Slam Dunk! Savoring Flavorful Latin Foods at NBA Playoff Games

The NBA playoffs are heating up and TLK is getting hungry. If you’re headed to a game, check out some of the tasty Latin foods that are served at concessions throughout the arenas.

You can enjoy fan favorites like nachos and tacos, as well as gourmet selections such as Blackened Shrimp Tostadas, Chipotle Braised Brisket Tacos, and Yellow Tail Snapper Ceviche. Toast your team with a specialty drink, too. The Miami Heat have a special mojito, while the Chicago Bulls are all about tequila and margaritas.

Sure these NBA arenas also serve classic sports fare like burgers, beer and hot dogs, but Latin cuisine is a slam dunk for basketball fans too.

“It’s a connection to their culture and brings the celebration of the playoffs to life in a way they love,” says Tim Arnold, Director of Operations at American Airlines Arena, one of the many arenas where Levy Restaurants handles concessions. “White Hot Heat gets hotter with the Latin Spice.”

Read on as TLK gets a preview of the Latin food hoopla for teams in the NBA playoffs.

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Miami Heat

American Airlines Arena, Miami, FL

From savory entrees to refreshing drinks, American Airlines Arena will satisfy all your Latin food and drink cravings during the game.

Home to the Miami Heat, this arena’s concessions include a Havana Style Sandwich, featuring Cuban pork and SOBE Fish Tacos. For game time gourmet items, check out premium offerings like their Yellow Tail Snapper Ceviche, which has sweet potato, tomato, jalapeno, red onion, lime juice, cilantro; the Green Lentil Maca Salad, featuring frisee, red onion pickle, crisp pork lardon, pisco sour vinaigrette; and the Lechon Adobo, which has pork tenderloin, aji amarillo pepper, cumin, scallion, and corn.

Cool off with a “MO-HEAT-O,” the arena’s version of a mojito. Head to The Bacardi Bar and 
the Grey Goose Bar in Section 112 for this signature drink, which has Thai basil, freshly squeezed lime, strawberry purée and red chile infused Bacardi Gold.

Chicago Bulls

United Center, Chicago, IL

While cheering for the Bulls, you can grab Mexican food at three locations throughout the United Center.

Bocaditos has Chicken Tinga (spicy pulled chicken seasoned served in warm tortillas and topped with house made salsa, shredded cheese, lettuce and cilantro) and Steak Tacos, as well as house made chips and salsa. Head next door to Cantina Bar to try high-end tequilas and margaritas.

You’ll find Mexican food stands in section 230 and 300 of the Club level. The stands have steak, quesadillas, Nacho Grandes and churros. They’ve also got Dos Equis Beer on tap and lime margaritas. 

Head to one of the Tanteo Tequila Bars (located at section 216 and 233) for refreshing Latin drinks like Tanteo Jalapeno Spicy Margaritas, Blood Orange Margarita, Tanteo Tropical Blood Orange Paloma, and Pepino Diablo.

Next up, the Knicks and the Pacers. 

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New York Knicks

Madison Square Garden, New York, NY

The menu for Knicks’ games includes standard fare like pizza and hot dogs but there’s also quite a few Mexican dishes.

Check out Carlos & Gabby’s Mexican grill in section 111 on the sixth floor for entrees like chipotle chicken burritos and beef burritos. They’ve also got taquito dogs and southwest chili. 

You can grab a snack like nachos with cheese and salsa at concession stands throughout Madison Square Garden.

Indiana Pacers

Bankers Life Fieldhouse, Indianapolis, IN

There are a lot of Latin foods on the menu at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, including concessions like chicken quesadillas and chicken, beef or steak taco salads, as well as “Red Burritos” by Hardees, featuring a tortilla filled with ground beef, Mexican rice, refried beans and chunky salsa and topped with red sauce and melted cheese.

The Legends Club has a rotating menu of tortilla salads, chimichangas, tamales, taco bars and enchiladas. The Varsity Club also has rotating menus, such as Ranch Beans made with chorizo and poblano peppers; Cumin and Chile Crusted Shrimp with tomatoes, cilantro and fried garlic; Jicama and Orange Salad featuring cayenne and lime vinaigrette.

Even more Latin offerings for Pacers’ fans are in the Suites, including the Chicken Torta with grilled chicken, cilantro, chipotle Jack cheese, spicy aioli, lettuce and tomatoes; and Vegetable Quesadillas, featuring spinach, mushroom and queso fresca.

Next up, the Spurs and the Golden State Warriors. 

San Antonio Spurs

AT&T Center, San Antonio, TX

Indulge your appetite at the Spurs’ playoff games.

Many entrees at AT&T Center are packed with Latin flavor. Consider the Chipotle Braised Brisket Tacos. These tacos are filled with char-grilled chili rubbed brisket, which is braised overnight with onions, tomato, chipotles and fresh citrus juice. The shredded brisket is served in a grilled flour tortilla and topped with fresh lime and jalapeno cilantro slaw.

There’s also the Achiote Smoked Beef Tenderloin Nachos, made with tenderloin marinated in achiote paste and hickory smoked in house, topped with cheddar cheese, guacamole, sautéed onions, poblano, horseradish cream and pico de gallo and served with tortilla chips tossed with chili lime seasoning.

Another Latin dish to try? The Fajita Sausage Hoagie, featuring marinated steak sausage, stuffed with caramelized onions, garlic and fresh cilantro. The steak sausage is served in a roll and topped with shredded lettuce, tomato, avocado crema, guajillo sauce, and queso fresco.

Golden State Warriors

Oracle Arena, Oakland, CA

Fans of the Golden State Warriors have many delicious Latin food choices on game day.

There are Blackened Shrimp Tostadas, available in-seat; and loaded nachos as well as loaded chicken or steak quesadillas on the main concourse.

On the Club 200 Level at Oracle Arena, check out the cart at 232 or the stand at 218 where you can pick up Hard Shell Tacos featuring queso fresco, shredded lettuce, cilantro lime vinaigrette, and pickled red onion.

Head to the Bud Club and Stella Club for Chicken Tinga Burritos, Beef Barbacoa Burrito, and BBQ Chicken Tostada Salad.