Smoked meats – multiple types and in hefty volumes – are coming to concession stands at Ohio Stadium this football season.
Among new foods unveiled Aug. 20 ahead of Ohio State's football home-opener is a 1-pound Buckeye Barbecue Box filled with beef brisket, pulled pork, jalapeno cheddar sausage and bone-in chicken thighs.
Whoever is sitting near you will be lucky. The boxes, to be sold at concession stands near sections 15A and 6A, are designed for sharing, according to Levy Restaurants Executive Chef Justin Odenthal.
Ohio State's first home game of the 2026 season is Sept. 5 against Mid-American Conference powerhouse Ball State.
A Ball State Burger,
one of a series dedicated to OSU opponents, includes cheese and cherries on top of a beef patty.
Odenthal, who oversees kitchens at Ohio Stadium and the Schottenstein Center, said it's in the territory between traditional stadium food and outside-the-box fare that he moves between every season.
"We have to please both sets of fans," he said. "You've got to keep those core items and then pepper in some new items."
Also among the new foods: a Banh Mi Dog topped with some of the Vietnamese sandwich's traditional accompaniments such as pickled vegetables, Sriracha mayo and cilantro.
Follow Dispatch dining reporter Bob Vitale on Instagram at @dispatchdining. You can reach him directly at rvitale@dispatch.com.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio Stadium debuts 1-pound Buckeye Barbecue Box for football season
