Fork 'Em Thursdays are back on the menu
The Thursday before a home football game means one thing at Arizona State University’s Tempe campus: Fork 'Em is back. From noon to 1 p.m. outside of the Memorial Union, students pack in for the weekly tradition that pairs a rotating lineup of Aramark-crafted lunch specials with live music from a student performer, turning a midday meal into a full-blown pep rally.
Each Fork 'Em lines up with a Sun Devil home game that weekend. The season kicks off Sept. 3, two days ahead of ASU's home opener against Morgan State on Sept. 5. From there, Fork 'Em returns Oct. 1 before the Sun Devils host Baylor on Oct. 3, then Oct. 8 ahead of the Oct. 10 game against Hawai'i. The lineup continues Oct. 22 before Kansas State visits Oct. 24, Nov. 5 ahead of the Nov. 7 matchup with Colorado and wraps up Nov. 19, two days before ASU closes out its home slate against Oklahoma State on Nov. 21.
The menu changes with every date, but the ASU flavor stays constant. Sept. 3 opens with a Southwest Spud Loaded Baked Potato, piled high with shredded carne asada or pork pastor, pickled jalapeño and chipotle butter. The following specials keep pace: an ASU Fry Bread Melt on Oct. 1, a Forkin' Hot Hatch Chili Smash Burger on Oct. 8, ASU Taquitos on Oct. 22, Maroon and Gold Wings on Nov. 5 and a Scorched Endzone Mac & Cheese to close the season Nov. 19. Every special is $8 and comes with a cookie and a drink, and every week offers a vegetarian or vegan swap, from a three-bean chili to vegan BBQ jackfruit.
More than 1,000 students have turned out for Fork 'Em in previous weeks, drawn by the music and the menu. A student performer takes over the lunch hour, giving the event the feel of a mini concert wedged between classes. Week after week, Fork 'Em gives students a reason to show up, turning a single lunch hour into a season-long tradition.
Fork 'Em runs every Thursday before a home game this fall, with each week's lunch special posted ahead of time so students know exactly what's on the menu before they show up. Whether it's the fry bread melt or the mac and cheese finale, one thing stays consistent: good food, good music and a whole lot of Sun Devil spirit.
Want to make the most of game day? Check out ASU's guide to getting ready for game day for everything from claiming free student tickets to finding your game day crew.
Photography by: Aaron Gould