The Everton test event was a big success on the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey as 10,000 fans packed out the South Stand to watch Everton u18s take on Wigan u18s.
The young Toffees lost 2-1 despite dominating but the event itself went without much of a hitch and it gave fans a chance to see the stadium and – most importantly – check out the food and drink options.
Unfortunately Everton were not serving alcohol for the event as the licence application is still awaiting approval from the council. There were no taps on display and the ‘retail units’ at either end of the stadium were closed so there were no hints at what beers will be available on tap.
There were a full selection of soft drinks and hot drinks and the prices here were reasonable. You will pay £3.50 for a bottle of Pepsi or Pepsi Max and a similar price for a coffee or a cup of tea.
Elsewhere the ground was running a ‘test kitchen’. This is an extremely limited menu that is a work in progress, so don’t expect the exact same options when it opens for a match day. The options were very simple, with packets of Walkers Crisps available from drinks retailers.
There were also three choices of pie: steak, chicken & mushroom, and cheese & onion. The pies are quite small and cost £6.20 but the cheese and onion option I tried was delicious. It was the correct temperature and full of taste, unlike the often bland and piping hot pies at Goodison Park.
There was also a decadent looking loaded sausage roll, which again was expensive at £6.60. Finally, you have a ‘Toffee Doughnut’, which was a bright blue monstrosity priced at a reasonable £3.50 given the size of the thing. It proved to be popular on the night with plenty of Blues tucking in on the crowded concourse.
Downstairs there were three more unusual options; salt and pepper chicken tenders, and sticky korean chicken and plant-based korean bowls. These are £10+ and the bowls are quite small but they do look good quality and fans did enjoy them. Pricing may need to be adjusted but it shows Aramark, Everton’s new caterers, will try to offer up better choice than Goodison Park currently does.
It is important to remember this is a test event and there will be a huge range of new food options when the ground does open. The vast Fan Plaza will host permanent and semi-permanent food and drink stations when it is ready and you can probably expect a few chips and burgers being sold there.
Aramark also plans to rotate food, which means none of the options from the Test Kitchen will be guaranteed to be permanent.
Aramark says: “Alongside pre-match entertainment and activities, Aramark will work alongside the Club to design food and drink offerings that will be flexible and on-trend, seasonally adapting to the needs of Evertonians and visitors, as well as any events taking place throughout the year.”
Outside the stadium there are also options. Ten Streets Social is a good place to get a pie and a pint (Pies £12, burgers £9), while those coming from Sandhills Station will pass a couple of cafes and Heritage Fish and Chips. One of the best chippies in the Northern part of the city, it has a huge menu and is already aggressively advertising to football fans coming from Sandhills station. It is a 5 minute walk from Bramley Moore and conveniently sits next to a large Greggs if you want something quick and easy.
