By Brandon Davis
The Central Station Beef ‘O’ Brady’s is the spot of choice for the University of Louisville men’s baseball team, according to senior catcher Jeff Arnold and redshirt sophomore pitcher Matt Lea.
Arnold and Lea are both fans of U of L men’s basketball. They both have season tickets and rarely miss home games. But when the basketball team has an important away game, getting together to cheer on the Cardinals is a frequent event.
“When [the U of L basketball team] is playing teams like Syracuse and UConn on the road, we’ll all get together,” said Lea. “Whether it be at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, or just someone’s house, we like to watch them all.”
Located directly across the street from Jim Patterson Stadium, convenience plays a large part in the players’ love of Beef ‘O’ Brady’s. But both Arnold and Lea have an understanding of the qualities needed to ensure the best game-viewing experience.
“I think the food is probably the most important,” said Arnold. “As long as you’re around the people you want to be with, whether it’s at an establishment or at somebody else’s house, I think the food always plays a key ingredient.”
And what ranks as the top choice, as far as food and drink goes, to complement watching a game?
“I like a lot of food,” said Arnold. “I’d have to say wings. I’m not a beer fan, and I’d get in trouble if I was, so I just go with Gatorade.”
Beef ‘O’ Brady’s offers a wide variety of different flavors for their buffalo-style chicken wings, whose spice ratings range from mild to nuclear. Some flavors offered are garlic, garlic Parmesan, honey barbecue, sweet jalapeño and teriyaki.
The overall fan atmosphere on game day at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s is another attraction for the U of L baseball players.
“You got a whole crew of Louisville fans,” said Lea. “And they’re all in there going crazy for a big game. When somebody hits a big basket or gets a big dunk, the whole place just goes wild. It’s exciting; it gets you fired up.”
While the quality of food, service and atmosphere provided at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s has made a positive impression on the Cardinal baseball team, the team has also left a positive impression on the restaurant’s staff.
“I love the baseball team,” said Mary Ann Smith, owner of the Beef ‘O’ Brady’s Central Station location. “They’re my favorites. They’re very respectful and you can tell they come from great families.”
