Batter up: Hens give fans taste of 2014’s new foods

Chicken-waffle combo leads strong lineup of entrees, snacks

Season-ticket holders Thomas and Janet Biblewski of Toledo sample the new menu items during a food-tasting event at Fifth Third Field.

THE BLADE/JEREMY WADSWORTH
Buy This Image

Season-ticket holders Thomas and Janet Biblewski of Toledo sample the new menu items during a food-tasting event at Fifth Third Field.

If spring is here, then baseball season isn’t far behind.

The Mud Hens pitched a brand new menu of delicious foods for 2014 at a tasting event Thursday, with mascot Muddy leading cheers for the lineup.

Chef Dusten Brown and his team of cooks have spent the winter creating and innovating in the kitchen, hitting a grand slam with rookie dishes that will be served alongside the favorite old-timers. There’s nothing wrong with the classic hot dog at the ball park, after all; but why just have a hot dog when there are so many other potential fan favorites?

Along the Concourse Level, you’ll find hearty entrees as well as decadent treats.

PHOTO GALLERY: Click here to view more photos.

Mud Hens chef Dusten Brown prepares Chicken and Waffle Bites for a food-tasting event.

The new players are: the ⅓-pound Bleu Mushroom Burger, a Chicken Parmesan Sandwich, a fresh Antipasto Salad, the Mac and Cheese Dog topped with crumbled bacon, the El Burrito Dog featuring two hot dogs and chili wrapped in a tortilla, a Chocolate Chip Funnel Cake doused in hot fudge, the French Vanilla Coffee Float, a Chocolate Lovers Sundae served in a helmet, Toft’s Campfire Smores Ice Cream with toasted marshmallows and crispy chocolate covered wafers, and Pretzel Super Twists in three flavors (Fiery Pumpernickel, Honey Chipotle, Jalapeno Ranch). Roasted almonds and bulk candies will also be available for snacks.

Mr. Brown is particularly excited about his ace: Chicken and Waffles Bites, which are seasoned, breaded nuggets of chicken served with crisp-tender waffles and warm maple syrup. This classic pairing jumps on a national trend while updating the dish and making it accessible to fans watching a game at Fifth Third Field.

In the Bird Cage Bar and Grill, also contributing to a perfect game will be: Bird Cage Sliders with crispy onion tangles and We Be Ribs BBQ sauce, a portobello sandwich with balsamic dressing and garlic aioli, Asian Dumplings filled with pork and vegetables and served with a sweet chili sauce, a Hot Fudge Cream Puff featuring Toft’s vanilla ice cream and Sanders hot fudge, and the Chocolate Fix, which loads brownies with both chocolate mousse and chocolate sauce. And don’t forget the Triple Sweet showcasing Toft’s vanilla ice cream with caramel sauce and cinnamon roasted almonds.

Opening Day is two weeks away, on April 4. But who’s counting either days or calories?

Contact Mary Bilyeu at 
mbilyeu@theblade.com
 or 419-724-6155 or on Twitter @foodfloozie.