MLB's new concession offerings: From the delicious to the disgusting
If baseball fans are bored by the traditional ballpark fare of peanuts and hot dogs, there are plenty of unorthodox food options set to hit concessions stands around the league during the 2016 season.
Earlier this week, the Braves announced they will boldly go where no baseball team has gone before by offering fans a "burgerizza." The entree consists of a 20-ounce bacon cheeseburger sandwiched between two 8" pepperoni pizzas in place of the buns for the burger, and nothing says America like that menu item.
But the Braves are not the only team raising their park's culinary bar. A series of teams announced new menu items for the 2016 season Thursday, and some of the options are interesting to say the least.
First up is the Cheeseburger Dog (because some people might not want the "Burgerizza"). The Arizona Diamondbacks will sell this enticing option, which, according to a report from ESPN, consists of a hot dog made out of hamburger meat, smoked bacon, green onion and cheddar cheese. The dog is then breaded and deep-fried (naturally) before it is served on a traditional hot dog bun with more bacon and some secret sauce. This entree is sure to be a great business builder for cardiologists in the area.
In Texas, the Rangers will debut a twist on the chicken and waffles idea by introducing a Chicken & Donut Skewer. The snack (or dinner for some) comes on a 12-inch skewer with donut holes and fried chicken drizzled with spicy buffalo honey sauce. That sounds tasty, but it does not sound quite as fresh as the Chipotle Pescado entree that the Astros will debut. This fish dish consists of coffee-rubbed salmon (coffee-rubbed? Yes please!) served on a tortilla with mango-jalapeno ranch sauce as well as a chipotle aioli. There are restaurants that don't get that fancy.
Chicken & Waffles On A Stick
The Toronto Blue Jays are also getting in on the chicken-and-breakfast skewer theme with their new concession item, Chicken & Waffles On A Stick. Best of all, it comes with a maple sriracha drizzle. But the Jays are also staying true to their roots with a unique twist on a Canadian favorite: poutine. Instead of the traditional French fries and cheese curds, the Jays are going with a Buffalo Cauliflower Poutine, which will be made out of breaded cauliflower covered in buffalo sauce with a hefty helping of cheese curds, gravy and scallions. There is a vegetable in there, so maybe it technically counts as a healthy option.
For those hoping to up the cholesterol intake, head to Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies, where fans can buy a delicious helping of Duck Fat Fries. The Phillies will also sell a Sonoran Dog, which is a normal hot dog wrapped in hickory bacon with a tomatillo salsa verde, Tabasco mayo and -- of course -- some chopped tomato and onions.
The full press release for new food items sold at Aramark parks is available here, but this small sampling of the new foods headed to plates across the majors shows this year might be one of the most delicious (or disgusting) seasons of ballpark food yet.
