Where to Eat in Boston During the Patriots Playoff Game This Weekend

We're not rooting for the Kansas City team, but we'll drink to their barbecue culture. Plus amped up nachos, wings, and Tom Brady-friendly kale chips.

New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady holds a turkey leg after an NFL football game against the New York Jets Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012 in East Rutherford, N.J. The Patriots won the game 49-19. / Photo by Julio Cortez via AP

Tom Brady will hopefully do his job this Saturday, and you wil hopefully do something like this at Boston area restaurants. / Photo by Julio Cortez via AP

The Patriots are kicking off their 2015 playoffs against the Chiefs at 4:35 p.m. on Saturday, January 16. Not among the home crowd at Gillette? Don’t fret; you’ll undoubtedly be warmer than they are. You can also enjoy these spicy, savory, and occasionally cheeky specials while watching the game at some of the Boston area’s best restaurants.

Moody’s Delicatessen

For the past four seasons, chef Joshua Smith has employed his skills on smokers and grills in Foxborough during every Patriots home game. “That’s why we’re never open on Sundays,” he says. The innovative tailgates have led to several items at his Waltham deli. Until the game kicks off at 4 p.m., he’s serving up Kansas City-style burnt end sliders with chipotle barbecue sauce, pepper jack cheese, and crispy onion straws; barbecue baked beans cassoulet with smoked pork, bacon, and chicharrons; and slow-smoked ribs with Crown Maple barbecue sauce.

Moody’s Delicatessen & Provisions, 468 Moody St., Waltham; 781-216-8732 or moodyswaltham.com.

Lord Hobo 

The team at Lord Hobo is running a team-specific specials menu as long as the Pats are in the running—priced accordingly to represent the number of teams still competing. This Saturday, all the snacks are $8, and—fingers crossed—on Super Bowl Sunday, prices plunge to $2. For the Pats’ first playoff, there’s a lobster roll for the hometown heroes, and Kansas City specialty, the Z-Man sandwich. There will also be nachos, taquitos, and wings at the special price. 

Available at 3 p.m.; 92 Hampshire St., Cambridge; 617-250-8454 or lordhobo.com.

Townsman

If you ever see Matt Jennings at his downtown brasserie, he’s likely donning a Patriots cap. The chef is a vocal fan of New England’s teams. This Saturday, he’s offering two specials at the bar (where the game will be on): Gochujang buffalo wings with scallion ranch ($5 for seven); and beef sliders with combat sauce—a gribiche-inspired sauce made from Kewpie mayonnaise, minced cornichons, red onion, and locally-made gochujang ($5). Cut the spice with $5, 20-ounce Narragansett and $4 Tecate beers.

Bar-only specials start at 4 p.m.; 120 Kingston St., Boston; 617-993-0750 or townsmanboston.com.

Lulu’s Allston

Chef Sarah Wade is channeling her inner Bill Belichick with “Do Your Job” nachos ($12), piled with wild game chili, cheese sauce, pickled vegetables, sour cream, and scallions. She also has Okie Smokies on the menu, barbecue cocktail sausages with peppers, onions, and cornmeal biscuits ($11). 

Start at 3:30 p.m.; 421 Cambridge St., Allston; 617-787 1117 or lulusallston.com.

Outlook Kitchen & Bar

The restaurant inside the new Envoy Hotel is celebrating its first NFL playoffs with a burger ($19) staunch clean eater Tom Brady might even enjoy. The Brady burger ($19) tops a grass-fed beef patty with a free range egg, avocado, romaine and kale pesto—all organic, of course.

Available all day Saturday; 70 Sleeper St., Boston; 617-338-3030 or theenvoyhotel.com.

Poe’s Kitchen at the Rattlesnake

Chef Brian Poe is paying a little homage to the Patriots’ rivals, with Kansas City barbecue and chili-spiked chicken wings ($12.50). For a local shoutout, they’re served with Tom Brady diet-approved crispy fried kale chips.

Available all day Saturday; 384 Boylston St., Boston; 617-859-7772 or rattlesnakebarandgrill.com.

Sweet Cheeks

At chef Tiffani Faison’s Fenway barbecue joint, there are Texas nachos ($14) on her signature salt and pepper potatoes with cheese, barbecue beans, jalapeños, sour cream, and your choice of meat; and she’s dousing her Monster Wings with a house-made, chipotle buffalo sauce ($12), alongside the requisite bleu cheese.

Available all day Saturday; 1381 Boylston St., Boston; 617-266-1300 or sweetcheeksq.com.