Every spring, ballparks across the country roll out winning and wild menus for their fans. The baseball food scene has become a hotbed for daring creations and maximalist mash-ups. Vendors serve inventive hybrids, like churwaffles (churros + waffles) at Oracle Park in San Francisco, CA and pizza cupcakes at Citi Field in Queens, NY. Pennsylvania ballparks are no exception. Vendors have embraced the trend towards excess with gusto, creating bonkers concoctions and taking classic PA ballpark eats to audacious new heights.
Baseball food culture goes back nearly as far as the game itself. In the late 1800s, early food concessionaire, Harry Stevens, began selling beer, ice cream, peanuts and “dachshund sausages,” (hot dogs) at ball games. It was a grand slam. Over the years, cheeseburgers, pizza, nachos, pretzels and popcorn have joined the staple ballpark lineup. Stevens’ famed concessions empire was eventually acquired by Philadelphia company, Aramark, and his legend lives on in the ballpark menus we enjoy to this day!
You’ll find all kinds of crazy delicious creations in Pennsylvania’s many beautiful ballpark arenas. Here are five of our most bonkers ballpark eats:
Renegade Hot Dog at PNC Park
PNC Park is a widely adored ballpark that sits beside the Allegheny River with views of downtown Pittsburgh and seats that are particularly close to the action. PNC offers Pirates fans tons of great Pittsburgh-rooted food options, like Primanti Bros. sandwiches, LowKey Taco nachos and churros and Caliente pizza.
In 2024, the park introduced the astonishing Renegade Hot Dog, which is sure to be a fast favorite belly buster. The Renegade is a footlong hot dog heaped with savory pot roast, mini pierogies, caramelized onions and pickles, served up on a hot dog bun.
You can head to section 133 for this gloriously over-the-top dog and section 146 afterwards, for a sweet cheese pierogi slathered in chocolate sauce and sprinkled with powdered sugar. Hey, why not? 115 Federal St, Pittsburgh; (412) 321-2827.
The Spot Hot Dogs at FNB Field
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The Harrisburg Senators play on City Island in the middle of the Susquehanna River, reachable from downtown Harrisburg by foot or car. The island is home to numerous festive attractions, like riverboat rides, miniature golf and FNB Field, with beautiful city views.
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You’ll find concessions spread all around FNB, but perhaps none more deliciously whacky than The Spot. Found near right field, this hot dog stand is the lasting iteration of the original restaurant, “The Spot,” which was a beloved hot dog institution that closed in 2007. The (new) Spot offers up incredible feature dogs, like Seltzer’s Slam with Lebanon bologna, whipped cream cheese, grilled onion and hot honey drizzle and Uncle Jim with kraut, melted Swiss, corned beef and thousand island dressing. Whatever dog feature you find, it’s sure to knock your baseball socks off. 245 Championship Way, Harrisburg; (717) 231-4444
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Loaded Funnel Cake Fry Sundae at Citizens Bank Park
Philadelphia sports fans are not exactly known for good behavior, and every once in a while the higher-ups issue a consequence. This has included greased poles for Eagles fans, revoked bracelets for Flyers fans and, now, no more Dollar Dog Night for Phillies fans at Citizens Bank Park after 27 years. As John Weber, SVP of Phillies Ticket Operations and Projects explained, “Unfortunately, we had fans throwing hot dogs, you know, back and forth and we just can’t have that.”
Hot dogs are now $5 BOGO on select nights, which fell short for many fans and sparked something of an outrage. Nonetheless, while many are feeling salty about the loss of the beloved hot dog tradition, they might find some solace in a sweet menu addition, the bonkers Loaded Funnel Cake Fry Sundae, available in section 142.
Carnival meets creamery in this wallop of a sundae, with funnel cake fry strips topped with homemade strawberry compote, vanilla soft serve and whipped cream. How to eat this hot, cold and sugary sweet pile of goodness is anyone’s guess! For a zany gluten-free dessert option, try the GF brownie with chewy marshmallow and Herr’s Fire Roasted Sweet Corn Popcorn at the gluten-free dedicated stand in section 122. 1 Citizens Bank Way, Philadelphia; (215) 463-1000.
Brisket Bowl at Coca-Cola Park
Dollar-dog privileges are in full effect in Allentown, where Lehigh Valley IronPigs fans can enjoy $1 Berks Packing hot dogs on Tuesdays at the minor league team’s Coca Cola Park. This is a highly attended ballpark that seats just over 8,000. Food-wise, it pays homage to its team name with an entire bacon section on the menu. Bacon cheese fries give way to a pretzel turkey bacon ranch sandwich, ending with a bacon brownie sundae or chocolate covered bacon.
Of all the savory delights this park offers (like a scrapple sandwich, walking tacos and poutine fries), the Brisket Bowl might just be the most berserk. Found in the main concourse, it’s a crispy waffle shell stuffed with shredded brisket and horseradish aioli and topped with a hunk of corn bread.
Honorable mention goes to the Pork Parfait, found in section 114. Picture the classic soda shop glass layered with meat and mashed potatoes. Another ballpark eat of note is the Reuben Burger, a beef patty piled high with corned beef, swiss and sauerkraut on a pretzel bun available in section 102. 1050 Ironpigs Way, Allentown; no phone.
Churger and Cheeseburger Dog at FirstEnergy Stadium
FirstEnergy Stadium, home to the Reading Fightin Phils, is a 10,000-seat ballpark built in 1951 with loads of upgrades since. It’s a fun park to visit, with box and general admission seating, an open-air picnic area and a unique “pool party” option where parties of 10+ can view the game from heated pools behind right field. There are somewhere around 30 fireworks nights each season for a post-game spectacle.
Crazy Hot Dog Vendor is the bonkers, unofficial mascot for the team. Outfitted in a striped carnival barker vest, bow-tie and soda jerk cap, he rides around on an ostrich and shoots frankfurters into the stands. Any questions?
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You’ll find the park’s concessions, including non-projectile hot dogs, in a large plaza immediately upon entry. FirstEnergy has a few off-center menu items and we’d say the Churger and Cheeseburger Dog rank at the top. These hybrid items are quirky and beautifully simple at the same time. The Churger is a chicken breast and hamburger patty sandwich, with a slice of cheese separating the two. Fan-favorite, the Churger, is cheeseburger molded into a hot dog shape, meeting multiple cravings at once. With so much to offer, it’s no wonder the FirstEnergy Stadium is a cherished southeastern PA ballpark. 1900 Centre Ave, Reading; (610) 370-2255.
- Feature photo: Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Hot dogs with beer, PNC Park and Citizens Bank Park: Bigstock
- Renegade Hot Dog and Loaded Funnel Cake Fry Sundae: Aramark
- The Spot Hot Dogs: The Spot @ FNB Field
- Harrisburg view: Senators Baseball
- Brisket Bowl and Reuben Burger: Lehigh Valley IronPigs
- Group at First Energy Stadium: Reading Fightin Phils
