Yesterday (April 3), Baseball Roundtable took part in what has become a Roundtable rite of spring – the Twins’ Annual Food and Beverage Preview. Sponsored by the Minnesota Twins and Delaware North (the team’s food and retail partner), this annual media event features a look at (and taste of) the upcoming season’s new Target Field food and beverage offerings.
The Twins Keep Raising the Bar
As I’ve noted here before, when I first began attending MLB games, standard fare consisted of (not always piping-hot) hot dogs and (not always ice-cold) beer and soda. For those wanting to step outside the box, there were peanuts, popcorn and Cracker Jack® (which was, of course, in the box and with a toy). For the really adventurous, there were frozen malt cups (with a wooden spoon after taste). When pizza and burgers arrived on the scene, we all thought baseball’s culinary landscape was complete.
Side note: I must admit, I do miss in-the-stands vendors who had mastered the art of applying decorative ribbons of mustard and/or ketchup to a steamed hot dog. Those days, however, are past.
The 2023 Target Field Food and Beverage Preview (like those that went before it ) brought home how wrong we were about reaching the ultimate in ballpark fare – and how committed the Twins are to continually raising the ballpark food and beverage bar, while also building an ever-stronger Minnesota connection.
Here are a few of Baseball Roundtable’s favorite new Target Field offerings for 2023 – as judged by super-taster Bob King and me. Those items that are Minnesota made are identified. I attempted to include prices and locations wherever possible. Note: Many, not all, of the photos show the sample size from the Food and Beverage Preview, rather than full size offering (generally, if the descriptive sign is in the photo, it’s a full -size offering). And of course, prices and availability are subject to change.
Let’s start with the Baseball Roundtable Taste Team’s top-six new items.
Number One … Jr. Gong Jerk Chicken Bowl (Minnesota made), Soul Bowl, Section 113, $14.50.
Roasted jerk chicken thighs, glazed with pineapple jerk sauce and served with sweet plantains and yellow rice. Bob and I both rated this number-one among the new tastes of the Twins. The chicken was both spicy and juicy (take an extra napkin), with just enough sweet in the pineapple and plantain to balance the “heat.”
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Number Two … Cochinita Sliders, Truly on Deck.
Pork wrapped in banana leaves and braised in adobe sauce, with habanero pickled red onions and tequila pickles – served on a Sweet Hawaiian Roll. Bob rated this as “the most unique and original offering.” He liked the combination of the braised pork flavor and the “tang” of the tequila pickles. This one really wakes up the taste buds.
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Number Three … Summer Strawberries and Cream Waffles, Waffles and More, Section 114.
Need desert? We were both impressed by the Summer Strawberries and Cream Waffles. Waffles crunchy on the outside, fluffy on the inside – topped with true summer sweetness. The stand also offers Chicken and Waffles and Belgian Waffles with locally-sourced maple syrup.
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Number Four … Legacy Salad (Minnesota made), Roots for the Home Team, Look for the concession cart. (In recent seasons, near Gate 34 on weekends).
Lighter Fair? A salad of brown rice, pickled vegetables, edamame, snap pears and bok choy. Crisp, fresh with just the right level of zip in the dressing. Good food for a good cause. Roots for the Home Team works with area young people participating in community garden programs to cultivate personal and professional growth.
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Number Five … Banh Mi Sandwich … Sous vide pork belly served on a hoagie roll with dark soy aioli, picked vegetables add sweet soy caramel. Bob noted that “This is a winner for me. Nice and meaty. The pork belly has a nice crunch and the hardy bun holds up to the sandwich.” Truly on Deck.
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Number Six … Chicken Sandwich (Minnesota made), Official Fried Chicken, Section 133, $8.99.
Official Fried Chicken offers a Chicken Sandwich ($8.99), as well as four- and eight-piece bone-in chicken and chicken tenders and fries ($12.99-$27.99). All the chicken was tasty, so it’s a matter of personal preference as to how you like your fowl served. Bob and I both preferred the Chicken Sandwich – juicy broasted chicken in a sandwich that was just spicy enough. Also, worth a try for the technology. You order put in your at a kiosk, leave a phone number and then receive a text when it ready. You’ll find it in one of the convenient heated pick-up boxes (see photo), ready to go. No fuss, no lines.
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Three Adult Beverages We Think Would All be
a Refreshing Way to Lift Your Ballpark Spirits.
Lovejoy Bloody Mary
Bomboozled … Bomba Juice (Strawberry/Lemonade Hard Seltzer) with an extra kick (60-Proof Strawberry/Basil/Chili Muddle). Gray Duck Deck, left field corner.
Lovejoy Thai Basil Bloody Mary (Minnesota made), garnished with Lovejoy-seasoned Minnesota Duroc Pork Belly. Gate 34 Pub.
Double Play … (Minnesota made), Keeper’s Heart Rye and Keeper’s Heart Bourbon with pineapple and cranberry juice. Truly on Deck.
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A few other items to consider:
Hmong Sausage and Khao Sen/Rice Noodle Bowl (Minnesota made) … Seared Kramarczuk’s Hmong Sausage, served with chilled rice noodles, fresh herbs, cabbage, and vegetable slaw in a sweet chili vinaigrette. Union Hmong Kitchen, Section 127.
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Loaded Potatoes … Looking for some comfort food at the ballyard? Fried baby red potatoes topped with cheddar cheese, sour cream, bacon and scallions, Truly on Deck.
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T-Rex Cookies (Minnesota made) … These sweet treats (Chocolate Chip and Monster Flavor) are the size of a catcher’s mitt (or, at about 8-inches across, seem nearly so). A chewy-chocolaty dessert to share or, given the new pitch-count rules, one that should last a full inning or more. Multiple locations.
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Mrs. Parker Donut Peach Cobbler (Minnesota made) … Feeling the need for something super sweet? A yeast donut topped with sweet peach cobbler, caramel drizzle and crushed vanilla wafers. Truly on Deck.
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Jonny Pops (Minnesota made) … Summer Strawberries and Cream, Chocolate Fudge and Oat Milk, Rainbow Fruit Snacks, Watermelon, and Red, White and Boom. Section 126.
Beer Bats … Souvenir bat filled with ice-cold beer. This bat should be a hit with fans of beer and baseball – you pick the order. Multiple locations.
Wine Carafes … Wine, champagne, Mimosas and more in a unique carafe you’ll probably want to take home. Section 114.
This is just a sampling of the new items for 2023. Many favorites from past seasons will also be back: like Hot Indian Chicken Tikka, Kramarczuk’s Sausages, Tony O’s Cuban Sandwich, Murray’s Smoked Beef Sandwich and more. And, don’t forget more traditional ballpark favorites like the Twins Big Dog, Nachos Grande in a helmet, bratwurst, pizza, peanuts, Cracker Jacks, and ice cream in a helmet. The point is, when you head into the Target Field, you have plenty of choices when it comes to food and beverage. Enjoy – and try not to spill on your scorecard. (Okay, I’m old school, I still keep a scorecard.)
For a full listing of concession offerings, locations and prices, click here to go to the Twins Concession page.
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