Ballpark cuisine gets major update for upcoming Canaries season

This paid piece is sponsored by the Sioux Falls Canaries.

When Sioux Falls Canaries fans head to The Birdcage this season, the hope is they’ll come hungry and leave with a whole new take on ballpark dining.

As the Canaries ownership enters its second season with the team, food and beverage are in the spotlight with an entirely new approach to concessions.

“We’ve brought it all in-house,” said Jess Blodgett, director of food and beverage. “So instead of working with a third-party contractor, we’re in charge of everything about the menu and the guest experience and are making big changes.”

Guest feedback on concessions showed room to improve, she said.

“Guests were telling us they didn’t come here to eat. They ate because they were here, and there’s a big difference,” she said. “We’re trying to change the experience so it’s more like going to a fair. You don’t just go for the rides or the entertainment, you go for the whole experience, and food is a pivotal part of that.”

By bringing food and beverage all in-house, the Canaries also were able to reduce prices for guests, said Jack Fossand, executive vice president.

“We know the ticket price is rising, and this allows us to bridge the gap,” he said. “The price of concessions is not only going down, but the quality and variety are getting way better.”

So what does that look like on a menu?

Think high-quality meat, innovative dishes and something for every appetite.

All burgers will be Angus certified-fresh beef and never frozen, which “you can 100 percent taste the difference,” Blodgett said.

“And our hot dogs are all beef with two options. You can get a quarter-pound all-beef hot dog, or for $3 you can get one similar to a size you’d eat at home.”

When you walk into The Birdcage, you’ll see and smell the grill outside, she added.

“And the chili for the chili dogs is made in-house, so we’re really ramping up the authenticity of it all and not buying pre-made and heating.”

Sandwiches include a pulled pork with homemade coleslaw and a shredded chicken Sammy, “which is basically like Thanksgiving on a sandwich,” Blodgett said.

Other new additions include a fresh fruit cup, street corn side and several varieties of mac-and-cheese.

Separate concession areas run by nonprofit volunteers will offer walking tacos and wraps.

And for the first time, there’s a kids menu offering smaller portions of hot dogs and chicken fingers.

Fair-inspired offerings include a “pizza box nachos” sharable, which is what it sounds like: a pizza box filled with nachos.

There’s also a chicken and waffle cone made with chicken strips rolled in maple syrup and served with pork belly.

There are fried Oreos for dessert, and Family Treats is returning with ice cream.

“And we’ll do themed features and some crazy food I want to try just for the heck of it, like a hot dog with beer cheese and apple Pop Rocks,” Blodgett said. “It’ll be so fun.”

On the beverage side, there also will be new additions.

“We’re not just popping cans of beer at the bars anymore,” she said. “I want it to feel like you’re going to a bar, that kind of vibe, so there will be draft beers, wines, malt-based shots, and Tropical Sno is coming back and doing some alcoholic options, so we’re trying to up that game because people come in the summer to eat and drink.”

There also will be themed nights like Margarita Mondays and Sangria Saturdays, although the ballpark doesn’t have a liquor license.

“It’ll be a lot more fun and more variety for the bartenders this year,” Blodgett said. “They’re looking forward to it.”

The operations also are being adjusted to try to cut down wait times.

“You’ll place the order first and then wait some on the back end, but you’ll see your order being prepared fresh,” Blodgett said. “And we’re doing a beer-only window to get those people out of line so they’re not behind kids ordering popcorn and candy.”

Don’t want to wait in line? Make sure you buy a ticket in the newly redesigned Section H.

“It’s right behind home plate, and we’ve replaced 184 seats with padded seats and in-seat service,” Fossand said. “So you’ll have a QR code to order, and food will be brought to your seat.”

Suite options

The menu for suite dining also has seen a dramatic upgrade.

“It’s an extensive menu with a lot of room for customization,” Blodgett said. “You can get a fajita bar with steak, chicken, shrimp or a combination, you can get hamburgers and hot dogs or pulled pork plus mac-and-cheese, potato salad, pasta salad and coleslaw all made in-house, and we can get it up as a buffet for a group to eat their fill.”

Game-day menu items include deviled eggs and chocolate-dipped strawberries made to order.

“And we’re working with suite holders to order early and often so we can provide the best, freshest food,” Blodgett said. “You can get a charcuterie board; we just need to know early.”

The Sioux Falls Canaries kick off their home season May 20.

For complete information on tickets and the game-day experience, click here.