If baseball is still the great American pastime, eating sweet and savory treats is a close second.
The two activities are combined inside Great American Ball Park, which recently showcased its future food offerings ahead of Opening Day. The smorgasbord featured classic entrees one can expect to see in the hands of fans catching a game, like popcorn, hotdogs and burgers, as well as new items.
This season will feature classics with a twist, and some specialty options for dieters, foodies and anyone with a sweet tooth.
Fans 21 and older can get a taste of a Covington-made slushie from Frosthaus that will be exclusive to GABP. The boozy fruit punch offers an ice-cold cool down spectators may look forward to enjoying as they take in a game. They will also offer a Kentucky lemonade, a frosty lemon slushie made with Old Forester, and the specialty drink “Dreamsicles Do Come True,” crafted after the popular popsicle and made with Tito’s vodka.
The family-owned Covington business is also hosting Reds trivia nights starting April 5 and leading up to Opening Day on April 12.
Some of the new items from Executive Chef Gary Davis that will be offered this season include:
Reds “Red Hot” Chicken Sandwich, a fried chicken breast topped with honey hot sauce, pickle chips and horseradish coleslaw on a brioche bun. Available at FryBox at Section 109 and Scouts Club.
Bar-B “Cone,” a Montgomery Inn pulled pork entree with white cheddar mac & cheese, coleslaw and Montgomery Inn’s barbecue sauce – served in a waffle cone. Available at Montgomery Inn Smokehouse near Section 138.
The Scouts Club has several new items on the menu, like the Hand-Crafted 1869 Burger, an all-beef burger topped with American cheese, barbecue sauce, crispy onions and pickles on a brioche bun; and Scouts Burrito Bowl with a cilantro-lime rice base topped with grilled chicken, queso, lettuce, sour cream and pico de Gallo.
Also on the menu are two vegetarian hot dogs, The Dragon Dog and The Lookout Dog. The Dragon Dog features a Field Roast vegetarian hot dog topped with kimchi, garlic soy sauce and sesame aioli, and The Lookout Dog has the same base and is topped with white bean buffalo dip, shredded cheddar cheese, pickled jalapenos and hot sauce.
The “Bunt” Cake Sundae, a bundt cake topped with vanilla ice cream, strawberry sauce, whipped cream and sprinkles. Available at Rosie’s Ice Cream Stands near Sections 115, 132 and 522, and Scouts Club.
Next, is the “Rookie Cookie” Fry Box, with crushed Oreos and chocolate chip cookies, chocolate sauce, caramel sauce and marshmallows – served on French fries. Heaven help us, it’s sold in FryBox locations at Sections 139 and 534.
For Frisch’s fans: Big Boy Sliders are available for a limited time only, April 22-24. Sold at Frisch’s at Section 118.
The Reds will play the Cleveland Guardians on April 12 at the Great American Ballpark at 4:10 p.m., and game-goers are advised to come hungry.