With the Super Bowl and then the FIFA World Cup less than a year away, it’s not just Santa Clara and Levi’s Stadium that will be on full display for the sporting world, but the food. Which is why, the restaurants at the stadium are getting ready to bring their A game.
The food and drink fare was on full display at Levi’s Stadium on Sept. 17 at the 49ers’ annual Concessions Showcase. From the Red Faithful Margarita made with Casamigos Tequila to the Red Zone Mule served with Ketel One Vodka to the single barrel four grain Gold Bar Whiskey bottle sold with a collectible retro gold 49ers jacket koozie, there was plenty to drink. But it was the food that stole the show.
Long-time San Jose Mexican restaurant Araujo’s is a newcomer to Levi’s but it’s ready to show the world what it’s got.
“Amazing year to start, right? Got a Super Bowl this year. We have to pass the test and get through this season. But we have World Cup coming up,” said Araujo’s Co-Owner Nathan Casper. “We serve very authentic Mexican food. So for us, the World Cup is going to be an incredible event if we could stick out that long. So tacos the way they should be made. Tortillas made by hand, flame grilled, carne asada, onion, cilantro. That’s it. That’s all you need.”
Araujo’s started as a food truck 18 years ago by Casper’s father-in-law. Now it has three restaurants in San Jose and a stand on the upper deck in Levi’s.
“Last year they brought us in for one night, one event in a club like this, and it went really well,” said Casper. “So they gave us a call and said, we have one space open. If you guys want it, it’s on the very top floor. Okay, we’re in. So we’re here. We’re thrilled.”
Alvin Kabiling is the senior executive chef with Levy Restaurants. He one of the people who runs the show at Levi’s Stadium and he’s getting ready to bring it this year. In addition to new restaurants, he says fans will get a sweet treat.
“I think desserts was always a big one, because we never really focused on it,” said Kabiling. “It’s a three hour event not including pre game, so at some point you’re gonna want something sweet. So, in general, concessions on the third floor, we turned a portable into our state fair desserts.”
Kabiling sees this season as a build up period to, hopefully, the playoffs and then ultimately the Super Bowl. He says, he’s got a few tricks up his sleeves.
“It’s scary because all eyes are on us. But we have to go through the season and we have to progressively get better and better because I can’t throw you out my hand right now. I gotta save something for the Super Bowl,” said Kabiling. “We have to hold something in our pocket just so we have. We could always one up ourselves. Because there’s a season; there’s possibly two to three playoff games, which we still have to do better than the last and this year more pressure could be a Super Bowl.”
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