Editor’s note: This story has been updated with additional information and quotes from the new vendors.
With the St. Louis CITY SC home opener quickly approaching, CITY Flavor officials have announced four new food partners for the 2026 season, including globally inspired tacos, biscuit sandwiches, Detroit-style pizza, and coffee options.
Taco Buddha: Founded by Kurt Eller in 2014, Taco Buddha serves globally inspired Southwestern Tex-Mex fusion tacos and margaritas at three dog-friendly St. Louis locations: its flagship in University City, a Kirkwood outpost in a former Hardee’s, and its newest restaurant in the former Olio space in Botanical Heights. Selections at Energizer Park include:
- Thailand: Thai braised beef griddled with red onion and cilantro, Raita sauce, slaw, cotija, and flour tortilla
- Taos: Hatch green chile carnitas, cabbage, avocado, citrus-pickled red onion
- California: a veggie option with portabellas, squash, bell peppers, red onion, slaw, grilled corn salsa, Monterey Jack, fried avocado, cilantro).
Chips, guac, queso, and its signature margaritas are available as well.
Taco Buddha partner Ben Hillmann tells SLM, “The entire CITY SC food team does food the right way, and we’re proud to be invited to be part of the entire hospitality experience. When Gerard [Craft, CITY’s flavor officer] texted me and asked if we were interested, my response was, ‘This is the best text I’ve gotten all year.”’ Eller adds, “We’re just honored to be part of all the great food concepts that are already there.”
Biscuit Town: A pop-up breakfast concept from the team behind Neon Greens in The Grove, Biscuit Town offers a streamlined menu of biscuit sandwiches and hash browns designed to provide a quick, convenient early-morning breakfast option for the neighborhood. The biscuit menu reflects the same commitment to local sourcing and seasonal ingredients found at Neon Greens. Options at Energizer Park include three savory and two sweet biscuits, including:
- The Rise ‘n Shine: cheddar, Buttonwood Farms eggs, pickled pepper mayo, and fresh dill
- The Sneaky Biscuit: smoked gouda, eggs, bacon, and house-made smoked citrus honey
- BBQ Bash: pulled pork, gochujang BBQ sauce, slaw, and creamy cilantro lime dressing
- The Strawberry Situation: almond-croissant-style twice-baked biscuits, house-made strawberry compote, freshly whipped topping, and strawberry sugar dust
- That’s Bananas: fresh bananas, whipped topping, miso caramel sauce, and smoky almonds
Neon Greens owner Josh Smith says what’s exciting about the stadium is that “it’s a platform for local businesses, not just a venue. It puts St. Louis brands in front of St. Louis people—and out-of-towners—in a way that’s hard to replicate. We’re proud to represent the city and prove that a homegrown pop-up can belong on a stage like this.”
Goshen Coffee Roasters: What began in Edwardsville as a specialty coffee roaster known for its award-winning roasts, espresso drinks, and pastries has since expanded into St. Louis cafés, including its own Goshen Coffee Café in Soulard. After CITY SC fans requested more hot beverage options, Goshen was tapped to provide its signature coffee at Energizer Park.
“We are going to have a mobile cart at the training center before the team goes out on the pitch, which will be fun,” says Jennifer Hughey, Goshen’s president and co-owner. “That cart will then move up to the suite and premium level. Another cart will service the concourse area.” Each cart is equipped with a special mini La Marzocco espresso brewer.
On the menu are most of Goshen’s standard offerings, including chai and cold brew, plus hot and cold tea, and a special themed drink for each match. Goshen is the only coffee vendor at Energizer Park, “and it all came together very quickly, within the last few weeks” Hughey says. “Gerard asked and we made it happen.”
Motor Town Pizza: From the founders of Revel Kitchen, Motor Town Pizza brings Detroit-style pizza to Energizer Park as CITY SC continues to expand its local pizza offerings. The rectangular deep-dish style, known for its caramelized cheese and crispy corners, is offered three ways at Energizer Park:
- St. Louligan: City SC’s signature pie with local salsiccia, crushed Red Hot Riplets, and mozzarella cheese
- Model P: Volpi pepperoni, mozzarella cheese, and crispy garlic
- SC Cheesy: an extra cheese pizza with fresh buffalo mozz and fresh herbs
Looking back, co-owner and chef, Simon Lusky says, “Motor Town Pizza started as a ghost kitchen during Covid, it evolved into a brick-and-mortar, and now we’re at the soccer stadium.”
“Having the right pan is essential for a proper Detroit-style pie,” he adds, “and Lodge made us miniature steel pans just for this purpose. It’s the perfect size for stadium food at the perfect price, $13.99.”
Another new item in 2026 comes from a vendor returning for its third season Olive + Oak. “Along with our O+O burger, we’re offering a toasted ravioli made with hot salami from Gioia’s and hot honey mustard sauce,” says O+O chef Mike Risk.
“Alex [Gioia’s co-owner Alex Donley] and I go way back,” he continues. “We created these and tried them out on my kids, who said, ‘we love these’ and they don’t even like hot salami.’ That’s when I knew we were onto something.”
Not returning this year are The Fattened Caf, Medina, and Padrino’s, but all will be welcomed back in the future, according to Jenna Todoroff, director of Brand Communications at St. Louis CITY SC.
Other Options, Innovations, and Awards
Other new additions this year include Hellcat Happy Hour, held inside the Hellcat Bar at Energizer Park. For the first hour after stadium gates open (typically 90 minutes before kickoff), fans can take advantage of $5 draft beers and food specials.
This season also brings the introduction of nonalcoholic stations throughout the stadium, featuring a curated selection of N/A beers, mocktails, and other zero-proof options, broadening the beverage choices for fans.
Technology continues to play a part in the game day experience. Ace, the club’s personalized digital assistant available through the STL CITY SC app, helps fans explore food options, receive tailored recommendations when prompted, and navigate the stadium. “Over 30 percent of our stadium sales come through the mobile app, which is the highest percentage in the world,” Sebek shared at a press conference.
Energizer Park continues to lead in sustainability as well. In 2025, the stadium earned LEED Gold certification in recognition of its ongoing environmental efforts. With a 90.3 percent waste diversion rate, it has qualified as a zero-waste Major League Soccer stadium, fulfilling its commitment to significantly reduce landfill waste.
The Background
In a press release, CITY SC chief experience officer Matt Sebek says, “CITY Flavor is more than food—it’s a celebration of St. Louis and the people who make this city special.” Sebek adds that the organization regularly seeks feedback from fans and uses those insights to refine the program while highlighting some of the metro area’s most innovative chefs and restaurants.
Sebek works alongside Craft, a James Beard Award–winning chef who has been instrumental in selecting the restaurant vendors and rotating in new brands each year. This season, Craft will expand his presence inside the Together Credit Union Club with menu offerings inspired by his acclaimed Niche Food Group portfolio.
In September 2025, Forbes published an article extolling the virtues of Energizer Park’s food scene, emphasizing that it’s 100 percent local. The article echoed Craft and Sebek’s vision to elevate the experience, curate a world-class food program, and encourage fans to try restaurants beyond their neighborhoods.
CITY SC’s revenue-sharing model allows small restaurants to rotate in and thrive. As a result, other sports teams have continuously reached out to see how the model works.
“Food this delicious should not be in a stadium,” Sebek said previously. “That has become our signature. We’ve also been told we have the best smelling stadium in the world.”
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