What motivates Packers first-round draft pick Matthew Golden?
Packers draft pick Matthew Golden has played football his whole life. He says the game created a safe environment for him, even during tough times.
Matthew Golden shouldn’t have any problem finding a place to eat around Green Bay.
The Packers’ 2025 first-round draft pick’s new friends have him covered with a full menu of options.
Golden, who signed his rookie deal on May 20, took to social media two days earlier to ask for any food and restaurant recommendations in Green Bay.
His post received 535 responses with restaurant options across the greater Green Bay area.
AJ Dillon might not be in Green Bay any longer. But the former Packers running back, who spent five seasons with the Packers and developed a loyal foodie following with his wife, Gabrielle, through their Dining with the Dillons Instagram account, provided an assist to Golden.
He gave Golden a full itinerary complete with breakfast, lunch and dinner spots as well as healthy snack options.
Dillon saaid Golden should try his favorite place for breakfast, Spork Cafe & Catering in Suamico. He also recommends Black Honey Hashery in De Pere and Bay Family Motel in Green Bay if he’s looking for a diner atmosphere for breakfast.
Dillon also gave Golden three options for lunch, including Voyageurs Bakehouse in Green Bay, and then five for dinner, including Chives Restaurant in Suamico and Mexico Lindo in Green Bay, among others.
A football player isn’t going to just have three meals in a day. There must be some snack places to tide you over. And Dillon has Golden covered with that as well for smoothies, juices and build-your-own bowl options at places like the Farmacy, Bona Fide Juicery and DIRT the Clean Juicery in Green Bay.
Golden got even more help from others, including UW-Green Bay men’s basketball head coach Doug Gottlieb.
The second-year coach gave Golden breakfast, lunch and dinner spots in addition to his favorite burger spot (Hilltop Cafe) and where to get the best coffee in town.
Iron Duck Restaurant, Legacy Hotel, and Black Sheep Pub and Grill are Gottlieb’s choices for dinner spots.
Former Packers kicker Mason Crosby also chimed in, though he didn’t give Golden food recommendations.
Crosby, the 16-year member of the Packers who was back in Green Bay last month for the NFL Draft after officially retiring as a Packer, gave tips on best golf courses.
“Let me know if you need any golf recommendations! I got you,” Crosby replied to Golden’s request.
Kwik Trip, named USA TODAY’s Best Gas Station for Food and Best Gas Station Brand in the U.S. in 2025, had one word in its reply to Golden.
“me,” the La Crosse-based convenience store chain wrote on X.
It wasn’t just Green Bay folks who were willing to help.
Dr. David Margolis, who treats cancer patients at Children’s Wisconsin and is a professor at the Medical College of Wisconsin and a well-known Milwaukee Bucks superfan, told Golden that when he makes his way south on I-43, they should connect for a visit to Carnevor.
“When you drive down to MKE, we can break bread and enjoy a great steak together (my treat),” Margolis said.
Matthew Golden, Packers first-round draft pick
The Packers selected the Texas wide receiver with the 23rd pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. He’s the first wide receiver the Packers have taken in the first round of the draft since 2002.
AJ Dillon through the years
AJ Dillon spent five years with the Packers after being selected in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Boston College. The fan favorite, known as the mayor of Door County, missed the entire 2024 season with a neck stinger and signed in the offseason with the Philadelphia Eagles during free agency.
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