In a city that usually boasts the best of the best in sports, the New York Mets may just be the best show in town. With fan interest at an all-time high due to recent success and the signing of superstar Juan Soto, all eyes have been on Citi Field. As a die-hard Mets fan for my entire life, I cannot remember a season with such enthusiasm radiating throughout the fanbase.
The product on the field isn’t the only thing that Mets fans have to cheer about. Voted the winner of USA Today’s 10Best Readers’ Choice travel award contest for “Best Baseball Stadium Food” for the third consecutive year, the Citi Field team has been working tirelessly to keep improving. I was lucky enough to get a taste of what’s new on the menu, and I can tell you we’re in for an amazing season.
Seoul Bird’s Korean Fried Chicken With Kimchi Fried Rice
Citi Field is no stranger to fried chicken—the bucket of General Tso’s fried chicken is one of its most popular attractions. This year, Seoul Bird, a Korean street food company, continues the trend with Korean fried chicken and kimchi fried rice. Far from typical ballgame finger food, the crispy chicken and flavorful rice gives you something you wouldn’t question spending $15 on.
Adam Richman’s Pub Burger
Adam Richman hit a home run with his “Burger Hall of Fame” last year, and the world-renowned chef is back with a few additions. Richman crafted the Pub Burger as an homage to the U.K., where he lived for a few years. It features a 6-ounce Pat LaFrieda beef patty topped with beer cheese, thick-cut bacon, melted leeks, pork rinds, and spicy mustard on a pretzel bun. He uses a technique he learned in Wales to prepare the beer cheese and leeks, and it’s a must-try.
Naz’s Halal Combo Over Rice
It’s hard to think of anywhere in America where Halal carts are more prevalent than in New York City. Bringing traditional New York street food to the stadium not only strengthens the connection between the Mets and the city but also the Mets and the fans. Naz’s Halal brings the classic flavors of a halal platter with delicious gyro meat alongside fresh vegetables with plenty of sauce options (I went with white sauce). This new addition to the Citi Field menu represents more than just good food—it’s a deep connection to the Queens community Citi Field calls home.
Fieldtrip’s Jerk Meatballs
The phrase “rice is culture” is how Chef JJ Johnson’s restaurant Fieldtrip defines itself. “It’s about being able to bring all cultures together—being able to put that at the center of our table to represent all countries,” an employee told me. “We’re about community.”
Very few places in the world embody a message of cultural diversity like New York, and very few foods can deliver that message like rice. All cultures eat rice, therefore rice is culture. Aside from being culturally significant, the food is amazing. The jerk meatballs and jollof rice bring flavors that you genuinely can’t get at any other stadium in the country. It’s a unique experience that can only be had in the country’s melting pot.
Arepalicious’ Cheese Arepa
Street vendors and food trucks are New York staples, and the New York Mets have worked to incorporate them into the fan experience. Arepalicious is another signifier of the rapport between the Mets and their diverse fan base. Flushing, Queens, has a massive Latinx community that an Arepalicious employee tells me they are “very grateful to represent.” The cheese arepa is very simple, unlike many of the other foods, and that’s what makes it stand out. In an arena where people are often trying to be endlessly creative, sticking to your roots is playing to your strengths. The chicken, cotija cheese, and sauce create a great homey feel and great taste.
Prince Street Pizza
There are few more iconic pizza places in all of NYC (and therefore the world) than Prince Street Pizza. And they are iconic for a reason. I challenge anyone to find a better pepperoni slice than Prince Street’s Spicy Spring. The fra diavolo sauce and thick-cut pepperoni cups are just awesome. Do yourself a favor and have a slice when you come to the ballpark.
From The Stretch’s Ultimate Grilled Cheese
America’s pastime meets the quintessential comfort meal at Citi Field this summer, with From the Stretch’s take on the classic combo of a grilled cheese and tomato soup. Instead of a sandwich, they filled a pinwheel flatbread with provolone and American cheese and topped it with a pimento spread. The shape of the grilled cheese makes for an easy dip in the tomato fondue and a very warm experience (especially during a rain delay).
Patty Palace’s Curried Chicken Patty
Chef Kwame Onwuachi, a member of the Forbes “30 under 30 list,” brings his style to Citi Field with Patty Palace. The restaurant puts a focus on the beloved Jamaican patty, and the curried chicken version I tried was just ridiculous. Wrapped in coco bread and topped with a green sauce plus a jerk BBQ and cabbage slaw, the flavor was top tier. A nice homage to the sizeable Jamaican population in New York, Patty Palace makes for an awesome introduction to Jamaican food if it’s your first experience and will be a hit with both newcomers and longtime fans of Caribbean cuisine.
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