NEW TIMES 2022 BOWL GUIDE SPECIAL RETAIL SECTION Dec 22nD–Dec 28th, 2022 phoenixnewtimes.com phoenix new Times 24 BOWL BITES These 5 restaurants are walking distance from State Farm Stadium. BY MIKE MADRIAGA I t’s that time of year when college football fans rejoice — bowl season. And the Vrbo Fiesta Bowl on December 31 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale is the biggest of the three games happening in Arizona. There’s also the Guaranteed Rate Bowl (Oklahoma State vs. Wisconsin) at Chase Field on December 27 and the Arizona Bowl (Ohio vs. Wyoming) at Arizona Stadium in Tucson on December 30. But if you’re attending the College Football Playoff semifinal between No. 2 Michigan vs. No. 3 TCU in person, you might want to grab a bite or a cold beer before kickoff at 4 p.m., or continue the party after the final whistle. And while there are concession stands inside the 63,000-seat arena, including Gridiron Grill and Big Red Brew Haus, the Westgate Entertainment District across the street is home to a large collection of eateries and bars. Here are five restaurants within walking distance from the stadium. Carousel 6770 North Sunrise Boulevard, Suite G111, Glendale 623-877-9777 Carousel’s many fair-type games, pinball machines, and ping pong tables could cheer you up if your team is losing at halftime. And if you work up an appetite, the restaurant’s menu is stacked with entrees, appetizers, sandwiches, salads, flatbreads, and alcoholic beverages. The burger roster is meaty, including the Westgate, Teriyaki-Hawaiian, and Prime Steakhouse, to name a few. Then there’s the $16 Mac Daddy Cheeseburger which comes in a brioche bun stuffed with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and oozing mac and cheese. Impossible burgers and grilled chicken are available substitutions and all the burgers and sandwiches come with a choice of fries, garlic fries, tots, or a side salad. Watch the humungous TV screen outside and monitor the halftime show so you can dart back in time for the second half. Salt Tacos y Tequila 6751 North Sunset Boulevard, Glendale 623-772-7282 Salt Tacos y Tequila is one of the first spots you see when walking into Westgate Entertainment District from State Farm Stadium. The restaurant and bar offers a large variety of Mexican cuisine, margaritas, and over 150 different kinds of tequila. The restaurant’s name reminds you of the salt, but don’t forget the lime when you are doing shots while pre-gaming or cele- brating after a no-time-outs-left come- back. Cerveza on tap runs $10.50 for a tall glass, and you can add a few bucks to make it a custom michelada with tomato juice, Tajín, lime and lemon juice, and hot sauce. Taco trios are an excellent choice if you’re grubbing at the bar. The soft tacos start at $13 for a vegetarian option with grilled zucchini, squash, bell peppers, and onions, and then go up to $18 or $19 for the carne asada and Mahi Mahi variations. Finally, if you’re beat by a B O W L G U I D E >> p 29 Christian Petersen / Staff / Getty Images
