Connie Gagat heaved the 3-foot-long sandwich bun over her shoulder and began her plan of attack.
“You have to have a plan when you are making a sandwich this big,” she said. “Keeping the whole thing together can certainly be a challenge.”
Gagat, an employee at Tuxie’s Arcade and Ice Cream in Jefferson, was called in to work to make super sandwiches for the Super Bowl — a customer special request.
“We aren’t usually open on Sundays,” owner Mark Baker said. “But this year a customer wanted Super Bowl party sandwiches and we just couldn’t say no. Today was such a success, I think we will open for every Super Bowl.”
A 3-foot sub sandwich costs $30 at Tuxie’s. A 6-footer costs $60.
At Bridge Street Pizza in the Ashtabula Harbor, Chris Purola spent the afternoon doing what he does best — stretching dough and spreading cheese.
“This is one of our biggest days of the year,” he said. “We will make at least 75 pizzas and I have already made 400 wings.”
Purola, who also co-owns Bruno Brothers Pizza locations with brother Jeremy Purola, said the Super Bowl pizza challenge is all about the timing.
“This is a big night for us as a business,” he said. “But it is important to be prepared because we get all our orders within four hours. That’s a lot of pizza and a lot of work to do in the space of four hours.”
Terry Ben was ready to roll at JD’s Pizza in Ashtabula Township on Sunday.
Ben delivers the pies for JD’s and expected to log as many as 70 to 100 miles on his odometer Sunday night.
“Our sheet pizzas are our most popular item for holidays and events,” he said. “I’d say our average party order is $30 and up.”
Ben said the pizzeria, which also has a branch in Conneaut, is always ready to deliver.
“Just give us a call,” he said.
Football fans made last minute beer and soda runs to The Hangar Beverage Depot in Jefferson, Steve Mihely said, waiting until almost game time to stock up on beverages.
“We sold beer and pop all day, definitely more than on a usual Sunday,” he said.
Mihely said customers stuck to the popular brands — Coors, Budweiser and Miller — when making their purchases.
There is one person who would like to see a little more Super Bowl business. Chang Lin, a cook at Hau Po Chinese restaurant in Jefferson, said he wishes people would step away from the usual pizza and wings party menu and consider something different.
“I wish people would think to order Chinese food for the Super Bowl,” he said. “Do something different, eat something different.”
Purola said above all, the big game brings in a day of big business for local caterers, pizzerias, eateries and specialty food shops in the area.
“The Super Bowl is a gem in the middle of the winter season,” he said. “This year has already been great because of the mild weather, which has really helped business. A big day is always welcome for local businesses and I know it is especially important when you are trying to build a new business.”
Local News
Related Photos
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MARGIE NETZEL / Star Beacon PIZZA CHEF Chris Purola makes Super Bowl eats Sunday afternoon at Bridge Street Pizza.
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MARGIE NETZEL / Star Beacon TUXIE'S ARCADE AND ICE CREAM employee Connie Gagat shows off a 3-foot sandwich bun for Super Bowl eats Sunday afternoon.
Discussion
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