All week long we're sharing suggestions of where to find breakfast, lunch, dinner and drinks near each spring training stadium. Have a favorite spot baseball fans should hit? Leave it in the comments.
Widely considered one of the crown jewels of the Cactus League, this high-end westside stadium features a glitzy decor scheme of steel and stone, reflecting pools stocked with fish, up-close interaction with big league sluggers, and even Dodger Dogs for fans of the Big Blue Wrecking Crew. As for a wealth of neighboring cafes, bars, and shops...eh, not so much.
The park is perched amid a patchwork of desert terrain and empty lots, which means you'll have to search out the surrounding neighborhoods for sustenance of the non-concession stand variety, including the following options.
Ground Control
The day's most important meal takes many forms at the coffeehouse and wine bar run by F-16 fighter pilot Sean Rassas and his wife Tara. If all that's needed is a caffeine jolt and perhaps a baked good, they have both in spades. Consider pairing a cup of flavorful French-pressed coffee with a fresh-baked-from-scratch blueberry muffin for a pleasant pick-you-up. For those wanting something in sandwich form, however, nine nosh-worthy options made with artisanal cheeses and gourmet ingredients offer a unique take on the breakfast staple. To wit: The New Yorker Egg contains juicy pastrami and tomato on Asiago bagel, while the Spanish sammy is stacked with eggs, smoked turkey, havarti on rosemary flatbread schmeared with chipotle mayo. Four different scramblers, five breakfast burritos and quesadillas, and a variety of fresh salads can also be whipped up by the surprisingly cheerful baristas.
TailGaters Sports Grill & Il Primo Pizza
Anyone bearing a spring training ticket stub gets 15 percent off their bill, which is one reason to hit up this combination sports spot and Italian eatery just west of the stadium. Here's a few more: A cheerful waitstaff that heap on the charm and eagerly proffer any of the joint's seven different specialty round pies that are available in mouthwatering varieties like buffalo chicken and Philly cheesesteak. Their wings are also quite meaty and are drenched with any of eight mouth-watering sauces. (Make sure you've got plenty of napkins). And huge amounts of handmade pasta dripping with cheese are pilled high into bowls made with the TailGaters delicious pizza dough. You definitely won't leave hungry.
Dinner
Thai Orchid Garden
Take a step into the confines of the colorfully hued ethnic eatery and the mellow bouquet of Thai spices guarantees that you'll feel instant warmth. As does the piquant heat of its array of fiery dishes that prickle the tounge while delighting it with exotic flavors. The Tom Yum soup packs plenty of five-alarm flavor into a huge bowl with its steamy broth of beef, chicken, or pork that's been stewed in herbs and loaded with mushrooms and onions. The portions are just as big and the spiciness is just as potent with each of the 11 main dishes, like the Pha-Nang and its succulent mix of curry, meats, peppers, carrots, and peppers. Thankfully, the efficient waitstaff comes around often to refill your water glass.
Drinks
Saddle Ranch
Westgate City Center teems with booze-slinging establishments, but few are as fun as this wild and raucous saloon-style oasis of alcohol. Boasting rustic décor and an upscale urban cowboy vibe, Saddle Ranch has kitsch on the walls and Texas-sized assortment of libations at the bar. Wrap your thirst around one of the gigantic beer towers containing 64 ounces of your favorite import or domestic brew. Equally big in taste and size are Saddle Ranch's six signature concoctions, each with a Southwestern flair and served via ginormous carafes. The Texas Tea Party offers a Lone Star state spin on the Long Island iced tea by adding in generous amounts of tequila while the Arizona Sunset is a blend of southern whiskey, amaretto, sloe gin, and fresh O.J.
