Rocket Arena is leaning even harder into its Cleveland identity for the 2026-27 Cavs season, and the biggest new name on the food lineup is Cordelia.
The East 4th Street restaurant, opened in 2022 by Andrew Watts and Vinnie Cimino, is coming to the street-level concourse near portal 26 as Delia’s Chicken & JoJos. It joins a growing list of local spots inside the building, and Watts said the arena move has been a long time coming.
“We’ve been wanting to be in the arena for some time,” Watts said. “When this stadium is rocking, we’re rocking over on East 4th.”
Cordelia’s arena outpost will lean into the restaurant’s Cleveland-first style while standing apart from the flagship. Fans can expect gluten-free grilled chicken, seasoned and coated fries made for dipping, macaroni salad and Midwest Polish Boy, along with sauces including black garlic mayo, hot sauce mayo, Fancy Sauce and Cleveland ketchup.
The stand even mirrors the East 4th signage, and the team went through several rounds of trial and error to get the chicken right for arena service. They brought in specific fryers and are using rice flour so the food can be made in volume without giving up quality.
“Our goal is to serve the best fried chicken of any arena in the country,” said Watts, who said the deal to go in the arena was in the works for about a year.
Cordelia takes its name from Watts’ great-grandmother, who often went by “Delia,” he said.
“I look at this, and I am beside myself - a dream come true,” he said.
The arena’s food expansion doesn’t stop there. Loudville has been refreshed with a new concessions area near portal 60, where Tenders, Love and Chicken and Sauce the City now share a space. It marks the third location in the arena for TLC, which serves chicken-and-fries platters with three dipping sauces.
“People love their chicken tenders,” said Taryn Donovan, vice president of signature services.
Another change is FanFuel, which has taken over the former “members headquarters” near portal 30. That spot used to function as an information booth for fans needing assistance, but the help desk is being moved elsewhere. The switch is meant to get people back to their seats more quickly, Donovan said.
The local restaurant presence keeps growing across the building, and the menu additions are wide-ranging. Karen Small, who has had a spot in the arena for 13 years, said, “There’s so many choices now. I think people are happy about that,” while Matt Mytro of Flour, who has been there for 11 years, was serving truffle onion rings.
Other new items include a Mediterranean flatbread at P Street Market Café near portal 18, with naan topped with garlic whipped feta, mozzarella, roasted cherry tomatoes, red peppers, kalamata olives, fresh herbs, parmesan and an arugula pine nut salad.
At Pearl’s Kitchen near portal 18, chef Tiwanna Scott-Williams has added a Pearl’s Hibachi Bowl made with vegetable fried rice, sautéed vegetables and steak, finished with Pearl’s Kitchen’s signature Yum Yum Sauce.
Vegan Vicki’s new addition at CLE/MKT near portal 21 is courtside loaded cornbread, with Cajun-seasoned broccoli, corn, jalapeños, bell peppers, green onions, vegan pepper jack and cheddar cheeses, plus spicy ranch sauce.
At 216° by Chef Rocco Whalen near portal 22, fans can get coconut shrimp bao buns filled with coconut shrimp, mint and mango glaze.
Flour, also near portal 22, is rolling out truffle onion rings made with thick-cut batter-fried Spanish onions, white truffle oil, breadcrumbs, pecorino, parsley and tarragon, served with balsamic aioli.
Aramark is also serving limited kickin’ birria eggrolls at the FanFuel location near portal 61. They’re stuffed with slow-simmered shredded beef and chihuahua cheese, then topped with white onions and cilantro and served with a lime wedge and consommé for dipping.
Gilly’s Clubhouse, previously announced, is shifting from a public to a private space. The 2,400-square-foot premium all-inclusive area, named for Nick Gilbert, the late son of Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert, will hold 250 people.
The Monsters open their home schedule at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2, against the Grand Rapids Griffins.
The Cavs begin at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, against the Brooklyn Nets.
Zach Abaie, vice president of corporate communications and public relations, said there have been 45 postseason games in the Gateway District between the Cavs and Guardians since 2024.
“We reimagine the fan experience every year and raise the bar,” Donovan said.
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