In the sports world, a jock has to put up big numbers to make a Hall of Fame. In the food world, he just has to make a decent pizza. With that said, here are the best places to ...
TAKE A HISTORY LESSON
Mickey Mantle's, New York City
Since its opening in 1988, food has never been the draw at Mickey Mantle's. Tasty grub would just distract patrons from looking at the walls, where unis of the Mick, Babe and Joltin' Joe hang next to autographed stuff of every flavor. Basically, the tavern doubles as a New York sports Hall of Fame. Forget dessert -- save room for the shopping at Gotta Have It! Collectibles inside.
SATE A PREGAME HUNGER
Cheli's Chili, Detroit
When the Red Wings won the Cup in 2008, the afterparty was at Chris Chelios' place. The pushing-50 vet may be elsewhere next season, but his sports bar will remain a go-to spot for puckheads, who needn't worry about missing the opening faceoff; a shuttle runs to the Joe before games. Just steps from Comerica Park, it's a nice stop for baseball fans, too.
GET A SLICE NORTH OF THE BORDER
La Pizzeria Etc., Montreal
Not content with the pizza options in his native burg, Devils goalie Martin Brodeur partnered with ex-teammate and then-Canadien Sheldon Souray to open La Pizzeria during the 2004-05 lockout. The parlor serves thin-crusted pies with panini, salads and, of course, the local fries-and-cheese mashup, poutine.
KICK BACK WITH THE BIG GUY
Arnold Palmer's Restaurant, La Quinta, Calif.
Diners don't need to wonder if the golfing great really enjoys the dishes listed in the Arnie's Favorites section of the menu. They can satisfy their curiosity by asking him. When he's not back in his hometown of Latrobe, Pa., the links legend likes to eat at this establishment, conveniently located across the street from his West Coast home away from home.
PROTECT YOUR NEST EGG
Sport, Seattle
Celebrity chef and self-described sports nut John Howie carefully crafted a sports bar for the gourmand and got four local heroes to buy in (Jamal Crawford, Nate McMillan, Todd MacCulloch and Jeff Nelson). Despite upscale offerings (Kobe beef burgers, aged sirloins), prices stay low ($14 and $20, respectively). Little League discounts, 22-ounce beers, weekly specials and a $1 parking deal fit a be-kind-to-the-wallet ethos that keeps the space packed, economic downturn or no. Almost makes Seattle forget about remembering the Sonics.
SEE THE GAME WITHOUT A TICKET
Joe Senser's, Bloomington, Minn.
They don't call it a sports theater for nothing. Consistently ranked among the best sports bars in the country, the four Senser's locations, owned by the former Vikes tight end, boast a ring of 5' x 9' flat-screens that stream sports from 11 a.m. into the wee hours.
IMPRESS YOUR DATE
Tresca, Boston
Mix rink greatness, French-Canadian roots and an eye for the intimate, and you get ... Ray Bourque's Tresca. The ritzy Italian joint with a $65 tasting menu and award-winning wine list offers romantic views of Beantown's North End. It was named one of the city's top newcomers in 2006 -- as if the Hall of Fame blueliner needed another accolade.
EAT STEAK. PERIOD.
Michael Jordan's The Steak House NYC, New York City
One bite of the strip steak in the city known for the cut will tell you why MJ's has earned a pair of stars in The New York Times in 1998 and raves ever since. One look at the swirl of humanity in Grand Central Station below will tell you why you live somewhere else.