Upping the food game

Football fans know the best place to eat on game day is at a tailgate. Of course, inside Tiger Stadium a lot ballpark classics are served. And in recent years the concessions team has added Cajun sausage poboys, deep-dish pizzas, alligator sausage, crawfish pies and jambalaya at certain vending areas.

Still, most fans eat inside Tiger Stadium to carb up—or sober up. But what if they didn’t? This is South Louisiana—we’re known for our food. Most events in the state require delicious and unique grub to feed the discerning tastes of massive crowds. Why shouldn’t a Saturday night in Death Valley be the same?

Here are some ideas.

• Target Field in Minneapolis serves a lamb-and-goat burger during Twins games from adventurous food personality Andrew Zimmern’s concession stand, AZ Canteen. No word if fried crickets are served on the side.
• Kansas City is proud of its ‘cue, and the 17-hour slow-smoked beef brisket at Arrowhead Stadium draws a loyal crowd of Chiefs fans.
• Oriole Park in Baltimore is known for serving up fare from popular local restaurants, like the Maryland crab cake sandwiches made famous at Charm City Seafood.
• Minute Maid Park in Houston is also big on celebrating local restaurants, such as El Real (chorizo tacos) and Little Bigs (burgers on toasted challah buns).
• At Qwest Field in Seattle, Seahawks fans can bite into a tasty Pacific salmon BLT sandwich.
• Want dessert? Peach cobbler is on the menu at the Georgia Dome for Atlanta Falcons games, because of course it is.

• Prime rib, barbecue nachos and grilled shrimp sandwiches at the University of Notre Dame’s stadium.
• Smoked brisket, chopped salads and veggie burgers at the University of Missouri’s Memorial Stadium.
• Barbecued duck, pastrami sandwiches and wild salmon at the University of Oregon’s Autzen Stadium.
• Veggie rice bowls (for the fit) and maple donut bars (for the gluttonous) at Brigham Young’s LaVelle Edwards Stadium.
• White bean and chicken chili at the University of Michigan’s Big House.
• Cheese curds at where else but the University of Wisconsin’s Camp Randall Stadium.

We asked our 225 Facebook fans for their ideas of great food to serve inside Tiger Stadium. Below, some of their choices:

• Shrimp poboys
• Sushi
• Oysters
• Snoballs
• Special appearances from the likes of Fleur de Lis pizza, CouYon’s barbecue or cake balls from Brew Ha-Ha.

Our suggestion: A rotating lineup of “pop-up” restaurants or chefs manning different concession stands for each home game. Staff at the gates can hand out leaflets telling fans what’s on the menu that day and where to find each.

Have an idea for a new food to be served inside Tiger Stadium, email [email protected] or leave comments below.