New Partnerships and Fresh Flavors Highlight Twins Taste of Target Field

[Ted Schwerzler]

While the Minnesota Twins don’t kick off their home schedule at Target Field until Thursday, the stadium doors were opened Monday for the annual Taste of Target Field, showcasing new spaces and food options throughout the park.

Image courtesy of © Matt Blewett-USA TODAY Sports

Before the Taste of Target Field food tour could get underway, the Minnesota Twins wanted to recognize a few of their new partnerships and sponsors. With a short presentation hosted in the space formerly known as the Delta Sky 360 Club, it was revealed that Thrivent had taken over the title sponsor role for that section and entered into a new multi-year partnership with the Twins.

Thrivent isn’t the only new branding this season, however. The Town Ball Tavern will be presented by Keeper’s Heart Whiskey, and the bar space out at Minnie and Paul’s in centerfield is now named Cutwater Cocktail Bar. The most noticeable change is a new seating configuration in right field. Winnebago Industries presents “The Dock.”

The Dock acts as something of a suite space, in that it seats 12 and is available starting at $1,200 per game. Each ticket comes with $30 of food and beverage credit, and there are lake-themed options just behind the space on the lawn, with a Walleye Burger and 10,000 Lakes Cocktail. With captain’s chairs and premium leather seating, it’s designed to feel as though you’re on a pontoon at a baseball game.

With attendance not taking the leap for which the team hoped last year and the future of their local TV rights deal murky, the Twins are clearly looking to generate additional dollars of revenue throughout the stadium. None of the aforementioned changes should impact the overall fan experience, though The Dock does transform what was just traditional seating into something a bit more unusual--and perhaps a bit minor league-ish.

Of course, the star of the show was the food. As is the case every year, the Twins attempt to keep things fresh with some unique, new offerings. I started with the baked potato cart, and while it’s simple, the flavor was solid. Chicken tinga arepas will be offered at Truly On Deck, and Step Child is bringing sweet potato fritters as well. Two Mixed Up had a couple of different offerings, but it was the burger fries that stood out to me. With a little bit of kick, the combination of flavors on these were very good.

I didn’t happen to try the banh mi brat from Union, but it looked pretty tasty. East Coast Barbecue is doing a mac-n-meat offering that includes BBQ chicken, rib tips, or pulled pork. I opted for the rib tips, and it was definitely a hearty helping. If you’re looking for sweets, then Curds & Cakes has you covered, with two different Oreo options. Deep-fried or as part of a sundae served in a helmet, the sugar here is definitely on overdrive.

One of the best food additions in recent years has been Official Fried Chicken. The menu has expanded this season, and they will now offer a homestyle mac and cheese along with mighty buffalo dry rub wings. The mac and cheese is white cheddar with light pepper on it, and was solid. Their traditional wings come with just a light dusting of buffalo, and had a great flavor to them. Of course, the wonderful chicken sandwich remains, as well.

You can still find plenty of craft beer options throughout the ballpark, but it’s the Twins Pils from Summit Brewing that got a new uniform. Going away from the powder blue, just like the team did, it’s the alternate cream look complete with pinstripes.

Beyond what was intended for the palette, Minnesota’s home field looked to be in immaculate condition. Despite the ugly recent snowstorm, the Target Field grounds crew has done an exceptional job to have it looking nice for Thursday. With nice weather expected for the home opener, it should be an ideal day to kick things off. Tickets do remain available, and despite an April decision to close part of the 300-level seats, the entirety of the ballpark will be open for the opener.

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[Unwinder]

That dock looks like a nice space but if I'm paying $1200 I don't want to sit in right field no matter how comfy the chairs are.

[Ted Schwerzler]

31 minutes ago, Unwinder said:

That dock looks like a nice space but if I'm paying $1200 I don't want to sit in right field no matter how comfy the chairs are.

I don't get it, honestly. I think it's probably a way for the Twins to sell a cheaper suite option but the drawbacks are plentiful.

$100/person for *those* seats, only the front six have an unobstructed view, there's nothing that actually separates you from any other fan.

I don't know, I guess I'm not the target audience.

[Andy_Twins]

5 hours ago, Unwinder said:

That dock looks like a nice space but if I'm paying $1200 I don't want to sit in right field no matter how comfy the chairs are.

I think it's $1200 for the whole area.  Not per seat.  So it's like $100/ticket and that includes $30 of food and beverage.  Not a bad way to get a little dedicated area to hang out with your friends.

[Rosterman]

I can't wait to experience any of the prices.

The right field box sounds like a joke. Could make it a seasonal space. Igloo the first couple of weeks. Ice Fishing House. Swimming Pool. Bouncey Castle. Sun-bathing Chairs. Kite Flying Square. Pile of Leaves.

 

I miss the Fried Walleye guys that set up outside the Metrodome for many a year.

[Ted Schwerzler]

19 hours ago, Andy_Twins said:

I think it's $1200 for the whole area.  Not per seat.  So it's like $100/ticket and that includes $30 of food and beverage.  Not a bad way to get a little dedicated area to hang out with your friends.

That's true, but:

It starts at $1,200...and only six of the seats are actually good. Also, "dedicated" is loosely as it isn't exactly separated or anything. You also have to have a group of 12 to split it with.

[Original_JB]

On 4/1/2024 at 4:18 PM, Ted Schwerzler said:

I don't get it, honestly. I think it's probably a way for the Twins to sell a cheaper suite option but the drawbacks are plentiful.

$100/person for *those* seats, only the front six have an unobstructed view, there's nothing that actually separates you from any other fan.

I don't know, I guess I'm not the target audience.

Well, they are in the 'entertainment' business; The Twins (and they are not wrong) know that by and large people like to get attention, be spectacles. Back in the dome days, I was looking to get some extra playoff tickets and was offered top of the 1st deck seats right next to the milk jug like I was being offered some insider special deal; I told them that I'd rather sit in the upper deck anywhere towards the infield than out there. Ticket salesman was incredulous that I didn't want the seats that "get shown on TV all the time". I asked if he was joking about that, no one cares about that, c'mon. He was not. So, I'll  bet that those dock seats get sold for every game, even at $1200, to people who really don't care that they aren't that good of seats, or that a game is even being played, as long as they get their Social Media shots.