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Some kids lay in bed dreaming of standing at home plate and hitting a home run to the roar of a stadium crowd.

Jim Griego鈥檚 dream was about how to fry pork ends in just the right way to mix with red chile flakes and the perfect amount of maple syrup to feed all those screaming baseball fans.

鈥淧ig Candy is my favorite,鈥� said Griego, executive chef of the sa国际传媒官网网页入口 Isotopes, when talking Tuesday about one of his favorite ballpark food concoctions.

Pig Candy was created two years ago and remains one of the best selling items at Isotopes Park.

鈥淚t鈥檚 an invention that I laid in bed for many nights trying to figure out,鈥� Griego said. 鈥淚 love pork because it鈥檚 such a versatile product. And I kept trying to think, how can you get sweet, spicy, crunchy, and it goes perfect with our main beverage here? We鈥檒l just call it a 鈥榖everage.鈥欌��

He can call it a 鈥渂everage.鈥� We鈥檒l call it by it鈥檚 more common name: 鈥渂eer.鈥�

After all, what鈥檚 taking in a game at the ballpark without a beer in one hand and an order of Pig Candy in the other?

鈥淲e challenge them to come up with new and creative ways to elevate the culinary experience for the fan,鈥� said Isotopes General Manager John Traub. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 something savory, whether it鈥檚 something sweet, whether it鈥檚 whatever it鈥檚 going to be, it鈥檚 going to be delectable.鈥�

So, with a grin on his face that resembled a cross between kid in a (pig) candy store and mad scientist revealing his latest invention, Griego on Tuesday led the Isotopes鈥� annual presentation of new ballpark menu items 鈥� a collection of savory barbeque-based entr茅es and five new desserts sure to satisfy on a summer day at the yard.

鈥淚 always ask my team, what should we do this year? What looks different? What are things you鈥檙e seeing out there?鈥� he said, standing in front of a plate of chicken wings, a loaded brisket sandwich and several melting ice cream desserts. 鈥淎nd we鈥檒l sit down and talk about it, and then I鈥檒l start creating. 鈥� This is the way I kick off my baseball season.鈥�

Enough of the appetizers. Let鈥檚 get to this year鈥檚 new ballpark items 鈥� the ones hoping to stick around on the menu at Isotopes Park, like the home run Pig Candy of 2023, and not get sent back down to the minors like some of the items of yesteryear, like the Tumbleweed Burger, a cotton candy green chile cheeseburger that took a swing and a miss in 2019, before Griego was working at Isotopes Park.

New food entr茅es

Each of this year鈥檚 three new food items will be available in the Pecos River concession stand near Section 120.

The Ballpark Sandwich: The headliner of this year鈥檚 unveiling, the 鈥淏allpark鈥� is a brisket sandwich that combines several (you guessed it) ballpark staples from hot dogs to peanuts to pretzels and more.

鈥淚t starts out with a pretzel bun,鈥� Griego explained. 鈥淚t has smoked brisket. 鈥� (and) South Carolina mustard barbecue sauce on that. On top of that, I have hot dog bacon (yes, hot dog bacon), and that hot dog bacon is made with a little teriyaki sauce. On top of that, we鈥檝e got some white onions 鈥� crispy pickles 鈥� and beer nuts.

鈥淪o we have everything that you can get at the ballpark, all in one sandwich.鈥�

Spicy Roasted Half Chicken: 鈥淐oated in a flavorful dry rub, the chicken soaks in a combination of house blended spices, bringing a savory kick with every bite,鈥� the Isotopes said in a news release. 鈥淎s it cooks low and slow, the dry rub caramelizes into a slightly crispy, flavorful crust, sealing in all the juiciness. 鈥� Served with a side of red-chile-infused barbeque sauce.鈥�

Hungarian Hot Smoked Paprika Chicken Wings: Air-fried chicken wings with Hungarian hot smoked paprika to bring 鈥渁 deep, smoky mild heat鈥� paired with a cucumber ranch dressing.

New dessert options

Dessert options are available at 鈥淭he Sweet Spot鈥� stand near Section 117.

Fanfare Milkshake: Griego said this was his attempt at coming up with a 鈥淏loody Mary milkshake鈥� treat. The frosty dessert features a homemade ice cream cookie dipped in a milkshake with chocolate straws, marshmallow whipped cream, chocolate sauce at the bottom and, of course, a cherry on top.

Ice Cream Nachos: Wafer cookies dusted with cinnamon and sugar and drizzled in chocolate and caramel sauce. Replace the traditional tortilla chips and forget queso, these get dipped in ice cream and whipped cream.

Pi帽a Colada Ice Cream Float: 鈥淭his delectable float begins with a scoop of creamy soft-serve ice cream served in a delicious non-alcoholic pi帽a colada and garnished with a pineapple wedge,鈥� said the Isotopes news release. 鈥淭opped with whipped cream and a cherry, this is a decadent delight.鈥�

Brownie Sundae: It鈥檚 a classic. It鈥檚 ice cream on a chocolate brownie topped with a drizzle of caramel sauce and chocolate syrup.

+12 Isotopes unveil new concession items for 2025: Photos