A Shell of a Good Idea
Year after year (after year after year) there are two Minor League teams that can be counted on to deliver the goods when it comes to creating unique concession items. One of those teams is the Charleston RiverDogs, featured yesterday.
And the other?
The West Michigan Whitecaps, of course, who made a colossal impact with 2009’s “Fifth Third Burger” and, since then, have never looked back. Each year they present 10 potential menu additions to their presumably food-crazy fan base, and the one that receives the most online votes is integrated into the concession offerings.
This year’s addition is (lurching, arrhythmic, artery-clogged drumroll please): The Baco!
The Baco (which, when first announced, had an umlaut in its name) is, quite simply, a bacon-shelled taco. Because variety is the spice of life, here’s another view:
And because the rule of threes must always be abided by, here’s one more look.
The Baco will be sold to anyone willing to purchase one, no strings attached. But the other truly significant addition to the Whitecaps’ concession menu REQUIRES FANS TO SIGN A WAIVER. This is the “Squeelin’ Pig,” to be eaten at your own risk.
Regarding the above sandwich, the Whitecaps have this to say:
Billed as the spiciest sandwich served at any ballpark, this is a pulled pork sandwich packed with a punch of Giardinara, a sprinkle of Ghost Pepper and flaming BBQ sauce.
It’s certainly the spiciest ballpark sandwich that I am aware of (if you have a dissenting view, then please let me know). I think this deserves a closer look. I mean, not all that much closer. Just a little bit:
Okay, my picture supply is officially exhausted (although please note that I actually have multiple pictures). But even in the absence of images, I must carry on. For the Whitecaps have actually added 17 items to their 2013 concession line-up, and I’d like to alert you to some of the highlights:
Fried Mac & Jack Cheese Bites – Macaroni and Jack cheese, battered and fried. (Main Concessions Stands)
Iced Coffee – Swiss Mocha or French Vanilla creamy iced coffee topped with whipped cream. (Suites and Main Concessions Stands)
Mac & Cheese Cart – Traditional or White Mac & Cheese topped with your choice of bacon, lobster, buffalo chicken, hamburger, or chili (Home Plate Concourse Cart)
Smoked Sausage Kabobs – Seasoned and apple wood smoked sausage, potato, and green pepper kabobs (1st Base Concourse Smoker)
Moo-ville Ice Cream – Flavors such as Supercow and Cowtrails top the list of a variety of premium ice creams sold at the ballpark (3rd Base Concourse)
Red’s Apple Ale, Perrin Golden Ale, and Shock Top Apple Crisp Beers– New unique profile beers to be served throughout the ballpark. (Beer Portables)
ALSO! The Whitecaps’ website features a downloadable PDF of their Gluten-Free Menu. Great news for celiac-afflicted individuals such as myself, and something I’d love to see more teams do. Let me know if your team, in fact, does.
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Oh, and because I’m the best there ever was, is, or will be, this post isn’t the only thing I’ve produced today. New Ben’s Bookshelf column out NOW, featuring my favorite Minor League Baseball books. What are yours?
benjamin.hill@mlb.com
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Personally, Ben, I voted for the Bad Joke, but I’ll take a Baco!! Also have to try the Twinkie Dog on Battle Creek.
-Mike
http://minoringinbaseball.com/2013/03/15/ballpark-bon-appetit/
I couldn’t believe the Bad Joke got as much support as it did. Seemed like a bad joke.
I love the gluten-free list, I hope more teams jump on this! And the baco appears to be gluten-free…will you try it?
I will most definitely give it a try!