Shane Foley

Connector Editor

Compiling a list of best places to eat for the game may seem a little unnecessary at first. It is true that there are a bunch of food outlets in downtown Lowell, on campus and even inside the Tsongas Center. If you do not like long lines though, or paying a lot of money, or eating meals that would not fill the stomach of a carpenter ant, then you might want to check this out.

As far as the Tsongas Center goes, they have much to offer, but not everybody pays attention to the entire package. The Sal’s pizza outlet is usually underused. You will pay more than you would at the Sal’s pizza in the Roadhouse at Fox Commons, but at least you get a huge double slice of pizza with it. Mostly every place you attend at the Tsongas costs money, so you will want to get the most out of your purchase.

There are also several booths at the Tsongas that can go unnoticed as well. The fried dough can be popular, but worth the wait. This is not a good option if you are on a date, however, unless he or she does not mind whatever you are wearing being snowed on with sugar. There is also a hotdog stand, and even a Starbucks stand with a limited selection (no PSL’s).

Getting food after the game can be fun, however, it can also be irritating. Your choice of venue may mean the difference between getting a decent meal within a reasonable time frame and rage quitting restaurants because the wait is too long. Two prime areas you are going to want to avoid are Wings over Lowell (Wings) and Lowell Beer Works (Beer Works). Both places are usually packed on game night. Beer Works is the closest place to the Tsongas and therefore receives a lot of out of town business that night. Wings is usually packed, so imagine how it would look on game night.

Staying in downtown Lowell is still a good choice though. Garcia Brogans is a great spot downtown if you are over 21. Other than drinks, though, they have amazing nachos and chicken. Also, Jimmy John’s just opened up on Merrimack Street. It is a short walk from the Tsongas and a good substitute if you cannot make the trek to Suppa’s Pizza. It is open until 10 though, so tough luck if the game goes to overtime.

So what is better? Eating at the game, or afterwards? Well, if you are trying to save money, you might find more value for your purchase after the game. Eating at the game is more fun though. Any reader who was here for our home opener last year knows that our student section has become one of the most fearsome in Hockey East. Well, imagine that force on sugar and carbohydrates? Yes, eating at the game will give you the necessary energy to cheer on the River Hawks. Just think of the team when you are in line for Sal’s.