Food at the Bats game

Ok this is my third try to post this....the computer won the last 2 it's my turn now.

Well after hearing that they are serving gyros at the Bats games now I let my husband talk me into going to the game last night. Baseball is really not my thing so I have to have promise of something to keep me occupied to get me to go and gyros was the deciding factor. But alas......apparently they do not always have the gyros and alternate with a "build your own pasta" which is what they had last night !!

I ended up getting the nachos supreme....not bad for ballpark food....but I was still disappointed.
At least they do serve Pepsi which was another plus point.

Husband and daughter got the cheeseburber and fresh cut fries.....which they said was good but the fries with seasoned salt were wayyyyy toooo salty even for me. The parmesean seasoned were not quite as salty.

All in all not a bad night weather was great and we sat behind homeplate and I didn't have to worry about wayward balls and bats flying my way. Oh and they won!

Perfect night for a non-baseball fan. Beautiful weather and official game time of 2 hours and 9 minutes!

I tried the junior monster burger and kettle chips from the stand out in left field by the flag poles...not bad. The burger was over-done but the wide assortment of fresh toppings made up for it. And the chips were actually pretty tasty.

Browning's stealth beer of the night was an Extra Pale, which I really enjoyed.

Just to chime in - we went last weekend to the Bats game. We had reservations after the game at White Oak (which, by the way, we very much enjoyed, though I was a bit concerned at the lack of a crowd, especially considering that 732 Social was overflowing when we drove by it), so we ate light at the game.

We shared the philly cheese nachos - I was pleased, though it would have been better at around 2am. Among the better ballpark foods I've had.

Also tracked down the Brownings tap - Guillotine ESB. Nice to sip on in the sun.

We enjoyed a good night at the park as well on Thursday. We made our stop into Brownings for dinner before the game. Apparently they do a game day special of $1 half pints of their lower gravity beers before the opening pitch. I had the Chicken Wrap with the chips, one of my buddies had the Helles Grouper which he loved, and my other friend had the Reuben. They were kind enough to fix it as he called it "New York Style" with cole slaw instead of sauerkraut. I thought it was blasphemy to do that to the Reuben, but they took care of his special request without batting an eye. All the portions were generous, and of course the beer was excellent.

At the game, I still managed to put down a bratwurst as well as one of the Browings' secret beers as well. It was perfect weather, and an unfortunately short game.

I had aways thought that a Reuben sandwich made with coleslaw instead of Sauerkraut was called a Rachel (And this was long before Rachel Ray )

Have read a number of responses to Karen's post but not all. I must say I am shocked, just shocked that the pork chop sandwich did not get reviewed by you guys (assuming they are still offering them) Better than the state fair! Message to all of you foodie types out there: The pork chop sandwich at the Bats is one of the reasons you know God loves you!

[Robin Garr]

Have read a number of responses to Karen's post but not all. I must say I am shocked, just shocked that the pork chop sandwich did not get reviewed by you guys (assuming they are still offering them) Better than the state fair! Message to all of you foodie types out there: The pork chop sandwich at the Bats is one of the reasons you know God loves you!

I agree that the pork chop sandwich can be excellent, although the last one I got was a little underdone. Still safe for pork, but the rosy interior surprised me since they generally cook them past well-done. Still, it's pretty clearly the class act among a very bleak food selection at Slugger Field. I'd also rate the Italian sausage, Big Brat and Slugger dog high, although I generally decline to add the extremely greasy peppers and onions from the grill stations. I had the new gyros once and thought it above average for Slugger Field, but probably a little below median for gyros around town.

When A. Ray Smith brought pro baseball back to town with the Redbirds at Fairgrounds Cardinal Stadium back in the early '80s, he lured in fans with baseball, fun, and very good ballpark food. Current ownership seems much more interested in profits than in quality or fan enjoyment, and the food and service from concessionaire Centerplate is lackluster at best. I think I have standing to say that, as our company is a long-time Club Level season ticket holder.

I agree with the pork chop sandwich.

Well I guess I will have to try the pork chop sandwich next time. I do love the ones at the Pork Producers stand at the fairgrounds so if they are better then that should be a good choice for me. Thanks for the suggestions!

I was VERY disappointed to learn that the as-yet-unnamed downtown arena has already chosen Centerplate as their vendor. Why? Why spend all that money on what looks like will be a first class venue and then have Centerplate ruin it with their crappy food? I just don't get it.

I was VERY disappointed to learn that the as-yet-unnamed downtown arena has already chosen Centerplate as their vendor. Why? Why spend all that money on what looks like will be a first class venue and then have Centerplate ruin it with their crappy food? I just don't get it.

Does anyone know how this decision was made? Was it put out for bid in any way or did the board just decide amongst themselves? Sounds like some good old Louisville politics came into play on this one! By the way, where did you see this information?

I thought the rachael was made with turkey.

Apparently a rachael is made with pastrami and coleslaw with turkey being another alternative.

I read it here:
http://www.louisville.com/content/louis ... oncessions

My bad, JThompson. I've never ordered or eaten/tasted a rachel, but had a friend who frequently ordered them, I was pretty sure it had coleslaw instead of sauerkraut, but I never gave a thought to the meat that was in it.

It really isn't fair to blame Centerplate for the quality of food. Same with Budweiser. They contract with the Louisville Bats for food/beer service. If the bats wanted fancier or better food, Centerplate can do it, but the prices would have to be different and the Bats, may not make as much. These are profit centers for the Bats, but of course the vendors have to make money within the parameters set.

I have been to two Bats games in the private suites for functions that were catered by Centerplate. They did as good a job serving much more upscale food as any catering company. Of course somebody else was paying for it.

Companies like Centerplate, Compass Group, Sodexo, Aramark staff all kind of operations ranging from hot dogs/burgers to gourmet food. For example in Louisville they staff U of L, Bellarmine, UPS (Airport and office building), Ford LAP and KTP, St. X, Sacred Heart, SHPS, GE, Louisville Zoo, Churchill Downs, Wolfgang Puck, among others.