They say that a hot dog always tastes better at the ballpark. While that may be true, there are so many other tasty treats to try at T-Mobile Park this season. This year marks the ninth-year collaboration between the Mariners’ hospitality partner, Centerplate, and 2019 James Beard Award Semifinalist Chef Ethan Stowell. Together, they’re bringing new tastes, new flavors and even a new signature cocktail inspired by the Mariners new partnership with T-Mobile to the park. Scroll down to see what you can expect to sink your teeth into this season.
Hit It Here Cafe
Chef Stowell has made some exciting updates to the Hit It Here Café menu adding selections from his Ballard Pizza and burgers featuring Crowd Cow. Created with a half-pound Crowd Cow beef patty, the Hempler’s Bacon Burger is almost too good to be true. Topped with smoked sweet and spicy Hempler’s bacon, Tillamook cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and special sauce, it’s a real mouthful. Other burgers on the menu include the Spicy Burger (half pound Crowd Cow patty topped with Face Rock Creamery’s "In Your Face Habanero cheese,” Mama Lil’s pickled peppers, lettuce, tomato, onion and special sauce), the Beyond™ Burger (a plant-based patty with lettuce, tomato, onion and vegan Just Mayo) and the Chef Inspired Burger created by some of Seattle’s top chefs, including Ethan Stowell, Maria Hines, John Sundstrom, Brady Williams and Mitch Mayers and will change on a regular basis.
If pizza is more your style, Stowell brings four kinds of personal-sized pizzas from Ballard Pizza, including Arugula & Guanciale, the Staple & Fancy (with pecorino, mozzarella, Zoe’s pepperoni, jalapeños and pineapple), Zoe’s Pepperoni and Cheese (with pecorino and mozzarella).
Order Up: A side of KuKu Fries with that burger. They are just as unique as they are topped with togarashie Japanese seasoning, red tobiko (flying fish roe), sriracha chili sauce, horseradish crema and chives.
Location: Hit It Here Cafe
Fat's Chicken
Two of the best new tastes this season come with a Southern accent as the Central District’s Fat’s Chicken & Waffles brings its cuisine to the ballpark. The Five Spice Fried Chicken Thigh Sandwich is delicious with its garlic aioli, tomato, pickle, mixed greens and house-made pimento cheese on a toasted bun. It goes together nicely with the Creole-spiced mac & cheese (which is just the right amount of spice without becoming too “hot”) made with Tillamook cheddar and mozzarella sauce. Other great choices include Fat’s Buttermilk Fried Chicken Strips with fries, Fat’s Wings (served with lemon pepper, buffalo style or gasp, naked) and Poutine (French fries topped with house-made Andouille sausage gravy and pimento cheese and rice with Andouille sausage gravy (aka Jasmine rice smothered in house-made Andouille sausage gravy).
Location: The ‘Pen
Paseo Caribbean Sandwiches
Recently voted "Best Sandwich Shop in Washington,” by Thrillist, Paseo, brings their mouthwatering Caribbean flavors with inventive spins of favorite sandwiches each served with garlic aioli, caramelized onion, cilantro, pickled jalapeño and romaine lettuce on a toasted baguette. Choices here include the Caribbean Roast Sandwich (slow roasted pork shoulder in Paseo’s signature marinade), Smokin’ Thighs Sandwich (roasted skin-on chicken thighs), Tofu Delight Sandwich (sautéed organic tofu) and the West Caribbean Bowl (slow-roasted pork or chicken thighs atop jasmine rice with black beans, warm salsa, cheddar cheese, sour cream, pickled jalapeño and cilantro with tortilla chips.)
Order Up: The sides which are just as amazing. The roasted corn on the cob is unlike any corn you have ever eaten. Slathered in aioli, the ears are topped with parmesan cheese, cilantro and Paseo spices. Other sides include black beans and rice, Caribbean fries (with aioli, cilantro and Paseo spices) and nachos topped with cheddar cheese sauce, sour cream, caramelized onions, cilantro and pineapple chunks.
Location: Edgar’s Cantina & Edgar’s Home Run Porch
Li'l Woody's Burgers & Shakes
Hamburgers might seem like a dime a dozen at the ballpark, but Li’l Woody’s is creating imaginative and savory combinations this season. Using fresh, quality ingredients, namely Painted Hills grass-fed beef, the burger joint has received high marks as one of the best places in Seattle. Now, you can enjoy the flame-broiled burgers served with chopped onion, diced pickle, tomato, lettuce, ketchup and mayo as you cheer on the M's. Choose from The Big Woody (1/4 lb. beef patty, Painted Hill’s bacon and Tillamook cheddar cheese), the Li’l Woody (the same burger minus the bacon) or the Impossible™ Veggie Burger. Your kids might prefer the chicken tenders and you can help them eat the hand-cut French fries.
Order Up: Fries from the mini fry menu featuring the now classic Garlic Fries, Queso Fries and a little something they like to call the ’95 Slide which is an order of fries with a small Full Tilt ice cream milkshake – for dipping! Sure, it sounds weird, but people love the savory/sweet combo.
Location: The ‘Pen
Sultan of Sandwich & The Natural
The Sultan of Sandwich is offering a tribute to the Hall of Fame broadcaster Dave Niehaus with its Grand Salami Sandwich. Believe it or not, it comes with a half-pound of local salami, smoked provolone cheese and grainy mustard on a marbled rye baguette. My, Oh My!
Location: Main Level, Section 105
Over at The Natural, you’ll find vegetarian options like the Beyond Meats Vegan Sausage (gluten-free, vegan plant-based protein topped with choice of condiments available in spicy or sweet Italian flavors. Even gluten-free buns are available if you prefer). Other choices include Avocado Toast (fresh scooped avocado on Franz Bakery organic high-protein, gluten-free bread and choice of up to two toppings), pre-made or build-your-own salads and the hummus platter.
Location: Section 132
Magenta Mojo Signature Cocktail & Buzz Margarita
Pretty in pink, the new Magenta Mojo is a "disruptively light and refreshing” signature cocktail. It's considered not too sweet, strong or heavy and pairs well with many of the food choices featured here. It gets its vibrant color from hibiscus extract and includes vodka, Lillet Rose, Pamplemousse liqueur, and Peychaud’s Bitters and is topped with soda water. For an extra “buzz” spring the extra $3 for the lighted ice cubes.
Location: The ‘Pen, Terrace Club lounges and Lookout Landing
El Zacatecano mezcal is the base for the refreshing Mexican drink the Buzz Margarita. It features Szechuan buttons, edible flowers that tingle the tongue and toasted and spicy grasshoppers as a garnish.
Location: Hit It Here Café Club Level
The Frozen Rope and Shug’s Soda Fountain & Ice Cream
No offense to the classic Toll House cookie, but The Frozen Rope is bringing Metropolitan Market’s "The Cookie” to play. The 6 oz. treat is practically a meal with two kinds of Belgian chocolate, toasted walnuts and a sprinkle of fleur de sel. Sure, your kids will love it, but they won’t appreciate it. This one’s for you, mom and dad!
Location: Main Level, Section 132
Meanwhile, Shug’s brings a bit of nostalgia from its old-fashioned soda parlor to T-Mobile Park with two of its colorful portable carts hand-scooping Lopez Island Creamery's small-batch super premium ice cream.
Order Up: A prosecco float–a four ounce scoop of Lopez Island Creamery ice cream topped with San Martino Doc Extra Dry.
Location: The ‘Pen, Main Level Section 152
—Jeffrey Totey
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