So, as tempting as the concession stands can be, let's face it - a lot of people don't want to get all their food and drink inside. The stuff is expensive. Most of it is bad for you. The selection is limited. The waits are long, and you don't want to miss any of the game. And so on and so forth.
Everybody has his own reason, but the bottom line is that, of all the stuff that gets consumed before, during, and after a Mariners game, only a fraction of it originates inside the stadium. Which is why, here in part four, we discuss eating and drinking outside Safeco Field. While it doesn't fit under the category title, this also includes stuff you buy outside and bring in.
I don't think I'm typing very clearly, because I had a big lunch and I can't really focus on words at the moment. Basically,
1) What kind of stuff do you like to pick up outside and bring through the gates?
2) Where do you prefer to grab a pre- or post-game drink or meal that's nearby?
Personally, I'll never understand why anyone would wait until they're inside to buy a bag of peanuts. As far as actual establishments are concerned, I can't say enough about Collins Pub. It's a few blocks away from the stadium and a bit of a walk, but this distance keeps it from being overrun and annoying the way Pyramid and Elysian so often are, and they also class up the joint with a diverse selection of food and drink. While it isn't real cheap, I've yet to have a bad experience. Especially if Amy's waiting our table.
0 recs | 51 comments
Elysian was the best part of my last trip to Seattle
seattlebruin - April 26, 2010
I'll second Elysian
It’s not that crowded provided you get there early enough, there are usually places to sit (as opposed to Pyramid) ,and the wait staff has never been anything other than pleasant and friendly to deal with. Otherwise, Pyramid (if I’m feeling like being annoyed) or Hooverville, which I haven’t been to since before the fire there, but keep meaning to go back to.
section331 - April 26, 2010
Temple Billiards for pre game drink.
Uwajimaya’s food area for bringing in outside food.
royalcurve - April 26, 2010
Hot and / or ready to eat food area, obviously. The whole damn place is a food area.
royalcurve - April 26, 2010
I go to Temple a lot for pre-Sounders game drinks.
But I’m noticing that I don’t have a ‘regular’ spot for drinks before Sounders or M’s games. Maybe it’s time to settle down and stay with a bar for a while.
marc w - April 26, 2010
FUEL!
I love it for pre-Sounders – plus, the march and etc…
section331 - April 26, 2010
Yeah, I've gone there several times, but in general
the people I’ve been with want to go to Swannies or Temple. They’re less crowded.
marc w - April 26, 2010
I can see that
Fuel gets freaking crazy right before everyone leaves. Getting to the bathroom has to be a well-planned strategy, which I don’t enjoy – but for atmosphere, it’s tops.
section331 - April 26, 2010
Temple for me also.
Then I grab a bald Buhner Dog on my way to the park and eat it in my seat.
Sec 108 - April 26, 2010
I love the Ale House.
Every year when I come up for Opening Day, my buddies and I get there a bit before 11 (when it opens) and get settled in at a table, get a couple pitchers and some damn fine food.
I should say, however, I wouldn’t tread near there if we didn’t get there well before the crowd.
seattlesundevil - April 26, 2010
Post game meal:
Hing Loon.
pdb - April 26, 2010
100% agree. Hing Loon stands far above the rest of the chinatown restaurants.
sirbrianwilson - April 26, 2010
Make that a third vote.
For Hing Loon or Shanghai Garden.
royalcurve - April 26, 2010
Shanghai Garden rocks my socks.
section331 - April 26, 2010
Purple Dot is number one!
Dewey N - April 26, 2010
Tamarind Tree!
Omerta - April 26, 2010
I second this.
Double06 - April 26, 2010
I second Jeff's Colin's Pub love.
This is mainly because of the atmosphere and my ability to go inside the place (I’m 20). The burgers are pretty decent even if they are pretty expensive.
I can’t really speak of a beer place because of age but my place seems like a nice place for my pre-game drinks. Also if you wanna save money in the long run buy a flask and carry it in your pocket. Cheap mixed drinks!
Kirk - April 26, 2010 via mobile
Best hotdog on Occidental:
I don’t know the exact name of the stand but it’s very easy to find. Walk to where the yellow “Al’s Gourmet Sausage” truck is and stand in front of it. The second stand to the right has the best pre-game hotdogs you can buy. Quality meat, quality grilled onions.
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sirbrianwilson - April 26, 2010
Seattle Sausage
Not the one on the north side by Qwest Field, but the one south of safeco on Occidental. Usually 2-3 guys working it, they sometimes have a rainfly, and they always have knock off uniforms on sale. After the game, get any type of dog (polish, spicy, hot, kielbasa) for $3 each. They are a good size and come with grilled onions if you want. If your nice to them when they first open up before the game, they’ll give you a deal. Got 4 dogs, 4 chips and 4 drinks for $20 last time.
I also go to the Ivars fish bar on occasion after the games, but its not technically “close” so i dont think it qualifies.
Stopping by the Krispy Kreme at 1st and holgate when the hot light is on usually nets you a free doughnut as well.
marinerschas2 - April 26, 2010
it was
$20 for 5 of each, not 4
marinerschas2 - April 26, 2010
Pregame I recommend hitting one of the snack stands
Located below Edgar Martinez Way or by Center field. Those bags of peanuts have the double the nuts and go for half the price of inside, with options for unsalted and the like. Nothing like a good bag of crackerjacks either.
Postgame, Elysian always make me happy. Always has a good atmosphere and their steamed clams are delicious. Food and drink is great and it’s a pretty quick walk from the park.
MT Olson - April 26, 2010
Can someone clarify the policy of bringing stuff in?
I’ve never tried it because I’m paranoid and frankly not familiar with what’s allowed. I always buy snacks from the street vendors but they are just to keep me busy munching while I’m waiting for the gates to open (I’m an early to the park kind of guy). They’re always long gone before I actually get inside.
1. Everybody talks about bringing in peanuts/snacks and stuff. Is this technically allowed, or is it just that it’s easy to smuggle in and/or they don’t check all that often? What about bigger stuff like sandwiches?
2. Obviously sneaking in a flask is a no-no. What happens if they find it? Do they just take it away (tolerable) or do they kick you out or not let you in (not tolerable)?
shuswapslugger - April 26, 2010
You can bring food in no problem.
Bringing in containers of any kind is a no-no though which eliminates beverages.
Sec 108 - April 26, 2010
You can bring in juice pouches, if you really need to bring in a drink from outside.
Bottles, Cans & Outside Beverages
No bottles, cans or outside beverages (including water/ice) may be brought into Safeco Field. Exceptions are made for guests with medical needs, baby bottles and unopened, soft-sided, single-serve containers (such as small milk cartons, juice boxes, etc.). Guests may bring in empty plastic sports bottles and fill them at any of the 66 drinking fountains located throughout the ballpark.
Eyebrows - April 26, 2010 via mobile
"medical reasons"
Two of my friends that usually have a metal water bottle with them at all times have gotten by with the line “it’s for medical reasons” or “I’m allergic to chlorine.” Seems they don’t really care to hassle you if you know that loophole.
appleshampoo - April 26, 2010
The policy on food is as follows:
Food brought into the ballpark must be wrapped, bagged or inside a container. Items such as apples and oranges must be quartered. Personal food items cannot be carried into any of the restaurants, lounges or suites.
As for a flask, I don’t know what would happen if you were caught. Kicked out, I would guess.
royalcurve - April 26, 2010
All food can be brought in - just not liquids
As long as it can be checked by the guards, any food items can be brought in. We bring in Uwajimaya takeout, sub sandwiches, peanuts/snacks, etc. all the time.
As for liquids, they’ll confisticate it. Never witnessed flask attempt; it will be emptied at least. Note that you can bring in empty bottles to fill from a drinking fountain, but I doubt that a metal flask would be allowed in.
floydr - April 26, 2010
Flasks wont get you kicked out
I was standing in line behind a very inebriated girl before the home opener this year. She tried to sneak in two flasks and got caught. They got dumped out and handed back to her and she was still allowed inside.
YossarianLives22 - April 26, 2010
Yeah in general I think you won't get kicked out for possession but you can get kicked out for being too drunk
Usually you have to really be retarded to get kicked out for that. If you want, flasks should be easy to sneak in. They check bags but if you are wearing a coat its easy enough to get stuff through. Its kind of like sneaking candy or soda into a movie theater.
Edgar for Pres - April 26, 2010
I brought a giant backpack into the stadium and they checked the top 2 things and let me go through
Dewey N - April 26, 2010
It seems to depend on who you get as a checker
some lift the top item and fondle the bottom of a pack, others do a proper search
msb - April 26, 2010
My routine usually involves ...
… getting to Pike Pub early enough to enjoy a couple of pints while Happy Hour pricing is in effect. Since I normally come in to Seattle on the bus, it’s easy to get to; just leave the tunnel by the lower Benaroya exit (that goes out to Second Street) and you’re one block away.
Then I head south to the Stadium; I either walk it or I catch a southbound street level bus to the end of the ride-free zone at Jackson. From there I head up Occidental, grabbing a Buhner dog and a few assorted other goodies on the way.
I often buy tickets on the cheap from one of the free-market capitalists working outside the stadium; if so I usually pick those up somewhere on Occidental, the further from the stadium the better.
Steve Nelson - April 26, 2010
Hooverville
Coming from the south end as I usually park down that way (no, there’s no free parking there so stay away) I like to hit Hooverville, about two blocks south of the stadium on 1st. They have great taps and atmosphere, but their food is essentially non-existent, so that’s a downside. I often just end up at the Pyramid beer garden, where you can get a decent dog with your decent beer. Elysian is better for both food and beer, but harder to get into.
I’ve been to Collins before and really need to get back there.
short - April 26, 2010
Collins Pub rocks
They have erratic closing times however (usually between 11-12:30 on weeknights), so if you’re going to stay out late after the game drinking have a second bar in mind. In my opinion, the fries are the only thing on the menu that is meh. Sub in the sweet potato fries for a few extra bucks and you will not regret it. I loved the Mac & Cheese but it’s gone now :-(. The fried polenta cakes are tasty, but not very filling if you’re hungry. Fish ‘n’ chips are solid. Burgers are solid. Onion rings are a good sub for the fries too, but if you get a burger + onion rings, you may have to be rolled out the door.
Also, they alway have at least 1 domestic on tap (currently HIGH LIFE) and always have cans of Schlitz, if you’re kind of an anti-beer-snob like me.
I had one of the small pizzas at Temple for the first time on the last homestand. Pretty decent, lots of cheese if you like that kind of thing. The Pizza they sell at Al’s Gourmet Sausage is absolutely loaded with toppings, and I thought it was pretty good. But like I’ve said before, I think I’ve burned off the sensitivity of my taste buds with whisky, so take my opinion for what you will.
appleshampoo - April 26, 2010
So, I am a beer snob
I’ve been to Elysian and I liked it (aside from the plastic cups), but I’d like to go somewhere less crowded. Their bar was nuts. How’s the micro selection at Collins Pub?
chaney - April 26, 2010
One of the best in the city. 16 taps, I believe? Lots of bottles.
Kirsten Schlewitz - April 26, 2010
When we come to town we always make a stop at a Hot Pot place in the International Dist. It does not have a name on the building, it just says Hot Pot.
InSpokane - April 26, 2010
New favorite place in Uwajimaya:
Aloha plates. The quantity of food you get there is pretty ridiculous. I’ve only had 2 things on the menu, the scrambled egg and fried spam plate, and the Kahlua pork plate. Both come with a mound of rice (white or brown) and mac salad. Tasty and filling.
appleshampoo - April 26, 2010
I agree
There is absolutely no reason to buy a bag of peanuts inside the stadium. They are half the price for twice the size directly outside the stadium.
Edgar for Pres - April 26, 2010
Might be one reason to buy from Rick
Evidently Rick takes donations to give peanuts to give bags to kids whose parents can’t buy them peanuts.
floydr - April 26, 2010
So there's a place across the street from Uwajimaya called Kings Chinese BBQ.
Ducks hanging in the window, the whole nine. They sell a to-go “Lunch Box” for ~5 dollars, which is your choice of bbq’d animal hacked up over rice with a nice warm sauce. It’s enough for two people. I usually get the roast pork (crispy hunks of pork belly aka BACON) or bbq pork but it is all good. No cards, cash only.
Not only super good, but easy to eat in a crammed seat. Go.
waldo rojas - April 26, 2010
I used to frequent the Mojo Market on Occidental
For an inexpensive and hastily-consumed tallboy pre-game. It’s been closed the two times I’ve been by this year though…
theslothking - April 26, 2010
Remember DMZ's guide to drinking around Safeco?
Here it is.
Of course, it was written in 2003, so it’s grossly out of date, but it might be a good starting point (or even a decent method by which to rank establishments).
Llewdor - April 26, 2010
Joe's Hot Dogs
Always gotta get the Home Run Dog. With cream cheese on the bun and lots of onions.
Jeff Nusser - April 26, 2010
I am reluctant to add to Collins for fear it will fill up even faster.
However, if more people start sticking around after a game, maybe they won’t close so early.
As for food, when the Max/Min pig truck is there, hit it. You might think $5+ is insane for a tiny pork sammie but oh my god it is delicious. Get the milder sauce but ask them to make it spicy (minimus sauce, add some hurt). Yeah it sounds weird but I promise it’s the best way.
Other than that get a hot dog with peppers and sriracha.
Kirsten Schlewitz - April 26, 2010
Skillet
It’s really all you need to know.
arbeck77 - April 26, 2010
Skillet is wonderful, it's true
royalcurve - April 26, 2010
My general routine is to walk down Jackson and go to either Saigon Deli or Seattle deli and grab some banh mi.
I prefer Seattle Deli very slightly but they’re cash only so I typically go to Saigon. Seattle Deli has the best tofu banh mi I’ve ever had, Saigon the best BBQ pork. After that I head to Collins and have a couple of beers. After games I go back to Collins for more beer and the best onion rings in Seattle. But it’s really the banh mi that’s the crucial part.
Aaron Campeau - April 26, 2010
As of last year,
You could get coffee for a nickel at Krispy Kreme. You didn’t need to buy a donut to get the cheapo coffee and if you asked nicely, they’d ice it for you for free. For 12 cents, you could get two iced coffees gussied up with milk and sugar. I’ve been away from Seattle since last June, so I have no idea if this is still true, but if it is, it’s the sweetest deal around for a pregame coffee. (If it’s not, apologies.)
We used to go get hot food and put it in an insulated lunch box with a thermos of hot water. The water keeps the burrito/burger/whatever hot until you got into the ballpark (you have to pour out the water at the gate, but it’s served its purpose), and the lunch box’ll keep it warm until you get to the seat.
themoose - April 27, 2010
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