Dodger Stadium: New Food Items for 2014

Two of my favorite things in life, baseball and food. 

I grew up in Elysian Heights, which is the next hill over from Dodger Stadium, and would go to games with my dad.  We'd have Dodger Dogs, frozen chocolate malts, a double-bagger of peanuts (for those who remember them and why), and a Cool-A-Coo.  I've been trying to calculate the number of Dodger Dogs I've had in my lifetime...

From crab cakes in Baltimore, clam chowder in Seattle, fish tacos in San Diego, a BBQ stuffed potato in Houston, to Rocky Mountain Oysters in Denver, ballpark food across the country has changed.  It's no longer just hot dogs, peanuts, and cracker jacks.

Welcome to the 2014 Dodger Stadium!

On this beautiful day...

While the Dodgers were getting ready to face the Philadelphia Phillies

We were getting ready to taste the new food for the 2014 season

With Janet Marie Smith,

Dodgers' Sr VP of Planning and Development.

She developed the new areas of Dodger Stadium
and the reason we're checking out the new food and venues.  
The Dodgers are lucky to have her,

she's worked at a couple of my favorite

ballparks, Oriole Park at Camden Yards

in Baltimore and Fenway Park in Boston.

She has a job I would love to have and
live vicariously through her.

First Stop:  Tommy Lasorda's Trattoria

in Right Field.

A classic Italian-inspired menu

is featured at this new venue.

Dodger Hall of Fame Manager Tommy Lasorda's

career is chronicled on the side of the building.

As the great Vin Scully says, 

"It's Time for Dodger Baseball"

AND it's time to

See What Jay Eats...

Who can resist a slice of pizza while watching a game?

I enjoyed the pepperoni pizza.

Each pizza is made on site and sold by the slice.

Chicken Parmesan 

Easy to eat while at your seat.

Not sure if other sports venues across the country

has Italian food this good, I hope they're jealous...

Not only is Tommy Lasorda's name on the 

restaurant, he works with Dodger Stadium

Executive Chef Jason Tingley (standing behind) and 

approves each menu items served at the Trattoria.

Penne Pasta with Meatballs

When asked how Tommy likes the meatballs,

he said they're good, but not as good as

his mother's...

I did like the pasta and meatballs,

but then again I like meatballs.

Sausage and Peppers

Too many good choices.

With Hall of Famer Tommy Lasorda

It was truly an honor to meet him,
since we both love baseball and food.

We both eat at the same Chinese restaurant,

read about it HERE

We had to keep moving, so much to see and taste.

A must stop for any Hello Kitty fan,

get your Hello Kitty Dodger merchandise in the outfield plaza.

It was a special treat to have

Janet Marie Smith

give us a tour of the stadium enhancements.

Next Stop:  Think Blue BBQ

Think Blue BBQ

behind the Left Field Pavilion

near the Dodger Bullpen

BBQ Beef Brisket Sandwich

If you follow me on Instagram, you know

I love pickles and onions with my BBQ.

This beef has a great smokey flavor.

Photo Courtesy of Kristie Hang

Grilled Elote Corn

(Mexican Corn-on-the-Cob)

I've had elote 3 times within the last 2 weeks,

this one was the best I've had out of the 3.

Philly Cheesesteak 

with Peppers with Onions

Juicy with good flavor.

With all of the food we sampled thus far,

it was good to walk from Left Field

up to the Top of the Stadium.

Next Stop:  Top of the Park

Top of the Park

I know I'm bias, Dodger Stadium

is my home stadium and where I grew up.  

I've been to 22 of the 30 MLB cities/stadiums.

Dodger Stadium is still one of the most

beautiful stadiums around.

With Dodger Stadium Executive Chef,

Jason Tingley,

overlooking Downtown Los Angeles.

It was really nice to learn that Dodger Stadium

uses local food producers and purveyors.

Chef Jason gave me an insight into their latest

creation from the Think Blue BBQ

Photo Courtesy of Chef Jason Tingley

1/2 Smoked Jidori Chicken

with Kettle Chips and BBQ sauce

This is on my list of foods to try on

my next Dodger Stadium visit.

Next Stop:  United Club Suite

When we got to our seats, it was good to

see Matt Kemp back in the lineup.

You're probably wondering, 
how could you sit after eating all of that food?

We weren't even in the 3rd inning and more food appeared.

One of the Extreme Loaded Dogs

"Doyer Dog"

with nacho cheese, chili, jalapeños, chopped tomatoes and onions.

Other Extreme Loaded Dogs (not pictured):
Big Kid Dog with creamy mac & cheese and Fritos
and
Frito Pie Dog with chili, shredded cheese, and Fritos

When you visit Dodger Stadium,

a must have is the famous

Dodger Dog!

Even if you've eaten a ton of food already...

BUT WAIT,

there's more...

One of the things Janet Smith told me

was to be sure to try was the 

Major League Helmet Nachos

A 64-ounce helmet filled to the brim with crispy 

tortilla chips and topped with creamy refried beans,

nacho cheese, carne asada, sour cream, and pico de gallo.

Doubtful I could eat this by myself,

will have to have it again with friends.

Loved the carne asada!

It truly is Major League!

On the field, Dodgers' Shortstop Hanley Ramirez at bat.

It was about this time that Chef Jason announced

It's DESSERT Time!!!

Chef Jason describing tonight's dessert cart selections. 

From chocolate cake to caramel apples,

there was something for everyone.

I paid special attention to

The Popular Lemonade Cake

My friends know I like anything citrus and

this lemonade cake was delicious.

The Root Beer Cake

Chef Jason mentioned you could smell the root beer,

it was a very good cake.

I love when the description is something interesting
and ends up being really delicious.
This is one of those times.

Meanwhile, Hanley Ramirez gets to 3rd Base

What's dessert without something chocolate?

The chocolate cake was good,
but I do love anything chocolate.

NOTE:  The Dessert Cart is available in the suites

With fellow foodies

@TammyLaLaLand, @KristieHang, and Patrick

Watch @TammyLaLaLand's Tastemade Video HERE

If you blink, you might miss my cameo

Read @KristieHang's LAist article HERE
Her expanded post HERE

See what the other foodies had to say
on the Dodgers' Blog HERE

Among these Dodger Greats,

here's my Dodger food favorites:

(not in any order)

It was a tough choice, since so many good items

Penne Pasta with Meatballs
(it's pasta and meatballs...)

Tommy Lasorda's Trattoria

Pepperoni Pizza

(who doesn't love a pizza while watching a game)

Tommy Lasorda's Trattoria

BBQ Beef Sandwich
(I love smoked meats)

Think Blue BBQ

Elote (Mexican Corn-on-the-Cob)

(CORN, nuff said)

Think Blue BBQ

The Extreme Loaded Dodger Dog

(when a regular Dodger Dog isn't enough)

The Major League Helmet Nachos

(It truly is Major League!)

On my next visit, I'll want to try the

Jidori Chicken from Think Blue BBQ

It was a FANtastic Food Tour of Dodger Stadium!

Photo Courtesy of Kevin Takumi

The new area behind the outfield is the place to be, they have

two new dining destinations (Tommy Lasorda's Trattoria & 

Think Blue BBQ), two new outfield bars (overlooking the bullpens), 
expanded restrooms, and lots of tables to enjoy the new food items.

My suggestion, get to the game early and explore!

  

The best part of this day with the Dodgers, 

I cheered along with 40,775 other fans

as the Dodgers beat the Phillies 5-2.

There's so much to do and eat now at Dodger Stadium,
I'll have to come back to do more exploring
and trying more food
AND watch another exciting baseball game.

Thank You!

Los Angeles Dodgers

Steve Brener
Tommy Lasorda

Janet Marie Smith

Chef Jason Tingley

NOTE:  I was a guest of the Los Angeles Dodgers and

thank them for the invitation and their hospitality.

All comments and opinions are strictly my own.

Photos by Jay Terauchi

Unless otherwise noted

Jay Eats Worldwide

©Jay Terauchi