Angels have Thursday off - on Friday night, they open a three game series with Minnesota to conclude this homestand.
Topic of the Day...
If the Angel Stadium rat crisis allowed Arte Moreno to terminate the stadium concession contract with Aramark and Arte did so, what would you SERIOUSLY suggest to him to better the stadium dining/refreshment experience to ensure us all a post-Aramark paradise.
0 recs | 63 comments
Add a Rubio's
and get a southern california niche food in there somewhere. San Fran has its garlic fries, Chicago has its sausages, Seattle has its Sushi and fish stuff...we need our's. Get a bigger, better outdoor BBQ behind the rocks going. Drop the generic fanfare foods, get some Tex-Mex going, work the Baja California angle.All of the above sound great. Maybe even a healthy restaurant (salads and the such), and a teriyaki type place.
Caseys Kiss of Death - August 9, 2007
Rubio's ? ? ?
Wahoo's. Get it right bro. Wahoo's has better food (which is subjective) but what is not subjective is the fact that Wahoo's is OC based, Rubios is out of SD and should stick to PetCo .Rex DaKine Budler - August 10, 2007
I live in neither OC or SD
but prefer Rubio's nonetheless. It doesn't matter that much to me anyway. Just a restaurant of that sort would be fine.Caseys Kiss of Death - August 11, 2007
Anybody remember the Gene Autry Grill?
Bring it back, I say. Barbecue FTW!tcberry - August 9, 2007
In-N-Out
And if they could devote the requisite space, a full-fledged In-N-Out would be fantastic.tcberry - August 9, 2007
Now THAT is Panther.
That's good food and an iconic So-Cal burger joint to boot. How can that go wrong?(See: Ruby's, i.e. serve only shakes and fries without the burgers)
cardinalwraith - August 9, 2007
Great Idea
Although Carl's Jr might have something to say about that. Screw 'em. Bring on the In-N-Out.autrys cowboys - August 9, 2007
Screw Carls!
Best idea yet... i'd be down with a Fatburger as well!sipperphoto - August 9, 2007
Baja Style
I think this is a little more realistic due to the hispanic influence. Baja Fresh??? Wahoo's???autrys cowboys - August 9, 2007
Wahoos
as Rex would say "that's a no doubter"it totally represents Southern California. The next step would be to cover the whole stadim with stickers!!!
Hutch (someone took my name) - August 9, 2007
Wahoo's or Sharky's!
Call it Wahoo's Landing or something next to the Budweiser Patio, or replace the Panda Expess with them.Wahoo's and Sharky's are much better than Rubio's and Baja Fresh IMO. A
As for BBQ, absolutely! A place where you could get ribs, chicken, and/or smoked/sliced tri-tip. They have the space to put it in over where you used to be able to time your home to first base speed. Does it still have Erstad's time up there?
There are too many hot dog/sausage options on the 3B terrace side. Granted there isa Ruby's there, but I miss the Italian Beef Sandwiches from there.
I agree that some sort of "healthy" option would be nice
Back in my younger days (mid to late 80's), I remember there used to be carving station that had the best Roast Beef /BBQ Beef / Corned Beef Sandwiches just to the right (if you were walking towards the field) of the tunnel that would take you to Aisles 25, 27, and 29 (now known as Sections 108 & 109. Anyone remember what that was called?
BrianDowningFan - August 9, 2007
Yeah,
used to work at Sharky's. Good Stuff.CaLiKrAzY - August 9, 2007
Definitely Sharky's
As long as they provide the Power Plate. It's great for those of us who are trying to lose weight!(Though I admit a hot dog and a bag of peanuts are my indulgence when I manage to get down to the Big A).
red floyd - August 9, 2007
just give me a Ruby's Shake
and a Baltmore victory today: Daniel Cabrera against Horacio Ramirez, 4:05 pm.everyone enjoy the off day.
rbrianc - August 9, 2007
Compared to what we get in the the UK...
...I'd take the rats and be happy.At most of our stadia over here, you get one or all of the following:
Pies - Beef and Onion, Steak and kidney or Curry flavoured microwaved in a plastic bag
Fish and chips (with mushy peas if you're lucky, or perhaps if you're not)
Bovril (a hot meat based drink - kind of like tea only made with cows instead of tea leaves - which tastes worse than it sounds)
You can't consume alcohol inside the stands in Britain, because we're incapable of drinking and watching sports without someone demanding a fight over whether or not the goal-keeper for the home-team is intimate with his dog/cat/mother and the police stepping in with riot gear.
From what I remember of my formative teenage years in Orange County, I'd go with the two common themes listed above, as that was pretty much my diet for 7 years -
Baja/Tex-mex (you cannot get good Mexican food anywhere in this country) - I'd vote for at least one 'Margharita night' a year as well
BBQ - but make it a decent BBQ pit not some commercialised excuse for BBQ.
(and that In-n-Out idea is a cracker)
The Limey - August 9, 2007
You've been away too long.
Tex-Mex is not "good Mexican food". Cheap, watered down swill. Over-compensates by trying to be spicy hot. The Britney Spears of Mexican food.Stirrups - August 9, 2007
Nonsense...
...although I'll concede that it may not be possible to get good Tex-Mex outside of Tex.As for British stadium food..."Bovril?" Honestly? The mind reels, the gorge rises.
Sean @ Halos Heaven - August 9, 2007
If Dallas is any indication...
...hang it up. But that's all the Texas I know.Stirrups - August 9, 2007
There's a British grocer in Orange...
..or there was a few years back, selling all sorts of special treats from Blighty. I'm sure they can hook you up if you're interested...The Limey - August 9, 2007
There's a British grocer
who manages to eke out an existance on Valley View right next to the 22. I don't remember the name of the place, though.scareduck - August 9, 2007
Fair enough...
..lets just stick with "good mexican food" and you guys be the judge of what's best locally.And yes, I have been away to long... maybe next year. I have a mate's wedding in Australia in Otober '08, if I fly the long way round, it could be the perfect time to stop by.
The Limey - August 9, 2007
The guy who caught #756
was flying through California on his way to visit friends in Australia.Maybe you'll catch #400 from Vladdy or something?
Caseys Kiss of Death - August 9, 2007
Chance would be a fine thing...
..but I live in hope.Nice blog by the way. Will stop by from time to time.
The Limey - August 9, 2007
Well, we do have
the In-N-Out, "Who's In, Who's Out" segment during a pitching change.Also, what's up with the Hooter's at the stadium? Whenever I walk by it is empty. Does anyone even go there?
BrianDowningFan - August 9, 2007
It was a sushi bar back in the NFL days...
maybe even for the Angels, too; but I rarely go by the 1st base side on the lowest level, so I have no idea.That location is a black hole and everything that goes there is destined to fail, even a Hooters. Not sure why...
So, my answer is NO, nobody goes there! ;)
Downing Rules - August 9, 2007
Hooters
I hate to admit it, but when I have the time, that's my preferred Angels stadium vendor. The chicken strips & fries deal really ain't bad, and it's under $10 (or it was last year, anyway). The big problem is that, at least before the game, the line is kinda long and I get impatient, particularly because I rarely get to the stadium much before gametime.jjackflash - August 9, 2007
Why Hooters is empty
No Hooters girls!red floyd - August 9, 2007
hooters girls
never been by there, but i hope to god they don't have Aramark employees dress in hooters shortsNeo8234 - August 9, 2007
Is
Szabo still in the business? I know that's what they had back in the day, when you could get a Coke at the stadium and not that watered-down aspertine-tinged, Pepsi.BrianDowningFan - August 9, 2007
Szabo rocked!
I remember them, too! Awesome!Downing Rules - August 9, 2007
A nice post on the Sazbo days
http://www.guerillasports.com/article.php?article=510BrianDowningFan - August 9, 2007
This guy obviously...
was a bigger Szabo fan than I was... and that's pretty big!Downing Rules - August 9, 2007
My Wish List
The entire patio enclave are surrounding the outfield seats are set aside for three themes each season. The food service pads would be neutralized so that they could support any fare, and the facades could be changed to redecorate to match the themes.The spring meme would be 50's: diners and dives, with classic cars on display. Apple Pan, In'N'Out, Pink's, Ruby's. Throw in a Duke's or Bob's Big Boy. Maybe even Cafe 50's or Charlie's Chili.
In summer we would have BBQ, and it would include one actual stop on the summer BBQ competition circuit. Contestants cook out on the parking lot before the games and fans could sample foods out there as part of a large tailgate party that date. More corporate entities would serve in the stadium throughout the summer. I could go Claim Jumper, but I would rather open those pads up to some of the great street side BBQ cooks in South Central LA. I don't know how to do it, though.
Fall would be the Mexican meme. Baja, baby. Fresh, hand-made tortillas being grilled all game long. A cantina. An authentic taqueria. Yeah, throw in a couple of chains such as Frescas and La Salsa or something.
The concourses behind the main seating areas throughout the rest of the park revert to standard, traditional, ballpark fare (except for the sit-down restaurant pads, which are sold to the Hooters, Panda Express, corporate types for highest bid).
But let's get serious about the standard fare, huh? No more Weinerschnitzel crap. For the money there is still plenty of profit for high-end, kosher, dogs. And stop boiling them, dammit. The fries are a great recent improvement. Keep those. Package the foods into meals (1, 2 or 3 dogs; peanuts or fries. That's #1 thru #6.) The vast majority of customers order from the meals and add their drink. The meals come boxed as a kit with condiments and napkins. Faster to put together in the back, faster to take away from the counter. No need for the time and space of condiment counters. Quicker service and better traffic flow all around.
Finally, you know all those nice specialty pads and bars that are outside the councourses? LEAVE THEM OPEN 1 HOUR AFTER GAMES. It's not like you are going to be busy cleaning up or anything. You have huge crowds of people who are going to be milling about anyway, waiting for exit traffic to clear. Encourage that. Give them a place to congregate and mingle and spend their money. Change the prices to Happy Hour. Play some decent rock on the PA system. Maybe develop them into singles bars. Lord knows the stadium is already on the verge of being the single largest meat market in the county. All it needs is a tipping point.
Stirrups - August 9, 2007
once again..GENIUS, SHEER GENIUS
for the sweet tooth...a gourmet, ehem, chocolate and homemade MM???? For the "after game" diamond & club level elite?The collective dream come true??? :-D
ladybug - August 9, 2007
Ah!
I totally forgot confections and coffee! That's a good one for the post-game Diamond Club crowd. It would be a bad idea to sprinkle Coffee Bean stations around the exit areas after the games too, just in general principal.Stirrups - August 9, 2007
yeah
nothing like alert drunksladybug - August 9, 2007
I meant to say
it would not be a bad idea.Although, alert drunks now filled with a diuretic and in semi-control of a 3 ton vehicle that needs to get them home to the toilet faster than the flow of traffic allows might be, on the whole, a bad idea after all.
Stirrups - August 9, 2007
WOW
I made YOU change your mind???I'm going outside to look for the flying pigs.
ladybug - August 9, 2007
Some great ideas above
I wholeheartedly endorse the concept of real BBQ. Chicken, tri-tips & hot links. For that matter, burgers cooked on a grill are killer, too.Taco truck-style tacos! Asada, pastor & carnitas on little corn tortillas. They typically sell for a buck a piece; but even at $2.25 at the stadium, you could still eat well and not break the bank. Hire local taco truck operators, not some dumbed-down bland corporate wannabes. Have a salsa bar where customers can add onions, cilantro and choose from a variety of salsas. An adjacent aguas frescas purveyor would top it off nicely.
jjackflash - August 9, 2007
JACK IN THE BOX
/THREADshiftyeyedgoat - August 9, 2007
something to consider...
why would any respectable eatery want to walk into a this rat shitstorm when being connected to the rats could negatively spill over to bad publicity for their out of stadium business. it's going to have to be someplace that's desperate.thejd - August 9, 2007
zoom.
Author - August 9, 2007
On the other hand, if ya can't beat 'em, EAT 'EM
Snacked on by over half the world, a "plentiful" and lean source of protein, a favorite of the Garden Grove jet-set, I nominate these little stadium occupants as the latest in fad dining. A little Sriracha sauce on them and, voila!!, they'll taste like chicken. And what a substitution for those Hooters wings!PieceOfAase - August 9, 2007
this post is just redundant
to the Jack-In-The-Box proposal.rbrianc - August 9, 2007
What is this you say?
Refresh me on the "Jack in the Box Proposal."PieceOfAase - August 9, 2007
ever try Jack's tacos?
and do you ever see stray cats or rats around any JITB? Coincidence? i think not.and how you described rat meat (some lean seasoned protein) sounded like one of their JITB tacos - (i do like them btw).
But seriously my contribution (Rev did ask for seriousness here): Arte should drive through Pedro's in San Clemente on the way from La Jolla. I'm surprised no one's mentioned that yet.
but the poster who said 'who would want their food associated with Angel Stadium now?' hit a very good point.
i haven't given this much thought because all i care are abot the W's and don't go to the games too much, but today, Jim Rome's Rat Family would be a good tie-in - we should trade for Randy Johnson for instance. Make Mike Shanahan a coach (unfortuantely), i couldn't find any active links to Rome's gallery - does any one remember any more look-alkes?
And what kid of the '60's doesn't remember Rat Patrol?
Disney could do a cross-promo with Ratatouille. Instead of sausage races, we could get a few rats.
rbrianc - August 9, 2007
Y'know, when you mention it
about the only thing that I see around Jack in the Box is the token homeless dude (Soylent Green anyone???) out by the dumpster (PCH/Warner JITB), yet never a rodent/feline. As long as they don't mess with my $0.99 Jumbo Jacks.Pedro's Tacos (and their carne asada) is the Pink's of Orange County -- EVERYONE should make a pilgrimage to its hallowed grounds.
R.I.P NAUGLES
PieceOfAase - August 9, 2007
bingo aase...
give us lemons we'll make lemonade or give us rats we'll make rat dogs, rat soup. there should be a bizarre foods stand a la anthony bourdaine/no reservations on the travel channel. the NO RESERVATIONS diner. rats, dog, cat, bugs, etc.thejd - August 9, 2007
They could do what Chapman University did
Kick out Aramark and bring in Sodexho. If you didn't go to CU, you have no idea what I'm talking about, though...Regardless of who they get to provide concession services, there needs to be an overall improvement in the typical stadium cuisine. Even if there are cheaper alternatives, they should provide quality dogs, nachos, and fries.
I've also seen at various street fairs that In-N-Out has a mobile grill. I've even seen it at car dealerships. Just set up two of those in the stadium, serving hot Double Doubles all game long. Mmmmmmm.
Also, the street tacos are a must. A full-blown cantina doesn't seem realistic, unless it replaces Hooters (that's an idea...). A couple street taco vendors throughout the stadium with salsa bars instead of condiment troughs would give people a chance to grab a taco or two for a decent price while embracing that latino influence of the area.
Oh, and kick out panda express in favor of del taco ;)
iLoveLamp - August 9, 2007
Aramark owns the contract
through 2016.And it probably isn't their fault that the Angels don't perform custodial duty until the day after. So I doubt that Aramark is in breach of that contract.
Stirrups - August 9, 2007
doesn't Aramark run the faciltiy?
SCHalo - August 9, 2007
How many restaurants
make their landlords do the dishes?Rev Halofan - August 9, 2007
Aramark
received "an overall low rate of food safety violations".They do the food handling and, as the contractors for the food service areas, they get the dings for no hot water, poor food handling, poor refrigeration, and improper hand washing. But they have passing rates for those problems.
The vermin problem, though, falls directly to the Halos due to "flaws in stadium maintenance practices" (meaning cleaning up the food waste in the public areas), which is the responsibility of the Angels. And the Angels have admitted that this is their job and that they have to change their practices.
Stirrups - August 9, 2007
Bad Idea
My son goes to Chapman and the food there is EXPENSIVE and bad! I don't know who runs it, but it is no wonder that at lunch all the outside stands and restaraunts are packed.Moondoggy - August 10, 2007
Sodexho is terrible
they had/have them up at UCSC, and they were chased off because of their shitty, bland food and their awful, awful menus. No one could stand them, and the students protested (not that those backwards-ass hippie loonies need an excuse to protest) until the dining operations were turned over to the school to run by itself. Their service was horrible, and the food in line with prison grub...which is no surprise considering Sodexho basically served a uniform menu to every institution it served, INCLUDING prisons.Caseys Kiss of Death - August 10, 2007
Did they serve Banana Slugs?
Downing Rules - August 10, 2007
I didn't start going there
until after they left, so I only heard all about the aftermath and experienced it for like, 2 meals, on visits before I started going to the school. Banana Slugs probably would have been an upgrade over what they gave out. But I don't go to school there anymore since I transferred during sophomore year.Caseys Kiss of Death - August 10, 2007
Vlad's Mom
making her famous rice and beans.LosAngel - August 9, 2007
Different topic, but.....
Did I just see something about Scott Spiezio getting busted for substance abuse?Rick Ankiel got called up.
bc56274 - August 9, 2007
I would venture to suggest
that Arte sit down the high mucky-mucks of Aramark and make them eat the food, especially Carl's Jr.ladybug - August 9, 2007
They could hire me.
I've said this before: I really want one of those 6 dollar teriyake burgers! If I had to eat it under contract, then I have an excuse to blow my diet!!I got NOOOOO problem with Carl's Jr. food.
Stirrups - August 9, 2007
As somebody else mentioned upthread
Aramark has the contract for the next nine years. I'm not sure what changes could be implemented even if the contract could be voided (say, by a material breach), because I have a suspicion that all the behind-the-counter labor is unionized.scareduck - August 9, 2007
I'd vote for a nice Taqueria in the outfield...
how hard would that be?cupie - August 11, 2007
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