Photo courtesy Jeff's Gourmet Suasage Factory at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles
"Take me out to the ball game, take me out with the crowd; buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks..." These iconic lyrics from one of America's favorite pastimes paint a nostalgic picture of baseball games. However, for many Jewish fans, enjoying snacks at a ballgame wasn't always as simple as grabbing a box of Cracker Jacks—especially since they weren't kosher! Times have changed, though. Today, not only are Cracker Jacks certified kosher, but many ballparks around the country also offer kosher hot dogs and other kosher concessions.
This shift caters especially to areas with large Jewish communities, such as New York, Baltimore, Miami, Boston, and Los Angeles. It's important to note, however, that kosher stands are not open for games that fall on Fridays, Saturdays, and Jewish holidays.
In this blog post, we'll explore how major league baseball stadiums are hitting a home run by including kosher food options, making the game day experience inclusive and enjoyable for everyone. Additionally, as most stadiums have transitioned to cashless payment systems, be sure to check out our tips at the end of the blog to ensure a smooth and enjoyable visit.
Photo courtesy PKS at Yankee Stadium in New York
Kosher Food at MLB Parks: An Overview
Discover the diverse kosher offerings at major ballparks, from New York's classic delis to Miami's kosher burgers. Most kosher stands offer typical ballpark fare such as hot dogs, sausages, fries, hot pretzels, and snacks. Some even provide more elaborate options like steak sandwiches, and pastrami sandwiches. Here’s a closer look at what you can find at various stadiums:
Kosher Food at Yankee Stadium (New York Yankees)
Location: Multiple kosher stands throughout the stadium -Sections 110, 214, 229, & 323
Managed by: PKS by the Shore
Kosher Supervision: Kof-K
Menu: Pulled barbeque brisket, deli wraps, sausages, hotdogs, knishes, soft pretzels.
Kosher Food at Citi Field (New York Mets)
Location: Various locations within the stadium - Sections 121, 141, & 408
Managed by: PKS by the Shore
Kosher Supervision: Kof-K
Menu: Hotdogs, deli sandwiches, knishes, pretzels, and other kosher items.
Kosher Food at Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia Phillies)
Location: Behind Section 124 - moved behind home plate
Managed By: Mordyskosher.com
Kosher Supervision: Community Kashrus of Greater Philadelphia, Keystone-K
Menu: Hot pastrami sandwich, hotdogs, pulled brisket sandwiches, potato knishes, pastrami and vegetable egg rolls, pretzels.
Kosher Food at Fenway Park (Boston Red Sox)
Location: Gate E, Section 88
Managed by: Hot Nosh Kosher Vending Machine
Kosher Supervision: KVH Kosher
Menu: Menu: Pizza, baked ziti parmigiana
Photo courtesy Bay St. Deli by Chai Catering at Rogers Centre in Toronto
Kosher Food at Rogers Centre (Toronto Blue Jays)
Location: Section 210
Managed by: Bay St. Deli by Chai Catering
Kosher Supervision: The Kashruth Council of Canada (COR)
Menu: Hotdogs, sausages, veggie dogs, french fries.
Kosher Food at Busch Stadium (St. Louis Cardinals)
Location: Section 147
Managed by: Stuie's
Kosher Supervision: Vaad Hoeir of St. Louis
Menu: Pastrami and corned beef sandwiches, knockwurst, hotdogs.
Kosher Food at Dodger Stadium (Los Angeles Dodgers)
Location: Loge level, right field section 166 @ the Craft Beer Stand
Managed by: Jeff’s Gourmet Sausage Factory
Kosher Supervision: OK Kosher
Menu: Kosher hot dogs, jalapeño dogs.
Kosher Food at LoanDepot Park (Miami Marlins)
Location: Section 3
Managed by: Kosher Korner
Kosher Supervision: ORB Kosher
Menu: Hotdogs, burgers and snacks.
Kosher Food at Nationals Park (Washington Nationals)
Location: Section 143
Managed by: Char Bar Kosher Grill
Kosher Supervision: Vaad of Greater Washington
Menu: BBQ beef sliders, deli sliders, falafel and more.
Kosher Food at Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs)
Location: Back of Section 217, on the second floor behind home plate!
Managed by: Kosherstandz
Kosher Supervision: CRC Kosher
Menu: Hotdogs, steak sandwiches, sausages and snacks.
Kosher Food at Progressive Field (Cleveland Guardians)
Location: Concourse behind home plate between sections 156
Managed by: Mendel’s KC BBQ
Kosher Supervision: Cleveland Kosher
Menu: Hotdogs, sausages, potato knishes and snacks.
Photo courtesy Kosher Grill at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia
Cashless Payments: Enhancing the Ballpark Experience
As fans flock to baseball stadiums to enjoy America's favorite pastime, one notable shift in recent years has been the move towards cashless transactions. This change has been implemented to streamline operations, reduce wait times, and enhance the overall safety and convenience for attendees.
At most Major League Baseball (MLB) stadiums, cash is no longer the primary mode of payment. Concession stands, retail shops, and other vendors within the ballpark predominantly accept credit and debit cards. Mobile payment options such as Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely supported, providing fans with quick and easy ways to complete their purchases.
Prepaid Card Solutions
For those who prefer or need to use cash, many stadiums have introduced prepaid card systems. Special ATM-like machines are available throughout the ballpark, allowing fans to convert cash into prepaid cards. These cards can then be used at any point of sale within the stadium that accepts card payments. This system ensures that everyone, regardless of their preferred payment method, can enjoy their time at the game without hassle.
For specific details on payment options at your favorite team's ballpark, be sure to check the team's official website or visit guest services at the stadium.