Baseball is back in the Biggest Little City, with the Reno Aces taking the field against the Albuquerque Isotopes, Friday night. You might notice a difference in this year's food menu at Aces home games. The ballpark's newest creation is the Buffalo Mac and Cheese Waffle. The concoction is like an open-faced sandwich with buffalo chicken, macaroni and cheese, and blue cheese slaw.
"You can almost eat it like a really large nacho or crunch it in half, eat it like a sandwich," Taylor Park, Aces Executive Chef said. "Either way, it's meant to kind of have that curb appeal."
You can also order waffles at two barbecue carts inside the ballpark, and load them up with brisket or pulled pork. Park says it's not just food. It's an experience.
"A lot of major league and minor league ballparks are all doing something kind of cool, a little edgy or new," Park said. "So, this is kind of our version of it."
The kitchen staff is cooking up much more than that though. Hot dogs are a ballpark staple. But you can even get bacon-stuffed sausage, Cuban Pork Panini, or a Dagwood Bomber. Items like the Triple Play Sandwich and Souvenir Nachos are also making a return. But you might need something to wash it down.
"We have a lot of good beers at Stand 4, now," Park said. "A lot of good craft beers, around the stadium, a really good grapefruit beer. There's a bunch of other things going on here, too."
Baseball season means more than 300 jobs around the ballpark, and many of the vendors come from northern Nevada.
"We try to carry as many local products as we possibly can," Eric Edelstein, President of the Reno Aces said. "We obviously work with local distributors for soft drinks and our beer and spirit purveyors, Carson City Sausage Factory."
The field is ready, the lineup is set, and Edelstein says there's a lot of reasons for fans to be excited for the next 72 home games.
"You're coming here to try the food, you're coming here to enjoy time with friends, and you get to see a really great quality game," Edelstein said.
While baseball games can offer a different experience for different people, one thing is for sure. It's never the same, twice.
"This is like live action dinner theater," Edelstein said. "Every day is a different play though."
"There's something for everybody here," Park said. "So, you can come have a great time."
