“A hot dog at the stadium is better than a steak at the Ritz.”
-Humphrey Bogart
This old quote has been repeated so many times over the years that it has become as ubiquitous as Wee Willie Keeler’s “Hit ’em where they ain’t” and “It ain’t over ’til it be finished.”
But Bogart’s remark expresses the undeniable truth that concessions in baseball stadiums are essential to the enjoyment of a game.
We learned this ten years ago, when USA TODAY Sports Weekly released a 30-week series featuring a Major League ballpark by issue. As each stadium’s history, architecture and matchday experience were examined, readers made it clear that they wanted to know much more about one aspect of each park: the food.
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So we changed the format of the articles to devote much more space to this topic, resulting in a special pull-out section in the publication devoted solely to concessions.
The readers were happy.
It is now time to take stock of this essential subject. And make no mistake, front offices are well aware of the need to provide top-notch catering to fans.
Here are our eight best MLB stadiums in concessions for 2024:
1. Oracle Park, San Francisco
The park, where you smell the garlic fries long before you see them, has been considered the pinnacle of fine dining since it opened in 2000, even if some of it is a little unconventional. You’re probably not shocked to learn that there are offerings called “roasted pea protein hot dog with roasted red pepper chutney and arugula” or “impossible cheese steak,” but head over to the center of the field for two remarkable products.
One is Orlando’s Caribbean Grill, with its new jerk chicken chimichanga, and the other is Crazy Crab’z. A case can be made that the Dungeness crab sandwich is the best food of all stages here. It’s no wonder that about 2,500 of them are served at every home game.
2. T-Mobile Park, Seattle
Like San Francisco, it’s worth the trip just for the food. The Mariners have always been adventurous when it comes to concessions (remember when they introduced grasshoppers?), and the trend continues with crab pizza, açaí bowls, dumplings, tofu tots, katsu and Seattle’s version of the Dungeness crab sandwich.
3. Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
For decades, the Dodgers were convinced that fans only wanted to eat Dodger Dogs. Following a massive renovation of the stadium’s infrastructure a decade ago, food preparation areas were added directly behind each concession stand. Suddenly fans had options like Korean, Japanese, Mexican, Italian and more.
Your grandfather who grew up attending games at Chavez Ravine would be shocked to learn that sushi, chicken katsu and carne asada are on the menu. And don’t look now, but these variations of Dodger Dogs are on offer this season: Extreme Bacon Wrapped; Gluten free; Fried; Grid; and even plant-based.
4. Citi Field, New York
Because the two stadiums are incredibly different, it is difficult to conceive that Citi Field and Yankee Stadium were designed, built and opened at the same time. When it comes to fun concessions, the Mets’ home beats its Bronx counterpart hands down, with the incredibly popular Shake Shack in the center field plaza and a rotating lineup of local restaurants (jerk chicken from RyRy, chicken skewers from Porice, and Benny’s Cubanos) in the Taste of Queens carts in right field. And the first reviews of new korean fried chicken are extremely positive.
5. readyDepot Park, Miami
Many fans outside of South Florida dislike the color scheme and avant-garde design of the Marlins’ home, but we should all be able to agree that the concessions here are great. Look for Intentional Wok and Sliderz in the mini food court near the left field foul pole. If you are looking for a good deal, there is Stand “3o5”s (meaning “$3 or $5”) on all three seating levels. Here, hot dogs and sodas cost $3 while beer costs $5.
6. Petco Park, San Diego
A number of major league parks have begun using MLB’s online ordering feature. Basic stage application. Petco Park is one of them, so fans can now order from their seats. New food offerings for 2024 include Italian, Mediterranean and gelato. Don’t worry, the famous fish tacos are still on the menu!
7. Coors Field, Denver
Sometimes a certain element of concession becomes synonymous with an approximation. A classic pairing is Coors Field with Rocky Mountain oysters (for the uninitiated, those are fried bull testicles). There’s always a stand near the left field foul pole that sells this acquired taste item, but nearby is one of the best burger stands in baseball, the Helton Burger Shack. Don’t miss Biker Jim’s gourmet hot dog stands at field level and on the upper deck, as well as The Rooftop in right field, where millennials gather to eat and drink (and don’t pay much attention at baseball).
8. Rogers Centre, Toronto
It’s hard to imagine that when the Blue Jays debuted the modern marvel known as SkyDome in 1989, there was considerable buzz that there was a fully operational McDonald’s inside (shown as the largest in North America!). Today, the Golden Arches are long gone, but in their place are some exceptional food offerings, especially in the rebuilt “neighborhoods.” There you’ll find local favorites like poutine and a new hot maple bacon hot dog, and beneath the field level seating there will soon be fine dining for season ticket holders.
About Joe Mock: Joe has looked at all 30 Major League parks, 23 spring training parks and 119 Minor League affiliate parks, as well as numerous independent league and college facilities. He covers sports facilities for USA TODAY publications and has operatedBaseballParks.comsince 1997. There he has published nearly 100 in-depth reviews of professional parks opened over the past quarter century. His rough expertise has landed him appearances on the Travel Channel and History Channel. You canfollow his rough escapades on X @baseballparks.
