Last year, I wrote a somewhat provocative post about the food at our local Major League Baseball park, Coors Field. My observation was essentially that is offered the most uninspired ballpark fare in the entire league. While nearly every other MLB venue has creative and even-chef developed cuisine, the Rockies home park sticks the to basics of hot dogs, hamburgers and pizza. Its most exciting offerings were street tacos, barbecue and gourmet sausages - all of which are fine, but nothing that thrills most fans, especially me.

Well, what a difference a year makes. Someone in the team’s marketing offices must have heard Rockies’ fans’ (and maybe my) complaints, because they have made some progress in improving their food. Besides having the standard offerings and bringing back longtime favorites, they now have some items that demonstrate some innovation. I couldn’t try most of them, because some involve sharing with a small family, or a couple of friends with bottomless pit stomachs.

But I’m glad to see that Coors Field has stepped up and made the effort to join the rest of the MLB parks where food is concerned. Have they moved up in the rankings? They’re at least trending in the right direction.

(Note: most of my pictures of the food didn't come out well, so I have posted and credited other photos in all but one instance)

Glizzilla

I think every ballpark has some kind of gargantuan item that most people cannot finish on their own. At Coors, that is this nearly two-foot-long hot dog that comes in carrying case box. The name is a combination of “glizzy,” (slang for hot dog) and Godzilla (for obvious reasons). It’s topped with mac and cheese and green chile, but you can include other ingredients. It’s now become a video feature between innings with fans trying to eat it.

9-9-9- challenge

A corollary of the Glizzilla is this ordinary food challenge that gives fans nine mini-size hot dogs and nine flight size beers (about 4 ounces each) to finish over the nine innings of a regular game. So, while this might look like a massive amount of sustenance, it’s the equivalent of four regular hot dogs and two regular beers. And no, you don’t get anything to show for your efforts – except the need for chugging down Pepto Bismol later.

Pizza donuts

Some people love Krispy Kreme donut hamburgers, so I figured this was just someone experimenting with them and pizza toppings. I didn’t have the courage (or insanity) to try this, so I asked a vendor to take a picture of them for me instead. These are slathered with garlic butter and include marinara, mozzarella, parmesan and pepperoni, with a drizzle of pesto. Someday, I will ask someone what this tastes like. 

Taco Momalona

Had I not become hungry and impatient and gave up on going to the Sandlot Brewery, I would have chosen this item for my meal instead of a chicken sandwich (more about that later). This massive creation, made with brisket, pork belly, Chihuahua cheese, cabbage, gold barbecue sauce and held in fried tortilla box, sounded the most promising to me. The only thing I wouldn’t have liked about it would be the crushed Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Maybe I’ll try it next time.

Boozy ice cream

Well, this certainly sounded intriguing: an adult-oriented purple-blue soft serve in a mini-helmet cup and flavored with some kind of liquor. This was another thing I didn’t try, because it was between this and the Dubai cinnamon roll, and I chose the latter. But the word I’m gathering is that the so-called “boozy” aspect of this treat is non-existent, and no one knows what the booze is. So, it doesn’t sound like it would be worth the expected elevated price.

Mac on Deck

I love mac and cheese, and when someone can get creative with it, that’s all the better. JRS and I often order from a place near where we live that creates nearly two dozen types of this ultimate comfort food. Again, since I had to decide on just a few things to eat and drink, this place didn’t make our meal list. But I would eventually like to try one of their offerings here, which include loaded, buffalo style, ballpark, classic and vegan. I’d probably choose the loaded with bacon, cheddar jack, blue cheese, green onion and sour cream.

Wit Love

Another of my guilty pleasures is a cheesesteak This was probably the second option I would have chosen, but I was slight intimidated by the size of the sandwich. Again, I asked to take a photo of it and noticed that it was shave beef and melted cheese. I couldn’t tell if there were onions and pepper in the mix, but I would be good with the onions. Again, this is something I’d try at a future game.

Dubai cinnamon roll

These last two items were ones we tried. I must admit that I’m intrigued with anything Dubai chocolate, and variations of it seem to be everywhere. Basically, it’s chocolate with pistachio cream filling, phyllo crumbs and tahini. The cinnamon roll version at Coors takes these ingredients and covers them over a cinnamon roll with vanilla ice cream. It’s just adequate, with none of the flavors coming through. It just makes a decent sweet treat to counteract all the beer some may drink.

Birdcall

JRS and I shared a basic original chicken sandwich from this popular local-based chain, along with a side of crispy, irresistible tater tots. It is a fried fillet with pickles and special sauce on a toasted brioche bun. There are also a Nashville hot chicken option and tenders, but that’s about it. The Coors Field branch doesn’t offer the other creative sandwiches that make Birdcall fantastic. Still, if you want to have a great chicken sandwich, I recommend it.