Gluten Free Concessions at the Stadium

Yesterday, March 31st, 2011, marked the opening day of baseball season, so I thought I'd do a little research and try to put together a complete list of MLB stadiums that now offer gluten free concessions at the game. I found that there are also five NFL stadiums now offering GF fare as well.

Last year, my 6 yo son went to his first baseball game at Turner Field to see the Atlanta Braves. Because both he and my husband, J., are gluten free, they got tickets right near the gluten free concession stand on Aisle 106. Each had a "delicious" hamburger with a GF bun and J. had a Redbridge beer. My father (not GF, but a good sport) had a hotdog with a GF bun and suggested that the hamburger may have been a better choice because of the way it's steamed with the bun, keeping everything tasty.

What gluten free experiences have you had at sports arenas and stadiums?

I found the following baseball stadiums will offer gluten-free food and beverage options this year:

• U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox
• Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs
• Dodgers Stadium, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers
• Coors Field, home of the Colorado Rockies
• Oriole Park at Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles
• Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies
• Citi Field, home of the New York Mets
• Turner Field, home of the Atlanta Braves
• Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks
• Yankee Stadium, home of the New York Yankees
• Safeco Field, home of the Seattle Mariners
• Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Indians
• Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals
• Petco Park, home of the San Diego Padres
• Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins
• Tropicana Field, home of the Tampa Bay Rays

More Specifically:

AT&T Park, home of the San Francisco Giants, has new gluten-free items at the Budweiser Pub.

New York Mets: Citi Field has a Kozy Shack Gluten Free Stand on the Field Level within the World’s Fare Market.  This stand is said to have Kozy Shack pudding, hot dogs, burgers, beer and more. 

*Seattle Mariners: Safeco Field has Gluten Free Awareness Night on Friday, August 26^th, 2011 (that night is also fleece blanket night)! 

*Chicago White Sox: U.S. Cellular Field has gluten free options at a variety of concession stands. 

*Chicago Cubs: Wrigley Field just announced they are offering Enjoy Life Foods  gluten free/allergy friendly foods. 

Washington Nationals: Gluten-Free Pretzels & Redbridge Beer at Noah’s Pretzels in Sections 106 & 318

Minnesota Twins: Angie’s Kettle Corn – Sold on Target Plaza and vended in the stands

• Farmers market – Section 141: Whole fruit, Carrots with Ranch dipping sauce, Gluten Free Nut snacks
• Veggie Kabobs – Section 133
• Shrimp Skewers – Section 133
• Turkey Leg – Sections 133,311
• Pork Chop on a stick – Section 133
• Fruichi Smoothies – Vended in the stands
• Talenti Gelato – Sections 141, 302
• Red bridge Beer – Sections 116, 124, 325
• Bunless Grilled chicken – available throughout Target Field
• Bunless Hot Dogs – available throughout Target Field

Philadelphia Phillies:

• Gluten free snacks and gluten free hotdogs and buns (South Philly Market behind section 128)
• Red Bridge Beer (concession stand by section 139 – near the Schmitter, behind section 204 on the Pavilion Level, behind section 323 on the Terrace Level, and Brewerytown stand on Ashburn Alley)
• Bull’s BBQ food (Ashburn Alley): All meat product, Bull’s barbecue sauce, cole slaw, beans

Colorado Rockies: Gluten-Free Concession Stand at Section 147 serving hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken sandwiches, chips, cookies, brownies and Redbridge beer.

Oriole Park at Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles, has some of the most unique gluten-free offerings including gluten-free crab cakes, Asian noodle salad and hummus and vegetables, along with hot dogs and sausage on gluten-free buns and gluten-free beer.

NFL Football Stadiums offering GF:

*Quest Field in Seattle, home to the Seattle Seahawks has gluten free concessions.

*New Meadowlands Stadium, which hosts the Giants and the Jets…..Fresh Fruit and Salads, Burger Platters (with no buns), and Redbridge Beer will be served at concession stands located at Sections 103, 121, 129, 305, and 320. Just Redbridge Beer will be sold at Sections 213 and 239. 

*Lambeau Field, home of the Packers offers Redbridge beer and Glutino pretzels

*Lincoln Financial Field, home of the Philadelphia Eagles

*M&T Bank Stadium, home of the Baltimore Ravens 

Also the Staples Center in Los Angeles For NBA and NHL, home of the Lakers, Clippers, Kings and Sparks

Words of wisdom via glutenfreebulletin: "Whereas the food at stadiums used to be off limits, now there are more options.  Many stadiums across the country are now serving gluten free snacks, hot dogs (with gluten free buns) and beer, so everyone can enjoy the stadium’s offerings.  While there are gluten free options available, that does not necessarily mean they are always safe to eat.  Ask the same questions you normally do at restaurants and cafes and pay heed to your instincts. Here are some things to consider before ordering a tray of food:

• Are you purchasing gluten free foods from a dedicated concession stand, or are gluten-containing foods being prepared in the same area?
• Are the employees trained and knowledgeable about celiac disease and gluten cross-contamination?
• Is it a packaged food item?  These are probably OK at a non-dedicated stand if you will be the first to handle them.  (Note: Monitor for cross-contamination if employee are required to open the package for you.) 

If after doing your homework and asking these questions you decide the food offered by the stadium is not safe,  look into the stadium’s policy on bringing in foods. Many ballparks allow you to bring in your own snacks.  Coolers and alcohol are usually NOT allowed, so keep this in mind when planning out your day.  Try to have a meal before you head into the stadium, so you are not too hungry inside and can stick to portable snacks while in the stadium.  You can, however, bring a cooler in your car to eat perishables before the game.  Some great snacks to bring into the stadium are homemade popcorn, nuts, homemade trail mix, fruit, gluten free snack bars, cookies or crackers."

The Turner Field concession stand was opened last year by Aramark; here's what they had to say in a press release: Atlanta Braves and ARAMARK Announce New Gluten-Free Concession Stand at Turner Field --The Atlanta Braves and ARAMARK, the exclusive food and beverage provider at Turner Field, have announced the opening of a dedicated gluten-free* concession stand for fans with Celiac Disease. The location opens Friday, Sept. 4, behind Section 106, and will feature all-beef franks, sirloin beef burgers, chicken sandwiches, chips, popcorn, brownies, cookies, soda, water and gluten-free RedBridge beer.

"In response to increasing requests for healthier and gluten-free options from fans, the Braves and ARARMARK are proud to unveil this new concessions option at Turner Field," said Ron Ranieri, ARAMARK General Manager at Turner Field. "The gluten-free stand is part of the Braves and ARAMARK's overall commitment to offer menu options that allow all fans, regardless of dietary restrictions, to enjoy the ultimate ballpark experience."