'Something for everyone' to eat at Comerica Park this Tigers' season
Take me out to the ballgame and buy me some smash burgers and jerk chicken mango wraps.
It doesn't have the same ring as "peanuts and Cracker Jack" but it's a lot more interesting, and it's just a taste of what's available to eat this season at Comerica Park. The stadium — which is celebrating its 25th anniversary — will host Detroit Tigers home games (season home opener is April 4) as well as concerts such as the Jonas Brothers on Aug. 28 and the Lumineers on Sept. 13.
In the last several years Delaware North Sportservice, the Tigers' partner for concessions, has really leaned into local brands offering Michigan craft beers and cuisine from local restaurants of all kinds including Slows Bar BQ, Breadless, Green Dot Stables, Marrow Detroit Provisions, Taqueria El Rey, Bert's Entertainment Complex and Fairway Packing Co.
Executive chef Mark Szubeczak said all the restaurants in the ballpark have new menus and they're always looking at how they can "tap into the neighborhood" with local brands and ingredients.
"We're working with produce companies, meat companies, Fairway Packing is doing a special blend for our smash burger in the food court," he told The Detroit News at a media preview for the Tigers season on Wednesday at Comerica Park.
Chef Szubeczak said baseball fans can also find new and different concessions to match up with the "heritage nights." Expect halal chicken shawarma and chickpea power bowls for Arab American Night, April 9; a Hamtramck sandwich and Polish boy sliders on Polish Night, April 25; and brisket sliders from Green Dot Stables on Jewish Night, May 27.
"Also, every visiting team, we're doing food from their hometown as a special," he added, promising that there will be something in at Comerica Park for everyone, "from sushi to small plates."
"We have something for everyone and if you ate too much, just walk it off and enjoy the ballpark. It's a beautiful place to walk it off," he said.
Here are some of the highlights of this year's concession offerings at Comerica Park:
Put Me in Coach by Slows Bar BQ: Located in section 149 this year, Slows barbecue restaurant in Corktown (they also have a carryout spot in Cass Corridor) will have their popular pulled pork sandwich and the smoked chicken Yardbird from the restaurant menu. Special for Comerica Park is the Put Me in Coach, shredded brisket cooked with their special rub containing jalapenos, hot sauce and onions (but it's not overpowering) served on a bun with Kansas City-style barbecue sauce, dill pickles and sliced raw white onion.
Smashburger from Fairway Packing Co.: These trendy burgers with super thin and crispy patties are all the rage, and Fraser-based supplier Fairway Packing Co. supplies the beef for the ones found at Comerica Park this season. They’re very juicy with a nice charred flavor and loads of American cheese. Find them in the Big Cat Court, section 119.
Jerk Chicken and Mango Wrap from Breadless: Breadless is getting called to the majors this year, after several years of being a rotating vendor at Comerica Park. The Detroit-based, health-conscious brand will have its own permanent place this year, serving a 100% gluten-free menu in section 140. The jerk chicken and mango sandwich has juicy, jerk-seasoned chicken, peach and mango salsa, mango slices, pepper jack cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions and no-sugar-added barbecue sauce all wrapped in a sturdy Swiss chard leaf. It's a bright, slightly spicy sandwich with crunch that is calorie-conscious enough that you won't feel guilty about having a second craft beer. Vegans should check out the spicy falafel wrap.
Black pepper-crusted tenderloin: Available later this season in the Tigers Home Plate Club, a new VIP experience coming to the park, this dish features thinly sliced tenderloin served with colorful beet puree, a red wine reduction, fried garlic and celery root. The Home Plate Club will be more of a restaurant experience for fans, with sushi, charcuterie and small plates, too.
Value meals: Where are the deals? You'll find quite a few of them this year. You can get a hot dog, a bag of chips and a 16-ounce fountain drink for under $10 at the Big League Grills in several sections. Find 12-ounce cans of beer for $5 at the Miller Lite Market, Blue Moon Bistro and elsewhere. Little Caesars will have pizza value meals with a super slice and a 16-ounce fountain drink for $11.99. Tuesdays are especially good for savings with $3 hot dogs, $1 bag of chips, $3 water and 16-ounce fountain drinks at the Big League Grill locations.
Melody Baetens is The Detroit News restaurant critic
mbaetens@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: 'Something for everyone' to eat at Comerica Park this Tigers' season
