Where to Eat Before a Columbia Football Game
If you’re wondering where to eat before a Columbia football game, make Harlem Shake® part of your game-day plan. Our original Harlem location at 100 W. 124th Street serves up smash burgers, crispy fries, fried chicken, hot dogs, organic milkshakes and plenty of crowd-friendly favorites before you head uptown to watch the Columbia Lions at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium.
Whether you’re a Columbia student, alum, parent, visiting fan or just looking for a good meal before kickoff, game day deserves better than grabbing whatever you can find on the way to the stadium.
Start in Harlem. Come hungry. Then head north ready for some football.
A Great Pre-Game Food Stop for Columbia Football
Columbia football home games are played at Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium, part of the Baker Athletics Complex in northern Manhattan.
That’s an important distinction for anyone visiting Columbia for the first time: the football stadium isn’t located on Columbia’s main Morningside Heights campus. It’s farther uptown at West 218th Street.
That makes a little game-day planning worthwhile.
Harlem Shake® is located at 100 W. 124th Street at Lenox Avenue, making it a fun place to meet up in Harlem, fuel up and then continue uptown toward the stadium.
Instead of trying to coordinate everyone outside the gates right before kickoff, gather around a table with burgers, fries and shakes first.
We think football is better when nobody starts the game hungry.
What to Eat Before a Columbia Football Game
The best football food has a few requirements.
It needs to be satisfying. It needs to be casual. And if you’re meeting up with a group, there needs to be something for just about everyone.
That’s pretty much our lane.
Start With a Harlem Classic
Sometimes the classics are classics for a reason.
The Harlem Classic features two patties of our proprietary Pat LaFrieda beef blend, homemade pickles, onions, special sauce and American cheese, all stacked on a buttered and toasted Martin’s Potato Roll.
Our beef burgers are smashed on the griddle until they develop those crispy edges that make a great smash burger a great smash burger.
If your search for the best food before a Columbia football game starts with “Where can I get a really good burger?” — you’ve found your answer.
Turn Up the Heat With a Hot Mess Burger
Game day is not exactly the time to play it safe.
The Hot Mess Burger starts with our Classic and adds pickled cherry pepper and bacon relish, American cheese and smoky chipotle mayo.
It’s messy. It’s smoky. It has some heat. In other words, it lives up to the name. For Columbia fans looking for a pre-game burger with a little more personality, this is one of our signature picks.
Try the Harlem Jerk
Want to switch things up?
The Harlem Jerk combines our smashed beef patties with American cheese, pickles and onions before adding jerk fries and jerk mayo.
Burger plus fries, but make the fries part of the burger. We’re not mad about it.
Don’t Forget the Fries
A pre-football meal without fries feels like somebody forgot part of the uniform.
Luckily, we take our fries seriously.
Depending on what you’re craving, you can go classic with Regular Fries or branch out with Curly Fries, Jerk Fries, Cheese Fries, Chili-Cheese Fries, Sweet Yam Fries or DarDra’s Parmesan Truffle Fries.
Coming with a group?
Get a few different styles for the table and let everybody fight over their favorite. Politely, of course. Save the actual rivalry for the field.
Finish With an Organic Milkshake
You could stop after the burger and fries. But you’re at Harlem Shake®.
Our handcrafted organic milkshakes have been part of the experience since day one.
The signature Harlem Shake® combines Blue Marble ice cream with red velvet cake from a local Harlem vendor for a shake that’s every bit as connected to the neighborhood as we are.
You can also keep things classic with flavors like Chocolate, Vanilla, Strawberry, Cookies and Cream, Salted Caramel, Peanut Butter, Black & White and more.
Football weather in New York might eventually require a jacket.
It has never stopped us from ordering a shake.
Bringing the Whole Columbia Crew? We Can Handle That.
One of the hardest parts about figuring out where to eat before a Columbia football game is finding somewhere that works for the entire group.
Parents want something good. Students want something casual. Kids want something familiar. Your friend who takes 20 minutes to look at every menu needs options. Harlem Shake® checks those boxes.
Beyond our beef burgers, the menu includes Impossible™ burgers, our house-made Veggie Burger, chicken options, hot dogs, sides, salads and a kids menu.
The casual atmosphere also makes Harlem Shake® an easy meeting point for groups before a game. You don’t need to turn a Saturday football game into a formal dining event. Show up, grab a table, order what looks good and get your Columbia crew together before heading north.
For larger gatherings, alumni events or organized groups, Harlem Shake® also offers catering and can accommodate inquiries for in-house special events.
Because feeding 20 football fans one burger at a time can get complicated fast.
Make Harlem Part of Your Columbia Game Day
If you’re coming from outside New York City for a Columbia Lions football game, don’t make the mistake of treating the trip as nothing more than a drive to the stadium.
You’re spending Saturday in Manhattan.
Take advantage of it.
Harlem Shake® opened its original location in Harlem in 2013, and the neighborhood has always been part of who we are. Our retro-inspired restaurant celebrates the people, history and culture surrounding us while serving the kind of food that works especially well on game day.
That makes a stop here more than a convenient pre-game meal.
It’s a chance to experience a little bit of Harlem before heading uptown for kickoff.
If you’re meeting Columbia students or family members who live near campus, spending time around Morningside Heights or making a full day out of the game, Harlem can easily become part of the itinerary.
Columbia Football Game-Day Tip: Know Where You’re Going
First Columbia football game? Here’s the part worth remembering.
Columbia University’s main campus is centered around Morningside Heights, but Columbia football plays farther uptown at the Baker Athletics Complex.
Lawrence A. Wien Stadium is located at West 218th Street near Broadway in northern Manhattan.
So don’t finish lunch and automatically head toward the main Columbia campus expecting to find the football stadium there.
Columbia Athletics recommends public transportation for football games. The 1 train stops at 215th Street, while the A train stops at 207th Street, with the stadium accessible from there.
Give yourself plenty of time to eat, travel uptown and get through the gates before kickoff. Game day is a lot more fun when you’re watching the opening drive instead of checking the time from a subway car.
Can You Bring Food Into Columbia’s Football Stadium?
Here’s another useful tip for fans planning their day: Columbia Athletics currently permits outside food and non-alcoholic beverages inside Lawrence A. Wien Stadium, subject to its game-day policies.
That can be especially useful for families attending games with younger kids or anyone planning to spend a long afternoon at the Baker Athletics Complex.
However, policies can change, so always check Columbia Athletics’ latest Football A-Z and stadium information before your game.
For us, though, the ideal strategy is pretty simple: Eat the burger while it’s hot.
The Bottom Line: Where Should You Eat Before a Columbia Football Game?
For smash burgers, fries and handcrafted organic milkshakes in a casual, group-friendly Harlem setting, stop at Harlem Shake® before heading uptown to Lawrence A. Wien Stadium.
Grab a Harlem Classic. Split some fries. Get the shake. Then go watch the Lions.
Harlem Shake®
100 W. 124th Street at Lenox Avenue
New York, NY 10027
Check our current hours and ordering options before game day, especially if you’re attending a weekend or special-event game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where should I eat before a Columbia football game?
If you’re looking for casual food before a Columbia football game, Harlem Shake® at 100 W. 124th Street is a great pre-game stop for smash burgers, fries, chicken, hot dogs and organic milkshakes before traveling uptown to Lawrence A. Wien Stadium.
Where does Columbia University play football?
The Columbia Lions play home football games at Robert K. Kraft Field at Lawrence A. Wien Stadium within the Baker Athletics Complex in northern Manhattan. The stadium is located around West 218th Street, separate from Columbia University’s main Morningside Heights campus.
Is Harlem Shake® near Columbia University?
Harlem Shake®’s original restaurant is located at 100 W. 124th Street in Harlem. It’s convenient for visitors spending time around Harlem, Morningside Heights and Columbia University, and can be used as a pre-game stop before continuing north to the Baker Athletics Complex for a football game.
What are the best foods to eat before a Columbia football game?
Burgers, fries, chicken sandwiches and other casual foods are ideal for a pre-game meal because they’re easy to order for both individuals and groups. At Harlem Shake®, popular options include the Harlem Classic, Hot Mess and Harlem Jerk, along with Regular Fries, Curly Fries, Jerk Fries and organic milkshakes.
Is Harlem Shake® good for a group before a football game?
Yes. Harlem Shake® has a casual atmosphere and a menu with burgers, chicken, hot dogs, fries, vegetarian options, milkshakes and kids meals, making it a convenient choice for families, students, alumni groups and friends meeting before a Columbia football game.
Does Harlem Shake® have vegetarian options?
Yes. Harlem Shake® offers the Impossible Classic and a house-made Veggie Burger, along with additional sides and menu options. Guests with specific dietary restrictions should review current preparation and allergen information before ordering.
Is Harlem Shake® good for kids before a Columbia game?
Yes. Harlem Shake® is family-friendly and offers a dedicated children’s menu with options including a mini burger, chicken fingers, hot dog, grilled cheese and other kid-friendly choices.
Can you bring outside food into a Columbia football game?
Columbia Athletics currently states that fans may bring outside food and non-alcoholic beverages into Lawrence A. Wien Stadium. Alcohol cannot be brought into the stadium, and guests should check the latest Columbia Athletics game-day policies before attending.
How do I get to Columbia’s football stadium?
Lawrence A. Wien Stadium is at the Baker Athletics Complex near West 218th Street in northern Manhattan. Columbia Athletics recommends public transportation, with the 1 train at 215th Street and A train at 207th Street among the nearby subway options.
What is Harlem Shake® known for?
Harlem Shake® is a Harlem-born restaurant known for smash burgers, handcrafted organic milkshakes and its retro-inspired celebration of Harlem culture. Signature menu items include the Harlem Classic, Hot Mess and The Harlem Shake® red velvet milkshake.
What should I do before a Columbia football game in NYC?
Turn game day into an Upper Manhattan outing. Explore Harlem or the Columbia University area, grab a pre-game meal at Harlem Shake®, then travel north to Lawrence A. Wien Stadium with enough time to get through the gates before kickoff.
