2009 Football Preview: Stanislaus District's must-dine venues

By Richard T. Estrada
restrada@modbee.com

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It's fine dining of a different sort when you enjoy a meal at a Stanislaus District football game. There's no silver or fancy plates, just fine, hot food.

Whether it's Glen Earl grilling near the end zone at Johansen or Chris Chase flipping burgers at the Mariposa County Fairgrounds, you get a good deal for your money.

The fun of eating dinner at a football game is you're able to see your food while it's being prepared. If you're an expert, you give some tips to the grillmaster — but be ready when he hands you the tongs and says "cook your own."

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1. Riverbank High

The school's athletics boosters run the snack stands for all sporting events, but there's always something about serving up delicious hot food on a Friday night in the fall. There is plenty of protein, and healthy dose of carbohydrates waiting for you when you visit the snack stand. The entrees include tri-tip sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs and linguica, as well as baked potatoes with all the extras heaped on top. "As far as ranking, I'd say the tri-tip and loaded baked potatoes are number one and two," said Isabel Gong, who shares grilling duties with other boosters. "We've been told by visiting fans that they don't eat dinner until they get to our games because they've heard we have great food."

2. Johansen High

Size clearly matters when Glen Earl is manning the grill, slowly rotating plump linguica sausages that dwarf the fluffy buns. You'll have to take a big bite from both ends to make the linguica fit, but there's nothing wrong with that! Earl, the booster club president, makes sure the grill is full of tri-tip and burgers, as well, so there's a meal for every taste. The tri-tip is a touchdown in any one's book. "Glen is the master barbecuer," says Patty Castellanos, a booster who says the tri-tip and linguica are fan favorites. "He has a closely guarded marinade that he won't share with any of us." If you ask real nice, maybe he'll share his secret with you.

3. Los Banos High

Those folks on the West Side are never afraid to try something new. Nathan Copp and his crew of master grillers, including devoted sports boosters Kim Copp and Jim Orr, are going to put french fries on the menu this season. They'll be the perfect complement to the juicy tri-tip and linguica that comes hot off the grill and into your mouth. They've got grilled peppers and onions, too, so load up. If you're reducing your meat intake, the solution is to pick up one of their large burritos.

4. Denair High

The sports boosters handle the on-site barbecue pit, and all the proceeds are pumped back into the school's sports programs to pay for uniforms, equipment, tournament fees and transportation. It's a great cause to spend your money on — the fact you get a tasty reward makes it all the better. They offer up tri-tip, linguica, burgers, hot dogs and baked potatoes with all the fixins'. "You can smell the barbecue from the parking lot," says athletic director Darrin Allen. The boosters use a dry-rub seasoning on the tri-tip before slow-cooking it over mesquite wood. It's a community affair, with "Red Hot Cole's BBQ" also donating time and equipment.

5. Oakdale High

Kevin Brunk and his friends in the sports booster club will tell you two things about the tri-tip being grilled up for every game — It's the best meal in the district and it's long been the traditional Friday night meal for Mustang fans. Brunk and his crew of talented grillers also cook up bratwurst to go with hot dogs and pizza. If your kids want a tasty treat, and you don't mind cleaning them up afterward, get the cheesy nachos and plenty of napkins. If you ask nice, and tell them how much you enjoyed the state championship team of 2007, Dionn Avant or Bret Martin might let you grill your own.