Food at the game

[grimed1]

Did anyone try any food at the game? The food was not great and the lines were slow. The so called Boardwalk fries were limp and cold. They cost $5.25 and had maybe 15 fries in the container. They did not taste or look like Boardwalk fries. The stand with the sausage had no cold beer on draft. They said they were having refridgeration problems. The souvenir cup for soda was just a cup. The old souvenir cap had the O's logo plus a schedule. I am not sure what makes this a souvenir cup. They had trouble processing credit card payments and you needed cash. Why is Natty Boh $7.50 like the rest of the beers? The beer vendors in the lower deck ran out of beer in the sixth inning. I did not see alot of vendors in the lower deck. Howard,the beer vendor said they got the contract late and were still working things out. I used to see Clancy,the beer vendor about eight times during the game but only saw him twice. I did not see a hot dog.pretzel or soda vendor at all in the stands.This also caused everyone to wait in long lines. I guess they will workout the issues. but when the president of Delaware North says all we do is food services and are good at it,it makes me wonder. Aaramark was not good so hopefully this company will work out the kinks. I hope they did not get the contract because they underbid the other companies. My friend.who is a Jets ticket holder said Delaware North had issues when they got the Jet contract and the food was average at best.

[Birds08]

I had a sausage from Pollock Johnny's. Tasted great, but literally took 15 minutes from the time I ordered to the time they handed it to me. I was pleased to note that it seemed prices for everything were lower.

[grimed1]

Yup,the stands were almost as slow as the cops chasing the guy on the field.:laughlol: I guess none of the cops at the game have a gym membership. I think they might have had too many Pollock's.

[Don_Aase_Fan]

I didn't sample any of the new food offerings (lines were insane), but I was surprised to see that Boh was $7.50. I still had to imbibe one though.

[Sports Guy]

I felt like I was at the post office.

The workers were ridiculously slow. The bartenders were in no hurry.

I was in the club level, where you would figure things would be better but that wasn't the case.

A terrible first impression.

[grimed1]

Did anyone who attended the game see any hot dog vendors? Without vendors in the stands it makes the slow workers at the concession stands even slower. Can we get Vlad's mom to run the food service.

In Montreal, (Guererro) started a tradition that continues to this day. Before each home series, Guerrero will write down the names of all the Spanish-speaking players and coaches coming to town. Then he will take the list to his mother, Altagracia Alvino, who has moved with him (along with the rest of his family) to every city he has played in during his career. She spends hours in the kitchen, cooking food for all the Latin players — typically beans and rice mixed with chicken, beef, pork or fish — trying to give them a little taste of home. Guerrero, who has made close to $118 million in salary during his career, will then take the food to the park in plastic bags and distribute it to the players and coaches.


http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/dining/reviews/blog/2011/04/opening_day_for_new_food_at_or.html

[Nigel Tufnel]

I didn't see too many vendors of any kind in the upper deck, although a beer vendor came by in the bottom of the 8th. I guess the 7th inning last call must have been an ARAMARK rule.

[Great8]

Bad combination of sell-out crowd and new vendor. I'm sure they'll be better the next time out, although they should have known it was a sellout and been better prepared. I thought the food was OK. I got a turkey burger and fries from one of the stands in the upper deck, and my husband had a hot dog. We both enjoyed what we got. The fries were fine, even though we didn't have any ketchup because the pump was out. FWIW, the souvenir soda cup I got was an Orioles cup. I don't remember if there was a schedule on it, but it definitely wasn't just a plain cup. We were in Sec. 330, Upper Box, and we only saw the beer vendor twice. We told him to keep coming back because he'd make some money off of us, but he disappeared after the 1st inning. Not sure what was up with that! I also noticed that the in-stand vendors were selling more than one thing. Our guy sold peanuts and beer. One guy was selling beer and water. I don't recall seeing that before. It could be we saw fewer in-stand vendors because there ARE fewer vendors. DNC has them doubling up on what they're selling. Probably makes sense for both DNC and the vendors. We didn't see any hot dog vendors, either.

[grimed1]

Along with the menu, new concessions-related technology has been added, including a point-of-sale system for faster and better customer service, said Orioles spokesman Greg Bader. New grills and equipment have been added so that a wider variety of food can be prepared fresh in front of customers.

No comment.


http://thedailyrecord.com/2011/04/03/changes-will-be-noticeable-to-stadium-fans/

[SammyBirdland]

Were any of the vendors using those cups that fill from the bottom up?

<iframe title="YouTube video player" width="640" height="390" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/wiu_IX14wLI" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Phantom]

The Caps/Wiz owner has installed those things. Awesome-sauce.

[Pedro Cerrano]

I ordered a dog and beer and it took FOREVER. There was a group of about 4 people in front of me, probably in their early 20s, very intoxicated who were ordering everything off the menu and splitting it 4 different ways, with 4 different forms of payment.

Once they figured that out, they proceeded to complain about the amount of peppers on their sausage or something. Rather than moving them off to the side while their stuff got finished, they just stood there and waiting, doing literally nothing, for 3-4 minutes.

Bad news.

[Bosibus]

I still can't believe $7.50 for a Boh or other beers, they were $6.75 last year right? That is straight robbery. Looks like I will to start sneaking beers in.

[scottbbfm]

I had the cheesesteak with egg - freaking delicious. Paid with cash about an hour before the first pitch. Took two seconds. I had a feeling the food was going to be a nightmare, so I made a point to get there early and get the food out of the way.

Credit card system went down which was a major issue.

Beer vendors ran OUT of miller lite. Did not see any hot dog vendors in the stands. I mentioned in a dedicated thread that Del North does not care about the vendors in the stands and I think it showed yesterday. Switching beer brands on each individual vendor is about the dumbest thing ever. Also, dressing them in an orange polo isn't too smart. I understand the 'spirit' thing, but they need to stand out, everyone is dressed in orange.

[grimed1]

I know alot of the old time regular beer vendors are not happy with the switching each time. I know the O's are going to speak to Del North about what happened,yesterday. They have a long term contract.

[scottbbfm]

I know alot of the old time regular beer vendors are not happy with the switching each time. I know the O's are going to speak to Del North about what happened,yesterday. They have a long term contract.

Extremely unhappy.

[grimed1]

I sent a message to the head of the Delaware North Sportsservices. He said he was at the game and their was not too many problems. Mostly credit card and some minor issues.

[Sports Guy]

I sent a message to the head of the Delaware North Sportsservices. He said he was at the game and their was not too many problems. Mostly credit card and some minor issues.

Well, he is as stupid as the people he employs at the stadium.

I was looking to get a beer on the club level...All the lines were ridiculously long. I found a sub and pizza stand that served beers.

People in front of the line were waiting for pizza, so instead of the employees asking for them to step out of line and wait for it to be cooked, they just kept them there.

Then, after standing in line for like 10-15 min, i get up to the register only to be told they are out of beer.

I said to them, it would have been nice for you to tell us all that after waiting in line. Their response was we didn't know what you were in line for. But that doesn't change the fact that you have 3 people standing behind the counter, DOING NOTHING. They could have at least told people that if you are waiting for beer, we are out.

All their response was we are doing the best we can...total bs.

[MurphDogg]

I saw a hot dog vendor once in section 344, I also saw several beer vendors. I agree about the shirts, not a huge fan. Chicken and fries were decent, not as many fries as last year but I actually thought that there were too many fries last year. Chicken was decent, and about the same amount as last year. Bud Light draft was $7.50 and came in a 20 oz. cup. Disappointed that Boh is not slightly cheaper. The souvenir cups are definitely flimsier than last year and aren't adorned with a schedule, actually this didn't bother me because I found the brims on the old souvenir cups too wide and I didn't like drinking directly out of the cup and would occasionally spill.

I am going to the game on Wednesday and expect things to be smoother and hope to try some of the new food.

[grimed1]

I saw a hot dog vendor once in section 344, I also saw several beer vendors. I agree about the shirts, not a huge fan. Chicken and fries were decent, not as many fries as last year but I actually thought that there were too many fries last year. Chicken was decent, and about the same amount as last year. Bud Light draft was $7.50 and came in a 20 oz. cup. Disappointed that Boh is not slightly cheaper. The souvenir cups are definitely flimsier than last year and aren't adorned with a schedule, actually this didn't bother me because I found the brims on the old souvenir cups too wide and I didn't like drinking directly out of the cup and would occasionally spill.

I am going to the game on Wednesday and expect things to be smoother and hope to try some of the new food.

Please let me know if it is better. I am going on Sunday.

[EddieEddie]

What do you mean the beers vendors have to switch brands? They have to go bud, miller, bud, miller, etc.?

[scottbbfm]

What do you mean the beers vendors have to switch brands? They have to go bud, miller, bud, miller, etc.?

In the past, there was a ranking system based on how well the vendors did, and the vendors would choose what type of beer they wanted to sell throughout the game. So Clancy picks bud and bud light, and he sticks with it all game, and you know to look for him because he has bud and bud light (if that's your drink of choice)

Now, the beer vendors get a bucket of whatever brand is delt to them. One time they might have Coors. Next time Bud Light. And they all carry water which slows them down.

[grimed1]

:laughlol:Yup. Each time they would come out with a different beer. Some of the old time vendors had some of each. You only saw them two or three times in the entire game.


Great #OpeningDay in #Baltimore. Great weather, great crowd and the win was as good as the food. #CamdenYards #Orioles

http://twitter.com/#!/BallparkRick

I could change his name but would get in trouble.:laughlol:

[NorthernOriole]

Personally, I'd just chalk it up to being the first day of a new vendor, the first day of many of the stadium staff, and one of the largest crowds that they'll see all year. It's not like there were any pre-season games at OPACY to let them work the bugs out.

If the service is still awful during the Rangers series this weekend, then there's reason to be concerned.

[Don_Aase_Fan]

I am going down to the game on Friday to see Britton pitch and will be very interested to see how they improve.

[EddieEddie]

In the past, there was a ranking system based on how well the vendors did, and the vendors would choose what type of beer they wanted to sell throughout the game. So Clancy picks bud and bud light, and he sticks with it all game, and you know to look for him because he has bud and bud light (if that's your drink of choice)

Now, the beer vendors get a bucket of whatever brand is delt to them. One time they might have Coors. Next time Bud Light. And they all carry water which slows them down.

That seems like it would be more efficient in theory, except for the water. But I can see why the top dogs would hate it.

I hope we dont lose any of those guys in the transition to the new company. They bring a lot of character to the game experience, and IMO, need to be taken care of. I dont think it is too much to ask to listen to their opinion on these matters. Those guys have put in the work, they should get at least some perks/advantage.

[bassgtrst]

I ordered a dog and beer and it took FOREVER. There was a group of about 4 people in front of me, probably in their early 20s, very intoxicated who were ordering everything off the menu and splitting it 4 different ways, with 4 different forms of payment.

Once they figured that out, they proceeded to complain about the amount of peppers on their sausage or something. Rather than moving them off to the side while their stuff got finished, they just stood there and waiting, doing literally nothing, for 3-4 minutes.

Bad news.

Don't hate them for being poor, hate them for being obnoxious and drunk. :D

[Dipper9]

That seems like it would be more efficient in theory, except for the water. But I can see why the top dogs would hate it.

I hope we dont lose any of those guys in the transition to the new company. They bring a lot of character to the game experience, and IMO, need to be taken care of. I dont think it is too much to ask to listen to their opinion on these matters. Those guys have put in the work, they should get at least some perks/advantage.

As a customer, it sucks. You never know what beer they have, so every time you see the vendor, you gotta say "Whatcha got?" I did this several times throughout the game, and only drank 2 beers. In the old days, you knew who had the beer you wanted, you waited for him to come down, and normally HE would remember you as well and would be ready for you when he came down the steps. Not yesterday!

[NABSG]

I was unable to find Natty Boh anywhere close to section 308. Beer lines were long, but I had no problem ordering an Esskay. However, once I had that Esskay, I had to walk a few sections over for ketchup. Last year I remember condiment stands outside of every food stall.

Hopefully the long lines had more to do with the O's lack of experience in sellout crowds than with the quality of Delaware North.

[DuffMan]

I have to go to the stands to get the beer I like as the venders don't serve the good stuff. Yesterday I was wondering the stadium and found a good beer kiosk, I asked them b4 I got in line if they took credit and they said yes. Waited the 10 or so minutes in line and when it came time to order I asked for 2 beers. The women then asked if I was the one asking about credit I said yes, she then told me the machine had just went down. I was bummed but prepared to walk away empty handed, but she gave me the 2 bears and bag of peanuts for free, saying it wasn't fair that I had to wait the whole time and leave empty handed! Great deal for me! Luckily my friend was walking towards me as I was leaving and he had a 10 on him that I could leave as a tip!

In other news I saw that natty boh was selling for 7.50! It may have been a 20oz cup, but that is still priced absurdly high!

[grimed1]

I rhink it well get better as the week goes on. At least that is what I have been told. The company is looking at things that went wrong on Monday. The credit card machines being up and a smaller crowd should help. I will see on Sunday. Prices won't go down but perhaps service might go up. Alot of employees were learning the new system and they have new grills,etc. You still are going to have some employees moving slow. Most make minimum wage or a little above.

[tuOsfan]

i think a lot of you are just used to going to a game with 13,000 in attendance and don't remember what it's like when there's actually a crowd.

[Scrat1]

i think a lot of you are just used to going to a game with 13,000 in attendance and don't remember what it's like when there's actually a crowd.

This was definitely not the case. I'm a very patient person and in general I'm perfectly content to wait in a long line and watch the game on TV so long as the line is making progress. But more often then not the lines were just not going anywhere. I would get in a line with only 5-6 people in front of me and after waiting ten minutes those same 5-6 people would be there. I do think things will get better, however, as many of the problems, like cash register issues, are things that can probably be sorted out after they streamline the process a little.

[tuOsfan]

This was definitely not the case. I'm a very patient person and in general I'm perfectly content to wait in a long line and watch the game on TV so long as the line is making progress. But more often then not the lines were just not going anywhere. I would get in a line with only 5-6 people in front of me and after waiting ten minutes those same 5-6 people would be there. I do think things will get better, however, as many of the problems, like cash register issues, are things that can probably be sorted out after they streamline the process a little.

Ok.. I was not there.. that would definitely frustrate me.

[jamalshw]

I know if I were there with these stories, I would be unbelievably frustrated, but mainly by the lack of vendors going through the stands. I get food before the game and once the game starts won't leave my seat. (Unless it's to stand and cheer! :D)

[Biff Tannen]

Well, he is as stupid as the people he employs at the stadium.

I was looking to get a beer on the club level...All the lines were ridiculously long. I found a sub and pizza stand that served beers.

People in front of the line were waiting for pizza, so instead of the employees asking for them to step out of line and wait for it to be cooked, they just kept them there.

Then, after standing in line for like 10-15 min, i get up to the register only to be told they are out of beer.

I said to them, it would have been nice for you to tell us all that after waiting in line. Their response was we didn't know what you were in line for. But that doesn't change the fact that you have 3 people standing behind the counter, DOING NOTHING. They could have at least told people that if you are waiting for beer, we are out.

All their response was we are doing the best we can...total bs.

Yeah, club level sucked for me too. Lucked out at one bar when the dude waiting in front of me had about all he could handle and screamed at some lady, "Your dad is serving everyone but me!" and stormed off. Otherwise, it would have been another 20 minutes for me. Had to watch B-Rob's homer on TV for that one.

Oddly though, the "waitress service" at the club level seats was insanely quick. I'd watch a guy in front of me order a couple beers, some chicken tenders and a hot dog...only to have them arrive literally a minute later. Granted, the food was probably awful...but it was quick!

[eddie83]

I sat out in left field lower box and I honestly don't think I saw a food vendor all day, plenty of beer vendors. I went out around the 4th inning or so and saw real long lines for food. I didn't eat anything inside. I went in around 1230 and bought my dad a turkey burger and fries and he said he liked it. I got my wife a couple of beers, 7.50 each, I couldn't remember how much they were last year? It's like Ravens games now all aluminum cans, no plastic beer bottles. I liked the bottles better, I can't remember if it was all cans last year or not?

On a seperate note there was no paper towels in the men's bathroon downstairs left field around the first inning. It could get a little slick with water on the floor. I had a blast though yesterday, one of the best days in years.

[crissfan172]

I had a couple of hot dogs outside the park. They were good enough and cheap. :)

[joeride]

I had a sausage from Pollock Johnny's. Tasted great, but literally took 15 minutes from the time I ordered to the time they handed it to me. I was pleased to note that it seemed prices for everything were lower.

What did you buy that seemed to cost less, everything I noticed increased.
Hell a bottle of water was $4.50. A dirty water hot dog went up to $4.75. Beer increased to $7.50

[DuffMan]

I tried the Soft Crab Sandwich last night, terrible. Definitely not worth the 12 bucks. Almost all batter and hardly any crab. Also instead of serving it with lettuce, tomato and mayo, they gave me jalapeno's and coleslaw, what's that about?
My stomach also didn't feel too good after eating this sandwich. I tried it once to see if it would be any good and now I know that it isn't. I wouldn't recommend getting this again.

[Pedro Cerrano]

I was at the game last night, obviously the lines were much better. Two complaints:

1) I guess the "grille dogs" are gone now. The hot dogs that were grilled right in front of you and served with peppers and onions. Now, I can only find regular Esskays that are heated on a 7-11 style burner.

2) They don't serve fries at those stands so if you like two hot dogs and fries you need to buy the dogs and then go to another stand to get the fires. Annoying.

[nerdlinger]

I got a hot pretzel and wanted a little plastic cup to put some mustard in....They tried to charge me $1.00 for the cup...ONE DOLLAR!!! what is going on down there??? I just took one of the cardboard trays and put the stupid mustard on that.

[NewMarketSean]

Wow. After reading all these comments I wonder if people would be glad to have Aramark back again. This is some bad news, and I was excited as anyone to have some different, local food options back at the stadium.

[MurphDogg]

I thought the pizza was better than last year, and a better value too. It was $5 for a large slice, last year it was 8 or 9 dollars for two smaller slices that were often undercooked and probably two-thirds the size of the $5 slice this year. Unfortunately, pizza is no longer available on the upper deck. The stand behind the plate in the upper deck that served pizza and chicken tenders last year is now serving wings and crab cakes.
There was no shortage of vendors last night, spotted several hot dog vendors as well as a cotton candy vendor and of course a beer vendor at least once an inning.

[FR500]

I went both games... obviously the lines were much, much better last night (duh, with only 12,000 you think?)
Overall, very disappointed in the new menus... lots of Dogs and Sausages stands. Got the Old Bay wings (and fries) for $10.... VERY DISAPPOINTING.
Prefer the cold drafts for $7.50 over warm cans.

[raveoned]

I've been trying to check any sources I could, but is there any place that's written something (The Sun, for example) to broach this issue? Since there was such a huge push in the Baltimore media outlets about the food and change from Aramark, I'd think that the actual product being offered thus far seems to be different and not as advertised.

[fansince1988]

Trying to throw out a positive here, I was at the game opening day. One thing that I noticed was that the newly renovated concession areas on the lower level behind home plate looked fantastic. I didn't have a chance to try any of the new food offerings but I was really impressed with the signage and the visual look of the new stands. I was on the club level for the game so I wasn't able to get out and take a look at Eutaw Street or the upper level.

[Gofannon]

I wasn't at Opening Day but was there last night. I'm sure the lines were much shorter, but the fact that there were legitimate lines and wait times with 12,000 (at most) people at the game is a different kind of disappointing.

One of the biggest challenges is going to be the fact that there aren't sodas/hot dogs/fries already prepared and up in front of you, and there isn't a separate area for the cash register. It's just a line where you place your order when you get up there, and the person taking your order rings you up and grabs the order along with another person or two behind the counter. There is no benefit to being that person who knows what they want and can just walk in, grab their food and walk to the cash register. That's out. All I wanted was a pretzel (up to $4.00 from $3.00), but that involved standing in a line for almost 10 minutes because we were behind people who waited until they got to the counter before thinking about what they wanted. Until they change that, and I don't think they will, your ability to skip quickly through food lines at Camden Yards are done.

Also, my buddy pulled out his Designated Driver coupon at the counter, and the woman working there reacted as if he had thrown a live snake on the register.

[grimed1]

I think the media outlets are waiting to see how the first week goes. I think if things don't change you might see an article . Did the beer vendors last night change the beer eaxh time down or stuck with one beer?

[O's and Bohs22]

Did anybody get a Roma's sausage?

[blid]

Is Natty Boh $5.00 yet?

http://forum.orioleshangout.com/forums/showthread.php?108749-Natty-Boh&p=2406085&highlight=#post2406085

[SilentJames]

I got a Birdland dog last night and thought it was very VERY tasty.

I get the feeling there are just some logistical kinks to work and things should run more smoothly. My fiancee got chicken tenders and fries which again were both very tasty. The tenders were a definite upgrade over last year's chicken.

[GotNitro]

I got a Birdland dog last night and thought it was very VERY tasty.

I get the feeling there are just some logistical kinks to work and things should run more smoothly. My fiancee got chicken tenders and fries which again were both very tasty. The tenders were a definite upgrade over last year's chicken.

Are they still using Esskay dogs or did the new company change brands?

[Nigel Tufnel]

Is Natty Boh $5.00 yet?

http://forum.orioleshangout.com/forums/showthread.php?108749-Natty-Boh&p=2406085&highlight=#post2406085

Just saw this today in Maza's blog:


Natty Boh at Oriole Park


Last week, Oriole Park started offering a beer special of its own: a 20-ounce glass of Natty Boh is $5 through the second inning. The offer is only available at the Natty Boh Bar, which is located on the first base side of the lower concourse.

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/midnight_sun/blog/2011/04/beer_at_oriole_park.html

[JDubs]

Just saw this today in Maza's blog:

http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/midnight_sun/blog/2011/04/beer_at_oriole_park.html


Excellent!

I had the Birdland dog and it was deeeeelicious! It was strange though, I was on the club level and the attendant (waitress?) had no idea what hte Birdland dog was. Seems like they should be on the same page.

[Bosibus]

Wife and I had the Chicken Cheesteak from the Baltimore ChopHouse about a week ago. It was actually really good with peppers and onions. It was $10 just for the sandwhich but if it would have came with fries or at least a bag of chips, it would have been a great deal.

[MurphDogg]

Just saw this today in Maza's blog:



http://weblogs.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/midnight_sun/blog/2011/04/beer_at_oriole_park.html

Thanks for the tip, I will be sure to grab a Boh when I get there on my way up to the cheap seats.

[GotNitro]

Was at my first game of the season last night. I was very disappointed in the hot dogs that were on the concourse behind first base. I had to take them out of the rolls because they were so stale. They also seem much smaller than before. There were four workers standing there when I walked up and they all just sort of looked at each other for a while before someone decided to wait on me. Also, the only vendors in the stands (section 16) were beer, water, and cotton candy. No hot dogs or any other food were brought around the entire game. Maybe peanuts once.

[NewMarketSean]

$5 is great but no way is that a 20-ounce beer. It says 20 ounces on the bottom of the cup but they are more like 16 oz.

[MurphDogg]

$5 is great but no way is that a 20-ounce beer. It says 20 ounces on the bottom of the cup but they are more like 16 oz.

They are 20 ounces, I actually brought one home with me to test it because I had the same suspicion.

[BaltimoreTerp]

$5 is great but no way is that a 20-ounce beer. It says 20 ounces on the bottom of the cup but they are more like 16 oz.

Find a 16-oz cup for a test and post it on YouTube like they did in Seattle :p

[grimed1]

The hot dog guy usually comes around once a game. They were selling ices on Sunday for $5.00 I felt sorry for the vendor because he was getting no tips that way. I tried a hot dog but you think it was from the Yankee series. I guess they expected more then 25,000 on Sunday. I was up in all you can eat section last week. The dogs were inedible. I think they save the food from prior nights. We shall see about DNS,but they need to put vendors in the stands. When it was crowded on Saturday,people were getting up all the time.

[NewMarketSean]

They are 20 ounces, I actually brought one home with me to test it because I had the same suspicion.

Wow, well I'll be.

I guess I was just thirsty!

[MurphDogg]

Wow, well I'll be.

I guess I was just thirsty!

You are partially right though, because it is 20 ounces filled to the very brim, though the vendors do fill it to the brim. Generally sixteen ounces in a pint glass allows for about a half inch or so of space below the brim.