The Best Citi Field Food – What to Eat at Mets Games (Updated April 2024)

ALL NEW FOR 2024!
This post on Mets Citi Field food was originally published in 2010 and has been updated in April 2024 to reflect the most recent concession information for the season.

What’s the best food at Citi Field and what should you eat at Mets games? I can tell you with certainty.

For more than a decade, I’ve been roaming the ballpark concourses, sampling my way through almost every concession stand in every corner.

Yes, you can still get a basic Nathan’s hot dog and fries or a helmet filled with chips doused in rubbery yellow cheez sauce (“Best deal in the ballpark! These are best deal in the park!” according to the dude who sat behind us on Opening Day 2016).

But you don’t need high-priced seats to snack on the best food at Citi Field. This is important to note!

Seriously, buy a standing room ticket and you’ll still have a great time roaming the ballpark and stuffing your face.

From years and years of research, following are my top picks for Citi Field food and drink at Mets games.

The Best New Citi Field Food for 2024

Once again, there have been a lot of changes and a few favorites have gone missing from the lineup in 2024. But I’m in my forward-thinking era, so I’m not going to bemoan the concessions that are no longer here.

Instead, let’s talk about the best new food options:

Pat LaFrieda’s Surf and Turf Sandwich

Yes, yes, I’m aware that the Pat LaFrieda filet mignon sandwich is not new to Citi Field. It’s a perenial line-getter, a culinary All-Star and potential Hall of Famer.

This year, the sandwich stand finally gets an upgrade from its kiosks in Taste of the City. Now it lives in the corner stand next to Fan Fest (Mr. and Mrs. Met’s meet-and-greet station and the kids’ section) beyond the Taste of the City concourse.

But here’s the thing, as longtime readers will know: I don’t really love the sandwich. Or I didn’t love it until it got a fancy seafood upgrade.

In addition to the regular filet mignon sandwich topped with melted Monterey Jack and sauteed Vidalia onions, and au jus on a baguette, now there’s the Surf and Turf sandwich.

It has a heaping helping of Lobster Shack lobster salad (AKA lobster roll filling) atop the filet, cheese, and onions. So you’re getting not one but two sandwiches simultaneously. And call me crazy, but it totally works.

Somehow the lobster cuts through the overwhelming richness and it doesn’t seem too over-the-top at all. Unless you look at the $40 price tag.

Taco Nixtamal

This taco cart takes over one of the spots where the Pat LaFrieda sandwiches were slung in Taste of the City, to the left of Shake Shack as you round the corner toward left field.

The big winner here, as I informally inferred from watching everyone in line, was the birria tacos. They’re three surprisingly manageably sized tacos served with a cup of birria broth, and they hit the spot.

The birria is a bit salty, but they’re satisfying and well made. I’m thrilled to see a meal that’s not oversized and gives you room in your stomach to sample other foods throughout the park.

The Porch

OK, this isn’t so much about food as it is ambience. This newish bar (which technically opened in 2023, but you might have missed it) carves out a little piece of Havana-inspired heaven near section 339 on the Excelsior level overlooking the Home Run Apple.

Full disclosure: You can’t really see too much on-field action if you’re sitting on the non-reserved seating side of the bar. But it’s a fun respite and yes, you can come hang out here even if you have the cheapest ticket in the park.

Offseason Trades and Acquisitions

Some of last year’s new offerings have found new homes throughout the ballpark.

Amazin’ Deli Chopped Cheese

The Amazin’ Deli chopped cheese kiosk no longer gets its, well, amazin’ bodega storefront behind section 132 in the left field corner. Instead, it can be found near Taco Nixtamal in the Taste of the City concourse and also gets a spot in the Promenade food concourse.

Market at the Porch

If you’re looking for your Sweet Chick chicken sandwiches or your Big Mozz mozzarella sticks, they’ve moved to the Market at the Porch: a grab-and-go market and cafeteria-style option next to the Porch bar that also features Mexican street corn and carnitas burritos from Takumi Taco.

Prince Street Pizza

And if you’re looking for a pizza option, this year’s contender is Prince Street Pizza, a Soho spot known on the socials for its mini ‘roni cups. My preference here is the square Sicilian slice over the thinner Neapolitan style, but either are servicable.

RIP Arancini Bros.

I’ve saved the most devastating news in this section for last: My longtime favorite kiosk, Arancini Bros., has been replaced on the field level concourse by Empanada Mama and on the Promenade level by… well, actually, I can’t remember. I’m in mourning.

No shade to empanadas, but those crunchy yet tender rice balls will be very much missed.

Other Recommended Citi Field Food

After the loss of Arancini Bros., I’m a little bereft. But I will soldier on, knowing that I can find solace in the following reliable ballpark options.

Pig Beach BBQ

Pig Beach is back to sling its super-popular barbecue on the field level behind section 135. I recommend going with the sampler platter, so you can pig out without feeling too overstuffed by the end of the game.

The platter features a solid lineup of pulled pork in a super-tangy vinegar BBQ sauce, tender sliced beef brisket, and small cups of baked beans and jalapeno-pineapple coleslaw.

If you prefer your barbecued meats in sandwich form, both pulled pork and brisket sammie options are available, as is a patty melt with bacon cherry pepper jam.

Craft Beer at Citi Field

If you don’t feel like leaving the ballpark to sit in EBBS Brewery or the K Korner — which are technically within the building structure but open to the public — you can still find good and local(ish) craft beer throughout the ballpark.

On the field level, the Coney Island kiosk on the first base concourse and the Montauk Brewing kiosk in the left field entrance corner feature many New York state breweries along with their own branded beers. Newburgh, Sloop, Brooklyn Brewery, and Wolffer cider are just some of the names represented here.

Dole Whip

Wait, are we at Disneyland? No, friends, we’re still in Queens, but I’m getting my taste of the tiki tiki tiki tiki room with a Dole Whip at Citi Field!

Even if you don’t want to eat Pig Beach BBQ, you can find Dole Whip at its location behind section 135. It’s also available at the hot pastrami / Twist pretzel stand in the Promenade food concourse. (Call it a hidden Mickey.)

You can get classic pineapple or a swirl with vanilla–and of course you can get it in a helmet cup. For my money, I’ll go with Dole Whip over Mister Softee any day.

With so much of the best food at Citi Field available all around the stadium, you might not even make it to your seat!