Sacramento Kings fans Bobbi Marshall and her son, Michael, got an early look at the new concession menu Wednesday, sampling Chinese chicken salad and cantina carvery sandwiches.
In preparation for the new basketball season, Maloof Sports and Entertainment is partnering with food and beverage partner Levy Restaurants to add new items to the menu. Taste of Arco was held Wednesday to allow season ticket holders to try the new additions.
“What we had we enjoyed, it was fun,” Bobbi Marshall said.
Michael Marshall said that as season ticket holders, having the same food all the time gets boring.
“I like to support anything that the Kings try to do to better their product,” he added. “I think that it is wonderful that they are giving an opportunity for feedback.”
Most of the new items will be available at the concession stands, while others like the carvery sandwiches, will be available in the Skyline Restaurant in Arco Arena.
Some of the new concession fare includes chili cheese king dogs and fries, mini corn dogs with a spicy mustard dipping sauce, nachos grandes with carnitas and chicken, and buffalo chicken tenders with a blue cheese dipping sauce. The traditional favorites will still be served, such as hot dogs and nachos.
New signature items that have been added include funnel fry dippers, which are funnel cakes in the shape of a French fries; cantina carvery sandwiches with turkey and tri-tip; the big cheese, which is very similar to garlic bread; and Niman Ranch sausages and burgers.
One of the new kids' options is the taste club kids meal. It includes a Smuckers Un-crustable peanut butter and jelly sandwich, a box of raisins and a Capri Sun juice drink. The meal comes in a box with 3-D images and 3-D glasses.
Some of the healthier additions include seasonal vegetables and fruits, gluten-free snacks such as pop chips and Lucy’s cookies, a veggie burger with a spicy habanero barbecue sauce, edamame with sea salt and a Chinese chicken salad.
“As a culinarian, as a chef, we are always looking for opportunities to show our creativity,” said Gary Gainey, executive chef at Arco Arena.
The menu prices range from $3.75 for funnel dippers to $15 for the big cheese.
Levy Restaurants was founded in Chicago in 1978 and specializes in sports entertainment dining concessions. Alex Sigua, public relations coordinator for Maloof Sports and Entertainment, said Levy Restaurants became a partner with Maloof Sports and Entertainment in January 2009 2010, and this will be their first full basketball season working together.
Levy Restaurants is in partnership with other sports venues such as the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Lambeau Field in Green Bay, Wisc., and the organization caters high-profile events, including the Super Bowl and the World Sires.
“The menu is a collaboration of all the managers’ input. We also get guidance from a regional culinary team for Levy,” said Ryan Golpeo, director of operations at Levy Restaurants.
“We want to try to accommodate 99.9 percent of the community,” he said.
