The Definitive Food and Booze Guide to Citi Field
Explore how Citi Field's food scene has enhanced the ballpark experience, offering diverse and local options that often rival food festivals
Ballpark food has really changed from what it used to be, for better or worse. If you're heading to a Major League Baseball game today, be ready for some surprising food and drink options. The days of just having a bag of peanuts, popcorn, and hot dogs are long gone. Now, those are just the basics. Going to a Major League Baseball game often feels more like visiting a fair or a food truck festival than just watching a baseball game. Depending on the ballpark, you usually get a taste of the local scene, and Citi Field is no different. As a New York Mets fan, I have been going to Mets games at Citi Field since it opened in 2009, and have always been impressed by the food options - even if the food is quite expensive and isn't always good. I have my personal favorites but also find something new every year. And i'm not alone in my opinion on the food - in fact Citi Field is well known for some of the best ballpark food in all of Major League Baseball and the food was voted best ballpark food by USA Today in 2023 and 2024. As good as the food appears to be, Citi Field food and booze costs much more than other ballparks too. So, here’s a few food and drinks options while enjoying the games!
This post was originally published on September 14, 2025. It has been updated to add additional experiences.
The Food of Citi Field
Hot Pastrami Sandwich
I know, I know, “damn that’s pricey”. Yes it is. The question is, how good is it? Let’s start with the process. When you order, the carver takes the brisket and begins slicing it piece by piece. Usually, you’ll see them slice about 3-4 thick pieces. They weigh the brisket and then lay it on a piece of rye bread that has mustard slathered on the slice, the other slice of rye bread is placed on top. There’s no cheese or other condiments. It’s purely meat in between two slices of rye bread with deli mustard. But guess what? You don’t need anything else! The pastrami is just pure melt in your mouth delicious. The fat is marbled throughout and the bark is tasty and seasoned perfectly. The bread is not toasted and will likely fall apart so it will get messy and you’ll need two hands to eat it. My only criticism is the rye bread should try to be toasted in some way, but at the same time, some sacrifices have to be made to keep the line moving. Even with its flaws, this is a pretty good sandwich.
Sausage and Peppers
This is a must-have when visiting Citi Field since it’s one of the most affordable and filling options, and it's just so damn simple. It's just what it sounds like: a grilled sausage on a sub or hoagie roll, topped with grilled onions and peppers. They use Premio sausage, available in both hot and sweet varieties. The sweet sausage isn't really sweet; it just lacks the heat of the 'hot' sausage. Still, this sandwich is amazing from the first bite to the last, and it's probably my favorite on the menu here. When you take that first bite, you can really enjoy the softness of the roll, the saltiness and spice (if you go for the hot sausage) of the sausage, and the tasty combination of grilled peppers and onions - everything except the roll is grilled fresh. Even though the roll is at room temperature, it holds up nicely and doesn't fall apart like the pastrami sandwich. Since there are lines at every booth, you can count on this being a fresh, hot sandwich almost every time. The sausage seasoning works perfectly with the grill, blending beautifully with the peppers and onions for an incredible flavor. Just be prepared for some water afterwards, as it can be salty, but it's absolutely worth it.
