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Astros introduce tasty additions to stacked lineup of stadium grub

Astros introduce tasty additions to stacked lineup of stadium grub
Torchy's has been replaced by Top Taco. Photo via: Mat Drain.

Baseball, with full stadiums someday soon (hopefully), is back.

Best of all, fans can cheer on the Astros while enjoying hot dogs, beer and ice cream sundaes in miniature batting helmets at Minute Maid Park. Food, glorious baseball food.

Here's our annual 10 Questions for Mat Drain, the Baron of Butterfingers for Aramark, which runs all the concession stands at the ballpark.

1.SportsMap: On a personal level, how does it feel to have fans back in Minute Maid Park?

Mat Drain: I am absolutely ecstatic to have fans back in the ballpark enjoying a hot dog and a beer. When you get the opportunity to work in a stadium like Minute Maid Park you thrive off the excitement of fans which was missing last year with the shortened season and empty stands. The hardest part of not having fans in the ballpark was missing our extraordinary game day staff who are so instrumental to the fans' experience. They had been away from the ballpark since the last game of 2019.

2.SM: What did you do last year without fans to feed?

MD: We worked on COVID plans in case it was determined that fans could return safely to the ballpark in 2020. Many of our team members and creative culinary team still were responsible for feeding the home and visiting players, umpires and media who attended games.

 3.SM: So far, the ballpark is restricted to 50-percent capacity. How are you accommodating that? Do you have a full menu with all concession stands open, or have you scaled service back proportionate to the crowd size? 

MD: We are opening stands based on where fans are sitting in the ballpark and keeping in mind giving fans enough space to safely distance. The majority of our items are still available, but we've reduced the number of portable locations which has slightly impacted the variety. We still offer favorites like Shake Shack, Pluckers and Jackson Street BBQ and ballpark staples like hot dogs and nachos. Our fans on the club level still have branded options like Osso & Kristalla and Papa John's.

4.SM: Describe the cashless system you're using now.

MD: All food and beverage and retail transactions are cashless. You can use contactless payment like Apple Pay or Google pay, your major debit and credit cards, or use our reverse ATMs where you put in cash and it gives you a debit card that can be used anywhere inside Minute Maid Park. We are also providing mobile order pick-up as the only way to order at Killen's BBQ at Section 109.

5.SM: Are fans' eating habits the same, or have tastes changed coming out of 2020's pandemic year?

MD: After the first few games we are seeing the same eating habits. I think folks are really excited to be back in the ballpark. I forgot how much better a hot dog tastes when you are watching your hometown Astros.

6. SM: How are you implementing social distancing at concession stands? Are fans following the rules?

MD: We are opening stands and registers based on demand. We are ensuring that our staff has a safe work environment which, in some cases, results in closing some registers and providing reduced stand staff.

7.SM: What happened to Torchy's Tacos on the outfield mezzanine?

DM: After a three-year run Torchy's, a fan favorite, is no longer available. Torchy's has been replaced by Top Taco, which is an Aramark concept.

8.SM: Will Dollar Dogs be back this season?

MD: Yes, every Tuesday night. We had our first one this week and it appeared that fans have been saving their dollars as they did not skip a beat. The next Dollar Dog Night is April 27 when the Seattle Mariners are here. The unofficial record for most hot dogs sold is 46,000 hot dogs during a game against Boston. Like years past, we will sell our regular full-sized hot dogs on Dollar Dog Night.

9.SM: What are fans saying to you? Are they requesting anything special on the menu? 

MD: The best part about having fans again is being able to talk to them around the stadium. Most fans are excited to back in the ballpark and are adjusting to the 2021 season protocols. Our fans are very engaged in the ballpark experience so I anticipate as we settle into the season we will start to get some feedback on food items they would like to see or inquire when their favorite item might return. We are ready for the challenge and can't wait for a full season of baseball.

10.SM: So what's new for 2021?

MD: We have two new chicken and taco concepts.

Tenders Love and Chicken (Section 418).

Premium chicken tenders or jumbo wings for $10.49. Both are available with hand-cut fries for $16.99.

Top Taco (outfield mezzanine).

Your choice (pick 2) of Korean Brisket, Adobo Chicken, Harissa Cauliflower or Pork Carnita tacos, served on either corn or flour tortillas, plus tortilla chips and salsa for $13.85.

  

Top Tacos nachos.


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The All-Star Break came at the perfect time for Houston. Composite Getty Image.

After riding high from a statement sweep of the Dodgers, the Astros limped into the All-Star break, having lost five of their last six games, including two of three to the rival Rangers. They still hold a five-game lead in the American League West, but the momentum they carried into July has cooled considerably.

While it’s tempting to point to the battered lineup as the reason for Houston’s recent struggles, the more pressing issue has been on the mound. For much of the season, elite pitching has masked an offense operating in the league’s bottom third. But during this six-game slide, the script flipped. Over the last seven days, Houston ranks 24th in team ERA at 5.37. The offense hasn’t been great either, 20th in runs, 22nd in OPS, 23rd in batting average, but those numbers aren’t that far off their season-long identity. The difference is that the pitching has stopped bailing them out.

The good news? Help may be (somewhat) on the way.

Astros GM Dana Brown recently provided updates on three key contributors. Shortstop Jeremy Peña isn’t expected back immediately after the break, but Brown said it shouldn’t be long before he returns from a fractured rib. Yordan Alvarez, meanwhile, is progressing well from his hand injury. According to Brown, Alvarez has “absolutely no pain” and will be re-evaluated Thursday. If cleared to swing, the Astros plan to expedite his return. Center fielder Jake Meyers, however, remains at least three weeks away as he recovers from a calf injury.

On the pitching front, expectations for late-season contributions from Cristian Javier and Luis Garcia remain uncertain. Both pitchers have thrown rehab starts recently in the Florida Complex League. Garcia has now been out for over two years following Tommy John surgery. If he’s not able to return this season, serious questions will need to be asked about his long-term outlook. Javier, also rehabbing from Tommy John, may be an option in August, but expectations should be tempered. As Brown himself has admitted, he tends to be optimistic. Fans would be wise to stay grounded.

Another arm to watch is Spencer Arrighetti. With no major injury (thumb) holding him back, Arrighetti may be Houston’s most viable rotation boost in the second half.

Fortunately, the schedule sets up favorably after the break. Over the next seven series, the Astros face four sub-.500 teams. But that doesn’t mean anything is guaranteed, especially if current trends continue.

Lance McCullers remains an enigma. When he’s locked in, he gives Houston a legitimate No. 3-caliber arm. When he’s off, he’s out of the game early and the bullpen pays the price. Manager Joe Espada faces one of his toughest managing challenges every time McCullers takes the hill.

Cam Smith has cooled off at the plate, hitless in his last 11 at-bats. He’s also been bounced all over the batting order. A simple solution? Plant him in the cleanup spot and let him adjust without the added mental shuffle.

And then there’s Josh Hader. The All-Star closer has surrendered home runs in three of his last four outings. If Houston is going to continue winning tight games with a low-margin offense, Hader has to be lights-out. His dominance alongside a top-tier setup man (Bryan Abreu) has been a pillar of the Astros’ success model this season. They need that foundation to hold.

The Astros aren’t panicking — nor should they. But after a hot run turned lukewarm, the margin for error is shrinking. The second half opens with an opportunity to bank wins and regain rhythm. Whether Houston capitalizes depends on health, consistency, and maybe a little creativity from the front office.

There's so much more to discuss! Don't miss the video below as we examine the topics above and much, much more!

The MLB season is finally upon us! Join Brandon Strange, Josh Jordan, and Charlie Pallilo for the Stone Cold ‘Stros podcast which drops each Monday afternoon, with an additional episode now on Thursday.

___________________________

*ChatGPT assisted.

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