New York City FC will play just five Major League Soccer games at Citi Field this year, but the place feels like home. It's more intimate than Yankee Stadium, the club is building Etihad Park across the street, and the food at Citi Field is exceptional by the standards of overpriced ballpark fare, a curated bazaar of vendors who have something for everyone.
That is, if you know where to look — which is why we're here to help you figure out what to eat at Citi Field.
Once again, we’re only including the food stands located on the Field Level and in Taste of the City behind the super-sized scoreboard. As most of NYCFC’s fans sit in the lower levels, the vendors on the other levels likely won't be open on matchdays.
We’re also dividing the food stands into three geographic sections: Taste of the City, Field Level 118 – 139, and Field Level 117 – 102. Better to have a plan than wander aimlessly and hangry.
Taste of the City
Amazin’ Chicken Co.
As close as you’ll come to a Chicken Bucket in the House that Fred Wilson Built.
Amazin’ Deli Chopped Cheese
The name says it all.
Arepalicious (through July 6)
The family-run arepa spot in Ozone Park takes over the Taste of Queens stand for the first part of the season.
Dole Whip
Fruity soft-serve ice cream.
Gyro Jimmy's
There's a party in every pita.
Hot Pastrami on Rye
The New York classic served with a kosher pickle.
Metropolitan Fry Factory
Pickle-spiced fries, Disco Fries topped with cheddar, pepper jack, and brown gravy, fried Oreos, and more.
Mister Softee
Can't get the song out of your head, can you?
Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors
Steak sandwiches and loaded fries from the legendary New York City butcher.
Prime Kosher Sports
Pulled BBQ sandwich, hot and sweet sausages, kosher hot dogs. For the carved hot corned beef sandwich or pulled brisket nachos go to the location at section 119.
Shake Shack
The New York favorite carries all the classics.
Thai Tai Eatery (July 18 to September 21)
This Maspeth restaurant will serve up banh mi at Taste of Queens later this summer.
Tullamore D.E.W. Bar
Whiskey drinks from the Irish distillery.
Wok N’ Roll
Home to Instagram-famous egg rolls. There's the cinnamon bun egg roll (it's exactly what it sounds like), the Verrazano (breaded chicken, mozzarella, and vodka sauce), and the chicken bacon ranch ((breaded chicken, bacon, ranch dressing).
Field Level 118 – 139
Big Mozz – Home Plate Market
Mozzarella sticks.
Cookie Crumz – Home Plate Market
Thick, delicious cookies from the Astoria bakery.
Fuku – Home Plate Market
Celebrity chef David Chang’s tasty fried chicken sandwiches moved closer to the escalator, but they still have that legit spicy kick.
Hot Pastrami on Rye – 121
See Taste of the City, above.
Premio Sausage – Section 121
Sweet or hot, served with griddled onions and peppers on a roll.
Prime Kosher Sports – 121
This is where you'll find the carved hot corned beef sandwich or pulled brisket nachos, plus hot and sweet sausages, hot dogs, and other kosher treats. For the pulled BBQ sandwich go to the location at Taste of the City.
Nathan’s Hot Dogs and Mister Softee – Section 121
Two New York City classics that need no introduction.
Pat LaFrieda Burgers – Section 123
Burgers and other ballpark fare from the legendary butcher. For steak sandwiches and loaded fries go to Pat LaFrieda Meat Purveyors at Taste of the City.
Dippin' Dots – Section 125
Space-age ice cream.
The Kernel – Section 125
Piles and piles of popcorn.
Nathan’s Hot Dogs and Mister Softee – Section 125
See section 121, above.
Goya Nachos – Section 128
A ballpark classic, piled high with messy toppings.
Zeppole – Section 130
Fried dough tossed with powdered sugar.
Mister Softee – Section 131
The mothership Mister Softee at Citi Field.
Walk-Off Café – Section 131
The signature item is the Walk-Off Bucket, 20 mini chocolate chip cookies served warm in a bucket.
Chiddy’s Cheesesteaks – Section 132
Legit Philadelphia-quality cheesesteaks from this Long Island institution.
Boozy Buckets – Section 132
Cocktails served in a 32-ounce bucket topped with candy. You read that right.
Premio Sausage – Section 132
See Section 121 above.
Pig Beach BBQ – Section 135
The Queens barbecue joint is back: Burgers made with beef brisket and short rib, patty melts with cherry pepper jam, fries topped with pulled pork, and more — the sampler platter is a solid go-to order.
Pat LaFrieda Burger – Section 137
See Section 123, above.
Field Level 117 – 101
Hot Pastrami on Rye – Section 114
See Taste of the City, above.
Premio Sausage – Section 114
See Section 121 above.
Nathan’s Hot Dogs and Mister Softee – Section 114
Two New York City classics that need no introduction.
Bases Loaded Lemonade – Section 114
For grown-ups only: Classic, strawberry, or blackberry lemonade spiked with Vodka, bourbon, or tequila.
Pat LaFrieda Burger – Section 112
See Section 123, above.
The Kernel – Section 111
See Section 125, above.
Nathan’s Hot Dogs and Mister Softee – Section 111
See Section 121 above.
Adam Richman’s Burger Hall of Fame – Section 106
A rotating selection of burgers from the celebrity chef. All the meat comes from Pat LaFrieda.
Lobster Shack – Section 106
Lobster rolls with parsley aioli, lobster grilled cheese, lobster bisque.
Premio Sausage – Section 106
See Section 121 above.
Vegan City – Section 106
When vegetarian isn’t enough.
Gluten Friendly – World's Fare Market
We'll say it again: The name says it all.
Goya's Nachos – World's Fare Market
See Section 128 above.
Cotton Candy and Lemonade – Section 104
The sugar bomb stand.
Swingin’ Wings – Section 103
Wingsapalooza: Buffalo, BBQ or Thai chili.
Pat LaFrieda Burgers – Section 102
See Section 123, above.
Prince Street Pizza – Section 102
The NoLiTa institution will offer two options, the Original Prince and the Spicy Spring with fra diavolo sauce.
Oliver Strand
Oliver Strand
