Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Not Just Peanuts and Cracker Jack

April is the best month in sports. A college basketball champion is crowned. The pro hockey and basketball regular-season games take on more importance. And hope begins anew for the 30 Major League Baseball teams. After the two-game Opening Series between the Mariners and Athletics in Tokyo that begins tomorrow, the rest of the 2012 season starts on Wednesday, April 4 with the Miami Marlins hosting the defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals.

More baseball stadiums than ever have dedicated gluten-free concession stands and carts, including new ones at Pittsburgh's PNC Park and Marlins Park in Miami. Ballparks in Toronto and Houston have added gluten-free fare this season. Many offer more than just bunless franks and burgers; there's everything from grilled cheese sandwiches to fish and chips.  Here's where you can find gluten-free concessions at each of the 30 MLB ballparks:

NL East:
Kozy Shack gluten-free stand at Citi Field
  • Atlanta Braves (Turner Field) - Hot dogs, burgers, chicken sandwiches, chips, popcorn, brownies, cookies and Redbridge beer at gluten-free cart (Aisle 106)
  • Miami Marlins (Marlins Park) - Hot dogs, nachos, sandwiches, apple chips, muffins and Redbridge beer at gluten-free cart (Section 2); Greek and Caesar salads, buffalo wings, popcorn and caramel apples at the Clevelander
  • New York Mets (Citi Field) - Hot dogs, hamburgers, sausages, puddings and beer at Kozy Shack Stand at World's Fare Market (Section 104)
  • Philadelphia Phillies (Citizens Bank Park) - Hot dogs, snacks, Redbridge beer and Woodchuck hard cider at South Philadelphia Market stand (Section 128); Hot dogs, salads and Redbridge beer at Market Express (Section 321); cheesesteaks at Elfreth's Alley Grill (Section 109) and Germantown Grill (Section 126); pizza at Seasons Pizza stand (Ashburn Alley); Redbridge beer at Brewerytown stands (Ashburn Alley and Sections 139, 204 and 323); Woodchuck hard cider at Brewerytown stand (Section 108); all meat products, rolls, barbeque sauce, cole slaw and beans at Bull's BBQ (Ashburn Alley); Chickie's & Pete's Crabfries and cheese sauce (Section 102)
  • Washington Nationals (Nationals Park) - Hot dogs, chili cheese dogs, nachos, loaded nachos, popcorn, potato chips and Redbridge beer at gluten-free cart (Section 136); soft pretzels and Redbridge beer at Curly W pretzel stands (Sections 105 and 319)
NL Central:
  • Chicago Cubs (Wrigley Field) - Hot dogs, hamburgers, snacks and Redbridge beer at Sheffield Grill (Section 140); Redbridge beer at various beer stands; Lifeway frozen kefir at Starfruit Café (next to main entrance)
  • Cincinnati Reds (Great American Ball Park) - Bunless hot dogs, wursts, sausages, brat burgers and soft-serve ice cream at various stands; sushi, fruit and salads at United Dairy Farmers Market stands (Sections 125 and 522); Skyline chili (Sections 103, 114, 130, 519 and 534)
  • Houston Astros (Minute Maid Park) - Hot dogs and beer at Goya Latin Café (Section 119); made-to-order salads (Section 116); baked potatoes at Spuds Crossing stands (Sections 125 and 409)
  • Milwaukee Brewers (Miller Park) - Turkey sandwiches, chocolate tortes, brownies and chips at Grab & Go stand (Section 123); bunless hot dogs, bratwursts and sausages, chicken taco salads, chicken nachos, cheese fries in a helmet, popcorn, kettle corn, peanuts, Cracker Jack, cotton candy, Minute Maid frozen treats and soft-serve custard at various stands; New Grist beer (Sections 110, 126, 212 and 224)
  • Pittsburgh Pirates (PNC Park) - Kosher hot dogs, panini sandwiches, nachos and salsa, salads, sweet potato chips, fruit and Redbridge beer at Just4U stand (Section 128); Chickie's & Pete's Crabfries and cheese sauce (Section 132); Rita's Italian Ices (Section 103/105)
  • St. Louis Cardinals (Busch Stadium) - Chicken and beef bowls at Asian Cafe (Gate 1); sandwiches, chef salads and Redbridge beer at Farmer's Market (Section 136); bunless hamburgers at Hardee's (Sections 135 and 358); salads at Red Bird Club; bratwurst, hot dogs, grilled chicken, sausage, hamburgers, beef brisket and pulled pork (all without bun or sauce) vended throughout stadium
NL West:
  • Arizona Diamondbacks (Chase Field) - Hot dogs, nachos, snacks and Redbridge beer at gluten-free cart (Section 106)
  • Colorado Rockies (Coors Field) - Hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, chips, cookies, brownies and Redbridge beer at gluten-free stand (Section 147)
  • Los Angeles Dodgers (Dodger Stadium) - Snacks and Redbridge beer at Healthy Plate carts (Sections 7 and 12)
  • San Diego Padres (PETCO Park) - Hot dogs, hamburgers, hummus and vegetables, salads and beer at gluten-free stand (Section 104)
  • San Francisco Giants (AT&T Park) - Hot dogs, chips and Redbridge beer at Budweiser Brew Pub (Promenade Section 112)
AL East:
  • Baltimore Orioles (Oriole Park at Camden Yards) - Beef, pork and turkey sandwiches at Boog's BBQ (Eutaw Street); cheese pizza at Seasons Pizza (Sections 33, 220 and 372)
  • Boston Red Sox (Fenway Park) - Hot dogs, pizza, beer and snacks at gluten-free stand (Big Concourse)
  • New York Yankees (Yankee Stadium) - Nathan's hot dogs and Premio sausages on Udi's buns, Kozy Shack pudding and Redbridge beer at gluten-free stand (Great Hall - Gates 4-6); pizza at Famous Famiglia (Section 125); Nathan's hot dogs, Premio sausages and Boar's Head deli meats (without buns or bread) elsewhere throughout stadium; Kozy Shack pudding at Highlanders (Sections 110, 232, 305, 318, 321, 324 and at the Bleachers); Carvel soft-serve ice cream (Sections 112, 125, 207, 232, 307, 318, 324 and at the Bleachers); vegetable and fruit salads at Melissa's Farmers Market (Gate 4); Redbridge beer at Beers of the World (Sections 110, 205, 224, 312 and 321)
  • Tampa Bay Rays (Tropicana Field) -  Hot dogs, pretzels and beer at GF! stand (Center Field Street)
  • Toronto Blue Jays (Rogers Centre) - Sandwiches (Barq's BBQ beef brisket, Big Smoke jerk chicken, T.O. chopped pork and Market Burger), traditional butter chicken with fresh greens, three-bean chili and fruit at Muddy York Market (Section 109); beer at King Club (Level 100)
AL Central:
  • Chicago White Sox (U.S. Cellular Field) - Sandwiches and cookies at Triple Play Carvery (Section 110) and at All-Star Stand (Section 522); hot dogs at Comiskey Dog (Sections 105 and 544); nachos and toppings at TexMex (Sections 122, 152 and 523); nachos at portable locations located around the ballpark on the 100 and 500 levels; soft-serve ice cream at Winning Ugly is Sweet (Section 144) and at All-Star Stand (Section 538); Lakefront beer and Crispin cider at Midwest Brews (Sections 108 and 530)
  • Cleveland Indians (Progressive Field) - Hot dogs, sausages, veggie burgers, cookies, snacks and beer at Spuds and Suds (Sections 163 and 541)
  • Detroit Tigers (Comerica Park) -  Turkey legs, fruit platters and hummus plates at Brushfire Grill (Section 131); hummus plates at Labatt Blue Light Jungle (Gate B); bunless hot dogs, sausages and grilled chicken, french fries, peanuts, popcorn, nachos without cheese and frozen Minute Maid treats throughout stadium; Redbridge beer at Beer Hall (Section 131)
  • Kansas City Royals (Kauffman Stadium) - Bunless hot dogs and sausages, popcorn and Cracker Jack throughout stadium; barbequed meats, house-made BBQ sauce and potato salad at Royals All-Star Barbeque (Outfield Experience and Sections 219 and 423); Redbridge beer at Pine Tar Pub (Sections 210 and 245)
  • Minnesota Twins (Target Field) - Shrimp skewers, veggie kabobs, turkey legs and pork chops on a stick (Section 133); turkey legs (Section 311); fruits, vegetables and snacks at Farmers Market (Section 141); bunless hot dogs and grilled chicken, Angie's Kettle Corn, Rachel's Kettle Chips, Fruichi smoothies, nachos and cheese, Cracker Jack, Land O'Lakes soft-serve ice cream, Push Up Fruit Bars, cotton candy, popcorn and Killebrew Root Beer vended throughout stadium; Talenti Gelato (Sections 141 and 302); Redbridge beer (Sections 116, 124 and 325)  
AL West:
  • Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (Angel Stadium of Anaheim) - Veggie dogs, black bean burgers, sweet potato fries, salads and hummus at Melissa's Fresh For You stand (First Base and Third Base food courts); beer throughout stadium; pizza on suite menus
  • Oakland Athletics (The Coliseum) -  Special dietary needs accommodated upon request
  • Seattle Mariners (Safeco Field) - Hot dogs, sandwiches, soups, snacks and Redbridge beer at The Natural (Section 132); halibut and chips and Redbridge beer at Sound Seafood (Section 248); beer at Good Hops (Section 330)
  • Texas Rangers (Rangers Ballpark) - Hot dogs, cookies, pretzels, chips, salads, fruit and Redbridge beer at Centerfield Market (Section 50)
In addition, several teams are sponsoring Celiac Awareness Nights this season. They include the New York Mets (May 4), Arizona Diamondbacks (May 25), Colorado Rockies (June 9), Seattle Mariners (June 15), Philadelphia Phillies (July 20), San Diego Padres (July 21) and Los Angeles Dodgers (August 25).

Play ball!
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    15 comments:

    1. Excellent post, I just shared it! Thanks for taking the time to research this.

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    2. Wow, what an undertaking! And what a great list for gluten-free baseball fans.

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    3. The Sacramento RiverCats can make you a bunless burger, chips and a soda - because the manager there was willing to listen and learn!

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    4. What a great list. As a so cal baseball fan I am ashamed of the Dodgers and Angels for their paltry offerings. What's a baseball game without a hot dog (ok, Dodger dog)?

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    5. The Washington Nationals also sell Redbridge beer at the gluten-free cart and both of the gf pretzel locations.

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    6. Fort Wayne Tincaps have GF buns for hot dogs, BBQ chicken, hummus, chips, and beer!! The Komets had GF beer and other items.

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    7. This post just made my day!!!

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    8. This is great news!

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    9. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! At the game now, this is so helpful :)

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    10. I had a really hard time finding bunless brats/hot dogs at Miller Park, it seems they almost always 'bun' them in mass quantities first. If you go, try to find the places where you actually see them cooking the brats, and they can pull one off for you before they stick it in a bun. Couldn't find any of the chicken dishes, and their literature doesn't help. Thank God they serve Gf beer!!!

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    11. I had the experience of trying out the gluten free hot dog and beer last summer at Citizen's Park in Philadelphia. Sounds good to hear that other items are becoming available. It would be great if they could sell gluten free soft pretzels, too!

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    12. Thank you for putting this together!

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    13. Thanks for the list! Makes this Pirates baseball fan very happy (now we need to work on football and hockey, although Carolina Hurricanes at RBC Center has gluten-free options).

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    14. Thank you for this post - we referenced it in our post and review of the gluten-free stand in marlins park in Miami but make no mistake we are NOT marlins fans lol just phillies phans that permanently live in florida and went to see them play the marlins http://glutenfreewpb.wordpress.com/2012/07/12/take-me-out-to-the-ballgame/

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    15. This is great! G-free hot dogs made a huge difference at Fenway Park last summer. I was so excited to find them (with a bun)! I'm referencing your article for a g-free blog, this is such a complete list!

      Thanks again (and go Sox...)

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