Ballpark fans hungry for baseball flock to Arizona for spring training. And lucky for them, not only is their appetite for ball games satiated, their literal appetites are likewise covered. Surrounding several Cactus League stadiums are some of the Valley’s favorite eateries. From Mexican food and Italian fare to French cuisine and more, spring training visitors have plenty of places to feast before or after a day at the ballpark. Take a look at ten different restaurants to add to your roster this spring training season.
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Someburros
Locations: Goodyear Ballpark, Tempe Diablo Stadium, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Sloan Park and Hohokam Stadium
Family-owned Someburros, one of Arizona’s favorite Sonoran-style Mexican restaurants for 36 years running, offers 12 convenient Valley locations (Goodyear, Mesa, Tempe and more). Someburros has everything, from breakfast items like the Senor Jorge ($8.95): a crispy tamale topped with a fried egg, a side of beans and a flour tortilla. Or, the Tres Tacos ($10.35) for lunch: a mix-and-match option of pollo asado, carne asada, fish or Cody’s vegan option. Finish off a meal with dessert Chimis ($5.35) including apple, cherry or chocolate flavors and frozen margaritas in classic and strawberry offerings.
Hash Kitchen
Locations: Peoria Sports Complex, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick, Sloan Park and Hohokam Stadium
Home of the original build-your-own Bloody Mary bar, Hash Kitchen has multiple locations around the Valley. The Instagrammable Bloody Mary Bar features more than 60 toppings from which to choose such as corndogs, pickles and beef jerky. Aside from brunch cocktails, there are grand slam menu items from Bread Pudding French Toast Sticks ($17) made with vanilla custard bread pudding and served with creme brulee dipping sauce to the Brunchilada Stack Hash ($18), layered with warm tortillas, chorizo mashed potatoes, green and red chile sauce, mozzarella, fried eggs, crema, and the option to add chicken tinga or pork carnitas for $4.
The Sicilian Butcher
Locations: Peoria Sports Complex, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick and Sloan Park
This modern-casual dining concept highlights their craft meatballs and charcuterie bar. The Sicilian and Italian-style menu offers a build-your-own meatball meal, making the experience interactive with three steps: choose your meatball, select the sauce and pick a base like pasta or polenta. Treat your fellow baseball fans to the meatball Ferris wheel ($28). The shareable starter comes with six pre-selected meatball and sauce combinations, showcased on a rotating Ferris wheel delivered right to the table. Polenta, shaved grana and toast points are added to this home-run delight. Don’t swing and miss the charcuterie boards, especially the Sicilian In Strada ($18 per person/four-person minimum) — a five-foot-long charcuterie board serving Sicilian street eats like arancini, creamy polenta, meatballs, artisanal cured meats and cheeses, dried fruit, olive, bruschetta, and more.
The Sicilian Baker
Locations: Peoria Sports Complex, Salt River Fields at Talking Stick and Sloan Park
Located next to The Sicilian Butcher, The Sicilian Baker offers a loaded-bases-dessert experience. Ballpark goers can partake in a build-your-own cannoli bar complete with various shell sizes, cream flavors and toppings. Cannoli cream flavors range from traditional to cookies and cream and Biscoff. The bakery features a gelato bar, espresso bar and pastry counter packed with a smattering of savory and sweet pastries and desserts.
Frutilandia
Locations: Goodyear Ballpark, Camelback Ranch, Hohokam Stadium and Sloan Park
With eight locations around the Valley, family-owned and operated Frutilandia has been specializing in the best Latin-influenced desserts, raspados and Mexican snacks since 2006. With a menu known for its inclusion of fresh and authentic ingredients, this authentic Latin dining experience serves up both sweet and savory options. The Cured Shrimp Tostadas ($6.99) have a fresh and zesty taste, derived from shrimp cured in lime juice. Cucumber, tomato, onion, cilantro, clamato and avocado are mixed into this colorful dish. After a full day at the park, swing by for a Strawberry Cheesecake Milkshake ($8.99 for 20 ounces, $11.99 for 32 ounces) before heading home. Strawberry shaved ice made with real fruit syrup made in-house and strawberry cheesecake ice cream are combined in this beverage, with sweet cream and a wafer on top.
CRUjiente Tacos
Location: Scottsdale Stadium
CRUjiente Tacos is a modern neighborhood taqueria that features Latin-inspired cuisine and chef-driven tacos. Taking inspiration from authentic Mexican street tacos, the menu has upscale, refined dishes such as the seared chicken taco ($7.50) and a garlic roasted mushroom taco ($9). The seared chicken tacos incorporate a bold flavor with a spicy bean salad, fresnos and chimichurri. The garlic roasted mushroom tacos are delectable, featuring Crow’s Dairy chèvre with cilantro and jalapeño aioli. Order one or two of their extra-base hit, award-winning margaritas made with high-quality tequila and fresh ingredients like the Arcadia Margarita ($10), a savory, spicy, refreshing drink with 100% Blue Agave Tequila, cucumber, cilantro, jalapeno, agave and fresh lime.
Tarbell’s
Location: Scottsdale Stadium
Tarbell’s provides upscale comfort meals that focus on contemporary, classic, feel-good food. Vegetarian, seafood and classic American options can all be found on this menu, serving as a happy medium for picky eaters and large groups celebrating Scottsdale Stadium’s San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies and/or Arizona Diamondbacks. Start off the meal by selecting a wine from Tarbell’s extensive selections. From bubbles to big reds, Tarbell’s drink menu has it all. With a generous meatball almost the size of the plate itself, “The Meatball” with Spaghetti incorporates organic marinara sauce to produce a fresh taste. Or, go big before you go home with their signature cheeseburger made with grounded New York strip, smoked paprika aioli and white cheddar.
Tomaso’s
Location: Scottsdale Stadium
An Italian institution in the Valley since 1977, Tomaso’s serves fine Italian food, steaks, seafood and wine. The menu has many options that suit anybody’s culinary needs. The “For the Table” options are an ideal starter for a large party. A charcuterie board, listed under this portion of the menu, is made of imported Italian cured meats, artisanal cheeses, jams, olives and pickled cauliflower. The board is perfect to snack on while waiting for the main courses. The menu ranges from legendary specialties to handcrafted pastas.
Zinqué
Location: Scottsdale Stadium
Zinqué is a low-key cafe, bistro and wine bar that focuses on French-inspired dishes. The high-design restaurant is known for its tartines, a French staple uncommon in Arizona restaurants. There is a cheesy Tomato Avocado Tartine ($16) and a salted Smoked Salmon Tartine ($18). A fan favorite is the Tuna Tartare Tartine ($18). Using Poilâne bread imported from Paris, fresh tuna lies in a bed of pesto, crushed salt and vinegar chips and Parmigiano Reggiano. Zinqué also carries a large and unique selection of cocktails and carefully curated wine and beer.
The Mexicano
Locations: Salt River Fields at Talking Stick
The Mexicano has a lively and modern ambiance, the perfect party-centric destination after a day at the ballpark. Unlike any Mexican restaurant experience, The Mexicano offers the world’s first build-your-own margarita bar with over 30 craft toppings from fresh fruit to sour candy. Unforgettable meals like the ultimate three-foot-long quesadilla have customizable options for the whole table to enjoy. A vibrant spin on a classic favorite is the queso machete ($30). Crema fresca, avocado, salsa, Morita salsa and cotija cheese enhance the Mexican cheese blend for a rich, upscale flavor. Make sure to save room for the Hot Churro Cart ($15), fried to order and served with chocolate, caramel and tres leches dipping sauces.
