Here are the Eagles-themed food and drinks actually worth trying

If your blood isn’t already pumping midnight green with excitement for Super Bowl LIX, this menu of Eagles-themed food and drinks should do the trick. What began as a promising rally of football-inspired specials at the outset of this year’s playoff run has since rolled into an all-out blitz of Birds eating and drinking, with everything from pupusas to oysters in shades of green, and players’ likenesses pasted onto cookies and coffee beans.

There’s so much to choose from, I decided this week to taste for myself which items are just bandwagon branding and which ones are channeling winning flavors for a Super Bowl feast.

Pregame Caffeination: ReAnimator Coffee Rusher’s Roast

Dubbed the “freshest, fastest” beans around, this kelly green bag illustrated with (the newly engaged) Saquon Barkley cheerfully toting a mug is a decidedly light roast. But my dark roast-loving Eagles fanatic wife Elizabeth nonetheless eagerly volunteered for a cup: “I’ll drink it for Saquon!” And she was pleasantly surprised.

This elegant blend of South American and African beans balances the juicy acidity of a light roast with a toasty hazelnut sweetness that lingers on the lips. It isn’t cheap at $21 a half pound, but proceeds from each bag are donated to the Fund for the School District of Philadelphia. Just like Saquon, it’s worth every penny. Available for online order and at all ReAnimator coffee shops.

Game Time Hops: Brewery ARS South Philly Special Hazy IPA

There are plenty of Eagles-themed local beers, but I’m fond of Brewery ARS’ South Philly Special Hazy IPA. Named for the most famous plays in Eagles history — and made by ARS since the real Philly Special sealed the franchise’s only Super Bowl victory to date in 2018 — this refreshing brew bursts with juicy citra, centennial, and comet hop zing.

Unlike many lesser hazies, this one has a long, well-crafted finish, plus a sneaky 6.5% alcohol to calm the nerves. As the brewer says, that’s the taste of “sweet, sweet victory.” Brewery ARS, 1927-29 W. Passyunk Ave.; 2223 Frankford Ave., breweryars.com

Crunch-time sipper: Bird Gang LeSean “Shady” McCoy Kentucky Bourbon

You can pass on the uninspired entry-level Bird Gang bourbon from BOTLD’s Eagles-themed series. But this special edition, honoring Eagles legend LeSean “Shady” McCoy with a straight bourbon sourced from Bardstown, Ky., has power off the jump, a silky smooth stride of brown sugar sweetness, then a puff of spice to finish. It’s far better than a novelty bottle has to be, and BOTLD owner Andrew Auwerda says it will disappear from shelves the day after the big game. Bird Gang LeSean “Shady” McCoy Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey, 90 proof, 750m, $58 at botld.com and BOTLD locations (Rittenhouse Square, Midtown Village, King of Prussia)

Longtime Birds fans know the power of pickles following former Eagle Duce Staley’s 201-yard “Pickle Juice Game” against the Cowboys in 2000. And Fishtown Pickle Project’s Philly Dilly Pickles, which deliver an extra pop of cider vinegar and caraway, are having a moment as the local restaurant collaboration pickle of choice.

At Miller’s Twist in the Reading Terminal Market, they’re rolling thick Philly Dilly spears in a buttery sweet blanket of soft pretzel dough. These are best hot and fresh, when the tart brine is a nice foil for the pretzel’s richness, but yet to turn the dough soggy — so it’s less a game day choice than a psych-up bite while shopping the Terminal for party fixings. Reading Terminal Market, 1136 Arch St., 215-922-2317, readingterminalmarket.org

My party-choice pretzels for the big event come from A&A Soft-Pretzels in South Jersey, not only because they twist pretzels into mini-footballs, but because A&A also makes an outstanding gluten-free version, too. A&A Soft-Pretzels, 511 White Horse Pike, Oaklyn, 856-338-0208; aandasoftpretzels.com

Philly Dillies are also making a cameo at Vince’s Pizzeria Fishtown location, where thick rounds of pickle chips are scattered across a white pie with bacon, dill, and ranch dressing. Even though I’m a Vince’s fan, I was still surprised to like this oddball Eagles Pie. I wouldn’t want it to be my complete meal, but it’s an excellent one-slice party starter for a game-day buffet. Vince’s Pizzeria Fishtown, 965 Frankford Ave., 215-660-9800, vincespizzeria.com

Down North Pizza is making a Super Bowl pie that I can absolutely get down with: The “Wake Up Everybody,” a tribute to the song by Philly’s Harold Melvin & the Blue Notes, is essentially a cheesesteak pizza. Built over Down North’s thick Detroit-style crusts, it features shaved pads of char-kissed rib eye curling over a cheesy tangle of yellow onions, sliced jalapeño rounds, and a creamy Eagles-green sauce steeped with chilies and cilantro that’s herbal, sweet, and spicy. Down North Pizza, 2804 W. Lehigh Ave., 215-377-9787, downnorthpizza.com

The Tush Push at Breezy’s Deli & Market: You can order the Tush Push year round — and you should, since this collaboration with Eagles rookie lineman Trevor Keegan is my top pick at this upscale sandwich and fancy food atelier on Washington Avenue. There’s enough herbed rare roast beef inside this hefty boy for an easy first down. But for me, it’s the zesty fixings — pickle pepper relish, punchy horseradish cheddar, and provolone — that gain the extra yards. Breezy’s Deli & Market, 2235 Washington Ave., 215-305-4090, breezysdeli.com

The Papale at Farina Di Vita: There are no wrong choices at Farina di Vita, one of the best of our next-gen Italian hoagie delis. It’s busting out all the catering specials for Super Bowl Sunday, with roast pork, roast beef, and shrimp cocktail portioned to-go for crowds. I love that Farina is also still offering its day-to-day hits (“no order too small!”) because the Papale Special, named for one of the Eagles’ most “Invincible” walk-ons, Vince Papale, is one of the best turkey hoagies in town. It’s deceptively simple, but there’s something perfect about the way Farina builds it “the Papale way,” with pepper turkey, Cooper Sharp, onion, a finely shaved cushion of shredduce, and extra oil, ‘cause “that’s the way Vince orders it.” Farina di Vita, 250 Catharine St., 267-639-5185, instagram.com/farinadivita

The Saquon at Carlino’s: The aisles are so jammed with shoppers clamoring for Eagles-themed tomato pies and sandwiches at this standby Italian market in Ardmore, I practically needed to do a backwards hurdle to make my way to the front of the hoagie counter. I was rewarded with the Saquon, a cold hoagie stuffed with crispy chicken cutlet, fresh mozz, creamy pesto aioli, peppers, and prosciutto. It’s an overstuffed mouthful, but once that crunchy cutlet hits against the long hot pepper heat, you’ve scored. Carlino’s, 2616 E. County Line Rd., Ardmore, 19003, 610-649-4046; 128 W. Market St., West Chester, 19382, 610-649-4046, carlinosmarket.com

El Señor Machete at Cantina La Martina: The restaurant’s signature 2-foot-long quesadilla is meant to be shared. Chef Dionicio Jiménez has tinted the masa dough turf green with spinach, making it a natural for an Eagles watch party. This special edition comes stuffed with beef meatballs in chipotle gravy, along with Cantina’s extensive Super Bowl-themed menu (green nachos, green tacos, birria hoagies, tomatillo green margaritas) but can be filled with any protein you like. It’s available for takeout only at the Kensington location and requires a two-day preorder notice. It can be eaten on site at Cantina’s new satellite location, inside Human Robot in Jenkintown, where the game will be playing on the brewpub’s TVs with enough “milk tubes” of creamy Czech lager foam to keep the party fizzing. Cantina La Martina, 2800 D St., 267-519-2142; cantinalamartinapa.com; Human Robot Jenkintown, 208 Old York Rd., Jenkintown 19046, 215-277-3768.

Pupusas (& churros) at El Merkury: The natural greening power of spinach works a similar magic on the colorful pupusas at this Central American street-food specialist with locations near Rittenhouse (2104 Chestnut St.) and inside the Reading Terminal Market. The soft masa rounds, which come stuffed revueltas-style with tender pork and cheese, are perfectly portioned party food. Still, I have a feeling El Merkury’s Eagles churros are going to steal the show. Chef-owner Sofia DeLeon not only figured out how to shape those grooved fritters into a perfect mini-E, she turns them midnight green with jade-colored sugar. Available at both El Merkury locations during the week, but only the Reading Terminal stand will be open for pickup on Super Bowl Sunday; elmerkury.com

Viet-South Philly ribs and wings at Cafe Nhan: My usual Super Bowl potluck move is to smoke ribs and serve them with a Kansas City-style barbecue sauce. Not this year: I’m taking a detour and getting my fix from Cafe Nhan in South Philly, where the mother-son duo of Nhan Vo and Andrew Dinh Vo are major Eagles fans. Andrew’s char siu-style ribs are exceptionally tender and fragrant with a sweet five-spice marinade. They’re included on the restaurant’s special mixed appetizer platter, which can feed up to four people for $70. I’d suggest supplementing that with some of my favorite chicken wings in town, soaked for two days in a fish sauce brine before they’re fried to a peppery crisp. Cafe Nhan, 1606 W. Passyunk Ave., 215-551-2407, cafenhanphilly.com

Fly Eagles Fly Oysters at Fishtown Seafood: You know Eagles fandom is getting serious when even the bivalves are turning up green. The mossy hue on these pretty shells actually comes from a particular microscopic algae in the waters around Prince Edward Island, where these oysters are cultivated. I haven’t tasted them yet, since they don’t arrive until Wednesday, but Fishtown Seafood has a track record for quality sustainable seafood. And these are sister mollusks from the same producer of Sarah’s Shore oysters — which Picnic chef Nick Kennedy vouches for as a personal favorite for their bright brine and balanced background of minerals and umami. Available this week for $2.50 each at all Fishtown Seafood locations, in Fishtown, Rittenhouse, and Haddonfield; fishtownseafood.com

North Philly seafood feasts at Pleasure Platters: If steamed seafood is more your vibe, check out the No. 7 Triple Threat (snow crab, shrimp, and mussels) from Pleasure Platters, where owner Kindle Burrows is also known for her lobster bisque and deep-fried colossal shrimp. Burrows is offering 10% off all steamed pans and $1 fried shrimp on Sunday to anyone who mentions this article with advanced orders. Pleasure Platters, 5912 Old York Rd., 215-660-9898, pleasureplatters.com

“Bargain” beluga bumps from Biederman’s Caviar: In case you’re thinking caviar is too bougie for a Super Bowl party, consider that Biederman’s, the Italian Market smoked fish heaven, has been booked to serve premium caviar to a private Super Bowl party for 70-plus people in Center City. Luckily, Lauren Biederman’s new caviar kiosk outside the Comcast Technology Center is also offering 15% off all tins of imported sturgeon caviar for walk-up orders only until Super Bowl Sunday. If you’ve always wanted to do beluga bumps to celebrate every TD, now’s your chance to do it at a tempting discount. Biederman’s Caviar Kiosk, 1 N. 19th St., order.toasttab.com/online/biedermanscaviar

There are dozens of great bakeries across the region turning green dye no. 3 into icing visions of Eagles glory, from Stock’s Polish bakery in Port Richmond (2614 E. Lehigh Ave., 215-634-7344) to upstart New June in Brewerytown (2623 W. Girard Ave., 215-346-6186) with its green marzipan cake slices and bird-themed sugar cookies. Classic-themed cakes rule the day at North Philadelphia’s beloved Denise’s Delicacies (2916 N. 22nd St., 215-225-5425), while there are kelly green cupcakes galore at all locations of 104-year-old Termini Bros. Bakery. At Chestnut Hill’s iconic Night Kitchen Bakery (7723-25 Germantown Ave., 215-248-9235), you can eat jersey-shaped cookies customized with your favorite player’s name or devour an accurate cookie diagram of the Philly Special. My favorite cupcakes from this past week of Birds-themed feasting were the super-moist and chocolatey Eagle-shaped beauties with marshmallow helmet heads from Carlino’s (2616 E. County Line Rd., Ardmore; 128 W. Market St., West Chester).

The à la mode option is an easy call with a pint of Playoff Party from Milk Jawn (1439 E. Passyunk Ave.; 946 N. 2nd St.), who swirls a rich vanilla base with a can’t-miss duo of salty caramel and chocolate crunch. Meanwhile, if your family, like mine, also wants a gluten-free victory, look no further than Okie Dokie Donuts (1439 Snyder Ave., 267-237-3786). Okie Dokie’s gameday special doughnut is not just kelly green and filled with coffee-rum cream, it’s named for A.J. Brown’s favorite book, Inner Excellence.