From ballpark staples such as traditional hot dogs to chef-driven creations, partnerships with local vendors, innovative technology solutions and the latest in fashion and merchandise – Delaware North teams at 10 Major League Baseball venues will deliver an unforgettable 2023 season.
“There is nothing quite like Major League Baseball’s Opening Day – and I know our teams at each of the 10 locations we serve are ready to ensure it’s special for the fans,” said Jamie Obletz, president of Delaware North Sportservice. “The second one season ends, we roll up our sleeves and work closely with our partners at each ballpark to continue enhancing the guest experience for the following year.”
Take a trip around the bases below to get a glimpse of what’s new from the longest running name in ballpark hospitality.
American Family Field – Milwaukee Brewers
To offer more value to fans, the Milwaukee Brewers and foodservice partner Delaware North introduced the 414 Menu, which includes popular items for just $4 at 12 different concession stands.
Additionally, new specialty concessions include a Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich, Elote Tater Tots and an Elote Hot Link. Delaware North and the Brewers are continuing their partnership with local chef Joe Muench of Black Shoe Hospitality by offering two new items inspired by Buttermint Finer Dining and Cocktails. Karen Bell of Milwaukee-based Bavette La Boucherie also has collaborated with the onsite culinary team to create three new sandwich options available at The Carvery.
Finally, guests can look forward to a year-round dining experience at J. Leinenkugel’s Barrel Yard – the space formerly occupied by Restaurant To Be Named Later that now includes an onsite brewery, elevated comfort fare, a playful cocktail menu and great left-field views.
Busch Stadium – St. Louis Cardinals
A new variety of brand partners have been welcomed for the 2023 season, including Mission Taco Joint, Big Chicken and Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers. Mission Taco Joint, a local staple, will offer its most popular item – the Mango Shrimp Taco – along with other varieties such as the Hot-Corner Chicken Taco and Classic Ground Beef Taco.
Big Chicken, which is co-owned by NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal, will offer a fried Nashville hot chicken breast served between two halves of a maple-bacon doughnut. Meanwhile, Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers will serve double steakburgers with bacon, french fries and fried cheese curds.
Comerica Park – Detroit Tigers
For the third consecutive year, offseason capital improvement projects were focused on creating walk-in, market-style experiences – with one of this year’s investments taking place at Section 147 to feature trendy local concept Green Dot Stables, which will offer a rotating menu. Another popular Detroit-based concept, Taqueria El Ray, has been added at nearby Section 149, and the main concourse also now features five additional Michigan Craft Beer outlets to offer many of the region’s top craft brews.
Other food vendors with new offerings include National Coney Island, which offers a Grilled Chicken Hani and Coney Dog, and Little Caesars Pizza, which has super slices available in pepperoni or cheese. Local favorite Bert’s Marketplace (Section 133) serves a spicy barbecue nachos and half-slab of Bert's famous ribs, while the Rotating Pop-Up Series at Section 116 includes local favorites Lobster Food Truck, Breadless and Yum Village. Also new is a $3 value meal that consists of a hot dog, chips and beverage (bottled water or 16-ounce fountain soda) that is available during Tuesday games.
Great American Ball Park – Cincinnati Reds
Chick-fil-A makes its debut at the ballpark this year, with a selection of menu items such as the Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich and Waffle Potato Chips available at a kiosk near Gapper’s Alley behind Section 118 from Opening Day. Additional items such as Chick-fil-A Nuggets and the Spicy Chicken Sandwich will be added in May when the full Chick-fil-A concession stand opens near Gapper’s Alley.
Other new food items include ballpark favorites with a Cincinnati twist, including the Cheeseburger Frybox, Redlegs Soft Serve, The Big Cheese, The Split Finger, GABP Burger, The Curve Ball, Skyline Chili Nachos, Goetta Pretzel Bites and Smoked Porkloin Sandwich. Food sponsors include 50 West, Wings & Rings, and E&O Kitchen, while beverage and bar sponsors include BLOX, 50 West and Bar Beverages.
Globe Life Field – Texas Rangers
The expansion of mobile ordering to all seats is now available through the MLB Ballpark app. Fans can order hot food, snacks and beverages, and have them delivered directly to their seats without missing the on-field action.
Additionally, there are new hospitality partners, returning favorites and retail highlights, including the ballpark’s first convenience-oriented outlets with Amazon's Just Walk Out technology and Amazon One – which will offer an assortment of hot, prepared food items to go along with packaged drinks and snacks.
New food items throughout general concessions areas include the Boomstick Burger, the Brisket Croissant, Corn Ribs, Flamin’ Hot® Cheetos Pretzel, Pizza Dawwg and the PLT Sandwich.
Guaranteed Rate Field – Chicago White Sox
A wide variety of new menu items have been introduced on the 100- and 500-level concourses. This includes more than 75 craft beers from 50 breweries at the new Leinenkugel’s Craft Lodge, featuring six new breweries making their debut at the ballpark.
Some of the new menu items include a Belgian Banger, The Champagne of Dogs, Classic Cheesesteak, Elote Corndog, Gonzo Garbanzo Sandwich, Benintendi’s Helmet and Fries, Hot Honey Chicken Loaded Fries, Impossible Burger, Poppy Bagel Wrapped Polish with Chi-Town Pico and Sliq Frozen Alcoholic Pops. These items can be found at various locations throughout the ballpark, including the Blue Moon Balcony, Miller High Life Sky Lounge and Portable Sections 125 and 534.
Petco Park – San Diego Padres
New offerings and features at Petco Park include a wide variety of specialty food items and the transformation of hospitality spaces. New food items being introduced at the ballpark include the Elote Classico and Elote Especial (both made with grilled corn), a Big Wave Short Rib Rice Bowl, FTD Burger, Hot Hen Fries and Baja Fish Tacos.
In addition, there are also new hospitality partners and transformed spaces at the park, such as Alpine Brewing Company and Green Flash Brewing taking over the former Wonderland Club at Section 311, Blue Water Grill moving inside Club .394, and The Kona Big Wave Patio taking over the former Budweiser Patio at Section 227.
Progressive Field – Cleveland Guardians
New to the Progressive Field food and beverage landscape are a wide variety of locally focused menu items and fan-facing technology innovations. Fans can enjoy new items from popular local vendors such as Fatheads and Melt Bar and Grill, and the ballpark will debut Zippin's checkout-free technology at Section 167 and Mashgin's self-checkout technology at Section 150 – along with multiple kiosks with self-service for faster and more efficient transactions.
New food items include Pepper Jack Bites, Pimento Cheese & Bacon Burger, Hot Honey Chicken Tenders, Crab Rangoon Nachos, Mac and Cheese Brisket, The Wild Thing (vegan chili dog) and Noodle Bowl.
Target Field – Minnesota Twins
Several new specialty food items have been added at Target Field, including many with a local connection to the Twin Cities. Local favorites that are new this season include Official Fried Chicken, Union Hmong Kitchen, Jonny Pops, Waffles & More and Soul Bowl. Additionally, Loaded Potatoes, Cochinita Sliders, Banh Mi Sandwich and Mrs. Parker Donut Peach Cobbler are among the new items available from their restaurants and bars.
O’Shaughnessy Distilling Co. cocktails and Lovejoy Bloody Mary are available at Gate 34 Pub. Creator’s Corner now features locally sourced and created products from women-owned and minority-owned businesses.
Truist Park – Atlanta Braves
New to the state-of-the-art Truist Park is autonomous commerce at the Walk Off Market near Section 130, which is equipped with Amazon's Just Walk Out technology and Amazon One. The market offers an assortment of packaged drinks, snacks and sundries.
Additionally, two concession areas on the 300 level have been converted into self-checkout Braves Markets, offering grab-and-go packaged beverages and creative twists on ballpark favorites. The ballpark now has a total of five locations with self-service technology and several other traditional market locations.
New food items include the Cleanup Burger at the 1871 Grille (Section 113), Coop's Tenders and Wings at Coop's Championship Chicken (Sections 138, 310 and 320) and the Georgia BLT at the 1871 Grill (Section 141). The Terrapin Tap Room now features a full bar with a selection of its craft beer on the concourse near the Coors Light Chop House Gate.