Product Reviews
Written by Chris
Published on February 22, 2024
If you have ever been to a baseball game, you know how important concession stand foods are to the overall experience. Snacks and drinks are often some of the only things people are interested in during the day while at the game, (especially the younger siblings who are forced to spend the entire day at the field). Most baseball parents can relate but once the season starts, many of us are eating lunch or dinner at the park multiple times per week so let's take a look at some of the best concession stand foods we've seen at our local fields.
The selections are endless, but we’ve rounded up a great list of the very best concession stand ideas.
We've certainly seen some out-of-the-box concession food ideas that were delicious but there's a certain comfort in chowing down on the classics. There is something magical about having a hot dog, popcorn, or some nachos at a baseball game. So with that let's get to it!
Hot dogs - An American icon, hot dogs can be found at thousands of concession stands across the country. Hot dogs just seem to taste better at baseball games. This game-day food is easy to prepare and can be dressed up with ketchup, mustard, coleslaw, sauerkraut, grilled onions, spicy relish, and so many other toppings.
Hamburgers - Aside from hot dogs, the core of every concession stand is the hamburger. Everyone loves a good burger and there are so many different ways to help yours stand out. If you want to get really creative you can stuff it with different types of cheeses, pesto, or avocado.
French fries - Eat them plain with ketchup or load them up to make them into a full meal, french fries are so versatile and can be used to create different menu items.
Nachos - Inexpensive and can be served with just melted cheese and salsa or dressed up with chicken, black beans, avocado, etc.
Cotton Candy - A classic concession stand snacks that can be eaten on the go.
Popcorn - A classic snack that will satisfy the cravings of both children and adults.
Soft pretzels - Most concession stands are purchasing frozen pretzels in bulk from big box stores like BJs.com. The way to differentiate your pretzels is to offer different dipping sauces. Melted cheese, spicy mustard, and cinnamon were some of the options we came across during the season.
Candy - Whether it's Kit Kat or Snickers make sure to have lots of options to satisfy everyone's sweet tooth.
Chips - You can't go wrong with a simple bag of Lays chips to pair with your hamburger or hot dog.
Fried Food - offering chicken tenders, corn dogs and mozzarella sticks will be sure to please the masses.
By including some out-of-the-box items and renewing the classics, people will keep coming back for more. Here are a few of the most creative concession stand food options we saw during our travel ball season.
Walking tacos - If you have kids that play baseball, I'm sure you've heard of the walking taco. The concept is simple. Take a bag of corn chips or Doritos and add cooked, seasoned ground beef, shredded cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, sour cream, avocados, and salsa. Whatever you like on your taco, just throw it in the bag and mix around. It's just an easy way to eat tacos on the go.
Pulled pork on a whole wheat bun - A fantastic alternative to hot dogs and hamburgers and can be made in a crockpot and kept in a warm setting.
Pickle pops - A creative and easy snack idea, making pickle pops couldn't be simpler. Just take dill pickle juice and pour it into popsicle molds. Add in a stick and freeze until you serve.
Deep-fried cookie dough - By far one of the best things we've tried. The chocolate cookie dough was deep-fried, cooked to golden perfection, and drizzled with chocolate sauce and powdered sugar.
Grilled cheese rollups
Churros with chocolate sauce
Chocolate-covered pretzel sticks
While we all love to indulge our sweet tooth and pig out on junk once in a while people will also want healthier options! The concession stand shouldn't just look like the candy aisle at your local supermarket. By providing healthy and convenient choices, you are giving your customers the choice.
While most kids will be sure to reach for cotton candy and popcorn, most parents would like the option to mix in some healthy foods.
Here are a few of our favorite healthy concession stand foods:
Watermelon sticks
Pita chips and hummus
Fruit cups
Trail mix
Veggie cups
Granola bars / Homemade energy bars
String cheese sticks
Yogurt
Dried fruit
Snow cones
Popsicles
Slushy cups
Ice cream sandwiches
Smoothies
Brownies served warm
Homemade assorted baked cookies
Lollipops/ring pops
Airheads
Smoothies
Fried Oreos
Assorted candy
Candy apples
Gummies
Rice crispy bars
While it definitely helps to offer your customers a wide variety of concession stand snacks and other meal options at the concession stand, there are some foods that sell more than others so you should make sure to include them in your menu.
What you include on your menu also largely depends on the type of setup you have. Does your concession stand have fryers, rapid stoves, microwaves, grills, or refrigeration, or are you mostly serving outside on a picnic table with coolers to keep items cold?
While it's great to offer a wide selection of foods that add to the ballpark experience, the most important thing when running a concession stand is to cover costs and ultimately make money!
Concession stands profit from selling a variety of foods and beverages. But what foods do the best?
Here are the most profitable concession stands foods that you can sell:
Shaved ice
Popcorn
Lollipops/ring pops
Nachos
Soft pretzels
Hot dogs
Candy bars
Beefy Jerky
Soda
Bottled water
Lemonade
French fries
Cotton candy
Ice cream
Fried dough
While gourmet options are delightful, sometimes fans just want something quick and easy. Here are some easy concession stand food ideas that are both delicious and quick to serve:
Pizza Slices: Pre-made and kept warm, they're a hit with all age groups.
Soft Serve Ice Cream: With a sprinkle of toppings, it's a delightful treat.
Bagged Snacks: Think pretzels, chips, and trail mix for those on-the-go moments.
Special game nights can be made even more memorable with themed baseball concession stand ideas:
Retro Night: Offer old-fashioned soda pops, classic candy bars, and popcorn in vintage containers.
International Night: Serve tacos, sushi rolls, or even mini pasta bowls to represent different countries.
Kids' Night: Think fun-shaped chicken nuggets, colorful slushies, and mini sandwiches.
Utilizing crockpots can be a game-changer for concession stands. Not only do they keep food warm, but they also allow for a variety of dishes:
Crockpot Chili: Serve with cheese, sour cream, and chips on the side.
Meatball Subs: Keep meatballs warm in marinara sauce and serve in sub rolls with cheese.
Buffalo Chicken Dip: A spicy and creamy delight, perfect with tortilla chips.
To truly make your baseball concessions stand out, consider the following ideas:
Taste Test Nights: Introduce new items and let fans vote on their favorites.
Combo Deals: Pair a drink, main item, and dessert for a special price.
Loyalty Cards: Offer a stamp for every purchase, and after a certain number, the next item is free.
How to improve your baseball concession stand:
Interactive Stations: Consider setting up stations where fans can customize their snacks, like a DIY nacho bar or a toppings station for ice creams and hot dogs.
Allergen-Friendly Options: Ensure there are options available for those with common allergies, such as gluten-free, dairy-free, and nut-free snacks.
Concession stands are one of the most popular and accessible ways for visitors to eat at a ballpark. Although there are many different snacks to choose from, not everyone enjoys the same choices. Some people love chips and candy while others prefer healthier options. Regardless of what you choose to snack on, it's important to keep your diet in mind when choosing a snack. However, when you're at the park, don't forget to enjoy the overall experience and indulge once in a while in your favorite concession stand foods.
What is your favorite concession food when you go to the park? Let us know in the comments section below.
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1 Joy Street #6
Boston MA, 02018
chris@rbilife.com
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