As part of the annual Media Day, the Hartford Yard Goats offered a sneak peek highlighting food that will be served at Dunkin’ Park this season.

By Ronni Newton

The Yard Goats open the 2025 season at Dunkin’ Park on Friday night, April 4, and anyone who has attended one of the popular Double A team’s games knows the overall experience includes not only good baseball but also a fun and award-winning stadium atmosphere that features innovative and fun food offerings.

Many West Hartford residents are ready to welcome the minor league season, to join others from throughout the area to watch the Yard Goats in action, and to enjoy some of those not-all-that-healthy food items. Each year, Yard Goats President Tim Restall, who has a food and beverage background, is always eager to unveil the must-try items created by chef Joe Bartlett and his team as well as the menu from Bear’s BBQ, which will return to its center field location.

The Yard Goats hosted Media Day on Wednesday, giving reporters and foodies a peek at this year’s menu, which includes some new items as well as returning fan favorites. “We’re bringing back our award-winning hot chicken sandwich this year again, but we’re adding another donut loaf – which is a homemade meat loaf,” Bartlett said. “It has brown gravy, melted cheddar cheese, and some frizzled fried onions in between two glazed donuts.”

Available this season at the main concourse concession stands, along with those donut sandwiches, is a loaded French fry trough, which Bartlett said “is almost two feet of French fries, with melted cheddar cheese on it” as well as other toppings. When asked if it’s intended to be eaten by just one person, he said, “We’ll see. It’s definitely shareable.”

Also shareable – perhaps Lady & the Tramp style – is the 2-foot-long hotdog which was introduced last year and is on the menu again, Bartlett said, served with a choice of toppings that even includes the addition of spicy chicken and pico de gallo.

“We have a jalapeño popper grilled cheese with some funions added for some crunch and some fun,” he added.

Other innovative menu items include a Korean kimchi footlong hotdog, cheesy loaded baked potatoes, vegetarian Buffalo cauliflower, and mini empanadas.

For those who were curious and perhaps tempted, don’t be disappointed that the “Float Your Goat” will not actually be on the menu. A highly promoted loaded hotdog submerged in goat milk was just an April Fool’s joke, as revealed by Game Day Connor on social media on Tuesday.

If you’re thirsty, however, there are a wide variety of beverages available at the Dunk, include the return of Chivos Lager – a special brew made for the Yard Goats by Thomas Hooker Brewery.

Bears BBQ will continue as a key partner with the Yard Goats and they are excited to be back as well.

Some of the Bears featured food include Loaded Tots – topped with Bears Mac & Cheese, a choice of Bears smoked meat, sour cream, and a generous sprinkling of bacon. Also on the menu is the “Bear Attack” (mac & cheese topped with pulled pork or brisket), cheesy or plain tots, pulled pork and brisket sandwiches, cornbread, and Bear Moink Balls which are smoked bacon-wrapped meatballs.

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

Also excited to be back this year is West Hartford resident Jeff Dooley who returns to the announcer’s booth, and will also announce 39 games on NESN and NESN+ – spreading the Yard Goats brand throughout New England.

Bobby Meacham, who was manager of the year in the Eastern League last year, returns along with other members of the 2024 coaching staff that took the Goats to the playoffs.

“We’ve got some pretty good prospects coming this way,” said Dooley, including Kyle Karros whose father, Eric Karros, played 15 years in the majors with the LA Dodgers and other teams. “He’ll be one of our star players who’ll be at third base, and we’ve got a kid named Cole Carrigg, who played at San Diego State, and who’s a big time prospect. He’s an outfielder,” Dooley said.

“And I’m really excited … Gabriel Hughes will be one of our pitcher. He was with us two years ago and actually got injured, had Tommy John surgery, he’s back now and he’s a big time Rockies prospect. So it’s always nice to get some returning players with some new players and hopefully we have another competitive team this year,” said Dooley.

“Go goats – we’re ready to go,” Bartlett said.

“We’re excited for the season … hopefully all the great folks in West Hartford come down and catch a Yard Goats game this season,” Dooley said.

To view the Yard Goats 2o25 schedule and information about promotions and purchasing tickets, click here.

 

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