An Insider’s Guide To Eating At The 2023 All-Star Game In Seattle

T-Mobile Park has some really good options for dining at this year’s MLB All-Star Game on July 11, with a bunch of events at the stadium leading up to the main attraction. Come hungry and follow these tasty tips.

Fan by marriage

I’ve been a Seattle Mariners fan for decades, thanks to my baseball crazy spouse. He dragged me to games starting way back in the Kingdome era. Yes, we were even there for the 1996 earthquake game. I was initially reluctant but slowly came around. The pretty good ballpark food helped push me in that True to the Blue direction.

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In recent years, the quality of the fan fare has soared like a Ken Griffey, Jr., homer over centerfield. Well, maybe not that dramatically, but still…

I strongly suggest a rolling feast if you’d like to get a true feel for this compelling ballpark and there’s no better place to begin than on the ground level in The ‘Pen, aka party central. So many fans come early and hang out in this space on the edge of left field where fans are feet away from the pitchers warming up.

Grab a slice from Ballard Pizza Company, or a burger at Lil Woody’s, two outposts of popular Seattle restaurants with multiple locations. My go-to first course is chips, guac and some crispy grasshoppers at Edgar’s Cantina. This sassy saloon and the taco stand one floor up are named after one of the M’s most beloved players, Edgar Martinez.

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Find lots of beer options including local craft brews around the park on this guide or check out the sage advice on where to find the haute stuff from the Washington Beer Blog.

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On the main concourse

So many fans follow the fragrance to Kidd Valley for those famous (infamous?) garlic fries, but my sights are set on a more seaworthy course: the excellent crab-topped taters from the Way Back Crab Shack. Not cheap, but they do not skimp on the nicely dressed Dungeness. It’s located just across from the Dave Niehaus Statue near section 105. That legendary broadcaster who passed away in 2006 was best known for his evocative grand slam call: “Get out the mustard and the rye bread, Grandma, it’s Grand Salami time!”

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If you’re up for something tropical – and why not? – head over to Marination for a Hawaiian-style plate lunch or the satisfying Kalua pork sando. Definitely don’t miss the Spam Musubi from these pioneers of the food truck revolution in Seattle.

The line’s almost always long at Ivar’s, a local institution known for its fish ‘n’ chips and chowder, but here’s a hint: there’s another location on the 300 level that’s often less mobbed.

Over by the Mariners Hall of Fame, get your Din Tai Fung on. While the legendary Tawainese mega-chain doesn’t serve its soup dumplings, the pork buns are well done. For those looking to go gluten-free, there are options at The Natural. And Just Poke does right by raw fish adorned bowls with customized add-ons.

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Hit It Here

Sure to be packed for this big game, the Hit it Here cafe with the outstanding outfield view has a suites vibe without the big-ticket ticket. Good luck scoring a reservation at this late date, but it’s worth a shot. If you’re game for a mega-calorie blow-out, go for the ridiculous mac-n-cheese sandwich “loaded” with Hempler’s bacon.

Walk it off

There’s one more level up and it’s a doozy. The Elliott Bay vista from the 300 level is downright dreamy and, yes, you can see Mount Rainier from up top on a clear day. Reward yourself with a half pint from Lopez Island Creamery at the Rolling Roof stand by section 319. If they’ve got it, the blackberry is bomb. Or, head back to the main concourse for a scoop from Salt & Straw.

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Here’s a cheat sheet for finding all the most popular eats.

If you go…

This likely isn’t a last-minute trip, so you’ve probably already booked a room, but if not, I’ve got a secret: stay in West Seattle. If you’ve parked near the stadium, traffic is almost always a nightmare when you leave. But heading over the kind of recently reopened West Seattle bridge isn’t nearly as bad.

This spring, I discovered a cool retro motel that’s been nicely renovated. The Grove offers comfy digs, a morning breakfast and an excellent location from which to explore this wonderful neighborhood. Stroll over to the Junction and shop for vinyl at Easy Street Records & Cafe, hit the Sunday farmers market or/and check out the amazing barbecue and cocktails at Lady Jaye, where they serve some of the best baloney cooked low and slow.

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