What is a baseball game without a snack and a beer?
A baseball game without a snack and a beer is, for one thing, a way cheaper baseball game, but it's also a baseball game of lesser satisfaction. It's a baseball game you spend jealous of other people eating and drinking, the way you might spend a particularly frugal vacation to Europe jealous of people with clean shirts. Nobody's ever happy about spending nine innings empty-handed. The justifications are always "it's too expensive" or "it's bad for you" or "they don't have a good beer selection," but you always still want something. Although one might identify our compulsion to eat and drink during sporting events and movies as a leading contributor to our nation's struggle with obesity, to hell with taking a stand and changing the world. You walk into the park, you smell the smells, and you're tempted.
Safeco's not lacking for temptations. And this is actually a good time for this thread, as they've rolled out a bunch of new concession stands that as of yet may not have many reviews. And so, here in part three, we discuss eating and drinking inside Safeco Field. If you've got a certain stand you frequent outside the gates, save that for part four. This is about Ivar Dogs, shishkaberries (the snack, not the weed), and everything in between.
I'll go ahead and get "garlic fries" out of the way. Everybody likes the garlic fries. Get the garlic fries.
0 recs | 117 comments
Everybody Likes The Garlic Fries
Until you’ve spent an entire season having the smell blow back over your seats. I had season tickets in ’01 and ’02, and we stopped liking garlic fries. It got old.
Our (my wife and my) favorite move is to bring our own lunch into the ballpark and get a fountain drink to split between the two of us. You spend a lot less money, the food’s better for you, and you get a lot more control over it. A whole bag of potato chips and a couple of sandwiches go a long way.
robbbbbb - April 23, 2010
First of all, wait, a whole bag of potato chips is better for you than what you get at the ballpark?
But to my actual point, get the garlic fries early before the crowds. After hyping them to my girl for half a game she finally agreed to get some. We stood in line for twenty minutes and came back with the soggiest, most undercooked potatoes we’d ever seen. The stand was in such a rush to make them that they clearly didn’t cook them well enough.
csiems - April 23, 2010
I heard that Dippin' Dots are the ice cream of the future
But in all seriousness, I’m kind of a traditionalist at a ballgame. I like a good hot dog, and a ballpark is about the only place in the world I will willingly drink an MGD or other mass-produced lager.
And pretzels. The godawful for you pretzels. They’re awesome.
pdb - April 23, 2010
Big soft pretzels are my #1 weakness at any occasion
Jeff Sullivan - April 23, 2010
I had one last night at the Timbers game!
For extra lethal awesomeness get the cheese cup as well.
pdb - April 23, 2010
Mmmmmm .... Cheese Cup
HitKing69 - April 23, 2010
For all my railing about Taco Bell and the KFC Double Down
I loves me a cheese cup with my soft pretzel. DON’T JUDGE ME
pdb - April 23, 2010
After working in college cleaning up the baseball stands, the cheese cup was the worst thing to pick up.
It smelled awful and would goop on your clothes if you were not careful.
That said, I can’t blame people for loving it. I would also like to suggest to people to not make an ugly mess and make an effort to take things to the garbage can. It’s not that difficult and it sure helps the good people who stay after the game in the cold at 1-2 in the morning. I know there is a roof, but if they hose down the stands like I did in college, it can be a miserable experience at times. Keeping the stands clean makes for a better game and a better service to those who keep Safeco a great place to visit.
Wilder. - April 23, 2010
I really do try to be a good consumer and dispose of things properly
and I also try not to think of what that cheese goop does to my arteries while I eat it.
pdb - April 23, 2010
I love my Huskies
But Husky Stadium sells soft pretzels, yet NOWHERE IS THERE CHEESE!! Same at Hec Ed!! What is the major malfunction over on Montlake??
dlukas - April 23, 2010
No cheese cup, but about 79 packets of mustard.
Mmmmmmmm…
Ike Clanton - April 23, 2010
Thank you!
Pretzels should be eaten with mustard.
Matthew - April 23, 2010
And so easy to make!
royalcurve - April 23, 2010
Make us more pretzels.
And Bacon Tots.
James F'n X - April 23, 2010
Dude. Ask nicely!
What’s the magic word?
pdb - April 23, 2010
Now.
James F'n X - April 23, 2010
Fine, fine.
royalcurve - April 23, 2010
Do you ship?!
seattlebruin - April 23, 2010
Like any soft pretzel, they are only good when hot. Or at least warm.
Something pdb found out the hard way. Would you like the recipe?
royalcurve - April 23, 2010
Sure!
seattlebruin - April 23, 2010
On its way.
royalcurve - April 23, 2010
Ahem! I know you now... Sooo..
pleeeeeeeeease? :-)
seattlesundevil - April 23, 2010
Wooo!
seattlesundevil - April 23, 2010
Thank you, m'dear.
James F'n X - April 23, 2010
They make ED drugs
to treat that weakness
look4wrd - April 23, 2010
I love you but if this is you making a passive aggressive stab at dipping dots I will kill you.
Robert - April 23, 2010
I have nothing against dippin' dots
pdb - April 23, 2010
I hate 'em.
BrianL - April 23, 2010
If I was a gambling man I would bet this is why Geoff Baker trolls you.
Robert - April 23, 2010
They don't even taste good!
It’s like someone shoved little foam pellets into a freezer and called it dessert.
BrianL - April 23, 2010
If that's why Geoff Baker trolls BrianL, then Baker's tastes in frozen goods are worse than his skills in baseball analysis.
Dippin’ Dots are awful. They are flavorless, freeze dried little bits of not-even-ice cream. Ice CREAM. They’re supposed to be creamy. And smooth.
harkening - April 23, 2010
But cookies and cream and tropical flavors!
Robert - April 23, 2010
Get real ice cream.
Also available in these combinations. And much, much better.
harkening - April 23, 2010
Oh thank god
Robert - April 23, 2010
I've gotten the chicken tenders and garlic fries a couple of times this year.
A lot better value than just getting the fries themselves, as it’s only $3 more.
The bagel place (Blazin’ Bagels) down by the left field entrance gives out free half bagels after the game that have been generally delicious depending on what kind. But that’s not really available once you’re inside.
Mariner John - April 23, 2010
It's been a few years since I made it to Safeco
but I remember having a tasty meal at the Bullpen Pub. A pyramid Hefeweizen and a pulled-pork sandwich. That was a good way to start the game.
Llewdor - April 23, 2010
Despite the price of the bullpen pub, it is totally worth it.
BrettJMiller - April 23, 2010
The last time I was at Safeco
I had the shishkaberries and they were greatly underwhelming. Under the chocolate was fruit you wouldn’t eat if it wasn’t covered in chocolate.
Meal-wise, we hit up Ivars for some chowder and clam strips. The chowder was as good as at the regular restaurant, but the clam strips had definitely been sitting around for a very long time.
Ike Clanton - April 23, 2010
There are a lot of things I would only eat if they were covered in chocolate.
I don’t see anything wrong with that.
Ralph_Malph - April 23, 2010
Sushi's not bad considering it's a ballpark, but the wait is. And The Man, is, well, the man.
diderot - April 23, 2010
You must meet The Man.
Just don’t do it right before the national anthem.
Thingray - April 23, 2010
The Man behind the Man passed away this year
If you’ve been to Dixies BBQ along 520 in Bellevue you experienced him offering the MAN to all his customers. What a character who will be missed.
scott5000 - April 23, 2010
Bummer
I’ve only been back to Dixie’s a handful of times since I moved away from Seattle, but I always enjoyed that piece of theater. Another institution gone. Hopefully “the Man” endures.
njpozner - April 23, 2010
Link
link.
JonBBT - April 23, 2010
Gene died?!?!
That makes me so sad. If you asked him what was in The Man hot sauce, he would tell you there were 1700 spices in there or some other absurd number. Dixie’s Grand Slam (the hot link covered in BBQ chicken) is one of the finest ballpark foods in all of the major leagues.
Floyd Gondoli - April 23, 2010
There's no wait for the sushi downstairs
BrettJMiller - April 23, 2010
Gyros & Beer
Gyros are new to the SAFE this year. you gotta go up to 340 to get them, but they are only $6.50 which is barely a premium over what they cost on the outside. And boy are they good. As for beer, what i like is that if the stand you are at doesn’t have what you like, walk around, the SAFE has a great selection of micros and each stand seems to have different ones.
scott5000 - April 23, 2010
Gyros? Really?
I really need to get back to Safeco this year.
Llewdor - April 23, 2010
They're $6.50, or $10 for a gyro, fries and drink!
This is my new favorite food at Safeco.
katal - April 23, 2010
Many people have said this
Thumbs up, gyros place.
Jeff Sullivan - April 23, 2010
Holy shit I need to try this
Griffin Cooper - April 23, 2010
Roasted peanuts in the shell
They are good for you, taste great, and they are about the most traditional thing you can get at the ballpark.
And shelling the nuts is a great occupier while watching a game. Peanuts and beer. That’s all I need.
manyoso - April 23, 2010
Roasted peanuts are in almost no way good for you
they’re almost pure fat, with some protein and loads of salt. They’re not actually nuts, you know.
But they’re delicious and I can’t not eat them.
pdb - April 23, 2010
Relatively good for you compared to other ballpark food :)
manyoso - April 23, 2010
This is true.
pdb - April 23, 2010
Sunflower seeds
I’m all about the seeds at a ballgame. Makes a huge mess. Love ’em.
lemonverbena - April 23, 2010
No matter what ballpark.
I’ve got the same routine. Buy a hot dog (or a nice sausage if I can get one) and load it up. Get a large pepsi/coke. Dump the whiskey from my handy dandy flask in the drink. I don’t get the guilt feeling of sneaking all my food/drink into the park, and keep the costs down a touch at the same time.
ExiledToSoCal - April 23, 2010
You get guilt feelings for sneaking in food?
You can take in as much food as you want to Safeco, just no “hard-sided” drink containers (bottles, glass, et cetera…juice boxes and Capri Sun is a-okay). I am so confused.
harkening - April 23, 2010
I prefer eating before the 7th inning stretch
Because after that, there tend to be a lot of standing moments. It sucks when your team hits a game winning homerun and you have food on your lap.
And garlic fries are awesome. Unless you’re an old-timer whose gotten sick of them, garlic fries are the way to go.
And get the beer.
Haven’t tried Gyros yet though, will try it next time.
Allen Wu - April 23, 2010
Okay nevermind, I forgot about the nachos
Nachos > garlic fries
Allen Wu - April 23, 2010
The Nachos at Safeco Field are excellent.
Except they never give you enough cheese. =(
harkening - April 23, 2010
True
I usually share it with one or two people, so I always look for the biggest chunks of cheese. Yeah I know, I’m horrible.
Allen Wu - April 23, 2010
Nachos in the Club Level, near the Hit-it-Here are better than 100/300 level
They went smaller than last year, but the nachos in the Club level are way better – real cheese, fresh salsa, etc. that you can’t get on the main concourses.
floydr - April 23, 2010
Don't get the Garlic Fries
Over-hyped, over-rated. I am of the opinion, and disagree if you like, that the only place in America where garlic fries at a game make any sense is San Francisco. Gilroy, two hours to the south, is the garlic capital of the world and the whole bay area has a crazy fascination with garlic … and, I suppose, just about anything that comes from the region. I guess Oakland should be allowed to have garlic fries as well, but that is because I hate Oakland and they deserve to sit around in a stinky swamp of garlic stench.
HitKing69 - April 23, 2010
This doesn't make any sense
Belgium invented Belgian ales and yet many of the best Belgian style ales in the world are brewed in San Diego.
The garlic fries at Safeco are great, even if the ones at AT&T are better.
seattlebruin - April 23, 2010
I don't actually think the ones at AT&T are better
I don’t like garlic fries period and I would like people to stop eating them by me.
HitKing69 - April 23, 2010
I hate garlic fries
TheRealMariners tweeted about the new prime rib nachos but I couldn’t find them last week while wandering around. I suspect now that they’re probably only available in the terrace club. That’s good news for me, though, because I have terrace club seats next week.
sulles - April 23, 2010
Prime rib nachos?
This sounds…either ridiculously awesome or really disgusting.
harkening - April 23, 2010
They have the "Food Directory" around the 100 level, at least
Shows where everything is in a “mall-type” directory/map
seattlesundevil - April 23, 2010
Really?
How have I never seen this?
harkening - April 23, 2010
Neither have I...
Allen Wu - April 23, 2010
It's new this year.
Mariner John - April 23, 2010
I went to Felix/Griffey "The Kid" bobblehead night...
Where is it exactly? Near home plate?
harkening - April 23, 2010
When you enter at the "glove" entrance you will see it right in front of you as you hit the concourse.
royalcurve - April 23, 2010
There's also one on the first base side somewhere.
Mariner John - April 23, 2010
Cheaper Beer at the concession stand near Section 105 and Section 319 this year.
And by cheaper I mean it’s $6.50. They also have some other discount stuff.
LonelyintheBleachers - April 23, 2010
I've been meaning to check that out.
Do you know what beer it is? Domestic, I’m guessing?
theslothking - April 23, 2010
Domestic only.
Matthew - April 23, 2010
I love sneaking a bottle of soda into the park in the hood of my hoodies.
It works every time and beats paying the ridiculous in-park markups.
SethGrandpa - April 23, 2010
$5 for Gatorade!
Mariner John - April 23, 2010
Liking the new Philly cheesesteaks
On the 100 level on the third base side. Gooey goodness, especially after a few of those 6.50 High Lifes. Yes, the beer is cheaper near 105, but it is also the champagne of beers. Has anybody had the thai ginger stuff? There was a huge line for it at the last game.
timelas - April 23, 2010
see above for Thai Ginger
I would not waste an inning waiting in line for it, but good enough if the line is reasonable (say, missing a batter or two)
G_ - April 23, 2010
or below
I guess things can move during the preview feature
G_ - April 23, 2010
Last year's were better, burt yeah, these are delicious. A bit spendy though.
BrettJMiller - April 23, 2010
The Philly Cheesesteaks were there last year.
And I wasn’t impressed. It was lacking on the cheese front, and I felt like the meat was pretty flavorless. Unless they are miraculously improved this year, alas.
Thai Ginger is amazing at Thai Ginger (they have a location at Pacific Place), but I’ve never had it at the ballpark.
harkening - April 23, 2010
The food is overpriced but much better than what stadium food used to be
I agree on Dixies. Yeah, it is not what you would get in, say, Kansas City or evern at your favorite local BBQ joint, but it is tasty and filling. The Thai food behind home plate is the same — not as good as your favorite cheap Thai place, but good enough and enough to share.
The hot dogs and the like are nothing special, but they need to figure out how to make grilled onions and peppers an option at every stand because it makes a world of difference. The prices outside of the stadium have nearly caught up to the prices inside the stadium, so they are not as bad of value as they used to be.
Kidd Valley is Kidd Valley, but the burgers at Safeco are sometimes well overcooked and can taste like someone really needs to clean the grill.
The one (and maybe only thing) I miss from the Kingdome days is the relish/mustard hybrid-like sauce. It was unique and good stuff — sort of the Kingdome’s answer to the stadium sauce in Milwaukee.
G_ - April 23, 2010
I generally purchase
my food out of the stadium on the streets, so i’ll save my comments for part 4. However, when my pockets are deep and i’m will to pay out i enjoy the following. Ivardogs, Garlic fries, bratwurst and the bbq. I also suggest that everyone meet “the man” from porters bbq.
marinerschas2 - April 23, 2010
Blazing Bagels, I am in love.
4.50 gets you a giant bagel sandwich, and you can even get a veggie burger thrown on it. Infinitely customizable, very tasty and affordable. And then you just bring it in with you. Don’t buy a soda unless you’re planning on sneaking it in.
Definitely my new favorite grub spot at Safeco.
sanford_and_son - April 23, 2010
Are they inhabiting the spot the Ben & Jerry's ice cream parlor occupied in LF?
Is Ben & Jerry’s still there? People have mentioned this thrice so far, and I’m not familiar with it.
harkening - April 23, 2010
It's the same location.
I don’t know if it’s replaced Ben and Jerry’s or gone in along side it.
Mariner John - April 23, 2010
Nope, it replaced Ben and Jerry's.
sanford_and_son - April 23, 2010
I also bring in my own food. Even the hot dog I get across the street.
Though it’s not because I dislike the food. I’m just cheap. If I happen to feel spendy I’ll eat pretty much anything from the ballpark.
royalcurve - April 23, 2010
We almost always bring our own, usually Uwajimaya
They’re close to where we park, the food court has Chinese, Thai, Japanese and others. All much more reasonably priced than the Safe.
floydr - April 23, 2010
The poutine was disappointing but still edible.
I just tried real Happy Valley the other day and I don’t think I will ever be able to do the Safeco version again. Garlic fries are amazing. Check out mojo deals or whatever the hell they are calling them at the value games since they provide a pretty decent bang for your buck. I’m not sure if they are still doing the budweiser good sport stand, but in the past you could get a free soft drink if you said that you were the “designated driver”
Robert - April 23, 2010
Where is the poutine anyway?
Mariner John - April 23, 2010
I'm glad this was brought up!
The Poutine is at section 136 where they have the cheese steaks.
It was my first time having Poutine, so I’m not really qualified to review it, but in general I agree with Robert. Not great, but tasty and warm and gravy-licious.
appleshampoo - April 26, 2010
Also, the loaded baked potato they sell on the Terrace Level is pretty damn good.
Just prepare to be patient because the folks that work the concessions are still getting used to all these new-fangled food items this year.
sanford_and_son - April 23, 2010
The one thing I MUST get every time? The Grand Slam Special at Porters Place BBQ
Hot link covered in BBQ chicken with a bag of chips? Yes please!
It should also be mentioned that this concoction is the reason that my Griffey jersey is in semi-retirement… Damn thing is messy! (BBQ sauce on white jersey = tough to get out!)
seattlesundevil - April 23, 2010
The Grand Slam is the best.
Floyd Gondoli - April 23, 2010
The nachos down on the first level are pretty decent and it's a shareable portion for $9
Matthew - April 23, 2010
But seriously, get bahn mi on Jackson and bring it with you into the game.
Matthew - April 23, 2010
Any specific place? I'm always looking for good banh mi.
shinallsrevenge - April 23, 2010
Oh you just wait until part four my friend.
Aaron Campeau - April 24, 2010
Food food food.
We often bring lunch with us (and in the days when I’d take my nephews, it was the only way to go … a big big of snacks, and then a purchased frozen something) and either get a “cheap” beer or coffee. When buying, I usually hit Ivars, but there is at least one game that is a hot dog game during the year. I am planning on hitting the gyros stand next visit.
Someday I will buy cotton candy.
msb - April 23, 2010
They have Elysian IPA at one of the little beer stands on the field level.
If you’re going to spend $8.50 on a beer at Safeco, I can’t think of a better one off hand.
shinallsrevenge - April 23, 2010
I think the garlic fries are good and I think almost all the food I've had in the park has been above average.
The BBQ place and Ivar’s are my favorite non-standard baseball food but a good loaded sausage is probably what I’d usually buy.
That said, since I don’t really have a job and am a professional student I am usually buying cheap seats and don’t feel like spending $10 for my seat and then $20+ on food/beer. Usually I hit up the street vendors outside the park and buy a bag of peanuts and a hot dog or two to take into the park. Sometimes I’ll sneak a soda in my jacket since I’m a decently big guy. The hot dogs will get you through the first 4 innings or so and then the peanuts take over for the home stretch.
If I’m with certain friends, sneaking booze in with you can be fun. I tend to find that it especially helps if they aren’t diehard baseball fans. Its pretty easy to do with a flask or a water bottle stashed in the right part of a jacket. If you are big enough, I’ve even gotten a full bottle in a couple years ago. Just buy the largest soda they sell (or sneak that in with you) and sit back and enjoy the game.
Edgar for Pres - April 23, 2010
Improved beer selection
I typically scout the beer on the 100 and 300 levels every year, and this year I’m noticing a definite improvement. The usual places to get the good stuff are still there: Good Hops on the 3rd deck behind home plate, and the bar behind home plate on the 100 level. But there are more good taps (aka not just bud light + a Hef) at many of the other food locations on both the 100 and 300 levels.
One of the little side stands on the 300 level had Pike Pale and Elysian Immortal IPA, plus a couple others. You need cash for those little stands, though.
Other beers I remember seeing:
Mac n’ Jacks
Alaska Pale
Manny’s
Full Sail Amber
Snoqualmie Amber (they used to have the Wildcat…anyone seen it?)
Lazy Boy Pilsner
Pyramid Thunderhead IPA
Pyramid Hef
Pyramid Curve Ball
Sierra Pale
Man I’m thirsty…glad it’s Friday. The craft brews are still pricey, but at least it’s the same pricey as last season.
short - April 23, 2010
Thanks for jogging my memory
I couldn’t remember most of the brews I had last year due to one too many samples (ahem).
And man I shouldn’t be reading and commenting on this thread at work on a Friday, it’s making the clock stand still. So many delicious beers, so much time left in the work day still…
shuswapslugger - April 23, 2010
Fantastic beer selection
The last time I was at Safeco (Sept. 2009) we ate before we got there, so I spent all the money we saved on food (and then some) on beer. I was really impressed with the selection. Normally at sporting venues the choice is like Bud + some other random “premium” brew, and that’s it. End of story.
I don’t think I had the same beer twice that night, and I enjoyed such a wide selection that I’m proud to say I don’t remember most of the ones purchased after the 3rd inning. The IPA mentioned above does stick out in my mind though, it’s really good.
Beer is fairly pricey for sure, although not as bad as some parks I’ve been to. I don’t get to games very often so more often than not I just say “screw it” and splurge for the night.
shuswapslugger - April 23, 2010
Beer!!! And seafood
This is definitely my favorite part about Safeco. Last time I was in Seattle (last August), I got an Ichi-Roll, some Ivar’s Chowder, and a Mac & Jacks African Amber, and I was a very happy Washington State expat. Sure it’s a bit expensive, but it’s far superior to the Fingers & Fries & Sam Adams that I could get at Fenway for the same price.
Nadingo - April 23, 2010
Hit it Here Cafe!
I live in the Bay Area and am spoiled by Chinese food and Clam Chowder at AT&T Park in San Francisco. But, I actually prefer the Hit it Here, though expensive it may be.
Bballpitcher2 - April 23, 2010
Wine for you snobs (but no snobs go to M's games, right?)
There is wine in the Club level. Borrow a Charter Seat ticket from someone to get onto that level, where there’s also a Latte stand and souvenier shop (both near the Press Box)
floydr - April 23, 2010
Sounds Seafood
Love the new blackened salmon sandwich. It’s at Sound Seafoods just outside the Terrace Club entrance in left field. Really tasty.
And I hate anyone eating garlic fries anywhere near me. Ban them!
rlb199 - April 23, 2010
I am about value
So I often end up bringing in food. That said, I think Ivars is pretty decent, considering you are getting a salmon sandwich. Also, I went to the BBQ place on the 100 level behind 1st base (Dixie’s?) on a poorly attended game in the 6th inning and got what was probably a full pound plus of BBQ chicken. Several of us worked to finish it.
I doubt that it was a repeatable experience, but I intend to find out this year.
jtopps - April 23, 2010 via mobile
Kidd Valley has surprisingly good stuff
I just love their milkshakes.
Also Ivar’s Clam Chowder bowl is delicious and warming on a cold day. I’m a little meh on the drinks side. The Lemonade is always a hit or miss, Hot Cocoa is horrible, sodas are expensive.
Slurvey - April 23, 2010
I have to eat healthy.
I bring an EMPTY water bottle. You can’t bring liquids into the stadium. I get a ketchup/mustard hot dog and watch BP. For the game, I bring several pieces of fruit.
There is a new health food stand by the Home Plate enterance that I will try sometime.
mark sobba - April 23, 2010
There is a sausage stand right near Lookout Landing (the boring, real-world one) on the 300 level.
It is pricey, but they grill the buns and split the sausages and it’s delicious as all get-out.
Also I eat a lot of chowder there but would it kill you to sell the Manhattan? Jeez.
Aaron Campeau - April 24, 2010
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