By Matt McCue
TheDailyMeal.com
There is no question that a hot dog is a great game day snack, but as college football fans become more food savvy, university athletic departments are giving their stadium menus a gourmet makeover.
Throughout the past five years, schools across the country have been adding locally-sourced and high-end delicacies to their concessions. However, as professional teams continue raise the bar on their stadium food many of them are taking care to appease to even the most casual fans by innovating the traditional dishes familiar to them.
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| In Pictures: The best college football stadium food |
The irony is that even with the new selections -- from sushi to maple donuts -- the fans have a fondness for the traditional staples. According to a recent survey the National Association of Collegiate Concessionaires found that soda, hot dogs, popcorn, nachos, and pretzels still rule the popularity hierarchy.
However, if you've tired of the classics and are yearning for a new game-day treat, here are 10 stadiums where the food is worth checking out
Best College Football Stadium Eats Slideshow
Stanford
The Cardinal fans have one of the most valuable quarterbacks in the nation, Andrew Luck, but they are also in luck when it comes to grabbing a bite between television timeouts. Stanford Stadium serves up sushi, organic all-beef "Farm dogs" on whole wheat buns and personal pizzas.
Oregon
Oregon's concession options are as impressive as its team's high-scoring offense. Duck fans can feast on sandwiches filled with marionberry-barbeque; pepper-crusted pastrami and provolone; and wild Pacific salmon with chipotle mayonnaise.
Michigan
Those fortunate enough to make it inside the perpetually-packed "Big House" are treated to quite a spread in the luxury boxes. The maize and blue-clad fans can choose from a menu that goes beyond burgers and brats, with choices like beef tenderloin; an antipasti platter; and white bean chicken chili. That’s not to say they don’t have kettle chips and onion dip for those who want it.
Alabama
Given the legendary tailgating scene, it's not very often that the Tide fans roll into Bryant-Denny Stadium needing more to much on. But for those who find themselves seeking sustenance, there is a new addition this fall: Chick-fil-A. It's hard to explain the appeal of this fast food franchise to those who don't live in the south, but it has an In-N-Out-like cult.
Wisconsin
The Holy Trinity of the state's bounty -- cheese, sausage and beer -- are well-represented at Camp Randall. Cheese curds show up alongside popcorn at the concessions, Sheboygan Falls-based Johnsonville supplies the brats, and the beer served in the box seats is craft and local, like New Glarus Spotted Cow, Capital Oktoberfest and Esser's Best.
For a complete slideshow, go to TheDailyMeal.com.
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