I don't like eating at Wrigley because it's just not a comfortable place to eat - the seating is too tight. (Well except for this year, where lots of empty seats were available...) If its a weekend game, I tend to stop at Byron's for a polish sausage, then just get a soft drink and some potato chips from 7-11 to take into the ballpark.

Hot Doug's sausages featured at new Wrigley concession stand

Hot Doug's Doug Sohn, master purveyor of "encased meats," will introduce three specialty sausages to Wrigley Field's newest concession area.

I always bring water bottles and peanuts to the game. Water is $5.00 a bottle there. The only thing I usually will buy in the park are hot dogs.

If you bring in water, make sure the plastic bottle is still factory-sealed when you go through security; otherwise it may get confiscated. The same is true of plastic bottles filled with other non-alcoholic beverages. Cans, glass bottles, thermoses, and alcoholic beverages from outside are prohibited.

Personally, I find better quality, variety, and prices of food by eating nearby, before or after the game. Depending on the time of the game and when I want to eat, nearby places I've eaten include Deleece, Southport Grocery, Fish Bar, and Fahlstrom's. Occasionally I'll pick up a pastry at Bittersweet, too.

nsxtasy wrote:If you bring in water, make sure the plastic bottle is still factory-sealed when you go through security; otherwise it may get confiscated. The same is true of plastic bottles filled with other non-alcoholic beverages. Cans, glass bottles, thermoses, and alcoholic beverages from outside are prohibited.

Honestly, the guy checking my bag was so uninterested in looking, that I could have brought in all vodka and he wouldn't have cared.

My standard for a while has been to meet friends at TAC Quick before the game. Really good Thai, even post-Andy, and BYO. For less adventurous partners we've recently been going to Old Crow Smokehouse - surprisingly good Q for Wrigleyville. Actually eating in Wrigley, can't remember anything other than hot dogs - definitely worth walking to one of the carts in the concourse vs those dreadful versions served by the guys in the stands. That said I've yet to sample Wrigley 2015 where presumably some of the rehab has trickled down to the food options. I'll be going next month and do some exploring.

Kman wrote:Actually eating in Wrigley, can't remember anything other than hot dogs

Every year our friends at Eater.com update this article (as well as articles for the Cell, each of the airports, etc):

What to Eat at Chicago's Wrigley Field, 2015 Edition

Darren72 wrote:Hot Doug's sausages featured at new Wrigley concession stand

Hot Doug's Doug Sohn, master purveyor of "encased meats," will introduce three specialty sausages to Wrigley Field's newest concession area.

I'm told by some folks who were at a recent game that the Hot Doug sausage stand did not have a long line and that the ones they had were really good.

I tend to bring a full tummy courtesy of Smoque BBQ.... I live in the NW Suburbs, so I would get off 90 at Irving Park Road anyway. Smoque is about a 3 minute detour....

Empanads from El Mercado Food Mart. Easy to carry and stay delicious for hours.



3767 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60613

I didn't realize that only people who have bleacher seats can get to Hot Doug's new stand. If I misunderstood that, someone please let me know, but I did ask Wrigley Field employees who said I couldn't get into that part of the park without a ticket for a seat in the bleachers. If so, I won't be able to enjoy any Hot Doug's encased meats at Wrigley, as me sitting in the sun in the bleachers would turn me into something that could be served as a lobster roll.

We enjoyed the Joe Maddon Italian hoagie this past Sunday (Ernie Banks day, woo-hoo!). In the future I think I might just get that sandwich --- it was $10 and plenty for two of us --- and skip the hot dogs and Polish sausages. I'd hate to get a mustard stain on my #14 jersey.

Katie wrote:I didn't realize that only people who have bleacher seats can get to Hot Doug's new stand. If I misunderstood that, someone please let me know....

Yes, this is my understanding also.

More Hot Doug's, new concessions headed to Wrigley Field

http://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/ct ... story.html

nsxtasy wrote:

Kman wrote:Actually eating in Wrigley, can't remember anything other than hot dogs

Every year our friends at Eater.com update this article (as well as articles for the Cell, each of the airports, etc):

What to Eat at Chicago's Wrigley Field, 2015 Edition

Just tried this link and found it now goes to the 2016 edition.

Chicago Dog Bloody Mary: Fans in the Budweiser Bleachers can try a twist on the Bloody Mary with a celery salt and poppy seed rim. The fun's with the skewer, which features a mini Vienna Beef red hot and garnishes, served in a souvenir mason jar

Can't think of any reason why this might be a problem...tiny little weapons in the hands of drunk bleacher fans pissed when the Cubbies disappoint yet again...

Oh, just kidding people! Titus, don't go apesh*t on me now Wishing Cub fans nothing but the best. Just keep those little shivs to yourselves!

Was at the Cubs game last night, prior to the game Mrs Willie & I stopped by Bernie's which is just across the street (Clark) from NW corner of Wrigley Field.

Terribly overcooked burgers, gray with no moisture or pink at all. $10. Waste of money.

Bernie's Tap & Grill
3664 N Clark St
Chicago, IL
https://www.bernieschicago.com/

I like to bring carne asada burritos from Carniceria Guanajuato #3 (California and Belmont), which is on the way to Wrigley from my place. They're a silver lining even in those rare instanes when the Cubs lose.

=R=

Being a Phillies fan, I was also at the game last night. It's amazing how bad the food is in the stadium. My friend and I got the grilled dogs with onions. Of course, they don't season the onions whatsoever, and some of them are barely grilled. Then the hot dogs. Both of ours had some hardened, black portions on the dogs. I don't even know what the substance is, other than that it came from the griddle surface. Add in the stale bun - what a treat! Having been to so many ballparks in the US, I'm amazed at the shit they're serving at Wrigley.

ronnie_suburban wrote:I like to bring carne asada burritos from Carniceria Guanajuato #3 (California and Belmont)

I don't care if I had dig a tunnel El Chapo style from Logan Sq to get it, there is no way in hell I'm getting a carne asada burrito from anywhere but El Asadero on Montrose! Best meat & salsa verde, plus they do it right w/out disgusting beans and sour cream. Meat, lettuce, tomato, onion & cilantro.

By the way, I've noticed that at the new Park at Wrigley, they've had a food truck on site before games. Hopefully, as the weather warms, there will be multiple food trucks. There are plenty of beer stands though, and they are happy to note that their beer prices are cheaper than inside the park. Yeah, beer inside Wrigley is $9.50/10.00 . . . $9 outside. What a bargain!

Before a game last month, I had lunch at Crosby's Kitchen and LOVED it. I posted about it in the Crosby's topic here.

bweiny wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:I like to bring carne asada burritos from Carniceria Guanajuato #3 (California and Belmont)

I don't care if I had dig a tunnel El Chapo style from Logan Sq to get it, there is no way in hell I'm getting a carne asada burrito from anywhere but El Asadero on Montrose! Best meat & salsa verde, plus they do it right w/out disgusting beans and sour cream. Meat, lettuce, tomato, onion & cilantro.

Lol, you're so wrong but it's ok!

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:

bweiny wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:I like to bring carne asada burritos from Carniceria Guanajuato #3 (California and Belmont)

I don't care if I had dig a tunnel El Chapo style from Logan Sq to get it, there is no way in hell I'm getting a carne asada burrito from anywhere but El Asadero on Montrose! Best meat & salsa verde, plus they do it right w/out disgusting beans and sour cream. Meat, lettuce, tomato, onion & cilantro.

Lol, you're so wrong but it's ok!

=R=

I totally get it that the additional items are not to everyone's liking but at Guanajuato, they'll make it for you however you like it. I generally skip the tomatoes and the lettuce but I've really come to like the thin schmear of tasty refried beans on their burritos. I was skeptical at first but no longer. And I really dig the avocado, too . . . as long as you're going to eat the burrito right away. Generally speaking, I like their meat better than at El Asadero too but hey, that's just me.

=R=

BR wrote:It's amazing how bad the food is in the stadium.

It's predominantly Levy and well . . . they suck.

=R=

ronnie_suburban wrote:

BR wrote:It's amazing how bad the food is in the stadium.

It's predominantly Levy and well . . . they suck.

=R=

But Levy can do better if the venue demands it. The Sox can't draw flies to their games, but at least the food is MUCH better than what is served at Wrigley. Same for the UC.

stevez wrote:

ronnie_suburban wrote:

BR wrote:It's amazing how bad the food is in the stadium.

It's predominantly Levy and well . . . they suck.

=R=

But Levy can do better if the venue demands it. The Sox can't draw flies to their games, but at least the food is MUCH better than what is served at Wrigley. Same for the UC.

Well, history suggests that Cubs fans are pretty tolerant of mediocrity . . . or worse!

=R=

If I'm taking the CTA, I'll get off at Sheridan and get some food from Byron's and walk the half mile to the ballpark. Always a polish, usually something else as well, no fries.

If I'm driving and taking the shuttle to a night game after work, I'll pick up Potbelly on my way to my car, and have a bag of my own trail mixture with apricots and cashews.

Oh, and a mini of bourbon or Jack either way.

threadkiller wrote:If I'm taking the CTA, I'll get off at Sheridan and get some food from Byron's and walk the half mile to the ballpark. Always a polish, usually something else as well, no fries.

FYI, in case you hadn't heard, per Chicago Magazine's weekly email blast:

FYI, Wrigley Field–goers: Due to a fire in the kitchen, the Byron’s Hot Dogs location near the ballpark (1017 W. Irving Park Rd.) is closed for the time being. Gotta get your dogs elsewhere until we hear otherwise.

=R=

threadkiller wrote:If I'm taking the CTA, I'll get off at Sheridan and get some food from Byron's and walk the half mile to the ballpark.

Another option near the Sheridan L stop, if their hours work for your game:

Southern France Patisserie in Lakeview - Yum!

Similarly, near the Belmont L stop, also a half mile from the ballpark but in the opposite direction:

Maison Parisienne (croissant topic)
Maison Parisienne (kouign amann topic)

ronnie_suburban wrote:

threadkiller wrote:If I'm taking the CTA, I'll get off at Sheridan and get some food from Byron's and walk the half mile to the ballpark. Always a polish, usually something else as well, no fries.

FYI, in case you hadn't heard, per Chicago Magazine's weekly email blast:

FYI, Wrigley Field–goers: Due to a fire in the kitchen, the Byron’s Hot Dogs location near the ballpark (1017 W. Irving Park Rd.) is closed for the time being. Gotta get your dogs elsewhere until we hear otherwise.

=R=

Oh that's not good. I can't afford Cubs tickets in Chicago now anyway, so hopefully Byron's will reopen soon and I won't miss a beat!