ATLANTA — From the Heavy Hitters to everyone's favorite mascot Blooper, it feels like baseball again at Truist Park!
"You'd be thinking to yourself perhaps why at seven years old is this ballpark doing these types of construction projects," asked Atlanta Braves President and CEO Derek Schiller. "The answer is really in the experience we're trying to create with our fan base."
This offseason, Schiller and his team did just that by adding new public spaces at the ballpark like the Blue Moon Beer Garden, and private spaces too, like the Lexus premium boxes.
Fans will also get to shop in a fully renovated clubhouse store with 1,500 added square feet of retail space.
And who doesn't love a good bobblehead? The Braves will give away several this year, including three Ronald Acuna Jr. bobbleheads to recognize three of his biggest accomplishments from last season.
Then, there's the food.
"Mr. Schiller will tell you, when we're open and have a game going on we're the biggest restaurant in the southeast," said Chef Louis Martorano. "That's the approach we're going to go to. I want everyone to feel like they can get anything they can here."
Here are a couple of the dishes that are new this season at Truist Park.
The Perimeter Dog
The Perimeter Dog is a foot-long, half-pound hot dog topped with sweet bacon jam, spicy sport peppers, diced onions and lemon-pepper Dijonnaise sauce. Available at 1871 Grill near section 141.
The Pitcher's Mound
The Pitcher's Mound is helping of waffle fries topped with slow-smoked brisket. Served nacho-style with spicy cheese sauce, pico de gallo, salsa roja and lime crema. Available at 1871 Grill near section 113.
The 4 Bagger Burger
The 4 Bagger Burger, which might require four people to finish, is four charbroiled burgers, covered with 1 pound of barbeque brisket, jalapenos, cheddar cheese and reaper pepper mayo. Served on a toasted sesame seed bun and topped with beer-battered onion rings. Available at 1871 Grill near section 113.
The Big Queso
The big queso is one pound of grilled marinated chicken with Chihuahua cheese, freshly chopped salsa, and cilantro. Pressed between sourdough bread, grilled golden brown, and topped with spicy queso sauce. Available at the Taco Factory near section 152.
The Fielder's Catch
Available in the Chophouse is the Fielder's Catch. It's a sandwich with two lobster tails, three fried oysters, candied bacon, lettuce, tomatoes, and a spicy peach rémoulade.
And those are just the ones that made the cut!
There were things we created that we loved that we couldn't put on the menu," Chef Martorano said. "Logistically, if you can't get it out within five minutes, it's not worth it."
Don't worry, there's a plan for those other items too. It might have something to do with the word playoffs.
"Matter of fact, we'll be getting ready for playoffs," Chef Martorano said. "I'll have my playoff menu written right after the all-star break."
World Series or bust, on the field and in the kitchen!
The Braves' first home game is April 5 at 7:20 p.m., against the Arizona Diamondbacks.