It was a hot one! Eric's working and Neil was off to the baseball game. I had the option of staying out or coming in. Decisions, decisions! I decided to chase some bugs inside the house!
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| Great American Ball Park |
Lisa and Angela joined me for a Reds game at Great American Ball Park recently. We found our seats, waited a few innings, and then went about finding some satisfying food. Lisa always goes for Penn Station and that night was no different. I wasn't sure what Angela would find as she's usually pretty health conscience and nothing there would fit her organic boundaries. But it was a "when in Rome" night for her and she was ready to down a hotdog and beer. Wow!
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| Angela's Disappointing Hotdog |
She did, however, notice the Hebrew National brand and was ready for the almighty dog of dogs. There was a look of disappointment after a few bites as it was missing that familiar ball park flavor and was perhaps too refined and natural for the surroundings and her lowered expectations for the evening.
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| Mr. Red's Smokehouse Stand |
I was in search of something different and found it at Mr. Red's Smokehouse. I first noticed the smokehouse stand on the way to our seats. It's situated on the first base concourse with views of the Ohio River, Kentucky, and the stadium. It's prime real estate that could keep you entertained
for an afternoon or evening. The stand itself is constructed of salvaged wood and relics from local buildings. It's definitely a "what's that?" in the environs of the ballpark. There are bar-height log tables and counters for eating, drinking, and taking in the sights.
for an afternoon or evening. The stand itself is constructed of salvaged wood and relics from local buildings. It's definitely a "what's that?" in the environs of the ballpark. There are bar-height log tables and counters for eating, drinking, and taking in the sights.
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| Leinenkugel Summer Shandy |
Angela was interested in their beer offerings. She's not a beer drinker, but had found one she could grow to like in Leinenkugel, a regional beer from Chippewa Falls, WI. They had three brews on tap and she immediately went for the Summer Shady, a European variety made with lemonade. She shared and it hit the spot...really refreshing on a hot summer night.
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| Pulled Pork Sandwich with Sides of Macaroni & Cheese and Baked Beans |
I wanted to try the Pulled Pork Sandwich and the optional two sides of Macaroni & Cheese and Baked Beans (Creamy Slaw is the other choice). The pork consisted of large chunks that were more like off the bone rather than a shredded variety. There were several options on toppings, but I was intrigued by the cola bbq sauce. It was sweet with a definite taste of the cola. I sampled the mustard sauce and it would have been a wise choice too. The bun had a hint of sweetness, which I'm going to guess came from a honey base. The side dishes were out of the ordinary. The baked beans were creamy with finely cut onions. The Mac & Cheese was really nice with a spicy aftertaste (perhaps jalapeño cheese) that kicked it way up! The guy seated next to me was having the Beef Ribs (3 large sections) and he gave them a thumbs up. Also on the menu is Turkey Legs, but they were out of them that particular night. To reflect (or have fun with) the opposing teams, they have come up with smoked specials in their honor (i.e. for Chicago—Cub Paws which are Kobe beef sliders).
Mr. Red's Smokehouse definitely hits the ball way out in right field with their rendition of old smokehouse food. I found the food fairly priced when compared to other offerings at Great American Ball Park. Oh,— and BTW...we won!
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