Target Field Menu To Feature Food Options Unique To Minnesota

Food, Drink At Target Field Will Specifically Cater To Minnesota Public's Taste

Twins concessionaire Delaware North Sportservice is "putting the finishing touches on the menus" for Target Field's "28 concession stands and two restaurants in hopes of catering to the Minnesota palate," according to Mary Lynn Smith of the Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE. The ballpark's food options will include pork chops on a stick, walleye on a stick, cheese curds, and wild rice soup. Yet to be decided is whether the Dome Dog "will make a comeback at the new park," as Target Field GM of Food Services Pete Spike said that putting the item on the Twins menu "isn't a done deal." Spike added that pricing "hasn't been decided." But food service execs, "mindful of the economy's pinch on people's pocketbooks, say they don't want fans choking over food ticket prices." Meanwhile, in a "further effort to connect with fans, food and drink will be sold at concession stands and restaurants with names that speak of local fare and local sports heroes." In addition, Spike and Target Field Exec Chef Pastor Jimenez said that fans also "can see the food being grilled as they stroll the concourses." Spike: "That's different than many ballparks" (Minneapolis STAR TRIBUNE, 1/19).

FINANCIAL RAMIFICATIONS: Twins Sports Inc. President Jerry Bell said Target Field's ability to return the public money put into it with taxes and/or economic benefits "depends on the economy." Bell: "Does the real estate value around the ballpark go up and if it goes up, does it contribute to construction and further development and what kind of real estate taxes does that produce? If all of those things come together over a long period of time, maybe. It’s hard to say." When asked if publicly-funded ballparks "make sense on the economic argument alone, meaning that they create new taxes and jobs," Bell said, "It depends on your alternative for investment. My view is that is does have an economic impact in a targeted sense. It benefits this neighborhood. Does that make a ripple effect in the state economy? Probably not." But Bell added, "Ten years from now, maybe less, no one will know what this ballpark cost and they won’t care. They’ll either like it and they’ll enjoy coming here or they won’t, and they’ll judge it on that." Meanwhile, Bell said the "private side will have to increase some" in building future ballparks due to the economy. Bell: "I don't know what the right amount is and it depends" (WSJ.com, 1/15).