The Hartford Yard Goats offered a sneak peek at the new menu items that will be served at Dunkin’ Park this season.

By Ronni Newton

Minor league baseball games provide not only a chance to see professional athletes in action, but also a stadium experience that highlights fun – and that includes sampling some innovative and perhaps “extreme” and not-necessarily-healthy fare.

Fans from West Hartford and throughout the area are dedicated followers of the Yard Goats, and when the 2026 season begins at Dunkin’ Park on Thursday, April 2 (7:10 p.m.), the Colorado Rockies’ Double A team will host the Chesapeake Baysox (Baltimore Orioles affiliate). Along with watching the action on the field, fans will have a chance to sample a number of new menu items created by chef Joe Bartlett and his team.

At a media day on Monday, reporters and foodies were given a peek at this year’s menu, which includes roughly a dozen new items as well as returning fan favorites. Bartlett was joined by “Game Day Conor,” who is also the Sponsorship Sales Manager for the Yard Goats; Premium Manager for Catering Tyler Redding; and Cassie Therriault, director of marketing and partnerships for Bears BBQ, which will return to its center field location – as they unveiled this year’s must-try items.

Game Day Conor, noting the absence of snow on the field, said it’s been “a total team effort to get the ballpark ready to welcome hundreds of thousands of hungry Yard Goats fans for another incredible season.” The new food concoctions, he added, feature a combination of new flavors and new takes on old staples, all created to ensure “that our fans leave with a smile on their face that is bigger than when they walked through the gates.” He commended Bartlett and his team “for putting together some of the wackiest, wildest, most fun, most flavorful items we have ever had here at the ballpark.”

Opening day is forecast to be chilly, and the trendy new “Hot Honey Pepperoni Pizza Slice” might be just the the remedy.

Don’t forget your veggies! New at Dunkin’ Park this year are the “Garlic Parmesan Brussels Sprouts,” – deep fried, with a big of EVO, tossed in a garlic parmesan sauce and dusted with a touch of parmesan, Bartlett said.

A new spin on the BLT takes the classic ballpark hot dog experience to a new level. It’s a hot dog “fully wrapped in bacon,” served with pico and shredded lettuce – available in footlong or 2-foot sizes. Another dog option is the “Summer Dog” – a hot dog served with a pineapple slaw, BBQ sauce, and crispy onions on top for crunch, Bartlett said.

But wait … there are even more innovations. To create the Donut Nachos, Bartlett said, they start with doughnut holes. “We smush them out, we deep fry them. We’ve got some jalopeños on there, we got some pico de gallo on there, and some melted cheddar cheese.”

Upon arrival at the YG Club for the menu launch, the mouth-watering aroma of French fries wafted through the air. Lovers of fries will likely be tempted by the “Fry-Cutierie” – fried cheese curds, loaded cheese and bacon tots, French fries (of course), and dill pickle slices for a dash of color – served in a triangular container. “Grab one of those with a footlong, and that’s pretty much your day,” Bartlett said with a laugh.

The Aloha Chicken Sando probably ranks among the healthier and least unusual of the choices. The chicken is “roasted to perfection” and then heated up on the grill, tossed in sweet chili sauce, and topped with pineapple slaw and jalopeños on a burger bun.

“My inspiration was the Pillsbury Doughboy,” Bartlett said of his favorite creation among the new menu offerings – the “Cinnamon Roll Burger” – a juicy all-beef burger patty with Swiss cheese, bacon, and BBQ sauce served between two warm cinnamon rolls. It’s a juxtaposition of the sweet and the savory that will be kinder to your tastebuds than your waistline – but although that may not be the intent, it can be cut in half to share.

The Bird Dog features two chicken tenders coated in sweet chili sauce, topped with pineapple slaw, and is served on a hot dog bun with a side of fries.

If you’re craving more sweets, don’t forget dessert. New this year is a Brownie Sundae – a warm brownie with vanilla ice cream topped with chocolate chips, caramel sauce, and whipped cream – served in a Yard Goats souvenir helmet. There’s also a cake cup – available on Fridays and Saturdays – that includes “pudding, cake, whipped cream, sprinkles, some more cake, some more coating,” that’s served in a light-up Yard Goats mug, Bartlett said.

Attending a Yard Goats game is family event, and new this year is a “Family Meal Deal Goat Feed Bucket” – which includes two hot dogs, two burgers, and fries loaded up into a souvenir goat feed bucket.

Redding highlighted some of the available libations, including the return of Thomas Hooker Brewery’s Nectar of the Goats. “Garage Beer is now a sponsor of the ballpark,” he added, and they a party deck. Garage Beer, while low in calories, is “Beer Flavored Beer” according to the website, and available in regular and lime.

There are also a variety of cocktail selections this year, “served in our wonderful new Yard Goats baseball souvenir glasses,” Redding said. They include a strawberry margarita, mango-rita, and “electric lemonade.”

“In center field we’ve got classic Bears going on this year,” Therriault said. There are “Bear Balls,” she said, and a deep-fried cornbread/pulled pork/mac and cheese bowl smothered with cheese sauce and bacon. They will be serving all of the classic smoked meats as well as “impossible meatloaf” as a vegan option, as well as the Mac Attack, Bear Attack, and multiple side dishes.

“We’ve got our meatballs wrapped in bacon, which is a perfect snack while you’re watching the game.” Therriault said.

This year, Bears has also added a sweet – the Game Day Rice Krispie” – infused with green and blue sprinkles. “Perfect for the kids to grab at the register, and also a favorite amongst athletes as a good refuel snack,” Therriault said.

A guide to all of the food and drink offerings at Yard Goats games can be found here.

West Hartford resident Jeff Dooley, the director of Broadcasting & Media Relations, will return to his long-time role in the announcer’s booth – unless he’s called up to the Major Leagues. Dooley has auditioned and reportedly is one of the top candidates in the running to be the voice of the Rockies.

To view the Yard Goats 2026 schedule and information about promotions and purchasing tickets, click here.

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