The Devils rolled out a new menu of items including healthy options, sweet treats and local barbecue.
New food at New Jersey Devils games this season
The Devils kick off their home hockey season on Oct. 16. See the new additions to the concession lineup here.
A chocolate and candy-covered fresh Rice Krispies Treat. A sandwich with pulled pork from Clifton’s Might Quinn’s BBQ. Grilled cheese on Texas toast with tomato bisque and a chicken tinga empanada.
These are but some of the new foods coming to the Prudential Center concession areas during New Jersey Devils games this season.
The new food and beverage options were developed by the arena’s Eastback Kitchen and hospitality partner Levy Restaurants. Executive Chef Aron Zaks said they listened to feedback from guests to determine what new items to put on the menu this year.
“We’re trying to listen to what the fans want and to make sure we bring a New Jersey feel to you,” Zaks said. “We’re Jersey people; we want to make sure we hear our fans, here our people.”
The Devils’ home opener of the regular season is Oct. 16 against the Florida Panthers. I tried all the new foods at a recent showcase event; here’s what I found out.
New concessions items for 2025 at Prudential Center during Devils games
The Prudential Center’s Eastback Kitchen won the Stanley Award last season, given to NHL teams that expand the food and beverage experience in novel ways. Sarah Forster, vice president of hospitality strategy at Levy, said the team is looking to continue improving the experience based on guest feedback: “Some of the fun things you’re going to see is what guests brought to us last season,” she said.
Guest feedback directed them towards some healthier options in concessions, like a grilled chicken sandwich with white cheddar, lettuce and tomato on a toasted brioche bun.
There will also be plenty of “fun things,” Forster said, like beer-filled hockey sticks at select games, the return of goalie helmet cups filled (now) with garlic knots and the new, custom Rice Krispies Treat stalls, where guests can watch as concessionaires dunk treats in a variety of coverings and toppings. These are uber-soft crisped rice rectangles with abundant marshmallow between the cereal, and the duge coating is thick and decadent.
You can also get a heaping serving of pillowy garlic knots — these things are gigantic and stretchy, topped with garlic oil and marinara sauce. I’d stack these well-spiced, soft knots up against some of the top versions in the area.
My favorite things at the taste-test event, though, were the pulled pork nachos, not only because they were excellent, but because they’re also the thing I’m most likely to order at a game this season. Tortilla chips are covered in cheese sauce and topped with Mighty Quinn’s tender pulled pork, salsa, diced onions, pickled jalapenos and cilantro.
The full list of new menu items includes:
Grilled Chicken Sandwich. Grilled chicken breast with Cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomato on a toasted brioche bun.Pulled Pork Sandwich. Mighty Quinn’s pulled pork with barbecue sauce, pickled cucumbers and pickled red onions.Garlic Knots. Coated with garlic oil, served with house-made marinara.Pulled Pork Nachos. Tortilla chips covered in cheese sauce and topped with pulled pork, salsa, diced onions, pickled jalapenos and cilantro.Grilled Cheese and Soup. American, provolone and white cheddar cheese on Texas toast and served with Campbell’s tomato bisque.Bacon Jam Grilled Cheese and Soup. American, provolone and white cheddar cheese with homemade cherry pepper bacon jam on Texas toast, served with Campbell’s tomato bisque.Chicken Empanada. Chicken tinga and provolone, with a side of mayo ketchup.Rice Krispies Treat. Chocolate-covered Rice Krispies Treats topps with M&Ms, Oreos or sprinkles.
Matt Cortina is a food reporter with NorthJersey.com/The Record. Reach him at mcortina@gannett.com.