The 2017 season brings another year of new and bizarre MLB ballpark foods for fans to enjoy.
There was a time when going to an MLB game meant eating peanuts, hot dogs, and Cracker Jacks, which you could wash down with a soda or a beer, depending on your age and preference. Over time, the typical ballpark hot dog was accompanied by sausages and brats, and popcorn became a fan favorite. Then the soft pretzel (with cheese or mustard), french fries, and nachos made their appearance. Of course, with baseball spanning the summer months, ice cream is a must. For the little kid wanting sticky fingers, cotton candy does the trick.
Recently, many MLB teams have come up with more creative and bizarre concoctions. Sometimes it’s simply a matter of quantity. A few years ago, the Texas Rangers came out with the Big Boomer, a one-pound hot dog that measured 24 inches long and was topped with spicy ketchup, jalapeno mustard, Baja relish, beef chili, melted cheese, and raw onions. It’s also known as the date repellent.
The Washington Nationals jumped on board in 2012 when they revealed the StrasBurger, named after starting pitcher Stephen Strasburg. The burger was a monster creation that included a combination of ground brisket, chuck and short ribs served on a large burger bun with all of the toppings you could desire. It was served with fries and a pitcher of soda. The entire thing weighed eight pounds and was reportedly over 10,000 calories.
Some bizarre ballpark foods are native to the region, like the Colorado Rockies’ offering of Rocky Mountain Oysters. Despite the name, they aren’t actually oysters; they are deep-fried bull testicles served with a dipping sauce and set on a bed of french fries. Up in Canada, the land of poutine, the Blue Jays offered chicken and waffles on a stick with buffalo cauliflower poutine.
This year brings a fresh batch of ballpark delights. Years ago, a bacon cheeseburger with Krispy Kreme donuts as buns qualified as bizarre. Now, teams are taking things to a whole other level. Here’s a look at the five most bizarre ballpark foods out there for 2017.