Through all the ups and downs the San Francisco Giants have had, and not just this season but in seasons past, one absolute fact we as Giants fans have always been able to rest on is that Oracle Park is one of the best ballpark experiences in the game today. There are no lies in that statement. Just Google “best MLB ballparks” and right at the top of the page is Oracle Park, and Google doesn’t just lie like that.
What makes Oracle Park so great, aside from the weather, views, aesthetics, energy and accessibility, is the bountiful selection of delicious food options fans have at the various concession stands around the ballpark. And there are a lot of them. And you bet that during all the years I have been going to Oracle Park that I have wanted to spend a summer trying them all.
Well, this summer, I decided to finally tackle that challenge and try as many as of the concession items as I could this season. And what better way to share that experience than by ranking these concession items.
First some background on these rankings. To start, I decided to only include what I consider to be the signature food items at the ballpark. So stuff you can get at any other ballpark – hot dogs, peanuts, pretzels, sausages, brats, French fries, chicken tenders and nachos with cheese whiz are not included. Also not included are the Garlic Fries. I know, how could a card carrying garlic fry lover like myself not rank the Garlic Fries? Well the simple answer is the Garlic Fries transcend rankings. They are always going to be the standard no matter what, and setting them atop these rankings is not necessary.
The rest of the ballpark food was fair game, and the rankings were based on the following criteria.
Taste: The food has to taste good obviously
Price: While eating the food, am I going to be thinking more about the actual food, or the amount of money I had to spend to eat it?
Satisfaction: Did this leave me feeling full or was I still hungry afterwards.
Thus begins the rankings.
#15 Italian Beef Sandwich
It sounded so promising when I ordered it, yet this had to be one of the most disappointing things I ate at Oracle Park this year. The beef is okay, definitely not bad. The crunch of the veggies is a nice touch with their crunch, and the peppers are sweet, not hot. But overall, it’s a pretty forgettable sandwich. I could probably make a better one at home for less money. Was very much still hungry after.
#14 Crazy Crab Sandwich
I wanted to make this last, but so many people enjoy this sandwich for some reason so I am going to preemptively avoid the peer pressure and make it second to last. To be honest, I do not see the appeal. It is way too overpriced, and in no way brings any satisfaction afterwards. You will be very hungry if you pay money to eat this sandwich.
In fact, this was one of the few concession items I sampled with a friend. I invited my friend Allie to try it as well, and her review was pretty spot on, saying that “It was simultaneously warm and cold and way too creamy and wet. It made me sick. Absolutely disgusting.” And to be honest, I see no lies there.
Guess who forgot to take a picture of their Crazy Crab Sandwich…
#13 Pineapple Sausage
You can find this on tucked in the corner behind section 110 on the first base side. I had high hopes for this one, and the potential is there, but the execution was not. First you need to dig it out of all the kraut, onions and peppers first. The pineapple is subtle but provides a noticeable tang to the savory of the dog. Somewhat. If I were to power rank the flavors based on prevalence, the pineapple would be at the bottom. I definitely tasted some pineapple, but to call this a pineapple sausage seems generous. But at 10.50 it’s not a bad value.
#12 The Coup Organic Chicken Sandwich
You can find this stand as you enter the promenade level from the Third Street gate. The coleslaw is nothing special. No major discernible taste outside of “it’s coleslaw.” Most of it spills out anyway. The chipotle bbq sauce is very good and not that spicy at all. The chicken has a warm, buttery taste to it that meshes with the sauce and coleslaw well though. I would have added a bit more seasoning if it were me making it. Would be great with hot sauce. The sandwich is kinda filling, but I was left wanting more. The sauce might have been the best part.
#11 Pork and Shrimp Lumpia
Some people I am sure would enjoy the veggie option. I am not one of them. It is very warm and savory. The sweet and sour sauce has more tang than sauce. The pork and shrimp flavor don’t jump out at you but the aftertaste is solid. Very chewy with a big of crunch. The pork and shrimp are combined together to create a pretty satisfying flavor. The more charred pieces add a bit more crunch which can be very satisfying. The softness of the meat works well with the crunch. Overall, it’s is very good.
#10 Poke
It looks great right off the bat. People around you will comment “ohhh that looks good” when you get back to your seat. I got the traditional ahi, and the fish taste is not overpowering nor is the smell that strong. Definitely mix some rice into your bites of fish. Slight salty taste but too much. It’s a very interesting texture in your mouth but not in an uncomfortable way. No bad aftertastes, easy to digest. Add a little soy sauce for some extra zing.
#9 Crab and Shrimp Sandwich
Way too much bread. This should not be a premade sandwich. Would be better on a warm roll. A little squirt of the provided lemon can take care of the mayo taste if you’re not into that. The sauce they provide just makes the sandwich taste colder. Actually satisfies really well and is very filling (thanks bread!) Leaves a very nice after taste too.
#8 Gigantes Burrito Bowl
This was one my friend Stephen was adamant I would like. Maybe he oversold it, because I was less than impressed. Great presentation as it certainly looks nice. But this is your typical burrito bowl. The chicken went pretty fast, and there probably could have been more. Overall solid taste, just not enough of it. You are better off bringing in one from Chipotle.
#7 Gigantes Burrito
I personally hold burritos to a high standard, and the Gigantes Burrito does not quite meet that standard. It does not feel as heavy as you would want it to feel when you first get it. Everyone knows a good burrito has to have some heft. The first impression of this burrito is that it lacks heft. Juicy first bite and you can feel the spice right away. This will warm you up a bit. No one flavor dominates each bite. The onions are a nice touch, adding a solid crunch. The steak is no too chewy, though it wouldn’t hurt to marinate it. Overall, a solid eat, but a burrito is to be judged not just by the taste, but by how you feel after. While you definitely feel it in your gut, it does not leave you feeling like you have a food baby ready for birthing. I do not feel an overwhelming need to take a long nap. I’m fact, moving around isn’t much of a burden, something you cannot say after a true burrito.
#6 Baby Bull Tri Tip Sandwich
Get it with the caramelized onions. They do a great job cooking the tri tip, not to tough or chewy, in fact they cook it close to perfection. I like a little pink in the middle and they delivered. The sandwich is freshly cut right in front of you and the bread does not dominate the meat. And it’s actually quite filling too, but probably won’t get you through the whole day. Chipotle and bbq sauce options available as well.
#5 Crazy Crab Waffle Fries
Be ready to like mayonnaise, because there is certainly a lot of it on these fries, but the taste of the crab and saltiness of the fries prevents the mayo from dominating the overall flavor pallet. Make sure you get a lemon to squeeze on top too. The crab is perfect. Not too hot and doesn’t leave a slimy, cold taste in your mouth like the sandwich does. The only way these would be better is if they were garlic waffle crab fries.
#4 Cha Cha Bowl
The Cha Cha Bowl is not a hard one to rank and always, ALWAYS leaves me satisfied. The jerk chicken can be a tad dry at times, but you won’t notice thanks to the bed of rice and beans beneath it. Throw in the crunch of the broccoli slaw and you got a perfect much of soft and crunchy in every bite. I usually go for the BBQ sauce on top, but the chipotle sauce is great too if you are a spice nut. And it comes with the resealable top to make for easy transportation, or to keep it warm (sort of) if you want to take a break from it for an inning before resuming. The one downside of the Cha Cha Bowl is that it is one of the concession items that routinely sees a jump in price every year.
#3 Orlando’s Chicken Nachos
I’m a big nacho enthusiast, so I took this one very seriously. The foundation of good nachos is a strong chip, and Orlando’s delivers there. Not too soft, crispy, and not at all over salted. The chip does what it’s supposed to do: ferry the nacho fun to your mouth while not trying to get involved in the flavor pool. The jerk chicken adds a fun tang you don’t get with shredded chicken like I usually do in my nachos, and they don’t over saturate the nachos with beans either. The pico is a nice add on top, and the steamed veggies add a nice tartness to offset the saltiness and spice. The issues come with the cheese whizz. Cheese whizz is never the right move and can quickly turn your nachos into a gooey soup before it solidifies into a cheesy lump. Your fingers will get messy so there is no shame in using a fork.
#2 Grand Slam Brisket Sliders with Mac and Cheese and Cole slaw
This one got a lot of stares. Our own John Dickinson, 95.7 The Game Super Reporter, was in the pressbox the night I got this one and even he had to adjust his meal plans that night after seeing it.
Just a heads up, when eating these sliders, you’re going to need a fork. The mac is elite, perfect amount of cheesiness. The brisket is well marinated but could use some more spice to add some kick to it, but not much is needed. For the most part the brisket will melt in your mouth. The more solid pieces will need you to put a little work in chewing but you’ll enjoy that part because at the end of the day the brisket is phenomenal. If you can get all foods at one: meat, cheese, slaw and the bread, you’re in for a warm explosion of flavor that mixes the tang of the slaw with the smooth cheese, all marinated in the juices that squirt from the brisket, leaving a very juicy after taste. You can find this one behind section 108 on the first base side just to the left of the Doggie Diner that is there as well.
#1 Gluten Free Flatbread Pizza
I consider this an upset. If you had told me before the season I would crown GLUTEN FREE PIZZA as the best concession item at the ballpark I would have thought you were crazy. Yet here we are.
It’s actually really good pizza. Not at all too greasy. Perfect amount of toppings. Just enjoyable to eat. Might be one of the best value meals at the park considering how satisfying it is to the appetite. The price is not outrageous: it came out around $13 after using a season ticket holder discount. And it is a pretty big pizza all things considered. The best part of the gluten flatbread pizza was not just the taste or price. It was the fact that the rest of the evening, I was not hungry! You can find the Gluten Free Pizza out in centerfield the Edible Garden. Then grab one of the tables there and enjoy your pizza in one of the more underrated seating areas of Oracle Park.
Special Mention
Ghirardelli Hot Fudge Sundae
This is another one that, like the garlic fries, transcends these rankings. But on any day game in the summer, you cannot go wrong with this dessert staple. If it is a warm sunny day at the yard, treat yourself with a sundae. It’s okay, no one will judge you.
While the product on the field can be tough to stomach, one positive about Oracle Park is that the food rarely is. So shoutout to the hard-working staff at Oracle Park that prepares all this yummy food. Hopefully next year, we can enjoy a hot gluten free pizza while watching Shohei Ohtani, Matt Chapman, Cody Bellinger, Mike Trout, Marco Luciano hit a bunch of dingers.