The Best of the West: The Coast’s Ballparks and Their Menus

Photo Credit: Jeff Game

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Jeff Game, Staff Writer
April 10, 2012
Filed under Area, Arts & Entertainment, Feature, Features, Off campus, Sport, Sports, Top Stories, Travel

Get your baseball grub on or take me out to the ballgame.

Spring is here and baseball is back. These days, going to a baseball game is not just about peanuts, crackerjacks and hot dogs; there is much more grub to be eaten at your local ballparks. There are still the staples of our American pastime, but today’s fans want more. And you can find plenty of choices at all your favorite team’s stadiums. Here is a peek at some fine fare at some of our west coast major league team ballparks.

Seattle’s best

The Seattle Mariners may not be winning the World Series anytime soon, but the emerald city boasts some of the best ballpark cuisine at Safeco Field.

At the Flying Tortilla Cantina, you can get the party started with a mammoth beef or chicken torte. On those cold Seattle summer nights, warm yourself with a sourdough bowl of seafood chowder at Ivar’s Seafood. Gold Glove Gyro offers a  great version of the hand-sliced Greek sandwich. If you are feeling very international, try one of the many choices of crepes at Le Creperie.

Angels in the kitchen

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim not only have one of the best players in baseball in Albert Pujols,  but Angel Stadium is also home to some great local and international food.

Located right behind home plate and named as one of the finest dining experiences in all of baseball, the Angels Diamond Club serves up a daily buffet of hand-carved meats, fine salads and fresh seafood. For an international feel, try an Angels California roll at Toro Sushi. Go yard with a visit to Camarena Tequila and have yourself a margarita yard. California Pizza Kitchen and Ruby’s have stands at the ballpark, or you can also dig your teeth into a BBQ turkey leg at Clyde Wright’s BBQ. At the Guinness stand, you can rally around some great beers, including Harp’s, Blue Moon, Stella and of course, Guinness.

Diamond Club, Angel's Stadium

A Friars paradise

Petco Park may not be the best name for food fare, but the San Diego Padres score some big runs on taste.

Former Padre pitcher Randy Jones gets things going every game at his BBQ stands, and serves up a mean pulled pork sandwich. Within miles of Sea World, of course there has to be fresh seafood. At Anthony’s Fish Grotto, get yourself some fish and chips, or try some calamari and fries. The Food Network even has a cart and serves up a great San Diego steak sandwich.

San Diego's Petco Park

Giant appetite

San Francisco is one of the finest cities in the world for food, so of course the Giants ballpark lives up to that reputation, with some great food at AT&T Park.

Located on the San Francisco bay and not far from Fisherman’s Wharf, the Giants offer fans a selection of food as diverse as the city by the bay. If you are looking for more than a hot dog, the Anchor Grill offers up an ahi tuna sandwich or a portabella mushroom sandwich. For more seafood, catch the crab cocktail at, well, Crazy Crab’z of course. The event at any Giants game these days has to be the garlic fries. You can smell them at stands all over the stadium. You can wash those fries down with a handcrafted beer from Bayside Brewery, featuring some of northern California’s local beer makers. Bring your jacket, because it gets cold on the bay and there is no collapsible roof like Safeco Field.

AT&T Park, San Francisco

Dodgertown dogs

Let’s hope Magic Johnson and his new team owners can breathe some life back into the Los Angeles Dodgers food hopes, as well as their team.

Dodger Dog

Dodger Stadium may not offer a fan a whole lot of food choices, but they still offer a classic. Just like having hall of famer Vin Scully announce their games for over fifty years, the Dodgers offer up a staple of baseball fans anywhere, the Dodger Dog. The best is the grilled Dodger Dog, with plenty of side choices like jalapeños, chili or even bacon.