Beyond the Hot Dog: Twins Unveil International & Classic Fare for Home Opener

(KNSI) — The Minnesota Twins’ home opener is Thursday, and fans won’t go hungry thanks to the numerous food offerings at Target Field, which were revealed on Monday.

Fans with an international palate may want to check out the bành mí brat. The sausage is made by Kramarczuk’s and served on a bun with standard bành mí pickled veggies and a garlic aioli. The bussin birria tacos are filled with beef and cheese, then crisped up quickly and served with a side of beef consommé for dipping. Chicken tinga arepas are corn shells stuffed with chicken, cheese, sour cream, pico, and pickled red onions.

More a fan of regular, plain old American food? They’re ready for you, too. Check out the smashed baked potato. It’s just like it sounds. It’s a smashed baked potato with a choice of several different topping combos. The sweet potato fries are another good starchy offering with sweet potato fritters deep fried into a crispy ball and drizzled with seasoned sauce. The walleye burger is chopped walleye formed into a patty, then grilled and served on a bun with tartar sauce bearing a hint of lemony tang. Mighty buffalo dry rub wings are pressure fried, and because it’s a dry rub, there are no messy, saucy fingers, but there is a side of cool ranch for dipping. The mac n’ meat is creamy macaroni and cheese with a choice of pulled pork, rib tips or shredded chicken. Not sure how to eat this one crammed in a ballpark seat, but Red Cow’s ultimate burger is the restaurant’s signature thick patties with cheese, lettuce, tomato and their house sauce. For those who want a one stop shop for a game, food and beverage, check out the all you can eat ballpark food ticket. For $42, eat all the hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders, chips and peanuts, then wash it down with all the pop, water and frozen dessert your heart desires.

There is also something to satisfy the sweet tooth and cool off on a hot day at Target Field. There’s a hip new health food spot in Northeast, and they’re already ready for the big day at the ballpark. It’s called Parcelle, and folks have been raving about their smoothies, two of which will be offered to fans this season. The C.R.E.A.M. strawberry banana smoothie is jammed with fruit, blended with coconut cream and collagen peptides. Another fave is the blueprint smoothie with blueberries, swirled with avocado and banana. For those who want a kick of booze with their ice cream, look no further than the s’mores boozy ice cream, which is exactly what it sounds like. Cool creamy chocolate and vanilla soft serve is swirled with toasted marshmallow syrup and a good stiff shot of vodka, then topped with a chocolate drizzle, graham cracker and marshmallow. It’s also super accessible right inside Gate 34. Cocktail lovers can also find what they’re looking for at the Town Ball Tavern with the Irish mojito, vanilla creamed whiskey or the cherry smashed whiskey made with Keeper’s Heart. (It was one of the most awarded new whiskeys in 2022.)

Cookies, mini doughnuts, deep fried Oreos and oh so much more await when the gates open at 1:00 p.m. for the opening series on Thursday. Twins legends Dan Gladden, Kent Hrbek, Tom Kelly, Justin Morneau and Tony Oliva will also greet fans.

Prices for the food items were not revealed during the tasting event.

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