MLB Gets Vegan Stadium Options & Brings Classics On Tour
These concession stands are about to get foodie makeovers.
Image: Sarah Sachs/Arizona Diamondbacks/Getty Images
Peanuts, Cracker Jacks and ballpark dogs. They’re some of the most American foods imaginable, made to go hand in hand with one of the most American games ever. But what if you’re vegetarian, allergic to peanuts, or just looking for something a bit more gourmet than helmet nachos?
Aramark, food and beverage partner to eight of the 30 Major League Baseball teams, announced on Wednesday that it would be revamping its existing menus by adding elevated dishes to please fans with exquisite taste. In addition to offering the classics, teams (New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Colorado Rockies, Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, Houston Astros, Pittsburgh Pirates and Toronto Blue Jays) with Aramark-run stadiums will be serving vegetarian and vegan options, as well as taco “trios” and more involved desserts. Hawker vendors who travel from seat to seat will also be equipped with wireless payment capabilities.
Beginning with tacos, because everybody likes tacos, each stadium will get a different option, which will come with three. The options range from BBQ Brisket Tacos at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, to South Bay Lobster Tacos at Citi Field in New York City, to Pineapple Pulled Pork Tacos at Minute Maid Park in Houston.
Vegans will be able to chow down on a Cauliflower Cheesesteak (made with poblano peppers and a vegan cheese sauce) at Citizens Bank Park in Philly, while vegetarians can revel in the “Un-Tuna Salad” at PNC Park in Pittsburgh.
To snack on, consider the Fenway Taters (tots covered in bacon bits, sour cream and chives) in Boston or the Distillery Poutine from Rogers Centre in Ontario—potatoes topped with pulled pork, cheese curds and whiskey-raisin gravy. And if you want an elevated classic, there’s the Triple Play Dog at Coors Field in Denver—a hot dog topped with Carolina-style mustard pulled pork, bacon bits and a purple slaw.
For dessert, did we hear Crème Brulee French Toast at Fenway? Awh heck yes.
Meanwhile, fans of America’s national pastime will be able to get an advance taste of their fave stadium dishes at the MLB FoodFest in New York City, located at an event space on 5th Avenue in Manhattan. For two days (April 21st and 22nd), visitors will get to taste the signature dishes from each of the leagues 30 stadiums—without the hassle of traveling all the way there.
Whether it’s Boston’s Fenway Park Lobster Roll, Phoenix’s Diamondback Churro Dog (pictured above) or the Texas Rangers’ Chicken and Doughnut Skewers, fans are guaranteed to find something wild to get them ready for a wild season of flying balls.
Correction: This article originally misstated included mention of the Baltimore Orioles and the San Diego Padres. While Aramark provides cleaning services for these teams' stadiums, they do not provide food and beverage services.
Still hungry? Follow Genius Kitchen on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for even more fresh food news, served daily. Use #GeniusKitchen to let us know what you're sharing!
Got a smokin' hot tip? Contact the GK News Desk at gkeditteam@gmail.com with story ideas.