CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — With the 2024 NFL season fast approaching, the Chicago Bears have unveiled an all-new food and beverage menu for fans to enjoy as they root on the team at Soldier Field.
The menu isn’t the only thing that’ll be different, though. The Bears, alongside new hospitality Levy — which operates concessions for the White Sox, the Cubs, the Bulls and the Blackhawks — have been working since April 2024 to create a fully revamped concessions experience.
“It’s more than food,” said Bears CEO Kevin Warren. “It’s creating an elevated experience, creating an environment where fans can really enjoy it, and one of the things that makes it special is that [Levy is] homegrown Chicago.”
Alison Weber, Levy’s chief creative officer, said they expect innovations at some of the new concession stands will get fans back in their seats three times faster than previous years at Soldier Field. Among those innovations: self-checkout stations, much like what exists inside Wrigley Field, which have been installed at six stands across all levels of the stadium.
It was also clear that the team wanted to tap into some of the excitement surrounding new additions to the Bears’ roster. Rookie Wide Receiver Rome Odunze partnered with Levy and Vienna Beef for what’s being called an “Odunze dog,” which features a jalapeno cheddar dog covered in Italian beef, giardiniera, a spicy sauce and cheddar crisp crumbles.
Levy Executive Chef Ryan Craig, who described himself as a "born-and-raised Bears fan," said they wanted to represent Chicago with the Italian beef — and Odunze had a hand in crafting the rest of the sandwich.
“Rome loves spicy, that’s the jalapeno cheddar dog and giardiniera part,” Craig said. “And as a kid, he grew up on a family farm in Utah, a dairy farm, so we tracked down a cheesemaker nearby that could make a cheese that we then bake in the oven … to put a crispy cheese on top. A little bit of Rome’s past, Rome’s present, and hopefully on the field we’re about to see Rome’s future.”
The menu also features a wide range of bear-claw-shaped fare, which Craig said was a nod to the claw hand-gesture that rookie Quarterback Caleb Williams has frequently made since being drafted No. 1 overall by the team.
There’s a bear claw pretzel, a bear claw cookie and a bear claw doughnut, the latter of which is provided by Do-Rite Donuts and covered with vanilla ice cream, whipped cream and M&Ms.
Craig said getting to cook for Bears fans and the organization has made him feel like he’s “exactly where I’m meant to be.”
The Bears will kick off the season at home on Sept. 8 against the Tennessee Titans.
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