Although the view of Shane Victorino‘s backside kept me fairly sated at a recent Nationals vs. Phillies game, I also required some real food in between sips of my $7 pint of Miller Lite.
My boyfriend, a regular meat eater, ordered easily from the server in the 100 section of center field. Our limited menu there consisted of burgers (beef and turkey), tenders, and dogs. I hoped the chicken Caesar wrap could be fixed minus chicken, but they were pre-made so the answer from our server was a quick no.
What could a vegetarian eat? I rescanned the menu and choose a soft pretzel and split fries with my companion. I thought, hey, if everyone else gets a pass on eating healthy on game nights, why should I not indulge too?
I have since scanned the rest of the stadium concessions guide and put together a list, a sort of guide to the guide, if you will, on how to eat meat-free while watching Jayson Werth take the Nats to last place in the division. Herewith, my vegetarian batting rotation:
1. Cheese Pizza
You know what combats sizzling humidity mid-summer: sizzling cheese.
From: Flippin’ Pizza
Where: Section 214
2. Hummus and Chips
Keep your protein up – you’ll probably have to stand up to cheer for this year’s breakout, Wilson Ramos.
From: In-seat Menu
Where: Throughout stadium
3. Soft Pretzel
What better way to up your mustard intake than a salty pretzel. Be warned, don’t let the Gulden’s mustard packets fool you: there’s yellow mustard inside, not its famous spicy.
Where: Throughout stadium
4. Black Bean Burger
Use the no booze rule after the 7th inning stretch to refuel before post-game drinks at Das Bullpen‘s “beer garden.”
From: Red Porch Restaurant
Where: Section 244
5. Sno Cones
Is your beer not keeping you cool enough? Try ice.
From: Hawaiian Shaved Ice
Where: Section 143
6. Veggie Wrap
I get it. It’s beach weather. Way to stick to your diet.
From: Field of Greens
Where: Sections 110
7. Falafel
Certified kosher by the Rabbinical Council of Greater Washington, eating falafel is basically like praying for a win.
From: Kosher Grill
Where: Section 143
8. Gelato
Ice cream, it’s what’s for dinner.
From: Dolce Gelati
Where: Sections 112, 135
9. French Fries
Oh, fuck it. You know you could eat fries for a meal, like, every day, might as well use the game as an excuse.
Where: Throughout stadium
Photo by lrargerich/Creative Commons Attribution License