We encountered a wide variety of cuisines throughout our travels while covering Illinois football for The Daily Illini. Some stood out as stars, while others couldn’t find their way off the bench. Here are our food reviews from different press boxes across the country.
Duke: Chicken and waffles
It’s only fitting that Duke served a breakfast item for an early start time. Its press box split the upright with its chicken and waffles. It may be a simple dish, but that didn’t stop the dynamic duo from wowing our taste buds.
There was a heavy dusting of sugar on top of the waffles, which added a sweet element to contrast the savory chicken. When eaten together, they ceased being separate items and became one.
Each and every bite was a smash hit. When eaten separately, the chicken and the waffles were still able to find the endzone. Overall, the meal was a massive winner for us and our stomachs.
Illinois: Hot dogs
It’s tough to ruin a hot dog, and Illinois certainly doesn’t at Gies Memorial Stadium. The dogs themselves are cooked with onions, adding a subtle flavor that certainly elevates the longtime stalwart.
Our biggest gripe was with the buns, which — for some inexplicable reason — open from the side as opposed to the top. The condiment selection is also limited to just two options: the steady duo of ketchup and mustard.
While the press box meal team boasts a deep squad, the hot dogs stand out as the best, and frankly, it isn’t even close.
Illinois: Biscuits and gravy
A classic southern breakfast dish, biscuits and gravy was a touchdown choice for the early kickoff. Unfortunately, the seasoned vet did not rise to the occasion when its number was called.
The biscuits were cold, dry and difficult to swallow. The gravy helped soften them up, and while it was sublime, it didn’t do enough to overcome the hard biscuits. The biscuits and gravy was nothing for us to get excited about.
They also weren’t as filling as you would hope for from biscuits and gravy. We both had to go back for seconds, and we didn’t go back for the main dish. Illinois may have scored a touchdown with its choice, but the biscuits and gravy missed the extra point.
Purdue: Italian beef
After the scenic drive through the Illinois and Indiana countryside, we were starving and ready to eat. The Italian beef in Ross-Ade Stadium’s press box did little to satiate our hunger.
The beef itself was dry and severely lacking flavor, and while the soft bun did its best to elevate the dish, there was no saving this catastrophe.
The true star at Purdue came off the bench. The doughnuts were game-changing; they have all the makings of a future Michelin star contender. It’s only a matter of time before they take over as the true No. 1 in West Lafayette, Indiana.
Illinois: ‘Chicken’
The first problem with this Gies Memorial Stadium meal was the presentation. It was unclear what exactly we were eating. Unfortunately, it became clearer once we bit into the mess on our plates.
To put it simply, it tasted like shredded chicken and mustard mixed together. It was extremely unsettling for both our taste buds and stomachs. The side of corn helped, but wasn’t enough to overcome the strange sensation of truly flavorless chicken.
All told, Illinois dropped the ball with this one. We had to go back to the bench and call on the grizzled veteran, hot dogs.
There’s still plenty of season left, and plenty of flavors to experience. Follow along with us on The DI’s Instagram as we cook up more reviews for you to devour.
@BrendanGallian
@ben_some16
