FanGraphs wants your top food/beer in/around Target Field

[John Bonnes]

Got and email from Eno Sarris of FanGraphs today and he said it was OK to post out here. Let's give him some feedback!
 

I'm trying to create a guide to food and beer in and around ballparks, and I think you are the best people to turn to. The more you say about these things, the easier it is for me to quote you. Feel free to write about cities other than your home base if you feel like it.

Thanks everyone!!

1) What is the best food in the major league baseball stadium you know best? (Where in the park is it for bonus points)
2) What is the best food close to that stadium?
3) What is the best affordable food in the city that contains that stadium?

[John Bonnes]

And here is my reply:

 

1) I'm going to give you two because in my opinion they leave the rest of the fare far behind.

 

My favorite by a long shot in 2014 was Butcher and the Boar's Pork Rib Tips in the right field plaza. They are spicy. They are sweet. They are smoked in front of you. Finally, besides getting them individually you can get a "happy meal" deal that includes a craft beer and a shot of bourbon. Butcher and the Boar is one of the top restaurants in the Twin Cities and they didn't miss a single trick when they expanded to this stand at Target Field.

 

However, I found myself eating them about only half the time I went to Target Field in 2015, because the Hot Indian Food stand opened. I should preface this by saying I am not a big fan of Indian food, but their Chicken Tikka Bowl is outstanding. I have never ordered it and not had multiple people stop me and ask me where they could get it. The answer is behind section 120 (at least last year). I wish I could tell you what is in it. The basics are a smoked shicken, rice and a slaw but that's a poor description and I'm sure you can find a better description online. It passed the rib tips for two simple reasons: 1) it's just as outstanding and 2) it's a lot less messy to eat.

 

2) From the east side of the stadium, our most frequent stop is Mason's Barre. I get the Mac N Cheese, which is one of the best in the Twin Cities. Chrissie loves the "Cow Meets Pig" Burger, which is a burger topped with hame and fixings.

 

From the north or east side, of the stadium, we love Freehouse, which is both a restaurant and craft brewery. Their Roto-Bird - a rotisserie chicken - is outstanding and Chrissie can't not order it. I'll sneak a bit of it, but love the Carmelized Thai Pork which is served over rice with an asian slaw. (As far as their beer, I think their Brown is their most consistent and tasty.)

 

3) Eno, there are something like 30 craft breweries in the Twin Cities right now, so I'm going to need to pass on this question. There are too many to answer without some filters. I'll just mention a few things....

 

Within walking distance of the stadium, there are at least three craft breweries. Freehouse is fine but has great food. Fulton is fantastic, and a block from the stadium. Dayblock is a little further but still downtown. I haven't been there yet.

There are several places within a few blocks that offer a wide assortment of local craft beers on tap, too. Off the top of my head - Mackenzie, Devil's Advocate, Butcher and the Boar, Red Cow, and just over the bridge is New Bohemia, which probably has the most LOCAL craft brews on tap. But you can't go wrong with any of them.

[BobAzar]

1) I ABSOLUTELY second Hot Indian. It is delicious, fairly afforable, and sticks with you. I get it everytime I am at a game, except for the home opener (I have to have a hot dog). 

2) Not super close, but along the Green Line is Surly. great food, great beer, but not really close, but easy to get to TF. Freehouse is a few blocks away, and thats good too. 

3) Again, not super close to TF, but affordable food and lots of choices: Midtown Global Market. 

 

 

[DJL44]

Food for our family is usually Pizza Luce before the game. There is a happy hour before Twins games, the prices are low and the food quality is high. They are really good for special dietary requests also (gluten free, etc).

[Mike Sixel]

Fulton is the best brewery in walking distance. Dayblock is quite good, and they even have a bacon flight! 

 

In the stadium, I am partial to the pork belly sandwich from Andrew Zimmern's place, but then, I did not go last year .....so I can't comment on the Indian food.

 

the best affordable food is at El Taco Riendo, right by Fair State Brewing. Not real close to the stadium, but on a street filled with affordable ethnic foods.

 

btw, Eno, if you are reading this, thanks for Beergraphs.....

[TheLeviathan]

In stadium I'm a huge fan of Tony O's

[gopherman23]

As far as food go's, I'm partial to Kramarczuk's myself. A nice Polish Sausage with Onions, Peppers, and Kraut is my go to at Target Field. Their Brats are very good as well.

[Devereaux]

Kramarczuk's and Fulton Sweet Child of Vine - inside the park and nearby outside the park.

[John Bonnes]

A number of favorite's of mine have been mentioned here. Just a couple thoughts...

 

1) Pizza Luce is an excellent addition, especially late night after a game.

2) Good call on Surly being on the Green Line. That's a great pregame option

3) Tony Os's Cuban Sandwiches are fantastic and it seems like Oliva is there regularly for pictures and handshakes and such. (Section 111)

4) Kramarczuk's brats are fantastic and the wait for them is often very reasonable. I get them at least a few times every season. They're a real local Polish Sausage Company located just over the bridgein near Northeast Minneapolis. Section 112 and 117.

 

C'mon, let's hear some other favorites.

 

 

[Thrylos]

Walleye on a stick is good (and cannot find it in any ballpark), and that pizza place up in the Legend's club does make an above average Neapolitan crust pizza.

 

Summit pale ale is probably the best thing served at Target Field as beer palatable by most is concerned. 

[Jham]

Best food in Target Field: The old-fashioned natural casing wieners served only by the venders in the candy stripes.  The catch is that there are only like two vendors patrolling the whole stadium and they rarely make it to the third deck.  $5.

 

When you're done with your dog, go get the hot mini-donuts over by the plaza.  Pair them with a Summit EPA for a low cal weight friendly dessert.  Or, skip the hot dog, get the $15 Bucket of donuts, eat them all by yourself, then take the bucket still filled with vanilla sugar and cinnamon over to the by-the-once beer vendor, fill with EPA, and complete the mini-donut/EPA challenge.  Garnish with a suicide note.

Around the stadium, Seven Sushi is pretentious and overpriced, but the salmon sashimi is melt-in-your-mouth delicious.   Fogo de Chao is an overall fun experience, you can get a better steak for $50, but you can't match the variety. 

I wouldn't say there's a ton of bargains within the ballpark area,but Burrito Loco on the U of M campus often has ridiculous food specials like free fajitas with a pitcher of beer or wings by the pitcher full, again free with a pitcher of the best High Life on tap.

 

[Squirrel]

 

When you're done with your dog, go get the hot mini-donuts over by the plaza.  Pair them with a Summit EPA for a low cal weight friendly dessert.  Or, skip the hot dog, get the $15 Bucket of donuts, eat them all by yourself, then take the bucket still filled with vanilla sugar and cinnamon over to the by-the-once beer vendor, fill with EPA, and complete the mini-donut/EPA challenge.  Garnish with a suicide note.
 

Oh Em Gee

[nicksaviking]

John, I can't help but notice Enos' questions number two and three were asking for food suggestions yet you mainly were pushing beer on him.

 

What I'm getting at is....well done!

[John Bonnes]

Also, I know Eno & he likes his beers.

 

Any other recommendations? BTW, loved the call on the hot dogs from the candy stripers. By far the best. We should probably also mention dollar dogs on Wednesdays.

[Oxtung]

I'd second(3rd? 7th?) Kramarzcuks polishes. I'd add Izzes ice cream for deserts. I'm a fan of the Goose Island beers.

 

One thing I was actually disappointed in last season was the Red Cow burgers. Overpriced and underwhelming IMO.

[Mike Sixel]

Agreed Red Cow is over rated, including at their restaurants. 

[theBOMisthebomb]

Good suggestions but we are a family on a budget and my wife and I don't drink.. so it's the our family section where the cost of a hot dog and soda is built into the ticket face value.

[70charger]

I think it's easy for Minnesotan to think of Summit as one of the "big guys" and leave them out of the craft beer list. That's a huge mistake. I came back to the US for a few weeks this fall (and caught a game!) and the biggest beer craving I had was for good, old, consistent Summit EPA. It's a special kind of thing. I didn't realize how much I missed it until I couldn't get it anywhere. Also, if you want craft beer and are coming in through Target Plaza, go to the first beer stand on your left before you go under the concourse roof (unless they've changed it). It's chock full of craft brews and usually super uncrowded. If you want cocktails because you don't drink beer, like my wife, the second deck has a bar that used to be Captain Morgan branded, but isn't anymore. Anyone remember what that's called? Anyway, it's right up next to the left field foul pole. And Hrbek's will get you cocktails too.

 

As for in-park food, I'll second Tony O's Cubans, and I have to say that Butcher and the Boar does a really nice job with their limited menu. I always end up feeling like I've been robbed after eating in the stadium so I often eat before I go and just have beer. For some reason beer always seems more justifiable...

 

I lived just blocks from the stadium for some 8 or 9 years - actually since before there was a stadium - and I always came back to Cuzzy's. Its divey but totally friendly atmosphere is great. Fulton is a good taproom to go to very close to the stadium, and I'll second Freehouse for the food. If you want to get crazy gourmet, Spoon and Stable is new in the area, but good luck getting a reservation. After the game, Marvel Bar has some serious cocktails in a speakeasy-type joint below the Bachelor Farmer.