Need food for the Super Bowl? Here are catering and to-go options around Bradenton

What makes the Super Bowl special?

For starters, having the local team in the game is a major plus — let’s go Bucs! Then there are those goofy commercials. And don’t forget that last essential ingredient: party food.

Thanks to COVID-19, heading to a sports bar or hosting a large gathering is not the ideal way to enjoy the big game this year. But great food can still be on the table, and some local restaurants and caterers are here to help.

Here’s a roundup of some fun Super Bowl dining options in the Bradenton-Sarasota area that can be picked up or delivered right to your home.

Cuban sandwich, anyone? If you want to enjoy the local flavor of the Buccaneers’ hometown, there’s no dish that says “Tampa” quite like the Cuban sandwich. The city lays claim to being the birthplace of the famous handheld dish. Unlike the South Florida version, Tampa’s sandwich typically includes salami. Thankfully, we’ve got some great purveyors of the Cubano down here in Manatee County, too. Locals have previously recommended some of the following spots to the Bradenton Herald:

• Cafe Havana, 1440 63rd Ave. E., Bradenton. 941-751-9287. thecafehavana.com. To-go and catering available. 48 hours notice required for catering.
• Crazy Papa’s, 5530 S.R. 64 E., Bradenton; 4720 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton; 4460 Tallevast Rd., Sarasota. crazypapasdeli.com.
• Noreen’s Deli, 616 30th Ave. E., Bradenton. 941-746-1364.
• Abuela’s Kitchen, 727 Seventh St. W., Palmetto. 941-723-2051. abuelaskitchen941.com.

Firehouse Subs is offering a 10% discount on half-platter sandwich assortments for the Super Bowl. Choose from a “Subs & Snack” option or a “Subs & Salad” option (normally $41.99). Both feed up to five people and include 10 3-inch subs and a choice of beverage.

If you are signed up for Firehouse Subs Rewards, you can also earn triple points on Super Bowl day when you order a Hook & Ladder or Italian Sub of any size.

Details: Half-platter offer valid Feb. 1-Feb. 14. Firehouse Subs, 621 Cortez Rd. W. Bradenton. Info: 941-727-1818. firehousesubs.com.

GROVE in Lakewood Ranch has a special game day menu for pickup or delivery that includes wings and some other fun options. Choose from a platter of 50 or 100 wings with sides ($68-$128), chicken tender sacks (starting at $21), sandwich platters (starting at $66), barbecue pork slider platters (starting at $41), cheeseburger or chicken sliders (starting at $50) or an assorted slider platter (starting at $50). The platters come with a side of crinkle fries. Sushi platters that serve up to 10 or 20 people ($81-$153) are also available. Top off the order with some extra french fries, chili cheese fries or homemade chips ($18-$30) and a choice of dessert options ($12). There are also cocktails to go if you’d like to order in some game day drinks.

Details: Schedule order for pickup or delivery between 11 a.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday. GROVE, 10670 Boardwalk Loop, Lakewood Ranch. Info: 941-893-4321. grovelwr.com/order-online.

Hooters is offering Super Bowl chicken wing assortments for pickup. Choose from a 50 wings package ($52), a 50 boneless wings package ($58) or a 70 wings package ($72). All wing packages include helpings of ranch and blue cheese dressing for your dipping pleasure.

Details: Pre-order in advance for pickup on Feb. 7. 4908 14th St. W., Bradenton (941-758-1175) and 6507 South Tamiami Trail, Sarasota (941-923-4666). Info: hootersflorida.com.

Metro Diner has Super Bowl-ready wing assortments and meals ready to go. The restaurant’s “Game Day Packs” feed 4 to 6 people and come in several options:

• Game Day Combo: 16 traditional wings and 32 buttermilk-marinated boneless wings tossed in choice of spicy honey, buffalo or spicy buffalo sauce served with celery sticks, blue cheese or ranch for dipping and a choice of side ($39).
• Bone-In Wing Pack: 32 traditional wings tossed in a choice of sauce with celery sticks, blue cheese or ranch for dipping and side of fries ($44, available Saturday and Sunday only).
• Boneless Wing Pack: 48 boneless buttermilk-marinated boneless wings tossed in choice of sauce and served with celery sticks, blue cheese or ranch for dipping and choice of side ($39).
• Fried Chicken Tenders: A triple order of Metro Diner’s signature fried chicken and four buttermilk marinated chicken tenders with Creole mustard dipping sauce and a choice of side ($44).

Alternatively, pick up an individual boneless chicken wing meal for $9.99 or a traditional wings meal for $10.99.

Details: Curbside pick-up and delivery available until 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Metro Diner, 4726 Cortez Road W., Bradenton. Info: 941-306-3102. metrodiner.com.

Pineapple Kitchen in Bradenton is here to cater game day with all kinds of snacking delights. The local company specializes in soft pretzel bites served with a choice of gourmet dips (there are nine to choose from in all). Other options include veggie trays, fruit, chocolate, cookie and pastry assortments. There are also charcuterie “grazing boxes” and boards to consider, including some special football-themed offerings. Menu prices range from $12 for single serve options to $180 for extra large, party-sized food boards.

Details: Order by 4 p.m. Feb. 2 and pickup between 9 a.m. and noon on Feb. 6. Pineapple Kitchen, 4914 Lena Rd. #104, Bradenton. Info: 941-254-1763. pineapplekitchen.com.

Pizza time: According to pizza giant Domino’s, Super Bowl Sunday remains one of the top-five most popular days for pizza delivery in the U.S. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic’s devastating impact on the restaurant industry, now is a great time to support your favorite local pizza joint. Still need some ideas? Here are some pizza-makers that locals have previously recommended to the Bradenton Herald:

• Danny’s Pizzeria, 7220 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton. 941-795-1111. dannyspizzaflorida.com. Pickup and delivery available.

• Fav’s Italian Cucina, 419 12th St. W., Bradenton. 941-708-3287. favsitaliancucina.com. Pickup available.

• Casa Di Pizza, 4658 S.R. 64, Bradenton. 941-748-0700. casadipizzafl.com. Pickup and delivery available.

Publix and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are both synonymous with Florida, and the grocery store chain’s deli just happens to be a great place to grab some game day chow. Sandwich platters or Publix subs are ideal picks. There’s even a special sub named after the Bucs that comes loaded with hot chicken tenders, bacon, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and spicy sauce. Alternatively, fried or rotisserie chicken and some hot and cold sides from the deli make for fantastic football-watching fare.

Details: Order online and pickup in-store or get your items delivered via Instacart. Info: publix.com.

Tableside Catering in Sarasota is offering premade party platters delivered to your door. Food options range from $19.99 to $49.99 and include tacos, skewers, wings, chips and dip, soft pretzels and mini sandwiches. Six-packs of beer and margarita jugs are also available.

Details: Order by Feb. 4. Free delivery on game day. Info: Email catering@tableside.com or call 941-552-9650.

Reyna’s Taqueria in Sarasota will dish up platters of wings, tacos and quesadillas in honor of the Super Bowl. A gluten-and-corn-free burrito bowl is also available, as well as the restaurant’s Sunday brunch menu.

Details: Pre-order in advance and pickup on Feb. 7 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Info: 941-260-8343. reynastaqueria.com.

Are we missing some local Super Bowl dining action? Send an email with details to rballogg@bradenton.com.

This story was originally published January 27, 2021 at 8:13 AM.