Top Ten Food Items every Sports Venue should offer

10- Peanuts and Cracker Jacks
We all know how the seventh inning stretch goes... "Buy me some peanuts and cracker jacks." Well, if the stadium or arena fails to offer peanuts or cracker jacks, why put it in a song that rings through out the Majors.  These two snacks go hand and hand in the game of baseball and should be available at all sporting events across the globe.

9- Pizza
Every venue needs to offer this Italian favorite, and hopefully in various ways.  Whether it is a personal pizza or by the slice, various toppings need to be available as well! This one is always a kid pleaser!

8- Burgers
Nothing says being at the ball game then the taste of something coming off the grill.  A nice slab of meat topped with a piece of cheese, your choice of toppings, and placed on fluffy dough of carbs says "tailgate" to me personally. Except that the tailgate has continued inside the sports venue.

7- Ice Cream/ Water Ice
With 40,000 people and a red hot 98 degree day, nothing can cool you down better then some liquified desserts.  Adults and kids alike will never turn down a soft serve ice cream served in their team's helmet or a frozen water ice that drips down your chin just to take the heat away for a second or two.

6- Cotton Candy
Vendors make a killing off of this fluffy cloud of sugar.  Just the visualization of cotton candy makes kids go crazy and pull on my mommy and/ or daddy's pant leg begging for it. Plus the colors pop against the green of the field or the hardwood on the court.

5- Fries
We always want something we can pick at with our significant other or with the kids, and nothing exemplifies that more then french fries.  A tub of those can last a quarter or a couple of innings, but it is always a big hit for couples and families.

4- Chicken Tenders
This is also one of those items that can be shared, and with a combination of fries a family certainly is eating good that night.  If kids do not want pizza, chicken tenders may be the next best option.  You can not go wrong with a fried food item (just my honest opinion).  Honey Mustard or BBQ is a must as well.

3- Beer
This is for that 21 and over crowd.  A great game and a ice cold beer just have such a heart warming relationship.  Most stadiums offer a wide variety and are now incorporating craft beers for those hops enthusiests out there!

2- Nachos
Along with fries, this is one of those sharing plates.  Nachos are simple and as much a pastime as baseball is.  Served with either queso (cheese) or salsa makes this an item that will not last long but is certainly a sports fan's favorite!

1- Hot Dogs
And the winner for the number one food item that EVERY sports venue should offer is the hot dog.  I honestly can not go to the ballgame without eating a Hatfield Frank.  It is a quick sandwich that you can eat with one hand, put a number of condiments on top of, and walk and talk at the same time (not that I would recommend that).  If you happen to go to a game where hot dogs are not offered, I would immediately ask for my money back.  Even if you do not like hot dogs, the smell of the beef cooking on the grill is a scent that goes along with the game of baseball or wandering around the basketball arena.

What else do you feel EVERY sports venue should offer as a food option?

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Citizens Bank Park: The Schmitter

After a 4-3 west coast road trip, the Philadelphia Phillies found their way back home to Citizens Bank Park.  For a two game series, former Phillies' skipper Terry Francona brings in his Cleveland Indians to start the week.  To end this quick home stand, the Cincinnati Reds visit for a three game series starting on Friday.

With the Phillies' staying home this week I thought I would feature another one of the featured food items at the Bank.  The Schmitter is a local favorite that found it's way to the ballpark thanks to it's delicious taste and inspiration from a Phillies' legend!  It can also be found at Lincoln Financial Field, the home of the Philadelphia Eagles.

What is a "Schmitter":
A Schmitter, with an odd link to Phillies' Hall of Fame third baseman Michael Jack Schmidt in my mind, was originally created at a Philadelphia tavern/ restaurant in the Chestnut Hill area.  McNally's Tavern lists this description of the Philly inspired sandwich:

The Schmitter^®, our one-of-a-kind sandwich that folks crave near and far.  Touted by some over the years as a sure help for everything from hitting home runs to coaxing overdue newborns into the world.  Referred to in press and now blogs as, “the ultimate cheese steak” and "the planet's greatest sandwich", this bit of genius from Hugh’s flat-top griddle has been served at the tavern for over forty years and is now available in major sports venues including Citizens Bank Park and Lincoln Financial Field.

Just like their description says, the Schmitter is the ultimate steak sandwich with all the fixings.

How can you do it at home:
First thing you need to do is attempt to create the Schmitter Special Sauce.  We recommend whisking 1/4 cup of mayonaisse, 1 1/2 tbsp of sweet pickle relish, 1 tbsp of ketchup, and 1/2 tsp of Worcestershire sauce.

This sandwich is served on a delicious kaiser roll. Like I have said, make sure the roll is to the level of the sandwich itself! The roll gives any sandwich it's personality!

Put the bottom of the kaiser roll on your plate to start.  As the diagram below shows, first thing that goes on the sandwich is some cheese. 

Follow that up with some grilled steak (cooked thinly sliced roast beef works best) topped with some fried onions. 

After that, a few juicy, fresh red tomatoes brighten up the sandwich with another slice of cheese topping those.

My favorite part comes in the next layer of the sandwich.  Grilled pieces of salami come next (salami overcooks rather quickly, so watch it!) topped with some of that mouth watering special sauce and yet another piece of American cheese!

Close the sandwich with the top of the kaiser roll and you have made a Schmitter my friends!

Did You Know

Citizens Bank Park opened on April 3, 2004 and has been home to the 2008 World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies ever since!

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Chase Field: Arizona Burger

With my Philadelphia Phillies currently nearing the end of a west coast road trip, I wanted to post a delectable item that can be found at their current away destination.  With a game Saturday night and Sunday afternoon left to play in a four game series, the Arizona Diamondbacks host the Fightin' Phils at Chase Field.

One of the most mouth watering options that this stadium in the desert offers is stately titled "The Arizona Burger!" With this project of taking a "Trip Around the Venues," I look for the foods that tend to be region specific.  A juicy burger named after the state that it is being served in tends to be a winner for this sort of thing.

What is an "Arizona Burger":
The Arizona Burger sounds hot and tangy.  A pretty good combo for a state mostly concentrated by desert. 

Top a juicy burger with spicy pepperjack cheese, strips of crispy bacon, and smother with some mouth watering BBQ Sauce (Sweet Baby Ray's is my recommendation) and you have yourself an Arizona Burger.

A station entitled "Burger Burger" serves this at Chase Field.

How can you do it at home:
Fire up the grill! Or skillet if it is raining outside! Everyone seems to have their own method of making home made burger patties.  Some like onions and celery in there burgers, while others just prefer a little bit of seasoning (Emeril's Bam Burger or just some salt and pepper should do the trick!). However you prefer, mold your own burger patties and cook them to your desired flavor (just make sure they are fully cooked my friends!!)

I have said it before and I will surely say it again and again, a sandwich is only as good as the roll it is served on!!!! Make sure you get some quality hamburger or kaiser rolls to plate your burgers on.

Cook some bacon, I prefer on my skillet, to your desired flavor as well.  Crispy is the way to go with this burger, so make sure your bacon has some crunch!

Once your burger is at your desired completion, top it with a slice of pepperjack cheese and let the cheese melt onto the meat.  When the cheese and meat have made their relationship, place the burger in the bun.  Top with two pieces of crispy cooked bacon and splash some Sweet Baby Ray's BBQ Sauce on top. 

Enjoy your first to last bite of your successful Arizona Burger courtesty of Chase Field, the home of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Did You Know

Chase Field opened in 1998 originally titled Bank One Ballpark and has been the only home for the Arizona Diamondbacks who won their first and only World Series in 2001!

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Trip Around the Venues: Citizens Bank Park: Crab Fries

Another "hot spot" regarding Philly favorites at CBP is right at the end of Ashburn Alley.  Ashburn Alley (named after former Phillie and Baseball Hall of Famer Richie "Whitey" Ashburn) is a walk way behind left- center field which I refer to as "The District."

Ashburn Alley gives fans the opportunity to shop, play "Games of Baseball," wander the Phillies' Wall of Fame (members: Dallas Green, John Vukovich, Juan Samuel, Harry Kalas, Darren Daulton, John Kruk, and Mike Lieberthal), and choose from various delicious food options.

A local Philly eatery, "Chickie and Pete's" have found there way into not only CBP, but also Lincoln Financial Field (home of the Philadelphia Eagles), Philadelphia International Airport, and Parx Casino. 

At the end of Ashburn Alley gives baseball junkies the opportunity to eat an addicting favorite to snack on during the ball game thanks to Chickie's.

Crab fries, even though quite expensive, are a delicious bucket of fries topped with a magical Old Bay seasoning and served with a side of hot, melted American cheese.

Outside of CBP, "Chickie and Pete's" have numerous sit down restaurants through out the Philadelphia area including right down the street on Packer Ave. and at the original on Robbins Ave.  They serve wings, pizzas, sandwiches, great seafood, obviously alcohol, and offer a great sports fan ambiance!

If you have a great brother like me who bought the "Onside Cook" his own personal fryer, making delicious sliced potato sticks are pretty easy.  Even without the fryer, a little oil (canola is my personal favorite... no allergy issues for the most part) in a large pan should do the trick. 

Slice some potatoes down thinly and fry them at 350 degrees for 2-3 minutes. The seasoning on crab fries is certainly a secret... however, throw some old bay seasoning with some salt, pepper, and a pinch of parmesan cheese can give you some fantastic flavor!

The cheese sauce is even more of a challenge.  Have any good melted american cheese recipes??

Phillies' Retired Number Trivia:
Who adorned the Phillies' #14 jersey which has been retired in his honor?

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Trip Around the Venues: Citizens Bank Park: The Philly Icon

As we begin our tour around the home for the Philadelphia Phillies', there is one iconic food that comes to mind when you think of "Philly."

Through out Citizens Bank Park, and especially in the surrounding area, you find plenty of opportunities to order the hometown favorite "The Philly Cheesesteak."

Whether you are in town as a visiting team fan, a journeyman around the stadiums, or just on a business trip, my recommendation to YOU is to make sure you enjoy a delicious, greasy, cheesy Philly cheesesteak.

My other piece of advice, order your Philly cheesesteak properly.  Make sure you specify your cheese and whether you want fried onions or not... the time of a steak chef is precious so make it quick juinor.

My example: Cheesesteak, whiz, without... meaning I would like a cheesesteak with cheese whiz as my cheese and without fried onions... I could go for one right now honestly!

And remember it is a PHILLY cheesesteak.. just because places in Minnesapolis or in Atlanta claim to serve Philly cheesesteaks does not mean the same thing... LIARS! It is hard to explain, I know, but believe me when I tell you that you just need to try one for yourself!

CBP has Campo's as their main steak provider in the stadium but there are various other places that offer the Philly original throughout "The Bank!"

Also, I recommend trying either Pat's, Geno's, Tony Luke's, or Steve's Prince of Steaks which are local quick service spots outside of CBP.  Whether it is lunch time or at 3AM after a wild night on South Street, give them a try!

To bring a taste of Philly at home, you can certainly slice up some meat and let it cook in the crock pot at 365 degrees.  Make sure to add your favorite cheese, onions if you would like, and possibly some chopped up bell peppers.  A little steak seasoning (or salt and pepper would work) and a little worchestersire sauce would not hurt the taste either.

Make sure you get some quality rolls as well! Amoroso rolls work best.  Just like any sandwich, the steak is only as good as the roll!

Phillies' Retired Number Trivia:
Who adorned the Phillies' #1 jersey that since him has been retired?

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