A few days ago my cell phone rang. It was my good friend and loyal Chain of Food reader Brian calling. I must be psychic because I knew what he was going to say. I quickly blurted out, you have tickets to the Mets game, yes I want to go!
There it was, my chance to see how the other half lives. What do these lesser fools feast on while watching their team lose? The great debate could finally be put to rest. Which is the superior chain food stadium?
At Citi Field, there is your standard chain fare, like Nathan's and Carvel. I had some Nathan's fries that night and no surprise, they were delish, always are!
Of course, the big draw at the stadium is the famous Shake Shack. When I went to Shea, I mean Citi Field, I knew I had to try Shake Shack. I would wait on the ridiculously long line so I could finally see what all of the fuss was about. Brian explained I had to not just try a burger, but a shake as well. A burger and a shake? My little kosher fairy would not be happy with this move, but I am a food blogger, so I had to go all out.
At first sip, I really loved the vanilla shake. Then I realized, I don't think there has ever been a shake I didn't love. I just don't indulge in them all the time. Of course it is good, it is a shake, creamy and delicious!
When I sat down to watch the game, it was time for my first bite. The anticipation was killing me. Now, I know I am going to upset a lot of people when I write this, but I really don't understand what all of the fuss is about. Sure the burger is tasty and the special Shake Shack sauce is good, but the whole thing is rather greasy and I didn't find the actual burger that great. I like a thicker, more juicy burger.
The other famous chain option at Citi is Blue Smoke (now a chain bc of the 2 locations). I did not have a chance to try it at City yet, but I do like it in Manhattan. The menu is not that impressive at the field. There are only a few choices on the menu, no chicken, just pork, and I am not really a pork person.
Overall, there are a lot of impressive food choices at Citi Field, like Catch of the Day which has a Shrimp Po' Boy (I don't like my boys Po'), Box Frites (love me some French Fries, just not French people except the Roys and Carla Bruni) and El Verana Taqueria which has Steak Tacos and Chicken Mole Tacos. Now, all these choices are very grand and wonderful, but they are not chains. Therefore, due to actual lack of chain choices, I have to give my chain crown to that magical building in the Bronx, Yankee Stadium!
P.S. The Met obviously lost that day.
