We usually aren’t ones to cheer “take me out to the ballgame,” but now that we’ve gotten a glimpse of the all-star lineup of food vendors coming to Citi Field (ya know, that place where everyone’s wearing Mets attire), we might have to put on our best pinstripes and pay this place a visit. Forget the peanuts and Cracker Jack, we’re talking a serious smorgasbord of gourmet grub from celebrity chefs, craft beers, bangin’ burgers and bar food, and a whole lot more. Here are a just a few we think are home runs.
Ballpark Faves
What’s a ballgame without a ballpark frank? But the Alpine Brat from Baked Cheese Haus elevates the classic hotdog higher than the bleachers with an all-beef footlong brat nestled in an artisan baguette and topped with melted raclette and a cornichon for good measure.
If wings are more your thing, you’re in for a treat, thanks to the arrival of Dan & John’s Wings, whose Classic Buffalo Wings have had stampedes of fans lining up at their East Village shop for the past three years. Now, the “NYC King of Wings” are bringing the spice to an all-new arena.
Pinch-hit tons of grab-and-go goodies too, like hand-breaded mozzarella sticks loaded with garlic, parsley and pecorino Romano from Big Mozz, or Arachini Bros’s mix-and-match fritti balls (in flavors like chicken parm bites, tomato soup grilled cheese and apple pie) that come in an adorable little egg carton you won’t wanna throw away.
If you’re with the kids and simpler pleasures are in order, you won’t go wrong at Box Frites, which offers up chicken poppers, Belgian-style frites, and good old-fashioned hot dogs at reasonable prices. They’ll love the wide selection of sauces on tap, too, including cheddar cheese, smoky bacon, chipotle barbecue, and garden basil pesto.
Burgers Galore
Good news, carnivores! Citi Field’s compiled quite the dream team when it comes to the all-American burger. First at bat is Shake Shack, which for some reason has made it acceptable to stand in line for one of its signature Shack burgers (actually, we know why: ‘cuz they’re that good!). Also on deck: Josh Capon’s Bash Burger, topped with caramelized onion, American cheese, shaved pickles, and—wait for it—bacon jam, and the dry aged beef Chop House burger from Pat LaFrieda’s Chop House, which comes fully loaded with double-cut hardwood smoked bacon and sharp New York cheddar.
Seafood Grand Slams
You don’t have to go to Red Sox country to get your mitts on authentic New England seafood specialties. Just head to Catch of the Day’s outpost, where the clam chowder always hits it out of the park and loads of lobster-themed deliciousness—including South Bay Lobster Tacos and their must-have Loaded Lobster Fries—awaits.
Looking for plated dishes—like a pan-seared cod, perhaps? Head to Porsche Grille, home to restaurateur (and James Beard winner) Drew Nieporent, whose other eatery endeavors include Nobu and Tribeca Grill (the latter of which you’ll also find here, in the DeltaSky360 Club Market).
Get Your Beer Here!
Remember those plastic cups of warm ballpark beer that had more foam than one of those big fan fingers? Yeah, not here. Instead, raise your glass to the 60 cold and frosty beers on tap at Mikkeller Brewing NYC’s 10,000-square-foot brewery, located just outside the stadium.
Dessert Dugout
Think the food options at Citi Field are pretty sweet? Wait until you sink your teeth into a warn mini donut from Chomp Donut Co. that you can customize with your choice of sprinkles. Or go for Hong Kong-style egg waffles filled with ice cream, cereal, sprinkles and other treats at sweet spot Wowfulls. And if you love an exclusive, you’ll definitely want to stop by DŌ to scoop up on of their Grand Slam Specials, which will rotate between three Citi-Field-only flavors: Cookies & Cream, Peanut Butter Brownie, and 7th Inning Stretch (sugar cookie dough with Cracker Jack and peanuts).
