Food & Drink at Nats Park for 2021 Season
When the Washington Nationals finally take the field Tuesday against the Atlanta Braves after postponing several games including opening day due to at four players testing positive for COVID-19 and seven others being place in quarantine, there will be a new food lineup awaiting fans including Wharf sandwich shop Grazie, Grazie, Venezuelan snack vendor Arepa Zone and David Chang’s fried chicken chain, Fuku, among others.
A big change this year due to the pandemic is that fans can only eat and drink in their seating pods and must wear face coverings while not “actively eating or drinking.”
The whole ballpark, except the 50/50 raffle, is cashless. Hawkers will still roam the stadium selling Cracker Jacks and beer, but they will only accept credit cards and contactless payment. Fans with only cash can exchange it for eCash at Advance Ticket Sales, the Budweiser Terrace or Guest Services in Section 131.
The team doesn’t want people crowding in the concourse while waiting for their food and is encouraging fans to order from their seat via the MLB Ballpark App. To purchase food and drink, fans can tap the “mobile ordering” section in the MLB Ballpark app or scan a QR code on the back of each seat, choose food and drink items, pay then grab the covered food and beverage containers at the dedicated pick-up window. Spectators can still order directly from concessions and purchase items using eCash, touchless systems such as Apple Pay or a standard credit or debit card.
Due to the limited capacity and the pandemic, some concessions may be closed based on attendance and demand. Because of their location at the main entrance, Medium Rare, See You Tater and Haute Dogs & Fries are temporarily closed. Spots in the stadium where fans typically gathered are also shut. That includes the Budweiser Brew House, which won’t reopen for the 2021 season. The Budweiser Terrace bar is open, but it is now a grab-and-go spot with the furniture removed. The PNC Diamond Club and Nationals Club (formerly the Delta Sky360 Club) are open, but at reduced capacity following D.C. indoor dining regulations.
All food and beverages will be served in containers with lids. True Made Food will be the team’s provider of condiments, and touchless dispensers have been installed throughout the park.
Arepa Zone (Center Field Plaza)
The popular Venezuelan-snack vendor, which operates food trucks, a Union Market stall and a 14th Street restaurant, is featured at the “Avoiding Gluten Kiosk.” Arepas stuffed with pork shoulder, shredded chicken or shredded beef will kick off the season.
Fuku (Section 238)
Restaurateur David Chang may have closed Momofuku CCDC, but his spicy-fried-chicken chain is still here and replaces CHIKO behind the scoreboard on the second level. The stand will serve fried-chicken sandwiches, crispy “Fuku fingers,” waffle fries with sweet jalapeno seasoning, and more.
Grazie Grazie (Section 114)
Taylor Gourmet founder Casey Patten’s Wharf shop will join the roster of sandwich options at Nats Park. The menu includes Patten’s 8+1 Italian cold cut sub; the Marathon herb-roasted turkey with mozzarella, prosciutto and pesto; and a Paladino Caprese sandwich.
Harris Creek Oyster Co. (Section 104)
Chesapeake Bay oyster fans can get bivalves the same day and driven to Nats Park from this family-owned company, which has been operating on Maryland’s Eastern Shore for 13 generations. It debuted at the park in 2019 but can now be found in the Blue Point Boat in Section 104.
Jimmy’s Famous Seafood (Sections 114, 140 and 306)
You no longer need to drive to Camden Yards for a tasty ballpark crab cake. Jimmy’s, a Baltimore fixture since 1974, replaces Chesapeake Crab Co. with three stands serving crab cake sandwiches and crab nachos.
Taqueria del Barrio (Sections 129, 216 and 314)
Joining the growing roster of women-owned businesses at the ballpark, including Hank’s Oyster Bar and Civic Vodka, are three locations of Anna Bran-Leis’s Petworth taqueria. Look for crowd favorites like chicken tinga and beef barbacoa tacos as well as nachos.
Cutwater Spirits (Section 132 and multiple locations)
The Nats are jumping on the canned-cocktail trend with several locations of San Diego-based Cutwater Spirits. A new “Cutwater Still” bar is located in Section 132, and cans of its lime-vodka soda, margaritas, and vodka mules will be available elsewhere. On hot days, look for frozen Cutwater pops at the Ultra Loft.
District Drafts (Multiple locations)
In its eighth season, the local-beer kiosk has expanded to 13 locations around the stadium. Offerings include brews from 3 Stars, Atlas, D.C. Brau, Denizens, Fair Winds, Hellbender, Lost Boy, Old Ox, Port City, Red Bear, Right Proper and Silver Branch.
Editor-in-Chief Mark Heckathorn is a journalist, movie buff and foodie. He oversees DC on Heels editorial operations as well as strategic planning and staff development. Reach him with story ideas or suggestions at dcoheditor (at) gmail (dot) com.