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Opening Day for the Rockies is just around the corner and, as the Ballpark neighborhood grows, it offers sports fans options beyond the simple hot dog and overpriced Coors Light beer. If there's time to spare before the game, try a Korean BBQ Rib Sandwich at Vesta Dipping Grill, the wild boar dog at Biker Jim's Dogs or enjoy a selection of 150+ beers at Falling Rock Taphouse. The stadium has a few solid bets as well, including the Wok in the Park food truck and Helton Burger Shack. Guests at Coors Field are also permitted to bring food into the stadium, so check the list of permitted items and consider grabbing something extra delicious on the way to the game.
In honor of the the upcoming baseball season, here's a guide for what to eat at and around Coors Field.
Five Ballpark Area Standouts
Falling Rock Taphouse, 1919 Blake Street.: Named one of the top 100 beer bars in American by Draft Magazine, Falling Rock Taphouse offers 80+ beers on tap and 130+ bottled beers. This is definitely a destination for the beer lover in search of variety and a selection that ranges from Russian River Damnation to Lost Abbey Red Barn and Blanche de Bruxelles. What more? There are specialty selections such as mead, cider and cask beers, as well as a gluten-free collection in bottles and on tap. The food menu is diverse and provides an adequate selection of sandwiches, salads, burgers and appetizers.
Vesta Dipping Grill, 1822 Blake Street: Beginning April 5, the restaurant will offer Pre-Game Pop-Ups, a special ballgame food-centric event created by chef Brandon Biederman that will feature Korean BBQ Rib Sandwiches and Fresh Fruit Cups sweetened with agave syrup and chili lime. Specials outside of this regular menu may pop-up throughout the season as well. Both the sandwiches and the fruit cups will be available out front of Vesta, 90 minutes before every Rockies Day Game, and select evening games throughout the Rockies 2013 season. Korean BBQ Rib Sandwiches will run fans $6, and Fresh Fruit Cups $4. Both will be packed and ready to be eaten on the way to the game or at the seats.
Wynkoop Brewing, 1634 18th Street: It is Colorado’s first brewpub afterall, so it's definitely a staple pregame destination. The 25 year old LoDo institution founded by a group of urban pioneers led by now Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper offers many brews made in-house, including the now infamous Oyster Stout, a beer made with bulls' testicles. These beers are matches with the food menu that includes brewpub staples as well as specialities like mighty red gumbo, mashers and bangers (Scottish sausage, mustard sauce, kraut, mashed potatoes), stout braised pot roast and buttermilk fried chicken.
Biker Jim's Dogs, 2148 Larimer Street: For anyone in search of a truly above average dog, Biker Jim's is your place. It's also an Eater 38 essential. The brick and mortar location of what first started as a food cart offers dog options that include elk jalapeno cheddar, wild boar, rattlesnack & pheasant, duck cilantro and many, many more. The brats you will find on the menu are locally raised and produced by artisan sausage makers. Top your dog with awesome things like caramelized onions, cream cheese, harissa roasted cactus and wasabi aioli. Biker Jim's offers a selection of craft beer and a few cocktails as well.
Marco's Coal-Fired Pizza, 2129 Larimer Street: Pizza isn't hard to come by inside of Coors Field, but really good pizza should be pursued outside of the stadium. Marco's is definitely worth the short walk, and it's also an Eater 38 essential. Get down on a pizza Napoletana, a New York-style pizza or build the ultimate dream pie. Marco's also offers gluten-free crust — it's supposed to be pretty good, too.
* indicates special Eater recommendations
Main Concourse
*Mountain Ranch Bar & Grille: A full restaurant inside Coors Field, serving a menu stacked with a decent selection of appetizers, sandwiches, salads and entrees. Reservations are encouraged and guests can arrive up to an hour and an half early. (right field corner)
*Wok in the Park: Believed to be the first on-site stadium food truck, Wok in the Park dishes out noodles and egg rolls. (near section 150)
Aliki Pizza: Typical stadium fare, including beer, soda, ice cream, pizza, pretzels, Cracker Jacks, candy, peanuts and sunflower seeds. (section 119)
Buckaroos: An excellent option for those with kids. Buckaroos features tiny tot hot dogs, mini burgers, kid's pizza, dinger nuggets, lil'l pretzels and nachos. (section 148)
Blake Street Burrito: Just as the name implies, this is the place to satisfy burrito cravings. They serve chicken, steak and pork green chili. Beer and margaritas can also be found here. (section 134)
Fan Fare:All concession needs, including polish sausage, super dogs and pizza. (sections 109, 129, 139, 157)
Gluten-Free: Yes, there are gluten-free options at Coors Field, including gluten-free chicken sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, brownies, cookies — even beer! (section 142)
Grille Works: Concession favorites are covered at Grille Works. Plus, there's Hebrew National Rockie Dog and those novelty baseball sundaes. (sections 114, 126, 144)
*Helton Burger Shack: Ah yes, the Helton burger. It's been coined one of the best burgers in baseball, topped with grilled onions, pickles and a special sauce. Paired with some onion rings and a shake, it's a win. (section 153)
Madeline's (151): When it's hot, and soft serve is a must, Madeline's is the place.
Blue Moon Brewing Company @ the Sandlot (section 111): A place where Blue Moon really gained a fan base, Blue Moon Brewing Company also specializes in baseball-themed beers. The pub will debut Blue Moon Farmhouse Red Ale this season, a sour beer available at The Sandlot and at select Coors Field vendors.
Wazee Market (section 137): Pizza varieties galore, wrapped hot dogs, pork sandwiches, spicy Italian sausages, chicken parmesan sandwiches, and brisket sandwiches.
Wazee Bar: Full service bar with liquor, wine, and beer. (section 135)
*Xtreme Dog: Serious ballpark franks dressed with the good stuff. Examples include the Rockies bacon blue dog (blue cheese crumbles and dressing, bacon, red onion) and the Denver dog (cheddar, green chili sauce, jalapeno). (sections 130, 144)
Right Field Greens: It is possible to avoid fried food, nacho cheese, hot dogs and greasy burgers at the ballpark. Right Field Greens offers a build-your-own salad bar. (section 120)
Club Level
Aliki Pizza: Typical stadium fare, including beer, soda, ice cream, pizza, pretzels, Cracker Jacks, candy, peanuts and sunflower seeds. {section 205)
Club Grill: Located in multiple places around the stadium, the Club Grill has standard ballpark grub covered: beer, margaritas, Rockie dogs, footlong dogs, bratwurst, burgers, chicken, pizza and nachos. (sections 218, 226, 239, 243)
Club Level Bar: Full service bar with liquor, wine, and beer. (sections 219, 238)
Java City: Coffee, candy and ice cream. (section 223)
Upper Concourse
Aliki Pizza: Typical stadium fare, including beer, soda, ice cream, pizza, pretzels, Cracker Jacks, candy, peanuts and sunflower seeds. (sections 312, 327)
Fan Fare All concession needs, including polish sausage, super dogs and pizza. (sections 301, 306, 313, 319, 328, 340, 344)
Grille Works: Concession favorites are covered at Grille Works. Plus, there's Hebrew National Rockie Dog and those novelty baseball sundaes. (sections 317, 325, 335)
*Xtreme Dog: Serious ballpark franks dressed with the good stuff. Examples include the Rockies bacon blue dog (blue cheese crumbles and dressing, bacon, red onion) and the Denver dog (cheddar, green chili sauce, jalapeno). (section 331)
Yard Ball Yogurt: Just a few offerings here, including Ice cream, beer and soda. (section 330)
Clocktower Bar: Full service bar with liquor, wine, and beer. (section 331)
Cocktail Bar: Full service bar with liquor, wine, and beer. (section 315)