The owners of Forest Park’s Rhythm & Blues Café are also the brains behind area fried seafood chain Surf’s Up. In 2024 that restaurant started serving its brand of southern, beachside specialties at Soldier Field for Bears home games.
The location is in the United Club, a premium seating area on the east side of the stadium that features an indoor lounge and restaurant area. That’s where fans quickly became fans of Surf’s Up.
“They’re like, ‘Wow, you guys sell shrimp? Shrimp in the concessions? What? Shrimp in the stadium?’ They get excited about that,” owner Denise Roy said.
It wasn’t until the 2025 season that Surf’s Up’s signature wings made their downtown debut. Roy was confident that it would make a difference … for the Bears.
“I said that when we get these Hennessy wings in the stadium, the Bear’s about to do something. I’ve been laughing at that. I’m like, I told y’all these Hennessy wings got them going,” she said.
Surf’s Up was invited to Soldier Field by its official food and beverage partner, Levy. According Levy the company is: the disruptor in defining the sports and entertainment hospitality experience. And this collaboration brings together Chicago institutions to create a dynamic and unforgettable game-day atmosphere for Chicago Bears fans throughout the stadium.
“Levy found us and asked us to be a part of their team,” Roy said. Surf’s Up has a contract for three more seasons at Soldier Field.
They also have their own kitchen at the stadium. Most vendors use a shared kitchen. Its game-day menu includes Hennessy wings, buffalo wings, plain wings, cheese fries, regular fries, fried shrimp and fried biscuits.
“Those are better than beignets,” Roy said. She also said that they are hoping to expand into other parts of the stadium. “People are really scrambling around because they’re seeing people walking around with our wings. But if you’re looking for our wings and you don’t have that [United Club] seat, now you’re just you’re wingless.”
As it is, more than 10,000 people flow past their stand during each game.
“That’s pretty good foot traffic. In one day you making what you make in four days at a regular store. It’s a constant flow,” she said.
Good news: the Bears will have those Hennessy wing next season too!
