PLAY BALL! Baseball season is back. This is significant as it signals summer days at the ballpark are just around the corner. There are many reasons why we love America’s greatest pastime from the crack of the bat to singing Take Me Out to the Ball Game, but perhaps our favorite has to be the food.
And while you can still enjoy peanuts and Cracker Jack, ballparks are getting creative, maybe a little ridiculous depending on whom you ask, with their food options. How does a Lobster Poutine Stak from Fenway Park sound? Or, perhaps we can satisfy both your appetite and sweet tooth with a Chicken Funnel Cake Sandwich while taking in an Arizona Diamondbacks game. The next time you take yourself out to the ball game, take a swing at these unique food options.
Cracker Jack & Mac Dog
PNC Park – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
You don’t have to travel far to experience this twist on a baseball staple. The Cracker Jack & Mac Dog is a beef frankfurter topped with macaroni and cheese, salted caramel sauce, fried jalapenos and sprinkled with caramel-coated popcorn and peanuts. Now, if this doesn’t sound appetizing or you have a weak stomach, just play it safe and take a bite out of a Pittsburgh original, Primanti Brothers sandwich.
*Shameless Plug* We at Blue Wolf Tavern serve up a giant, plus a pretty tasty Panini that gives Primanti a run for their money.
Slider Dog with Froot Loops
Progressive Field – Cleveland, Ohio
Milk isn’t necessary to enjoy this hot dog. The Slider Dog served up by Happy Dog at Progressive Field is an all-beef hot dog topped with bacon, macaroni and cheese and here’s the kicker, Froot Loops. Yes, Froot Loops the cereal. Hmm, at least you know your dog won’t be soggy.
Taco Dog
Marlins Park – Miami, Florida
Planning a trip to Florida? You must add the Taco Dog to your vacation bucket list. So, the ingredients don’t sound all that crazy. It’s a footlong covered in chili con carne, cheese, jalapeno lime aioli, cabbage, salsa and cheese. But here’s when things get weird. The Taco Dog comes in a wrapped tortilla rather than on a hot dog bun. You better grab a napkin; perhaps a whole handful as this could get messy.
Dilly Dog
Globe Life Park – Arlington, Texas
And before you ask, yes, this ballpark dog pays homage to those ‘Dilly Dilly’ beer commercials you see on TV. The Dilly Dog is exactly what it sounds like. It’s a dill pickle that’s cored out and stuffed with an Angus beef jumbo dog, then battered and fried to a golden brown. Dilly! Dilly!
Sweet Potato Waffle Chicken Sandwich
Minute Maid Park – Houston, Texas
And our award for the craziest and tastiest ballpark snack goes to the World Series champions, Houston Astros and their Sweet Potato Waffle Chicken Sandwich. For $10, you get a grilled chicken breast packed between two homemade waffles with sweet potato puree mixed in the batter. Oh, we’re not finished. It’s topped with Greek yogurt, baby spinach and sliced tomatoes. Talk about a walk-off home run.