The popular "Man vs. Food" series has gone to re-runs on television but the extreme food trend continues to expand across sports.
As part of the Charlotte Hornets’ re-launch on Wednesday, the team, in conjunction with Levy Restaurants, has unveiled the new Hugo's Boss Burger, named after the team's mascot. The giant sandwich weighs in at eight pounds and is intended to feed multiple fans — unless you're Adam Richman.
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If you order, prepare your taste buds for 14 eight-ounce burger patties spread across two massive buns, topped with lettuce, tomato, bacon, mushrooms, cheddar and Swiss cheese, pickle slices and Levy’s special sauce.
It’s one of the biggest burgers in the southeast, according to Aaron Cox, Levy’s executive chef at the facility. The cost? “Market price” ranging from $70 to $80, he said.
The burger monstrosity follows the trend of extreme food that many arenas and stadiums, including several Levy accounts, have launched.
“It’s something that people really look for these days that’s sort of outside the box,” Cox said. “They can bring in a big group and show it off.”
The burger will be sold at one stand at the Lowe’s Home Court destination on Time Warner Cable Arena's main concourse that already sells premium burgers. Hugo's Boss Burger has a dedicated line and after a fan places an order, a bell will ring signifying the challenge facing them. Levy had special Hornets-themed trays made to transport the burger.
“It’s going to be a special event when someone orders it,” Cox said. “I’d like dare ‘Man vs. Food’ to come out here and tackle this one.”
Hugo's Boss Burger joins the Buffalo Bacon Corn Dog, fresh-cut French fries, hand-breaded onion rings and a revamped barbecue operation called Moonshine BBQ tied to a smoker that’s been used sparingly since the arena opened in 2005, Cox said. Other new food items include the two-and-half-pound meatball, another oversized item made with veal, sausage and beef, that will be served in suites.
As the building enters its 10th NBA season, the Hornets’ goal has been to upgrade the overall food operation as part of the team’s rebranding campaign, said Pete Guelli, the Hornets’ executive vice president and chief sales and marketing manager.
The food improvements started last year with the new Craft Beer Garden in the arena’s upper deck featuring local and regional microbrews in a city now teeming with craft brewers.
The Hornets open the 2014-15 season at home Wednesday against the Bucks. Be sure to bring your appetite.