The Best (and Worst) Food to Eat at Minute Maid This Baseball Season
Orbit loves the AstroNautchos, and so do we.
Image: Courtesy Houston Astros
Baseball is back in full swing and we’re more than ready to see our Astros win (one can only hope this means another World Series celebration, too). Luckily for us, Minute Maid Park has also lined up a wide variety of ballpark food with the help of Aramark Sports + Entertainment, which introduced some new items this year.
As the first player stepped up to home plate on March 29, I arrived early to see what else Astros fans can find at the ballpark that goes beyond the usual hot dog and El Tiempo’s fan-favorite frozen margarita.
Unfortunately, after walking for what felt like more than a mile, I couldn’t find the Toss Up Chicken Sandwich, one of Aramark’s new food items—the effort I put in made me wish I had my Apple Watch on to count my steps. Sports fans who do find the sandwich will (hopefully) be treated to fried chicken tenders, candied jalapeños, cheddar, lettuce, sliced tomatoes, serrano pepper crema, and Yellowbird Blue Agave Sriracha Sauce on a Martin’s potato roll.
I was also disappointed to not have access to the Fowl Pole Jerk Chicken Sandwich, which is (supposedly) filled with coco bread, shredded smoked jerk chicken, roasted pineapple, scotch bonnet pepper slaw, green onions, and cilantro jerk aioli. The sandwich, located in section 231, is only for guests who buy Honda Club tickets.
Here’s my report on some of the new food items at Minute Maid Park that I could get my hands on.
We were disappointed by the "crawfish" pretzel.
Image: Sofia Gonzalez
DAT Creole
Near center field
I was excited to go to this spot by chef Danny Trace of Potente because I wanted to make up for a bad crawfish experience I had this year, but unfortunately, I’m still hoping to make up for it. Located near the Astros team store, this New Orleans–inspired stand offers menu items such as crawfish fried rice, Creole smoked turkey leg, giant crawfish pretzel, firecracker pork skins, and a Cajun root beer float.
As a fan of giant pretzels and crawfish, I opted for the crawfish pretzel, which turned out to be both disappointing and misleading. The “garlic” pretzel was hard, dry, and did not taste of garlic. The “crawfish” is in a sauce that tastes exactly like Velveeta—greatly overpowering any sort of crawfish flavor—and is either drizzled on the pretzel or on the side. It was a waste of $13.
I would rather pay for a giant pretzel from H-Town Grill, which has three locations in the stadium—but if you want a fresh batch, make sure to grab one during the early innings.
Maven offers cocktails like an espresso martini and a Houston paloma.
Image: Courtesy Houston Astros
Maven Coffee & Cocktails
Near section 104
As a big coffee drinker, I was excited to learn that Minute Maid Park has brought back its partnership with Maven Coffee this season. For those who don’t know: Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. is one of the founders.
Right off the bat (pun totally intended) I was greeted with great hospitality from the workers. Everyone has raved about the bar’s frozen espresso martini, and as someone who bursts into hives after drinking vodka, I asked the bartenders for a shaken espresso martini with tequila. The staff had no problem with the accommodation. The $23 cocktail tasted great, was not overwhelming with tequila, and is something I don’t find often. Since I loved this so much, I can only imagine how amazing the frozen one is. I can’t wait to go back to try the King Tuck’s margarita.
Tenders, Love and Chicken
Section 116
I was blown away by this stand. The chicken tenders here are nicely seasoned and tastier than the usual H-Town Grill vendor offerings. Diners can choose from its various sauces such as buffalo, ranch, sriracha honey hot, golden BBQ, “Boom Boom,” and hickory BBQ. As a fan of Pluckers Gold Rush wings, I have to say, I think the golden BBQ dipping sauce was the winner for me. The fries were nothing special, but still appetizing and worth the money if you’re hungry. Overall, it was $20 well spent.
There's plenty of meat to go around at the Butcher's Express.
Image: Courtesy Houston Astros
The Butcher’s Express
Section 152
I saved the best for last with this one. Before making the trek up to my seat, I tried the AstroNautchos ($17) at the Butcher Express. I enjoyed mine with pulled pork, pico de gallo, and a salsa that reminded me a lot of Ro-Tel.
The nachos can be crafted for any person’s liking—the order experience felt similar to Chipotle or Freebirds. Choose between options like fresh-fried ranch-dusted kettle chips, white queso, Breggy Bomb barbecue aioli (Alex Bregman’s brand), jalapeño slaw, pico de gallo, green onions, and fresh jalapeños with a choice of chopped brisket or pork burnt ends.
The vendor also expanded its house-smoked barbecue offerings this season. The particular location I visited also had baked potatoes, pulled pork, chopped brisket, and peanuts. This spot is the perfect place for anyone who isn’t afraid to get messy and enjoys a good volume of food.
