Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack? Sure, but would you like that with a side of kimchi fried rice, a Wagyu beef slider, or perhaps a churro rolled in artisanal cinnamon sugar? Welcome to Citi Field in 2025, where the food selection is more diverse than a United Nations potluck.
Now, I’m old enough to remember when the only food options at a ballpark were hamburgers, hot dogs, french fries, egg salad sandwiches,Carvel in a mini batting helmet, popcorn, peanuts, Cracker Jack, and potato chips. And of course, beer and soda. That was it. No fancy gastropub options. No cuts of meat with names I can’t pronounce, and sauces that require a PhD to understand. Just simple, reliable ballpark grub that paired perfectly with the agony of a Greg Goossen passed ball. But those days are long gone. Today’s modern stadiums have morphed into full-fledged dining experiences, with a baseball game happening in the background—if you’re lucky enough to notice.
I was lucky enough to attend today's Citi Field What's New 2025 event. It wasn’t just a menu preview; it was a full-blown culinary festival disguised as a press event. There were celebrity chefs, plates piled high with ridiculously good food, and more people snapping pictures of their meals than a room full of influencers at a fancy brunch.
M. Scott Havens, the President of Business Operations for the Mets, was there to kick off the festivities, and as the man who oversees everything Mets-related (except, of course, the actual playing of baseball), he was understandably excited. “We are here in 2025, and I think everyone—from the team to ownership to fans—is full of optimism and excitement,” he said. “But we’re also really excited about the changes and improvements we’ve made for the fan experience.” Translation: we’ve got a lot of new food to stuff your faces with.
Citi Field has officially become the three-time defending champion of stadium dining, taking home the USA Today 10Best Readers’ Choice Award for Best Baseball Stadium Food for the third straight year. In other words, when it comes to stadium cuisine, the Mets don’t just lead the league—they’re in a league of their own.
So, what’s new on the menu?
Let’s start with a taste of Queens via Naz’s Halal Food, serving up their legendary Combo Over Rice—a savory mix of marinated chicken and lamb gyro meat over basmati rice, with fresh salad and a choice of sauces. If you’re in the mood for something with international flair, check out Seoul Bird’s Korean Fried Chicken with Kimchi Fried Rice, or Chef Kwame’s Patty Palace, where you’ll find a curried chicken patty in coco bread, topped with jerk BBQ and ginger cabbage slaw. For the burger purists, Adam Richman’s (a lifelong Mets fan) Burger Hall of Fame is dishing up the Fiesta Burger, a taco-spiced LaFrieda patty with chipotle crema, guacamole, tortilla chips, and roasted salsa.
Not enough meat for you? Pat LaFrieda’s Chophouse is rolling out customized tomahawks and steak frites topped with smoked gouda fondue and caramelized onions. And if you really want to go big, check out Pat LaFrieda’s Loaded Fries—sidewinder fries topped with black angus beef, white cheddar cheese sauce, sautéed onions, and beef au jus. Because why settle for regular fries when you can eat your weight in beef?
For pizza lovers, Prince Street Pizza is bringing their legendary Spicy Spring and classic round pies to Citi Field, and cheesesteak fans will want to sink their teeth into Chiddy’s Cheesesteaks’ “Citi Fielder”—a ribeye steak sandwich with sautéed onions and classic Cheese Whiz. Oh, and because the Mets are nothing if not innovative, there’s the Wok ‘N Roll Cinnamon Bun Egg Roll and a Poutine Egg Roll. Because when in New York, you deep-fry everything. Even the stuff that wasn’t meant to be deep-fried.
And let’s not forget dessert. Fried Oreos? Check. Zeppole? Check. A Cookie Bucket from the Walk-Off Café, filled with warm chocolate chip cookies? Absolutely.
As I made my way through the spread—purely in the name of journalism, of course, and to provide the fine readers of KinersKorner.com with only the most thorough and selfless reporting—I came to the realization that this was no longer just a ballpark. It was a food court with occasional home runs.
Beyond the food, Havens also talked about the Mets’ plans to expand Citi Field’s usage beyond just baseball, introducing “Citi Field 365”—a push to keep the venue active year-round with more events and fan engagement opportunities. The team has already seen success with Mets House NYC, a pop-up in Union Square that has drawn over 15,000 fans, and an in-house documentary series called "The Pursuit," chronicling the Mets' pursuit (and eventual signing) of Juan Soto.
And in the spirit of blending sports and spectacle, the Mets are rolling out a new game-day tradition: The 5-Boro Mascot Race. Much like Milwaukee’s legendary Sausage Race, Washington’s Presidential Sprint, and Atlanta’s Beat The Freeze, this new event will feature five borough-inspired characters racing across the field in oversized costumes.
Milwaukee's Sausage Race, which started in the early 1990s, features five foam-encased sausages—including a bratwurst, Polish sausage, Italian sausage, hot dog, and chorizo—sprinting along the warning track in a chaotic dash to the finish line. Washington’s Presidential Race, meanwhile, sees Mount Rushmore’s finest—George, Abe, Tom, and Teddy—lugging their giant heads across Nationals Park, with Teddy Roosevelt famously losing for nearly seven straight years before finally breaking through in 2012. And then there’s Atlanta’s Beat The Freeze, where an unsuspecting fan gets a massive head start before being hunted down by "The Freeze," a former college sprinter who routinely turns this friendly competition into a public display of athletic humiliation.
Now, Citi Field is throwing its hat (or giant foam subway car) into the ring. The contestants? A subway car for Queens, a pizza slice for Brooklyn, a ferry for Staten Island, a skyscraper for Manhattan, and—a giraffe for the Bronx. Why a giraffe? Well, the Bronx Zoo is famous for them, but given that the Yankees play in the Bronx, I have a sneaking suspicion the added wind resistance factor ensures the giraffe never wins. A little mascot race sabotage, perhaps?
And of course, there are the giveaways. From bobbleheads to replica jerseys, the Mets are offering an array of promotional items throughout the season, including a Juan Soto Players Pin, a Brandon Nimmo Hoodie Jersey, a Kodai Senga Replica Jersey, and even a Billy Joel Mets Jersey (because why not).
If you’re bringing the kids, there’s more excitement with Family Sundays. Starting in 2025, families can score four tickets for just $50 and enjoy pre-game entertainment on Mets Plaza, keeping the little ones distracted while you wonder if you’ve left your wallet in the car.
Speaking of family fun, the Mets are bringing back $5 Tuesdays, featuring a value menu that includes $5 Coors Light, $5 Nathan’s Famous hot dogs, and $5 soft pretzels. At those prices, you might start wondering if you’ve stumbled into a secret snack heaven.
And don’t miss Fireworks Nights! Every Friday home game from May 23 through August 29 will end with a bang—literally. And for the Fourth of July celebration, the fireworks will be moved to July 3, so you can enjoy the explosion of color before you even have to worry about the holiday traffic.
For the kids, the Mets are introducing the Mets Kids Club, presented by Dunkin’. This year, the club is free, because what’s better than being a kid at a baseball game? Being a kid at a baseball game without needing a second mortgage to afford it. Plus, there are paid packages with perks like exclusive merch, a fast pass for the Mr. and Mrs. Met Dash, and two ticket vouchers for select games. After select Sunday games, kids 12 and under can run the bases like little Mets legends. But to participate, they need to be a registered Kids Club member, so sign up now!
And here’s a fun twist: On Kids Club days, instead of the usual player headshots on the scoreboard, the Mets will showcase artist renderings of the players, made by—you guessed it—Kids Club members. So, your little one’s artwork could be up there, featuring Francisco Lindor blue hair and all !
For more info (and to make sure your kids don’t miss out), check out Mets.com/KidsClub. Because as every parent knows, keeping them busy at a baseball game is the real MVP move.
Now, I tried to cover all the bases here, but it wasn’t easy. Between one hand holding a notebook and the other desperately clutching a Wagyu beef slider, my note-taking skills were a bit... compromised. And to top it off, there seems to be deep-fried Oreo smutz all over my notebook, so some of my notes might be a little hard to read. But still, it was an amazing event that showcased the Mets' talents off the field. They’ve certainly hit it out of the park with this one. You might leave full, but you’ll also leave impressed—because Citi Field is now a place where you can indulge your senses just as much as your baseball cravings.
Comments