Less Time For Beer at Tropicana Field

I went to my first Rays game of the season Monday night. There were two things that I liked ... A LOT. The first is I saw they brought back The Short Rib Grilled Cheese Sandwich. But what really was the game changer was that new pitching clock they've introduced this year. Pitchers now have a deadline to get it in gear and keep the game moving. It made me doze off far less. (Sorry, I'm more of a hockey and football guy.)

The addition of the clock is having a NEGATIVE effect though on one thing. Beer sales. Since the game's moving along faster, that means less times for stadiums to sell those way overpriced cans of beer.

Beer sales are a big profit point for them so many ballparks are considering letting alcohol sales into the 8th inning. Right now at the Trop, beer sales already go into the middle of the 8th inning. So I've gotta think it's unlikely they'll make a change. Fortunately the Rays are playing so well, we haven't had to drown our sorrows.

So far, according to ABC-7, the Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins and Milwaukee Brewers have extended alcohol sales due to the change. Most teams have stopped selling alcohol once the 7th inning ends. [Source: ABC-7.com]

Some new offerings and returning favorites are on the menu from Tampa Bay area vendors who are setting up shop at Tampa Bay Rays games at Tropicana Field for the 2023 season. Here are some of the foods to try and where to find them at The Trop.

I'm a huge fan of Little Greek. I love their chicken souvlaki and they have really great fries too... I always substitute them for the rice. They'll have their Tampa Bay Signature Greek Salad in the third base food hall.

Look for their burgers and brats throughout Tropicana Field this season.

Another local vendor on this year's lineup.  They'll serve freshly made donuts in Right Field Street, the Third Base Food Hall and the Rays club.

Love creative milkshakes?  Look for them in the Third Base Concourse or at the Budweiser Porch in Center Field.

Try a Moonshine Slushie with moonshine whiskey and fresh fruit flavors.  Find them at the Third Base Food Hall, the Rays Club and Ballpark & Rec.

Iron Chef Ming Tsai has a  vegan, gluten-free, and nut-free handheld pocket.  Find them at Grand Slam in Right Field, Beach Drive BBQ, and new this year in their Suite A-La-Carte Menu.

Head to the Center Field Porch to get their Footlong Tater Tot or a Pretzel Dog.  Keep an eye out for their house-made mustard sauce.  Only 98 pretzel dogs will be made for each game so if you want one, go in the first couple innings!

A new one at the First Base Food Hall.  Try their Loaded Pulled Pork Nachos, Brisket Banh Mi Sandwiches and Pulled Pork Sliders.

This one's a throwback to honor  the Rays 25th Anniversary season.  This one was served up during the Devil Rays era.  It's a Nathan's Hot Dog with chili and cheese sauce served at Whoa Doggy's locations.