These Wacky Ballpark Eats are Debuting Just in Time for Opening Day

By John Scarpinato
April 02, 2016
Credit: Aramark
The start of the official baseball season is right around the corner, and ballparks throughout the country are gearing up with some crazy new menu items. No one will argue that ballpark food is known for its artery-clogging deliciousness, but this year the MLB concessionaires are taking it even further. Aramark, the food provider for multiple teams, including the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals, and New York Mets, teamed up with three-time James Beard Award-winning chef and TV personality Andrew Zimmern to develop some crazy eats. The chef knows a thing or two about wacky food, as he is the host of the Travel Channel’s Bizarre Foods.

Zimmern drew inspiration from his experiences to conceptualize things like the Korean Fried Pork Belly Sandwich—battered and fried pork belly with grilled pineapple, gochujang sauce and chili lime salt, served on a toasted bun—as well as the Lamb Koefte Burrito stuffed with lamb koefte, fried eggplant slices, tomato cucumber salad, green hot sauce, and tahini.

Those aren’t even close to the most outrageous menu items that can be found this season around the country. In Atlanta, you’ll find the Burgerizza. That’s right, it’s a burger and pizza. Pittsburgh is serving a Cracker Jack & Mac hot dog, which is topped with mac and cheese and fried jalapenos. Seriously, we couldn’t make these up. Instead, we rounded up our favorites. 
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The Cheeseburger Dog - Arizona Diamondbacks

Credit: Sarah Sachs/Arizona Diamondbacks

The only similarity the Cheeseburger Dog has to a hot dog is its shape. It’s made of char-grilled hamburger meat and topped with bacon, lettuce, tomato, and a house-made secret sauce.

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The Burgerizza - Atlanta Braves

Credit: Aramark

It’s exactly what you think. Take your typical burger and swap out the bun for a peperoni pizza.

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Savenor’s Steak Tip Sandwich - Boston Red Sox

Credit: Aramark

This steak sandwich will leave your mouth watering with marinated steak tips, cheese, and BBQ sauce on a crusty roll.

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The Flying Pig - Cincinnati Reds

Credit: Aramark

Dip this deep fried pork shank in peanut curry ranch and enjoy the sweet chili apple slaw served alongside it.

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Headwiches - Cleveland Indians

Credit: Aramark

The Indians have brought in Fat Head’s Brewery this season with their famous headwiches—supposedly as large as a human head.

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The Beach Comber - Colorado Rockies

Credit: Courtesy of Aramark

The Rockies go tropical with their Beach Comber, a hot dog topped with pineapple, BBQ sauce, and jalapenos.

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Irish Nachos - Houston Astros

Credit: Aramark

You can't go wrong with nachos, and these are sure to satisfy. Indulge in the kettle chips covered with jalapeño queso, roasted tomatoes, and assorted nacho toppings.

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The Champion Alley Burger - Kansas City Royals

Credit: Aramark

The name doesn't lie. This cheese-stuffed, tempura-battered, cheddar bacon burger was made for a champion. It's crowned with sweet slaw, chipotle ketchup, and a fried pickle on a local roll.

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The Shock Top Bratwurst - Los Angeles Dodgers

Credit: Aramark

There’s nothing like an alcohol-soaked bratwurst. This one, infused with Shock Top beer, is served on a buttered and grilled lobster roll and topped with caramelized onions and spicy brown mustard.

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Jalapeño Popper Dog - Milwaukee Brewers

Credit: Courtesy of Aramark

The Brewers are keeping their hot dogs local and using Klement’s, which is based in Milwaukee. But, this dog has a bit of flare. It’s topped with cheese sauce and fried jalapeno, and placed in a sausage roll.

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The 108 Burger - New York Mets

Credit: Aramark

The Mets New Yorkify this burger by topping a six-ounce LaFrieda patty with hand sliced hot pastrami, New York deli mustard, and Havarti cheese on a fresh baked pretzel roll.

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Duck Fat Fries - Philadelphia Phillies

Credit: foodnetwork

Normal French fries weren’t cutting it. Now, the Phillies offer them doused in duck fat.

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Cracker Jack & Mac Dog - Pittsburgh Pirates

Credit: Aramark

The Pirates definitely win the prize for wackiest new hot dog this season. The Cracker Jack & Mac Dog is a foot-long, all-beef hot dog topped with Cracker Jack, macaroni and cheese, salted caramel sauce, and fried jalapenos on naan bread.

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Dingers Doughnuts - St. Louis Cardinals

Credit: Aramark

Anyone looking for something sweet will love the Cardinal’s new doughnut-filled helmets. The fresh fried mini doughnuts are served warm, and topped with chocolate icing and sprinkles.

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Chicken & Doughnut Skewer - Texas Rangers

Credit: J. Simon

The Rangers have developed their own version of chicken and waffles with this 12-inch skewer of fresh doughnut holes and fried chicken drizzled with sweet and spicy buffalo honey sauce.

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Chicken & Waffle on a Stick - Toronto Blue Jays

Credit: Aramark

The Blue Jays continue the chicken and waffle on a stick trend, serving theirs topped with a maple Sriracha drizzle and a broccoli and cabbage slaw.

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By John Scarpinato