Aerin Frankel, the U.S. goalie known to fans as the “Green Monster” for her steely presence in front of the net, has become the latest social-media sensation off the ice—thanks to a Caesar salad obsession that exploded online. The Olympic goalkeeper, who stars for the U.S. women’s national team, also runs an Instagram account dedicated entirely to romaine, reviews, and dressing debates.
Since May 2024, Frankel has posted as @painbyromaine, sharing photos and tasting notes of Caesar salads with the same precision she brings to her hockey game. The account began as a playful idea after a friend suggested she document her salad favorites—Frankel often orders Caesar salads to share with teammates, so the project felt like a natural fit. She recalled the spark: a friend with an espresso martini-review page inspired her to rate salads in a similar fashion.
Frankel has sampled Caesar salads around the world, from Nova Scotia to Greece to New York City, earning her status as a seasoned judge of the dish. She even has her own local favorites: Mortadella Head in Boston, where she plays for the PWHL’s Boston Fleet, and Sugo in Toronto, which she praised as among the best she’s tasted.
At the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan, Frankel has already tried several Milanese Caesar salads. Her first review during the Games came in after a 6-0 quarterfinal victory over host Italy. She gave Mugs & Co. Cozy Cafe & Bakery a 7.8 out of 10, noting that Italian meat and cheese offerings are of impressively high quality. One trend she’s adjusting to is the Italian take on Caesar dressing, which she found different from the classic version but not disappointing.
Even with a flawless three-game start to the Games (one goal against in each), Frankel’s offbeat salad project has generated a wave of attention. She described the uproar as surprising yet amusing, emphasizing that the hobby is simply a pastime she enjoys in her downtime.
Beyond this spotlight, Frankel isn’t the only athlete turning food fandom into a talking point. American figure skater Andrew Torgashev earned the nickname “The Pizza King” after 53 straight days of eating pizza, proudly declaring himself a Pizza Ambassador in his social media bio.
Follow reporter Cydney Henderson on X at @CydHenderson for more.
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