San Diego’s best spots for your Super Bowl feast

Along with being a football game, the Super Bowl is essentially a food holiday — an excuse to eat hot wings, seven-layer dip, pizza and way too many chips.

This year’s game is a show down between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — two cities that boast tasty cuisine of their own. Kansas City, of course, is known for its barbecue and Tampa Bay is home to authentic Cuban food, specifically Cuban sandwiches.

So if you’re looking to add some new options to your Super Bowl feast, here’s where you can find barbecue and Cuban sandwiches in San Diego. The game starts Sunday, Feb. 7 at 3:30 p.m.

Barbecue

Kansas City Barbeque: People usually go to this downtown restaurant to relive their “Top Gun” memories, but it’s also the only place in town with Kansas City in the name of its barbecue. You can order family-sized meals to go that include chicken, pulled pork or brisket with side options that include cole slaw and beans. Order at kcbbq.net or 619-231-9680.

Smokey & The Brisket: This newly opened La Mesa eatery is serving up Super Bowl party platters for the big game. Get the Hail Mary Porker Party Meal ($175) for a rack of slow-smoked pork spare ribs, or opt for the Super Brisket Party Meal ($200) with a whole smoked prime brisket. Both party meals include coleslaw, mashed potatoes, cowboy caviar and BBQ beans. Preorders accepted until 3 p.m. on Feb. 5 for pickup on Feb. 7, 11 a.m. to noon. Order online at toasttab.com/smokey-and-the-brisket-5465-lake-murray/v3.

Iron Pig Alehouse (modern BBQ) in Pacific Beach, Bubba’s Smokehouse BBQ (Southern style) in La Jolla, and Bull’s Smokin BBQ (Carolina style) in Morena are among the many other barbecue joints in San Diego.

Homemade barbecue recipe

But if your taste buds don’t want to settle for anything less than ~authentic~ Kansas City barbecue, why not make it yourself at home?

Before kickoff, grab some meat from a local butcher, such as Ranch 45 in Solana Beach or The Wise Ox in North Park, and make your own sauce with this 30-minute recipe from Hey Grill, Hey. This sweet and tangy sauce includes tomatoes, molasses, brown sugar and chili powder, among other ingredients. Simply whisk everything together in a saucepan, then boil, simmer and cool. For the full ingredient list and detailed instructions, check out the original recipe by Susie Bulloch at heygrillhey.com/kansas-city-style-bbq-sauce.

Cuban sandwiches

Havana Grill: Although the Super Bowl is famously used as an excuse to gorge on junk food, Havana Grill’s menu focuses on dishes that are both flavorful and healthy, featuring organic greens, grass-fed meats and non-GMO cooking oils. Sandwiches include El Cubano, the Cuban American, and the Havana Chicken, which all come with plantain chips. Order at havanagrillrestaurants.com or 858-430-6878.

Andrés Restaurant: Off Morena Boulevard you’ll find a Linda Vista eatery that offers a wide range of Cuban and Puerto Rican food, with three sandwich options: classic Cuban, pollo asado and carne asada. Option to order a half sandwich or make it a combo (half sandwich plus side and soft drink). See the full menu online at andresrestaurantsd.com, and order at 619-275-4114 or through Grubhub.

These two local bakeries are perfect for Cuban sandwiches ... plus pastries to savor at half time.

• Los Pollos Rotisserie & Cuban Bakery in Chula Vista: In addition to the traditional Cuban sandwich, the eatery also offers chicken, ropa vieja, pan con lechon and media noche sandwiches. Pair it with a Cuban specialty like croquetas, empanadas and fruit strudels. See the full menu at lospollosbakery.com and call 619-870-1225 to order.
• Azúcar in Ocean Beach: Along with the Cubano, try the Havana, Berto, España or Cuban In Paris sandwiches. Additional menu items include include guava cheese, pie-puff pastries, and meat pies. Order at iloveazucar.com or 619-523-2020.

Bonus — beer and soft drinks!

Grab a can (or six) from Kansas City-based Boulevard Brewing Co., sold at stores in San Diego like Bottlecraft and Krisp Beverages. Find a retail location near you at boulevard.com/finder.

Little Cay OB — an eatery on West Point Loma Boulevard serving up a variety of Caribbean dishes — offers Cuban beers and sodas, like the Cuban-style ale Hateuy and Ironbeer Soft Drink. Order online for pickup at littlecayob.com.