If the best part about going to baseball games is watching the actual baseball, then the food and drink you enjoy in the process is a clear No. 2. As the Tampa Bay Rays work through the finishing touches on the baseball portion of the 2023 season, we got a sneak peek today at exactly what to expect in the concession stands this year.

In addition to walk-up, self-serve drink service (more on that below), the literal big star is a new item with more dough than Wander Franco. The Rays unveiled a foot-long pretzel dog that will be available while supplies last at every game – a half-pound Nathan’s hot dog wrapped in house-made pretzel dough, baked to perfection, and served with mustard. The resulting pig in a blanket is a full foot of tasty indulgence.

The gigantic specimen is a follow up to last year’s wildly popular new item, the foot long tater tot (which we absolutely recommend). Rays officials say there will be a counter on the Budweiser Porch letting fans know how many of the pretzel dogs are left throughout the game. Once supplies run out, fans will just have to wait for the next game.

In addition to the pretzel dog, and handful of new vendors will be making their debut this year:

• Daddie’s Donuts and Delights: The Central Avenue star, will be bringing their decadent sweets to The Trop all season long.
• Little Greek Fresh Grill: At Tropicana for the first time with their fast-casual Greek dishes, including gyros, falafel and their popular Greek salad.
• Omaha Steaks: The popular meat company has joined the fray with choice meats as part of the burgers and bratwursts that will be available.
• Beans & Barlour: They aren’t new, but the local favorite will be expanding to a second location in The Trop.

More new menu items from the Rays award-winning culinary team include:

• Pulled pork nachos
• Chicken empanadas
• Potato croquettes
• Brisket bahn mi
• Mings Bings fried taco and cheeseburger sliders

The other new innovation comes in a self-service drink station that has replaced the main bar in the Budweiser Porch. Recognizing the length of the lines in the popular area overlooking the outfield, the Rays have installed self-service checkout. Fans simply swipe their card, make their picks on the screen, then walk up to the cooler and grab their order. It will be available at every game, but will prove particularly expedient on Fridays when the Rays have buy-one, get-one Budweiser and Bud Light at every home Friday game.

All of this comes as the Rays are celebrating their 25th anniversary with a season full of throwback giveaways. They are also officialy opening the Tampa Bay Rays Hall of Fame, and inductees will be celebrated all season long with giveaways of their own. We’re looking forward ourselves to the Wade Boggs koozie, but the old school Devil Rays bucket hat is going to be a hot item, as well. Stay tuned to I Love the Burg for more info on how and when to check out the giveaways.

And as you get ready for the season, the Rays have a particularly great ticket promotion going right now. Every month of the regular season, fans can buy a $49 standing room only ticket that gets them into the stadium for every single game that month. Or, get the whole season for $249. There are no blackout games – the Ballpark Pass gets holders into every single game.

In April, for example, there are 15 home games at The Trop, meaning Ballpark Pass holders are getting in for as little as $3.26 per cents per game. There are also individual $10 tickets available to every game while supplies last.

And thanks to the extension of free rides, you can get to every Rays game for free this year on the SunRunner.

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