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There are about as many different reasons as to why someone frequents their local bingo parlor as there are players. Believe it or not, one of the reasons why many go out to the bingo hall is the food. It’s more than just frozen pizza, hotdogs, burgers, and soft pretzels. Some bingo halls boast some pretty wonderful fare for players to enjoy. Along with homemade Made-Rites and nachos dripping with cheddar cheese sauce are dessert treats such as fudge with ice cream and angel food cake smothered with fresh strawberries and whipped cream. 

Even if you are playing most of the time, there is absolutely no reason why you can’t bring those concession stand favorites home. You can recreate some of these special dishes at home and have the joy of being in the place you are most comfortable. Find out some ideas for some super easy and delicious snack foods.

• Maid-Rite Sandwiches

In the American Midwest, many consider the loose meat sandwich commonly known as the Maid-Rite to be standard bingo hall concession stand fare. Every bingo hall, from non-profits such as the city’s Catholic Churches and Emerald Knights Drum and Bugle Corps to the Meskwaki Casino, located a short drive away, serves Maid-Rite sandwiches in that part of the country. This simple sandwich gets its name from the Maid-Rite Restaurant established in 1926 in Marion, Iowa. Unlike the sloppy joe, the beef that makes up this tasty concession treat is slow-cooked to perfection in a slow cooker or Crock-Pot.

• 1 cup of warm water
• 1.2 cup beef or chicken stock
• 1 small onion
• 2 Tbsp brown sugar
• 2 Tbsp. apple cider vinegar
• 2 Tbsp. Worcestershire or steak sauce

Add approximately 3-4 pounds of uncooked, lean ground beef.

Place in a crock pot and set the temperature on high for approximately 1 hour. Break apart chunks of beef during cooking until it reaches a fine, uniform texture. Switch temperature to low and continue to cook for an additional 2-3 hours or until most of the liquid has been cooked off. Stir occasionally. Serve on hamburger buns and embellish with cheese, ketchup, mustard, pickles, and onions to suit your taste. 

• Fabulous Funnel Cakes

Another tasty concession treats to enjoy while playing online bingo at home are funnel cakes. These tasty treats originally created by the Amish are the perfect snack not only at state fairs, carnivals and fundraisers, but are considered the perfect snack by many bingo players as well. The recipe is one of those that have been published over and over again with some slight variations. 

Here is a basic funnel cake recipe for you to try at home. This particular recipe will yield approximately 8 funnel cakes.

• 2 eggs 
• 1 cup milk 
• 1 cup water 
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract 
• 3 cups all-purpose flour 
• 1/4 cup sugar 
• 3 tsp. baking powder 
• 1/4 tsp. salt 
• Vegetable Oil or Vegetable Shortening melted to fry funnel cakes

Mix the dry ingredients together in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine milk, water and vanilla with a wire whisk.

In a deep cast-iron skillet, Dutch oven, an electric skillet or fryer, heat the oil to 375°. Using your finger, cover the spout of a funnel. Pour or ladle approximately ½ cup of the batter into the funnel. Let the funnel drain into the pan with hot oil, moving it in a spiral or lattice pattern until all of the batters is released into the oil. 

Fry for 2-3 minutes until the cake is golden brown. Remove from the oil and let the cakes drain on paper toweling or a brown paper bag. Dust with confectioner’s sugar, cinnamon and sugar, honey, maple syrup or other favorite topping and enjoy!

• Nachos

Nachos are probably one of the easiest yet most popular foods at the bingo parlor. You can make them with just corn or flour tortilla chips and cheese sauce or go for a half dozen elements added on top for an easy meal.

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Spread corn chips or tortilla chips over a baking sheet and place in the oven to warm them. After about 3-5 minutes add shredded cheese. Let warm until the cheese is soft and just at the melting point. Remove from the oven, top with ground beef, sour cream, guacamole, black olives, jalapeno peppers or any other topping you like.

Try whipping up one of these before your next big round of online bingo play. Just don’t get your touchscreen or mouse too greasy!