New eats added to ballpark roster
Complex flavours and downtown patio-style fare on offer this season
Peanuts and Cracker Jacks will never go out of style at baseball concessions, but some new food and drink options have been added to the roster. Ahead of this year’s opening game at the Rogers Centre Monday, the Star sent me to pick some new recommendations.
The new eats give off downtownrestaurant-patio vibes, and offer more complex flavours than usual ballpark fare. Think vegan tacos with chips, stuffed Jamaican beef patties, boozy slushies and cannolis. Some of these might be messy to eat, so check out the Corona Rooftop Patio and Park Social areas where there are tables and chairs.
Prices have not been finalized, but Loonie Dogs Nights are back, in which hot dogs are available for $1.
Vegan tacos
One of my favourite new additions is the vegan tri-tip taco, served at Section 142. It mimics marinated steak tips but has a bouncier chew similar to wheat gluten, which is a good thing for the vegetarians who don’t like the taste and texture of beef. The flour tortilla also has sweet sautéed onions and bell peppers, with chimichurri and a sprig of cilantro for a fresh contrast.
Stuffed Jamaican patties
Following on the trend of Jamaican patties that has surged in popularity in Toronto, the Rogers Centre has their own version in the 100 level Outfield District concessions. A spicy beef patty is split in half and stuffed with jerk chicken and creamy cabbage-and-carrot slaw. It has some heat, but is manageable.
Maple-bacon hot dog
New at sections 206 and 540 is a hot honey and maple-bacon hot dog. A beef hot dog is marinated in rosewood honey and topped with candied maple bacon chips and garlic aioli in a soft bun. The hot dog has a pleasant, sweet glaze and the bacon adds additional sweetness and crunch, especially for those who love a sweet-and-salty combo.
Cannolis
And for dessert, two-bite cannolis and tiramisu will be sold at the coffee bar at Section 103. The cannolis have crispy shells, a thin coating of chocolate ganache on the inside and are filled with not-too-sweet mascarpone and given a dusting of crushed pistachios.
Low and Away mocktail
Souvenir cups and bowls are also a big thing this year. Soft serve floats in Crush orange, grape and cream soda come in reusable tall glasses. Cocktails include: the returning OK Blue Jays lemonade mixed with rum; new additions like the Long Fly Ball strawberry-ginger vodka lemonade; the Mangonada, a tequila and Curaçao mango slushy with streaks of chamoy; and the Big Leagues frozen margarita. The drinks are served in souvenir shaker cups (the latter two are also available in plastic carafes where the body is hollowed out to hold two cups underneath). One of my favourites is the Low and Away, the non-alcoholic option with dragon fruit and strawberry syrup with lemon juice and ginger ale: light, slightly sweet and it won’t get you tipsy on hot summer days.
Certain Friday home games will be Fryday, where fans can also get poutine served in a souvenir plastic Jays hat.