They’re delicious, they’re simple to eat within the stands — they usually’re even formed like little footballs.
We’re speaking about bao, the pillowy steamed buns folded over savory fillings. Chef-owner Curtis Lam and his San Francisco-based meals truck known as The Chairman have been serving their beloved-by-foodies, award-winning bao to 49ers followers for happening 5 seasons.
Whereas the pigskin is hovering across the Levi’s Stadium area beneath, Lam and his crew are making Pork Stomach Bao, with pork slices glazed in crimson miso, the richness reduce by turmeric pickled daikon and inexperienced shiso. They’re topping marinated, fried Hen Karaage strips with zesty sauces and piling cola-braised pork on their Loaded Fries.
Earlier than the official season will get underway, we nabbed Lam for a chat about life within the vendor lane in Santa Clara:
Q Are you a soccer fan?
A The Chairman bleeds crimson and gold! Most of our staff members are San Francisco natives, and we run an annual fantasy “footbao” league.
Q Does another NFL staff have a bao vendor?
A I’m undecided if we're the primary to promote bao at NFL video games, however I hope we’re setting a development! Bao makes for a tasty game-day snack, and I believe our followers at Levi’s stadium would agree.
Q Do 49ers followers have completely different bao preferences from common Chairman devotees?
A Our Pork Stomach Bao remains to be a fan favourite, however the Hen Karaage Bun — Japanese-style fried hen — is an merchandise discovered solely at our brick-and-mortar location in San Francisco and the primary concession stand in Levi’s stadium.
Q What’s your prime vendor on the video games?
A Our greatest vendor at Levi’s Stadium has received to be our Loaded Fries — crispy coated fries, topped with cola-braised pork and our standard spicy mayo and garlic aioli — solely accessible at Levi’s Stadium
Q When is the bao rush? Do followers load up simply earlier than kickoff or wait till halftime?
A We usually see our rush through the half-hour main as much as kickoff and at halftime. However our staff strikes quick like Deebo after the catch, so simply get in line!
Q Do they drown their Jimmy G sorrows with the pork stomach bao or the karaage hen?
A Jimmy G might be missed, however it’s time to have fun the Trey period with a pork stomach bao! Query is, does Trey Lance know what’s up with bao? We’d positive prefer to work a few them into his pre-game meal.
Q Do you usually promote out?
A Hardly ever can we promote out, however we've been examined. Loaded Fries have been flying out of the kitchen final season.
Q Do you're employed the sales space at video games? Is it a protracted, grueling day?
A You'll usually discover me within the trenches throughout video games, working with our all-star staff. A typical recreation day is about 10 hours, together with our journey time from San Francisco.
Q Which stands do you eat at through the video games?
A I get pleasure from a refreshing Dole Whip on the Hula Truck stand on scorching recreation days and a burrito from Iguanas all the time hits the spot.
Q Are the concessionaires aggressive or all buddies?
A It’s a pleasant setting throughout the concessionaires. We’re all within the trenches collectively, making an attempt to pump out scrumptious meals for all of the hungry followers on the market. You’ll discover us exchanging fist bumps on the finish of service and just a little little bit of meals buying and selling every time attainable.