Soldier Field Unveils Porky New Additions For 2017 Bears Season

The Bears regular season starts on Sunday versus Atlanta, and Soldier Field will have new items for fans including a maple bacon sausage on a french toast roll, Nashville hot chicken from The Budlong, and Buona Beef sandwiches. Sandwich king Jeff Mauro, who this season joined the ranks of food vendors at Wrigley Field, will also offer “Pig Candy” from his Pork & Mindy’s restaurant in Wicker Park. Stadium officials rolled out the new items this afternoon at a press conference.

The sandwich pictured above uses Big Fork maple bacon sausage, spiced-apple compote, toasted pecans, sharp cheddar, and caramel-maple syrup, according to a news release. In ever-important “food in plastic helmets” news, the Bears, and their vendor Aramark, will also debut the “Game Day Teamwork Nacho.” That’s beef or chicken topped with cheese and traditional stadium nacho accoutrements.

Canned wines continue to rise in popularity. Soldier Field will offer Backpack Wine “Snappy White” and “Cheeky Rosé” all season, and “Rowdy Red” in October. The United Center jumped onto the craft cocktail bandwagon in 2016, and Soldier Field is catching up. They’ve added “Chicago Cocktail Company” branded bars with Crown Royal drinks and other cocktails.

The frigid winter temperatures off Lake Michigan offer Jared Leonard a chance to heat things up and introduce suburban fans and others to his spicy fried chicken sandwiches from The Budlong, which will serve sandwiches and chicken tenders. Leonard was apprehensive in making tenders at this mini-chain, but they’re ideal finger food for fans in their seats.

Another meaty addition is Buona Beef, which will bring its Italian beef and sausages to the lakefront. The chain is already the officials beef provider at Wrigley Field and Sox Park.

Later this week, come back for a revised Soldier Field dining guide with all the vital updates needed so fans can eat like a bear. Check out other new items below.

• Signature Pounded Pork Sandwich: A breaded pork cutlet with pickled red onion and jalapeños, American cheese, and spicy mustard aioli.
• Leinie’s Beer Brat: A brat boiled in Leinenkugel’s Anniversary Lager, grilled and served with sauerkraut, onion and, brown mustard.
• Gelato Panini: Sea-salted caramel gelato, chocolate Pop Rocks, croquant, and chocolate sauce, served panini style on brioche.
• Sip & Soar: Airline-cart style bars serving classic libations around the stadium’s concourse.