Nail Your Super Bowl Menu With These Chef-Created Recipes from Zentrl Kitchen + Bar
The Super Bowl is on Sunday, Feb. 8, and the chefs at ZENTRL Bar + Kitchen have crafted these Game Day-ready recipes so you can nail your food and drink menu.
ZENTRL is a restaurant and bar in downtown La Jolla that serves a delicious and unique menu of classics with a thoroughly modern twist. To that end, the chefs and mixologists at the restaurant have created three awesome recipes that are sure to please the crowds during the Big Game.
There’s a crowd-pleasing appetizer option, a delicious beverage for the adults to enjoy, and a spa-like mocktail for those who don’t drink. Basically, a trio of recipes that will make your Super Bowl party this year one to remember (no matter who takes home the trophy).
Of course, if you’d rather let ZENTRL cook a delicious feast, then more information on the restaurant’s 2026 Big Game Celebration is available below the recipes.
Carne Asada Nachos Recipe
Fresh, loaded, and built for sharing.
These carne asada nachos are a layered, high-impact appetizer that performs just as well in casual dining as it does during high-volume events. Crisp tortilla chips provide structure, while grilled carne asada adds richness and depth. Fresh tomatoes, green onions, and jalapeños bring brightness and contrast, finished with creamy guacamole for balance.
This dish is designed to hold well, travel efficiently, and deliver visual appeal the moment it hits the table.
Ingredients (4–6 portions)
- Thick-cut tortilla chips, restaurant-grade, 1 large bag
- Carne asada, grilled and chopped, 1½ lb
- Shredded cheese (Monterey Jack or Mexican blend), 2½ cups
- Fresh diced tomatoes, 1 cup
- Green onions, thinly sliced, ½ cup
- Jalapeños, sliced (fresh or pickled), to taste
- Guacamole, 1½ cups
- Olive oil, 1 Tbsp
- Salt and cracked black pepper, to taste
Preparation
- Preheat oven to 375°F.
- Spread tortilla chips evenly on a large sheet tray or cast-iron platter.
- Distribute carne asada evenly over the chips.
- Add tomatoes, jalapeños, and shredded cheese.
- Bake for 8–10 minutes, until the cheese is fully melted and bubbling.
- Finish with green onions and generous spoonfuls of guacamole.
- Serve immediately while hot.
Chef Notes
- Use sturdy chips to support the toppings without breaking.
- Add guacamole after baking to preserve texture and color.
Red Wine Sangria – Pitcher Recipe
Yield: approx. 8 servings
Ingredients
- 8 oz Sprite
- 8 oz Sour Mix
- 8 oz Orange Juice
- 8 oz Peach Schnapps
- 8 oz Vodka of Choice
- 24 oz Red Wine of Choice
Fresh Fruit (add last)
- 1 orange, thinly sliced into wedges
- 1 lemon or lime, thinly sliced (optional)
- 1 peach, sliced (or ½ cup frozen peach slices)
- Optional: ½ cup mixed berries
Directions
- In a large pitcher, combine Sprite, sour mix, orange juice, peach schnapps, and vodka.
- Stir gently to mix.
- Slowly add red wine.
- Add fresh fruit and give one gentle stir.
- Refrigerate 30–60 minutes before serving.
To Serve
- Serve over ice in a wine glass
- Garnish with an orange wedge
A Day at the Spa Mocktail Recipe:
Yield: approx. 8 servings
Ingredients
- 1½ cups fresh lime juice
- ½ cup simple syrup or agave
- 1 large English cucumber, thinly sliced
- 1 packed cup fresh mint leaves
- 6 cups soda water or sparkling mineral water (added last)
- Ice, for serving
Instructions
In a large pitcher, gently muddle the cucumber slices and mint leaves, pressing just enough to release aroma without shredding the mint. Add lime juice and simple syrup or agave, then stir well. Refrigerate for 20–30 minutes to allow flavors to infuse. Right before serving, add soda water and stir gently.
To Serve
Fill a highball glass with ice, pour from the pitcher, and give a light stir if needed.
Garnish (per glass)
- One thin cucumber wheel, slit and perched on the rim
- Mint remains in the drink, no additional sprigs
Of course, if you’d rather let the professionals do the work (and cleanup), then you can also head on over to ZENTRL on game day for its 2026 Big Game Celebration. Starting at 2 p.m., the bar and kitchen will be showing the game on its massive 150-inch video wall, as well as other screens throughout the venue.
Additionally, you’ll be able to enjoy a an all-you-can-eat Tailgate Stadium Style Buffet featuring classic game-day favorites like wings, burgers with all the fixings, mac and cheese, fries, ribs, flatbreads, fresh dips, classic desserts, and vegetarian options available. Drink specials include micheladas, margaritas, draft beer, and more.
Seating is available in the VIP Bar Area, Restaurant, and Patio, while outdoor games like cornhole, oversized Jenga, Connect Four, ping pong, and more keep the celebration going from kickoff to the final whistle.
For private watch parties, please call Rafael Duran at (858) 291-3529. For more information, visit this link.
Media credit: Images courtesy of zentrlkitchen.com
Mike Peterson is a writer, editor, and strategist based in San Diego. When he’s not writing and editing the La Jolla news, you can often find him practicing yoga, rock climbing, or exploring the outdoors with his wife and dog.
