Andy Samberg, the comedian behind Saturday Night Live ’s digital shorts and the new Hellmann’s Super Bowl ad, recently shared his surprisingly relatable food habits. From childhood haunts to high-school cocktail lessons, Samberg’s tastes reveal a mix of nostalgia, impulse buys, and a clear love for comfort food.
From Deli Diners to Wings: Samberg’s Food Roots
The actor credits Canter’s Deli in Los Angeles as a formative spot, recalling frequent visits with fellow comedian Akiva Schaffer before their SNL days. Now, filming the Hellmann’s commercial there felt like “everything had come full circle.” Beyond set memories, Samberg has a decades-long love affair with Buffalo wings, specifically those from LA institutions Ye Rustic Inn and Hot Wings Cafe.
“I’ve been getting wings from those places for 20-plus years now,” Samberg admitted, pausing before adding, “Ooh, that doesn’t feel good saying out loud.”
Sandwiches and SNL Snacks: A Comedian’s Fuel
When it comes to sandwiches, Samberg refuses to pick favorites. From cheesesteaks to New York bodega classics (“cracked pepper turkey with Swiss, spicy mustard, on a hero”), his palate is broad. He even entertains the idea of bagels with lox as a legitimate sandwich contender. His SNL survival strategy? Coffee, and at Brooklyn Nine-Nine, massive apple fritters sliced for sharing.
The Cocktail Connection: A High School Lesson
Samberg’s signature skill isn’t cooking, but bartending—specifically, making martinis for his mother. “She taught me how to make martinis in high school for her, so I feel like I’m good at that as well,” he said. His mother prefers vodka-based martinis (“Belvedere up with olives and a little bit of dirtiness”), while Samberg leans towards a cleaner, straighter approach.
Impulse Buys and Truffle Oil Troubles
Like many shoppers, Samberg falls for the allure of small-batch jerky at the grocery store, especially when hungry. He’s also skeptical of the truffle oil craze, calling out restaurants that “class up” dishes with it unnecessarily. His late-night cravings? Ice cream loaded with cookie dough and brownies.
The Perfect Burrito: A Bay Area Loyalty
Samberg’s ultimate comfort food is a Bay Area burrito, specifically the pollo asado with guacamole from Gordo’s Taqueria. “That was my local growing up,” he said, acknowledging a long list of other favorites scattered throughout the region.
The bigger picture: Samberg’s comments highlight how deeply food ties into personal memory and identity. The Super Bowl isn’t about the game for him; it’s about the snacks, and those snacks are often tied to specific places, shared experiences, and long-held preferences.
Ultimately, Samberg’s food preferences are a reminder that even celebrities are just people with simple pleasures, childhood favorites, and a weakness for a well-made cocktail.
