Everyone’s saying it: this is going to be our year. Which means you’re going to spend lots of time over the next seven months around Half Street SE. Which means you’ll need a new spot or two to host a pregame gathering or a 10th-inning rally. Like here...
You remember the skating rink at Yards Park. Well, it’s gone for the summer. Staying behind: the Park Tavern, finally opening this week with 10 taps, flatbreads like grilled pear, blue cheese and onion, and a huge front-patio tiki bar. Yes, right where you used to practice your figure eights.
You know the deal with Gordon Biersch: garlic fries, German beers, etc. What you might not know: as of today, there’s one open across from the park, with a glass-enclosed brewing room, half-pound Kobe burgers and an 88-seat beer garden. For all your German pregame rituals.
After a day at the office, you need a bit of a jolt before a 7:05 first pitch. Mind-bendingly hot Thai food should suffice. This Buddha-laden spot deals in sushi rolls with eel and omelet, deep-fried duck and spicy red-curry dishes. Which provides a convenient “I need another beer” excuse.
This year at Fairgrounds, you’ll get more food trucks, more games, a bigger bar and a new patio closer to the centerfield gate. Oh, and also a convenience store in one of the shipping containers, with must-haves like sunscreen, peanuts and cigars. Maybe even an exploding one for the Philly fans.
Of course, you’re not done just because you got your ticket scanned. Not when there’s new food on the concourses, like Chicago Italian beef sandwiches and Detroit Tiger dogs at Taste of the Majors when those teams visit. Or falafel and shawarma from your H Street go-to Shawafel. Goes well with Cracker Jack.
