The Minnesota Twins announced more food items to be sold this coming season at Target Field. Missing: Halsey Hall's iconic onion sandwich, but there's talk of Loon Cafe chili.For those growing up in Minnesota and 50 years of age and older, the name Halsey Hall will invoke a lot of memories. He was a Minneapolis Tribune columnist and a Minneapolis Millers broadcaster before coming on board for Twins TV broadcasts in the early days of the franchise.
Hall would occasionally take a detour or two during a broadcast, particularly in the later innings when his attention wandered. Then, he'd talk about whatever struck his fancy — and, very often, onion sandwiches. He loved those onion sandwiches. (So did my mother.)
So we're happy to see the name of Halsey Hall invoked during the Minnesota Twins' announcement of food items slated to be sold at Target Field by concessionaire Delaware North. Missing from the menu, though, is Hall's favorite onion sandwich.
Still, there are some unique and local offerings. On the menu at the left-field Town Ball Tavern: A Juicy Lucy (or Jucy Lucy, depending on whether you think the burger originated at Matt’s or the 5-8 Club), a burger filled with cheese. As the burger cooks on the grill the cheese melts; care must be taken during that first bite.
The concession offerings aren’t final; there’s talk of chili from the Loon Café in the works as well. The Loon Cafe has been an institution in the Warehouse District for decades, so it's appropriate the signature item from there is under consideration.
The concession stands at Target Field are branded with nine different themes, each with specific menu highlights. Three of the concession themes pay tribute to Twins greats: pitcher Frank Viola (Frankie V's Italian), broadcaster Halsey Hall (Halsey's Sausage Haus) and pitcher Juan Berenguer (Señor Smoke's):
Mill City Grill – featuring the signature Murray's Steak Sandwich and walleye fingers
Hennepin Grille – burgers, hot dogs, fries, chicken tenders
Frankie V's Italian – a variety of pizza, calzones, and an Italian chopped salad
North Shore Creamery – soft-serve sundaes, Twins helmet sundaes
Halsey's Sausage Haus – Italian and Polish sausage and jumbo hot dogs
Señor Smoke's – empanadas and other regional favorites such as nachos, burritos and tacos Taste of Twins Territory – beer-steamed brats, jumbo hot dogs and pretzels
State Fair Classics – walleye on-a-stick, pork chop on-a-stick and cheese curds
Twins Brews – craft and premium selections from Minnesota breweries. No official word on what will be offered, but we're told you'll see brews from Summit, Surly, Glueck and Schell.
In addition, other concepts are being developed for portable concessions carts that will supplement the permanent stands.
We'll have more on Target Field later this afternoon.
RELATED STORIES: Twins to feature local foods at Target Field
Share your news with the baseball community. Send it to us at editors@augustpublications.com.
Subscribers to the weekly Ballpark Digest newsletter see features before they're posted to the site. You can sign up for a free subscription at the Newsletter Signup Page.
Join Ballpark Digest on Facebook and on Twitter!