Indians announce first three restaurants for Right Field District
CLEVELAND -- The Indians on Wednesday announced the first three restaurants that will be a part of the Right Field District at Progressive Field.
Melt, which has four locations in Greater Cleveland, is known for dressed up comfort food. Their planned offerings at the ballpark will include the Kindergarten (grilled cheese), Chorizo & Potato (spicy sausage and potato hash), Parmageddon (pierogi, onion and sauerkraut), BBQ Pork (with onion rings) and Mushroom Melt (garlic mushrooms, onions and arugula).
Barrio, which is in the Tremont neighborhood along with Lakewood, is known for its tacos and margaritas. While the restaurants have a build-your-own taco option, that might not be the case at the ballpark as some of their more popular selections will be available.
Sweet Moses Soda Fountain & Treat Shop started four years ago in the Gordon Square neighborhood and is known for its old-fashioned ice cream along with using Belgian chocolate, farm-fresh dairy products, pure Madagascar vanilla and fresh-roasted nuts.
Indians Vice President of Concessions Kurt Schloss said that the process of identifying restaurants to pursue for the new right-field area has been going on for two years. The Indians are expected to announce two more restaurants before the home opener against the Tigers on April 11.
"A guy like Matt Fish at Melt is a lifelong Tribe fan and couldn't get here fast enough," Schloss said. "All of these restaurants have a great market and brand and we share the same customers. The best way to get to a fan is through their stomach."
Restaurants expanding into ballparks, stadiums and arenas have taken off the past five years as fans want their own regional offerings. Schloss said the biggest key is collaborating with those restaurants to make sure both sides are benefitting.
"The conversations we have are what is important to them and how do we maintain the quality they have at their facilities. They are going to be actively engaged," he said.
Despite the snow and low temperatures in January, Indians Senior Director of Communications Curtis Danburg said that the renovations remain on schedule and should be ready by the home opener.
