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Just as Denver’s dining scene has improved over the past few years, so too have the food options inside and around Coors Field. As homegrown restaurants have taken up residence inside the ballpark, baseball fans will find plenty more than peanuts and Cracker Jacks to snack on. With the Rockies’ Opening Day game against the LA Dodgers going down this Friday, April 7, and at least six months of games to follow, we’ve mapped out a few home run food and drink options for game day.
Batting Practice: Pregaming
Attempting to meet up with your friends in the crowd outside Coors Field is a headache. Your best bet is to convene at a nearby watering hole before the first pitch and grab (cheaper) drinks and bites. Just two blocks south of the field, Star Bar (2137 Larimer St., 720-328-2420) features 14 taps of Colorado craft beer and a bar team that will steer you toward a palate-pleasing classic or creative cocktail.
Just a stone’s throw away is Biker Jim’s Gourmet Dogs (2148 Larimer St., 720-746-9355), where the far-from-ordinary hot dogs are nothing like the standard ones sold inside the ballpark. Options include everything from a wild boar dog topped with caramelized onions and cream cheese to an elk-jalapeño sausage loaded with tomatillo-green chile salsa, Sriracha-lime mayo, and smoked bacon bits. Sip a craft brew (such as the Summit Sunrise red rye IPA from Denver Beer Company) or just stick with $2 PBR.
First Pitch: Burgers & Beer
By the time first pitch is thrown, you’ll want to be in your seat with a brew in one hand and a bite in the other. For a classic ballpark nosh, opt for one of the crave-worthy burgers from the Rockie’s great Todd Helton’s namesake Helton Burger Shack behind section 153 in left field. The grilled beef patties come topped with caramelized onions, pickles, and special sauce. Wash it down with—what else?— an icy pint of Coors Banquet.
If you’re ready for a (slightly) more gourmet experience, head to Chuburger on the right field rooftop, which dishes up an abridged menu of the same locally sourced, craft-casual burgers you’d find at its Longmont and newly opened RiNo counterparts. Pair your burger with a hand-spun milkshake or an Oskar Blues beer—we recommend the classic Dale’s Pale Ale.
Rain Delay: Mid-Game Break
This being Colorado, most Rockies fans are well aware that the weather can turn from sunny skies to torrential downpours in an instant. When a rain delay inevitably strikes, you can wait it out standing under the cover of the main concourse or you could dash across the street to Jackson’s (1520 20th St., 303-298-7625) instead. (Just be sure to get your hand stamped so you can come back when the storm subsides.) The longstanding sports bar has daily drink specials, including $5 mules on Mondays and $2.50 local beers on Tuesdays.
If you’d rather stay inside Coors Field but still want to grab a drink while you wait out the storm, head to Rio on the Rocks on the second level in right field for one of the famously potent margaritas.
Extra Innings: Post-Game Pick-Me-Ups
Whether you’re clinking glasses in celebration of clinching the NL West or drowning your sorrows after another missed playoff berth, you’ll want to decompress and refuel after the game. There’s no better place to do it than Ophelia’s Electric Soapbox (1215 20th St., 303-993-8023), just a three-minute walk down 20th Street. Justin Cucci’s “gastro-brothel” offers an easy transition from ballpark food with creative-yet-approachable dishes including truffled mushroom flatbreads, wagyu beef sliders, and stout-teriyaki duck wings.
Got an indecisive group? Head to Avanti Food & Beverage (3200 Pecos St., 720-269-4778) just west of Coors Field. This two-year-old food hall showcases seven distinct restaurant concepts and comes equipped with a rooftop patio and bars on both levels. From a classic margherita pizza ($7.50) at Brava Pizzeria to spicy salmon rolls at Bamboo Sushi, Avanti has something for every craving. Bonus: All of the dishes cost $15 or less.
All concessions at Coors Field:
• Buckaroos – A concession stand for kids featuring child sized items – Section 149
Chuburger – Section 303
• Extreme Dog – Sections 130, 144, 331
• Fanfare (hot dogs) – Sections 109, 119, 128, 139, 157, 312, 318, 327, 338, 344, 401, 403
• Frozen Yogurt – Section 150, 330
• Grilled Chicken Sandwich – Sections 125, 144, 218, 226, 239, 243, 303, 323, 335 and Chuburger
• Grille Works (Rockie dogs, burgers, etc.) – Sections 115, 125, 134, 144, 204, 218, 226, 239, 243, 316, 323, 331, 335
• Ice Cream (soft serve) – Sections 109, 119, 128, 139, 149, 157, 218, 226, 239, 312, 327
• Nachos – Sections 109, 119, 128, 139, 157, 204, 218, 226, 243, 301, 306, 312, 318, 327, 330, 338, 344, 401, 403, Buckaroos, in-seats on Wells Fargo Club and portable location at section 119
• Pizza (personal) – Sections 119, 134, 149, 204, 226, 239, 312, 327
• Pizza Pie – Section 137
• Rocky Mountain Oysters – Section 144
• Wazee Market – Italian specialty pizza, deli sandwiches – Section 137
The following is a list of healthy foods throughout the ballpark:
• Buffalo Dogs – Section 115
• Chicken Sandwich – Grille Works at sections 125, 144, 218, 226, 239, 243, 323, 335
• Frozen Yogurt – Section 150
• Gluten Free – Section 142
• Infield Greens Salad – Section 120, Mountain Ranch
• Salad Wraps – Section 120
• Turkey Wraps – Section 120 and in-seat service on Wells Fargo Club
• Veggie Burger and Dog – Section 134, 323
• Veggie Cold Sandwich – Section 137
• Veggie Panini – Section 137
• Veggie Pizza – Section 137
The following is a list of portable concession stands throughout the ballpark:
• Beers of the World – Sections 106, 124, 134, 146, 314, 316
• Colorado Craft Beers – Sections 121, 136, 151, 327
• Famous Daves BBQ – Section 149
• Fresh Popcorn – Section 134
• Portable Grills – Sections 107, 117, 142, 147, 157, 311, 321, 341
The following is a list of specialty items within Coors Field:
• Barbacoa Carnitas – Sections 139, 218, 239
• Berrie Kabobs – Section 132
• Blake Street Burrito – Section 134
• Bratwurst – Sections 115, 125, 134, 137, 144, 204, 218, 226, 239, 243, 306, 316, 323, 335, portable stands 107, 117, 142, 157, 311, 321, 341
• Buffalo Hot Dogs – Grill Stand Section 115
• Denver Cheese Steaks – Sections 115, 133, 306, 330 and in-seats on Wells Fargo Club
• Frozen Margaritas – Sections 202, 221, 236, 330, The Ballpark Tavern
• Gluten Free – Sections 111, 142
• Handmade Burgers – Section 153, CHUBurger 303
• Infield Greens Salad – Section 120
• Liquor Bars – Sections 124, 135, 201, 221, 236, 314, 330 at the Clocktower, 112 at Blue Moon Brewing Co., Mountain Ranch Bar & Grille, in-seat service on Wells Fargo Club, Rio on the Rocks, Tavern Ballpark, Jack Daniels Terrace
• Loaded Tater Tots – Sections 137, 226, 243
• Margaritas – Sections 106, 118, 124, 134, 135, 139, 201, 221, 236, 314, Rooftop
• Milkshakes – Section 153, Chuburger
• Monster Chicken Nacho – Sections 109, 128, 218, 243, 330, 331
• Onion Rings – Section 153
• Sausage on a Stick – Section 149
• Simply Nuts – Section 140
• Steak Sandwich – Section 137
• Veggie Selections – Sections 120, 134