Nothing beats a day at Wrigley Field. The crack of the bat, the ivy, the knowledge that the Cubs are once again World Series champions — a lot goes into the experience. The stellar food is a big part of that Wrigley Field experience.

Dining at the Friendly Confines is anything but boring. With so many options, you may have trouble choosing what to eat. Familiarize yourself with the options now, so it’s easier to find your favorites on game day.

Ballpark Food

The menus at ballparks across the country aren’t the same stale popcorn and pale hot dogs you remember from your youth. Go ahead and grab that box of Cracker Jacks, but leave plenty of room for the new generation of ballpark dining. Many ballparks are shifting toward a more creative approach to feeding baseball fans. You’ll see different flavors and unique twists on classics. Many fields serve up gourmet options that you would normally see at a restaurant.

Wrigley Field is no exception when it comes to an overall improvement in the on-site dining options. A recent addition to the Friendly Confines included the installation of 8,870-square-feet of kitchen space. This massive food prep area is a major factor in new additions to the lineup. The focus at Wrigley is creating new flavors with diversity on the menu. Fresh ingredients are also becoming more prominent in the items you see on the menu.

Food at Cubs games also has some great partnerships to back up the menu. The Cubs have deals with many popular chefs and restaurant chains, including Giordano’s. That means you can get your local favorites while you take in a Cubs game. Those partnerships give the menu a distinctly Chicago flavor. Locals delight in getting their favorites, and visitors get a taste of the city. Instead of eating out before you head to the game, plan to eat at Wrigley. Keep reading to discover just a few of the mouthwatering options, which include both returning favorites and completely new additions to the menu.

Gourmet Hot Dogs

This city knows a thing or two about hot dogs. After all, we have an entire style of hot dog named after us. At the Friendly Confines, you won’t find bland hot dogs. The stadium offers many different versions with specialty toppings at the Sheffield Counter. Think you don’t like hot dogs? Try one at Wrigley, and you may change your mind.

No matter which version you choose, your meal begins with a Vienna Beef hot dog. It’s a good start, but it’s the toppings that really set this dog apart. If you like to stick to tradition with a Chicago dog, order the Wrigley Dog. It’s the stadium’s version of the oh-so-familiar meal.

Check out these other versions:

• Pilsen Dog: Featuring a lime-cilantro aioli, Tajin spices and roasted corn, this dog’s unique mix of flavors that’s like a circus for your mouth.
• Kimchi Dog: Add some Korean flair to your ballpark dog with the Kimchi Dog. Topped with a combination of pickled ginger aioli, braised pork belly and kimchi, it’s an amazing melding of two cultures.
• Bao Wao Dog: A dog like none other, the Bao Wao Dog presents a tantalizing combination of flavors, including mint, pickled daikon and carrots, Sriracha aioli and cilantro.

We have even partnered with Vienna Beef within the Friendly Confines to create the Chicago-Style Hot Dog Deep Dish Pizza. Our personal cheese dep dish pizza is adorned with the city’s classic hot dog toppings: tomatoes, onions, sport peppers, and mustard.

Chicken Options

The Sheffield Counter serves up more delicious options in the form of poultry dishes, like their gourmet al pastor chicken tacos. In addition to perfectly seasoned chicken, these tacos boast cilantro, sliced radish, pickled red onions and queso fresco.

If you’re feeling tropical, the Aloha chicken sandwich will transport you to a breezy island paradise. Toasted on Hawaiian bread, its grilled chicken breast base delivers a healthier choice for ballpark patrons. Toppings include Asian slaw and sautéed pineapple with a sweet chili glaze.

Pork & Mindy’s

A local barbecue favorite, Pork & Mindy’s, steps up to the plate with some mouthwatering sandwich options from The Food Network star Jeff Mauro. The sandwiches represent flavors from around the world using the restaurant’s signature 14-hour smoked meats.

Here are some of the options from the Pork & Mindy’s menu:

• Pig Candy: Get your fill of sweet and savory bacon flavor with the Pig Candy sandwich. It features bacon bites coated in brown sugar.
• Pig Candy BLT: This updated version of the BLT starts with Pig Candy bacon. The toppings include the classic lettuce and tomato, with a twist — balsamic onion and dry rub mayo make this sandwich a class apart. All that goodness goes on a buttered brioche bun.
• Buffalo Chicken Sandwich: If you’re a poultry fan, try this spicy option. Its smoked pulled chicken is tossed with fire sauce, then topped with pickled carrots and celery, ranch dressing and gorgonzola cheese. It’s served on a buttered New England-style roll to offset the heat.
• Bao to the Pork: This Pork & Mindy’s option pairs traditional hickory smoked pulled pork with exotic flavors. The sandwich comes with cucumbers, pickled daikon and carrots, jalapeño relish and Asian sauce piled high on a steamed bao bun.

Hot Doug’s

If you’re a sausage fan, head to Hot Doug’s in the Budweiser Bleachers. Doug Sohn is in charge, and he’s a favorite when it comes to Chicago sausage. Fans flocked to the Hot Doug’s restaurant location to get their fill of creatively topped hot dogs and sausages. In 2014, Sohn closed the doors to his popular restaurant, but, luckily for his fans, the Cubs came to the rescue. Hot Doug’s is once again serving up those specialty creations. A Cubs game is your only chance to experience his sausage creations, so don’t miss out on ordering one.

This popular Wrigley Field spot serves up sausages inspired by Cubs alumni. The rotating menu keeps the options fresh. Some of the menu options you might experience include:

• Joe Tinker: This menu item starts with a veal saltimbocca sausage and is covered with crispy onions, sage mustard and Swiss cheese.
• Johnny Evers: The Johnny Evers offers a bit of spice with jalapeño and jack cheese pork sausage with caramelized onions, sweet and spicy mustard and jack cheese.
• Frank Chance: The Frank Chance uses a fiery Polish sausage as the base. It’s topped with cilantro aioli, pico de gallo and Chihuahua cheese.
• Barry Foote: Check out the Barry Foote, featuring a corned beef sausage. This creation also includes Swiss cheese, Louie dressing and sauerkraut.

Buona Beef

Another option in the Budweiser Bleachers is the popular Buona Beef. Italian beef sandwiches are just as much a part of the Chicago food culture as hot dogs and deep dish pizza, and you can get it at any Cubs game, thanks to Buona Beef. This local chain restaurant provides the Italian beef supply at the ballpark. Buona is a favorite in Chicago.

The choice sirloin used for the sandwiches features flavorful Italian seasoning to delight your taste buds. It goes through a high-heat searing process to lock in the juices before being slow roasted for hours. The meat is then thinly sliced by hand and piled on the sandwich with all your favorite toppings. The au jus makes this dining option a little messier than some options, but the flavor makes it worth the mess. Grab your sandwich from Buona Beef at Bleacher Platform 14.

Grown-Up Grilled Cheese

Who says kids should have all the fun? A trip to a Cubs game gives you the perfect excuse to enjoy this childhood classic with a twist.

Head to the Marquee Grill to get your own grilled cheese, but don’t expect a simple cheese filling. This ballpark version includes Butterkase cheese, cheddar cheese, smoked brisket and caramelized onions. All other grilled cheese sandwiches pale in comparison once you sink your teeth into this Friendly Confines creation.

Grand Slam BBQ Twist

In the mood for barbecue but want something a little different? Head to Platform 14 for a Grand Slam BBQ Twist.

This delicious creation starts with barbecued meat. Choose between smoked beef brisket and pulled pork. The meat gets topped with barbecue sauce and macaroni and cheese. The whole mixture goes inside bread shaped like a cone.

Cuban-Style Burger

Everyone loves a good burger. Waveland Grill at Wrigley switches up the traditional beef burger with a Cuban flair. Da Burger features a grilled pork burger. The toppings include bacon, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and spicy mustard aioli. Think of it as your favorite Cuban in burger form. The Waveland Grill also has several other options if you prefer something a little more traditional.

Speaking of traditional, head to the Red Line Grill if you’re looking for a classic burger. The Big ‘W’ Burger includes American cheese, cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, onion and secret sauce on top of a fresh beef patty. Crinkle-cut fries on the side round out this ballpark meal.

Pizza

Don’t settle for the average pizza you get at other ballparks. Now you can have your Giordano’s and eat it, too, all while watching the Cubs work toward another win.

Giordano’s is the official pizza of Wrigley Field, so you don’t have to go far to grab a slice. Order your favorite deep dish pizza at Bleacher Platform 14. We serve up our famous pizza by the slice or as personal pan pizzas. Dining on Giordano’s is the perfect way to enjoy Chicago classics: the Cubs and our popular pizza. Plus, pizza is easy to eat, so you can keep our eye on the action while satisfying your cravings.

Wash It Down With a Chicago Dog Bloody Mary

Beside every great ballpark dish is a quenching drink. Some drinks at Wrigley are great for a hot day. Others are great for the novelty of the drink. One such drink that fits the latter category is the Chicago Dog Bloody Mary.

A Bloody Mary is a classic option for day drinking, and this Wrigley Field version goes beyond simple garnishes. It starts with a classic Bloody Mary, but things get interesting after that. Yellow mustard and relish add depth to the drink’s flavor. The garnish skewer includes a pickle, cocktail onion, peppers, tomato and a mini Vienna beef Chicago dog. The drink comes in a souvenir mason jar, which has a celery salt and poppy seed rim. It’s sort of like a meal and drink combined. Bring your appetite if you choose this drink to quench your thirst.

Tips for Dining at Your Next Cubs Game

You have your tickets in hand, and you’re ready to experience the Cubs in person. You know how to get there. You know where your seats are located. You’re ready. But have you thought about your plan of attack for dining?

Check out these dining tips to make your Cubs culinary experience memorable:

• • Eat at Wrigley: When you head to a Cubs game, you have the option to bring in your own soft-sided cooler. Sure, packing your own food can save money, but you miss out on all of the great flavors of Wrigley. We suggest eating at the ballpark instead. Pack a few snacks if you want, but choose at least one option from the many concession stands at the field. You’ll thank us when you take your first bite.
  • Make a plan: Before you head out to the game, decide how you plan to dine. Are you eating a full meal? Are you just snacking? What’s your food budget? With so many delicious options, it’s easy to blow through your budget quickly. Having a plan in mind helps you stick to your spending limit and enjoy the foods you want without overindulging.

• Scope out the options: At the field, get to know the layout of the land. Locating the various stands and vendors makes it easier to snag that craft hot dog or barbecue sandwich you’ve been craving. Fan Services in the main concourse behind home plate is a good place to start once you arrive. Here, you’ll find a current list of all the options for food and drink, along with locations for each. Snap a photo of the list to keep as a handy reference during the game. You can also check out a map of Wrigley Field online before you go.
• Share with a friend: Is your list of Wrigley Field foods to try extensive, or do you prefer to snack on several different dishes instead of one main dish? If you want to try several menu items, go in on meals with a friend. Take turns ordering the things you both want to try. Split the food, so you can try more options without getting too full. Sharing food is also the perfect way to keep your food budget under control.
• Try something new: It’s easy to get set in your ways when it comes to ballpark food. Whether you regularly attend Cubs games or just feel a plain hot dog is a must at a baseball game, consider going outside your comfort zone to try something new. Wrigley Field does an excellent job of adding gourmet flair to traditional ballpark favorites. Don’t be afraid to get a little adventurous.
• Grab napkins: Many of the best options on the latest Wrigley Field menus are a little messy. Don’t let that stop you from enjoying the flavors, but make sure to grab plenty of napkins.

Which menu items make your list of foods to try at Wrigley Field? Come see us at Platform 14 the next time you visit the Friendly Confines. When you’re not cheering on the Cubs, our many Giordano’s locations throughout the city satisfy your cravings for the best pizza in Chicago.