberian Orchestra music clips and the occasional third down burst of support, opposing team devotees often drown out sporadic cheers for the home team. Fans of NFC North rivals make their annual Detroit trek to witness their warriors club the talent-deficient Lions. Often times, one-third of the attendees don enemy gear.
Access: 5
Three major highways, I-75, I-94, and I-96, intercept the downtown area, allowing easy access from any direction. And parking near the field is equally uncomplicated. Dozens of cement squares and parking structures lie in wait at affordable prices. Season parking passes start at $99, but if you’re only visiting for a game or two, you can pay as little as $10 to park within 10 minutes of the field. Buses also frequently transport bodies from restaurants and bars to the main gate, free of charge.
Return On Investment: 3
The Lions were one of three NFL teams to reduce their average ticket price from 2008. Ranking 11th lowest at $65.72, grabbing a ticket in Detroit is a bargain compared to the industry standard ($75). Beer prices rank second highest overall ($8.50), but cheaper fare and food eases the strain. At $10, the Lions’ average parking rate is the lowest in the league. If the on-field product ever produces another winning season, expect these skyrocket. Enjoy the value while you can, Lion fans.
Extra Points: 4
Ford Field boasts an impressive resume after just seven years of existence. It hosted Super Bowl XL in 2006 and the NCAA Final Four in 2009. Along with yearly college football bowl games, it also welcomes the Michigan High School Athletic Association football finals each Thanksgiving weekend. This year, the NCAA Frozen Four will roll into town and high-profile events, such as the Big Ten tournament, are almost guaranteed to visit regularly in coming years.
 Inside Ford Field In-stadium, handicapped-friendly rows line the top of the lower bowl, providing comfortable seating for those who can not utilize stairways. All other seats circling the playing field are spacious, with plenty of room for leg stretching.
Review by Rob Holub, Stadium Journey Correspondent
Much like any cold-weather city with a long-standing tradition of professional football, a Sunday in Cleveland means putting off the raking of leaves, the do-it-yourself home project, and the overdue movie rental in order to bask in the freedom of sports fandom. Along with a new version of the Cleveland Browns franchise came a new stadium, sitting right where old Cleveland Municipal Stadium once proudly overlooked the great Lake Erie. While the game is why fans find themselves at the 11-year-old Cleveland Browns stadium, the game day experience is why they come back week after week.
 Game Action at Cleveland Browns Stadium FANFARE Score: 25
Arriving at Cleveland Browns Stadium (CBS) is as convenient as possible for Northeast Ohioans and visitors alike. Sitting on the lake between W. 3rd and E. 9th streets, the stadium is accessible via Greater Cleveland’s RTA rail-train with a stop directly in front of the southwest ticket gate. Fans from both east and west suburbs of Cleveland can utilize this worry-free mode of transportation by purchasing an all-day pass for $5, ideal for when traveling alone to the game.
Parking is abundant near the stadium; while some lots are by pass only, the W. 3rd lot directly west of the stadium carries a modest price of $20 per vehicle. The largest tailgate party occurs in the Muni Lot, a 3-lot stretch of cinders that is just east of the stadium and borders Ohio Route 2. Parking here costs $25, but gives you the full Cleveland Browns tailgate experience; the most rabid of fans are known to park their RVs, buses, or trailers (painted browns and orange of course) overnight before the more popular games. Other surface lots and garages can be found with parking prices as low as $10 within 10 city blocks of the stadium; or find the right side street with parking meters, and park for free on weekends in the city.
For those without the outdoor culinary skills to tailgate with the professionals, nearby bars and restaurants in downtown Cleveland provide the normal casual fare. Various restaurants host gameday brunches (including the Hard Rock Café near Tower City), but the best may be at John Q’s Steakhouse, situated at 55 Public Square (northwest corner of the square). During the week, Cleveland’s white-collar crowd can be seen here having lunch by day and enjoying quality steakhouse meals at reasonable prices by night. For the eight Sundays hosting Browns’ home games, the Sunday brunch is a welcomed respite to eating charcoal-flavored hotdogs. Made-to-order omelettes and prime rib draw the attention of diners, but the normal breakfast sides, fruit, and desserts do not go unnoticed. John Q’s is a hallmark of finer football dining. My last visit to the brunch was two years ago, and I regret not making a stop during this past season.
 John Q's Steakhouse If drinks and bar food are the sole targets of a pre-game meal, try a fairly new establishment bearing the name of Browns semi-legend and Saved By The Bell (The College Years) featured star, Bob Golic. At 1213 W. 6th Street, Bob Golic’s Sports Bar and Grille rests at the north end of one of downtown Cleveland’s entertainment hotspots, the Warehouse District. The bar is on the corner of Lakeside Avenue, making it a short walk down to the stadium. Food is reasonably priced and includes the usual burgers, wings, pizza, and ribs you’ll find at any bar and grille. On game days, extra bartenders are placed among the crowd to offer $5, 24-ounce cans of domestic light beers, while the bar is fully stocked with liquor and other beer choices. The attraction of Bob Golic’s is the atmosphere and connection to a star of the past, but not necessarily the menu. However, its location provides you with easy access to other pre-game watering holes, including a Cleveland staple, Panini’s.
 Bob Golic's Sports Bar & Grille Once inside the stadium, the food and beverage choices range from the predictable (nachos and bratwursts) to the seemingly displaced (grilled chicken Caesar wraps!). A full meal can be had in the neighborhood of $14-$18 dollars if choosing the chicken tenders and fries combo ($10.50) along with your beverage of choice (bottled water at the low end, alcohol at the top). One recommended option for food is the basket of waffle fries with cheese and bacon. While also available plain with ketchup or with cheese and chili, the combo of nacho cheese and bacon is simple yet not a standard stadium offering. At only $5.50, the fries can serve as one individual’s meal or shared between two without leaving either person feeling cheated.
Draft beers at the concession stands cost $6.75 for a twelve-ounce pour, while 16-ounce cans are available from walking vendors for only a quarter more at $7 each. The offerings I have found are nothing to excite a connoisseur of barley and hops: Bud Light, Coors Light, and Labatt Blue seem to be available from most concession stands and vendors. One slight disappointment is the lack of any microbrews or craft beers; both nearby Progressive Field and Quicken Loans Arena, homes of the Indians and Cavaliers, respectively, offer a wider range of beers, including selections from local favorite Great Lakes Brewing Company. In over 20 games attended in the past 5 years, I cannot recall ever finding something different than the common beers.
A relatively well–kept secret of the food and beverage experience in Cleveland Browns Stadium is Legends, located between the upper and lower levels of the northeast end of the stadium. Available to any ticketholder, not only does this concession area provide an array of stadium food staples and drinks, but a warm break from the Cleveland cold is welcomed. Your stay may be longer than expected, as flat-screen televisions are spread around and throughout the open floor, most tuned into the Browns game while a few show games from across the NFL. The typical beer selection is found here as well, but with the added bonus of a fully stocked bar (they’ll even throw a shot of Bailey’s Irish Cream into your coffee for a steep $8, but it’s the only place to enjoy an Irish Coffee inside the stadium).
 Legends Food & Beverage: 4
There are a few unique items with additional classic fare available. All the stadium staples with a few twists, and out-of-the-ordinary choices like pickle on a stick. Beer selection could use some improvements.
Atmosphere: 2
A less than ideal place to watch a game with average historical significance: a shiny, new toy where the old broken one once sat. The major problem is the stadium security taking fan complaints too far; stories of fans being told to sit because they are standing and cheering are a far cry from the original Dawg Pound that gave this rabid fanbase the reputation it deserves.
 The Dawg Pound Neighborhood: 4
There are several options for interesting pre or post-game activities. Something for everyone if dining or just enjoying drinks. Drop the non-football fans off at either the Great Lakes Science Center or Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, both direct neighbors of the stadium to the east.
Fans: 4
The fans are ardent and true, only lacking that certain magic. While not every fan knows their X’s and O’s, these fans dish out their $$ in good times and bad, showing dedication matched by few.
Access: 5
Parking and restrooms are easily available and cost effective. In my travels to other stadiums and hearing exploits from others, the accessibility and associated costs are second to none.
Return on Investment: 4
Upper Deck View Worth the price of admission, everything is just about the right price. Ticket prices can be had for under $40 per seat if sought out diligently. While the current on-the-field product is not up to par with expectations, the stadium experience surpasses them.
Etc: 2
One extra point for Legends, described earlier, and one for the Family Zone: two sections of the upper deck in the northwest corner of the stadium that are alcohol-free and serves as an option for parents who don’t want their children exposed to the typical football fan’s shenanigans.
By Glenn Franco Simmons, Stadium Journey Correspondent
Kezar Stadium is best known for its days when the San Francisco 49ers played there from 1946 to 1970, but for a bit of trivia, it’s also where a scene from “Dirty Harry” was filmed.
And it’s a bit of Clint Eastwood that Candlestick Park could use now because of the behavior of some really bad fans – especially in the cheap seats.
“The Stick,” constructed in 1960, is owned and operated by the city of San Francisco.
Like a lot of things government does, Candlestick’s design is one big folly of a disaster.
Rather than reduce the wind and cold, the stadium’s design backfired and seems to have made wind and cold even worse, but I really haven’t noticed it much in football games over the years. It affected baseball more in my opinion.
Late summer and fall are traditionally a really pleasant and sunny time of year in San Francisco. Regardless, if you are there for football, it should not matter a lot if it rains or if it’s windy. My only advice is to dress in layers, even on Indian Summer days when the temperature inside the stadium can reach more than 80 degrees.
Although the seats and seating configuration are dated, it’s not that bad. I’m 6-4, 225 pounds, with bad knees from my days playing sports, and I do not have a problem with the stadium’s seating..
If you are looking for big-screen TVs, make sure you sit on the east, west or south sides of the stadium because the north side only has a small big-screen at the far end of the south end zone to view, while the north end zone screen is huge.
The best feature introduced at the stadium this year was by far the return to the 49ers traditional colors. Gone is the awful cardinal. Back are the team’s colors worn during the glory years.
One of the newest and best stadium features is the Edward DeBartolo Sr. 49ers Hall of Fame. DeBartolo is the father of Eddie DeBartolo Jr., who is the only single NFL owner to take a team to five Super Bowl victories. (The Steelers won six under different owners; same family.) A classy glass-enclosed display shows former 49er greats like Joe Montana, Ronnie Lott and Bill Walsh.
Another great feature is the Niner Noise Drumline, an outstanding group of drummers. You’ve got to see and hear these drummers in action. They are awesome.
The official Jed York era didn’t begin this year, but 2009 was his first as the operating owner. Among improvements are:
- A new field level suite that provides fans an opportunity to watch games up close. It’s located south of the 49ers bench.
- A really neat helmet wall that features Northern California high schools. It’s supposed to sport more than 400 helmets, and they had a bunch of them up this season, but I’m not sure how many.
- An upgraded Faithful City in the north parking lot that features interactive youth activities prior to kickoff.
- An expanded Mezzanine Level Absolut Gridiron that offers fans premium food and beverages in a larger area.
There is plenty of food available, but you might have to spend a few minutes getting something that might not be offered near your section.
However, there is an excellent variety of food, including clam chowder, fish tacos, burritos, hot dogs, sausage dogs, nachos, turkey burgers, pizza cheese burgers, french fries, polish dogs, popcorn, cotton candy, and more.
Vendors are constantly going through the stands offering different items, and they do a really good job of not getting in the way of the action. Plus, they are very friendly.
There are plenty of ushers. You can use your cell phone to text a page for any reason, including bad fan behavior, and the response is quick.
Pregame national anthems are done with total class and great vocalists. Halftime is always entertaining and/or inspiring, with flyovers on occasion.
Assistive listening devices are available at Guest Services located on the Mezzanine Level next to the 49ers Ticket Office near Section 27. Please note that a credit card, driver’s license, California I.D. card, or a refundable $50 cash deposit is required. ATMs are plentiful.
There are plenty of baby-changing stations, and children 2 years and younger will be admitted free.
When you arrive at the stadium, getting to any level is really easy thanks to the excellent escalators. Leaving the stadium is also easy, whether you walk down the ramps or take the escalators, or even the stairs, but be careful in the parking lots at night. The lighting is moderate and traffic lanes are narrow.
The access to Candlestick is not that big of a deal and is accomplished rather easily. Leaving The Stick is more troublesome, so make sure you know where you are going. Be patient! Due to the constraints drivers face, there are a lot of lane changes until drivers get to the lanes they need to be in to drive home.
The traffic delays are particularly irritating when we play the Oakland Raiders every other season at Candlestick. There is much more traffic and subsequent delays at those games because so many Raiders fans get weekend get-out-of jail passes.
On the way to games for South Bay fans, I suggest taking Highway 280 unless Highway 101 is definitely faster. I don’t think 280 takes longer; plus, it has less traffic, it’s a better road and it’s a more enjoyable drive. Even if you took Highway 101 to get to the game, I would suggest taking 280 home because 101 is a mess after each game. Even the 49ers suggest 280 home if you live in the South Bay. If you are coming from the north, you’re rather limited if you live outside San Francisco. You’ve got two bridges, the Golden Gate and Bay.
Fans have been in limbo since the 1990s regarding a new stadium. The 2002 Super Bowl would have been in San Francisco, but a new stadium was never built, and the franchise is still trying to get approval for a new stadium in Santa Clara a short drive south of Candlestick. If a new stadium were built in Santa Clara, it would really change 49ers football, because in the fall, Silicon Valley can easily be in the 80s and 90s.
The proposed location would be spectacularly beautiful. If a new stadium is built in Santa Clara, I’ll miss the views of San Francisco’s downtown that Candlestick provides.
FANFARE Score: 28.5
Food & Beverage: 4
Common beverages are $5 each. Food ranges in price and is not that expensive.
Atmosphere: 4
Unless it’s raining or really windy, the weather at Candlestick during preseason, fall and even into the winter can be very nice and almost Mediterranean. I’m a football fan, so Candlestick’s occasional strange wind and/or San Francisco fog that can creep in at night are not issues.
 © BrokenSphere / Wikimedia Commons Neighborhood: 3.5
The stadium is located on a really beautiful point along San Francisco Bay. Jets from San Francisco International fly very close to the stadium. It is fascinating to see. However, there is a rundown area south of the stadium and I would be careful not to take a wrong turn.
Fans: 4
Fans in San Francisco are like at any other stadium: there are good ones and bad ones. The cheap seats seem to draw a lot of shady characters, and someone needs to stop people from smoking pot and cigarettes in the cheap seats, including media representatives who smoke up a storm.
Access: 3
Getting there is easy. Leaving is difficult, as I noted above.
Return on Investment: 5
Despite the stadium’s age, the 49ers have done a lot for a stadium the franchise does not own. Prices are not exorbitant. I saw lots of small and teenage kids with parents at the game, so it’s popular with parents and children.
Etc.: 5
Any NFL game to me is an experience and the 49ers have done the best they can with this venue. Again, despite its age, who can beat watching your favorite NFL team in person?
 Mall of America Field Exterior Review by Kevin Lindsey, Stadium Journey Correspondent
If a stadium had feelings, the Mall of America Field would be confused and suffering from an inferiority complex.
Confused as there is signage on the stadium that says Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome despite the fact the stadium is now officially named The Mall of America Field. While the Vikings are the only professional sports team to play in the dome, the home of the Minnesota Twins is etched into the building.
If things weren’t bad enough for the poor Mall of America Field, it appears that is sole tenant is not very happy. The Minnesota Vikings are currently negotiating with several municipalities to secure a site for a new football stadium.
While Mall of America Field may feel uncertain about its long term future at least it can enjoy being the home of the NFC North Division Champion Minnesota Vikings and host to playoff football.
FANFARE Score: 28
Food & Beverage: 4
There is nothing special about the food at the dome. There is pizza, hot dogs, and hamburgers. Peanuts, popcorn and nachos with the cheese and jalapeno peppers on the side are also available. Nothing is outstanding about the traditional stadium food but nothing is so poor that you regret your choice. The best choice of meals in the stadium hands down is the barbecue pork sandwiches at Famous Dave’s BBQ shop. Expect to pay $5 to $10.
When you are ready to wash down your food your choices primarily are Coke products and Miller products. If you want to try a local beer you can partake of the two or three beer choices from the local Summit Brewery. Again, expect to pay $5 to $10 depending on your choice beverage and if you wish to take home a souvenir cup.
Atmosphere: 4
Before the game begins, the Vikings welcome everyone by having a famous guest sound off the Viking horn. The rumored famous guest for the Vikings playoff game against the Dallas Cowboys is local hometown hero, Minnesota Twins and American League Most Valuable Player, Joe Mauer.
On the field, you can spot the Vikings mascot Rangar. Rangar, the bearded long haired Viking, can be seen patrolling the field on his motorcycle and interacting with fans in the stands. Rangar also doubles as Adrian Peterson’s gate-keeper on ESPN commercials.
When the Vikings score, the horn sounds and the crowd is treated to the song “Skol Vikings.” As the crowd is urged to tell the Vikings to Fight! Fight! Fight!; the cheerleaders race around the field carrying flags that spell out V-I-K-I-N-G-S.
Neighborhood: 4
If you are looking to go somewhere quick for a cold beer and a large helping of traditional bar food then the choice is Huberts Bar & Grill, 601 Chicago Avenue South, across from the dome; Grumpy’s at 11th and S. Washington Avenue; or Kiernan’s Irish Pub at the corner of 4th Street and 2nd Avenue.
There are many post game food options within minutes of the stadium. Three restaurants that are moderately priced and that likely have something for everyone in your group are Zeke (Japanese), M/S grill and Ike’s which are located on 6th Street between Hennepin and Nicollet.
If the post game meal is just as important as the game – steak lovers should check out Murray’s Steakhouse or Morton’s while seafood lovers need to get to Oceanaire. A taxi cab ride from the stadium will get you where you want to go for $8 to $12.
If you want to experience the night life of downtown Minneapolis, take the 5 minute light rail ride to Hennepin Avenue from the Stadium. Celebrities and athletes are likely to be found at Bella Notte or if you want to go old school you can check out First Avenue.
Fans: 4
Minnesotans have a reputation for being stoic and reserved. However, Vikings fans are among the most passionate fans in the NFL. Of course, what goes on inside the dome during Vikings stays inside the dome. Inside the dome, one sees a multitude of adults were Viking helmets with blond wig braid extensions while wearing jerseys with the name of Favre, Peterson or Allen.
When the crowd needs to bring the noise to help the defense, the fans can rival most airport runways and they are usually good for creating at least one illegal procedure penalty for the opponents a game. While there is good natured one-liners and barbs exchanged with fans who are wearing the wrong color uniforms (especially green and gold), the fans are good at ensuring that nothing crosses the line.
Access: 4
Parking within three blocks around the stadium can be expensive. The price for parking drops substantially if you are willing to walk more than four blocks. Many fans take light rail to the game for less than $2. Out of town fans staying near the airport should plan on their light rail ride to the game taking twenty minutes.
The lines for getting into the game move quickly; the lines for the bathroom are another story as they can be long at times especially for female fans.
Return on Investment: 4
The cost of Vikings tickets fall in the middle of the price range of tickets for NFL teams if you are able to get tickets at face value. Now that Brett Favre has come to town, tickets are more difficult to obtain and purchasing single game tickets should be done well in advance. If you need to pick up your tickets from your local friend on the street you can expect to pay a decent premium on the tickets.
Etc: 4
The fans are fun and enthusiastic but not overboard. You have light rail to get you to the game and to your post game party.
 Qualcomm Stadium Aerial View Review by Michael Scarr, Stadium Journey Correspondent
FANFARE Score: 27
San Diego may be the best place to watch a professional football game simply because it’s unexpected.
It can’t claim legendary status like Lambeau or Soldier Fields or provide a cutting edge experience like the new palace in Dallas, but the combination of climate, field product and in-stadium vibe make for a game worth attending.
Before the arguments fly, let’s throw out a quick disclaimer. Qualcomm Stadium is a bit of a dump. So much so that the Padres ran for downtown as soon as the last gavel dropped on the multitude of lawsuits that held up construction of what became Petco Park.
Known now simply as the Q, the stadium opened in 1967 as San Diego Stadium, a name it kept until being recast as San Diego-Jack Murphy Stadium. A cumbersome title that was cut to “The Murph” and honored Murphy, who was a longtime sports editor and columnist for the San Diego Union and also a central player in convincing the city to build the stadium.
 Jack Murphy Statue Prior to that, the Chargers played in Balboa stadium from 1961-66, a classic horseshoe and track and field layout in downtown.
A multipurpose stadium that also hosts SDSU football as a tenant in addition to the Padres from their expansion into the National League in 1969 until leaving after the 2003 season, Qualcomm has undergone a number of facelifts to its present day seating capacity of about 72,000.
Once open-ended, repeated seating increases and luxury box add-ons have completed the squared circle shape for more of a bowl experience. While this redefined shape ultimately doomed baseball at the Q, it accentuated one key ingredient for football.
Noise.
Aside from domed stadiums, which get an obvious advantage, there is no place louder than the Q. That was evident in late December, 2009 when Carson Palmer and the Bengals committed three straight penalties because their signals could not be heard over the din.
 Inside Qualcomm Stadium That highly charged atmosphere helps you to overcome the thoughts that the building really does show its age.
The concourses are tight and there is really no section that is easy to move around. The tunnel serving the Field level is claustrophobic while the Upper Deck, excuse me, View Level concourse is shoulder-to-shoulder for soldout games.
The wider concourse outside the Plaza level had plenty of room at one time but has since been littered with concession stands. Can’t argue, too much, because the best food is found there on the ground level. Mexican fare and grilled burgers are your best bets while domestic and premium beers will run $8-9.
Only the Club Level has relative ease of access, but that will set you back about $250 a seat. The bars stay open after the third quarter, though, so you get what you pay for. Just bring plenty of cash.
The Chargers have had their lean years but currently are fielding one of the best if not the most entertaining teams in the NFL. Combine that with the full-throated support of the locals and any fan will not come away disappointed.
But even in the lean years, what doesn’t change is the weather.
San Diego has one of the best climates in the United States and the Q, being situated a few miles inland in Mission Valley, benefits from the temperate coastal condition.
Fans wear shorts to games in September through January, so regardless of record, tailgating in the sunshine is a season-long endeavor.
Transportation to the Q comes in three basic forms: car, trolley or bus. Driving yourself can be slow and the lot can fill quickly, so if you’re looking to tailgate, plan a minimum three-hour lead if not four. Great atmosphere, though.
If you don’t want to drive, but want to tailgate consider the trolley, which will drop you steps from the proceedings.
The San Diego Trolley also serves the Q and can be accessed from east (SDSU to El Cajon) or west (South Bay, Downtown to west Mission Valley). Either direction, the closer you board to the stadium the less likely you’ll sit, but the ride in is usually lively.
Postgame is a pain, as a mass of humanity squeezes onto one platform. The line moves quicker than it appears but patience is needed.
The bus is probably the easiest of the three options. Boarding locations can be found throughout San Diego County and drop you close to the stadium gates. The big plus is that buses have priority access upon exiting postgame.
For sports bar activity pre or postgame that is near the Q, check out McGregor’s Grill and Ale House, Seau’s The Restaurant or Bully’s East.
Seau’s, at 1640 Camino Del Rio North, gets the nod because the 12-time Pro Bowler cannot be ignored. It is pretty straight-forward as a bar/restaurant, but it’s large and there are more screens than Crazy Al’s TV Emporium. Plus it’s trolley accessible in Mission Valley Center.
A bit more authentic is McGregor’s, which will satisfy your viewing needs but offers a better sample of local brews with a menu that is a much better departure than the chain restaurant feel of Seau’s. Get the Super Torta or the Flat-Iron steak sandwich. The address is 10475 San Diego Mission Road.
For something a bit off the beaten track, more old-school but still in the neighborhood, head to Bully’s East just the opposite side of Mission Valley off Texas Street at 2401 Camino Del Rio South.
Daylight has never found its way inside so no worries about finding a booth to hide you and the stray you picked up at the game. Think martini and prime rib with ample TV monitors should you need to take in the late game.
The Q has its warts, certainly. It’s not exactly pretty, you’ll find trouble if you decide to go to a Raiders game and the concession offerings are adequate at best, but throw in the city, the vibe and the field product and your time will be well spent.
Food & Beverage: 3
Atmosphere: 5
Neighborhood: 4
Fans: 5
Access: 3
Return on Investment: 4
Etc.: 3
Review by Jason Clary, Stadium Journey Correspondent
Editor’s Note: Land Shark Stadium has been re-named Sun Life Stadium for the 2010 Pro Bowl and Super Bowl.
Whether you are heading north from Miami or south from Fort Lauderdale, there is surely one thing that will catch your eye. Like a giant beacon beaming in from a distance, Land Shark Stadium is a structure one in its own. It is the fortress the Miami Dolphins call home.
Although a successful franchise, the Florida sun that shines year round has many fans elsewhere on game-day. For those fans that bleed aqua and orange, there is no place like Land Shark Stadium on a Sunday afternoon.
FANFARE Score: 25
Food & Beverage: 4
Along with the normal selection of food and beverages like chicken fingers and the standard assortment of sodas, Land Shark Stadium offers unique favorites like quesadillas, Italian sausage, and of course, Land Shark Beer. It would only be appropriate to offer Land Shark Beer, considering it is the name of the stadium.
While prices could be lower, there are all kinds of delicious amenities for any kind of stomach and refreshments sure to cool you down. As far as beer sales go, there is no need to worry; it is sold after half time and ceases only when the clock reaches zero in the third quarter.
Atmosphere: 4
The Miami Dolphins are one of the most storied franchises in NFL History. Visible from any seat in the stadium, a band around the entire building includes names from the Dolphins ring of honor, which includes players like Larry Csonka, Bob Griese, and Dan Marino.
Land Shark Stadium, which is host to this Super Bowl XLIV (44) and the 2010 Pro Bowl, also has 2 massive High Definition TV monitors at either end of the stadium and a High Definition media strip lining the entire inside of the stadium.
Neighborhood: 2
Well folks, it isn’t South Beach. Land Shark Stadium is located in a relatively desolate area, which is located mostly around residential areas. The closest restaurants or bars require a trip back on the highway either to the outskirts of Fort Lauderdale or North Miami.
For those fans that really need to be at a bar or restaurant for the pre game festivities, I suggest staying near the city until about an hour before kickoff. For those fans that love to tailgate, you have come to the right place. Make a few friends, grill some good food, and toss around the pigskin. It’ll be a great day for football.
 Dolphins Tailgate Mobile Fans: 4
From all walks of life and of many ages, there are an extremely high variety of Dolphins fans. You will see fans at Land Shark Stadium sporting jerseys, body paint, and even a full arsenal of football pads. Though at times there are some empty seats, you can expect the 12th man to be loud and proud no matter how many fans are in attendance.
It is definitely a family environment that all ages can enjoy.
Access: 5
There is no problem getting to the stadium, parking, tailgating, or going into the stadium. A very well set up area, Land Shark Stadium provides a simple and convenient parking and tailgating area that is an easy walk to the stadium. There are portable bathrooms set up around the tailgating areas and there are many bathrooms in the stadium.
The parking allows for tents to be set up as well as grills, tables and tailgate games. There is also ideal room to throw around a football, even at full capacity.
Return on Investment: 4
The field is easily visible from any seat in the stadium. Even from the last row in the upper deck I was able to follow every play with ease. Concessions are a little over priced, as they are in most stadiums, but everything else is easy on the wallet. Getting seats for less than 100 dollars to an NFL game is a blessing and there are more than a few sections in Land Shark Stadium that offer affordable prices for tickets for those who do not want to spend a fortune. It is a very affordable option for going to see an NFL game.
Etc.: 2
One point goes to the new artwork around the spiral walkways up the stadium. Created by artist Romero Britto, they add a scenic touch of South Florida to the stadium and give it a unique look walking into the stadium.
A second point goes to the renovations recently completed to expand the decks at the different levels of the stadium. These expanded decks made way for new bars, concessions, and areas to sit down and enjoy refreshments as well as the South Florida sun.
Final Thoughts:
This was another great trip to watch the Dolphins play football. The stadium gets better and better each time I go to a game. I would personally recommend any football fan to attend a game at Land Shark Stadium.
By Andrew Kulyk, Guest Reviewer, Ultimate Sports Road Trip
Known affectionately as “The Ralph”, the home of the NFL Buffalo Bills was constructed by the taxpayers of Erie County and opened in 1973. This is the second venue for the Bills, who played in their first 12 years of existence at the old War Memorial Stadium in the city.
Ralph Wilson Stadium is located in the suburb of Orchard Park, approximately 15 miles south of the city, and sits amidst residential subdivisions, and a local community college campus. There is ample road access to the stadium via I-90 and US Route 219. Gameday bus service is also available from downtown.
The stadium has over 15,000 parking spaces on the property itself. There are also a large amount of privately operated lots in all directions around the stadium, with fees running as low as $5 to park, depending on how far one wants to walk.
The stadium has undergone numerous additions and upgrades over the years to offer amenities comparable to today’s NFL standards. In the late 90s, the capacity was actually shrunk from 80,000 seats to just over 73,000, with the space being devoted to new dugout suites, club seating and premium spaces. A new HD diamond vision scoreboard was added for the 2008 season.
FANFARE Score: 25
Food & Beverage: 2
“Ballpark dreck” is the buzzword for the food offerings at the Ralph, with the basic fare – hot dogs, nachos, beer, pop, peanuts and popcorn on the menu. In recent years, the team has tried to upgrade the menu, with the addition of such items as Italian sausage with peppers/onions, Red Osier beef on weck, which is a uniquely Buffalo treat, and pizza. Beer sales are strictly enforced, with the cut off occurring at the beginning of the third quarter.
The 200 club sections offer a more elaborate selection, with various chicken and deli sandwiches, full bar service open for the entire game and imported beer selection. Access to the 200 club requires a ticket in those areas, and the entrance is heavily guarded.
Atmosphere: 5
This is the one area where Buffalo ranks high. Being an “old school” stadium, it is the tailgating experience which makes a day here so special. Fans begin their campout here days in advance, and great pains are taken to decorate vehicles, busses and campers. In past seasons one could actually find a fully equipped and functional hot tub on a flatbed, with steam rising on a cold December day.
Inside the stadium, it is also bedlam, with fans decked out on the team’s red and blue colors, and the team’s longtime anthem, the “Shout” song, blaring as the players take to the field, and following each Buffalo score. Fans here are amongst the least corporate, most down to earth and most passionate in all of the NFL.
Neighborhood: 2
With its distant location from the city core, there really is not much to see and do around the environs of The Ralph in upscale suburban Orchard Park. There are a couple of taverns and convenience stores within walking distance, and those establishments do what they can to cater to the game day fan, but otherwise it is the vibrant and colorful tailgate scene which rules the day. Outside vendors sell their wares in certain locations, although new and tougher ordinances by the local municipality strictly regulate who can sell what and where.
Fans coming to the game and not planning to bring their own tailgate party and fixins are best advised to search elsewhere for postgame grub and libations, as there is little to see and do within walking distance of the stadium itself.
Fans: 4
This could be a mixed bag, as Buffalo Bills football brings out the best, and the worst, amongst the locals who follow the team. Bills football is ingrained into the community’s psyche and consciousness. People here live and die with the fortunes of the team, although a decade of losing and no playoff appearances has numbed the fan base somewhat. People here are rabidly passionate about the Bills, and at the same time there is a great deal of consternation as to the future of the franchise in the post Ralph Wilson era.
While we give high marks for fan support, and yes they have sold this building out for decades, despite a declining economy and population, at the same time we give deductions for what is largely a very unruly and misbehaved crowd on game day. Alcohol and a culture of violence is an unfortunate part of the game day experience, despite team attempts to promote a more family friendly atmosphere. A vibrant tailgate scene’s negative consequence is binge drinking and drunkenness. It is not a good place to be if you are wearing a visiting jersey, and watching the melees in the stands, the green jacketed security guys converging from one spot to the next, is an unfortunate spectacle.
Access: 4
Getting in and out of The Ralph is a snap. Most parking lots are open for general parking (cost $25), and there are also handicapped lots available. Traffic management is fairly efficient, and once out of the lots, it is a quick shot to numerous expressways heading north/south and into downtown via the lake route. Satellite parking lots are abundant. After years of tweaking, the system here works reasonably well.
Return on Investment: 5
The Buffalo Bills boast the cheapest prices in the NFL. Yes you read that right. “Rockpile” seats in the end zone or in the family (no alcohol) sections can run as cheap as $30, and non-club seating anywhere in the building is well under $100, almost unheard of in today’s NFL pricing matrix. Season ticket holders enjoy liberal discounts off of the retail price, and other perks such as a break on merchandise and parking at the stadium. There are no personal seat license requirements, and even with a season ticket base of over 50,000, season tickets can be purchased during the offseason and there is no waiting list. With the ridiculous costs of attending a sporting event in some markets, a Buffalo Bills ticket is an entertainment bargain.
 Ralph Wilson Stadium Exterior Etc: 3
The team pays a great deal of attention to its history and legacy, with a Wall of Fame displaying the names of the franchise greats right in the stadium seating bowl. Some of the notables include disgraced former star O.J. Simpson, and Bob Kalsu, the only professional football player to have perished in the Vietnam war.
The team’s two AFL titles (1964-1965) and four AFC championships (1990-1991-1992-1993) are also displayed in the seating bowl as well as the outside face of the main scoreboard and visible to passersby along Abbott Road.
Another spot to visit is the Bills Fieldhouse, on the stadium grounds south of the stadium. The team hosts a “gameday experience” with interactive attractions, meet and greet with the cheerleaders and team mascot, and a sizable and well stocked team merchandise store is also located here.
Final Thoughts:
While lacking the opulence and the bells and whistles of the 21st century NFL venue, Ralph Wilson Stadium remains extremely functional. What makes a day here special and extraordinary is the colorful tailgate scene, one of the absolute best in the NFL, and the energy and passion of the fans, again, ranking amongst the best in the league.
Review by Jeff Summers, Stadium Journey Correspondent
FANFARE Score: 27
Rising out of the Arizona desert, the University of Phoenix Stadium dwarfs the landscape. The architects who designed the venue describe its unique shape as a representation of a barrel cactus indigenous to the area. From a fan’s perspective it more closely resembles a space ship from the movie Close Encounters of the Third Kind with its metallic silver facade.
 University of Phoenix Stadium Exterior Built in 2006, the University of Phoenix Stadium is home to the National Football League’s Arizona Cardinals and the home of the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl for college football. Besides sporting events, the stadium is also home to several conventions and special events.
Located in Glendale, Arizona just west of Phoenix, the University of Phoenix Stadium is easily accessed via the Loop 101 North freeway and sits adjacent to Jobbing.Com Arena, home of the National Hockey League’s Phoenix Coyotes. The football and hockey venues anchor the area and are clearly seen just east of the freeway.
There are abundant parking facilities surrounding the University of Phoenix Stadium with 14,000 spots available on site with an additional 12,000 adjacent to the stadium. The parking facilities open four hours before game time and remain open for one hour after the game ends.
Tailgating is allowed and encouraged. Fans are requested to take one parking spot for each vehicle with tents up to 10’x10’ allowed. Charcoal grills are not permitted in the stadium parking facilities although gas or propane can be used.
Besides the parking facilities, the stadium also features expansive lawn areas that are suitable for tailgating. The largest of these is Sportsman’s Park and is home to the largest tailgating party on property. Before every game tailgaters at the park compete to be named tailgater of the game.
The University of Phoenix Stadium has a capacity of 63,400 permanent seats in a football configuration. This seating capacity can be expanded to 72,200 with the addition of temporary seats in the end zones and upper decks.
There are several unique features at the University of Phoenix Stadium. The venue itself has a retractable roof opening over the playing surface. The outside panels of the stadium are made up of alternating silver metal and glass. The metal reflects the desert sun and reduces cooling requirements. The glass panels allow sunlight into the stadium and give the fans a scenic view of the surrounding area.
The playing surface is natural grass. The grass and soil are four feet deep and sit in a rectangular box. The box sits atop 76 railroad wheels allowing the entire playing surface to roll along railroad tracks. This allows the grass to be moved outside. The turf tray weighs an impressive 18.9 million pounds and is moved 741 feet via electrical motors at 1/8 miles per hour.
There are video boards at each end zone giving fans a view of the game replays as well as out of town scores. Flanking the south end zone are sound “thermometers” that rise from the stands to roof structure. These “thermometers” measure crowd noise in the stadium and light up as the crowd gets louder.
When designing the University of Phoenix Stadium the architects took fan feedback into consideration. One of the most consistent comments they received was the lack of restroom facilities especially for women. As a result the stadium was designed with 30 men’s restrooms, 35 women’s restrooms, and 12 family facilities. This has resulted in longer lines for men than women, definitely a departure from normal sports facilities.
The food selection within the stadium is varied and is presented by 47 concession stands throughout the ballpark. You will find typical sports venue foods such as hot dogs, hamburgers, and pizza. You will also find local favorites including a very good BBQ selection.
Sight lines are extremely good from all angles and the seats have adequate leg room to accommodate larger fans. The seats face directly down to the playing surface meaning there may be times when you have to turn left or right to see the action. The seats have adequate space left and right to allow this without invading the personal space of the fan next to you.
Besides the field action, the University of Phoenix Stadium also has large columns that provide team and stadium information in almost a guided tour type of atmosphere. Each of the six levels in the stadium has a mural painted to showcase the natural beauty of Arizona. The upper deck’s mural shows the Arizona night sky complete with constellations and locations of planetary observatories in the state.
Overall the University of Phoenix Stadium is an engineering marvel and a great place to enjoy a game. It is not just the local fans who rave about this facility. Recently Sports Illustrated rated this stadium as the best new venue of the 2000 decade. Whether it is football, soccer, basketball, or any of the other countless events staged within its walls you are sure to enjoy your experience at the University of Phoenix Stadium.
Food & Beverage: 4
You will find your typical sports venue foods throughout the stadium. During football season you will find even more choices wandering around the tailgating areas outside. The fans are very friendly and many will invite you into their parties. These are some incredible cooks that should not be missed. Beer comes in two sizes including Small ($6.75), Large ($8.75), 16 oz bottle ($7.25).
Atmosphere: 4
The retractable roof is awesome allowing games under the stars. The natural grass playing surface on rails that roll outside is amazing. Good sightlines from all seats.
Neighborhood: 3
Located in Glendale Arizona, the stadium is on the western outskirts of the valley away from many of the cultural activities of the Phoenix area. Besides the football stadium there is the hockey venue. Businesses are beginning to be built up around the area but it still feels somewhat isolated from the rest of the Valley of the Sun.
Fans: 4
The Arizona Cardinals fans have long felt they were the doormats to the NFL but since the team moved to the University of Phoenix Stadium the fan base has grown in loyalty and commitment. The games are loud and the fans are passionate giving the home team a distinct advantage especially with the roof closed.
Access: 4
There are literally thousands of parking spots available surrounding the stadium. The venue itself has an abundance of restrooms including family restrooms to allow parents to assist their children.
Return on Investment: 4
The Arizona Cardinals have several price points for tickets allowing most fans to find a price point they are comfortable with. The concessions are fairly priced in line with the other sports venues in the area.
Etc.: 4
It is a unique venue with the retractable roof, retractable turf, and interesting architectural element. The team goes out of its way to cater to tailgaters and the fans are very friendly even to those wearing the opposing team’s merchandise. Guest relations was very helpful and the local law enforcement is in abundance making sure traffic flows well before and after the game even during events such as the BCS Championship and the Super Bowl.
Restaurant Review – Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville
6751 N Sunset Blvd Suite E109
Glendale, AZ 85305
Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville is a chain restaurant and is a must-go venue for any of the loyal “Parrot Heads” that follow Jimmy Buffett. The restaurant is located in Westgate which is adjacent to Jobbing.com Arena and the University of Phoenix.
The food selection is typical bar style foods with appetizers, grill items, and sandwiches. Most of the menu items represent the beach fare made famous in Jimmy Buffett’s music. While these may seem a little out of place in the Arizona desert, they are very good and at least while dining you feel like you are lounging around the beach.
Two of the specialty dishes that come highly recommended are the Coconut Shrimp and the Mahi Mahi Taco Platter. Both of these dishes were extremely good and were served with sides that made them a very filling meal.
The atmosphere is laid back which is what you would expect. The restaurant is decorated in island décor with an abundance of Hawaiian and tropical items. It is a great place to unwind after you team was beat. So take a trip to Margaritaville and forget all your cares in the world.
Restaurant Review – Saddle Ranch
Saddle Ranch
9375 West Coyote Blvd
Glendale, AZ 85305
Saddle Ranch is perhaps best known as the famous chop shop located on Sunset Strip in California. The company expanded opening a new location in Glendale Arizona in the Westgate City Center area surrounding Jobbing.com arena and the University of Phoenix Stadium.
The restaurant is best known for its country-western atmosphere and its famous steaks. The Saddle Ranch definitely fits into the old west view of Arizona and looks as though it has just escaped a western movie screen.
The Saddle Ranch continues the country motif offering music and a mechanical bull that gives patrons an opportunity to try their hand at bull riding or an entertainment venue where you can laugh at your inebriated friends who suddenly think they are cowboys.
Besides lunch and dinner, the Saddle Ranch also offers an outstanding brunch which includes an incredible French toast that must be tried. For pre and postgame, they offer several appetizers to get started. Of these, the specialty is the sweet potato fries. These are glazed sweet potatoes that are fried.
From an entrée perspective, the Saddle Ranch offers a large selection of salads and sandwiches for those on the go. The Steak sandwich is especially good topped with sautéed onions and mushrooms. If you get this I recommend going for the sweet potato casserole that is topped with candied pecans.
As you would expect, the Saddle Ranch has a great selection of steaks and pork chops. Of the steaks the best is perhaps the Porterhouse Steak that is dry aged to bring out the flavor. The steak comes with several choices for sides including the aforementioned sweet potato casserole.
For those with a sweet tooth, the Saddle Ranch has several desserts that will satisfy nearly everyone. The half baked chocolate chip cookie served with a scoop of ice cream and chocolate is a great selection as is the S’mores platter where you can roast your own marshmallows.
The Saddle Ranch is as much an entertainment venue as it is a restaurant. It offers you the opportunity to experience a little of the old west while being pampered with excellent food. It’s a great place to relax before or after a game.
Review by Jack Harver, Stadium Journey Correspondent
Without question, the New England Patriots have been the class of the NFL since Bill Belichick became their head coach back in 2000. Their three Lombardi Trophies, four Super Bowl appearances, fourteen playoff wins, and a .700 win percentage set them apart as the top franchise of the Noughties—a decade in which they endured only one losing season.
You’d figure that the home for a team like that would be, in the words of Massachusetts’ own John Winthrop, a “shining city upon a hill.”
Prior to this season, though, you’d have been wrong—or, rather, not yet right.
Gillette Stadium is, in itself, a good setting for a football game. Its three broad, flattish tiers rise almost imperceptibly from the field to a formidable stacked height, crowned by full rows of floodlights. The sometimes-harsh elements of New England’s winter season are given ample open space, through the end zones and from above, to come in and play. In the subtle polish of dark red and blue, with guts of grey concrete, the venue embodies the stolid professionalism of the organization it houses. There isn’t a bad seat in the house, but you’re not living in luxury, either.
Until the tail end of the Patriots’ 2007 season, that was the sum total of the game day experience. Outside, construction skeletons, dirt-strewn pedestrian walkways, and parking lots littered the flatland patch of Foxborough along Route 1 where Gillette had been plopped down in 2002, just up the road from an unremarkable suburban neighborhood.
Over the past two years, though, completed pieces have filled big spaces in team owner Robert Kraft’s ambitious framework. From a 142,000 square-foot Bass Pro Shops Outdoor World store in 2007, to The Hall—New England’s own football hall of fame—in 2008 and several prominent restaurants in 2009, the stadium that once stood alone has become the nucleus of what Kraft calls “a super-regional lifestyle and entertainment center,” complete with its own four-star hotel and 14-screen movie theater.
Make no mistake: Patriot Place is that “city upon a hill,” and it makes Gillette Stadium as elite among sporting venues as its Patriots have been among football teams.
FANFARE Score: 28
Food & Beverage: 4
The in-stadium concessions, unfortunately, are anything but elite. Sam Adams on tap is an admirable alternative to the standard domestic fare, and $4 small beers aren’t a bad value as ball-game brews go. But Gillette’s too-typical selection of $5 dogs and $7 sausages is uninspiring, and paying $9 for a combo at one of the two McDonald’s locations sucks the “value” right out of your value meal.
With that said, there’s no earthly reason to get your grub on inside the gates.
Along the thoroughfares of Patriot Place, several city blocks’ worth of dining options have been slotted between shops. Ranging from $8 burritos at Qdoba to $50 ribeye steaks at Davio’s, with chains such as Red Robin and Olive Garden and several other restaurants priced between, there’s something for every palette and budget.
And then there’s Five Guys.
 Five Guys Burgers at Patriots Place The burgers and fries served up by this Alexandria, Va.-based chain deserve paragraphs upon paragraphs of praise. Suffice to say, though, that there’s nary a freezer on the premises—meaning fresh 80% lean beef, vegetables, and bread—and the spuds that end up as your fries are cut and cold-soaked the morning of your visit. A burger, fries, and a drink costs around $10, and you’ll bless every penny of it.
Atmosphere: 5
Maybe it’s the ever-present (and sometimes oppressive) touch of the New England cold, the parking lot talk of “layering up” and keeping your feet warm, and the resultant sea of heavy jackets, coveralls, and snow caps.
Maybe it’s the sheer overflow of that crowd, which fills all of the stadium’s 68,756 seats and spills over heavily into areas for “standing room only” ticket-holders, or the feeling of taking part in the mass movement of that many people to and from their seats, or the sound of them all screaming for a big play or shouting to finish the announcer’s sentence: “First down!”
Maybe it’s just that the Patriots, who are 60-12 all-time (and 7-0 in the playoffs) at Gillette, usually give their home crowd plenty to cheer about.
Whatever the reasons, the place feels like big-time professional football. From the tailgate-swamped lots to the bustling shops to the concourses and stands, it exudes “place-to-be” appeal.
 The Hall at Patriot Place The modern fan can follow his fantasy team and the rest of the NFL at CBS Scene, a restaurant and bar just outside the gates. Next door, The Hall at Patriot Place ($10 admission) celebrates New England football through exhibits ranging from local prep school history to the actual snow plow used in the infamous 1982 “Snow Plow Game,” in addition to the frequent presence of legendary former players.
Neighborhood: 5
Gillette Stadium has two neighborhoods, really. One (Patriot Place) surrounds the place, self-sufficient in its abundance of attractions. CBS Scene doubles as a nightclub, and shops for global brands such as Reebok and Hollister stand next to the theater and plethora of restaurants mentioned above, in addition to the row of sizeable chain stores located across the parking lots to the east.
In their midst, a bank branch and a four-story health care center suggest that the Patriots’ block of town aspires to be a hub for more than just out-of-town football fans and shoppers. Perhaps equally as fascinating, though, are the otherwise run-of-the-mill neighborhoods a stone’s throw down Route 1 in the shadow of these developments.
A far cry from venues like Baltimore’s M&T Bank Stadium and Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium, which sit squarely in the heart of those cities’ downtown areas, Gillette’s parking lots rub elbows with side streets lined by houses that could be found in any American small town. Less than a mile east of Patriot Place along the highway, on the corner of North Street, a video rental store and pizzeria sit across from a gas station and a McDonald’s.
Commuter rail connects Foxboro to big-city Boston on game days, but the two feel worlds apart in spirit.
Fans: 5
The rowdies who filled Foxboro Stadium (the Patriots’ previous home) would have been much more intolerant of the visiting team’s colors, most fans in attendance insisted. Patriots fans of old, they said, would raucously liquor themselves up in the parking lots before rampaging inside the gates.
A real rough bunch, by all accounts—and, yet, no sign of them this year.
Plenty of good-natured ribbing, loud cheering, and team spirit. Amongst the tens of thousands, plenty of characters stood out. One fan dressed up as a wolf-man, one as a silver-faced Patriots superhero from his own imagination, and even one as Randy Moss.
Most importantly, they came in droves. In a season where some NFL teams’ attendance figures have taken a hit from tough economic times, New England fans shrugged off a wet, windy morning to fill their stadium to its brim and make the kind of noise a professional football team deserves from the home crowd.
Access: 2
In one way, of course, tens of thousands of fans and a charming small-town backdrop don’t mix well—a realization that crushes all but the earliest to leave Gillette on game day. Remember the sea of tailgaters in the vast, crowded parking lots? The two-lane highway (Route 1) through the charming small town?
That’s the only way out. For everybody.
Some people park in the $40 spots around Patriot Place, while some choose the $20 lots down the highway. (No one uses the town’s stores, whose game-day towing policies are ferocious.) Some head for the exits in the fourth quarter, while others wait out the storm for hours after the game at their tailgates. All of them must confront the bumper-to-bumper gridlock that builds in both directions away from Gillette.
Expect to spend extra hours getting through the first miles back toward wherever you came from.
Return on Investment: 4
As much as Gillette Stadium and Patriot Place pack an ultra-modern excitement punch, rivaled only by the rich history and intrinsic value of venues such as Lambeau Field and Camden Yards, spending a Sunday there might hit your wallet even harder.
The Fan Cost Index (FCI) developed by Team Marketing measures NFL teams’ affordability by calculating the average price for a family of four to buy four tickets, soft drinks, and hot dogs, two small beers, programs, hats, and parking. On average, that experience costs about $415; this year, New England’s FCI was close to $600.
Only 10 teams were above the league average FCI, and only Dallas’ astronomical $758 outstripped the Patriots.
For that price, Gillette Stadium, the on-field product, and all of Patriot Place’s bells and whistles should be every bit as good as they are. In case you’d forgotten, in visiting some less-than-stellar stadiums, that a trip to an NFL game can be a big-time experience, the price tag here should be an easy reminder.
Etc.: 3
One point for the distinctive lighthouse and bridge marking the stadium’s entrance, a replica of the Longfellow Bridge that connects Boston and Cambridge. The team enters, to thunderous applause, from under it, and the organization has used it with great success to increase the venue’s brand equity.
Gillette Stadium Exterior Another for the Moss-costumed fan and Randy Moss himself, whose impromptu touchdown celebration competition via Jumbotron drew big cheers from a happy crowd and took the edge off of recent tension between Moss and some local fans and media.
Lastly, one point for the tailgating party four cars over. The beer you donated didn’t take the sting out of the Jaguars’ 35-7 loss (I’m a Jaguars fan) like you’d hoped, but getting to experience your Patriots’ place certainly helped.
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