The New York Parks, and some food ratings

Met and Yankee Fans are very parochial about their new parks. Both are convinced that theirs are the best, and are ready to come to blows over the issue. I'm here today to tell you what I think of each, and to throw some cold water on the discussion.

When the Yankees and Mets announced that they would close their old parks and open new ones the same year, I was very excited, as I could continue my pursuit and not pay for airfare. I'm here to tell you that they both fall right in the middle.
Both teams accomplished what they set out to, the Wilpons in bringing Fred's obsession with the Brooklyn Dodgers to life, and the Yankees creating a modern replica of the 1923-73 version of the The Stadium, albeit one with a lot of bells and whistles.

In the new Yankee Stadium, I see a decent attempt at a tribute to the original article, albeit one that is a little cold, with an abundance of concrete that would be more suited to a nicely designed penitentiary.
As for Citi Field, the Wilpons got a clone of the exterior of Ebbets Field, but one that is much larger inside to house a bastardized version of everything that has worked in nice parks like Pittsburgh (Shea Bridge), San Fran (the stands and coloring), Arlington (the porch, a copy of Tiger Stadium) and a similarity to Camden Yards.
The Mets committed to much better dining choices by bringing in celebrity chef Danny Meyer with Shake Shack and Blue Smoke. The Yankees have one premium food product, the steak sandwich from Lobell's Meat Market, but have managed to make the inside nice enough to hinder the local businesses outside the Stadium.
The Yankees did a great job in creating the Museum, easily the best feature they included. The Wlipons initially left any notion of the Mets at Shea, but did a really nice job in adding their own last season, finally recognizing a very positive franchise history.

I give both a C+.

Here are some local food choices from around the Majors, in and around the Parks:
Best Food
1. County Stadium and Miller Park - The bratwurst and sauce, of course
2. Dodger Stadium - Dodger Dogs are the best
3. AT&T Park -You must try the Cha Cha Bowl and Garlic Fries
4. Camden Yards - Boog’s BBQ is a must
5. Fenway Park - Fenway Franks are excellent, and they have the "chowdah" from Legal Seafood


My external food choices, listed alphabetically by city (they tend to be inexpensive)

Baltimore - Faidley's, Lexington Market and Phillip's Seafood, Inner Harbor (For crabcakes, what else?)
Boston - Pizzeria Regina and Modern Pastry, North End 
Chicago - Superdawg, Giordano's Pizza 
Houston - Goode Company BBQ 
Kansas City - Arthur Bryant's BBQ 
Los Angeles - In-n-Out Burger (anywhere); Pink's Hot Dogs, Hollywood (best chili dog in the world); Randy's Donuts, Inglewood 
New York (Bronx) - Cafe Al Mercato (Pizza) and Mike's Deli (Italian Hero's, incredible Eggplant Parm), both in the Arthur Ave Indoor Market; Dominick's across Arthur Ave, if you have time: it's great family-style Italian, without a printed menu (or credit cards)
New York (Queens) - Jackson Hole Diner near LGA in Astoria; Donovan's Pub in Woodside, near the #7 train to Shea, which was an excellent place to park-n-ride while Citi Field was being constructed in the Shea parking lot. (Both places were rated best burger in NYC in different published surveys. You can't go wrong with either one.) 
Philadelphia - Tony Luke's (Roast Pork Italian w/Broccoli Rabe and sharp Provolone); Pat's King of Steaks (THE original Cheese Steak); Taconelli's Pizza; Melrose Diner 
San Diego - Cafe Guadalajara (Great enchiladas and margaritas) 
San Francisco - Sam Wo's, Chinatown; Tomasso's Pizza, North Beach 
Seattle - Just "graze" at the Public Market; there are a lot of choices
St. Louis - Cunetto's House of Pasta, Italian Hill; Al Hrabosky's, outside Busch 
Toronto - Tim Horton's (the coffee and maple donuts require a 12-step program) 
Washington - Jerry's Seafood, in a strip mall in Seabrook, MD; the crab is phenomenal, and it's worth the ride 
On the road - Lots of Cracker Barrel, Denny's, IHOP and Waffle House (all low cost, high octane)