Mud Hens add novelty to menu with new treats

4/1/2005

And now at the plate

The Toledo Mud Hens unveiled this season's concession foods yesterday, including a new spin on the regional favorite Roots hot shredded chicken sandwich, and an ice cream specialty called "Cool Dog" that has been popular at ballparks on the East Coast.

The signature Roots hot shredded chicken sandwich served on a sandwich bun, which many northwest Ohioans consider legendary, has been transformed into a "Roots" Chicken Coney: the shredded chicken is served on a yellow coney bun topped with chili, cheese, and diced onion for $4.

The ice cream specialty, the Cool Dog, is shaped like a hot dog.

"The Cool Dog is a novelty ice cream sold on the East Coast at places like Fenway Park," says Craig Nelson, general manager of food and beverage for V/Gladiuex Enterprises, which operates the concession stands at Fifth Third Field.

The prepackaged confection is sponge cake wrapped like a bun around hot-dog shaped vanilla ice cream. Details of the ice cream-design even include a casing imprint at the ends. Customers can ask for chocolate syrup, candy sprinkles, chopped nuts, and whipped cream.

"It's fun with a little interaction plus the actual hot dog look. We sell more hot dogs than anything here," Mr. Nelson says. Cost is $3.75.

There's also an addition to the hot dog options at Fifth Third Field with the 3.2-ounce Jalapeno Sausage at $3.75. With bits of jalapeno in the sausage, it promises to wake up your taste buds and heat up your palate.

Also new to the menu are lightly breaded boneless chunks of chicken served with a choice of (or all three) hot, ranch, and barbecue sauce for $5. It can also be purchased in a combo with fries for $7 and is available for the suites.

A lightly breaded 6-ounce Jumbo Pork Tenderloin Sandwich is served on a kaiser bun with lettuce and tomato for $5 (also available in the suites).

On a healthy note, look for the Caramel Apple Wedges at $2.50 - wedged apples served with hot caramel sauce, or the Whole Dill Pickles for $1.50.

Adding to the lineup of ice cream treats designed for the Mud Hens' stadium, Toft's Dairy Yellow Cake Batter Ice Cream will be $2.50 for one scoop or in a cone; as a sundae in a mini Mud Hen helmet dish, it is $3.50. Already on the Mud Hens menu are the Strawberry Strikeout and Bullpen Chocolate flavors.

Flavored water and green tea with citrus will be added to the beverage mix for $2.50 to $3.

These foods and beverages are in addition to the items on the menu from last year, such as the steak sandwiches at $6.50 and Black Angus burgers at $5. Prices have not changed since last year, according to Mr. Nelson. Concession menus & locations will be listed in the free game program booklets and posted on the wall throughout the park.

Opening Day at Fifth Third Field is April 15.

Contact Kathie Smith at

food@theblade.com

or 419-724-6155.