Taste test: We tried the Miami Heat's new arena food
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Skinny Louie's burger and fries. Courtesy: Miami Heat
From smash burgers to Asian-fusion nachos, the Miami Heat is expanding its food options at the Kaseya Center this season.
State of plate: The Heat has partnered with new concessions vendors, like Skinny Louie, and beefed up existing menus across the arena, including at 601 Miami and the members-only lounges.
- Most of the new items will be available beginning Saturday, Oct. 5.
Yes, but: Some vendors, like Pollo Tropical, aren't coming back this year.
The Heat invited me to try some new menu items ahead of Monday's preseason tipoff. Here are my favorites.
🍔 Skinny Louie (Sec. 120)
- Wynwood's smash burger joint is bringing its internet-famous patties to the Kaseya Center this season.
- It's got a crispy-yet-juicy patty held together by two slices of American cheese, with grilled onion, pickles and Louie sauce. ($12-$18)
- Review: This burger is a game-day winner. Hold it in one hand and your drink in the other.
🍯 Hot Honey Chicken Sandwich from Chicken Ciao (Sec. 108, 309, 325)
- This brand-new chicken sandwich from the Heat culinary team offers a generous portion of chicken that's been brined for four hours and breaded with potato chips. It comes with hot honey, dill pickles, lettuce and buttermilk herb mayo. ($15)
- Review: One-hand hero. Super juicy. Very filling.
🌶️ Nachos Encendidos from 601 on the Run (Sec. 117)
- Asian and Latin flavors come together for this sweet-and-spicy nacho dish.
- Wonton chips and smoked ropa vieja are topped by cotija cheese, aji amarillo sauce and a ponzu reduction. Served with pickled red onions, guacamole and micro greens. ($17)
- Review: Messy but bursting with flavor. Split with friends before tip-off.
🥪 Vice City BBQ's Brisket Sandwich (Sec. 105)
- A twist on a grilled cheese sandwich. Brisket, white cheddar, crispy buttermilk onions, guava mustard BBQ sauce. ($18)
- Review: Great comfort food. Nice tanginess.
😋 Guava and cheese tequeños from TQMuch (Sec. 121, 304)
- When you have a sweet tooth but don't want a full dessert, go with this local eatery. ($12)
- Review: Perfectly bite-sized.
What else: Here are some other new additions at Kaseya Center for this year.
- Bodega (124, 108, 304) has a new Platos Bowl and Downtown Dogs (124) has a french-fry encrusted corn dog.
🤔 The most Miami thing I tried: The $17 wagyu tequeño hot dogs from the premium Bacardi Ocho Lounge.
- The lounge is only for members, suite-level guests or those who pay extra.
- I couldn't taste the difference in the meat. The tequeño – plus the passionfruit and pineapple salsa – was a nice touch, though.
🍽️ Ask the pro: Miami food personality Mr.Eats305, aka George Arango, tells Axios he's excited for all the new menu items that have yet to be announced.
- But from what he tried this week, he said he loved Skinny Louie and the Nachos Encendidos.
- His arena food tip: "I want to be able to have…a drink in one hand and something to munch on in the other
🌭 What they're saying: Michelle Artimez, the Heat's culinary marketing manager, tells Axios the Kaseya Center strives to have a variety of food options for every preference, diet and price point.
- Miami Beach-based Full Bloom (105) offers vegan and vegetarian food.
- The Fit Cart (105) has fresh salads and sandwiches.
- The Flaming Hot Family Fun Zone (315) has kids menus and lower-priced items.
❤️ Artimez says she wants the menu to reflect Miami's culture, as a nod to local fans and a culinary lesson for tourists. After all, the food is almost as important as the game.
- "Whenever you get invited anywhere, what's the first thing you do? You want to know what you're going to eat when you get there."