(Photo by Carmine’s)
Super Bowl Sunday is a day to make up for all the bar and junk food eating you missed the rest of the football season and to usher in the long off-season. Whether you’re looking to bring in the professional catering this year or to just get out of the house altogether for some partying and food, these ten bars and restaurants are worth a look.
All Purpose
1250 9th St. NW
Shaw favorite All Purpose is serving up a Italian hoagie special for Sunday’s game. The two-foot sandwich ($40) serves four to six people and comes complete with mortadella, capicola, pepperoni, prosciutto, shredded lettuce, tomato, onion, salt and pepper, oregano, and oil and vinegar on house-made bread. Orders, which can also include regular menu items and pizzas, must be placed by Friday, Feb. 3.
Carmine’s
425 7th St. NW
Known for its enormous family-style portions of Italian food, Carmine’s is stocked up on crowd-sized to-go platters for the big game. Sandwiches can be ordered from three to six feet in either Italian, chicken Parmigiana, or cheese steak at $30 a foot. There are also trays of eggplant Parmigiana, vegetable lasagna, baked ziti, Italian sausage with peppers and onions and giant meatballs. Prices are $90 for 20-24 servings and $50 for 10-12 servings. There are also spicy chicken wings for $27.95 for two dozen or $76 for 10 dozen. Orders can be made in advance for scheduled Sunday pick up, and procrastinators can walk in on Sunday and wait.
Espita Mezcaleria
1250 9th St. NW
Mexican food is rarely a bad choice, and Espita is fixing up to-go orders for four people, priced at $40. There are two selections: chicken tacos with bell pepper sofrito or al pasto (pineapple and pork) tacos with ranchero salsa. Each comes with protein, garnish, and tortillas. Pint-sized sides of salsas served with chips will be $15 each. Choices include varieties like pistachio with tomatillo and serrano peppers, sherry, and mint or chipotle tomatillo with onion and garlic. Orders should be in by 5 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 3 for pick up Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Email Kelly@espitadc.com for details.
Pepita Cantina
4000 Wilson Blvd.
Chef Mike Isabella’s Mexican concept is the place to be for unlimited tacos from 3 p.m. until late. The spread is $25, and tickets are available online. There will be drink specials all night as well. If you prefer to eat at home, the restaurant has a full selection of pick-up options. Orders are due Thursday, Feb. 3. There’s everything from $8 chips and $13 queso fundito to tacos sold by the pound ($32-$36).
Penn Commons
700 6th St. NW
Penn Commons is chefing up what it calls an American-style buffet starting at 5 p.m. on Friday. The $30 spread will be filled with bar fare like Old Bay chicken wings, pork empanadas, and more. Drinks will be $5 all day and night as well. And there are plenty of TVs.
Red Apron Burger Bar
1323 Connecticut Ave. NW
If competitive eating sounds better than competitive sports, head over to Red Apron’s burger spin-off this Sunday. The casual bar is going big with a 2-lb cheeseburger challenge ($35), complete with angus beef, American cheese, lettuce, onions, pickles, and special sauce. Eat the whole thing in one hour and the burgers and drinks are on the house for the rest of the night. For everyone else, there will be all-day happy hour from 11 a.m. to close.
Jack Rose Dining Saloon
2007 18th St. NW
Jack Rose is going all-in on chili this Sunday with a $45 bottomless chili and beer party on its heated rooftop from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The menu will include five chilies ranging from pork green chili with cilantro and jalapeno to a Texas-red style with dry-aged beef. Wash it back with 15 canned and draft brews, from IPAs to stouts. The roof will open at 5 p.m. for a la carte dining as well, with chilies for $9 a bowl served with a side of homemade cornbread, and drink specials will include $6 beers, $8 “hot-tails” and $10 cocktails. Tickets can be purchased online.
Texas Jack’s Barbecue
2761 Washington Blvd., Arlington
This Clarendon barbecue spot has several options for the Super Bowl, encompassing both takeout and dining in. Snag a seat at the bar for $15 all-you-can-eat smoked wings and ranch dressing with $5 bartender’s choice craft beers and $5 cocktails. Try the Boston Sour, made with bourbon, lemon, smoked jalapeno-peppercorn, and brandied cherries.
All orders must be in by Saturday, Feb. 4th at 5 p.m. for pick-up on Sunday between 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Call the restaurant at (703) 338-4038 for more information.
Union Pub
201 Massachusetts Ave. NW
A $50 ticket at Union Pub is offering an all-you-can-eat-and-drink bash from 4 p.m through the end of the game. The full-on party will have self-serve beer kegs, canned beers, rail liquor and house wine to drink. Guests can fill up on a buffet, chips and dips, patio games, sport ticket giveaways and more.
Ventnor Sports Cafe
2411 18th St. NW
This Adams Morgan sports bar is a solid team-neutral location to watch Sunday’s game. The menu will feature beer and food specials from both Atlanta and New England. Think lobster rolls, country fried chicken, and brews from Sweetwater and Narragansett. Don’t miss out on the buffalo chicken dip, either. Ventnor is taking reservations for Super Bowl Sunday for groups of all sizes, so there’s no need to camp out all day. Email scott@ventnorsportscafe.com.
