Detroit — More smash burgers, more sliders, more hot dogs and more orange food is what baseball fans can expect this season at Comerica Park.
“We have a ton of new stuff, fun stuff. I’m really excited about all of them, and we have more to come as the season progresses,” said executive chef Mark Szubeczak of Delaware North. “We have a short rib sandwich, the fans can get it with the big bone in. It’s like Fred Flintstone, you pull out the bone and it’s a beautiful smoked short rib sandwich.”
Szubeczak said one of the most popular dishes from last season, Fairway Packing’s smash burger, was such a success they’re offering it in two places this season.
“They have a beautiful New York Strip steak frites, choice New York Strip … it’s real food,” he said of Detroit-based Fairway Packing. “They’re in Section 151 along with their smash burger; that was doing so good so we added another smash burger location.”
Along with Fairway Packing, Comerica Park has asked several local names to be part of the concessions full time, including Slows Bar-BQ, Bert’s BBQ, Guernsey Farms Dairy, Taqueria El Rey and Breadless.
Green Dot Stables will also be in section 143 serving special dishes for themed nights. Their fantastic gyro slider will be served on Greek Heritage Night on May 5, and the crunchy fried chicken pollo loco slider will represent on Sept. 12 for Hispanic Heritage Night.
A lot of the cuisine that is new this year has incorporated the Tigers’ bright orange hue into the dish.
New this year, Slows (section 149) is offering the “orange terror,” spicy andouille sausage medallions layered on top of Tajin-spiced sweet potatoes, roasted orange peppers and onions and a house-made Tiger-style sauce. It’s hearty with a bit of a kick and a hint of citrus, and very orange.
A trusted name in Detroit for Mexican cuisine, Taqueria El Rey has a new Sonoran dog this year that comes with a big orange layer of griddled cheese on the bun, holding in the bacon-wrapped hot dog, pico de gallo and smoky refried beans.
Guernsey is also bringing in the orange with their special sherbet ice cream made just for Comerica Park with blue and orange sprinkles.
Other non-orange highlights that were made available to the media for sampling at an event Wednesday at the Detroit Tigers’ luxury Priority Club include smoky and tender turkey leg from Bert’s, which will be in Section 133 this season. Steak fans should head to Section 151 to get their hands on Fairway’s new steak sandwich, dubbed “the Legacy,” which has USDA Choice Angus Peninsula steak, sliced and covered with provolone cheese, arugula, a balsamic glaze and a garlic aioli stuffed in a soft onion roll dotted with poppy seeds.
Breadless has a new sandwich this year, too, their sweet heat chicken ranch, which is herb-roasted chicken wrapped in hearty leaves of Swiss chard along with baby spinach, roasted sweet potatoes, tomatoes cucumbers, sweet pickles, hot sauce and a truffle buttermilk ranch dressing.
Of course. the park wouldn’t leave vegans and vegetarians hanging. Delaware North, the hospitality company that runs the concessions at Comerica Park, aims to offer something for everyone.
Szubeczak says a lot of the pubs and restaurants throughout the park offer vegan and vegetarian options. Some of the best ballpark food — peanuts, Cracker Jack, popcorn and french fries — are all naturally vegan, too. Detroit-based brand Breadless, which has gone from a pop-up vendor to full time concession at Comerica Park, also has gluten-free vegan sandwiches. Find them in section 140 this season.
As always, there’s a value meal that won’t break the bank. Get a hot dog, bag of chips and a 16-ounce fountain drink for $9.42, or upgrade to pizza and a drink for $12.50. There are also $5 cans of beer and during an expanded happy hour (every game between gates opening and the first pitch) there are $5 16-ounce beers and canned cocktails.
At Wednesday’s media preview, Comerica Park officials also unveiled details of special theme nights and programming to celebrate the Detroit Tigers’ 125th season. Those festivities are marked for July 24-26, marking 125 years since the Tigers became a charter member of the American League in 1901. Fans can expect a weekend-long tribute to iconic players, moments and accomplishments throughout the brand’s history.
No day at the ballpark can top the Home Opener, though, which is set for April 3. The Tigers will battle the St. Louis Cardinals at 1:30 p.m.
Melody Baetens is The Detroit News restaurant critic
mbaetens@detroitnews.com
This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Comerica Park unveils a meaty lineup ahead of Detroit Tigers season