Wrigley Field Eats & What do you bring into the game?

While some people live for the Wrigley Field hot dog experience, I never saw the lure of shriveled, disappointing wieners. I have completely given up on ballpark food in general and stop to pick up food to bring into the games whenever possible. Whether it's because spring training started, general March stir-craziness, or the recent discovery of a couple new appealing, neighborhood carry out options, I started thinking of my normal rotation of spots from which I pick up food. A prior search of LTH yielded only Wrigleyville Brunch options so I thought to start a new thread in 'Eating Out in Chicagoland' since it's food from restaurants.

What restaurant fare do you bring into Wrigley Field?

My currently frequented Pre-Wrigley pick-up spots:

Bari Subs

Hot Dougs

Soupbox for April Games

Bentonara Sushi(closed) - will substitute Lawrence Fish Market this year

New additions to the rotation for this year:

Fish Bar Lobster Roll

Al's #1 Italian Beef

City Provisions Deli(while this was open previous years, I just recently started going)



I love bringing in a 5lb bag of peanuts and sharing with my seat neighbors or assembling a nice spread at home for the game. However, for this forum, I think it will be best to limit this topic to food that is picked up at restaurants.

mkess wrote:While some people live for the Wrigley Field hot dog experience, I never saw the lure of shriveled, disappointing wieners. I have completely given up on ballpark food in general and stop to pick up food to bring into the games whenever possible. Whether it's because spring training started, general March stir-craziness, or the recent discovery of a couple new appealing, neighborhood carry out options, I started thinking of my normal rotation of spots from which I pick up food. A prior search of LTH yielded only Wrigleyville Brunch options so I thought to start a new thread in 'Eating Out in Chicagoland' since it's food from restaurants.

Before you make the investment, you better make sure that you are able to bring food into the ballpark. There is NO consistent policy in MLB regarding food brought into the park.

In Montreal, we were able to bring a full cooler into the park with no questions or checking.

In Milwaukee, they allowed us to bring in food but only one bottle of water or soda.

And in several parks, they told us to eat the food outside as we could not bring it in.

Wrigley Field has always been a PITA about bringing in backpacks and the like. Since we walk to the game from Oglivie and my wife likes to carry a backpack, we always unpack the pack and place it under my jacket to get into the place (another reason why I much prefer Milwaukee and US Cellular Field).

And for the record, food at the ballpark does not have to be lousy shrivelled hot dogs. In a good number of major league (and minor league) ballparks, the food is outstanding. Dodger Stadium and the old Candlestick Park always served excellent food. Milwaukee is pretty good to although I am not a great fan of Klement's sausages.

jlawrence01 wrote:Before you make the investment, you better make sure that you are able to bring food into the ballpark. There is NO consistent policy in MLB regarding food brought into the park.

I have never run into a problem at Wrigley Field and stay away from bringing glass or cans(usually stop at 7-11 for a big gulp). Per the Cubs website, the bag check policy states that "Large bags, luggage, inflatables such as balloons and beach balls, nets, noise makers, brooms, weapons, laser pointers, hard-sided coolers, thermoses, cans and glass bottles are not permitted at any time. To ensure fan safety, the Cubs reserve the right to refuse admittance of any item deemed hazardous or suspicious." I have found that most teams' websites list some sort of policy on what you can bring in.

I agree that some other stadiums offer very good food but Wrigley is not one of them IMHO. I didn't want to include references to other cities stadium grub in "Eating Out in Chicagoland" and was unsure if this is where the thread belonged in the first place.

I have never had a problem walking in to Wrigley Field with food. The folks who sit next to our seats always bring in a HUGE bag of McDonalds Cheeseburgers and hand them out to everyone around who wants one. We sell alot of our Wraps at Toons for folks to carry-out. Carried food in over 20 times and never been an issue.

Danny

"Visitors may bring food or drink items into the ballpark, which are packaged in acceptable containers." http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/chc/ballpar ... nt=guide#F

I usually pick up stuff from - http://www.aokgourmet.com/ - before hopping on the yellow line.

mkess wrote:While some people live for the Wrigley Field hot dog experience, I never saw the lure of shriveled, disappointing wieners.

Banner quote?

Bag of emapanadas and alfajores from El Mercado, the Argentine butcher/bodega on Southport.

To this day I can vividly remember the smokie link vendor just up the first base line. The taste and aroma of a smokie link being cooked on a griddle that had probably not been cleaned in years are something I still think about whenever I walk into the park, even now some 40+ years later. Sadly, the smokie link cart disappeared years ago, and Oscar Meyer stopped manufacturing the product a little while back.

In terms of bringing food into the park, it has never been a problem as long as you stay away from bottles and cans.

The above mentioned places are all good options, though I have found that Hot Dougs is much more appreciated if eaten shortly after purchasing, and would not travel quite as well as a sub or even sushi.

An old standby is always Hero's Subs at Western and Addison. Not as good as Bari, but a heck of a lot better than anything in the park.

Are you kidding me. I think that the grilled Wrigley Dogs with grilled onions rank right up there with those at Paradise Pup or the Weiner's Circle.

mkess wrote:While some people live for the Wrigley Field hot dog experience, I never saw the lure of shriveled, disappointing wieners.

There are actually two types of hot dogs at Wrigley. The ones in the "permanent" food concession stands are terrible. The ones sold by walking vendors are the same as these. Then there are the ones at the temporary grill stands, which are far better.

The Best Kosher stand down in the concourse produces a decent product with grilled onions.

Dave148 wrote:The Best Kosher stand down in the concourse produces a decent product with grilled onions.

I do not think it is best kosher any longer since Best Kosher hot dogs are no longer made -

I find ballgames the best opportunity to eat a pile of junkfood. I like the grilled dogs and nachos with lots of hot peppers. Grilled dogs actually taste good, nachos are terrible but it does not feel like a ballgame without them. Sometimes I get the italian sausage, also not bad. Avoid the beef!

I wonder what a game would be like of one could actually pack a decent lunch. Duck sammy from Pastoral? A Ba Le feed?

AngrySarah wrote:I wonder what a game would be like of one could actually pack a decent lunch. Duck sammy from Pastoral? A Ba Le feed?

Your seat mates would be quite jealous.

There used to be a little Mexican place (dive) right under the EL tracks; north side of Addison. They made great burritos that I would smuggle in under my jacket. I was the envy of everyone sitting around me. Not sure if they're still there as I haven't been to a game in years.

Buddy

BuddyRoadhouse wrote:There used to be a little Mexican place (dive) right under the EL tracks; north side of Addison. They made great burritos that I would smuggle in under my jacket. I was the envy of everyone sitting around me. Not sure if they're still there as I haven't been to a game in years.

Buddy

El Burrito Mexicano
936 W. Addison

Some changes in food vendors at Wrigley and the Cell:

Vienna Beef wins Wrigley hot dog race

Vienna Beef replaces Ball Park Franks.
D'Agostino's replaces Connie's.
Hamburgers by Stanley's Kitchen and Tap
Chicken wings from the Fifty/50
Plus some additional allergy-friendly options

I presume the grill stations will stay.

Now if they could just upgrade the beer options to something close to, say, that at HoHoKam Park.

Darren72 wrote:Now if they could just upgrade the beer options to something close to, say, that at HoHoKam Park.

Perhaps an upgrade of the actual performance of the team would be a good idea.

Dave148 wrote:Perhaps an upgrade of the actual performance of the team would be a good idea.

There's a team?

stevez wrote:

Dave148 wrote:Perhaps an upgrade of the actual performance of the team would be a good idea.

There's a team?

I just started to wear bifocals. Still getting used to the end results.

I posed the OP's question to someone I met recently who used to work food service at Wrigley. He changed jobs a few years ago, but he said something about veal sliders available somewhere near the park. Unfortunately, I don't remember the name of the restaurant. He said he and co-workers would eat those sliders before almost every game. I guess the little sandwiches might not travel well. Anyone know what restaurant it might be?

Going to Wrigley next Friday, 6/8, for Roger Waters on my birthday. Wanted a bit of a nicer dinner before hand. Was thinking maybe Socca or Uncommon Ground, or the Peasantry. Haven't been to any of them and could use some recommendations. Thanks!

fropones wrote:Going to Wrigley next Friday, 6/8, for Roger Waters on my birthday. Wanted a bit of a nicer dinner before hand. Was thinking maybe Socca or Uncommon Ground, or the Peasantry. Haven't been to any of them and could use some recommendations. Thanks!

Uncommon Ground is quite good, as is Deleece, which is right around the corner on Southport. If you can get there early enough, Tango Sur (also on Southport) is pretty good and BYOB as well, but the waits become lengthy after 5:30 or so.

Ursiform wrote:

fropones wrote:Going to Wrigley next Friday, 6/8, for Roger Waters on my birthday. Wanted a bit of a nicer dinner before hand. Was thinking maybe Socca or Uncommon Ground, or the Peasantry. Haven't been to any of them and could use some recommendations. Thanks!

Uncommon Ground is quite good, as is Deleece, which is right around the corner on Southport. If you can get there early enough, Tango Sur (also on Southport) is pretty good and BYOB as well, but the waits become lengthy after 5:30 or so.

Socca, Deleece and Uncommon Ground are all favorites of mine and I'd highly recommend. A bit further away you have Sola and Browntrout.

fropones wrote:Going to Wrigley next Friday, 6/8, for Roger Waters on my birthday. Wanted a bit of a nicer dinner before hand. Was thinking maybe Socca or Uncommon Ground, or the Peasantry. Haven't been to any of them and could use some recommendations. Thanks!

Roger Waters is 68. Does anyone else feel old?

68 is still older than me so, no. But then, The Wall was released when I was in college, so, yes.

We'll be there as well. We're doing dinner at Mia Francesca before the show. Gonna load up on carbs and vino.

Just curious where all of you and the OP spread out your blankets and enjoy such fine repast. Is there a hidden grassy knoll from which you can enjoy the game? Perhaps with a fine wine or a shaker of martinis? All in non-metal containers, of course.

Here's a good combination. Yesterday, we went to the Sox game and beforehand stopped at Maxwell Street for Taco's at Rubi's. Beautiful day, great food and the Sox won again.

how come no one has invented the cure for the curse ...

my prescription (to be worked into recipe) -- goat product (meat or milk) chocolate (theo bromo -- or epstein -- divine cure) and garlic (eschikagou to the ojibwa) ... some sort of chivo mole

same to be marketed outside the not always friendly confines and/or the rooftops

SGFoxe wrote:how come no one has invented the cure for the curse ...

my prescription (to be worked into recipe) -- goat product (meat or milk) chocolate (theo bromo -- or epstein -- divine cure) and garlic (eschikagou to the ojibwa) ... some sort of chivo mole

same to be marketed outside the not always friendly confines and/or the rooftops

Some sort of a garlicky birria with mole? Wrap it in a tortilla & sell it from carts as "The Curse Breaker". Profit.

thetrob wrote:To this day I can vividly remember the smokie link vendor just up the first base line. The taste and aroma of a smokie link being cooked on a griddle that had probably not been cleaned in years are something I still think about whenever I walk into the park, even now some 40+ years later. Sadly, the smokie link cart disappeared years ago, and Oscar Meyer stopped manufacturing the product a little while back.

Hi,

I don't know if this will influence the return of the smokie link vendor. I did see last week an Oscar Meyer Smokie Link package at Walmart with the bold statement, "New!" This is good news for my family, because smokie links were something we ate at Oma's with spaetzle and sauerkraut.

Regards,