Nothing is more exciting than a bitter rivalry, especially when it comes to baseball. Even teams that share the same city have fiercely competitive fans. When the White Sox and Cubs face off, they aren’t only competing to see which team is best, they are vying for Chicago’s throne. The Windy City rivalry dates all the way back to 1900 and is one of the biggest MLB rivalries in history.
Winning streaks aside, super fans find all sorts of ways to prove their team’s superiority. From game attendance and stadium design to team curses, anything that can give them a competitive edge. Even the parking can be called into question. Winners can change from game to game, though, so we came up with another way to engage in debate.
Rather than wins, we compared the stadium food from eight rival baseball teams to see which had the more delicious options.
NEW YORK YANKEES VS. NEW YORK METS
WINNER: Mets, Citi Field
This decades-long rivalry has caused countless debates. While the Yankees dominate on the field, the Mets have held the throne in the food arena since Citi Field opened in 2009. The options at Yankee Stadium are historically limited and fans complain about a lack of local food vendors. One glaring head-scratcher is that Yankee Stadium's pizza selection is borderline disrespectful to a city famed for its pies.
Thankfully, there are newer, tastier additions at Yankee Stadium. It has added New York eateries like Mighty Quinn's, Mac Truck, Chickie & Pete’s (Philadelphia brand), The Halal Guys, and Zeppoli in the last year or so. Despite improvements, Citi Field is still the better food option. The stadium just has more of everything; burgers, chicken, vegetarian, vegan, and *drumroll*... the city's famed Prince Street Pizza.
There's a reason why USA Today rated Citi Field the best MLB stadium for food. New eats like loaded pepperoni chips, Shake Shack's Chicken Shack, and tons of vegetarian and vegan options only strengthen its claim to the throne. With that said, Bobby Flay's potato chip-topped Crunchburgers, the new fan-favorite 99 Wagyu Burger — named after star player Aaron Judge — and Yankee Stadium's official beer, Goose Island’s “New York Legendary Ale,” deserve an honorable mention.
CHICAGO WHITE SOX VS. CHICAGO CUBS
WINNER: White Sox, Guaranteed Rate Field
Chicagoans are literally born into a team; if you grow up on the North Side, you're expected to be a Cubs fan. If you're from the South Side, it's the White Sox all day. On the field, the former has racked up nearly as many losses as it has won. One would hope that the losing streak doesn't extend to its stadium concessions, but sadly, the food strikes out as well. Compared to Guaranteed Rate Field, Wrigley Field has a very limited range of options.
You'll find staples like burgers, polish sausages, pizza, and tacos, but not much variety. If you're looking to get sloshed though, the beer and alcohol selection is impressive. Vegans are mostly limited to Beyond Burgers. Guaranteed Rate Field not only has a wider selection of vegan options, but it also has a wider selection of foods in general. The stadium has partnered with IMPOSSIBLE as the official supplier of plant-based burgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, sausage, and chorizo. All of the hamburgers and hot dog buns are vegan-friendly as well.
The White Sox home field has everything Wrigley Field has and then some. The highlights include the classic Vienna sausage with grilled onions, the Cuban sandwich, and rainbow cone. A Jack and Coke float and Smokehouse Smash Burger are two of several new items added this year. That said, if you don't crave stadium food, both locations allow you to bring your own food and water.
CHICAGO CUBS VS. ST. LOUIS CARDINALS
WINNER: Cardinals, Busch Stadium
We've already established that Wrigley Field has a bad food reputation. Busch Stadium, home to one of the Cubs' biggest rivals, the St. Louis Cardinals, does a lot better in that department. From burgers and barbecue to pulled pork and Italian beef, if you're a meat lover, Busch Stadium is a carnivore's paradise.
You'll find scratch-made comfort food, a fried egg and nacho meat-topped hot dog, Asian stir-fry, and a sandwich plate with prepared-meats; proof that the stadium is working hard to elevate the food experience. A new food section called "The 703 Club," named after former Cardinals player Albert Pujols’ number of career home runs, is also nearly complete. It includes a full-service bar, stone-fired pizza, fresh pasta, and more. Once open, Busch Stadium will easily secure the victory in this 130-year-long rivalry, at least food-wise.
Along with the usual sports-centric concessions and new food options, locals recommend stopping by the nearby Broadway Oyster Bar for pre or post-game eats. That said, plant-based options is an area that both stadiums do a terrible job in. Aside from soft-shell tacos, French fries, and a few snacks, vegans are better off bringing their own food.
LOS ANGELES DODGERS VS. SAN DIEGO PADRES
WINNER: Padres, Petco Park
Although Dodger Stadium was built in 1962, history won't cure your gameday cravings. Its pricey concessions leave much to be desired, even after 62 years. The iconic Dodger Dog (a 10-inch pork frank) lost its legendary taste long ago. Dodger Stadium offers one of the widest selection of concessions, yet has somehow earned a reputation for terrible food. Thankfully, there have been some tasty additions to the vendor list this year.
Dodger fans can now enjoy a Japanese-inspired hot dog made with Kurobuta pork, kewpie mayo, teriyaki sauce, and green onions. There's also Korean Fried Chicken with Fries, a Flamin' Hot Cheeto-topped elote, a birria burger, and a fried peanut butter and jelly sandwich. But how does that compare to the Padres' Petco Park?
Angelenos may be hardcore Dodger fans, but many will admit that Petco Park is an overall better experience. In fact, with a diverse and delicious selection of eats, it has the complete opposite food reputation. Popular go-tos include brisket-topped fries, the Hot Hen chicken sandwich, Chicano comfort food-spot Barrio Dog, and much more. The number of concessions might even overwhelm you. Petco Park also has a wider selection of vegetarian, vegan, kosher, and gluten-free foods.
HOUSTON ASTROS VS. TEXAS RANGERS
WINNER: Rangers, Globe Life Field
Though some locals refer to it as “Mimic” Maid Park, Globe Life Field is no slouch when it comes to delicious concessions. Honestly, both stadiums have good food selections, but the Ranger's home turf is more mouthwatering. Barbecue and Tex-Mex lovers will be in heaven. Fans are invited to enjoy brisket in every way imaginable: brisket egg rolls, croissants, nachos, and the new chicken-fried brisket tacos from local favorite Hurtado BBQ.
Both stadiums are reducing the need to wait in long lines with self-serve kiosks and mobile ordering. Minute Maid Stadium utilizes Uber Eats. One highlight about the Astros' stadium are dollar dogs every Tuesday. Along with local concessions like Maven Coffee & Cocktails, there are popular chains like Shake Shack, Papa John's, and Chick-fil-A. That said, even more exciting is the opening of Texas-based chain Whataburger at Globe Life Field this year.
Unique brisket dishes and Whataburger are but two reasons that Globe Life Field wins over Minute Maid Park. The stadium also has more vegan options, a Hot Cheeto pretzel, and a chicken and waffle taco served with honey sriracha sauce and bacon bits. It also has one of the best deals of any baseball stadium. For just $32.99, fans can fill up on The Boomstick Triple Play, which comes with a double patty burger, a foot-long chili cheese dog, and a nacho tower. Globe Life Field even has an all-you-can-eat section.
MILWAUKEE BREWERS VS. CHICAGO CUBS
WINNER: Brewers, American Family Field
The Cubs continue their losing streak in this stadium-sized culinary matchup. The Brewers' American Family Field is one of the best MLB stadiums for food. It was ranked the second-best MLB stadium for food by USA Today’s 10 Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Food is taken seriously there and there are a lot of options to choose from. Along with classic ballpark staples, you'll find mouthwatering barbecue, street tacos, sushi, and arepas.
This year, American Family Field offers fans three unique hot dog styles to try: the Dog of the North, loaded with apple kraut, yellow mustard, secret stadium sauce, jalapeño mayo, chopped bacon, and Bavarian sprinkles; the Dog Gone Fowl, topped with a chicken finger, American cheese, ranch, secret stadium sauce, tater tots, and chives; and last but not least, the Chili Cheese Dog, topped with in-house Texas-style bean-less beef chili, cheddar cheese, sour cream, white onions, and chives.
You won't find unique fusions like brisket egg rolls in Cream City. Milwaukee is a no-frills state that is known for its sausage, beer, and cheese. If you love the latter, this year you'll be able to indulge in comfort dishes from Wisconsin, the cheese state, at J. Leinenkugel's Barrel Yard. Frequent visitors recommend the bratwurst and cheese curds to start. The stadium is also filled with local breweries and cocktail vendors.
BOSTON RED SOX VS. NEW YORK YANKEES
WINNER: Yankees, Yankee Stadium
Considered by many to be the fiercest rivalry in MLB, the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees are iconic brands in the U.S. and abroad. The Yankees have the most wins of the two, and when it comes to food, it still comes out on top. Both stadiums have tasty options, yet neither would make it on the "best MLB stadium food" list. As mentioned, Yankee Stadium doesn't even offer decent pizza. That said, Fenway Park is notoriously known for having mediocre food — even Red Sox fans say so.
You can expect a wide selection of alcohol and plenty of staple stadium foods. Some locals suggest grabbing a Fenway Frank and skipping the concessions entirely, though. A Fenway Frank is the Stadium's signature hot dog, and unlike the Dodger Dog, is actually good. Highlights include the sausage carts, El Tiante’s Cuban Sandwiches, and local chain Tasty Burger, which has a “Starving Student” deal for $12.
New stadium options include the Irish Nachos, an itis-inducing Waffle Bowl, and a giant chocolate chip cookie that weighs 1 pound. Even with these delicious updates, Fenway doesn't knock it out of the ballpark. Vendors like Mighty Quinn's, Mac Truck, The Halal Guys, and the 99 Wagyu burger give Yankee Stadium the edge.
LOS ANGELES ANGELS VS. LOS ANGELES DODGERS
WINNER: Dodgers, Dodger Stadium
I don’t know what it is about Los Angeles and MLB stadiums, but they clearly aren’t the city’s bag. Both Dodger and Angel Stadiums have an awful food reputation. San Diego’s Petco Park holds the throne as SoCal’s best location for MLB eats. Now that that’s settled, let’s examine why these two Los Angeles stadiums deserve a collective yawn. Like their rival team, Angel Stadium has lots of options that miss the mark. Popular picks like the Double Big A Burger, helmet nachos, mac and cheese mini helmets, and Cathy’s Cookies deserve a shout out, yet many fans suggest skipping the stadium options entirely.
Outside of Angel Stadium, there are several recommended breweries to pregame at, and you can grab a bite at Dave’s Hot Chicken and take it in with you, too. One plus side to attending an Angel’s game is shorter concession lines — let’s just say that it has nothing to do with attendance, though. Beyond reduced wait times, the stadium does not have much going for it food-wise. Many consider it the worst stadium food in MLB.
Dodger Stadium may lack in the taste department, but it does a much better job of representing the diversity of the Los Angeles community. From classic comfort foods to Mexican, Japanese, and Korean cuisine, it’s definitely the better of the two. That said, as teams for a major U.S. city, both could use some improvement.
