Catering in stadiums - Target Field USA vs the Amex. Are you reading this PB ?

[Easy 10]

So here's the menu for Target Field: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/min/ballpark/information/index.jsp?content=concessions

Some prices (assumptions: there is no sales tax to be added to these prices (but there might be, which would make things more expensive) and an f/x rate of £1=$1.30)...

Bottle of water - £3.84
Bottle of coke etc - £4.23
Basic beer - £5.76 / £6.53
Fish & chips - £8.46
Fries - £4.23
Slice of pizza - £4.61
Burger with fries - £9.61
Steak sandwich - £12.30
16" pizza - £23.07 - £27.69

I think [MENTION=70]Easy 10[/MENTION] was pissed up when he thought it was cheap compared to the Amex...

Put words in my mouth why don't you.

At NO POINT did I say it was cheap there compared to the Amex. I acknowledged it wasn't cheap - but when you actually see what you're getting for your money in terms of the size of the portion, and the quality, it absolutely royally pisses all over ANYTHING you could queue 20-25 minutes for at the Amex (on a good day). There's just no comparison to the miserable thin lukewarm cheeseburger with a cold bap in a foil bag with a slice of Dairylea. Or those shit hotdogs. The pies are on the whole passable some of the time, but holy hell. I'm talking about value for money.

If I knew there was actually some DECENT food on offer at the Amex, then I'd happily mince up an hour or two before kickoff on a Saturday to take advantage and have a beer-up in the process. Yes it might be more expensive than something I could get in town at a Wetherspoons or whatever, but if I knew it was good quality scoff, and plenty of it, then I'd have no issue with that because I would actually LIKE to get to the Amex and settled early doors, and avoid all the later crushes on the trains and all the mad queues in the run-up to kickoff.

But the shit they serve up at the moment ? Forget it. I'll eat at home, in town, or not at all.

 

[Gwylan]

Then Sodexo came in the following season and it's gone downhill from there. I have to agree, I think it's the lowest bid, lowest commone denominator generic caterer.

It may be the lowest bid but it does mean food and drink is relatively cheap. There are two schools of thought here: there's the American model favoured by Easy 10, HKFC and Hampster Gull where there's more choice of food and it's served quicker but it's at least twice the price that we currently pay. Or there's the slow service, lack of choice but cheap deals that we currently get.

I'm not sure that we can say that one is better than the other. Perhaps the club should have a survey and ask whether people want more choice at twice the cost or stick with what we have: if the majority votes for the former, then change the model

 

[Bozza]

Put words in my mouth why don't you.

At NO POINT did I say it was cheap there compared to the Amex. I acknowledged it wasn't cheap - but when you actually see what you're getting for your money in terms of the size of the portion, and the quality, it absolutely royally pisses all over ANYTHING you could queue 20-25 minutes for at the Amex (on a good day). There's just no comparison to the miserable thin lukewarm cheeseburger with a cold bap in a foil bag with a slice of Dairylea. Or those shit hotdogs. The pies are on the whole passable some of the time, but holy hell.

If I knew there was actually some DECENT food on offer at the Amex, then I'd happily mince up an hour or two before kickoff on a Saturday to take advantage and have a beer-up in the process. Yes it might be more expensive then something I could get in town at a Wetherspoons or whatever, but if I knew it was good quality scoff, and plenty of it, then I'd have no issue with that because I would actually like to get there and settled, and avoid the later crushes on the trains.

But the shit they serve up at the moment ? Forget it. I'll eat at home, in town, or not at all.

If they were selling beer for £7-8 and a Coke for nearly a fiver at the Amex (as may be the case once sales tax has been lumped on top of the published prices) then you wouldn't have to wait for 20 minutes - you could mince right up to any counter you like...

And as someone who has been pretty critical of the Amex catering, I still take issue with your "shit" comment given the quality of the pies, locally sourced to boot, and the Harveys which, although not for me, seems to be well received by those into such things.

The other stuff may be shit - I have no real idea being a veggie weirdo.

I do wish we had a decent cider though.

 

[Stat Brother]

I do wish we had a decent cider though.

I take it there's no local cider producer who could fill that void.

 

[Bozza]

I take it there's no local cider producer who could fill that void.

There's at least a couple:

http://www.merrydown.co.uk

http://www.seacider.co.uk

 

[Stat Brother]

There's at least a couple:

http://www.merrydown.co.uk

http://www.seacider.co.uk

It's a shame that with the pretty staggering success of Piglet's and Harvey's the club hasn't made more of an effort to sneak more local produce into the stadium.

 

[Driver8]

If they were selling beer for £7-8 and a Coke for nearly a fiver at the Amex (as may be the case once sales tax has been lumped on top of the published prices) then you wouldn't have to wait for 20 minutes - you could mince right up to any counter you like...

And as someone who has been pretty critical of the Amex catering, I still take issue with your "shit" comment given the quality of the pies, locally sourced to boot, and the Harveys which, although not for me, seems to be well received by those into such things.

The other stuff may be shit - I have no real idea being a veggie weirdo.

I do wish we had a decent cider though.

Not Cider related but us veggies have Leek, Potato and Blue Cheese pies to look forward next home game.

 

[Easy 10]

If they were selling beer for £7-8 and a Coke for nearly a fiver at the Amex (as may be the case once sales tax has been lumped on top of the published prices) then you wouldn't have to wait for 20 minutes - you could mince right up to any counter you like...

And as someone who has been pretty critical of the Amex catering, I still take issue with your "shit" comment given the quality of the pies, locally sourced to boot, and the Harveys which, although not for me, seems to be well received by those into such things.

The other stuff may be shit - I have no real idea being a veggie weirdo.

I do wish we had a decent cider though.

The pies are ok, I hadn't put them in the "shit" bracket, which the rest of the muck there undoubtedly is. If I'm backed into a corner and haven't eaten all day, then the pie is the only option I'd go for, although I still have to write off a good 20-25 minutes of socialising if I'm that famished to actually bother with it. So normally, I don't. And when it comes to beer prices, I don't think anyone would happily stump up £7 a pint at the Amex, but then I wouldn't expect them to ever charge that because nobody does.

My point is, I think there would be a real market at the Amex if they ever bothered offering decent portions of QUALITY food (and served up in a timely manner). Yes, expect to pay more for it. But I think if they got it right, it would be so refreshing it would make a killing. Keep a few of the lukewarm shitburger and mingdog outlets open by all means if people really want to pay as little as possible for the dregs. But have an option for something that is actually....NICE...and see what happens.

I love [MENTION=3566]hans kraay fan club[/MENTION] idea of letting independents come in, giving them a pitch, and seeing what they can do. Anything has to be better than that god-awful excuse for food and service we get from Sodexo. Its been a massive slab of epic FAIL from day one.

 

[Bozza]

I love [MENTION=3566]hans kraay fan club[/MENTION] idea of letting independents come in, giving them a pitch, and seeing what they can do. Anything has to be better than that god-awful excuse for food and service we get from Sodexo. Its been a massive slab of epic FAIL from day one.

All good in theory, but I struggle to believe that a batch of small independents would, between them, pay the club anywhere near as much as Sodexo currently do for their exclusive catering contract. I understand it to be a massive lump of cash up front, and then a cut on all sales.

 

[Easy 10]

Exactly the type of action that is required. Barber has said that ticket sales are not enough to sustain the club at a level most fans aspire to, therefore all ancillary revenue sources must be considered an important part of the budget. With all the allegations of poor quality products and poor service its hard to see how the club are getting the best return from food and beverage sales. Also it's not just about the budget, the customer service aspect is important at this level. The days of pies, pints, and terraces at, this level, are sadly over.


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I couldn't agree more. Barber is never slow to impress on us how vital it is that we turn up early and leave late, taking in the catering options at the Amex to help the club. And I'd happily do that week in, week out. But I'm not going to be FLEECED by the cataclysmic shit they serve up, or the time it takes to serve it. I mean is he serious ? I'd LOVE to see Barber in one of those non-moving WSU queues, by the end of which he ends up paying £8 for a pitiful almost-warm wafer thin burger in a cold bun, and a pint. I'd happily stand opposite while he gurns his way through that, and chat about his "matchday experience".

 

[Easy 10]

All good in theory, but I struggle to believe that a batch of small independents would, between them, pay the club anywhere near as much as Sodexo currently do for their exclusive catering contract. I understand it to be a massive lump of cash up front, and then a cut on all sales.

Doesn't have to be small independents necessarily. But it seems to be the culture and the accepted wisdom in this country. "Sorry guv...can't be done". So we're stuck with the tripe.

Well, it can be done, I've seen it now. I'm not saying like-for-like with a baseball experience, the parameters with football are poles apart in terms of culture and timings. But we could, and should, expect much better fayre than the crud we get. The reason we get it though, is because we put up with it. Food at football is something to be endured. How very British.

 

[chaileyjem]

But I think if they got it right, it would be so refreshing it would make a killing.

But they do make a killing. The pie/pint sales and spend per person at the Amex is reportedly the highest in the division. (although i guess Newcastle/Norwich might rival em this season)

"It is likely to be among the highest in the division" - : this is from a few seasons back
http://swissramble.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/brighton-and-hove-albion-love-at-pier.html

 

[Easy 10]

But they do make a killing. The pie/pint sales and spend per person at the Amex is reportedly the highest in the division. (although i guess Newcastle/Norwich might rival em this season)

"It is likely to be among the highest in the division" - : this is from a few seasons back
http://swissramble.blogspot.co.uk/2015/01/brighton-and-hove-albion-love-at-pier.html

But its crapola.
You've got a captive audience there. Just imagine how much more of a killing they'd make if the product was actually decent !

 

[Gwylan]

But its crapola.
You've got a captive audience there. Just imagine how much more of a killing they'd make if the product was actually decent !

But what's crapola? The product or the service? I'm pretty happy with the product, I'm delighted that we can get Harveys - that pisses over anything the Americans have. I don't mind the pies either but I do agree that we could have a bit more choice.

I agree that the service could be improved many fold however but I don't think having US style concessions is the way to do that

 

[Bozza]

But its crapola.

Again, I feel I need to state that I am very much a critic of aspects of the Amex catering operation, but if you like a pint of Harvey's and a pie it really is not crapola. In fact, if you're happy with any old lager it's probably pretty decent too.

It might be crap if you don't like pies - happy to concede that.

I don't know how often you go away, but when I do, I generally quickly appreciate what we have at The Amex. Now, you'll probably say that we are marginally less-shit than some very shit options and that doesn't make us good. Maybe. But I still don't know what you really want, or believe is genuinely achievable. Many points have been established on this thread regarding the differences between baseball (and stadia with a wide open concourse area) and football.

 

[BN9 BHA]

I would be happy if they did away with Fosters at the Amex and sold Heineken, that's in the concourses.
I know there is a Heineken Lounge and they probably sell it in the other 1901 lounges, but Heineken is advertised in the programme and on the big screens but I can't buy a pint of it.

Kronenbourg is half decent but not on sale at all kiosks, odd?

 

[LlcoolJ]

Better to compare American rounders to cricket and I've never had a problem with the food/booze/service/price at Headingley. It's great actually.

Football is a different animal and my experience of the Amex is that it's way better than anywhere else. Not perfect obviously but not Hillsborough, Elland Road etc.

 

[Easy 10]

But what's crapola? The product or the service? I'm pretty happy with the product, I'm delighted that we can get Harveys - that pisses over anything the Americans have. I don't mind the pies either but I do agree that we could have a bit more choice.

I agree that the service could be improved many fold however but I don't think having US style concessions is the way to do that

Product AND service, frankly. I know there are many who love and appreciate the Harveys on offer, and I'm not going to disparage that for a second (even though its not my particular choice). It IS excellent that a local brew is on offer, and long may that continue. I'll point out though, that in line with most of the bars and restaurants in Minneapolis, Target Field has a very wide range (I'm talking at least 10+ across the various bars) of wheat beers and craft ales on offer, in addition to the Millers / Coors / Bud staples. Yup, you'd pay more for it than you would in a downtown bar, with it being a sports venue, but it was there if you wanted it. And there were may, many fans partaking. The choice was unreal.

Again, I feel I need to state that I am very much a critic of aspects of the Amex catering operation, but if you like a pint of Harvey's and a pie it really is not crapola. In fact, if you're happy with any old lager it's probably pretty decent too.

It might be crap if you don't like pies - happy to concede that.

I don't know how often you go away, but when I do, I generally quickly appreciate what we have at The Amex. Now, you'll probably say that we are marginally less-shit than some very shit options and that doesn't make us good. Maybe. But I still don't know what you really want, or believe is genuinely achievable. Many points have been established on this thread regarding the differences between baseball (and stadia with a wide open concourse area) and football.

I just think the bar has been set very, very low over the years, and we're all used to it. Simple as that. Drop a fat, hungry American into our stadium an hour before kickoff and see his reaction. It may well be very funny and satisfying to us to observe, point and laugh his horror at the paucity on offer, but ultimately - we're the losers. We really are. Its crapness on an industrial scale, and we just suck it up.

 

[Albion my Albion]

I've just returned from a rather marvellous hectic 11-day round trip of the USA, taking in New York, Minneapolis and Chicago. I had the pleasure of visiting Citifield to see the New York Mets chasing their wildcard slot, beating the Minnesota Twins 3-2. Then in Minneapolis, I took in 2 games at Target Field, the 40,000 capacity home of the Minnesota Twins. Lost both games against the Detroit Tigers, naturally (the Twins are utterly hopeless this year), but oh my LIFE what a stadium. And I do not say this lightly, but the concourse and catering facilities there put the Amex to shame.

As you can see, the variety of food options around the multiple outlets are utterly MINDBOGGLING. Service is swift, courteous and professional. They all speak english. And there are 7 bars all in full view of the pitch serving a huge variety of beers to choose from, and you can stand there and watch the game from that bar, with a beer, from any one of those 7 bars, or just take it back to your seat. OK, I fully accept the pathetic laws in this country prohibit this small pleasure, but it was just wonderful to be treated as an adult at a sports event and have that freedom. Thats not the Albons fault.

But as I left that stadium, I wondered what an american fan would make of the miserable, poorly served crud on offer at the Amex, with the infinite queues for the crappy burgers and hotdogs (ok, the pies are alright...mostly). Also there are other factors, in that a game of baseball plays out across about 3 hours, whereas with football you get half that time period, and a couple of service-intensive periods before kickoff and at half time. And on my first game there, the crowd was only 24k, so the place was almost half empty (its the fag-end of a terrible season with nothing to play for). But with the sheer volume of outlets and options for everyone, you'd have no problem getting served somewhere very, very quickly being as we were strolling right up.

My point is...I know its different sports, different countries, different laws. And I know almost none of you give a toss about baseball. But when I hear about the "matchday experience" over here, it doesn't even come CLOSE to what they have laid on for the fans at Target Field, Minnesota. It absolutely pisses on any football ground I've ever been to in this country in terms of choice, value, service, spectacle, and all-round experience. Wembley, by direct comparison to the stuff laid on there for the fans, is a SHOCKING rip-off.

If anyone finds themselves in the USA in the vicinity of an MLB game, I just cannot recommend it highly enough. THATS a matchday experience.

Thank you for the advice. Looks like I might be seeing a Cubs playoff game at Wrigley Field and I'm told the excitement at the game will be remarkable. I'm getting very "pumped up to see it."

 

[Easy 10]

Thank you for the advice. Looks like I might be seeing a Cubs playoff game at Wrigley Field and I'm told the excitement at the game will be remarkable. I'm getting very "pumped up to see it."

Wow, you've done VERY well to get a ticket then chap. Although I've just had a few days in Chicago (they had a home series v the Cardinals) I didn't make a game there, much to my regret. Everywhere I looked in the city there were Cubs fans though, they are having an unprecedented season - their first National League pennant in 71 years, and they've not won the World Series since 1908, so its a pretty special time to be a Cubs fan right now. The Playoffs are going to be electric.

You are in for a treat, thats going to be one hell of an occasion. If you can get some pics up on here that'd be great

(btw, if its your first visit to Chicago and you want any little tips, then gimmie a shout. Wonderful city).