Guaranteed Rate Field’s fare: food with Cuban flair and more

By Catherine García

It’s Thanksgiving, the pinnacle of foodie life. And since a whole three weeks have passed since the World Series ended and you realize that there is no baseball for another three months, admit it: You miss it. And as baseball fans, we’ve learned not just to love a day at the ballpark to take in some live baseball, but we’ve also learned to love our ballpark food. Hot dogs (without ketchup), helmet nachos, and cold beer galore!

But it’s November. We are here to bring back summer, if only for a moment to stave off postseason blues, and to give you something to look forward to next season. In this edition of Ballpark Food, we visit Guaranteed Rate Field, the home of the Chicago White Sox. And where José Abreu sent Yuli Gurriel and the visiting Houston Astros servings of savory Cuban home-cooking.

Over the years, ballpark food has taken on a life of its own, and we’ve seen stadiums introducing everything from celebrity chef-inspired cuisine to funnel cake chicken sandwiches and deep-fried bubble gum. I’m not kidding. That’s for real.

But my word of advice to anyone taking in America’s pastime at Guaranteed Rate Field has always been the same — come to the ballpark hungry (and thirsty).

While other ballparks may offer over-the-top meals that just attempt to outdo each other year after year, Guaranteed Rate Field offers a plethora of unique foods you won’t find elsewhere. Their best feature by far is the abundance of classic Hispanic fare. So, baseball, you can keep your foot-long chili dogs, I’ll take some South Side cuisine with as much sazón as found in Yoan Moncada’s bat flip. Here are some recommendations for what to try.

Cuban Comet Sandwich

Keeping the Cubano flair alive on the South Side, the White Sox added an interesting variation on the theme the same year they added first baseman José Abreu, and named it after the Cuban Comet himself: Minnie Miñoso. Instead of ham and roast pork, this pressed sandwich features a hearty portion of salami, juicy roast beef and delicious ham served with pickles, Swiss cheese and mustard, all pressed right before your eyes on a piping hot grill. I had just one gripe though — the French bread. I prefer a soft Cuban loaf, but considering you’re at a ballpark, the crustier French bread stands in just fine. Hearty and filling, this sandwich has always been my favorite go-to meal at a game.

Tamales

My dad is from Mexico, and ever since I was a little girl, I’ve been a sucker for delicious, authentic, freshly steamed tamales. So, it was much to my delight that I found out that Guaranteed Rate Field would be adding them to their smorgasbord. While these tamales are certainly freshly served steaming hot and looking absolutely delicious, you won’t find any sauce inside the tamales. They’re (optionally) dressed with your choice of lettuce, tomatoes, cojita cheese, sour cream and hot salsa roja on top. While I like keeping it classic, I would recommend adding a few toppings on this dish to enhance its flavor profile. These tamales may not rival your abuelita’s, but this neo-Mexican take on a dish that was created as far back as 5,000 B.C. is still absolutely delicious in its own right.

35th Street Tacos

Recently added to the lineup, 35th Street Tacos brings a vibe of true Mexican street tacos right to the ballpark concourse. Served on warm corn tortillas, these tacos come with your choice of chicken or barbacoa and — most importantly — are only topped with onion and cilantro unless otherwise requested (the salsa is definitely worth a try). If you’ve had tacos at other ballparks, you’re likely aware that they’re usually served on flour tortillas and can include everything from red cabbage to mushrooms, and while they may still be delicious, they’re a far cry from The Real Thing. Though I haven’t had tacos at every ballpark, I can say with confidence that these tacos are likely the closest thing you’ll get to traditional Mexican tacos at any ballpark.

Elote

A fan favorite, the elote stand at Guaranteed Rate Field is always bustling. Buttered corn shucked right off the cob while you watch will make you feel as though you’re standing on a sweaty street corner instead of on a ballpark concourse listening to the friendly voice of public address announcer Gene Honda. The corn is then dressed with all the traditional toppings — mayo, salt and paprika. Simple, yet likely the most delicious and 100 percent authentic treat you’ll find at the ballpark. Grab them while you enjoy a boat of tamales from the same stand, and don’t forget to grab a cold Modelo before you sit back and enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of true Hispanic culture on the South Side.

Featured Image: Jonathan Daniel / Getty Images Sport

Inset Images: Catherine García