The food at Hartford’s Dunkin Park, home of the Hartford Yard Goats, may seem a little less extreme this year when the season begins on April 6. That’s because the concessions team wants to get back to basics.
In short, said chef Joe Bartlett, it’s less about the ‘gram and more about the family-oriented experience.
“We’re going back to classic items,” he said. “We’re kind of moving away from the crazy Instagram stuff and going back to the classics with the corn dogs and the fries and the pizza, just real solid stuff.”
While the food may not be as outrageous as last year’s Fat Sandwich (a base of fried dough with chicken strips, fries, julienned pickles and Munchkins), there are plenty of new snacks at the park’s concession stands this season. Fried Oreos, new burgers, hot dogs and donut-based items (this is Dunkin’ Park, after all) are all on the menu this year.
The Yard Goats organization debuted some of its new foods on Monday before the home opener. Here’s a look at some of this year’s dishes:
Chicken Fries and Spicy Fries
Dark blue dinner; Huck’s Hot Corner
Spicy Fries, Fries and Chicken Fries are among the new snacks at Dunkin’ Park this season.
Leeanne Griffin / Hearst Connecticut Media
New snacks include chicken fries (breaded and fried chicken sticks) at Dark Blues Diner and spicy pickles at Huck’s Hot Corner.
Buffalo chicken and macaroni and cheese cones
Grazing goat
Buffalo chicken and macaroni and cheese cones are among the returning snacks at Dunkin Park this season.
Leeanne Griffin / Hearst Connecticut Media
A returning item from 2022, with buffalo chicken or macaroni and cheese piled high in waffle cones.
It is crusted with sun oil and jelly
Grazing goat
Crustables, with sun butter and jelly, among the snacks at Dunkin’ Park this season.
Leeanne Griffin / Hearst Connecticut Media
The park’s take on the “impossible” treat uses sunflower seed butter and jelly instead of traditional peanut butter, as the park is peanut-free to accommodate allergies.
Tower with onion rings
YG club
Onion ring tower served at Dunkin’ Park’s YG Club.
Leeanne Griffin / Hearst Connecticut Media
The stacked onion ring tower is available at Yard Goats’ YG Club Lounge, available to special access ticket holders.
Grilled Cheese Sampler
YG Club
Grilled cheese sampler, with fillings like bacon, mac and cheese and portobello mushroom and tomato, among the snacks at Dunkin’ Park’s YG Club this season.
Leeanne Griffin / Hearst Connecticut Media
Try a variety of grilled cheese at the YG Club, including mac and cheese, bacon, grilled Portobello tomato, and a classic three-cheese option.
Party sandwich
YG Club
This party-sized sandwich is available at Dunkin’ Park’s YG Club this season.
Leeanne Griffin / Hearst Connecticut Media
Another YG Club offering, a giant party sandwich, is available at the lounge.
Bacon Wrapped Munchkins
Screaming goat
Bacon-wrapped Munchkins are among the returning snacks at Dunkin’ Park this season.
Leeanne Griffin / Hearst Connecticut Media
A fan favorite, the sweet and salty treat is back at the Screaming Goat concession stand.
Corn dog
Dark blue dinner
The classic corn dog is among the snacks at Dunkin’ Park this season.
Leeanne Griffin / Hearst Connecticut Media
The classic corn dog is available at Dark Blues Diner.
Philly Cheesesteak Egg Rolls
Dark blue dinner
Philly cheesesteak rolls are among the new snacks at Dunkin’ Park this season.
Leeanne Griffin / Hearst Connecticut Media
Philly cheesesteak egg rolls, a new snack, are available at Dark Blues Diner.
Spicy sandwich with chicken donuts
Dark blue dinner
Spicy Chicken Donut Sandwich at Dunkin Park in Hartford
Leeanne Griffin / Hearst Connecticut Media
Another returning item, a spicy chicken sandwich on a glazed donut, is topped with a Munchkin. Find it at the Dark Blues Diner.
Hot Cheeto dog
of Dame
Hot Cheeto dog served at Daym’s, a concession stand named after social media star Daym Drops.
Leeanne Griffin / Hearst Connecticut Media
The concession stand, named after social media star Daym Drops, is once again offering a hot dog topped with Flamin’ Hot Cheetos and jalapeños.