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Indians Add Local Flavor to Concessions Choices in 2015

By Jason Stout |

Today, the Cleveland Indians announced new concession partnerships to go along with the previously announced renovations to Progressive Field.

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The Tribe unveiled its new concessions plans for the revamped neighborhood-themed Right Field District. Three well-known and highly sought-after local eateries will be offering unique food options for the upcoming season: Melt Bar and Grilled, Barrio and Sweet Moses.

The Right Field District will be behind the seats in right field (duh) and bump up to Gate C in center field. Gate C, if you remember from the original plans, is undergoing a marked change that includes the removal of the old Market Pavilion and a pedestrian bridge connecting the stadium to the Eagle Avenue parking deck. The changes are supposed to open up sweeping views of downtown Cleveland.

“The addition of local brands like Melt, Barrio and Sweet Moses to one of pro sports’ gems, Progressive Field, offers even more fan-friendly options at the ballpark,” Indians Vice President of Concessions Kurt Schloss wrote in a release.

The Gate C area will also be overhauled outside the ballpark, as the team has announced plans to add a statue of Hall of Famer Larry Doby, who will join statues already honoring Hall of Famer Bob Feller and Indians Hall of Famer Jim Thome. Cleveland is also moving both the home and visiting bullpens to center field, placing them in a unique tier system, though no word yet if you can have any of the relievers serve you hot dogs during a game.

The much-needed upgrade to Progressive Field concessions and the new restaurants bring a local flare to a team in need of new ways to attract the finicky fan. All three of the new additions are trendy, tasty, area restaurants bringing a bit of Cleveland flavor to the Indians concessions.

Melt Bar and Grilled, which has locations in Lakewood, Mentor, Cleveland Heights and Independence, has been featured on popular programs on the Food Network for its distinctive take on grilled cheese (read: lots of it). Melt’s plans for Progressive Field include five sandwiches: Kindergarten (plain grilled cheese), Chorizo and Potato (spicy sausage and potato hash), Parmageddon (pierogis, onions and sauerkraut), BBQ Pork (with onion rings) and Mushroom Melt (garlic mushrooms, onions and arugula).

Barrio, located in Cleveland’s Tremont neighborhood and in nearby suburb Lakewood, offers a build-your-own taco experience and its vast selection of tequila, whiskey, and beers. The eatery is also known for its food truck that can be found at many of the city’s festivals, concerts, and events.

“We hope we can enhance the gameday experience for our dedicated Cleveland sports fans,” Barrio owner Sean Fairbairn said.

Sweet Moses, located on Detroit Avenue in the Gordon Art District of Cleveland’s West side, offers customers a taste of the past and serves homemade ice cream from a genuine old-fashioned soda fountain.

“We’re thrilled that the Cleveland Indians have chosen Sweet Moses to be part of the exciting changes at Progressive Field,” said Jeff Moreau, the owner of Sweet Moses. “As an old-fashioned soda fountain named after our city’s founder we’re proud to be associated with such an iconic Cleveland sports tradition.”

The Indians maintained the massive project remains on schedule and will be completed in time for the team’s home opener with the Tigers on April 10.

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