BRING IN THE GYROS: More food choices for Biscuits fans at the stadium this season
The Montgomery Biscuits have added a few new food choices for 2023 plus opened a new serving area in the train depot on the first-base side of Riverwalk Stadium. (Photos by Tim Gayle)
By GRAHAM DUNN
The Montgomery Biscuits have opened the the 2023 season and that has created opportunity for fans. More fun. More excitement… and more food.
That’s good news, particularly when it comes to concessions at Riverwalk Stadium.
The number of food choices have grown. In a few cases, they’ve moved to a different part of the park.
As the second homestand of the 2023 season winds down, fans should notice a difference in the location of a few of their favorite food items plus a few new choices to make the experience of a Biscuits game even better.
Start with one of the most popular stands. “South of the Border” has moved and has a new name while its old spot will soon feature Mediterranean cuisine such as gyros.
The famous super Nachos, tacos and the like can be found on the concourse on the first base side of the stadium (inside the train depot). Called the “Golden Sombrero,” it is one of four new windows on the first base side.
The move was precipitated by a need for more space while fans can also enjoy a wider variety of concessions.
“We have trouble getting people over to the first-base side so this will be a draw,”stated Risa Juliano, the director of food and beverages for the Biscuits. “The Mediterranean cuisine is very popular in Montgomery right now so it was an easy choice”
More new choices are available at the “Fries on First” window where fans can get a choice of four different seasonings on French fries (nachos, Barbecue, Cajun and French red hot) and you can add a healthy helping of boneless chicken wings to go with them - with the same seasonings, if you choose.
The third serving area in the old train shed is for Philly fans. No, not the baseball team but Philly Cheese steaks. This is an additional station along with the original Philly cart behind home plate.
“(The train shed) is a second location for Philly-cheese sandwiches but we will keep the cart,” Juliano said. “This is one of our busiest carts, since it takes longer…. That should improve speed of service.”
Another beverage station was added to the first-base concourse, which also should alleviate traffic from the third-base side.
As part of the adult beverage listing, food services has introduced a new choice with Clubtail, identified as “a cocktail in a can.” That along with all choices of beer (in cans) and soft drinks are served at the new drink station.
The changes should make the first-base side an added bonus for fans on either side of the stadium.
“Once we get the cart situation and the Sombrero going here, I think that will help alleviate some of the wait,” Juliano said. “And it should pull people over (to the first-base concourse) and they will discover what some of the new items are.”
Other new foods in the park include Fritos Pie, which you can take and eat anywhere; mini corn dogs for the kids and a smaller version of the hot dogs, “Little Chiefs” franks that can also include famous Conecuh sausage. It's available at the brand’s cart.
The biscuit cart has a new hot honey butter biscuit with chicken. And fans can get deep-fried cinnamon pretzel bites at the Home run Delights cart, formerly known as Dixieland Delights.
Juliano has also added to her staff with Nate Edwards now the assistant director and Zac Courtois, a.k.a. “Shovelman, the new food service manager.”
The nickname came from his work with the ground crew last season.
During the dragging of the infield in the middle innings of the game, a few fans gave him the nickname as he cleaned up the excess dirt with a shovel.
"It stuck and now it’s on my business card,” he said.
One other notable difference at the ballpark this season is all kiosks and serving stations are “card only.” No cash is accepted but Juliano offered a solution.
“Fans are welcome to use gift cards which are available at Guest Services, where you can use cash to put on the card,” she explained. “And for those who use ‘Biscuits Bucks,’ the (price) difference comes off the card, if you choose to do that. It helps round off the price, which now also has tax. It was part of the (displayed) price in previous seasons but is now added to your total."
Both Edwards and Courtois brought new ideas and fans should continue to find them as part of the dining experience at the ballpark.
“I had a background in food service. I’ve run food from delivery to cooking,” stated Courtois, who came to Montgomery from New Mexico. “I’ve done it all starting with retail, so we will always be looking for new ideas.”
The Biscuits close out the 12-game homestand this weekend with games against Biloxi today and Sunday. Tickets are available at www.biscuitsbaseball.com.