Could this be the season that the Orioles’ yearslong rebuilding efforts repay large? The staff’s probabilities for a postseason run are lastly official after a powerful 2022 exhibiting and with a roster stuffed with younger, thrilling expertise.
Baltimore followers can have loads to chew on this season, each on the sphere and within the stands the place ballpark snacks are upping their recreation, too.
Visitors to Oriole Park at Camden Yards will discover a mixture of returning favorites and new menu gadgets this yr on the stadium, which opens April 6 for opening day towards the New York Yankees.
Behind the scenes, the staff struck a brand new concessions deal firstly of the yr, signing Chicago-based Levy because the ballpark’s new hospitality operator. The partnership ended a long-standing contract with Delaware North, the Buffalo, New York-based firm that had been answerable for meals and beverage gross sales at Camden Yards since 2010.
Some of the stadium’s most recognizable distributors, resembling Boog’s Barbeque and Jimmy’s Famous Seafood, will keep on underneath the brand new operator. Visitors can even choose to carry their very own meals, packed in a single clear bag per particular person, and factory-sealed, nonalcoholic drinks in plastic containers no bigger than 20 ounces.
As for what’s new, Levy tasked Chef Adam Carter, a Harford County native who labored at Camden Yards early in his profession, with constructing a menu of stadium fare that’s closely impressed by Maryland’s culinary markers.
“I’m a Marylander: it’s all about Old Bay here, it’s all about crabs — it’s what we do,” Carter stated. “So we’re bringing a lot of Baltimore cuisine, Maryland cuisine to the park.”
Count on discovering staples like crab dip pretzels and a Baltimore hen field with Old Bay fries. Or lean into your Maryland pleasure with the Yard Dog, a combo of three foot-long sizzling canine stuffed right into a bun and topped with crab dip and Old Bay potato sticks.
The Baltimore Sun received a primary have a look at some stadium snacks forward of opening day. Here’s what we thought was a house run — and what we’d ship again to the dugout.
Grand slam
BTI crab chips: You’ve heard of Herr’s Old Bay chips and its competitor, the Utz crab chip. But the Orioles went hyperlocal with their provider of this Maryland traditional in 2023, naming BTI Crackin’ Crab Chips the “official crab chip” of Camden Yards. “BTI” stands for Bill’s Terrace Inn, the Essex seafood restaurant that manufactures this snack with its personal particular spice mix. We appreciated the durability of the ridged chips and their beneficiant coat of seasoning.
The Yard Dog: This order is a Maryland hot-dog lover’s dream, with three foot-long canine (three ft make a yard — get it?) and a hearty ladle of crab dip and Old Bay-dusted potato sticks on high. Is it a bit gimmicky? Yes, however the mixture works. The potato sticks added a pleasant crunch and the creamy dip elevated what would in any other case be commonplace ballpark fare. Consider sharing this with a pal or two: neither the Orioles nor representatives from Levy might inform us how a lot the Yard canine will value, however we think about it received’t be low-cost.
Havana sandwich: This spin on a traditional Cuban sandwich will get a lift from a layer of tender, seasoned pulled pork. You can discover it in one of many ballpark’s new eateries, the Butchers Hill sandwich store.
Home run
Signature crab pretzel boule: It’s laborious to go mistaken with a crab pretzel, and this one hits all the best notes, with a coating of garlic butter and cheddar jack cheese that provides to the sleek, Old Bay-infused dip.
Bmore hen field: The staff’s nod to a Baltimore traditional combines a hunk of properly breaded fried hen with a Hawaiian roll and Texas Pete’s sizzling sauce for some kick. The Old Bay wedge fries had been a welcome complement.
Swing and a miss
Buffalo chook canine: This new menu merchandise swaps out a sizzling canine for Buffalo hen in a bun. It’s not a nasty concept in concept, however we thought the hen was a bit dry and will have benefited from some extra Buffalo sauce and ranch. A sprinkling of celery on high added some crunch however couldn’t save the dish.
Spicy pepperoni pizza: Not everyone seems to be a sizzling canine fan, which makes pizza a key stadium staple. This slice, bought on the 1729 Pizzeria, promised some zing with a drizzle of Mike’s Hot Honey on high, however we couldn’t style the honey.
Baltimore Sun rising information editor Judy Kim contributed to this text.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com