These spring training stadiums serve the best ballpark eats

Even the most loyal baseball purists know that no game is legit without proper food and drink. Even “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” authors Jack Norworth and Albert Von Tilzer recognized the need for “peanuts and Cracker Jack” in 1908. 

Hot dogs, popcorn, pretzels and uninspired chips doused in soupy processed cheese represent the bare minimum. But some ballparks go above and beyond with culinary lineups that rival players’ performances for attention and affection. 

If eating and sipping is key to your spring training experience, hitting these Valley stadiums is your best bet to score winning plates, whether you seek portable snacking or want to be the envy of your Instagram followers with over-the-top gut busters. 

From creative renditions of dogs, burgers and desserts to inventive foodie nods to teams’ home cities and even cool bars and speakeasies, these ballparks will convince even the most casual spectator to be taken out with the crowd. 

Salt River Fields at Talking Stick

7555 N. Pima Road, Scottsdale
Home to the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks 
A hefty lineup of food and beverage offerings at Salt River Fields ensures no one goes hungry or thirsty, no matter how long the game lasts. Rookie items making appearances around the ballpark include 101 Cattle Co.’s Green Chile SmashBurger featuring a double beef patty smothered in roasted green chiles, tomato, pepperjack cheese and a hot honey drizzle for good measure. At the Home Plate Hot Dog stand, the Texas Dog brings an all-beef dog dressed up with ranch beans, crunchy coleslaw, barbecue sauce and a pickle. Follow the unmistakable aromas to grill carts at sections 210 and 216 to find the Chicago Cheesesteak. Shaved beef, grilled onions and peppers smothered in a creamy cheese sauce get a Windy City twist with a pile of giardiniera.

Need a bucket of freshly-baked chocolate chip cookies? Make your way to the left field booth and find them at Cathy’s Cookies. Venezia’s Pizza by the slice is the latest addition to the grab-and-go McDowell Mountain Marketplace near section 206, where it joins a selection of snacks and more than 80 alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages. 

Returning fan favorites include SomeBurros serving its famous Mexican eats in section 101, and the Centerfield Casino Arizona Bar with a fully-loaded bar, huge flatscreens and casual-cool loungey vibe. 

Sloan Park

2330 W. Rio Salado Parkway, Mesa. 
Home to the Chicago Cubs
Wrigleyville West brings its culinary A game with a plethora of traditional and kicked-up fare. Carne Asada Elote Fries joins the lineup at Windy City with crispy golden fries layered with smoky, citrus-marinated carne asada, creamy, fire-roasted corn and cotija. It gets finished with warm queso blanco, cilantro and a squeeze of lime. Rendezvous launches two new spotlight-worthy items: the Green Chile Bison Burger with a juicy 4-ounce bison patty topped with melted provolone, roasted Hatch chiles, zesty Chicago-style giardiniera and a kiss of creamy garlic aioli; and the Windy City Helmet Nachos impresses with tortilla chips loaded into a Cubs helmet, drenched in warm nacho cheese, piled with seasoned Italian beef, and topped with pickled red onions, classic Chicago sport peppers, sour cream and giardiniera, of course.

Midwest and Southwest staples unite in two new items. The all-beef Cubs Sonoran Dog arrives on a warm poppy seed bun and is topped with pinto beans, pico de gallo, crumbled bacon, cotija cheese and a drizzle of smoky chipotle crema. Feel free to roam with the Cubs Classic Walking Taco, flaunting seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, lettuce, olives, sliced jalapenos, pico de gallo and sour cream, all neatly cradled in a Doritos bag. With a warm, fudgy brownie base adorned with creamy vanilla soft-serve, rich chocolate, caramel drizzles, whipped cream, crunchy pretzel pieces, Garrett Popcorn and a maraschino cherry, the Decadent Brownie Sundae is ready for its selfie. 

Fans with dietary needs can find gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options spanning hot dogs, burgers, tater tots, brats and beers throughout the ballpark so no one gets left out.

Goodyear Ballpark 

1933 S. Ballpark Way, Goodyear
Home to the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds
There’s always a place in game goers’ hearts and stomachs for perennial hometown staples like Skyline Chile Cheese Coneys covered with Skyline’s secret-recipe chili, mustard, onions and a mound of cheddar, and frosty treats from Ohio’s own Handel’s Homemade Ice Cream. 

However, the new Desert Heat Burger makes for a formidable rival. Head to the Burgertopia cart behind section 115 for this creation tailored for ambitious appetites that sports a half-pound beef patty, chorizo, queso blanco sauce, grilled jalapenos, pico de gallo and a healthy schmear of guacamole that tests the limits of a buttery brioche bun. For a somewhat lighter option, Ballpark Bowls is a short stroll away behind section 119 and brings rice bowls filled with chicken or beef. 

Repeat spring training attendees will find the familiar Sonoran taco salads and street taco plates with chicken or carne asada. Head to the new left field landing bar area that serves all attendees seeking a variety of craft beers and sips. 

Surprise Stadium

15850 N. Bullard Ave., Surprise
Home to the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers
All the nostalgic ballpark food shines here, starting at Hometown Dogs, which pays tribute to the two teams that make this venue their spring training home, as well as the state it calls home, in the form of the quintessential baseball dish. 

Wrap your mitts around the Kansas City Dog that’s loaded with pulled pork, homemade pickles and coleslaw. If you crave Tex-Mex flair, the Texas Dog aims to satiate with Texas-style chili, queso blanco, jalapenos and onions. And, cactus pico de gallo brings a true hometown touch to the Arizona Dog that gets a kick with spicy local mustard. 

The best of all worlds can be had with every bite of the Birria Grand Slam Pretzel, the new kid on the block that lives behind home plate at Cactus Classic. A salted Bavarian pretzel is the vehicle for rich, slow-braised birria beef and melty cheese that’s placed on a warm flour tortilla and topped with pico de gallo, cilantro crema and fresh jalapenos. 

For more traditional regional eats with a DIY touch, head to Top Taco Stand to mix and match chicken, beef and vegetable options to customize your taco plate, or go with the over-the-top nacho box. Food truck row includes a variety of snacks and treats including Fry Bread Riot’s fusion of Mexican cuisine served on frybread. 

Among the variety of Arizona craft beers, seltzers and cocktails available is the signature Cactus Margarita that’s served in a custom-etched 16-ounce reusable cocktail shaker. On the family-friendly side, a Value Menu makes it easy to bring the gang with hot dogs, soda, popcorn and peanuts for just $4 each. 

Those who spring for elevated club-level seating at the Budweiser Legends Deck will be welcomed with access to the private bar, given one drink voucher and can dine on dishes from eateries like Barrio Queen, Macayo’s Mexican Food and Saigon Kitchen. Tickets here start at $50 per person.

Camelback Ranch – Glendale

10710 W. Camelback Road
Home to the Chicago White Sox and the Los Angeles Dodgers 
Whether you love or loathe the World Series champs or are a long-suffering fan of the team from the South Side, the food and drink offerings at Camelback Ranch will win you over. 

Seek out new additions at two spots along the third baseline. Stroll to the Cantina for White Sox or Dodgers mini-helmets filled with roasted corn topped with chili lime crema, cotija cheese and fresh cilantro. A few steps away at Sausage Haus, discover the Spicy Southsider Bowl. This mashup of Arizona and Chicago boasts a fire-grilled Ditka sausage with a supporting cast of seasoned rice, fresh-cut fajita vegetables and pickled jalapenos. Everything gets a blanket of in-housemade Hatch chile queso. 

Authentic Italian Beef sandwiches, ZOYO Neighborhood Yogurt and new bar locations featuring Four Peaks Brewing Co., Roxx Vodka and Angel’s Envy bourbon also make their debuts throughout the ballpark. 

For those needing a break from the action on the field, two new watering holes provide respite with belly-up-to-the-bar vibes. The Angel’s Envy Speakeasy Bar in right field is near the signature Estrella Jalisco Patio that features plenty of high tops and bar seating. Down the left field line, Baseline Brews & Spirits serves the venue’s largest selection of local beers in a single space, all from Four Peaks Brewing Company.

Scottsdale Stadium 

7408 E. Osborn Road, Scottsdale
Home to the San Francisco Giants
If food is the priority, make like Jung-Hoo Lee and speed on over to left field, where the bulk of the eats are located. 

To answer stick-to-your-ribs hankerings, the BBQ stand has got the bases covered. Order tortas stuffed with smoked pulled pork, smoked brisket or Sloppy Joe filling, or a souvenir helmet overflowing with mac and cheese topped with brisket.  At the Grill on the Grass, choose from Navajo beef, chicken tinga and vegetarian tacos. Save room for Mom’s Sloppy Fries for a messy plate of fun.

Roam the stadium and find Nathan’s All-Beef foot-long hot dogs, grilled Italian sausage links piled high with slow-simmered Italian beef in hoagie rolls, and novelty ice cream bars and sandwiches.

Whether or not there’s room for a light sweet treat, a Giants souvenir cup filled with fresh strawberries and cream is a fun must-have.