Before or after heading out for the ballgame during this spring training season, head to one of these Valley restaurants for special baseball-inspired menu items, wallet-friendly deals and more.
Taggia at FireSky Resort & Spa
Chef Massimo de Francesca appears to be taking a step back from his usual coastal Italian cuisine in favor of something a little more spicy. The verdict? Extraordinary. His Spring Training menu includes mini brats, an 8 oz. green chili burger smothered in guacamole, bacon and pepperjack cheese, barbecue duck flat bread with poblano corn salsa, and chilaquiles—crispy tortilla chips fried to perfection and topped with braised pork belly, salsa verde, cannellini beans and queso fresco. Available from March. 1 to April 1.
iCream Café
Flash your ticket stub at iCream Café after the game and score a sweet deal. From March 1 to April 1, baseball fans are encouraged to take advantage of the Buy One Dessert, Get One Dessert Free deal. Just be warned—this isn’t your average ice cream parlor. Rather than scooping straight from a cooler, iCream creates insanely fresh ice cream, sorbet, frozen yogurt, hot puddings and shakes from scratch using a state-of-the-art liquid nitrogen machine. Pick your poison and base (regular, light soy, or organic), then choose from 28 unique flavors and an array of toppings, including fresh fruit and candy mix-ins.
Pink Pony
The Pink Pony has long been heralded as Scottsdale’s go-to for anyone and everyone passionate about Spring Training, and although the dining room is peppered with baseball memorabilia and vintage photos, the menu is as innovative as ever. From March 1 to April 1, guests are invited to indulge in Executive Chef Steven K. Eldridge’s Umami Bomb Burger, a mouthwatering Niman Ranch patty, piled high with Anchor Steam braised onions, local cheddar and roasted mushrooms, all on a house made brioche bun. Also ripe for the picking is the Arizona cioppino, a fish stew of Campari tomatoes, fennel, red onion, shellfish and fresh herbs. Wash things down with an $11 Golden Gate Sazerac or $6 Anchor Steam pint.
Chompie’s
This New York-style delicatessen welcomes baseball fans with a Buy One, Get One Free Premium Half Pound Angus Beef Burger deal from March 3 to March 31. Everyday after 3 p.m., with the purchase of two drinks, diners can opt for one of six mouthwatering specialty choices, or a stick to the classic lettuce, tomato and onion combo. Either way, it’ll hold you over for at least several innings.
Bootleggers
Bootleggers is throwing Scottsdale a major curveball this Spring Training season. Starting March 4, the smokehouse will host a backyard barbecue bash every single day from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. For just $10, enjoy an ice-cold PBR and a plate piled high with award-winning smoked pulled pork or brisket, complete with coleslaw, buns for sandwich-making and a killer location right next to Scottsdale Stadium.
ROK Social House
Cultures collide at ROK Social House this Spring Training season. The locally owned Korean eatery and drink house in Old Town is introducing two new menu items just in time for the first pitch. Choose from either the K-Sadilla (kimchi, kalbi and shredded cheese melted in a fresh flour tortilla) or the bacon-wrapped ROK-dog, an Asian take on the traditional ballpark frank.
Paul Martin’s American Grill
The people at Paul Martin’s American Grill are being extra generous with baseball fans all the way through Apr. 4. Show your same day ticket stub from any Cactus League game and score the $13 Pick a Burger Meal. The package includes any draft beer, house or sweet potato fries and one of the following three burgers: the Hardwood Smoked Bacon and Jack Cheese, Bistro Cheddar Cheese or Three Mushroom Vegetarian Patty. It’s a tough call – so tough, you might have to visit more than once.
The Shout! House
Twenty-one-year-olds-and-overs can drink themselves silly after the game at The Shout! House. A same day ticket stub will get you one $1 draft domestic beer, house wine or cocktail. While you’re there, you might as well take advantage of the regular drink specials as well: 32-oz. Big Ass domestic beers for $8 and Hurricane cocktails for $14.50 (purchase a souvenir cup and get discounted refills). As always, live entertainment and non-stop partying are on the house.
–Emily Glynn
Spring Training Dining in Phoenix
