When it comes to what food fans consider best, opinions are like… well let’s just say, they’re abundant. From Dodger Dogs to boiled peanuts, the small scope of Old Style snacks are as much a relic as the old Yankee stadium. These days, fans can count on culinary wins, even if their team happens to come up short. Recent renovations to stadiums and gourmet additions bring welcome added value to the ticket price. Today’s economic challenges have some stadiums offering value meals, which adds even more variety to the mix. But today, we’re focusing on taste, and here, my friends, are the best:
1. AT&T Park in San Francisco
Experts and fans alike agree that this park nailed it. Food may taste better here just because of the view. Grand, classic arched coliseum frames the view down the site lines and beyond the field to the sparkling bay. Pay dirt for foodies is found beyond the scoreboard at The Scoreboard Plaza. Biggest scores are the Crazy Crab’z Crab Salad Sandwich; Clam Chowder in a sourdough bread bowl; Cajun-blackened catfish sandwich and Orlando’s Cha-Cha bowl of Jerk Chicken and a Grilled Portobella Mushroom sandwich. But if these menus pack too much of a gourmet punch, traditionalists take heart. Concessions offer satisfaction including Gilroy Garlic Fries and kosher dogs to cotton candy throughout the park.
2. Oriole Park at Camden Yards in Baltimore
Boog Powell, veteran Orioles first baseman-turned-pit-boss, is serving up pit-smoked pulled pork at his infamous Boog’s Barbecue. Saucy, smoky and sticky delicious, this three-napkin specialty is sometimes served by the Boog, himself.
3. Safeco Field in Seattle
All the variety at Pike’s Place Market is found right here at the stadium. Stellar Sea Fare: Ivar’s Grilled Salmon sandwich is the stand-out, but for sushi lovers there’s the notorious Ichiroll – a spicy tuna roll named after Japanese outfielder Ichiro Suzuki. But if that just feels too weird, there’s a dizzying selection from top-notch clam chowder, chocolate-covered strawberries, garlic fries, wok-fried noodles, southern barbecue and…too much to sample in one visit.
4. Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia
Ashburn Alley’s popular draws are the cheese steaks from Rick’s Steaks and Tony Luke’s, favoring the latter. Chickie & Pete’s Crab Fries are Old Bay-dusted fries that you can’t stop eating. If you can’t wait in the long lines for Philly’s signature sandwich, a can’t miss major indulgence is Schmitter sandwich from McNally’s. Dangerously delicious combo of grilled salami, steak, cheeses, tomato and fried onions. For a tasty notch above cheese steak, or hang in there and reward yourself with Tony Luke’s roasted pork sandwich with broccoli rabe. Unbelievable.
5. Petco Park in San Diego
The Mexican-inspired San Diego Caesar salad with a chipotle-cilantro dressing and Sonoran hot dog, a spicy frank wrapped in bacon and tucked into a split potato bun stuffed with pinto beans, diced tomatoes and onions, then slathered with jalapeño sauce, mustard, ketchup and mayonnaise will satisfy your quest for fire. There’s exotic icy aguas frescas swimming with chopped pineapple, bananas, oranges, apples and pears to cool you down. Jumbo red-velvet cupcakes are also on the menu for your sweet tooth, but true foodies should wait for the weekend. A street-style taco stand featuring pork roasted on a spit is located in the Park at the Park beyond the outfield open during Friday and Saturday games.
6. PNC Park in Pittsburgh
A real gut-buster, the Primanti Brothers sandwich will take your taste buds back to 1930s. This ‘meal on the fly’ was originally built for local truckers who needed to eat and ride. The classic Pittsburgh sandwich features sliced steak, coleslaw, tomatoes, and French fries piled on thick-cut Italian bread.
7. Miller Field in Milwaukee
Sausage rules here. So go for it with a Klement’s chorizo bratwurst —a Milwaukee favorite since 1956. The spicy sausage is served on a bun or with pico de gallo on a soft tortilla. Get an extra kick with Miller Field’s exclusive Stadium Sauce, that’s something like a mix between barbecue sauce. Strange but tasty.
8. Minute Maid Park in Houston
Top shelf Tex Mex holds court here. Go for a sizzling beef fajita at Rosa’s Taqueria order a sizzling beef fajita, served to order. Fresh fish tacos on fresh corn tortillas filled with beer-battered cod, sweet chile aioli, and marinated red cabbage are best at Larry’s Big Bamboo. Margaritas may feel a little girly, but go down easy with the spice and the heat index.
9. Nationals Park in Washington DC
Chili Half-Smokes from D.C. diner Ben’s Chili Bowl is a quarter-pound beef and pork smoked sausage on a warm steamed bun with cheese sauce and Ben’s own spicy homemade chili. Legions of fans swear by this behemoth on a plate. Good luck finishing it with the prerequisite cheese fries.
10. Yankee Stadium – New York
Mike’s famous eggplant parmigiana hero like Mama used to make, with lightly fried sliced eggplant, homemade tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella on fresh-baked Italian bread to be followed with freshly-made zeppole, deep-fried Italian pastries dusted with powdered sugar.
11. Citi Field, New York
The Mets’ have something new and improved to brag about with Danny Meyer’s juicy pulled-pork sandwiches and Kansas City ribs at Blue Smoke; cheesy ShackBurgers and Shack-Cago dogs at Shake Shack; or slow-cooked pork tacos with tomatillo-chipotle salsa at El Verano Taquería, a taco stand by chef Floyd Cardoz of New York’s Tabla
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