What to Eat at the Ballpark
Chowhound picks for the best food and drink at games across the country
FENWAY PARK, BOSTON RED SOX
Chowhounds Recommend A sausage from Dr. Pepper’s stand topped with his homemade version of Inner Beauty hot sauce, onions, and peppers (you’ll find the stand just outside the park on Lansdowne Street); kettle corn (rumor has it the stuff by Gate E is more consistently good than at the other locations, with a shorter line to boot).
Beer Beyond MGD A representative from Fenway Park told us the “most local” beer they have is Sam Adams, which you can find throughout the concourse.
Official Policy on Bringing in Food “No food can be brought into the ballpark and only sealed bottled waters of 16oz. or less are allowed.” (But hounds say enforcement is uneven, so you might be able to get away with it like C. Hamster does.)
Discuss the Food Here » Inside Fenway Park » Fenway Park: What to eat?
CITI FIELD, NEW YORK METS
Chowhounds Recommend Wings and ribs from Blue Smoke; fries from Box Frites.
Beer Beyond MGD Brooklyn Brewery’s specialty beers are available at each of the Danny Meyer–backed concession stands (Shake Shack, Box Frites, Blue Smoke, and El Verano Taquería). BeerAdvocate raters give the Shackmeister Ale, available at Shake Shack, the highest rating. There is also an “International Beer Bar” offering a decent variety.
Official Policy on Bringing in Food “Prohibited Items: Items larger than 16”x16”x8”, coolers (hard-sided), cans, glass bottles, beverage containers, open containers.” Food can be brought in if it’s wrapped in see-through packaging; sealed bottles of water are also allowed.
Discuss the Food Here » Citi Field Eats
YANKEE STADIUM, NEW YORK YANKEES
Chowhounds Recommend Lobel’s prime beef sandwich carved and assembled to order with jus and/or fresh horseradish and/or olive tapenade.
Beer Beyond MGD Hounds report that it’s hard to find anything other than Bud. Yankee Stadium’s concession company would not return our calls regarding the beer selection, but the regional brand manager for Brooklyn Brewery confirmed the Chowhound rumor that bottles of its lager are being sold at the three Beers of the World stands in the stadium.
Official Policy on Bringing in Food Food can be brought into the stadium in plastic shopping bags, but “premium ticket holders are not permitted to bring food or beverages into the Suite Entrance.” Sealed bottled water is the only drink that’s allowed in. (No coolers, glass or plastic bottles, or cans.)
Discuss the Food Here » Yankee Stadium Food Review
CITIZENS BANK PARK, PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES
Chowhounds Recommend The Schmitter sandwich (steak, cheese, fried onions, grilled salami, tomatoes, and special sauce on a kaiser roll) from the Schmitter; the roasted pork sandwich with sharp provolone and sautéed broccoli rabe from Tony Luke’s.
Beer Beyond MGD Look for local brews from Sly Fox, Victory, Tröegs, Flying Fish, and others.
Official Policy on Bringing in Food Outside food is allowed, but it must be in clear wrapping. No alcoholic beverages, glass bottles, cans, hard-sided coolers, thermoses, or open containers can be brought in. Soft-sided coolers and juice containers are OK.
Discuss the Food Here » Rank Citizen Bank Park Food Stands
NATIONALS PARK, WASHINGTON NATIONALS
Chowhounds Recommend Knishes from the Kosher Grill; chili or nachos from the Hard Times Café.
Beer Beyond MGD The Red Loft Bar serves craft beers from Dogfish Head, Stone Brewing, and others; the Base Line Brews stands in sections 110, 136, 137, and 141 offer a few craft beers.
Official Policy on Bringing in Food “All food items must be contained in single serving bags within a soft-sided container or cooler, that does not exceed 16” x 16” x 8”. Metal, plastic or glass containers of any kind (except for factory-sealed, plastic water bottles, no larger than 1 liter and juice boxes) are prohibited at Nationals Park. Only one bottle of water per person will be permitted.”
Discuss the Food Here » Nationals Park Food
WRIGLEY FIELD, CHICAGO CUBS
Chowhounds Recommend The consensus is that you’re better off eating before or after the game (check out a bunch of dining suggestions here), but if you want to grab a bite in the park, hounds say the best bet is a hot dog with caramelized onions, mustard, tomatoes, relish, and sport peppers from the vendors below the stands.
Beer Beyond MGD A rep from the park told us they don’t have any microbrews and that Old Style is about the closest you’ll get to a local beer. Strikeout.
Official Policy on Bringing in Food “Visitors may bring food or drink items into the ballpark, which are packaged in acceptable containers.” (No hard-sided coolers, bottles, cans, thermoses, alcoholic beverages.)
Discuss the Food Here » Good food option in or around Wrigley Field?
U.S. CELLULAR FIELD, CHICAGO WHITE SOX
Chowhounds Recommend Elotes—corn is grilled, cut off the cob, and topped with your choice of stuff like butter, lime, chili powder, mayo, or cheese.
Beer Beyond MGD A rep from the park told us that the Beers of the World stands located at the end of each foul pole on the 100 level stock some local beers from Goose Island and Leinenkugel.
Official Policy on Bringing in Food “Guests are welcome to: carry in food in a small, clear (see-through) plastic bag. … Carry in one sealed plastic bottle of water, one liter or less in size, but no other beverages of any kind.” (No bags larger than 16” x 16” x 8”, bottles, cans, hard-sided coolers or “other liquid containers.”)
Discuss the Food Here » Chow at Sox Park?
DODGER STADIUM, LOS ANGELES DODGERS
Chowhounds Recommend Hounds are pretty down on the food options at the ballpark, saying that the pricey corned beef sandwich from the Canter’s Deli outpost is about the only thing worth getting. If you must get a Dodger Dog, they say to ask for it grilled.
Beer Beyond MGD Hounds say that the Gordon Biersch stands on the Reserve Level are probably the best bet for a decent beer.
Official Policy on Bringing in Food “Food is permitted from outside the stadium provided it is not in bottles, cans, coolers or thermoses. Unbroken, factory sealed plastic bottles of water and other non-alcoholic beverages of 1 liter or less are permitted. … Guests may bring in soft-sided coolers that do not exceed 14 inches square and must be stored under the seat.”
Discuss the Food Here » Is there ANYTHING decent at Dodger Stadium?
OAKLAND-ALAMEDA COUNTY COLISEUM, OAKLAND A’S
Chowhounds Recommend The ball tip sandwich (smoked steak with barbecue sauce, lettuce, tomato, and mayo) from Kinder’s.
Beer Beyond MGD Hounds point out that the park has an “above average selection” of beers, including ones from Pyramid and New Belgium.
Official Policy on Bringing in Food Outside food is permitted, but bags brought into the stadium “must be no larger than 16” x 16” x 8”. … No cans … glass containers or alcohol are allowed into the stadium at any time. No hard-sided coolers of any size are permitted.”
Discuss the Food Here » Food at the Oakland A’s Coliseum
AT&T PARK, SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS
Chowhounds Recommend The Cha Cha Bowl (rice topped with black beans, jerk chicken breast chunks, and pineapple and zucchini salsa—ask for some habanero sauce for heat) from Orlando’s; garlic fries from the assorted Gilroy Garlic Fry stands, though hounds report that the quality has been hit-or-miss.
Beer Beyond MGD Try local favorite Anchor Steam. Also of note are the California Wine Carts if you aren’t a beer drinker.
Official Policy on Bringing in Food “Fans are … allowed to bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks to the ballpark.” (No glass bottles, metal cans, or alcoholic beverages. Sealed plastic bottles and soft-sided juice containers are OK.)
Discuss the Food Here » SF Giants Ballpark Food
SAFECO FIELD, SEATTLE MARINERS
Chowhounds Recommend Garlic fries (available at Kidd Valley and Grounders); the sliced pork sandwich at the Bullpen Pub; if you have a club- or suite-level ticket, made-to-order fresh pasta from the Bistro.
Beer Beyond MGD You’ll find a few local beers around the park from Redhook, Georgetown Brewing Company, and Mac & Jack’s, as well as beer from Oregon’s Deschutes.
Official Policy on Bringing in Food “Food brought into the ballpark must be wrapped, bagged or inside a container. Items such as apples and oranges must be quartered. Personal food items cannot be carried into any of the restaurants, lounges or suites. … No bottles, cans or outside beverages (including water/ice) may be brought into Safeco Field.”
Discuss the Food Here » Safeco Field–Anything new & good
» fav ballpark food….
» your nominations for BEST BALLPARK FOOD in America: Major League and Minor League
» Featured Micro at Baseball Stadiums
What to Eat at the Ballpark (cont.)
Brown-bagging it at the park?
Here are some of CHOW’s best recipes for ballpark-worthy food:
SAVORY
SNACKS
SWEETS
