David Chang’s culinary journey intersects with the Washington Commanders’ stadium, marking a changing of the guard as Daniel Snyder exits ownership. As Chang’s fast-casual venture, Fuku, joins a roster of newcomers at FedEx Field, the era of stale beer and expired peanuts appears to be fading. Here’s a glimpse into the evolving culinary landscape at the stadium.
Chang’s sentiments towards Snyder were no secret, and he once playfully poked fun at the former owner with fortune cookies at his restaurant, Momofuku CCDC. The cookies bore a hashtag, #snydersucks, embodying Chang’s perspective on the disgraced owner of Washington’s football club. In 2016, these quirky taunts made their debut, following an earlier jest from Chang about launching a Kickstarter campaign to buy the team from Snyder. While it may have seemed tongue-in-cheek, Chang had a legion of potential investors, one of whom humorously suggested rebranding the team as the “Washington Porkbuns” in reference to Chang’s signature dish.
Fast forward a decade, and the tables have turned: Snyder is no longer the owner, and Chang has established a presence at FedEx Field. Fuku by David Chang, renowned for its spicy fried chicken, is one of the new additions to the stadium’s culinary lineup. The eatery has two stands at FedEx Field, one on the climate-controlled club level and another on the upper concourse.
The timing of Fuku’s arrival raises questions: was it purely coincidental, or did Chang enter the scene after Snyder’s departure? According to Commanders management, negotiations with new vendors were in progress before NFL owners approved Josh Harris’s purchase of the team in July. This aligns with Fuku’s expansion plans for its concessions business. However, Chang himself remained tight-lipped on the matter.
Chang’s silent victory suggests that those who triumph have no need for gloating, regardless of whether their victory was deliberate or fortuitous. One can only imagine the hashtags Chang might have wielded in this post-Snyder era, such as #KarmaSucksDan.
The new era at FedEx Field not only brings new ownership for the Commanders but also a revamped culinary landscape. While the season’s prospects on the field remain uncertain, fans can expect changes at the concessions. High prices are a common theme, with many dishes and combos costing $20 or more. Here’s a breakdown of the dishes sampled during two preseason games, categorizing them as the good, the bad, and the acceptable.
