DETROIT (WWJ) — The Lions hype can’t be contained.
With the team gearing up for the Divisional Round matchup with the Washington Commanders Saturday night at Ford Field, fans all over Metro Detroit are fired up for the postseason.
From snowmen and ice sculptures to life-sized cakes and Honolulu Blue sweets, Lions pride has been manifested in many creative forms this winter as the Lions wrapped up a franchise-best 15-2 regular season, with their eyes on reaching a first-ever Super Bowl.
Fans have been lining up to see the Amon-Ra St. Brown-inspired cake at Home Bakery in Rochester — and get a chance to win tickets to the game — while other bakeries across the area are cooking up Lions-themed treats.
That includes Honolulu Blue bagels at Eastside Bagel in St. Clair Shores, where WWJ Newsradio 950’s Charlie Langton paid a visit Thursday morning.
Meanwhile in Garden City, Villa Bakery on Middlebelt is going all-out for the playoff run. Owner Candy Vanlue told WWJ’s Jon Hewett the most popular item has been the Lions cannolis.
They have “a chocolate-covered shell that has the Lions’ colors and looks like a little football,” Vanlue said. The bakery also has cookies, cupcakes, Lions-themed bumpy cakes and more.
Villa Bakery is offering pre-delivery for those hosting watch parties Saturday night. All you have to do is call 734-425-6245.
For those heading to Ford Field Saturday night, there will be plenty of exciting new options on the menu. Fans are being told to arrive early and come hungry, as Levy — the food, beverage and hospitality provider of Ford Field — is rolling out a slew of specials.
The menu will feature “classic fanfare paired with items built for wanting more
during the postseason run.”
Highlighting the menu is the Jahmyr Gibbs-approved All Roads Burger — a juicy double-smashburger that “takes a bite out of the NFC North” with something from each of Detroit’s division rivals.
It is topped with Wisconsin Cheddar; tomato, pickles, yellow mustard and celery salt; and purple “Sota” slaw. The burger is available at Lions Loyal Member Marketplaces in sections 100 and 120 as well as the Tailgate Grills in sections 119, 135, 219 and 235.
The “We’ve Got More Loaded Nachos” feature cherry smoked pulled pork, green chile queso, shaved cabbage slaw, chipotle Pico de Gallo, BBQ glaze and cilantro lime crema.
They’re available at the Streats of Detroit in sections 109, 126, 217 and 244.
“The Playmaker” — smoked beef short rib, cheddar redskin potato mash, honey dill tri-color carrots, BBQ glaze and crispy fried onions — is available at the BLITZ, located on Level 2 above the Gate A Atrium near section 100.
There will be four signature cocktails available Saturday night:
• Bubble Burster: Vodka, peach, pineapple, cranberry, lemon bubble
• Go For It: Whiskey, ginger beer, Fred’s Black Syrup, lime wheel, blue cherry,
silver straw and a blue sugar rim
• Roarin’ Fizz: Gin, blue curacao, lemon, simple syrup, club soda and fee foam
• The Electric Blueberries: Tequila, blue curacao, blueberry puree, lemonade,
orchid, lemon wheel and a blueberry candy skewer
Levy says 17 local restaurant partners will be featured at 29 locations throughout Ford Field with menu items like the specialty cheesesteak sandwich from Lefty’s Cheesesteak and Chicken Tinga taquitos from Honcho’s Latin Street Food & Coffee.
Levy is anticipating selling 15,000 hot dogs, 1,000 pounds of pork, 900 pounds of shrimp, 650 pounds of tenderloin and 215 gallons of Little Caesar’s Pizza Sauce.