Super Bowl Sunday draws crowds to area businesses

"It's the busiest day of the year. It's everything that you work for," said Tom Greco, owner of Thunderbird Steakhouse & Catering.

Sunday, February 13, 2022

Super Bowl Sunday draws crowds to area businesses

"It's the busiest day of the year. It's everything that you work for," said Tom Greco, the owner of Thunderbird Steakhouse and Catering.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- From bars and restaurants to at-home parties, people were out enjoying this year's Super Bowl.

At Chickie's & Pete's in South Philadelphia, there were plenty of football fans who braved the snow to watch the Bengals take on the Rams.

"I mean we're always here. We're always here for any football sporting event. It's just a good vibe," said football fan Greg Tenuto.

For staff, Super Bowl 56 felt like a return to normalcy during the pandemic.

"I think everything is coming back full force. I do think people are enjoying coming back out and seeing each other, and coming to eat and hang for the game," said Chickie's & Pete's manager Megan Karpovich.

Pandemic or not, consumers are feeling more comfortable bringing back game-day traditions, according to the National Retail Federation.

Approximately 90 million people planned to either throw a party or attend one this year. That's up from 62 million last year.

Nearly 14 million planned to watch a bar or restaurant.

Clearview Regional High School held its annual Super Bowl fundraiser today, helping students in need one hoagie at a time!

Inflation was also not lost on the minds of some business owners with the cost of wings, steaks and beer up this year.

Businesses like Thunderbird Steakhouse and Catering in Broomall did their best not to let cash affect camaraderie.

"We've had to deal with that just like every other restaurant has," said owner Tom Greco.

"It's the busiest day of the year. It's everything that you work for," added Greco about the Super Bowl party preps.

Those who traded table tops for couches and cushions were also happy to reunite and enjoy this year's star-studded halftime show.

"It's just so fun to get together. It's been so long since we got to have a lot of our friends together. And as millennials, we all really appreciated the halftime show," said Northern Liberties resident Sophie Kluthe.