What to Eat at Petco Park, Home of the San Diego Padres

Petco Park, the home of the San Diego Padres, is a great place to eat. As befits the location, the Mexican options shine here — you can find shrimp burritos, fish tacos, and all the standards. But there's also a bunch of other excellent food, including a barbecue spot (Randy Jones), a number of pizza shops (Filippi's), and a Japanese bar with a reliable and relatively long menu of American-style sushi (Westwinds).

Now, in honor of the first day of the 2012 baseball season, here's a guide to what to eat at Petco Park and where to find it.

Petco Park's Standouts

Baja Bistro, Section 205: Everyone raves about the fish tacos here, a rarity in baseball stadiums across the U.S. but an obvious choice for a park in San Diego. Also available are quesadillas, nachos, and meat tacos.

Mercado, Section 108:The Mercado food plaza is one of the best and most convenient food options in the stadium. In addition to an Anthony's Fish Grotto, there's a Rubio's (killer spicy shrimp burritos), Ruby's (burgers), and Oggi (pizzas).

Breakfast at the Park: Before every Sunday Padres home game, ticket holders are welcome to stop in around 10 AM to eat breakfast in the outfield, near home plate, or in Park in the Park. For details, see here.

* indicates special Eater recommendations

Field Level

*Anthony's Fish Grotto, Section 104: Petco Park boasts two stands from Anthony's, the acclaimed San Diego seafood spot. Here you get fried shrimp & chips, chowders, fish and chips, calamari, and a shrimp avocado salad.
*Ballpark Brews, Section 109: Local and imported microbrews.
Bar 121, Section 121: A full service bar.
Bay View Grill, Section 107: Meat and veggie burgers, garlic fries, carne asada fries (!), and lots of beers.
*Craft Beers, Sections 103-107: Like Ballpark Brews, this a section of the ballpark where you can get beer a step up from the normal options.
*Diego Dogs, Section 129: If you're in the mood for a hot dog, this stand is probably your best bet, as the options are a bit saucier and the meat a bit tastier.
Dippin' Dots, Section 122: The peculiar ice cream orbs are on sale in different areas throughout Petco, by the cup.
Filippi's Pizza, Section 102, 113: A stadium adaptation of the popular and well-liked local Italian spot, with solid pizzas. Cheese, pepperoni, and veggie are available.
*Food Network Cart, Section 121: You have two options at this Food Network branded stand: a steak sandwich featuring blue cheese and Peppadew pepper mayonnaise, and a steak sandwich with lime creme and chipotle. They're both served on ciabatta bread and go for about $15.
*Friar Fit, Section 101: By far the healthiest option in the stadium, Friar Fit offers fruit cups, california rolls, wraps, and some decent salads.
Friar Franks, Sections 104, 115, 116, 137: A standard baseball hot dog stand, with well executed franks, cracker jacks, pretzels, and beer.
Gluten Free Stand, Section 104: Not only does this option have hummus and salads, which would make sense for the dietary restriction. They've also got hot dogs and burgers on gluten-free bread.
K Street Grill, Sections 130, 133: Nachos, chicken sandwiches, burgers, salads, wraps, and beer.
Kettle and Cone, Section 102: In need of a sugar fix? Go here for Tastee Freeze sundaes and cones, caramel apples, popcorn, churros, and a whole lot of candy.
La Cantina Bar, Section 102: Liquor, liquor, liquor. And slushies.
*Mercado, Section 108: The Mercado food plaza is one of the best and most convenient food options in the stadium. In addition to an Anthony's Fish Grotto, there's a Rubio's (killer spicy shrimp burritos), Ruby's (burgers), and Oggi (pizzas).
Padres Wine Cart, Section 107: If you want to drink wine at the ballpark, and you really shouldn't, the wine cart is probably the best bet. It offers the greatest variety of wine in the stadium.
*Randy Jones BBQ, Section 104: Named after the famous sinker-ball pitcher, this barbecue spot has a simple menu of good pulled pork, beef brisket, and a half-pound hot dog.

Western Supply Company Building

*Brickhouse Deli: Neil the Beerman will make sure you get your drink on better than anywhere else in the area. At the moment, he's got about 22 beers from around the world available. This is technically on the field level, one level up from the Padres store.

Hall of Fame Bar and Grill: A lot of people decide to watch the game from this sports bar in the WSC Building, since its less cluttered. You can buy a nosebleed ticket and then put your name on the list for one of two seatings: first half of the game or second half of the game. They've got a full bar and menu of sports bar standards. Also: apparently lots of cougars on the prowl.

Toyota Terrace Level

*Anthony's Fish Grotto, Section 204: Petco Park boasts two stands from Anthony's, the acclaimed San Diego seafood spot. Here you get fried shrimp & chips, chowders, fish and chips, calamari, and a shrimp avocado salad.
*Baja Bistro, Section 205: Everyone raves about the fish tacos here, a rarity in baseball stadiums across the U.S. but an obvious choice for a park in San Diego. Also available are quesadillas, nachos, and meat tacos.
*Ballpark Brews, Section 211: Local and imported microbrews.
*Club 19, Section 217: One of the more high-end options in the stadium, Club 19 has chorizo corn dogs, flatbread pizzas, truffle popcorn, carbonara pasta, and short ribs. Only accessible if you have a Toyota Terrace ticket.
Coronado's, Section 202: A full service bar.
Filippi's Pizza, Section 211: A stadium adaptation of the popular and well-liked local Italian spot, with solid pizzas. Cheese, pepperoni, and veggie are available.
Friar Franks, Section 233: A standard baseball hot dog stand, with well executed franks, cracker jacks, pretzels, and beer.
Harbor Grill, Section 202: Burgers, chipotle chicken sandwiches, fries, and salads.
K Street Grill, Sections 225, 230: See above.
PCL Bar and Grill, Section 205: Enter through the field level for this comfortable indoor bar and grill. They've got the bar food classics, like potato skins, chicken wings, and a chicken caesar.
*Randy Jones BBQ, Section 213: Named after the famous sinker-ball pitcher, this barbecue spot has a simple menu of good pulled pork, beef brisket, and a half-pound hot dog.
Suh-weet, Section 206: Like Kettle and Cone on the field level, Suh-weet has all the sugar. Soft serve is the star, but they've also got floats, cotton candy, and churros.
Sweet Spot, Section 226: Pretty much the same deal as Suh-weet.
Trolley Station Grill, Section 213: Burgers, chipotle chicken sandwiches, fries, and salads.
*Westwinds, Section 222: A crazy amount of Americanized sushi and Japanese items. There's edamame, hijiki salad, all sorts of rolls, and a nigiri section. According to the ballpark, access is limited.

Upper Deck

*Ballpark Brews, Section 305: Local and imported microbrews.
Bay View Grill, Sections 300, 316, 325: Meat and veggie burgers, garlic fries, carne asada fries (!), and lots of beers.
Dippin' Dots, Section 308: The peculiar ice cream orbs are on sale in different areas throughout Petco, by the cup.
Filippi's Pizza, Sections 311, 320: A stadium adaptation of the popular and well-liked local Italian spot, with solid pizzas. Cheese, pepperoni, and veggie are available.
Friar Franks, Sections 305, 315, 326: A standard baseball hot dog stand, with well executed franks, cracker jacks, pretzels, and beer.
Kettle and Cone, Section 310: n need of a sugar fix? Go here for Tastee Freeze sundaes and cones, caramel apples, popcorn, churros, and a whole lot of candy.
Sweet Spot, Section 328: Like the stands Kettle and Suh-weet, Sweet Spot has all the sugar. Soft serve is the star, but they've also got floats, cotton candy, and churros.