Stadium Food: Beyond Peanuts and Cracker Jacks

Baseball game food options used to be limited to peanuts and crackerjacks, hot dogs & (generic) beer. Today, visitors to Nationals Park or Camden Yards can find salads, crab cakes, "half-smokes," and micro-brews. Major league teams are trying to create unique fan experiences by offering fare with local character. We explore the evolution of the stadium experience.

Where's The Best Stadium Food?

Margaret Engel and Bruce Adams, authors of Fodor's "Baseball Vacations," offer their picks for best baseball stadium food across the country.

1. Soup
   Byerly's wild rice and chicken soup at Target Field, Minneapolis, MN

2. Sandwiches
   Beef on 'weck at North AmeriCare Park, Buffalo, NY
   Walleye sandwich at Midway Stadium, St. Paul, MN
   Pork roll at Mercer County Waterfront Park, Trenton, NJ.
   Al Lopez Cuban sandwich at Legends Field, Tampa, FL.
   Pork sandwich at Veterans Memorial Stadium, Cedar Rapids, IA

3. Meat
   Broiled pork chops at Sec Taylor Stadium, Des Moines, IA

4. Vegetables
   Roasted corn at Nelson Wolff Municipal Stadium, San Antonio, TX and All Sports Stadium, Oklahoma City, OK

5. Fish
   Abalone steak at Municipal Stadium, San Jose, CA
   Fish tacos at Petco Park, San Diego, CA

6. Poultry
   Kool Jerk Calypso Chicken at Midway Stadium, St. Paul, MN
   Barbecued turkey legs at Municipal Stadium, San Jose, CA

7. Barbecue
   Boog's Place in Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD

8. Bratwurst
   Amana brats with Rock Island's Boetje mustard at John O'Donnell Stadium, Davenport, IA

9. Drinks
   Loganberry juice at College Stadium, Jamestown, NY
   Made-to-order espresso at Everett Memorial Stadium, Everett, WA
   Fresh orangeade at Sec Taylor Stadium, Des Moines, IA

10. Snacks

11. Ice Cream
    Family-sized banana splits with Ehrler's ice cream at Cardinal Stadium, Louisville, KY.
    California's It's-It bars at Everett Memorial Stadium, Everett, WA

12. Popcorn
    Freshly popped white corn, packed in brown bags at Damaschke Field, Oneonta, NY

13. Pretzels
    Uncle Teddy's hand-twisted cinnamon pretzels, Oriole Park at Camden Yards, Baltimore, MD

14. Healthy Food
    Sushi and Cobb salad at Anaheim Stadium, Anaheim, CA
    Yoshinoya chicken bowl at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles, CA
    Fruit and veggie trays at the Epicenter, Rancho Cucamonga, CA
    Grayson-flavored waters at Historic Engel Stadium, Chattanooga, TN

15. Sinful Food
    Chocolate-covered cheesecake on a stick at Joe Martin Stadium, Bellingham, WA

16. Hottest Food
    Jala bumpers (deep fried jalapeno peppers with cheese) at Sky Sox Stadium, Colorado Springs, CO

17. Best Food To Eat Alone
    40-clove garlic chicken sandwich at AT&T Park, San Francisco, CA

18. Ethnic food
    Cuban pork sandwich, Miami Marlins Park

19. On-The-Way-Into-The-Park-Food
    Gold-N-Good Sugar and Spice Mini-Donuts sold hot in bags outside Midway Stadium, St. Paul, MN

20. Weirdest Items Sold At Food Stand
    Disappearing ink, wacky glasses and headache powder at the ice cream stand at Ray Winder Field, Little Rock, AR

21. Best service
    Vendors delivering hot funnel cakes at Tim McCarver Stadium, Memphis, TN

22. Nuts
    Caramelized almonds at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, Durham, NC