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Midseason Cubs Improvements: At the Ballpark, Not the Field

Lucky Dorr

To underscore the fact that the makeover of Wrigley Field is an ongoing process, the Chicago Cubs have implemented three changes — big and small — to the ballpark, to the area and to the fan experience in recent weeks.

The biggest change happened outside the ballpark with the opening of two new bars at The Park at Wrigley, the new building on the so-called triangle lot next to Wrigley Field between Clark Street and Waveland Avenue. The first is the Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern, a 15,000-square-foot bar/restaurant named both for the Cubs’ major beer partner and legendary broadcaster Jack Brickhouse. Actually, four bars can be found scattered throughout the Budweiser Brickhouse Tavern, with plenty of Bud and Goose Island brews available. The food is pub grub: pretzels, burgers, sandwiches, pizza and salads. It’s not the place to lovingly linger over a three-course meal; it’s the place to grab a $9 (!) 20-ounce Bud or Bud Light while waiting for the gates to open.

In the same Park at Wrigley complex is Lucky Dorr, named for longtime Wrigley Field caretaker Bobby Dorr. The focus, not surprisingly, is on beer, but not Bud: 20 taps provide plenty of Chicago microbrews from the likes of Revolution, Half Acre, 3 Floyds and Dovetail. Yes, there are some bar snacks on the menu, but the emphasis is on beer, beer and more beer. It’s a small place — just 700 square feet.

Finally, the Cubs are unveiling a new stand, DanZtand, featuring kosher food. The offerings: Romanian hot dogs, Romanian Polish Sausages, Super Pretzels, and drinks. The stand opens tonight. Love these quotes from Tablet:

“It’s extremely exciting,” said the unimprovably named Sam Mashiach, a partner of Danziger Kosher Midwest. “It took 100 plus years for the Cubs to win a world championship, and it took 100 plus years for kosher food to get to Wrigley.”

Mashiach met with Cubs executives and convinced them that Kosher was the way to go.

“Chicago is known for their hot dogs and we’re obviously trying to bring the best kosher food there,” Mashiach said. He explained that non-kosher Wrigley-goers have just as much reason to be excited as the kosher clientele. He described the hot dogs as being extremely tasty, juicy, and healthier, lacking harsh chemicals found in other meats, and having an “elite status above the rest.”

Image Lucky Dorr courtesy Folk Art Management, which manages the bar.

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