Super City! Super Foods! Super Bowl XLVI!

Super Bowl week officially kicked off today!!  As an Indiana native who has been anxiously awaiting the opportunity to play host city to one of sport's most amazing events ever, I got downtown as soon as I could to soak up the excitement.  I wanted to beat the crowds that will, undoubtedly, be converging onto Super Bowl Village today.  I have February 3rd tickets to the NFL Experience so I'll just have to wait to get inside there.  Even at 11am, the circle and the surrounding streets were abuzz with people: Super Bowl Host Committee volunteers, vendors, business people and all the locals, like me.  I was so happy to see an overwhelming amount of faithful fans reppin' their Colts apparel.  I wore my #18 jersey.  It felt like Blue Friday! 

I started my way to the Monument Circle because it was lunch time and I was starving.  I was anxious to see all the food trucks, new and old.  As I approached, I had to stop to admire the 33 Super Cars that lined the south end of Meridian St.  Each of the 32 NFL teams are represented plus 1.  It was such a wonderful way to intertwine Indy racing in with the Super Bowl.

Hopefully, the winning team's car!

I took this pic for my friend, Pat, who is a die-hard Dolphins fan

The most beautiful one out there, of course! (No bias)

The Super Cars create a path to the most focal point of downtown Indianapolis: the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument standing so stoically on Monument Circle.  And right now, you can't miss the GIGANTIC, Super Bowl XLVI Roman numerals.  

Gives me the chills just to be standing down there!

At this point, my tummy was rumbling!  (Think Chris Farley on SNL "Back off!! I'm STARRVING!")  The first rotation of Super Bowl XLVI Food Trucks were set up along the Northwest side of Monument Circle.

I have been a follower of the local food truck scene in Indianapolis from its infancy.  I love that so many people are able to create a successful start up business and my belly gets to reap the rewards! 

Here are some of my personal pictures, some of my favorites and some newbies.  Also, be sure to check out some of my old posts!

Duos - @duosindy

Featured in Duos Food Truck Revisit from July 4, 2011

Featured in Duos Food Truck - Slow Food Fast from June 2, 2011

Taco Lassi - @TacoLassi

Gypsy Cafe - no Twitter (bad!)

Edwards Dashboard Drive-In - @dashboarddiner
For a true Indiana Pork Tenderloin
Previously featured in Here Come the Food Trucks

Their house-made Root Beer! Awesome!

 Safari Kitchen - (again, no Twitter. Boo!)

Marble's Cafe - (Tweet, tweet...?)

Little Eataly - @littleeataly
Man, these guys look good!

Ivey Spice (Rocking out in the former Hoosier Fat Daddy Bus Cafe. Sorry to see those guys go)

Mac Genie - @macgenietruck

These guys lured me in with the robust aromas of cheese.  I think they used specialized fans to waft it into everyone's nostrils.  Mac and cheese with a gourmet twist. O.M.G. Get out of town! No, wait! Please stay and stay for a long time.  The menu sounded quite impressive and offered several different flavor combinations.

I went with the Steakhouse Mac - Blue Cheese, Steak, Asparagus, Sun Dried Tomatoes.  It was heavenly!    The seasoned, toasted bread crumbs added a flavorful, textured bonus to the entire meal.  A bit on the rich side but warmed me up and filled my belly.  I saved the leftovers for D.  They are are going to do A-OK in Indy if they keep dishing out food like this!

Scout's Treats - @scoutstreats

Featured in  Here Come the Food Trucks from November 2, 2011

Despite being completely stuffed, I knew I couldn't leave without grabbing a delectable goodie from the Scout's Treat Truck.  I asked for a suggestion and went with Mrs Scouts Red Velvet.

These mammoth delights are a mix between a cupcake and a muffin.  They are always jam-packed with surprise morsels like chunks of chocolate, and then they are generously slathered with the smooth, cloud-like icing - in this case, cream cheese flavored!

I didn't stick around long enough to see the second rotation of Super Bowl XLVI Food Trucks and sadly I was missing out on some of my oldies, yet goodies!

Floribbean Flair - @floribbeanflair
Featured in  Here Come the Food Trucks from November 2, 2011

Tacos Without Border - @tacoswoborders

The NY Slice - @thenyslice
Featured in  Here Come the Food Trucks from November 2, 2011 

West Coast Tacos - @westcoasttacos
The truck that started it all :)
Featured in  Here Come the Food Trucks from November 2, 2011

Scratch Truck - @scratchtruck
Another one of my all-time faves
Featured in Scratch Truck - Modern Comfort Food from May 28, 2011

For the full line up and description of all the food trucks, visit Bob over at Around Indy.  He's assembled a very organized and professional round up of all 23 official Super Bowl XLVI Food Trucks. 

After I had conquered my hunger, I used the warmth and convenience of walking through Circle Center Mall and the Convention Center to check out Super Bowl Village running down Georgia St.  Here are some awesome pics I captured while walking around!

The Zip Line

The Super Sized Signage

Is it wrong that I cringe every time I see the Patriots' logo?

The Turf

The Ice Sculpture Wall & The Fire and Ice (over 21) Lounge. VIP!!

More Indy Cars

The Entrance to the NFL Experience (See you next Friday!)

The Right-to-Work protesters/Party Poopers!

Georgia St. all blocked off to motorized vehicles

ESPN setting up to broadcast at Pan Am Plaza

The heaters were up and running but after being outside for over 2 hours, I had hit my wall and my fingers were starting to go numb.  I made my way back to the parking garage, paid the criminal lovely $20 "Event" parking fees and made my departure. 


I couldn't leave downtown without stopping to admire one other Super Sight....


The JW Marriott and the Lombardi Trophy signage

 Wow. Wow. Wow.

Regardless of the outcome next Sunday, (GO GIANTS!) Indianapolis is going to be the real winner!  (Go Eli!)  I am going to relish in every moment next week.