Yankee Stadi-YUM
 

Bronx, NYC

Spring has spring, and America's pastime — baseball — is upon us. Perfect timing, as the season also signals new developments, and Yankee Stadium recently held an event showcasing some of their newest developments, all geared to making the Yankee fan experience better than ever.

The most major of the changes (accurately referred to as "enhancements" in the team press release) are the improvements on how to make the whole stadium space more amenable to social interaction. New is the Sunrun Kids Clubhouse, giving kids a wealth of baseball-related activities to keep them active, busy, and occupied.

In addition to that section, the stadium now boasts several "social gathering" areas around the stadium that are accessible to all Yankee with tickets. Those sections include the Masterpass Batter's Eye Deck, Frank's RedHot Terrace, the Toyota Terrace, the AT&T Sports Lounge, and the Budweiser Party Decks.

As exciting for KAC Food (if not more so) is the attention giving to America's year-long "pastime": eating. New food items are available from already existing vendors as well as a few new ones. And the collective menu runs the gamut from excellent versions of classic stadium dishes to deliciously executed, more creative-minded menu items. The expert Yankee Stadium kitchen itself is highlighting their caramelized onion French dip sandwich, a variety of tradition Chinese bao steamed bun sandwiches, and classically-minded "Yankee Dingers" of cutome-grounded mini burgers with onions, American cheese, and French's Yellow Mustard.

Personally, I was happy not only to discover that 175-year old NYC meat purveyor and institution Lobel's has a butcher shop "in-stadium", but to as well also meet meet 5th- and -sixth-generation owners Mark and Brian Lobel, respectively. They likewise premiered some new menu items, including a USDA Prime burger, a USDA Prime steak sandwich, a steak and potato dish, and a "classic meatball" burger — my favorite bite (out of more than a few) of the whole event. (The meatloaf burger I was such a fan of that I finished eating it before I took a picture of it.)

Might Quinn's BBQ has a storefront, making available many of their already popular offerings, such as their brisket sandwich, pulled pork sandwich, chicken wings, s'mores bread pudding, even their "brontosaurus rib".

Also featured at the Yankee Stadium media & food event were the Socal turkey burgers from another popular NYC foodery, BareBurger, and the delicious Bronx-local authenticity of fresh, hand-pulled mozzarella in the Mutz sandwich, courtesy of The Mozzarella Joint.

The culinary ideology of this general food "enhancement" of Yankee Stadium is made possible by Yankee Stadium senior executive chef Matt Gibson who has deftly succeeded in appreciating and respecting the palates and appetites of the ever-broadening demographic of Yankee fans and general baseball game attendees. Realizing that many diets might be more health-minded, Matt has even made available Melissa's Farmers Market, offering the freshest fruits and vegetables in the stadium.

All efforts, obviously, is to "enhance" the Yankee Stadium experience for all — all of these tasty bites can be enjoyed by any game attendee, which will make a lot more people feel like VIPs themselves.

And what a great way for fans to enjoy their favorite pastime...!

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Yankee Stadium | 1 E 161st St, Bronx, NY 10451 | newyork.yankees.mlb.com