New Barbecue at Saratoga
 

NYRA has formed a multi year partnership that will bring ther Shake Shack and Blue Smoke barbecue to the grounds of Saratoga. Guessing they feel that having two Carolina barbecue stands is just not enough to feed the masses?

Should be interesting to see more sitting space taken up by this vendor ... but then again competition is always a healthy thing for the consumer... I'll have a $5 exacta box 2/7 and a Strawberry shake puhleeezzz....just sounds awful....

Scat OUT

Like the 'Restaurant Row' installed three years ago, Danny Meyer's (Union Square) upscale concept(s) should be a very nice addition to the Race Course foodservice lineup. It's yet another choice for patrons, and takes the place of the pricey Paddock Tent buffet whose menu was not that different from the other dining rooms. (Not sure where it stands, but there was also supposed to be a deal made for last summer with Smith & Wollensky, or another big name city MUFSO operator, to make one of the dining rooms into a steakhouse concept)...

As a side note, Carolina Barbecue Co. has 7 locations at Saratoga, not 2... (And those eager to get their hands on a sandwich BEFORE Saratoga can visit us at the Belmont Stakes next Saturday...

Barbecue Cafe (feat. Beef, Pork, Chick BBQ, Chicago Italian Beef, Montreal Smoked Meat): Across from the Carousel

Sausage Tent (feat. Grilled Italian Sausage & Philly Steak): Moving this year from across from silks to close to the Cafe)

Backyard (feat. Sausage and Beef/Pork BBQ): Near the Big Red Spring

Paddock (feat. Sausage/Pork BBQ): Across from Restaurant Row

1st floor Grandstand (feat. Sausage/Pork BBQ): Across from elevator

2nd floor Grandstand (feat. Sausage/Pork BBQ): Middle of Grandstand

2nd floor Clubhouse (feat. Sausage/Pork BBQ): Clubhouse near top of escalator

It's pretty impressive to find someone knocking the addition of Danny Meyer's Shake Shack to Saratoga.....arguably the most popular food concession you can find anywhere.

You just made me hungry. :)

Their ribs are serious. Of course, ribs sauce and the DRF don't always go hand in hand. I will admit to preferring "easier" food at the track.

Or, saving the $10 and having more for the double.

Carolina BBQ is at every Triple Crown race, no? I know I've enjoyed one at the Downs before.

Derby/Belmont only these days... Not at Preakness anymore after maybe a 10-12 year run. Used to have 4-6 stands in the infield annually, but Pimlico farmed it out to a single vendor instead of dealing with 8-10 assorted concessionaires.. which made sense. Barry wasn't too upset giving up Preakness. It was a grueling day coming quickly on the heels of the huge effort that is put in at Derby-Oaks.

Thanks for the correction Steve...was thinking "stands" and did not include the carts around the track. Guess having one more won't hurt?

Scat OUT

Not knocking the vendor....just commenting more on the need more food concession stands at Saratoga? Just do not see the need.

Scat Out

It's a different kind of vendor meant to cater to a different customer.. What we do is old-fashioned concessionaire food designed to feed many people rather quickly at a square price. We have a higher quality item than the typical carnival concession that is priced at a value for 'event catering'. The Value Meal I do with a 6-7oz Barbecue, Italian Beef or Smoked Meat Sandwich with choice of (2) Cole Slaw, Potato Salad or Baked Beans for $9.50 is about as great a deal as you'll find ANYWHERE in Saratoga... and not just at the track. The Restaurant Row concept serving restaurant food, and now Danny Meyer with his Blue Smoke and Shake Shack menus, atre designed to meet the need between the expensive wait-staff Dining Room fare and what we offer.

For those that interpret yesterday's announcement as more 'price gouging' at Saratoga, (as I saw from the buffoons that comment in The Saratogian), in fact the Danny Meyer concept will be priced BELOW the paddock area tent offerings it replaces. (But there's no need to let reality get in the way of a perceived opportunity to bash NYRA.)

Some folks just want to complain. Let's face it, event food is usually expensive. Vendors who are both on and off site charge more when they have the captive audience. (Only at the track would I pay $4 for an ice cream bar!!!)
For those that want to bash NYRA over this, try feeding your family at Yankee Stadium or at a Forest Hills tennis match. Locally, food and beverage at SPAC or the arena in Albany costs plenty more than the same meal offsite. If the prices offend, bring your own, at least at the track you still can do that.

I find the prices at Carolina BBQ to be quite acceptable and the food very good. Whatever your budget for a day at the track, there is a way to make it work. Don't want to slurge on food, go get a hot dog and soda at the little shack outside the clubhouse gate, it's about $4.50. Save more by bringing your own.

Blue Smoke is good but just too salty...I'll stick with a pulled pork sandwich from Carolina. Actually pretty healthy.

I need lunch.

It's Shake Crack. The lines in Madison Square Park are seven miles long for a reason.

It's not Steve's joint, but this is going to have to suffice for lunch today:

http://www.capitalqbbq.com/

what is it??

One Upper West Side and one midtown... it's amazing burgers and shakes

Restaurant Row was an awesome addition for a picky eater like me. :o

I've had the At The Rail Pavillion several times and it was only "ok" - the best buffet I've had is in the Turf Club at Colonial Downs during the Turf Cup.

Blue Smoke is great...Shake Shack is a lot of hype.

$12 for 16 oz Corona's at AA arena in Miami
$8 for hot dog at The Jerry Jones Dome/ $10 for a hamburger

I often wonder how alchoholics can afford to be alchoholics at the ballparks, $8 for a bottle of beer?????????????

Flasks.

It sure isn't cheap!! I got smashed one night at Camden Yards. It was easy to justify though, because the tickets and parking were free:D

you're well traveled chuck

as far as 'toga go's, if you don't like the prices, bring your own food in, one of few places who actually let you, so take advantage or don't complain about the supply and demand situation you put yourself in

-bt-

The hype is deserved in this case.

Steve,
... your menu is by far the best value on the track....the sandwich with beans and slaw....some hot sauce... and a beverage from a nearby cooler... mmmm can't beat it...Have I eaten enough of them to be counted as a regular??

I don't mind buying beer. But $12 for a measured shot is a non-starter...

A regular? To para-phrase 'Sonny' in 'Goodfellas'.. "Another 10 minutes and you could be a picnic table.."

I thought it was a stool....great reference nonetheless....

....i gotta get down there......does jet blue fly direct from los angeles.

hey Steve, do you think Cashew Chicken would go over at 'Toga'?:o