As each NFL team is preparing for the 2026 NFL Draft, fans across the country and world are also preparing to enjoy local and regional food favorites. Here is a look at these NFL cities’ best foods, with a special twist on the draft:
Food, Football, and the NFL: Mock Draft of the Best Foods in Each City
Top Ten Picks
- Green Bay Packers: Fried Cheese Curds and Bratwurst
- Kansas City Chiefs: Burnt Ends or ribs with sweet, thick KC-style BBQ sauce
- Tennessee Titans: Nashville Hot Chicken
- New England Patriots: Lobster Rolls or Boston Baked Beans
- New Orleans Saints: Gumbo, Jambalaya, or Beignets
Rising Stars
- Las Vegas Raiders: Tailgate Sliders or high-end buffet-style catering.
- Los Angeles Rams: Korean BBQ (reflecting the city’s massive K-Town food scene).
- Seattle Seahawks: Seattle Dog (hot dog with cream cheese and grilled onions).
- Pittsburgh Steelers: Kielbasa and Pierogies or a Primanti Bros. sandwich.
- Detroit Lions: Detroit Style Pizza (square, deep-crust) or Coney Dogs.
Overrated Top 5
- Philadelphia Eagles: Cheesesteaks
- New York Jets: New York Style Pizza
- Atlanta Falcons: Lemon Pepper Wings
- Dallas Cowboys: Tex-Mex (fajitas and queso) or Texas BBQ
- Buffalo Bills: Buffalo Wings
The Rest of the NFL
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Baltimore Ravens: Pit Beef (on a kaiser roll with horseradish) or Crab Pretzels/Cakes.
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Cincinnati Bengals: Skyline Chili (served as a 3-way or on Cheese Coneys).
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Cleveland Browns: Pierogies (traditional potato-filled dumplings) or Stadium Mustard brats.
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Denver Broncos: Green Chili (usually in a bowl or smothered over a burrito).
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Houston Texans: Texas BBQ Brisket or a high-end Steak.
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Indianapolis Colts: Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches (traditionally much larger than the bun).
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Jacksonville Jaguars: Fresh Seafood (specifically Florida mahi-mahi or shrimp).
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Los Angeles Chargers: Authentic Street Tacos (carne asada or al pastor).
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Miami Dolphins: Cuban Sandwiches or Key Lime Pie for dessert.
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Arizona Cardinals: Navajo Fry Bread or prickly pear-infused drinks.
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Carolina Panthers: Pulled Pork with vinegar-based (NC) or mustard-based (SC) sauce.
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Chicago Bears: Deep Dish Pizza or an Italian Beef sandwich (dipped with giardiniera).
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Minnesota Vikings: Tater Tot Hotdish (the ultimate comfort food casserole).
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New York Giants: New York Style Bagels or Sabrett’s Hot Dogs.
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San Francisco 49ers: Cioppino (seafood stew) or Sourdough bread.
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Deviled Crabs or Cuban Sandwiches.
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Washington Commanders: Half-Smokes with chili or Georgetown Cupcakes.
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Team by team Look
A look at all 32 NFL teams and their top local/regional foods up for the draft
AFC East
Buffalo Bills– Buffalo Wings, typically with Bleu cheese
Miami Dolphins– Cuban Sandwiches or Key Lime Pie for dessert
New England Patriots– Lobster Rolls or Boston Baked Beans
New York Jets– New York Style Pizza
AFC North
Baltimore Ravens – Pit Beef and Crab Cakes
Cincinnati Bengals– Skyline Chili
Cleveland Browns – Pierogies or Stadium Mustard Brats
Pittsburgh Steelers– Kielbasa and Pierogies or a Primanti Bros. sandwich
AFC South
Houston Texans– Texas BBQ Brisket or a high-end Steak
Indianapolis Colts – Pork Tenderloin Sandwiches
Jacksonville Jaguars– Fresh Seafood
Tennessee Titans– Nashville Hot Chicken
AFC West
Denver Broncos– Green Chili
Kansas City Chiefs- Burnt Ends or ribs with sweet, thick KC-style BBQ sauce
Las Vegas Raiders– Tailgate Sliders
Los Angeles Chargers– Authentic Street Tacos
NFC East
Dallas Cowboys– Tex-Mex (fajitas and queso) or Texas BBQ
New York Giants – New York Style Bagels or Sabrett’s Hot Dogs
Philadelphia Eagles– Cheesesteaks
Washington Commanders– Half-Smokes with chili or Georgetown Cupcakes
NFC North
Chicago Bears– Deep Dish Pizza or an Italian Beef sandwich
Detroit Lions– Detroit Style Pizza or Coney Dogs
Green Bay Packers– Fried Cheese Curds and Bratwurst
Minnesota Vikings– Tater Tot Hotdish
NFC South
Atlanta Falcons– Lemon Pepper Wings
Carolina Panthers–Pulled Pork with vinegar-based (NC) or mustard-based (SC) sauce
New Orleans Saints– Gumbo, Jambalaya, or Beignets.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Deviled Crabs or Cuban Sandwiches
NFC West
Arizona Cardinals– Navajo Fry Bread or prickly pear-infused drinks
Los Angeles Rams– Korean BBQ
San Francisco 49ers– Cioppino (seafood stew) or Sourdough bread
Seattle Seahawks– Seattle Dog
Main Image: Tina MacIntyre-Yee/Democrat and Chronicle / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
