Micheladas and Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs, Anyone?
Home of the San Diego Padres first, and housing the most beloved local food finds second: it’s the beautiful, always buzzing Petco Park. The 12-acre park, located in the heart of East Village, has been crowned one of America’s favorite ballparks, and the cuisine has highly contributed to that achievement. Over the years, Petco Park has curated a mix of the city’s most tantalizing tacos, jam-packed sandwiches and delicious dogs to create a multi-level frenzy of food and drink for every Friars faithful, setting it apart from other ballparks across the nation. Wash your meal down with locally crafted beer, kombucha or a classic lemonade, and it will become abundantly clear why San Diegans are fans of far more than the MLB team in this hotspot.
Pacifico Michelada at Pacifico Porch
Where to Get: Section 124
Just down the third base line up in the stands lies a little slice of home: Pacifico Porch, an outdoor seating area perfect for small groups. Order the Pacifico Michelada, the traditional Mexican beer cocktail made with tomato juice, lime juice, Maggi seasoning, Worcestershire sauce and hot sauce, topped off with—you guessed it—ice-cold Pacifico. It’s the ideal ballpark beverage—or really, the perfect beverage on any hot day. That’s especially important during the long baseball season, with games happening all week long and at different times of day. The Pacifico Michelada combines spice and citrus for a savory and zesty drinking experience. So what if it’s an 11 a.m. game? Can’t a girl have some tomato juice?!
Cardiff Tri-Tip Nachos at Seaside Market
Where to Get: Section 105
For the visitors, we’ll let you in on a local secret: Cardiff Crack. It’s local slang for tender tri-tip from Cardiff’s Seaside Market—a signature offering that quickly became one of the most beloved cuts in San Diego. In proper local ballpark fashion, this deli favorite is now offered at Petco Park in the form of nachos! Head to Section 105’s Seaside Market to get yourself a basket of tortilla chips topped with Diego queso, Seaside BBQ sauce, sour cream, green onions and of course, the highest-quality burgundy pepper tri-tip.
Cheesesteak Sandwich at Gaglione Brothers
Where to Get: Field Level 124, Upper Deck 319
If you’ve ever been hit with the mouthwatering smell of garlic the second you get scanned into the park, it’s no mistake. It’s just cheesesteak—and the familiar smell of Gaglione Brothers’ fresh garlic fries. This steak-and-sub hotspot is a Philadelphia-inspired, family-owned sandwich shop located in Mission Valley with another pair of locations inside Petco Park. Grab a classic American cheese cheesesteak with a side of garlic fries, or try out their combo: Cheez Steak Fries. That drool-worthy smell will no longer be a mystery!
A Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dog at Barrio Dogg
Where to Get: Gallagher Square, Toyota Terrace 202
Sometimes the ballgame just needs a proper dog. For those that tend to find it hard to stray from the classics but want to try the Petco Park offerings, a bacon-wrapped hot dog from Barrio Dogg is the perfect compromise. It’s exactly what it sounds like, and it’s as amazing as it sounds. It’s a gourmet, 100% beef Tijuana-style bacon-wrapped hot dog on a brioche bun, loaded with your choice of toppings. Are you hungry yet?
Al Pastor Tacos at Puesto
Where to Get: Field Level 107, 119, 120
Established by first-generation Mexican Americans, Puesto is the perfect place to get your fix of the city’s finest Mexican food during your time at Petco Park. This San Diego staple is especially known for its juicy al pastor tacos—a combo of crispy melted cheese, braised free-range Jidori chicken, hibiscus and chipotle tinga, avocado and piña habanero pico atop their handmade, organic corn tortillas. We recommend grabbing more than just one taco at this award-winning spot. Try their braised short rib taco, too!
9/30
El Borracho Fries at Grand Ole BBQ
Where to Get: Gallagher Square, Field Level 113
This one couldn’t be more fitting. An ode to American cuisine, Grand Ole BBQ now has a home at the ballpark. Head to Grand Ole BBQ for their hefty El Borracho Loaded Fries—a plate of fresh fries topped with homemade queso, signature Frito Serrano relish and your choice of spicy or sweet BBQ sauce drizzled on top. Choose between their juicy smoked brisket or pulled pork, grab a fork and discover why it had a shining moment on Guy Fieri’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.”
Elote Especial at the Mexican Street Corn Cart
Where to Get: Field Level 101
Get elote this! Spanish for corn cob, elote is a traditional Mexican street delicacy. Get your fix of San Diego’s finest at the Mexican Street Corn Cart inside the park, satisfying savory cravings outside section 101. There’s always the classic elote topped with lime crema, cotija cheese, cilantro, fuego sauce and Tajin, which delivers a true south-of-the-border experience. But we say, go big or go home! Try their elote with a special twist: the Elote Especial, which is topped with Tajin Pop Rocks and a jalapeño stuffed with chicharrón carnitas.
Classic Lemonade at Lane Field Lemonade
Where to Get: Sections 104, 116, 119, 131, 211, 225, 300, 320, Gallagher Square
About as close as we’ve come to the 5-cent lemonade stands of yesterday, a classic lemonade from Lane Field Lemonade is the sweet summertime dream we’ve been missing ever since. No matter what you’ve decided to eat at the park, a classic lemonade gets along perfectly with all of it—BBQ, hot dogs, tacos, fries and everything in between. The stand also serves cotton candy, snow cones, Dippin’ Dots and churros, keeping in line with your favorite childhood sweet treats. No matter how the concessions change throughout the years, sweet, tangy lemonade at the ballpark will always stay true.
Soft-Serve Ice Cream at Mister Softee
Where to Get: Field Level 104, 115, 121, Toyota Terrace 215, Upper Deck 311, 320
While the players are out there hard hittin’, we think you deserve something soft. Get your fix of soft-serve ice cream at Mister Softee, which serves up ice cream that’ll transport you back to your first ballgame. Especially perfect for when the sun appears in your section, step out during the ninth inning to grab yourself a chocolate, a vanilla or an iconic swirl served in an upside-down Padres helmet cup. Be warned: it may be soft serve, but that doesn’t mean it’s served small. Bring your sweet tooth!
Chocolate Buns at Din Tai Fung
Where to Get: Field Level Mercado near Sections 104 & 106
Baseball always calls for some buns. Hot dog buns, typically, but this time we’re making a stop at the award-winning Taiwanese restaurant, Din Tai Fung. Even if you had your first fill of buns with a Barrio Dogg earlier in the day, cross another must-try off your list and grab one of Din Tai Fung’s decadent chocolate buns for dessert. It’s a soft, fluffy bun filled with rich chocolate ganache that bursts out with every bite.
9/16
Cookie Monster Ice Cream Sandwich at The Cravory
Where to Get: Field Level 127
Rejoice! San Diego’s favorite sweet-tooth satisfier can now be found at Petco Park. The Cravory is a locally owned cookie shop that offers rotating flavors. Rest assured: they stay true to fan favorites as much as they create new flavors. For a hot summer’s day, these handcrafted cookies are also offered in the form of an ice cream sandwich. Try the Cookie Monster Ice Cream Sandwich—two bright-blue vanilla cookies baked with white- and milk-chocolate chips, Oreo bites and caramel, with the ice cream flavor of your choice sandwiched between them!
Jaclyn is a sunshine chasing San Diego native with an extensive writing background. When she isn’t word-smithing, you can find her playing beach volleyball, skating the boardwalk, or on a rooftop enjoying a drink in the sunshine with her pals.
