Food breakdown in each NHL city

I was clearly not feeling like doing work, so I made this instead. The ratings on food are objective and not up for debate. Happy to hear other food contenders if you think you have something better from a city. Without further ado, 1400 words on the food around NHL cities. (Within tiers rankings are not conclusive)

Title contenders

Buffalo Sabres

Wings- I was looking for something else and there were plenty of other options that were solid, but none as amazing as the original chicken wing. Dallas has yet to get me to Buffalo to take a food tour, but it’s coming. Right next door in Rochester you have the garbage plate, but that is definitively not a Buffalo food. A

Dallas Stars

BBQ Brisket- I can only have Brisket when I’m getting BBQ. I love BBQ. Here you are at the western tip of the BBQ Belt and in July when I go, I’ll let you know what I think. This region focuses more on cow-based BBQ based on what animals are around. Better for me, worse for pork lovers. A

Vancouver Canucks

Sushi- Lots of immigrants from Asia gave us a lot of options, but I decided to combine Japanese and their fishing industry. Probably opting for a salmon and avocado roll if you are asking for suggestions. A

New York Rangers

Pastrami Sandwich- Nothing says NY better than pastrami on rye with mustard. I know everyone expects pizza, but I’m not here for your basic opinions. A

New York Islanders

Pizza- Foldable, hot cheese over sauce with a crispy yet doughy crust. One of the major food groups of any good New Yorker, it’s worth it whether you pay 99 cents or 5 bucks for a deluxe slice (when it’s done right). The one-handed fold exhibited in the picture is a key test for any slice. A

Montreal Canadiens

Poutine- An obvious staple, this looks gross but actually tastes amazing. We went to Quebec City (and Montreal) and I forced my family to try it and since then we make it ourselves 3 times a month (vegetarian, so probably not getting full picture)- regardless, amazing drunk food. Fries, Cheese, Gravy. A

True Playoff Teams

Arizona Coyotes

Chimichanga- My go to option at any Mexican restaurant, which I started with when we used to have these awesome microwave meals and I thought all microwave meals were healthy since my mom only ate lean cuisines. Now it’s just an amazing food that’s fun to say that was apparently invented in Arizona not Mexico. A-

Nashville Predators

Hot Chicken Sandwich- This is one I’ve been meaning to try. Fried Chicken, all the spices, maybe some slaw? Potential for perfection. A-

Philadelphia Flyers

Chickie’s and Pete’s Fries- Philly cheese steaks, I know. But here’s a lesser known still super popular gem. Chickie’s and Pete’s fries are spicy and crisp while being soft on the inside. Amazing. Can be had at any Philly sporting event and tastes less fake than the cheese steak you would get at a game. A-

Lightning

Bloomin Onion- Tampa is a food desert as far as staples and I had to really reach for this one. Turns out the Bloomin Onion was first made in an Outback Steakhouse in Tampa. Might end up being a top 5 food on this list. A-

Carolina Hurricanes

Pork shoulder or ribs- Here on the Eastern tip of the BBQ belt we also opt for BBQ. Carolina BBQ is exclusively pork based as opposed to including brisket and other goodies. Still an amazing sauce even if you can’t have the pork and definitely worth a mention. Here we go for a sauce lathering instead of Texas’ dry rub-based BBQ economy. A-

Edmonton Oilers

Bison Steak- If steak is manly, bison steak is super manly. If bison steak was popular in America like it is in Edmonton, we probably wouldn’t be as F*T but also the bison would be fully extinct. A-

Los Angeles Kings

Tacos- A Mexican import, I opt for the flour tortilla when I can. So versatile and great in a pinch. Can be had with a multitude of fillings. I always keep flour wraps around the house just in case I’m in a pinch. A-

Florida Panthers

Cuban Sandwiches- Technically a Miami food, but I’ve done the drive it’s not that far. Cuban sandwiches are ham and cheese and a bunch of goodness. Not kosher, but I get it, I love a good sandwich. Turns out they are also in Tampa, but I picked Florida’s food first. A-

In the playoff conversation

Pittsburgh Penguins

Pierogis- Polish food is comfort food. Primanti Bros is everyone’s go to, but the variety you can get in a pierogi is incredible. Highly recommend. Also, I’m not basic. See NY. B+

Minnesota Wild

Juicy Lucy- Not kosher, but make a burger and put the cheese inside the burger. Sounds heavenly. B+

Chicago Blackhawks

Fake Pizza- The nicest I can be is to say it isn’t pizza but if you take it for what it is, it’s pretty good. B+

Calgary Flames

Ginger Beef- Again, I picked Edmonton first and there’s a lot of overlap, but here’s an OG to Calgary. Americanized Chinese food, everyone’s favorite kind. B

Anaheim Ducks

Something Mickey shaped- in the place where it all began. I actually recommend the candy caramel apple. They do some kind of magic. Maybe it’s the pixie dust? B

St. Louis Blues

Toasted Ravioli- I couldn’t do more pizza and their pizza was weird anyway. Toasted ravioli is a finger food that accidentally happened when someone dropped a ravioli in a deep fryer. Now everyone does it on purpose instead. Thought about BBQ here too but I didn’t want any repeats. B

Just needed a little more

Seattle Kraken

Oysters- Again, looks nasty but who am I to judge. Slurp some up, just not in front of me. Can’t deal with the noise either. Had to go with fish market item here obviously. B-

Toronto Maple Leafs

Veal Sandwich- Toronto options were about as good as Tampa, but then I stumbled upon this gem. Baby cow in the shape of a sandwich? Definitely not going to hell… tastes great though. B-

Detroit Red Wings

Coney Island hot dogs- Coney Island is in NY so I’m not really sure what they’re thinking with the name. Anyway, hot dog covered in meat sauce and onions. Sounds pretty good to me. B-

New Jersey Devils

Saltwater taffy- New Jersey boardwalks are a classic and what old people long to go back to when they ask for a simpler time. This taffy doesn’t have salt water in it, so I’m not sure why it’s called that and I don’t really feel like looking it up. But it tastes good as long as it isn’t old and hardened (been there done that). C

Columbus Blue Jackets

Buckeye candy- Chocolate and peanut butter combos are the best thing since… the big bang. Add powdered sugar and make it a candy. Done for the day. #FLAVORTOWNRULES but… C

San Jose Sharks

Banh Mi- San Jose has the biggest Vietnamese population of any city outside of Vietnam. Banh mi is a sandwich that can have pretty much anything in it. The bread is kind of like a baguette. C+

Boston Bruins

New England Clam Chowder- It’s not kosher, but I’ve heard it’s amazing. Personally, I don’t think it looks that appetizing, but neither does lobster and that was probably my second choice. Have fun I guess. C+

Dude… whaddya doin?

Vegas Golden Knights

Sub-par buffets and steak- I know there is 5 star dining available in Vegas. But does anyone actually eat there? Not really. We go for the cheap buffets (hopefully not at a strip club) and some decent steak. C

Washington Capitals

Half-smokes- Imagine a sloppy joe (ground beef and some sauce) and put it on a bun. Idk sounds… fine? But here we are. C-

Ottawa Senators

Beavertail- Fried dough. Not really sure how it is America that’s considered F*T when you look at what the Canadian options are on the list. Also, it’s just fried dough, not sure what’s so special about it. D

Winnipeg Jets

Winnipeg Rye Bread- Apparently it isn’t even Rye bread, it’s something they eat at Winnipeg Socials (parties held at community centers/legions). Doesn’t have caraway seeds which is the definition of rye bread apparently. Borderline antisemitism I think to change rye bread. D

Colorado Avalanche

Rocky Mountain Oysters- Bruh F