Dodgers add tasty dishes to stacked lineup
Dave Roberts is the skipper leading the world champion Dodgers, but in the kitchen, Ryan Evans, Dodger Stadium’s executive chef, is calling the shots.
So far he’s delivering a lineup of promising rookie dishes and reliable veterans that have long been fan favorites.
And the most recognizable menu all-star of them all, the Dodger Dog, has made some changes this season since it’s not being provided by longtime team partner Farmer John.
But this veteran and the rest of the menu are still delivering wins.
“Dodger Stadium food is the best in the country. I really believe that,” Evans said. “We’re putting love into this food.”
And the pandemic hasn’t had any effect on fans’ appetite, he noted.
“During this COVID atmosphere, we really cut back on how many different items we’re selling and just concentrated on doing what we do good and that’s been key for us. We have been doing really, really well,” Evans said.
And, with the state’s COVID-19 restrictions scheduled to lift Tuesday, the stadium will fully reopen and thousands of fans will be able to cheer on the champs and chow down on Dodgers food, including from one of the newest success stories this year, Shake Shack, which is new to the stadium.
“People are eating a lot of Shake Shack. It’s an amazing product and they’re busy,” Evans said.
And this season, California Pizza Kitchen became the team’s official pizza, while Dunkin’ became the official coffee and doughnut provider at the stadium.
More dishes will be added in the coming weeks, but for now here are some of the new items recommended by Evans, along with a few returning favorites.
Food can be ordered in person at the concession stands or via the Postmates app for pickup at designated areas.
The rookies
These are the dishes making their first appearance in the show.
The smoked brisket sandwich is served with a chili and mayonnaise aioli and Sriracha coleslaw on a brioche bun.
BRISKET SANDWICH » The brisket is smoked overnight and falls on the slightly spicy side, but it’s heat that can be handled by most eaters, Evans said. It’s rubbed with a sauce and served with a chili and mayonnaise aioli and Sriracha coleslaw on a brioche bun. Available on field and reserve levels at the Think
Blue Barbecue stands.
The Field Roast Signature Stadium Dog is the plant-based equivalent to The Dodger Dog.
BURNT END NACHOS » The burnt end trimmings from the smoked brisket team with tortilla chips, cheese and pickled jalapeños in this dish. “We just load the nachos with those burnt ends and it’s so good. You get a little barbecue with your nachos,” Evans
said. Available on field and reserve levels.
THE OG AND THE NASHVILLE » Brooklyn-born chicken spot Sweet Chick, which has a location on Fairfax, now has a stand at the stadium and is serving a hand-breaded fried chicken sandwich called The OG, which is served on a bun with pickles and herb aioli. The Nashville also is a hand-breaded chicken sandwich served with a spicier Nashville-style aioli. Located at Section 9 on the field level.
PLANT-BASED DODGER DOG » Vegans can jump in on the Dodger Dog craze, thanks to this offering. According to Chicago-based food supplier Greenleaf Foods, the Field Roast Signature Stadium Dog is smoked with maple hardwood chips in order to recreate the “ballpark flavor.” “It’s a fantastic product. It’s healthier and the dog itself is really selling,” Evans said. Available on all levels.
The returning champs
Fans love Mookie Betts and Clayton Kershaw, and they also love these foods that have long been stadium all-stars.
THE DODGER DOG » Just like the 2017 Houston Astros’ title, the Dodger Dog returns with an asterisk this season. But unlike with the cheaters, this asterisk isn’t really a bad thing. Farmer John, which had been supplying the Dodger Dog since the 1970s, was put out to pasture this year and replaced by Vernon-based Papa Cantella’s. “I believe they taste just as good. There’s a lot of skeptics out there but no one said anything before they knew it wasn’t Farmer John’s, and we’re still selling 30,000 a game for 15,000 fans,” Evans said. Available on all levels.
CARNE ASADA HELMET NACHOS » Evans loves these, so they’re back in “full force,” he said. “They’re big ol’ nachos and we sell them like crazy.” Available on the field, loge and reserve levels.
TACOS » Dodger Stadium sold tacos back in the day, but they were discontinued because they weren’t selling well. But Evans brought them back last year and kept them simple, with chicken or beef options on corn tortillas topped with onion and cilantro. And they got their contract renewed for another year. Available on the field, loge and reserve levels.