Conscious Choice: A Home Run for Vegetarians!

July 2003 | Conscious Dining

A Home Run for Vegetarians!

by JoAnn Milivojevic

Ah, baseball, hotdogs, apple pie, and lemonade. You can’t get much more American than that. But if an outing to the ballpark also conjures up eating greasy foods and later, swigging bottles of Pepto-Bismol, take heed. U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, has recently been voted among the 10 most vegetarian-friendly ballparks in the country by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). And rival ballpark, Wrigley Field ranks within the top 20, serving veggie burgers.

The Food

A friend and I browsed and munched our way through U.S. Cellular one Saturday evening. Concession vendors line the outer ring of the park’s first level with the expected dogs, burgers, and pizza stands. In the upper decks, the choices get more sophisticated and more expensive (as do the seats.)

Now I must say, we’re not exactly talking healthy eating, we’re talking healthier food choices amidst mounds of curly fries, processed-cheese soaked nachos, and fried funnel cakes. At a number of level-one concession stands you can get a veggie dog ($2.50) or garden burger ($4) — just like the ones you make at home. Unfortunately, they come on the same pure white processed buns as the meat dogs. You also might have to wait awhile for the vendor to find which key to press on the cash register. Our vendor informed us we were his very first veggie dog buyers! (Although smoking is not allowed in any of the seated areas, you might have to endure it while you’re waiting in a concession line.)

The garden burgers are more popular than the dogs, according to Tony Campeau, the general manager for Sport Services concessions, but both have been around for years, due in large part to fans requesting them. See, sometimes all you have to do is ask.

Other healthier choices include roasted, salted peanuts, non- alcohol beer, and refreshing Italian ice. Decent sandwich choices that won’t send your cholesterol soaring are turkey roll ups and grilled chicken. My friend said the grilled chicken sandwich served on whole wheat bread tasted great. For an extra fee, you can go to the Bullpen Sports Bar located above right field. The Levy Restaurants organization supplies the food; there are better sandwiches here but no vegetarian ones. Levy also prepares the cuisine at the Stadium Club Restaurant and Lounge. The lounge includes an "Action Station" ($13) home of veggies, gourmet salads, assorted breads and cheeses. At the restaurant, it’s fine dining with linen tablecloths, cloth napkins, silverware...the whole shebang — while overlooking a panoramic view of the park. Although there are healthy entrées, this restaurant is only accessible to season ticket holders who are members.

The Fun

Watching the game is the main event, but the people-watching ain’t bad either. The huge high-resolution video screen broadcasts images of spectators; the fan deck with its panoramic view of center field doubles as a patio-like social scene; and children love the lower level "fun-damentals" area. It’s where kids can discover how fast their fastball is, hit a few balls in the batting cage, and practice swings at the‘slug master" station. White Sox training academy coaches provide training tips.

The Final Word

In the final analysis you don’t have to fork out any extra dough to eat well because U.S. Cellular Field allows you to bring in your own food (ditto for Wrigley Field). No coolers, but you can carry in insulated plastic bags. Be prepared to have your bags searched though.

The trend in ballpark food nationwide, according to PETA’s vegan coordinator, Dan Shannon, is expanding to include more ethnic foods with a vegetarian flare such as bean burritos, veggie sushi, and even edamame (boiled soybeans). Chicago isn’t part of that trend yet, but the news is promising. Drop a suggestion next time you visit the ballpark; who knows, your food idea just might be a hit.

U.S. Cellular Field, 333 W. 35th Street, Chicago; 312-674-1000.

Wrigley Field, 1060 W. Addison Street, Chicago; 773-404-CUBS.

JoAnn Milivojevic is a freelance writer whose articles on food, fitness, and travel have appeared in magazines nationwide.

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