Cardinal Cuisine: Chef Norman’s 2026 All-Star concession lineup

By Suzanne Corbett, Food/Travel Editor

At last, opening day has arrived and the starting line-up is ready – the menu line-up. Menu concessions Delaware North and the Cardnials are hoping will knock it out of the park with fans carving great tasting ballpark fare, local foods and  new chef driven specialties designed to satisfy hungry fans.

Delaware North Sportservice Executive Sous Chef Norman and his team is leading off this year’s new menu items with an east meets west concept, the Birria Ramen Bowl. A ramen noodle bowl topped with shredded birria beef, salsa, onions and cilantro. Look for this bowl at section103. If you love chicken with a southern accent head to sections 135 and 358 for Big Chicken (Nashville hot) and waffles. Crispy with just enough spice that makes this dish sizzle.

When asked about what new items where creating the biggest buzz Chef Norman said, “We’re really excited about our Hot Dog Burnt Ends, which we toss and roast in barbecue sauce and brown sugar and serve them with a side of potato salad. They’ll be available at the Broadway Barbecue stand at section 109.”

Last but not least, we have Fried Gooey Butter Cake (section 150). It’s dipped in funnel cake batter, deep fried and topped with whipped cream and your choice of four sauces (chocolate, strawberry, vanilla or caramel) or you can have a combination of all four sauces. It’s a treat you don’t want to miss.”

Throughout the season Busch Stadium will roll out its rotating local pop-up vendor series – Made in the Lou Stand – located near Gate 2. First up, Kanoa’s Hawaiian Grill, March 26- April 26. On the menu, Hawaiian Style Pulled pork , Tiki Sliders, Grilled Teriyaki Chicken, and Spam Musubi – think sushi made with thin slice spam. If you’re a foodie, it’s a must try.

May 1-21 The Fatted Caf Filipino BBQ steps up to the plate with bacon skewers, bowls and its signature sweet, purple banana pudding. Next up, is  K-Bop popping up May 29-28. K-Bop offers Korean style noodle and meat bowls along its standouts,  dumplings, kimchi mandu.

Taste-D- Burger, one of the oldest operating food trucks in The Lou, is bringing its famous smash burgers to Busch. Fans won’t want to miss its STL Burger crowned with Provel cheese, marinara and locally made T-Ravs from Nick & Elena’s Pizzeria.

Gulf Shores Seafood, a St. Louis favorite for 22 years founded by restauranter Harry Parker, will bring its famous Louisianan Gulf cooking to Busch August 7 – 30.

“We were invited to showcase what we do,” Parker said. “We’ll be bringing Gator Bites, chicken and Andouille Gumbo, Honey Sweet Corn Muffins, Shrimp Po Boys and our Southern Lobster Roll seasoned with Cajubn spice. For dessert, try our Southern Peach Cobler and Sweet Potato Pie.

Other local eats include Dulce Pops handcrafted ice pops. Available in seven core flavors and six fully loaded pops, which are drizzled with premium toppings to create specialty pops as the Dubai. A strawberry pop drizzled with chocolate ganache pistachio sauce and kataifi – (think shredded phyllo dough.  Dulce pop will operate four carts throughout the season long outside Sections 107 (right field bleachers), 152 (home plate), 240 (1st base loge) and 446 (infield terrace)

Perhaps the big buzz this season is the Coca-Cola Unlimited, an all you can eat and a drink experience that starts at $29 a ticket for any given game while tickets last. The ticket guarantees a seat in either section 271 or 272 and a wristband that will entitle pick up of three eligible food and drink items such as hot dogs, peanuts, nachos, chicken tenders and Coca-Cola fountain drinks per visit, and return as often as you like until the end of the eighth inning.

With all the food options Busch will have whatever you crave thanks to Chef Norman and his team. Not an easy task but the menu is a winner each tear, which lead me to ask Chef what’s the best thing about creating the menus and working at with the Cardnials. Chef answered in two words. “The fans. Always the fans.”