The Minnesota Twins are not shy about changing things up at Target Field, whether with new group areas (the case in 2016) or exciting new food options (pretty much annually). This season sees the introduction of several menu items, most with strong local ties.
This year the emphasis is on new local food offerings, and they’re all worth checking out this season. Yes, we’re always partial to a Kramarczuk’s sausage and a Grain Belt Premium, but the 2017 newcomers may make us break that habit and try something new.
Speaking of Kramarczuk’s: everyone’s favorite Nordeast eatery has expanded its Target Field empire past some of the best sausages on the planet with the Kurd-Marczuk: Polish sausage and deep-fried cheese curds topped with salty brown grave and Pepper Jack cheese. (It’s shown at the top of the page.) Think poutine sans the French fries. It’s served at a portable stand near Section 100. (If you want poutine with the French fries, Red Cow served a version at a stand near Section 234.)
For many Minneapolitans, the mere mention of Murray’s will draw instant cravings for a famous Silver Butter Knife Steak, so tender you don’t need a steak knife—you can cut it with a butter knife. (Many Minnesotans will also remember when the legendary Sid Hartman would conclude a radio interview of the Twins player by offering him a $25 certificate for a Silver Butter Knife Steak.) While Silver Butter Knife Steaks are not on the Target Field menu, alas, there is a worthy dish sold under the Murray’s name: a smoked beef sandwich. It’s a quarter-pound of lean smoked beef, flavored with a brine of steak seasoning, salt and sugar. The beef is served on a bun slathered with garlic butter. Murray’s is just down Sixth Street from the ballpark, but this sandwich makes you feel like you’re there. It’s served at a portable stand near Section 116. (You can find a more traditional take on a Murray’s Steak Sandwich at the Townball Tavern.)
If talk of smoked beer and Polish sausage puts you off, a new vegetarian offering from the trendy Herbivorous Butcher is worth a walk. Vegetarian version of brats and Italian sausages, served on vegan buns, are served at a portable booth near Section 129. They are spicy; don’t pass on the onions.
Finally, we have one last unique new food offering from a local restaurant: a shrimp boil from the portable 4 Bells stand near Section 114. A shrimp boil may be an unusual offering for ballpark fare, but it seems to work at Target Field.
As noted, the Twins and concessionaire Delaware North certainly have put an emphasis on an abundance of unique offerings at Target Field: there are a lot of foodies in the Twin Cities, and most of them will be happy with the variety of food at Target Field. Whether it’s a local microbrew from Fulton (within walking distance of the ballpark), whole pies from Pizza Lucé (again, within walking distance of the ballpark) or some sort of notable international dish from TV personality Andrew Zimmern, Target Field has it all.
Images courtesy Minnesota Twins.
RELATED STORIES: SunTrust Park Preview: Design, Highlights and More; New York Yankees: Yankee Stadium Preview; Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodger Stadium Preview; Washington Nationals, Nationals Park Preview; Boston Red Sox: Fenway Park Preview; St. Louis Cardinals: Busch Stadium Preview; Arizona Diamondbacks, Chase Field Preview; Tampa Bay Rays, Tropicana Field Preview