Citizen’s Bank No Longer PETA’s #1

Vegan Concessions = Better Team?

BY MARISSA OSWALD Philly is a city brimming with vegans, and it’s quite obvious why:  as reflected in the 2010 Census, the city’s increase in population can be attributed to the influx of youngsters; college students and job-seekers, a biggest pool of veg lovers of all.  In my own experience, I’ve watched my circles of friends refrain from animal products in the past few years.  Philadelphia’s veggie-ness is apparent in the countless vegan restaurants, bake shops, faux cheese steaks, and vegan-designated cocktail hours.  Among these notably veg-inclusive venues is Citizen’s Bank Park, which had won first place in Peta’s “Top 10 Veg-Friendly Major League Ballparks,” for the past 3 years.

But if Philadelphia’s veganism has grown substantially in recent years, why has San Francisco’s AT&T Ballpark beat out Citizen’s Bank Park for 2010?  Since the the first award, the Phillies beat out all competition consistently.

Citizen’s Bank has a website that lists all their “healthier options,” carefully labeling what’s vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free .  Here, AT&T Ballpark falls short in educating the public about their options.  Albeit a short paragraph on PETA’s site listing the veggie burgers and burritos they serve, there is no delineation between what is vegan, vegetarian, or gluten-free.  Therefore, the Phillie’s can remain puffed with pride over their detailed labels and tasty concession options – if nothing else.

It’s hard to judge why Citizen’s Bank didn’t win this year, but from observing the options, the Giants’ win must have been a mistake.

So on your next visit to the park, you can grab a vegan hot dog instead of the classic innards-filled pig intestine; a dolla is still all you need.

But for more refined palates, a list of vegan ballpark delicacies awaits:

South Philly Market has Vegan breaded chicken sandwiches, Vegan hot dogs (which are part of dollar dog days), and a Vegetarian Southwest black bean burger.

Hoagie Planet has a Vegetarian Crab-Free Cake Sandwich or salad, regular old garden salads, and two vegetarian options that come in the form of a sanwich, salad, or wrap which can be vegan-ized by holding the cheese: The poppy has fresh mozzarella cheese, roasted eggplant, roasted red peppers and sundried tomatoes, and The Vedura has Roasted eggplant, broccoli rabe, roasted red peppers, sharp provolone.

Alley Grill has a southwestern veggie burger.

Other options include classic roasted peanuts, whole grain pretzels, and trail mix.  Boardwalk fries are fried in vegetable oil that’s exclusively used for potatoes.  Brewerytown offers vegan options of Draft and bottled beer, and you can nom on roasted pistachios as you throw back a beer or two at Brewerytown.  For desert, there’s always the Philadelphia water ice cart, cotton candy, lemonade, and iced coffee or cappuccino.

We see an eerie connection between Citizen Bank Park’s vegetarian rankings and on-field success.  Am I suggesting the park concessions swap in all their meaty meals into vegan grub?  No, but based on superstition, the Phillies could be assured to win the next World Series if they lock down such a diet.  Or maybe the players should adopt vegan lifestyles to assure keep hitting homers with the same vitality.