A Burger A Week – Ed Smith Stadium
We’re out at the old ballpark for a burger tasting!
⚾ “There are only two seasons: winter and baseball” – Bill Veeck Jr.
I’m not quite that fanatical about my baseball, but sometimes it feels like it borders on it. There is nothing like an in-person baseball game. Yes, I will agree it’s not exactly the same on television. It loses a little something in the translation.
That “something” can be hard to put your finger on. At the ballpark, the sounds are louder, the field is greener, the sky is bluer, and, of course, the smells are, well, you know…
When we wrapped up our A Burger A Week series last August, it wasn’t really our intent to go back to the well. But you’ve sent a lot of email and messages saying you’d like another round. Some of you have even corralled me in person to say how much you enjoyed those pieces. Plus, it is hard to say no to an even mediocre burger. So, here we are.
You won’t get these once a week or even monthly, but every now and then, we’ll blast one out to you. (Keep those burger suggestions coming!) Now, on to all of the burgery fun! 🍔
Baseball and food just go together. You can also throw in an ice cold beer, and nobody will object too strongly.
🌭 The Sport’s Closest Food Connection Is the Hot Dog. A dog and a beer and a baseball game. That beloved combo has been repeated millions of times over the decades by millions of fans in parks big and small. 📝 Let’s not forget Cracker Jack. It was etched into baseball lore way back in 1908! It’s hard to get that earwig out of your head once it burrows in! 😉
But we are here today to talk about the hamburger. It might be the hot dog’s little brother or sister when it comes to baseball food traditions (there are over 20 million hot dogs sold at major league parks each year), but burgers still rank up there among fan favorites.
🏅 The Best Burger in the Park! YES, it makes a difference at Ed Smith Stadium, where you purchase that burger. They don’t have some centrally located burger factory churning these things out and running them to the concession stands. Your burger “Chef” makes a BIG difference.
Under the grandstands along the first base line is the appropriately named (but not creatively) First Base Patio. Trust me, this is your preferred burger destination.
It’s also the preferred burger station for fans who know what’s what. And as you would guess, the secret is out!
🚶♂️➡️🚶♀️➡️🚶♂️➡️ There Is Usually a Line. After all, it is a baseball park. Lines just come with your day at no extra charge!
They sometimes look intimidating but do not fear. This particular line is fairly efficient. It’s staffed by volunteers from local charities, and they know how to keep it moving!
You’ve done the line; you have your burger. What now? You’ve got to dress this thing. They give you your hamburger or cheeseburger naked. It’s up to you to decide what’s going on top.
This is where things break down a little. The condiment selection is, well, a bit lacking… It’s a ballpark, so I guess the atmosphere will have to make up for the shortage of any “real” toppings. (OH, that bulk green relish scared the crap out of me. 😨 Common sense said, NO!)
Yeah, I know, it’s not the most attractive cheeseburger you’ve ever laid eyes on. It is a pretty good size patty, though.
Of course, you’ll have to eat this somewhere…
They’ve got lots of comfortable places to do just that at Ed Smith.
🗣 Let’s talk about our Ed Smith Stadium burger experience…
RESTAURANT: ED SMITH STADIUM (2700 12th St. (941) 893-6300)
DATE OF VISIT: FEB 25, 2025
STOP #: 53 OF MANY 😉
BURGER TASTED: 8OZ CHEESEBURGER (ANGUS BEEF)
📒 OUR TASTING NOTES
🍔 This burger is served as listed on the menu: Angus Beef cheeseburger ($13.25)
• This is a pretty big burger for a ballpark. When you think of stadium food, 1/2lb isn’t the first thing that comes to mind.
• My burger was cooked perfectly medium. (It doesn’t look that way in the photos. But it was right on.)
• A lot of things went away during/after COVID. One of them was self-serve onions at the condiment bar. I pray daily for their safe return. 😢
• The burger-eating atmosphere could not be better! It’s fun to share a picnic table with baseball fans from all over the country. You might even make a new friend! ⚾
• 🍟 THE FRIES – Sadly, no fries for me today. Here’s the thing: they didn’t offer them at the First Base Patio. They do offer them at the ballpark. But standing in another line wasn’t something that appealed to me. The best scenario is to have a Burger Buddy. Someone to stand in the fry line while you wait for the burgers (or vice versa). Then rendezvous at the picnic table to feast! That is a must for me next time.
Let’s check out how all of this looked when I ordered it…
BURGER TAKEAWAYS: No better place to eat a burger (or a hot dog) exists 😁 • It’s a fantastic family burger stop • Toppings are limited. That’s just the way it is • The price is right in there with other more traditional burger places • It’s just fun! 🧢
📝 There’s still time to get there. Orioles home games run through FRI MAR 21ST!
OK, well, there you have it. Another burger in the books. This was a super fun one to do. Keep those suggestions coming. We’ll keep things going as long as you’re still interested! 🍔
~ LH
📌ODDS AND ENDS
😔 Oops. We try our absolute hardest to bring you the most accurate restaurant, food, and dining information that we can. But sometimes, even we can mess up (yes, I know, it’s hard to imagine 😁). In our last Quick Bites, we mentioned the brand-new Sunday brunch at the Summer House on Siesta Key. We got everything right except the price. The correct pricing is: $65PP adults, $27PP children 12 & under. Sorry if that caused any confusion.
🎁 Eat Local For Less! Once again the Sarasota-Manatee Originals will be helping make your dining dollars go a little bit further. And, that’s not a bad thing these days. They’ll be offering their popular discounted dining certificates starting next week. They are a great deal! You’ll get 30% off at 70 Sarasota-Manatee area restaurants! These certificates are “restaurant-specific.” Mark your calendar for THUR MAR 13TH. The sale will start bright and early at 7AM! – HERE’S YOUR LINK TO SAVE!
Here is some local food information that we think you might find interesting. We’ve provided you with a link to more info.
🗓️ SARASOTA FOOD INFO🗓️
📖 BUY A COPY OF OUR 2025 SARASOTA DINING BOOK! – ORDER HERE 📖
😋 MICHAEL’S ON EAST – MONTHLY EPICUREAN MENU – NAPA VALLEY🌍
🧑🌾 FARMER’S MARKET INFO 🌾
EVERY SUNDAY – Siesta Key Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SUNDAY – Farmer’s Market at Lakewood Ranch – DETAILS
EVERY SUNDAY – The Meadows Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY WEDNESDAY – The Phillippi Farmhouse Market (Oct-Apr) – DETAILS
EVERY THURSDAY – Englewood Farmer’s Market (Oct-May) – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Sarasota Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Downtown Bradenton Public Market – DETAILS
EVERY SATURDAY – Venice Farmer’s Market – DETAILS
THIRD THURSDAY EVERY MONTH – UTC Night Market – DETAILS
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I think you should try the burger at YODERS. Not only is it big and excellent, it available with sautéed onions and mushrooms and a huge dish of fries….. It really beats most of the burgers that you listed.
We’ll add that to our list! Thanks for the suggestion! 🍔