We miss watching sports live! Honestly, compared to the early months of the pandemic when the entire sports world was on pause, we’re definitely grateful now to have been able to watch the NHL and NBA seasons come to an end within the security of their bubble, and both leagues are on the cusp of a return as well.

It’s nice to have sports back, but every once in a while, we still long for the day that it’s safe to get back in the stands and enjoy that authentic in-arena experience again.

Here at BarDown, we’ve been having a couple arguments about food this week — namely, which are the best foods — so while we continue to wait to get back into arenas, why not rank the arena foods that we miss the most? This list is to be treated as definitive and indisputable fact going forward.

10. Cotton candy

You deserve better. We want better for you.

9. Nachos

We love nachos! We do not love making a mess all over ourselves while trying to watch sports. This ranks much higher in the sports bar food rankings.

8. Pretzel

Pretzels win points for convenience and being easy to eat while in the stands of a sports event. Pretzels lose points for sort of being wack food items in general. Is that too controversial to say?

7. Peanuts

Peanuts are the finger food version of pretzels. But, if you’re at a baseball game specifically, then peanuts soar to the top of the rankings. We respect tradition!

6. Burgers

Sort of like nachos, in the sense that, yeah, you’re going to make a mess. It’s not ideal, but for a good burger, we would abide a mess.

5. Pizza

Easy to eat, and pizza is always good. It isn’t the first thing we think of when we think of stadium food, though. It just doesn’t hit quite right as stadium food. Much better for your at-home viewing parties.

4. French fries/poutine

A go-to option for finger food, and for good reason. The potential for making a mess is noted, especially if you opt for poutine, but you know what? It’s french fries. It gets a high ranking.

3. Churro

To be honest, something doesn’t sit right with us about enjoying sweets at a sports game. A churro, though, offers just enough fun over your run-of-the-mill snack to get high placement on our rankings. Churros are the variety of life.

2. Popcorn

Maybe not the most filling option if you have the appetite for a proper meal, but honestly, if you want a proper meal, that’s on you for not thinking ahead. Popcorn is pretty close to perfect, in terms of convenience, and also, vibes.

1. Hot dogs

Listen. Life can really be this simple if you let it be. Just get a hot dog! If you want to dress it up, get a chili dog, or one of the topping-loaded novelties probably offered at a sports arena near you. Or, just get a regular hot dog. Ketchup, mustard and a frank is a recipe for success. Probably don’t get a corn dog, though. Corn dogs are weird.