MILAN — U.S. goalkeeper Aerin Frankel is known as the ‘Green Monster,’ nicknamed after the iconic left field wall at Fenway Park because she’s just as solid in front of the net for the U.S women’s national hockey team.
But her nickname could also apply to her love of romaine lettuce.
Frankel is such a big fan of Caesar salads that she has an entire Instagram account dedicated to the leafy greens. She’s been posting photos and reviews on @painbyromaine since May 2024, but her passion project has landed in the limelight at the 2026 Winter Olympics as the U.S. women are set to play Sweden in the semifinals Monday.
Frankel said her Caesar salad account initially ‘started off as a joke’ after a friend suggested she document her loved of mixed greens since Frankel was ‘always ordering one for the table or to share,’ she said.
‘A few years back, I made this account (because) one of my friends has an espresso martini account where she rates espresso martinis,’ Frankel said. ‘She was like, ‘You should really do the same for Caesar salads. You eat them so much.”
Frankel has tried Ceasar salads all over the world, from Nova Scotia to Greece and New York City, so consider her a connoisseur. She said Mortadella Head has the best salad in Boston, where she resides as the starting goalkeeper of the PWHL’s Boston Fleet, while Sugo in Toronto holds the title for the best she’s ever had.
Frankel has already tried several Caesar salads in Milan so far, with her first review of the 2026 Winter Games dropping Saturday. She rated Mugs & Co. Cozy Cafe & Bakery a 7.8 out of 10, adding Italy has ‘seriously high quality meat & cheese here.’ One ingredient she’s getting used to — Italian Caesar dressing.
‘I would say that Caesar dressing is very different (in Italy) than I expected, so not knocking it, but it’s just not of that classic Caesar,’ Frankel said.
The American goalkeeper has only conceded one goal in three starts at the 2026 Winter Olympics, yet her incognito Caesar salad account has generated just as many headlines. She called the response ‘a bit shocking,’ but ‘kind of funny.’
Frankel added, ‘Honestly, it’s something that I do for fun in my free time, so I’m glad people are enjoying it.
She’s not the only Olympic athlete showcasing their love of a particular food. American figure skater Andrew Torgashev was dubbed ‘The Pizza King’ after eating pizza for 53 days in a row. He lists himself as a ‘Pizza Ambassador’ in his Instagram bio.
Follow Cydney Henderson on X at @CydHenderson
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