The Toledo Mud Hens and V/Gladieux Catering are offering a culinary variety of new food fare at Fifth Third Field this season.

“We try to add several new food items every season to appeal to the changing tastes of baseball fans who let us know what they like,” said Craig Nelson, Gladieux general manager of food and beverage.

Fans will be able to please their palates with a large selection of new food items, including three new specialty burgers, two types of Stromboli, Polish kielbasa and smoked sausage from Stanley’s Market, walleye bites, funnel cake fries, Toft’s ice cream and three varieties of pretzel poppers and popcorn.

Food served at ballparks has evolved from the traditional hot dogs and popcorn to offer fans many more appetizing sandwiches and treats, according to Nelson.

Gladieux introduced the BacHen Burger, “Bring the Cheddar” Burger and Muddy Burger, all one-third pound black angus beef patties with toppings priced at $6.50, served at Gilhooley’s Grille. All three burgers can be made into combos with fries and cole slaw.

The Muddy Burger is topped with Muddy Dog chili sauce, cheddar cheese and onions on a fresh Kaiser bun with lettuce, mayonnaise, pickle and tomato upon request.

“Bring the Cheddar” Burger is smothered with sharp cheddar cheese and grilled onions on a Kaiser bun. The BacHen Burger features strips of bacon and American cheese on a Kaiser bun.

The Italian sausage and pepperoni Stromboli features those meats rolled with mozzarella cheese inside fresh pizza dough, baked, brushed with butter and dusted with Parmesan cheese served with a side of pizza sauce for dipping.

The Philly Steak Stromboli includes seasoned steak, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, onions and peppers rolled in the pizza dough and prepared the same. Stromboli will be served at the Brick Oven Pizza on the suite level for $6 each.

Stanley’s Market, a family-owned Toledo business for many years, is providing its famous kielbasa and new smoked Polish sausage for two menu items.

The Smoked Polish is slow-smoked with 100-percent Hickory hardwood, grilled and served on a bun with sauerkraut available upon request for $4 at the Hen House Eats, Triple Play Grille and Home Run Hot Dogs.

The Kielbasa Klassic is grilled hand-trimmed kielbasa served on a warm rye bun with sauerkraut upon request for $5 served only at the portable cart in Section 103.

Walleye Bites are bite-size pieces of fresh walleye deep-fried to golden brown served with homemade tarter sauce and lemon wedges. The Walleye Bites will be available for order in the suites only this season.

Funnel cake fries are pastry sticks made from funnel cake batter and deep fried, available plain or with powdered sugar and a side of hot fudge sauce for dipping. They will be served at Toledo Treats for $3.50 per order.

Pretzel Poppers are bite-sized soft pretzel balls filled with cheddar cheese, cream-cheese-topped with cinnamon sugar, and pizza sauce with mozzarella cheese for $3.75 per order. They will be served at Hen House Eats and the portable cart in section 106.

Ballreich’s Cheese Popcorn, Caramel and Triple Mix Popcorn will be served at the portable cart in section 118 for $3 per order.

Toft’s ice cream, made in Sandusky, will be available in Triple Raspberry Sherbet with blue, black and red raspberries, and Buck-a-Moo Churn with bunches of buckeyes and peanut butter swirls in reduced-fat vanilla ice cream.

Pepsi is offering several new beverages to quench thirsty fans with Orange Crush, Strawberry Crush, G2 Gatorade Blueberry Pomegranate with Aquafina’s Lemon and Strawberry Kiwi Splash.

Nelson said that the price of several standard items increased by 15 percent or 25 cents, including draft beer, burgers, steak sandwiches, caramel corn and funnel cake.

Gladieux has operated the concessions and catered to the suites at Fifth Third Field since the ballpark opened in Downtown in 2002.

Nelson said 150 employees with another 200 volunteers work 10 concession stands, nine portable carts, picnic areas, 32 suites and The Roost banquet room at Fifth Third Field.

The volunteers come from local nonprofit organizations, which benefit by sharing in the revenues from concessions sold.

Nelson said Gladieux has shared more than $1 million with local groups since 2002.

This entry was posted on Friday, April 10th, 2009 at 12:00 am and is filed under Mud Hens Opening Day, Special Section.
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