Take Me Out To The Ball Game

It's springtime, which in 2011 means the Fightin' Phils and their fans are out in full force in South Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park. Ever since Citizens Bank Park replaced Veterans' Stadium, Phillies fans have enjoyed some of the best ballpark food in the country as well as some of the best baseball.

Though Philadelphia is known primarily as a meat-loving city, its ballpark has plenty of options for everyone, leading PETA to vote CBP the #1 baseball stadium, and I will review some of these places in a series, including the details of when to get food (depending on what type of fan you are) and how long the lines are. I'll also eventually go into good places to pick up food before the game - even if you don't have a car.

The stadium has one main area for specialized foods called Ashburn Alley, (named after the late Hall of Fame player and announcer Richie Ashburn) which sits behind the outfield and bullpen and has a beer garden on its rooftop. The more generic Philadelphia foods are spread around the rest of the park with a couple of unique stands scattered here and there, such as in the Left Field Plaza/behind Section 139, which holds the Alley Grill, a Brewerytown, and the Schmitter.