The statistics are mind-boggling: Tons of turkey and mashed potatoes, 100 gallons of gravy and thousands of pie slices.
When the more than 60,000 expected fans pile into Ford Field as the Detroit Lions take on the Green Bay Packers for the team’s traditional Thanksgiving Day game, plenty of classic holiday eats and drinks await them.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementCelebrating the Lions’ traditional Thanksgiving Day game, Levy, the food and beverage partner of the Detroit Lions, on Monday, Nov. 24, announced its playbook of festive food and drink items for fans.
The turkey leg with conrbread stuffing and cranberry barbecue sauce is one of the popular food items on the menu at the Detroit Lions annual Thanksgiving Day game.Playing on Thanksgiving Day is a longtime tradition for the Detroit Lions. The tradition started in 1934 and remains a big deal for the Lions as well as loyal fans.
Now in its 24th year with Ford Field and the Lions, Levy says its menu will include a mix of classic holiday favorites and other dishes showcasing Thanksgiving in Detroit.
“One of the greatest days for football meets the ultimate celebration of family, friends and food all enjoyed under one roof, the Lions’ annual Thanksgiving game is a special tradition," said Andy Lansing, CEO of Levy, in a news release.
The Jahmyr Gibbs’ Spin Dash Combo is a smash burger topped with pizza toppings and served with golden ring tater tots and Blue Sour Patch Kids.This year, Levy is touting the largest Thanksgiving meal in the nation for fans at Ford Field. Preparing for kickoff to dish out those eats and drinks, Levy said they will have a staff of 1,300, some starting in the early hours of the morning.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementOn the menu is everything from the classic turkey leg, a Thanksgiving game day highlight for years, to brunch fare in the suites and specials from Detroit Lions' local restaurant partners.
Here’s what fans can expect
Turkey leg
The turkey leg with conrbread stuffing and cranberry barbecue sauce is one of the popular food items on the menu at the Detroit Lions annual Thanksgiving Day game.Served with savory cornbread dressing and tangy-sweet cranberry BBQ sauce. Find it at:
Tailgate Grills in Sections 119 and 135
Down and Dine at Section 230
The Handoff at Section 145
Lions Loyal Marketplaces in Sections 100 and 120
Fourth & Feast Fries
Fourth & Feast Fries are crispy waffle fries with roasted turkey, cheese curds, gravy, cranberry drizzle and topped with crispy onions are on the menu at the Detroit Lions annual Thanksgiving Day game.New this year, the dish features crispy waffle fries with roasted turkey, cheese curds, gravy, cranberry drizzle and topped with crispy onions. Look for it at Blitz and Down and Dine at section 230.
Jahmyr Gibbs’ Spin Dash Combo
The Jahmyr Gibbs’ Spin Dash Combo is a smash burger topped with pizza toppings and served with golden ring tater tots and Blue Sour Patch Kids.This smash burger combo pays homage to Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs and his favorite foods. The combo includes a pepperoni pizza smash burger topped with pizza sauce, pepperoni, mozzarella cheese and pizza seasoning. It’s served with golden ring tater tots and Blue Sour Patch Kids. Look for it at the Lions Loyal Marketplaces in sections 100 and 120.
Across the stadium at concessions and at club levels, Levy offers these holiday and team-themed cocktails:
Holiday and team themed drinks are on the menu at the Detroit Lions annual Thanksgiving Day game.
Holiday and team themed drinks are on the menu at the Detroit Lions annual Thanksgiving Day game.Blazin’ Apple: Vanilla vodka, cinnamon whiskey, and apple cider, garnished with a cinnamon-sugar donut
Roarin’ Roary: Vodka, blue curaçao, lemonade and served with a lemon wheel, silver salt rim and blue candy skewer
No Pack, No: Rum, apple liqueur, lime juice, pineapple juice, garnished with a lime wheel and pineapple spear
Also offered are:
Cinnamon-Sugar Donuts and Blake’s Hard Cider, as well as non-alcoholic cider from Blake’s at the Lions Loyal Marketplaces in Sections 100 and 120.
Goose Island Bourbon County Stout is offered at the Beer of the Game cart near Section 127.
Ford Field suite menus feature a special Thanksgiving-themed brunch menu:
Roasted Vegetable Frittata with wild mushrooms, mixed herbs, butternut squash, zucchini, tri-colored peppers, and cheddar cheese
Turkey flatbread with oven-roasted turkey, red onion, cranberry BBQ sauce and crispy sage on a five-cheese flatbread crust
Breakfast griddle with turkey sausage and applewood bacon
Lyonnaise potatoes with caramelized onions
Local restaurants that partner Ford Field throughout the stadium will also highlight these holiday items:
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementPeach cobbler and gumbo from Cooking with Que at the Meijer stand in Section 134
Sweet potato cheesecake from For the Love of Cheesecake at the Henry Ford Health stand in Section 114
Pumpkin Biscoff ice cream pie from Bombshell Treat Bar at the Meijer Concourse, Section 140
Apple pie pecans from K&R Almonds at K&R tents throughout the concourse
White chocolate pumpkin snickerdoodle ice cream sandwich from The Cold Truth at Section 243
Levy anticipates Ford Field will serve:
2,500 pounds of turkey
2,000 pounds of mashed potatoes
1,800 turkey legs
1,400 pounds of stuffing
600 pounds of green beans
500 pounds of corn
100 gallons of gravy
55 gallons of cranberry sauce
4,500 slices of pie
Contact Detroit Free Press food and restaurant writer Susan Selasky and send food and restaurant news and tips to: [email protected]. Become a subscriber. Follow @SusanMariecooks on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter. Subscribe to the Eat Drink Freep newsletter for insider scoops on food and dining in metro Detroit.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Inside the massive Thanksgiving feast feeding Lions fans at Ford Field
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