Wichita ballpark adds ‘Instagram-able,’ gut-busting items to menu in time for 2nd season
Minor League baseball parks across the country are known for their crazy, “Instagram-able” concession items. In fact, the Gateway Grizzlies of Sauget, Illinois, are often credited with creating the Krispy Kreme burger — a caloric concoction that substitutes Krispy Kreme doughnuts for burger buns — back in 2006.
But when Wichita’s new minor league ballpark — Riverfront Stadium — opened last May, its concession offerings were pretty run-of-the-mill. Though attendees were naturally excited about the Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers stand that the ballpark included, the most exciting offerings fans could find were hot dogs and pretzels.
And when they did find them, the lines to get them were often frustratingly long.
All that will change during the second season at the park, which launches on Friday night with a game vs. the Tulsa Drillers. In January, the Wind Surge brought new food and beverage manager Jason Wilson on board, and his goals since arriving have been solving the long-line issue and adding several head-turning, photo-worthy items to the menu.
“Food is part of the experience when you come to the ballpark,” said Wilson, an El Paso native who has made a career leading food service in minor league ballparks across the country. “So you’ve got to have what I call ‘Instagram-able moments,’” he said.
Gut-busters
Wilson has now added a list of gut-busting, oversized menu items that will get people talking — and racing to the concession stands to get their own. Among the new inventions: three types of piled-high loaded nachos big enough to feed two. One variety is topped with pulled pork. Another, called Pepper Belly Fritos, features a pile of corn chips topped with chili, cheese and jalapenos.
Wilson also created a new hot dog he’s calling the Wichita Dog, which is topped with pulled pork, pinto beans, coleslaw and barbecue sauce. Fans can also get foot-long hot dogs or foot-long brats topped with peppers and onions.
Finally, the Pegasus Steakhouse Burger is topped with bacon, cheese, steakhouse and a pile of fries served on the burger, inside the bun.
He’s also come up with a plan that should shorten the lines, he said. His first step was adding stations throughout the concourse where people could grab water, soda and beer from a cooler and pay an attendant. Many of the long lines, he said, were caused by people just standing in line for beverages.
Also, he’s moving the park’s new signature items — the head-turners listed above — to an underutilized concession stand near first base. This will pull crowds away from the two most popular concession stands behind home plate and on the third base line.
The changes are a start, Wilson said, and if they work how he thinks they will, even more wacky food items may be on the horizon.
“My goal this year was just to make the operation more efficient, add some exciting food and just improve the fan experience,” he said. “And then, once I feel like we’re in a good spot, there will be even more fun stuff.”
Gates for the Wind Surge’s season opener on Friday will open at 5:35 p.m., and the first pitch will be at 7:05 p.m. It will be followed by opening-night fireworks. Tickets are still available at windsurge.com.
This story was originally published April 7, 2022 at 1:58 PM.
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