The Twins and retail partner Delaware North have modernized one of the most highly-trafficked concession areas of Target Field, replacing the traditional “belly-up” model for food stands at sections 105 and 109 on the main concourse with new open-air, self-serve markets.
The team and their food partners at Delaware North are saying this is a more free-flowing, convenient way to get food and beverages. You simply go inside, choose your favorites, and pay by scanning the bar codes.
"Every year we try to reinvent the ballpark and we try to understand what fans want or what we're missing," Delaware North general manager Peter Spike explains. "So we kind of line things up and say 'what would people want' when they come here looking at trends, looking at, maybe some fan feedback."
New spaces are also 'pushed back' from the concourse allowing for more room for fans to walk to their seats.
There are several grab-and-go options including hot foods and ballpark favorites, grab-and-go snack options, ice cream, a soda fountain and grab-and-go beer coolers.
New Foods
The Twins and Delaware North are also sharing some new and improved food options for Target Field, many in partnership with local restaurants and chefs.
Some of the new foods include walleye tacos, dill pickle pizza, and a grilled spam sandwich. But the photo-worthy winner this year could be an 18-inch corn masa quesadilla with your choice of steak or chicken, lettuce, sour cream and shredded cheese from Taco Libre.
"The thoughtfulness of creating something of quality that still is Instagrammable and still is social media worthy, but you're gonna enjoy it and your friends will all enjoy it without feeling maybe gluttonous and guilty," says Spike.
Here are the other new food and beverage options we found this year:
TRULY ON DECK MARKET
Grilled SPAM® Sandwich: Seared SPAM patty, caramelized onions and bacon on a toasted onion bun.
Chopped Southwest Burger: Chopped beef patty, chorizo, jalapeño aioli, lettuce, tomato, onion, pepperjack cheese and queso fresco on a hoagie roll.
Vinai: Chef Yia Vang is bringing a taste from his newest Northeast Minneapolis Hmong restaurant to Target Field, with a Sweet & Sour Fried Pork featuring crispy fried pork tossed in sweet and sour sauce, served on a fresh cabbage slaw with fresh cucumbers and pickled carrots.
Keeper's Heart Spiced Honeycrisp: Keeper's Heart Rye whiskey with sweet and sour mix, hot honey Monin syrup and apple Monin syrup, topped with soda.
Keeper’s Heart Vanilla Creamed Whiskey: Keeper's Heart Rye whiskey with vanilla creme Monin syrup and soda will bring you back in time to an old-fashioned soda fountain shop.
CUTWATER COCKTAIL BAR AT MINNIE & PAUL’S (SECTION 234)
Pizza Lucé, a Twin Cities staple and fan favorite, will offer a Dugout Dill Pickle Pizza exclusively at Target Field to start the season.
GATE 34 AREA
Lord Fletcher's Walleye Tacos: Fresh seasoned walleye topped with Napa cilantro slaw in tequila vinaigrette and Baja sauce.
10,000 Lakes Bar will offer select beverages from Carbliss (Black Raspberry, Lemon Lime, Peach, Pineapple, Mango and Watermelon) and Surfside (Iced Tea and Vodka, and Lemonade and Vodka).
Official Fried Chicken (Section 134): Hot Honey Chicken Tenders and Waffles, and a Chicken Bacon Ranch Sandwich will be available.
MAIN CONCOURSE
Kramarczuk's (Section 101 & 112) will deliver a Brat Sampler featuring locally-made Polish, bratwurst and cherry bomb sausages with grilled onions and sauerkraut on the side.
Taco Libre (Section 103), Minnesota’s newest destination for authentic Mexican cuisine, debuts at Target Field with two offerings: Machete – an 18” corn masa quesadilla with your choice of steak or chicken, lettuce, sour cream and shredded cheese. Rice Bowl – with your choice of steak or chicken and served with rice, pinto beans, pico de gallo, sour cream and queso fresco.
Niko Niko Boba (Section 107), with its “Big Straws, Bigger Smiles”, will offer several boba tea flavors: Hawaiian Fruit Tea – The best-selling refreshing fruit tea with black tea, ice, Hawaiian fruit tea syrup, peach syrup and water, and choice of boba. Signature Milk Tea – Best-selling creamy black tea with Sun Moon Lake black tea, bubble tea powder and fructose, and choice of boba. Strawberry Lemon Spritz – A caffeine-free, no-tea option with strawberry jam, lemon syrup, water and sparkling water, and choice of boba.
Grand Slam Shawarma (Section 110): Marinated chicken in garlic sauce rolled up in flatbread, chopped pickles and roasted garlic mayo.
Roots for the Home Team Jalapeno Popper Salad/Flour Tortilla Wrap (Section 110): A mix of quinoa, corn, zucchini, carrots, tomato, cilantro and red onions on top of mixed greens, served with a vegan cream cheese jalapeño dressing and chipotle croutons. Available select weekends Memorial Day through Labor Day.
Soul Bowl Caribe Bowl (Section 114): Jerk BBQ chicken, sweet plantains, yellow rice and diced pineapples, garnished with green onions.
Hrbek's Pork Tenderloin Sandwich (Section 114): Crispy pork cutlet on a fresh bakery roll with lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle and ranch aioli.
TokiDoki Wings (Section 114): From Minneapolis’ own TokiDoki Burger, wings with your choice of TokiDoki dry rub or Sweet TokiDoki wing sauce.
Cozy Cookie (Family Value Concession Stands at Sections 120, 133, 311, along with the Section 105 and 109 Market and the CUB Market at Section 126): Featuring Chocolate Chip (also available gluten free and nut free), Cookie Monster, Golden Oreo, Red Velvet, S'mores and Chocolate cookies.