Josh Allens latest on-field call is more than just a play – its a flavorful nod to a beloved Buffalo eatery and the bond between the Bills and their community.
When Josh Allen steps up to the line, you never quite know what you’re going to hear. Sure, there’s the usual cadence and calls, but every now and then, the Bills’ quarterback spices things up with something a little more… unexpected.
This past Sunday against the Jets, Allen dropped a new audible that caught the attention of fans and foodies alike: “Mangia! Mangia!”
If you’re from Western New York, that word probably rang a bell-and maybe made your stomach growl.
So, what’s the story behind it?
Turns out, Allen wasn’t just channeling his inner Italian or quoting The Sopranos. He was giving a heartfelt-and hilarious-nod to one of the Bills’ favorite local eateries.
“Mangia,” which means “eat” in Italian, is also the name of a beloved restaurant in Orchard Park, just a stone’s throw from Highmark Stadium. It’s a regular hangout for Allen and the rest of the quarterbacks room, and the audible was his way of tipping his cap to the spot that keeps them fueled up off the field.
“Obviously we have a nice little restaurant in Orchard Park that we frequent in the QB room,” Allen said after the game. “Just an ode to one of our favorite spots.”
This wasn’t just a random shoutout-it fits perfectly into the Bills’ offensive identity. Offensive coordinator Joe Brady has been preaching the “everybody eats” mentality since last season.
The idea? Spread the ball around, get everyone involved, and make sure no one leaves the field hungry for touches.
In that context, “Mangia!” isn’t just a fun audible-it’s a rallying cry.
“It’s not just about one person,” Brady said back in 2024. “No one’s bigger than the offense. But in order for someone else to have success, I gotta do my job so they have success and then vice versa.”
That philosophy has helped shape one of the league’s most dynamic offenses, and it’s clearly something Allen has bought into. The audible isn’t just a joke-it’s a symbol of the team’s chemistry and shared culture, both on and off the field.
As for the restaurant itself? Owned by Fran and John Ricotta, Mangia has become a go-to spot for the Bills and plenty of Orchard Park locals. When they heard Allen call out their name during the game, they were understandably thrilled.
“When we clearly heard the shoutout, as you can imagine, we were so excited,” Fran Ricotta said. “It was very cool of Josh.”
Allen’s been a regular there since he landed in Buffalo, to the point where he now has a private table-celebrity perks. The Ricottas are keeping quiet about what the QB and his teammates usually order, but they did say the group is pretty consistent.
So while “Mangia! Mangia!”
might sound like a quirky moment in the middle of a high-stakes NFL game, it’s actually a perfect snapshot of what makes Allen-and this Bills team-so uniquely Buffalo. It’s local pride, locker room chemistry, and offensive philosophy all rolled into one delicious audible.
And in Buffalo, where food and football go hand in hand, that’s exactly the kind of play call that hits home.
