By Nicole Bayne
NFLseason is more than just football. It’s also more than just wings. Try these alternative fun, mostly fried, snacks at NoVA bars. And, yes, all places listed here carry the essential NFL Sunday Ticket.
Dingle Dots
From: O’Sullivan’s Irish Pub
More than dots, these breaded and deep-fried balls contain corned beef, cabbage and potato, dressed up with O’Sullivan’s spicy honey mustard. “You can always get wings at bars, but these are hard to find,” says bartender Enda Browne.
NFL-dedicated TVs: 7
NFL Specials: Buckets of Bud Light, $5 Guinness pints, and an all-you-can-eat brunch buffet from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. on Sundays. / 754 Elden St., Herndon
Bacon-Wrapped Shrimp
From: Rhodeside Grill
These aren’t your average shrimp. “In the middle is a julienne-cut jalapeno pepper glazed in housemade sauce so you get sweet, spicy and savory notes that pair well with drinking beer and watching the game,” says manager Paul Taylor.
NFL-dedicated TVs: 38
NFL Specials: The weekly specials depend on which teams play on Thursday. For example, “when the New York Giants play the Washington Redskins we will have a Coney Island pretzel dog versus half smoke with mambo chutney,” says Taylor. / 1863 Wilson Blvd., Arlington
District Pork Shanks Wild Wings
From: Clyde’s at Mark Center
From the lower part of the pig comes deep fried “extra meaty” goodness, says executive chef Robert McGowan. “Our mumbo sauce gives it a spicy-sweet flavor.”
NFL-dedicated TVs: 8
NFL Specials: Wings, burgers, bratwursts and knockwursts for $7 and $2.50 PBRs. / 700 N. Beauregard St., Alexandria
Union Street Beer Cheese
From: Union Street Public House
“It’s cheese that tastes like beer,” says hostess Sylenne Puerta. Seriously. The appetizer consists of Vermont cheddar cheese slowly melted on low heat while heavy cream and Dale’s Pale Ale is stirred in, served with pretzel bread for dipping.
NFL-dedicated TVs: 6
NFL Specials: Check for different food specials each week. / 121 S. Union St., Alexandria
Steamed Pork Belly Buns
From: William Jeffrey’s Tavern
“It’s a very traditional soy-based braised belly served with scallions, cilantro and peanuts,” says manager Eric Alexander.
NFL-dedicated TVs: 17
NFL Specials: $2 off pitchers, a waffle and omelet brunch bar from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sundays and a bloody mary bar. Ask your server for the dish of the week. / 2301 Columbia Pike, Arlington
Andouille Cajun Egg Rolls
From: Dogfish Head Alehouse and Restaurant
Handmade egg rolls are stuffed with Andouille sausage and blackened, wood-grilled chicken served with housemade sauces, such as a Cajun ranch.
NFL-dedicated TVs: 5
NFL Specials: “The food specials change when we get bored or become really passionate about a dish,” says manager Justin Tinpenny. Coming next week is pork-belly tacos and popcorn shrimp./ 13041 Lee Jackson Memorial Highway, Fairfax
Bison Sliders
From: Mad Rose Tavern
The sweet taste of bison meat is one reason to ignore chicken and beef. “Not many places here offer bison and the meat is much leaner than that of beef,” says manager Manishe Kumar.
NFL-dedicated TVs: 22 (+2 projectors)
NFL Specials: $10 domestic buckets, half off drafts, $25 beer towers, $5 Jameson and Fireball shots and a brunch buffet with all-you-can-eat crabs from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. on Sundays. / 3100 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington
