Delaware North Companies Sportservice and Lettuce Entertain You bring innovative Chicago eatery to ballpark to broaden concessions menu for White Sox fans
CHICAGO (April 19, 2010) – Delaware North Companies Sportservice has partnered with Lettuce Entertain You to bring the Chicago-based restaurant group’s popular Wow Bao concept to Chicago White Sox fans at U.S. Cellular Field.
Sportservice, the concessions and retail provider for the White Sox at the ballpark, is operating a Wow Bao portable concessions cart in the main concourse in left field. Sportservice is selling three types of bao – steamed Asian buns filled with savory meats and vegetables – a popular portable snack in Asia eaten like a sandwich. Some have called it a modernized version of the ancient Chinese dim sum.
For $5, fans at U.S. Celluar Field can purchase a combo two-pack with one teriyaki chicken bao and one barbeque pork bao, or a vegetarian two-pack with two whole wheat edamame bao. Because they are steamed, each bao is less than 200 calories.
“Bao are a fantastic ballpark food option because they are easy to carry around and eat at your seat, they’re healthy and they taste great,” said Richard Dobransky, Sportservice’s vice president of food and beverage.
Lettuce Entertain You operates three Wow Bao restaurants in Chicago, including in the main entrance to Water Tower Place. The restaurants feature a variety of bao, potstickers, rice bowls and even breakfast bao.
"At Lettuce Entertain You we are dedicated sports fans, so we are very excited to be able to have Wow Bao at U.S. Cellular field,” said Kevin Brown, president and CEO of Lettuce Entertain You, which owns the Wow Bao concept. “Their great price and variety of flavors make them a fun, portable snack to enjoy during a Chicago White Sox Game! With baos at the ballpark, we are adding a delicious new dining tradition at the game.”
Sportservice, which also operates concessions and premium dining at Soldier Field, has consulted with Lettuce Entertain You on various food and menu initiatives for a number of years.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with Lettuce Entertain You on their Wow Bao concept in Chicago and look forward to bringing it to other sports venues across the country,” Dobransky said.
Dobransky said the Wow Bao concept is just one of the many innovative and healthy concepts that Sportservice has brought to its locations in recent years. The company has opened grab-and-go concessions at Progressive Field in Cleveland and several other ballparks offering salads and other healthy options and last season opened a fresh fruit stand at Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park.