What do you get when you mix half a million fans, 72 home baseball games and a giant yellow bird? A five-month downtown party!
For Mud Hens’ fans like Debbie Charles, the season’s return makes her think of Muddy’s Sea Salt Slam ice cream. “I know you can buy it in stores but it’s better in the tiny helmets!” she said. For Marisa Rains, it’s the enticing ballpark smells, like hot dogs wafting through the air. For Jan Gill Jurkiewicz, it’s giant beer in keeper cups.
Whatever your tastes or reason, food and beverages play a big role in creating fun before, during and after a Mud Hens game. To help plan your day, Toledo City Paper presents an epicurean guide to the season (opposite page). Many downtown bars and restaurants were still planning opening-day festivities as we went to press. The Hens’ opening-day plans include live music, drink specials and an all-you-can-eat buffet.
The Hens open their 2014 season Friday, April 4, with a 4 p.m. home game. This year’s season opener will be unlike any in Fifth Third Field’s 12-year history: the Hens are sharing a regular-season game with the Walleye. The Walleye finish its regular season with a 7:15 p.m. game a few blocks away at Huntington Center. (Combo tickets are available for $25 from the Hens’ website.)
After the Hens’ game, the University of Toledo Marching Band will lead fans from the ballpark in a boisterous procession down to Huntington Center.
Beer tastings
The Hens launched the tastings halfway through the 2012 season. The event has expanded each year; four will be offered this year: May 16, June 6, July 5 and Aug. 1. For $40, patrons get an all-you-can-eat buffet, 20 2-ounce samples and a souvenir glass. If that doesn’t whet your appetite, the stadium offers 50 beers.
Expanded lineup
Expanded lineupFifth Third Field is a major food destination by itself, with 21 dining options. This year, 19 food items are being introduced, from Chicken and Waffle Bites to a Mac and Cheese Dog. Most are available throughout the stadium, either at a fast-casual dining restaurant or quick-service dining station. But six, including Asian Dumplings and Portabella Sandwich, are offered only at the Bird Cage Bar and Grill. While A Cut Above Catering, the food business arm of the Mud Hens, has high hopes for the new lineup, hot dogs and popcorn remain top-selling items. (The stadium opens either 60 or 90 minutes before a game, depending upon the day.)
Teatotalers, rejoice!
The Hens play three games starting at 10:30 a.m. and two at noon. That means breakfast food and coffee, naturally. Among the options you will find around the stadium are Flying Rhino Coffee & Chocolate Bar, 436 13th St.; Michael's Café & Bakery, 101 Main St.; Downtown Latte, 44 S. St. Clair St.; Petit Fours Patisserie & Cafe, 27 Broadway St.; and Bleak House Coffee, 612 Adams St.
Bada-boom, ka-boom!
Bada-boom, ka-boom!Nothing settles the stomach quite like a fireworks show! According to the Hens’ schedule, 27 post-game fireworks displays are planned, starting May 9 and ending Aug. 24. That means plenty of late post-game dining opportunities.
| 1. Big C’s SmokeBar B Que 316 N. Michigan St.
2. Blarney Irish Pub 601 Monroe St. 3. Bretz Nightclub 2012 Adams St. 4. City Grill 421 N. Huron St. 5. Coney Island Hot Dog 430 N. Superior St. 6. El Varquero (The Docks) 7. Forrester’s on the River (The Docks) 8. Fricker’s @ the Field 19 N. St. Clair St. 9. Georgio’s Café International 426 N. Superior St. 10. Glass City Café 1107 Jackson Ave. 11. Home Slice Pizza 28 S. St. Clair St. 12. ICE Restaurant and Bar 405 Madison Ave. 13. Lazeez Mediterranean Cuisine 337 N. St. Clair St. 14. Le Pam Pam Pizza & Subs 901 Madison Ave. 15. MainStreet Bar & Grill 141 Main St. 16. Manhattan’s Restaurant 1516 Adams St. 17. Manos Greek Restaurant 1701 Adams St. 18. Maumee Bay Brew Co. (Oliver House) 27 Broadway St. 19. Maumee Bay Brew Pub (Oliver House) 27 Broadway St. 20. Michael’s Bar and Grill 901 Monroe St. 21. Mickey Finn’s Pub 602 Lagrange |
22. Mutz Sports Bar (at The Oliver House) 27 Broadway St.
23. Our Brothers Place 233 N. Huron St. 24. Packo’s at the Park 7 S. Superior St. 25. Pita Pit 30 S. St. Clair St. 26. PizzaPapalis Chicago Pizza 519 Monroe St. 27. Real Seafood Co. (The Docks) 28. Registry Bistro 144 N. Superior St. 29. Rockwell’s (Oliver House) 27 Broadway St. 30. Table 44 610 Monroe St. 31. Tequila Sheila’s 702 Monroe St. 32. The Attic on Adams 1701 Adams St. 33. The Bar 513 Jefferson Ave. 34. The Bronze Boar 20 S. Huron St. 35. The Café (Oliver House) 27 Broadway St. 36. The Ottawa Tavern 1817 Adams St. 37. The Spaghetti Warehouse 42 S. Superior St. 38. Weekdays 614 Adams St. 39. Wesley’s Bar & Grill 1201 Adams St. 40. Ye Olde Cock n Bull 21. 9 N. Huron St. 41. Ye Olde Durty Bird 2 S. St. Clair St. 42. Zia’s (The Docks) |
