Wings and a prayer: In Albuquerque, local businesses hope for a Super Bowl boost

Years ago, a typical Super Bowl Sunday for local business owner Mikela Dreskin involved barbecues and a big at-home watch party with friends and family.

Now, her Super Bowl tradition involves running Spectators Sports Bar & Grill in the Northeast Heights and offering those special gathering experiences for others.

“We’ve always watched (the game), and now this is our tradition,” Dreskin, the restaurant’s managing member, said. “My older son actually works here in the kitchen, so he’s already part of the business. Then my younger son — we come (to Spectators) every year, and he always asks me, ‘Are we getting the same table?’”

Annie Liu-Amoah — daughter of Kenny Liu and Kim Yang, who own A1 Wings & Seafood in Uptown — agreed. Running the eatery has become a major focus for her parents, especially on holidays and occasions like Super Bowl Sunday.

“That’s the restaurant business,” she said.

Super Bowl weekend, encompassing one of the nation’s most-watched television events, always has major economic advantages for the city hosting the big game. This year’s matchup, Super Bowl LX, will feature the Seattle Seahawks playing the New England Patriots at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Last year, in New Orleans, according to a study from Louisiana State University’s E.J. Ourso College of Business, the city saw a total economic output of a little more than $1 billion associated with the championship game that saw the Philadelphia Eagles take down Patrick Mahomes’ Kansas City Chiefs.

The weekend also boosts business for local bars and restaurants across the nation. Last year, the United States Chamber of Commerce estimated that the Albuquerque metro area would see $51.2 million in Super Bowl-related spending.

Tyler Fabian — who runs Urban 360 Pizza, Grill and Tap House with his family — said he’s expecting sales to be up as much as 20% — an increase he said is typical for Super Bowl weekend compared to a normal weekend for the restaurant.

“It’s pretty busy,” Fabian said, citing increased in-person traffic, carry-out orders and an annual catering order for roughly 150 people at Shamrock Foods’ Albuquerque warehouse.

The restaurant, which opened in 2018, offers chicken wings, green chile wontons, brick-oven pizza, sandwiches, burgers and a char sui pork bowl. A typical meal costs between $20 and $25, Fabian said. The restaurant’s indoor barstool and table seating can accommodate about 70 people, and the space also offers four televisions and outdoor seating.

Fabian said he doesn’t expect a larger Super Bowl crowd than normal, with not many Seahawks and Patriots fans in New Mexico.

“But it’ll be fun; a lot of people still like to just come out for the games,” he said, adding the restaurant’s TV raffle is also part of the enticement.

Spectators will do a Super Bowl raffle, giving out items including a TV, golf bag, cornhole set, Southwest Airlines voucher and portable grill.

Super Bowl prep is a big deal for the sports bar, which hosts a reservation-only watch party and buffet every year. Tickets — which can be purchased over the phone or at the door — are $30 and come with a table and unlimited access to the buffet, which features freshly made enchiladas, rice, beans, chips, salsa, guacamole and a football cake.

“There’s always enough food for probably thirds,” Dreskin said.

Dreskin and her team begin planning for the weekend at least a month in advance. But the goal of the event isn’t necessarily to bring people in, Dreskin said. While newcomers are always a bonus, the event largely caters to the following of regulars the restaurant has built up over its more than 30 years in business.

“Since I’ve been here, I’ve served three generations of families,” Dreskin said. “I’ve served their grandparent, and now I’m serving their grandson, so I think that’s really unique about this bar, is that it’s mainly word of mouth.”

The restaurant’s regular menu, which includes everything from wings to fajitas, ribs and eggrolls, is also available on Sunday. The space seats more than 150 people and offers 38 TVs to watch the game.

While A1 Seafood & Wings doesn’t have a television, it does have fresh chicken wings and 29 flavors of handmade sauces, made fresh daily — a draw for people watching the big game at home.

“We’re expecting… there to be a lot of to-go orders,” Liu-Amoah said.

The restaurant’s Valentine’s Day deals will be active on Sunday, including discounted wings and seafood, Liu-Amoah said. While well known for its wings, A1 — which opened in June — also offers Florida-style southern seafood boils, lobsters and recently added crawfish. Philly cheesesteaks, chicken tenders, hibachi and salads are also an option, Liu-Amoah said.

“It’s hard to not find something you like there,” she said.

The weekend will offer a timely boost, Fabian said, saying it comes after a slower-than-normal year of business.

“I’m sure if you’ve talked to other restaurants, you know business has been a lot slower this last year than it was any other year,” Fabian said. “I think spending is just a little tighter nowadays. Going to a restaurant is a little less of their priority.”

For Dreskin, knowing that Spectators provides a space for community — whether it’s crying, cheering or a little trash talking — is a plus.

“People argue about their teams, but that’s part of sports,” Dreskin said. “It brings people together.”

Kylie Garcia covers retail and real estate for the Journal. You can reach her at kgarcia@abqjournal.com.