Through March 25 you can catch 15 Major League ball clubs playing at 10 Cactus League ballparks. All of those parks' concessions offer the standard hot dogs, nachos, popcorn, pretzels, fountain drinks and summer-ready macrobrews. But the best actually take food as seriously as you do.
If a ballgame menu drives your spring training schedule, we can help you cut to the chase. These five ballparks bring their A-game, with unique takes on dogs and burgers, Arizona craft beers, and patios and bars that make a trip to the park worthwhile even for friends who can't tell the Rockies from the Rangers.
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick brings its A game with exceptional ballpark eats.
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
7555 N. Pima Road, ScottsdaleHome to the Colorado Rockies and Arizona Diamondbacks
New this year, introverts will enjoy the supermarket-esque self-checkout of McDowell Mountain Marketplace near section 206 of Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. There you'll find a lineup of snacks, freshly made pizzas and more than 80 alcoholic and nonalcoholic beverages.
Meanwhile the park's Centerfield Casino Arizona Bar returns with a tight, six-item menu plus a full liquor and beer selection. There’s the popular Snake Burger with a Kobe beef patty, jalapeños, peppered bacon, pepper jack cheese, pickled onions, pickles and barbecue aioli on a brioche bun. The Italian Pizza Nachos, also a go-to, start with wonton chips piled with pepperoni, chorizo, queso, pico, olives, pepperoncini, green onion and Southwest ranch, all served in a pizza box.
Joining them are two new additions. Crispy mac and cheese bites are made with gouda and pepper jack, fried to a golden crisp and accompanied by a barbecue Southwest ranch dip. On the lighter side, go for the Fiesta Field Greens topped with grilled chicken breast, cucumber, tomato, peppers, queso and olives with barbecue Southwest ranch on the side.
Other rookie dishes that aim to impress include the Cheese Steak Smash Burger 2 at the 101 Cattle Co. that boasts two smash patties with grilled peppers and onions, melted Swiss, steak sauce and Old Bay aioli. Or head to Home Plate Hot Dog for the new Taco Dog served in a crispy corn tortilla with Sonoran cabbage, pepper jack cheese, tomato and chipotle mango chutney. Cap off the feast with edible cookie dough at Scoopwells Dough Bar.
Sloan Park upped its food game with the debut of several new drool-worthy dishes for spring training.
Daniel Kwon
Sloan Park
2330 W. Rio Salado Parkway, MesaHome to the Chicago Cubs
Fans flocking to Wrigleyville West will need sustenance to belt out “Go, Cubs, Go!” after every W at Sloan Park. Head to Windy Cindy for the new fried pork wings and waffle fries duo topped with Carolina Gold barbecue mayo and green onions, served in a souvenir Cubs helmet.
The Chicago Dog brings a taste of the Windy City with a traditional Vienna all-beef hot dog with mustard, onions, relish, pickled peppers and a pickle spear on a poppy seed bun and a sprinkling of celery salt. A (somewhat) lighter option can be found at Taste of Chicago with the new Chicago Wrap: capicola, mortadella, lettuce, tomato, Vienna mustard, provolone and giardiniera in a whole-wheat tortilla wrap.
At the portable stand near the marquee, find two new nacho offerings served in a handy portable souvenir helmet. The Cubs version features seasoned ground beef, nacho cheese, roasted corn, black beans, red peppers, jalapeños and sour cream. The Southwest rendition is topped with pulled pork, spicy salsa verde, cotija, queso sauce, roasted corn, black beans, red peppers and pickled red onions.
Regulars will recognize Chicago’s own Garrett Popcorn and the 2-foot-long beer bat among the returning favorites available throughout the concourse. Three or four of those and you'll sound like Harry Caray in no time.
Goodyear Ballpark
1933 S. Ballpark Way, GoodyearHome to the Cleveland Guardians and Cincinnati Reds
The food carts on Goodyear Ballpark's first base concourse are packed with action. The Taco Central cart are debuting al pastor and carne asada tacos, and the Burgertopia cart is introducing the All-American Burger loaded with cheese, pickles and Thousand Island dressing. And loaded with mac and cheese, bacon and barbecue sauce, the BBQ Bacon Mac Burger needs no further explanation.
If your crew is camping out with Ohioans at the Right Field Pavilion or Party Patio, check out the new shareables served in Reds and Guardians souvenir helmets. The Classic is filled with two bags of peanuts, two hot dogs and two salted Bavarian pretzels. The Brathaus carries two salted Bavarian pretzels, two brats and local Frites Street crinkle-cut fries.
The popular Arizona Craft Beer Corner is a hotspot for homegrown brews with thirst quenchers from Huss, Uncle Bear’s, Walter Station, Saddle Mountain, Barrio and O.H.S.O. Can’t decide? Order a flight.
The Texas Dog at Surprise Stadium is deliciously sloppy with Texas-style chili, queso blanco, jalapenos and onions.
Surprise Stadium
Surprise Stadium
15850 N. Bullard Ave., SurpriseHome to the Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers
The sights and smells of perennial favorites throughout Surprise Stadium will fire up your appetite even if you didn’t think you were hungry. Start with of the three signature hot dogs at Hometown Dogs. The Kansas City Dog is loaded with pulled pork, homemade pickles and coleslaw. The deliciously unhinged Texas Dog rocks Texas-style chili, queso blanco, jalapenos and onions. And the Arizona Dog is embellished with cactus pico de gallo and local spicy mustard.
Get your Southwest fix at the Top Taco Stand, where you can mix and match chicken, beef and vegetable options to customize your taco plate or nacho box. Or head to the food truck row for funnel cakes, fresh-cut fries, smoothies and salads.
The rooftop deck’s Huss Container Bar boasts a handsome lineup of Arizona beers. Or spring for elevated club-level seating at the Michelob Ultra Legends Deck. Tickets start at $50 per person and come with access to the private bar, a drink voucher, and catered dishes from eateries like Barrio Queen, Macayo’s Mexican Food and Saigon Kitchen.
Peoria Sports Complex
16101 N. 83rd Ave., PeoriaHome to the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres
At the Peoria Sports Complex, track down the Walking Taco Cart to snag a portable meal centered around Tostitos, Doritos or Fritos. Your chip of choice is served in its bag and topped with chili or taco meat, cheese sauce, salsa and a variety of other fixings.
You'll find signature footlongs at Fastball Franks and Walk Off Grill. Seattle fans will gravitate toward the Mariner Dog’s cream cheese, bell peppers and onions, while the Padre Dog’s salsa verde, jalapeno, carnitas and cotija cheese will appeal to San Diego loyalists.
For those who crave a little exclusivity, the Sun Cruiser Oasis is the spot. For $45 on weekdays and $50 on weekends, you get two drink vouchers, access to a private bar, comfy patio furniture and shaded lounging spaces.
New this year, the 3 Amigos Courtyard will serve Mariners- and Padres-themed margaritas and other adult beverages in a fun space that begs attendees to hang out. Make it out for Thirsty Thursdays when the West Coast Beer Garden in right field features $2 off draft beers until last call. Then, you're out.
