The New Meadowlands Stadium, home to the New York Giants and Jets, may have every modern amenity a football fan could want, but the designers can't do much about one big drawback: traffic. Located in the shadow of New York City off the New Jersey Turnpike, there's no easy way to drive to the stadium, especially when 82,565 other fans have the same idea. "And there's only one way to get into the new place," says Ron Barfield, who has made several trips there as a driver for New Canaan's Hoyt Livery. "You've got to allow a lot more time than at the old Giants Stadium."
As a result, Barfield finds his services are more in demand, as fans of both teams would rather leave the driving to him so they can relax and get ready for the game.
An important part of that ritual includes the pregame feast in the parking lot, and Hoyt Livery has that covered, with several upscale SUVs that provide plenty of room for comestibles and an actual tailgate as well. "Several customers have parking passes, and they'll bring precooked barbecue food, so when we get there we just reheat it on the grill," he says. Barfield shares in the repast, then cleans up when the customers head inside to the game.
Or Barfield can just drop off the customers near the entrance gate, then head to the nearby Vince Lombardi rest stop to wait for the game's end. "I listen to the game, because if it's a blowout, people may want to leave early," says Barfield, whose allegiance leans toward Big Blue. "They'll call me, and I'll meet them at a certain spot in the parking lot. The best thing, especially at late-season games, is having a warm car waiting for you."
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