More than 22 million potential readers were recently delivered a taste of what Delaware North Sportservice brings to its Major League Baseball operations, thanks to a pair of stories in weekly newspaper-insert Parade magazine.
Zachary Kaplan, a reporter with Parade, was given a tour of Progressive Field in Cleveland and met with Executive Chef Todd Brazile. In the story that followed, “Progressive Field: The Model for Modern Ballparks,” it was clear that he was impressed with what he saw — and tasted.
“If the concession items at Progressive Field don’t show how much Cleveland likes to lay it on thick, then I don’t know what will,” Kaplan said of the specialty foods offered at the home of the Cleveland Indians.
Specifically, Kaplan called attention to the Delaware North’s local restaurant partners at the ballpark.
One such restaurant he pointed out was Happy Dog, a well-known local bar famous for its slider dog, a traditional hot dog topped with Froot Loops.
Other food items Kaplan drew attention to were the “Kilbane Hot Dog,” “Thomenator” and “Kindergarten,” all of which he gave rave reviews. During his interview with Brazile, Kaplan also tried the chef’s special “Heater,” which combines two Cleveland specialties — pulled pork and pork belly — and then mixes it with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos.
After finishing his tour of Progressive Field, Kaplan wrote a piece titled “The 10 Most Delicious Foods You’ll Find in America’s Baseball Stadiums,” and Delaware North locations took three spots as well as an honorable mention.
Taking the top spot was the “Pig Pickin’,” a specialty at SunTrust Park, home of the Atlanta Braves. The “Dinger Donuts” at the St. Louis Cardinals’ Busch Stadium and “Dilly Dog” at the Texas Rangers’ Globe Life Park in Arlington took fifth and eighth, respectively. Meanwhile, Globe Life Park in Arlington’s “Boomstick” received an honorable mention.
PHOTO CAPTION: Todd Brazile, executive chef for Delaware North Sportservice at Progressive Field, shares his custom “Heater” sandwich with a guest of Parade magazine reporter Zachary Kaplan.