Angel Stadium is sauntering up to the plate with new menu items this season, offering fans a range of new concession and premium suite dining options. Culinary highlights will include s’mores waffles and sundaes, esquites cups with crushed chili-lime chips, char siu mac and cheese, and a hot dog creation topped with fries.
“It’s definitely a collaboration between Legends [the stadium’s hospitality management] and the Angels,” said Dennis Radcliffe, executive chef for the Angels. “We have great discussions between us and get great feedback from the guests themselves, which then directs our research and development process.”
When asked what culinary revamp he looks forward to the most this season, Radcliffe, a graduate of Le Cordon Bleu, who oversees anywhere from 100 to 150 cooks during the season, said, “For this year, specifically, changing up Crafty Dog was a big goal for me.”
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The media were invited to taste a handful of the new dishes on Monday, March 24 before the home opener on Friday, April 4. Here are some of the menu highlights baseball fans can look forward to this season.
La Rotisserie’s new baked potato with shredded chicken, sour cream, cheese sauce and green onions. (Section 114)
Crafty Mac & Mash will offer a macaroni and cheese bowl topped with char siu pork belly and green onions; a beef brisket bowl with barbecue sauce and a jalapeño cornbread crumble; and potato bowls replete with sundry toppings. (Section 237)
Crafty Dog, in particular, has upped its game with the Cali Dog, a weenie concoction of marinated carne asada, french fries, pico de gallo, sour cream and pickled jalapeños) and the Legends Dog featuring smoked brisket, braised red cabbage and a fried pickle. (1st base food court)
Strawberries were a big contender at the tasting event (small wonder with O.C.’s history with the red berry), with Walk-Off Waffles offering a strawberries and cream iteration, as well as a s’mores version for those who eschew fruit and cream in favor of chocolaty goodness. (Sections 232, 412, 1st base food court)
Leaning into the mainstream popularity of elote, new esquites cups filled with roasted corn, lime crema and cotija cheese topped with crushed, red chili lime chips are up for grabs, as well as chicharron nachos with beef birria, cheese and sliced radish. (Section 260) And all Corner Market locations (sections 123, 221, 305 and 342) will feature a new buffalo chicken wrap with shredded chicken, jalapeño coleslaw, buffalo ranch dressing and cheese.
Other lighter faire includes a Mediterranean bowl with jasmine rice or greens that comes with cucumber salad, feta, roasted tomatoes, roasted corn, pickled red onions, garbanzo beans, crushed avocado, hummus, lemon-herb dressing and more (Section 317) and a grilled chicken panini. (Section 334)
White chocolate lovers can rise for the new strawberries-and-cream cookies packed with milky chocolate chips and a delightfully strawberry-forward flavor. (Sections 106, 226, 428) Meanwhile, brown butter afficionados can enjoy dainty brown butter tarts this season. (Section 114)
Inaugural sweet fare at Brewery X include a s’mores sundae comprised of a brownie base, vanilla ice cream, Speculoos cookie and a dollop of torched meringue and a lemon meringue cake also finished with torched meringue. Savory items include a crispy chicken sandwich with smoked cheddar and Korean nachos with marinated chicken, jalapeño cheese sauce, pickled cucumber and kimchi aioli.
In-seat orders will include birria egg rolls (birria, mozzarella, beef consume) and a lunch plate (shoyu chicken, steamed rice, macaroni salad and shaved cabbage
And inside the stadium’s tony Diamond Club, guests can enjoy al pastor pork leg with crispy skin inside a tortilla with pineapple pico de gallo and salsa macha or a dirty arancini in arrabiata sauce, in addition to the luxury club’s regular food and wine menu.
The crown of suites will also see top-drawer options this season, which include, fittingly, a lobster roll packed with citrus-poached lobster and tarragon dressing; salt and pepper shrimp with yakisoba stir fry and bok choy; a peach slab tart with stewed peaches and a sugar crumb topping; and a butterscotch tart featuring a butterscotch custard topped with chantilly cream. For a healthier option, guests can enjoy the Tabla De Arrachera, a generous offering of grilled skirt steak, crispy fingerling potatoes, grilled onions, pico de gallo, corn ribs and corn tortillas.
The Angels home opener is Friday, April 4 against the Cleveland Guardians.