Here it is my friend…your completely useful, completely informative, and completely entertaining Wrigley Field guide – with all the info you need for your next Cubs game (or any other event) at the Friendly Confines!

I’ve written other helpful stuff about Wrigley, from the impressive Wrigley Field food menu, the best ways to get to a Cubs game, to this helpful guide to Wrigley Field parking, and a detailed guide to Wrigley Field seating. And if you’re serious about saving money on tickets, this post is for you.

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But this Wrigley Field guide covers all of the most important stuff. With lots of nice pictures. I’ve broken this down into chunks for you…

Finding Cheap Cubs Tickets
Choosing A Seat At Wrigley Field
The Best And Other Ways To Get To Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field Food
Bringing The Kids
Other Stuff

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Did you bring your Cubs parka?

Wrigley Field Guide, Part 1: Cheap Cubs Tickets

Cheap Cubs tickets is something of a relative phrase. But that’s all the more reason to read this useful Wrigley Field guide.

You can, with some effort, save a lot of a money on Cubs tickets…by being aware of all of your ticket buying avenues, choosing the right contest, and paying attention to things like the Cubs ticket alert newsletter. (If you haven’t already, subscribe to that now.) I will be putting together a full primer about finding cheap Cubs tickets soon, but here’s some basic help.

I’ll start with how the newsletter can help you. For high demand games, you are best off planning ahead and paying face value for tickets if you can. Your newsletter will (for free!) inform you of when tickets go on sale, including pre-sales. This is an opportunity to get tickets for high demand games at face price, which will likely be the cheapest price.

If you live in Chicago or know someone who does, get your tickets at the box office and avoid the considerable online fees.

OK, so I haven’t been to Wrigley since Anthony Rizzo was a Cub! Does that make me a bad person??? (Don’t answer that.)

High demand games are July and August weekend games, and games against the White Sox, Cardinals or Yankees. The easiest games are April weeknights, and when your behind is stuck to your frozen seat you’ll know why.

So if you want cheap Cubs tickets, and you have a choice, choose a weekday game over a weekend, and try for something in May (or September if the Cubs aren’t contending). If a weekend is your only choice, try for a Friday or Sunday.

You’ll need the MLB Ballpark app if you don’t get your tickets in person. The Cubs don’t allow printed tickets, because of their concern about fraud (whatever). You need the app anyway, for this reason: If you go the third party route, StubHub isn’t a bad choice, but search around, because other agencies might be offering better deals.

I always include Gametime in my searches. (And they are also an affiliate.)

Gametime, like StubHub, shows you available tickets from online sellers, and you can list them by price, and even choose from elite sellers. For low demand games especially, you can often find tickets for significantly less than face price, so check with Gametime first.

Gazebo + Bike Racks = Legit!

If you decide to try the many agencies near the ballpark, take a seating diagram with you so you can see where your potential seats are. They are very skilled hagglers, these guys…as are the scalpers…so wait until close to game time to get a better deal.

There are lots of scalpers here, but honestly, unless you have sick haggling skills like my buddy Andrew Van Cleve (who once lived near Wrigley Field), I would choose another route.

Here’s a key tip: Most of the agencies near Wrigley have their own websites, so if you’re using StubHub in your search for tickets, try comparing the price of your ticket to an equivalent ticket on the agency website. I’ve read that some agencies will list their tickets on both outlets, but it will be cheaper on their own site, and you should be able to pick up the tickets at the game.

And one last killer tip: bleacher seats during the season are general admission, so if you need more than one, try searching for some combination of the total you need for a better deal…e.g. if you need five, try searching for three singles and a pair. You might save quite a few bucks this way.

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I guess it kinda doesn’t matter when you’re at Wrigley. But we’ll discuss anyway.

Wrigley Field Guide, Part 2: Choosing The Best Seat

If you really want the nuts and bolts of how to choose a great seat at Wrigley (and it’s worth the trouble, especially if you’re a first timer), check out my extremely detailed Wrigley Field Seating guide.

But for the purposes of this simpler Wrigley Field guide, I’ll break it down by budget:

Friends of The Ricketts Budget: If money isn’t an issue, the Cubs have added a bunch of high end seats as part of the recent renovation; these include most of the closer seats between the dugouts. The visitors’ dugout is on the first base side, if you’re seeing your team at Wrigley.

These seats include all kinds of amenities like access to the swanky new clubs, so if you can afford a ticket at this price, you don’t need me to help you save money at Wrigley.

Large Budget: If you have triple digits to drop on Cubs pasteboards, the Bullpen Box, Club Box and Field Box seats are the closer lower level seats, and for low demand games you can find much better prices. Seats in the infield cost significantly more, as they do on the upper level, so if you’d rather be low than behind home plate, go for the outer Club or Field Box seats.

Avoid the first few rows of Field Box seats; there’s a walkway between Club and Field Box sections, and the foot traffic can be annoying.

This is the view from the Bartman seat. Do you think you wouldn’t have gone for the foul ball?

If you’re looking for the Steve Bartman seat, go to Section 3 and ask an usher…they can always point you right to it. (Wikipedia is no help with this.)

Medium Budget: For the folks who still prefer a craft beer to wine and cheese, the Terrace and Upper Box seats are within your range. Both have their advantages, but they’re very different. Choose the Upper Box for April or September games; the Terrace sections are almost entirely covered and get little sun, and that matters here.

As I’ve said, Upper Box seats are a great value, even at the current price; the upper deck at Wrigley is as close to the action as at any ballpark.

Small Budget: If you’re going for cheap seats at Wrigley Field, you can start with the Upper Reserved sections, especially the ones in the outfield; but a small step above them in price are both the Bleachers and the Terrace Reserved seats, both of which are much better.

If you do go with the upper level, be aware that there are only nine rows, so if you get Row 9 you will be at the very top of Wrigley Field. This isn’t such a bad thing, but if you struggle with steep steps you won’t like it. Stick with Terrace Reserved if that’s a problem for you.

Shade. It matters here.

With Upper and Terrace Reserved seats, you will very likely be covered by a roof. Being in the shade in Chicago can get chilly at any time; I’ve shivered there in late June. Just be prepared; put on an extra layer of clothing or two, or sit in the uncovered bleachers.

I talk more about the Wrigley Field bleachers here; but remember a few simple things: bleachers are general admission, so get there very early (I’m talking three hours before the gates open for high demand games). The seats are also metal and backless; bring a cushion if you’ve got a sensitive behind.

The bleachers feature seriously dedicated Cubs fans, some of whom probably drink more than they should. It might not be the best place for kids or fans wearing opposing teams gear. If you catch a visiting home run ball, throw it back. It’s not worth what you might endure if you don’t.

Here’s the trick…just get the seat next to the support pole!

Avoiding Obstructed Views: With Terrace and Upper Reserved, you also have obstructed views from support poles. I’ve written more about that here; but if you want to keep it simple, avoid low numbered seats and low numbered rows in Upper Reserved; in the Terrace try to stay between rows 10-15. (Or get the “Preferred” seats with little to no obstruction; worth a couple of extra bucks.)

One last bit about seating: the sun sets on the third base side, so the shade comes early there. For chillier evenings, the right field seats that aren’t under a roof will be warmer. Again, this is Chicago, and you should be mindful of this.

The bleachers aren’t covered at all, and the Cubs offer sunscreen dispensers there.

We’re here! Okay, where do we park?

How To Get To Wrigley Field

I’ll cover the basics of getting to the Friendly Confines here, but I cover this topic in much more detail in this post, well worth a read!

Most Wrigley goers, including the esteemed author of this respectable Wrigley Field guide, will tell you that the easiest way to get to Wrigley Field is by using the CTA Red Line. It’s cheap, it drops you right at the ballpark at Addison station, it runs 24/7, and there’s even a bunch of places to fill up your goody bag (yes, you can bring food into Wrigley Field).

If you use the Red Line, here’s a couple of tips: stand on the ends of the platform where the cars are less crowded; and try the station before Addison after the game if you want a seat (e.g. use the Sheridan station if you’re heading towards downtown).

In addition to the Red Line, the CTA has several other rail routes you can use to avoid standing on a packed train.

Not the same Addison station where Wrigley is. Don’t walk it from here.

You can use the Blue Line to the Addison Station (it’s not the same station as the Red Line Addison, by the way) and the #152 bus, which also drops you at the ballpark, or use the Brown Line…which takes you a couple of blocks from the ballpark at the Belmont station, on a much less crowded train. Much more pleasant ride, this, through some attractive parts of Chicago…I’ve used it and thought it was preferable to the Red Line given the choice. The Brown Line doesn’t run 24/7 however, so check the schedule.

Metra Rail can take you from most of the suburbs of Chicago to downtown, but you’ll still probably be using the Red Line to get to Wrigley.

If trains aren’t your thing, you have a few alternatives, some of which are equally inexpensive and almost as convenient.

No, you can’t leave your car there for the weekend.

First, you should know about the free Wrigley Field bus that the Cubs run for night and weekend games, from the remote lot at 3900 North Rockwell Street as of this writing (check the Cubs website on this, it moves from time to time). Free parking and free bus? U can’t touch that. Remember though, free attracts a lot of people, and this bus is always crowded.

Definitely beats the Wrigley parking price.

Then there’s the Pace Wrigley Field Express, another public transit route to Wrigley. The Pace buses run from two locations in the suburbs, and drop you right at the ballpark…and much more cheaply than paying for gas, tolls and parking. I’ve used the Pace Express to get to a White Sox game and it was great…just a few bucks and free parking, and lots of fans to talk baseball with.

Note: As I write this, Pace doesn’t have the staff to run the Wrigley Field Express, but they’re working on it and I’m sure it will return at some point.

Finally, if you do decide to drive and park, you can either use the aforementioned free remote lot, or use the lots near the ballpark, some of which are owned by the Cubs.

Remember though, driving and parking is more challenging. If you are driving to Wrigley Field, I very strongly recommend that you book a spot beforehand.

It may be hard work to guard this sign, but someone’s got to do it.

You can also read my much more detailed guide for Wrigley Field parking, including traffic tips, other ways to park for free, and a bit about the very cool Reggies Rock Bus.

Wrigley is a popular Uber destination, and Lyft has Wrigley listed in its “discount zones”. A shared ride from Wrigley after the game can still be expensive though; you may want to walk a couple of blocks away from the crowded streets of Wrigleyville first.

And finally, as you know, this Wrigley Field guide goes the extra mile…if you want to avoid all this and ride a bicycle to Wrigley, there’s actually a free bicycle valet near the Addison CTA station, and the Cubs will look after your bike free of charge. There’s also Chicago’s Divvy Bikeshare shared bicycle service; they have two stations very close to Wrigley.

You’re now a expert on how to get to Wrigley Field, and that’s no small thing.

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I should really leave this to professionals.

Wrigley Field Food: A Taste of Chicago

The Cubs have definitely stepped up the Wrigley Field food game; the link you just passed is a much more detailed primer on all things food at Wrigley these days (and it’s kind of funny too).

Chicago as a city worships three of the best American foodstuffs: hot dogs, pizza, and beefy sandwiches. At Wrigley, all three are represented pretty well.

Let’s start with hot dogs. You have ample choices for encased meat at Wrigley; my favorite is the Chicago Dogs stand…a simple but hefty dog that you can adorn with the Chicago dog necessities: chopped tomatoes, sport peppers, mustard, sauerkraut and neon green relish. And grilled onions, for an extra touch.

But if you’re in the bleachers…and this is a very good reason to be…you have the option of Hot Doug’s, a former Chicago-based stand that sells dogs with unusual toppings and named after Cubs greats, like the “Champ Summers”: a spicy Polish sausage with Goose Island beer mustard and crispy fried onions. They rotate the dog types for every homestand; Hot Doug’s is very popular.

Poppy seeds, grilled onions…this can really soften the blow of a Cubs defeat.

And don’t forget about the High Plains Bison! You can find those stands in the main concourse as well, for leaner meat and a just-as-tasty dog.

Now then…being in Chicago, you can’t mess around with pizza, and while I was saddened to see that Giordano’s and their out of this world deep dish is no longer available at Wrigley, we do have Home Run Inn pizza here now. Home Run Inn has nine locations in the area, and this being Chicago, that suggests that they can’t be too bad. The pizza is pretty much everywhere and easy to find.

Is it me, or does the sun shine brighter on Italian beef?
(photo courtesy of the Chicago Cubs)

Then there’s the Italian beef sandwich (just call it Italian beef when you’re in Chicago); a sandwich of thinly sliced and soaked Buona roast beef covered with giardiniera, which includes hot peppers, carrot slices, celery and other stuff to make it at least a little healthier. I always get an Italian beef when I’m in Chicago…when done right they’re a staple of a good life. If you can’t find one, head over to the Sheffield Counter in right field.

Aside from these Chicago staples, Wrigley features some terrific other options; at the aforementioned Sheffield Counter they include offerings from local chefs, including a phenomenal-looking cheddar burger, disco fries, and Garrett’s popcorn…Garrett’s is another very well-known name in Chicago.

A big ass pretzel for big ass Cub fan appetites.

If you have a big appetite, look for the North Side Twist; it’s a very large and expensive soft pretzel that comes with several dipping sauces. It’s a lot of carbs, but you can walk it off here. Or try the Big Slugger nachos, a helmet full of nachos with a ridiculous amount of toppings. (Wash the helmet before you wear it.)

Again, much more about Wrigley Field food in this post, but two more quick points:

First, you can bring your own food into Wrigley, so take advantage of the bunch of local eateries in town…including Al’s Italian Beef on Clark Street…and get some great grub cheap for your goody bag.

I felt truly empowered when I learned this.

And second (pay attention, this is a good one!), for the first hour after the gates open, you can score 25% off most food items, and that’s not insignificant at a ballpark!

That should be helpful for grabbing some grub at the Friendly Confines.

If you’re interested, there’s something of a decent craft brew selection at Wrigley…there’s multiple Goose Island options, and 3 Floyds, Bell’s, Hamm’s and Naturdays are available in the various craft beer stands around the ballpark (check out the “Retro Beer Cave” in the upper level of the bleachers).

Stuffed animals are usually a hit.

Bringing The Kids To Wrigley Field

Enjoying a Cubs game at Wrigley Field with kids can be a challenge. It’s a bit tough to keep them entertained, for example, with little playground space inside. But it can be done. Here are a few things parents should know about bringing the family to the Friendly Confines:

Wrigley Field With Kids, Tip #1) Try Terrace Reserved Seats. You may want to sit in the Terrace Reserved sections (be sure to avoid obstructed views), especially on hot summer days. They have several advantages over the similarly priced bleacher seats…they’re in the shade, and you’re less likely to hear the colorful language of some bleachers fans.

And by Wrigley standards, the Terrace Reserved seats are more affordable for families, no small thing here.

Even though, in most aspects of their life, they’ll be expected to grow up a bit.

Wrigley Field With Kids, Tip #2) Join The Kids Club. The “Clark’s Crew” Cubs Fan Club membership for kids includes a game ticket (woo-hoo!), and the kid gets cool stuff like a backpack and lanyard too. The benefits are well worth the cost. Membership includes newsletters and merchandise discounts, and front of the line access on run the bases Sundays.

Speaking of which…

I’m sure he has an important point to make.

Wrigley Field With Kids, Tip #3) Go On Sundays. And Go Early. The Cubs offer a chance for the kids to run the bases at Wrigley Field (and that’s pretty cool, isn’t it?). Just get there early, so you can get a wristband for the kid when you come in.

Some Sundays are giveaway days, where the Cubs hand out stuff to young fans like lunch bags and wristbands. All pretty cool, but remember this…

Wrigley Field With Kids, Tip #4) Keep A Close Eye On The Kids. The Wrigley concourses get very crowded, especially for the last hour before the game starts, and it’s easy to lose track of someone small. Be sure the kid knows what to do in case you get separated…show them what Cubs employees look like and all that. It’s a crowded place outside too, so just be aware.

And counting.

A Few More Wrigley Field Tips For Newbies

Wrigleyville is a very crowded place on game day. There are lots of bars, restaurants, T-shirt and ticket hawkers, street performers, etc. It’s fun for the kids, especially with the new Park at Wrigley, but again, be sure to keep a close eye on them.

With everything that goes on in Wrigleyville and many games selling out, expect to take a while leaving the ballpark and the area, especially if you’re sitting in the upper level (this may be why the Red Line is so popular).

Many of the houses on Waveland and Sheffield that featured rooftop bleachers have had their view obstructed by new scoreboards, and the Cubs have bought up most of the remaining ones. So you can still watch a game from some of the Rooftops, and it often includes extras like beer and food in the price. It might be worth trying for the experience, but it’s not a great view in most cases. Still, you can duck out of the elements anytime, which is nice.

You’ll be feeling good about this in the 11th inning.

If you’ve parked for free on a nearby street especially you should be mindful of how long it takes to exit the ballpark, because you WILL be towed if you leave your car there past the deadline (usually 5:00-6:00 PM). If you want to exit more quickly, use the right field or left field corner exits rather than the “Marquee” exit behind home plate. The right field corner is closer to the Red Line station.

Always be prepared for the weather. With the wind blowing in, and so many seats in the shade, you’ll see bundled up people in the seating bowl and shirtless people in the bleachers, which block the wind from Lake Michigan. It’s that much of a difference and another reason the bleachers are popular. Be as prepared as you can be on colder nights.

Finally, be sure to take a picture of the press box of whoever is singing “Take Me Out To The Ballgame”.

You can’t be a worse singer than Jeff Gordon was, so don’t be shy!

There you have it my friend…your complete Wrigley Field guide, with everything you need to know. In case you didn’t click on any of it, there’s plenty more below for specific stuff…like hot dogs. Enjoy.

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I wouldn’t say that the home of the Blue Jays tops the list in ballparks known for culinary greatness, although they have definitely improved things in recent years. But that there are several different editions of Rogers Centre nachos is impressive to me; chips with stuff piled on them go over pretty well here.

Here are three places where you can get a piled mess of food on chips at the ballpark in Toronto:

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With a helpful listing of the ingredients, just in case.

Rogers Centre Nachos, #1) The Muddy York Market. The Muddy York is the large food court at Rogers, and there’s a separate nachos stand where you can actually customize your plate of nachos.

Get a plate of smoked jerk chicken nachos with cheddar cheese sauce, pico de gallo, cole slaw (!), green onions and infused sour cream. Or pile on your own stuff, with toppings like cheese, chicken, salsa, corn, jalapenos, etc. Sour cream and guacamole cost extra (as always)…

Nachos with the visual enhancement of smoked meat sitting behind them.

Rogers Centre Nachos, #2) The King Club. At the Budweiser King Club bar area behind home plate is a carved meat station, and you can order “Bases Loaded Nachos”. These babies are covered with beef brisket, BBQ sauce, jalapenos, caramelized onions, pico de gallo, three bean chili (!), and something called “pepper infused sour cream”.

The Muddy York Market has BBQ nachos too, but they’re not as BBQ, if that makes sense.

Please don’t spit these at the umpire.

Rogers Centre Nachos, #3) The 12 Kitchen. The 12 Kitchen is named for star Jays (and Orioles!) second baseman and Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar, and has more of a Latin theme in its food. 12 nachos are made with a mix of plantain and tortilla chips (and rightly so, personally I don’t get the kettle chips thing), covered with adobo spiced chicken, queso franco, guacamole, sour cream and green onions.

They’re kind of Christmasy looking nachos, aren’t they?

Rogers Centre Nachos, #4) Intentional Guac. The Intentional Guac stand is located on the upper level as I write this, sparing SkyDeck patrons a trip down long ramps to the other nachos. And they’re perfectly serviceable nachos in their own right. It’s the gooey cheese type substance and un-pickled jalapenos, but you do get pico de gallo, beans and corn on them. And appropriately given the name of the stand, guac is available too.

The ingredients for these nachos plates could change when you visit, but as I write this these are the three distinct food stands where you can get some variation of nachos at Rogers Centre. It’s among the more popular non-hot dog foods inside this ballpark…but many fans go for the street meat outside too.

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Since the home of the White Sox is surrounded mostly by parking lots, the nearby scene is known far more for above average tailgating than a slew of eateries. (There are a few decent watering holes nearby though, contrary to popular myth.) That said, there are several Guaranteed Rate Field restaurants – as in attached to or inside the ballpark. Here are three worth noting:

“Wait! I’ve just realized we can see the game live right next door!”

Guaranteed Rate Field Restaurants, #1) The ChiSox Bar & Grill. The nice thing about the ChiSox Bar & Grill attached to the ballpark is being able to enjoy a meal before or after the game, without having to move your car.

The ChiSox draws a good crowd and the bar on the lower level gets pretty crowded. The food is popular among fans: burgers, tacos, sandwiches and appetizers like jalapeno cheddar hush puppies and pork nachos…and of course, wash it down with Big Hurt Beer. The ChiSox has appetizer specials on game days.

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This is about as good a spot for outdoor dining as you’ll find in Chicago.

Guaranteed Rate Field Restaurants, #2) The Craft Kave. The White Sox turned the Miller Lite Bullpen Sports Bar into the much more tasteful Craft Kave…it’s actually a party area with seating in right field and a full bar underneath.

It used to be for groups, but you can now enter the Craft Kave and not only choose from over 70 Chicago area craft brews, but also some truly incredible craft burgers like the “Veeck as in Wreck” burger with two patties and onion rings piled on, or the “Wild Pitch” with mushrooms and Swiss. There’s even a White Sox staffer that helps you choose the perfect brew to go with your burgers. Amazeballs.

Be sure to have someone on lookout for people trying to snag your seats.

Guaranteed Rate Field Restaurants, #3) Xfinity Zone. The Xfinity Zone in the lower right field concourse is a great spot for a sit down meal. There’s no view of the game, but there are plenty of TVs and you’re bound to be pretty close to one.

The menu includes superlative deli-style sandwiches such as the Ultimate Turkey Club and the Supreme Corned Beef, along with dogs, sausages and fried pickles and such. There’s a full bar with mixed drinks and domestic or craft brews.

There’s much more food at Guaranteed Rate Field to choose from…like the Comiskey Dogs and elotes, but this should help you choose a sit down spot in the absence of a nearby restaurant.

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The short answer to the question for thrifty fans is yes, you can bring food into Wrigley Field from outside. The Cubs allow a 16*16*8 soft-sided bag (which is pretty big), so long as it doesn’t contain alcohol or projectiles. The Friendly Confines does have some great Chicago style grub (which I talk about in this truly informative Wrigley Field food post) but sometimes it’s good to save a few bucks too.

So what does this mean for you? In addition to bringing in peanuts and bottled water, which is easy to find anywhere outside, including at the Addison Red Line station, you have a few places near the ballpark to load up on Cubs game sustenance. This can help you choose an ideal parking spot, incidentally.

So Who Makes Food I Can Bring Into Wrigley Field?

Here are three suggestions if McDonald’s, Taco Bell or Subway doesn’t light up your palate:

Is there an “unofficial” hot dog of the Cubs?

Bring Food Into Wrigley Field, Stop #1) Wrigleysville Dogs. Yes, that’s an “S” in the name. Probably some legal thing. Wrigleysville Dogs is a few steps north of the ballpark on Clark Street, and it’s a great place for super cheap grub – like that classic Chicago dog dragged through the garden.

You can park in their lot too, if you’re early enough, but that part isn’t cheap.

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Translation: “Mexican Burrito”. I’m betting it took all night to come up with that name.

Bring Food Into Wrigley Field, Stop #2) El Burrito Mexicano. This tiny but authentic joint is right there at the foot of the Red Line station, and you can get yourself an easy-to-carry burrito to bring inside. (Burritos are an underrated ballpark food IMHO.)

Again, super cheap, but keep in mind that it’s cash only and very popular with fans. Get there early before it gets packed if you can.

The store is just a block away from the ballpark.

Bring Food Into Wrigley Field, Stop #3) Nuts On Clark. There is actually a Nuts On Clark outpost inside Wrigley Field as of this writing, but you can order your gourmet popcorn right there at the store on Clark Street, and it’s cheaper than in the ballpark and has a wider selection.

It’s a very short walk from Wrigley, but it’s only open during the day, so use this one for day games.

There’s three outside choices in Wrigleyville for fans bringing in their own grub. But there’s a pretty impressive menu inside the ballpark that you’ll want to know about too…

Want to know more about the Friendly Confines? Check out this complete guide to Wrigley Field, with everything you need to know! Oh, and click here to learn how to find great deals on Cubs tickets!

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Like most ballparks, the Tropicana Field food menu is varied and goes well beyond hot dogs and popcorn, but the Trop is unique in that I’ve seen several items lately that I’ve never seen anywhere else…or more correctly, the popular items here aren’t featured much in most other ballparks.

Here are three food items that you could try when you talk about your visit to Tropicana Field; two of them are definitely unique to Tampa Bay baseball, and the Cuban Sandwich is pretty rare elsewhere too.

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And if you finish all of these sandwiches, you get a free dessert.

Tropicana Field Food, Tip #1: The Cuban Sandwich. You have several choices of Cuban sandwiches at the Trop; there’s the stand that actually is called “Cuban”, but if you don’t like things too obvious, you can get one at the Bay Grill or at Pipo’s Café. I don’t know if they’re all different, but it seemed to me like the Pipo’s edition was heftier.

The Cuban sandwich is something of a go-to food thing in Florida; it’s ham, pork, and Genoa salami with Swiss cheese, pickles and yellow mustard on bread that is pressed to make the sandwich flat. Gooey Swiss makes any sandwich good.

In addition to the classic, the Cuban stands feature Cuban-style burgers with two patties added to the rest of the ingredients, or a veggie version with grilled vegetables and mozzarella. Remember, gooey cheese.

You’re not staying for dinner? I cleaned out my whole fridge for this!

Tropicana Field Food, Tip #2: Pipo’s Chicken Paella. I picked this one simply because I’ve never seen paella at a ballpark before, and if they’re gonna serve wings and chili, I see no reason why paella wouldn’t be included as a “ballpark food you need to sit at a table to eat”.

Pipo’s Cuban cafeteria joint has been in the Pinellas County area since 1979, so they’re pretty well known around here. At the Trop they offer Cubans, fried plantains, and beef empanadas, but the paella is the standout thing. I tried the empanada and it wasn’t great, but it was easy to eat at least.

In case you didn’t know, chicken paella is a mixture of chicken, rice, peppers and onions, with other meats like sausage and ham. Something like jambalaya but without the Cajun flavoring. A nice filling thing and obviously, something different at a ballpark.

It’s time to go beyond fork and spoon. This thing requires a more advanced utensil.

Tropicana Field Food, Tip #3: Ducky’s West Tampa Bowl. Ducky’s Sports Lounge is Evan Longoria’s Tampa restaurant; it’s known for “creative cocktails” and four lanes of mini-bowling. The menu at the restaurant features unusual bar food like roasted Buffalo cauliflower, duck fat fried sweet potato tots, and quinoa burgers.

The menu isn’t nearly as varied at the Trop outpost of Ducky’s located next to the outfield porch, but Ducky’s does have the “West Tampa Bowl” here…marinated pork with sautéed onions in a bowl of brown rice and black beans. All served with plantain chips and mango vinaigrette. Try listing those ingredients when telling people about your ballpark meal.

Ducky’s is also a spot for healthier stuff, incidentally; they have turkey wraps and California salads here too.

There you go…three foods to try at Tropicana Field that you probably won’t find at most ballparks. (I’ve never seen paella anywhere else, anyway.) But there’s also gourmet grilled cheeses, the amazing mac bat, the hefty grilled cheese burger and of course, Chicago-style dogs. Stay tuned.

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