Cubs/Sox Rivalry: Which Ballpark Has Better Food, Drink Options?

CHICAGO, IL — In Chicago, you're either a Cubs fan or a Sox fan; rare is the baseball fan who will root for either team.

The debate over whose team is superior has raged for decades and has grown even more heated since loyal Cubs fans were finally rewarded with a World Series win after more than a century of waiting. The teams' ballparks are also fodder for debate, with some insisting the amenities at the Sox's (unfortunately named, according to some) Guaranteed Rate Field are much better, while Cubs fans prefer the charm of the ivy-encased Friendly Confines.

And now, with the home openers just days away —April 3 for the Southsiders and April 10 for the World Series champs — there's something else for fans to argue about: Which park has the better food and drink choices?

This year at Guaranteed Rate Field, Sox fans will be able to choose from 75 different beers at the rebranded Miller Lite Lounge, now known as the Craft Kave, according to southsidesox.com. That means 100 different beers will be available throughout the park, with options from breweries including Goose Island, Pabst, Bell's Brewery and Founders Brewing Co.

The Craft Kave also boasts a craft burger menu with choices like the "Wild Pitch" (a double cheeseburger with grilled mushrooms and onions), the "Clean Up Hitter" (A double cheeseburger with an Italian sausage, sweet peppers and mozzarella, plus marinara sauce) and the "Southside Burger" (another double cheeseburger with Italian beef, provolone and giardiniera).

Sox fans who aren't in the mood for a burger have plenty of other options: Asian food now has a home at Guarateed Rate with "The Wok Off," offering bowls of egg lo mein with mixed veggies and grilled chicken. All Johnsonville stands will offer "The Heater," a jalapeno cheddar pork sausage with spicy slaw and Sriracha mayo, according to DNAinfo.

The Guaranteed Rate Club and other club areas also offer up steak, chicken and tilapia tacos, and another new offering is an enormous, 16-inch brisket mac-and-cheese grilled cheese sandwich. To satisfy a sweet tooth, Sox fans can also check out Southside Mini Donuts, which offers itty bitty doughnuts with cinnamon and sugar.

Over at Wrigley, the Cubs' owners say the new "The Park At Wrigley" plaza outside the field will be open for business the morning of April 10. Billed as a "town square," it will host community festivals, a weekly farmers market, music and dining. The first event is a May 13-14 "Craft and Cuisine" event offering beer and wine pairings with food by Chicago chefs, plus live music.

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The plaza will also have a "tavern-style restaurant" set to open this summer and a Starbucks, plus a jewelry store and viewing area sponsored by Motorola featuring the 2016 World Series trophy.

Prior to their World Series win, the Cubs announced new food and drink offerings, including the Chicago Dog Bloody Mary (a classic bloody Mary with celery salt and a poppy seed rim, plus a mini Vienna Beef Chicago dog on a skewer), along with traditional ballpark food in the Marquee Grill, according to the Chicago Tribune.

Other food offerings include Velveeta Nachos featuring "The Official Nacho Cheese of the Chicago Cubs," Hot Doug's, Giordano's Pizza and Vienna Beef hot dogs, plus classics like peanuts and pretzels. The Audi Club offers sandwiches and burgers including a bison burger and grilled chicken caprese, and Gilbert's Grill Cart offers craft sausages including chicken sausage with pineapple salsa and crashed potato chips.

Beer offerings throughout the ballpark include the ever-present Old Style and Goose Island 312, Green Line pale ale, Matilda and Sophie; along with Dos Equis, Johnny Appleseed Cider, and Shock Top Belgian White and Lemon Shandy.

Both ballparks have plenty of choices whether you're a traditionalist who sticks to peanuts and beer or want to switch things up with more upscale offerings. Which park do you prefer?

Patch file photo