The Fisher Cats are PETA-approved

For the second year in a row, MerchantsAuto.com Stadium, home of the New Hampshire Fisher Cats, has been named Most Vegetarian-Friendly Minor League Ballpark by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.  Story here.  Another story here.

Now, I usually don’t have a good opinion of PETA.  For the most part, they are a bunch of nutjobs who make other animal rights people look bad.

But I do agree that people should be able to enjoy a vegetarian diet wherever they are, even at the ballpark.  Whether one chooses not to eat meat due to health or ethical issues, it’s their right to make that choice.

Let’s face it, traditional ballpark food is very unhealthy.  Too fatty, too salty, too much sugar, etc.  It’s perfectly okay to enjoy those hot dogs, sausages, peanuts and Cracker Jack, fried dough…in moderation.  But many people want other, healthier choices.  The Fisher Cats have listened, and honestly, of all of the minor league parks I’ve been to, they do have the best food and beverage selection.

The best option for vegetarian food is the Sam Adams Bar & Grill, which is located over left field.  That is where you can get the portabello mushroom burger, among other meatless delights.  It is open to any fan with a ticket to the game, starting two hours before the game starts.  It is open, with the regular menu being served, all through the game.  You can not only watch the Fisher Cats game from the place, but they’ll have MLB games on all of their spiffy new HDTVs.

This is what the place looks like.  To the right in this pic, there are wide-open windows, with tables and chairs nearby, that look out onto the ballpark, so you won’t miss a pitch!

If you’d just prefer to stay in your seats, there are vegetarian options available on the concourse, including veggie burgers, hot dogs, and even meatless sausage sandwiches.  Don’t diss this stuff, it is actually quite tasty.  I’m not going to lie to you and say that a veggie burger will taste just like a meat burger, because it won’t.  But it has a great flavor all it’s own, something I learned to enjoy during my vegetarian days.

Yes, I tried being a vegetarian once, many years ago.  I couldn’t commit to it, because I do like a good piece of dead animal sometimes.  But the attempt did cause me to eat less meat, and I appreciate being able to get a meatless menu item at the ballpark sometimes.

I also appreciate the healthier choices for another reason…Mike, my husband, has heart issues.  He does love a good hunk of dead animal, but I have been trying to push him towards eating more meatless meals.  Not every day, just maybe a few days a week.  I cook a few meatless meals each week at home, and I’m encouraging him to try stuff like the meatless sausage.  Nosuccess on that one yet, but I’ll have to keep you posted!

But MerchantsAuto.com Stadium is still friendly to carnivores, so fear not!  A new feature at the Sam Adams Bar & Grill this year is an All-You-Can-Eat buffet.  This is served from two hours prior to the start of the game, until 30 minutes after it starts.  So you have two and a half hours to stuff your face.  Even vegetarians might enjoy some of the options, such as Tuesday’s Mexican Fiesta and Wednesday’s Italian Feast.  I’m sure you can get plenty or non-meat items on those.  But carnivores would especially go for Sunday’s Carving Station and Monday’s BBQ, as well as the All-American Buffet on Fridays and Saturdays, and 25 cent wing nights on Thursdays.

And there is the usual selection of dead animals to eat all over the concourse, burgers, hot dogs, sausages, BBQ stuff, etc.

Speaking of PETA, I saw a guy at this ballpark on Sunday with a funny T-shirt.  It had a picture of a cow on it, and the letters PETA.  Underneath it said “People for the Eating of Tasty Animals.” 

So, you see, EVERYONE is welcome at MerchantsAuto.com Stadium.  They even let you in if you are wearing Y***** gear!

Let’s hope that the next time I see someone in Y***** gear, it has straw residue from the broom on it!