"More olives," Ashley Johnson pleaded for her taco in a bag ($5.50) as she moved her way along the line in the concourse of Ralph Engelstad Arena. She's one of the legion of Sioux hockey fans who make a meal out of that favorite at the games.
Fans come hungry and thirsty to "the Ralph." When they enter, they get a smell of popcorn, roasting almonds and fresh mini-donuts.
It seems like one gigantic beer and food party when you come in from the cold. People are eating, drinking, talking. They buy more hot dogs, pizza and burgers before the game and during the first period. Between the second and third period, they hit up the snack places for things such as Dippin' Dots, cotton candy and homemade caramel corn.
There are 12 permanent vending stations in REA, along with five portable models, according to Jerry Robinson, concessions manager. There is a potato bar and other food on the second floor. A catering service provides food for the suites.
The lines are long on the main entry level before a game. Over the Little Caesar's Pizza window, there is a large lighted sign that says, "Don't forget the Crazy Bread." There's also popular Italian cheese bread ($5.50) in one of several venues run by Debbie and Brian Conneran. Duane Hagen, who manages one site, said, "We go through piles of it, about 120 a game."
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The Connerans with their Little Caesar's Pizza and TCBY treats are among few outside vendors. At TCBY stands, they offer Shivers for $5. Debbie said sometimes the line for the frozen yogurt seems 10 miles long during the second-period break.
Other outside vendors are Craig and Sandra Holmstrom, Red Lake Falls, Minn., who operate Far Out Nuts stands, and make their sales with the aroma of roasting Diamond Blue almonds from California. They usually have helpers offering samples.
Most concessions are handled by REA. When you walk the crowded corridor, you find hamburgers, hot dogs, pulled pork and brisket of beef. A new walleye sandwich has been well-received.
You find one beer stand after another. Choices, including nonalcoholic, seem endless. At one venue, there are tall, slender, glasslike containers for daiquiris or margaritas ($7) and specialty beers for $5 and $6.50. There's Molson Canadian beer ($4.50 and $6). Leinenkugel's was in demand at one outlet. Customers also ask for Honeyweiss, a German beer with lemon or orange slices in it.
At the Slap Shot Grill, people are buying things such as chili dogs ($5.75), popcorn ($5.50, $3), chili cheese fries ($4), cotton candy ($3) and dipped waffle cones ($5.50). Then, there's Miller Lite and Mike's Hard Lemonade.
There are hot dogs rolling round and round for $3.75. The fresh warm mini-donuts are inviting on a cold winter night. You get 14 of them for $5. Caramel corn is $3.50
Power-play nachos, made with three meats and all the accoutrements, are new this year for $7.50.
But the Cadillac of all food choices seems to be the prime rib sandwich, served for $10. Beef is carved to order and served on a large ciabatta bun. It comes with coleslaw, pickles and chips. Josh Moos walked away with a smile on his face at a recent game. "It looks good," he said.
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Reach Hagerty at mhagerty@gra.midco.net or call (701) 772-1055.
