Credit: FOODbible
9. Jalapeno poppers
I forget about jalapeno poppers a lot, for which I must apologize to their fans. The deep fried cheese-and-bacon-stuffed pepper delicacy is fundamentally, foundationally, a strong sports bar appetizer, not least because jalapeno poppers also have a je-ne-sais-quoi about them that really speaks to the “sports bar” part of the equation.
In the interest of full disclosure, I’m not sure I’ve ever had jalapeno poppers in a bar, but I do have a friend who makes really excellent homemade JPs. (She doesn’t deep-fry them, rather they are classily wrapped in a crescent roll.) She brought them to a dip party and while JPs are admittedly not a dip, they were still delicious.
8. Loaded fries or, as Canadians call it, poutine
While an order of fries may actually, truly, be a side, loaded fries are most definitely an appetizer. And what an appetizer they are. There are many ways that loaded fries can be loaded, but the most trendy are those inspired by or straight-up called poutine.
Poutine in its purest form is french fries, topped with cheese curds and doused in gravy. In its variations, it may feature different meats (pork, beef, bacon, salmon — which is not a meat — if you’re feeling fancy), different cheeses and different gravy-esque sauces.
At which point you can also refer to whatever you’re ordering as loaded fries, which tend to feature cheese, bacon, maybe jalapenos, maybe chili. Sometimes they’re seasoned — cajun, garlic parmesan — or covered — in ranch, buffalo, BBQ sauce, more cheese in sauce form.
(In the writing of this article, I discovered that a late-night spot that specialized in barbecue and poutine closed and I am distraught. I only went once, so I am also responsible for its closure, but I remember it as amazing.)
7. Tots
I discovered the joys of tater tots late in life, particular as I am about all things vaguely related to potatoes. But tots are awesome and, given the choice between tots or fries, love yourself and choose tots every time.
Also, this isn’t really super related to sports bar appetizers, but a tater tot grilled cheese is also on my culinary bucket list.