Earlier this year, I wrote about the food at six Major League Baseball parks and ranked them. Over the past two weeks, JRS and I went to Seattle and Northern California to watch more ballgames and enjoy some eats. I won’t get into our trip to the Oakland Coliseum since it will no longer host baseball games at the end of this month. The A’s will play in Sacramento next year, then Las Vegas in three. Our culinary experience was limited to a souvenir helmet, ice cream, and churros. The team’s ownership seems to only care about doing the bare minimum: hot dogs, pizza, burgers and nachos. There was nothing that was
the slightest bit creative. They did have some craft brews and overpriced cocktails, which aren’t specified on the food stand boards. But since we weren’t hungry either, it was just as well we didn’t partake in the limited selection.
By contrast, T-Mobile Park, the home of the Seattle Mariners, was a foodie sports paradise. While there were the standard ballpark items, I was surprised at the variety of foods available. I wanted to try things during both games we attended. But honestly, I was so overwhelmed by the choices that I could only settle for a soft pretzel and beer.
What we ate
Weeks before we left for Seattle, JRS learned about the katsu bowl served at the ballpark. So naturally, it was the main thing she wanted to try. As soon as we arrived, we attempted to find the stand, but it didn’t take long – it was the second one we found, near the main entrance gate.
Tamari Bar has two kinds of katsu curry, chicken and pork, both fried in cutlets and topped with steamed rice, pickled ginger, and a savory sauce. They also served curry donut dip, which sounded a little too rich for me. The katsu itself was crispy yet juicy and flavored with just enough spice. Plus, you have to like a place that has “No curry, no life” on its packaging.
As I said, I wasn’t hungry at the first game, so I had a soft pretzel with some artificially tasting cheese sauce and a local IPA. After a few dips, I ditched the sauce and finished the pretzel, but I wished I had chosen something like the Hawaiian plate lunch or even a pizza slice, which I’ll mention later. But before the second game, I got some grilled Alaska pollock tacos from Edgar’s Cantina, which were fantastic. They weren’t fishy tasting and had a subtle heat counterbalanced with a cilantro cream sauce.
Other food and drink
Now that I realize I may not return to T-Mobile Park for a long time, if ever, I wish I had tried some of the more unique food offerings there. As I said, I couldn’t decide what to get at the first game, but now I wish I had just agreed on something. I don’t know if I’ll ever see Hawaiian plate lunch, smoothie bowls, New York-style pizza and crab sandwiches in other ballparks (not that I’d get the last thing unless there were nothing else)
Here's another thing I could have tried – the Seattle hot dog around since 1989. It’s not as well-known as its Chicago or Sonora counterparts, but it sounded tasty and straightforward. An all-beef frank on a fluffy bun is topped with cream cheese and grilled onions. There are variations on the toppings, but these were available both inside and outside the park.
For drinking, I had a Boneyard RPM IPA from a craft brewery in Bend, Oregon, to go along with that soft pretzel and wash down that crappy cheese sauce. I asked for something local, and while technically it wasn’t from Seattle, it was relatively smooth and not overly hoppy as some IPAs are. I enjoyed a Magenta Mule at the second game. It was like the traditional Moscow kind but with tequila instead of vodka. It was pretty strong but refreshing and just right for a warm day. You can also get canned cocktails, wines and, naturally, beer.
Extra stuff
One interesting thing T-Mobile has that I haven’t seen in any other MLB park is the Walkoff Market. You can get whatever standard ballpark food you choose simply by swiping your credit or debit card before entering and picking up what you like. Once you’re done, head out the pay gates, and that’s it. It’s simple, convenient – and a little dangerous since you’re unaware of how much you’ve spent.
Another thing – after the seventh inning, you might find a hot dog floating down on a mini-parachute. That’s the Hot Dogs from Heaven promotion. Once again, it’s just something you won’t see anywhere else but Seattle.
