The extreme food trend has arrived for the Hornets’ re-launch at Time Warner Cable Arena. During Friday’s media tasting at the arena’s FrontCourt eatery, Levy Restaurants, the team’s food vendor, unveiled the Wow Burger. The giant sandwich weighs in at eight pounds and is intended to feed multiple fans. The tale of the tape: 14 eight-ounce burger patties spread across two huge buns, topped with lettuce, tomato, bacon, mushrooms, cheddar and Swiss cheese, pickle slices and Levy’s special sauce. It is one of the biggest burgers in the southeast, according to Aaron Cox, Levy’s Exec Chef at the facility. The cost? “Market price” ranging from $70-80, Cox said. The Wow Burger falls in line with other arenas and stadiums, including several Levy accounts, that have successfully jumped on the extreme food craze. “It’s something that people really look for these days that’s sort of outside the box,” Cox said. “They can bring in a big group and show it off.” The burger will be sold at one stand at the Lowe’s Home Court destination on the arena’s main concourse that already sells premium burgers. The Wow Burger has a dedicated line and after a fan places an order, a bell will ring signifying the challenge facing them. Levy had special Hornets-themed trays to transport the burger. “It’s going to be a special event when someone orders it,” Cox said. “I’d like to dare ‘Man vs. Food’ to come out here and tackle this one.” The Wow Burger joins the Buffalo Bacon Corn Dog, fresh-cut French fries, hand-breaded onion rings and a revamped barbecue operation called Moonshine BBQ tied to a smoker that’s been used sparingly since the arena opened in '05, Cox said. New suite food items include the 2 1/2-pound meatball, another oversized item made with veal, sausage and beef. As the building enters its 10th NBA season, the team's goal has been to upgrade the overall food operation as part of the team’s rebranding campaign, said Hornets Exec VP & Chief Sales & Marketing Manager Pete Guelli. The food improvements started last year with a new Craft Beer Garden in the arena’s upper deck featuring local and regional microbrews in a city now teeming with craft brewers. The Hornets regular-season home opener is Wednesday against the Bucks.
