The Southern Male Democrat

I have to be honest. When it comes to baseball, there are many more knowledegable and rabid fans than I. Beyond the basic rules, there are many nuances of the game that after all these years, I have yet to pick up. However, what I have picked up is a passion for GOING to the baseball game and getting my eat and drink on!

Think about it - is there anything better than sitting in a ballpark on a nice summer day, beer in one hand and junk food in the other? This past weekend took me to Chicago for work and gee - as luck would have it, the Cubbies were at home on Saturday afternoon and I had nowhere to be until that evening. I hopped the Red Line to Wrigleyville and after giving the scalper a few of my hard-earned dollars, I was sitting right on the third base line.

I have been to many pro baseball stadiums, but would put Wrigley in my top two or three for the best food. You can smell it a block away - the italian beef mixes in with scent of the Chicago Dogs on the grill. Throw in the Old Style beer flowing from the gazillion taps around Wrigley and you’ve got a feast for the senses.

I got into my seat, checked out the scene for the first couple of innings (and got to see a double stolen base as the Cubs totally got one over on the Pirates pitcher with runners on first and second) and then excused myself past the people on my row as it was time to EAT!

Of course, I had to get the italian beef. I got hooked on these years ago when I first started traveling to Chicago. It’s top round beef that is cooked with italian spices and dressing and then shaved very thin. All of that is piled on to a hoagie roll with peppers and onions - THEN - the whole thing is dipped back into the italian au jus for a very wet, messy, yet wonderful sandwich. Sitting there with my food and beer was almost, but not quite, as close to heaven as Ayden, NC. Here’s a picture of an italian beef sandwich -

It got me to thinking about what other ballpark foods I really enjoy. These are in no particular order -

Oriole Park at Camden Yards - If you want a wide variety of stellar ballpark food, you can’t beat this place. They serve a massive hot dog that is so big it comes on a sub roll. And then there’s the crab cakes. You have to get the crab cakes.

Bank of America Stadium - Yeah, I know, the Panthers lair doesn’t have as storied a legacy as other venues. However, what they do have is BOJANGLES - in the stadium. Really, does it get any better? The day that NC State makes the same deal and allows Bojangles into our venues is the day I jump for joy.

Lane Stadium - The highlight of game day in Blacksburg is the smoked turkey legs. There is something so primitive about carrying around a big piece of meat, while watching modern day gladiators tear each other’s heads off.

Quick Sidebar Story - The last time that the ACC Tournament was in Washington, Mrs. SMD and I ran into Virginia Tech head football coach Frank Beamer on the metro train. We start making small talk and telling him what a great time we had in Blacksburg. Mrs. SMD says - “Coach - your fans were great to us and we really enjoyed ourselves, but I’ve got one nagging question. They serve these big smoked turkey legs at the game - doesn’t it bother anyone to be eating the team’s mascot?

Coach Beamer gets this really puzzled look on his face when Mrs. Beamer steps in - “Frank, you’re always on the sidelines, so I’ll bet you had no idea they serve turkey legs on the concourse.” Coach gets a concerned look on his face and says - “That IS troubling. We’ll have to look into that.”

The last we heard, they were still serving the turkey legs in Blacksburg, but for the longest time we were scared that the question had killed some poor turkey farmer’s extra income.

RBC Center - Whether you’re there for Wolfpack basketball or Canes’ hockey, there are three or four stands along the lower concourse that serve the best barbecue. They have the pork shoulder sitting right there and pull it in front of you. I was surprised at how good it is.

Kenan Stadium and the Dean Dome - The Brie De Maux is really flavorful. It goes well with the duck confit and a bottle of 2005 Ramonet Montrachet.

I could blog about ballgame food all day. Do any of our readers have ballgame food favorites or suggestions?