The 5 things you should eat first at a Timberwolves game

Just in time for the 2023-2024 Timberwolves season, the Target Center unveiled new items fans can order while cheering on the Pack.

Crunch, the team's official mascot, was on hand shaking hands and pawing at burgers as we tasted a selection of new bites along with classic local favorites — like the Parlour Burger and chicken lollipops from chef David Fhima, who curates the arena's concessions program.

But this year there are new faces in the starting lineup. Making their debut are four new food counters from Chicago-based Levy Restaurants: Chicken Shack, Northwood Diner, Frozen Spoon and Rolling Smoke, a barbecue concept.

"Like everything in life, we want to keep getting better," said Fhima. "We live in one of the best food communities." The chef, who has his eponymous restaurant Fhima's Minneapolis and the recently opened Maison Margaux, said he began working with the team with the goal to have the best food available to sports fans. "Let's elevate expectations."

With that game plan in mind, we dove into the new food samples and crowned these the best bites to try first. (Prices weren't immediately available.)

This is everything you want while celebrating an Anthony Edwards' dunk. One-handed eating leaves the other free to pump in the air. Bright yellow like a Lakers jersey, the flaky crust is wrapped around some legitimately spicy beef. This bite would also pair well with an ice cold beer.

Section 106, Soul Bowl

Section 111, El Burrito Mercado

This fried chicken sandwich has no business being this good. The chicken patty is familiar to anyone who has visited other Levy Restaurants food stands (like inside area zoos), yet somehow, topped with the new signature Howler sauce, it's leveled up beyond what could come out of any air fryer at home. Highly seasoned breading coats a thin chicken cutlet, topped with the rosy sauce on a squishy bun — it's a satisfying dish served with house fries tossed in a salty dry spice blend.

Sections 109 and 231, Chicken Shack

There's no shortage of burgers inside Target Center. Even alongside the known and beloved burgers from Parlour and Fhima's, this new patty melt stands out. "A classic Minnesota diner burger," said one of Levy's chefs. Toasted white bread sandwiches a burger with a pile of sautéed sweet onions and a layer of melted Swiss cheese. While the other burgers angle for fame with rich content, this one delivers a wallop of sweet nostalgia right to the taste buds.

Sections 129 and 225, Northwoods Diner

Section 126, Rolling Smoke