The Houston Astros unveiled their new center field renovations to the media Wednesday, March 29, with a tour of each new attraction that’s been added to Minute Maid Park. The renovations began last October and are ready just in time for Opening Day this coming Monday, April 3.
What do you have to look forward to? Additional retail presence, expanded bar areas, new seating sections for a different view of the game, an Uber pick-up and drop-off location outside the center field gate on Crawford Street and new noteworthy food vendors.
Foodie Attractions
Minute Maid Park has welcomed two new restaurants – Shake Shack and Torchy’s Tacos. While neither restaurant is native to Houston, the addition of burgers and tacos never upset us. At the Shake Shack counter, which is on street level, order classics like the ShackBurger, SmokeShack, ‘Shroom Burger and Shack Stack. Milkshakes have made the menu, too.
Torchy’s Tacos, located on the mezzanine level, offers a selection of the taco joint’s favorites, like the Trailer Park taco, the fried avocado and, and maybe most importantly, the green chile queso and chips. Who needs peanuts now?
Lexus Field Club
There’s a new view to enjoy at Minute Maid Park, too. Splurge for seats in the Lexus Field Club and enjoy a field-level view of the game and the opportunity to watch Major League batting practice on the field – you’ll even be able to shag a few practice balls. Email the Astros Premium Sales team at premiumsales@astros.com. Looking for more options for hosting larger groups at a game? Email groupsales@astros.com.
Lexus Field Club at Minute Maid Park
Astros Street Art Display
Last stop on the tour was the unveiling of the Astros Street Art Display located in Home Run Alley. The mural, designed and painted by local artist Franky Cardona, presents the Astros’ past, present and future. Looks like Houston has a new stop to add to its graffiti tours.
Opening Day Festivities
We’ll update with new events as we learn about them.
Lucky’s Pub Opening Day Block Party On Opening Day, head down the street for Lucky’s Pub’s annual opening day block party. Things to look forward to: free admission, giant beer pong, jenga and corn hole, bites from The Burger joint and Sticky’s Chicken, boozy frozen strawberry lemonades and last, but certainly not least, live chainsaw ice carving from Reverend Butter. Party kicks off at 11 am.
Happy Hour at Conservatory If your group can’t collectively decide on a place to eat before the game, head just a few blocks away from the stadium to Conservatory, the underground beer garden and food hall. From 3 to 7 pm, enjoy $4 draft beers. Stick around for the game and catch El Burro & the Bull’s steak night and $1 beer firesale, which starts at 7 pm.
B&B Butchers & Restaurant Join B&B during Opening Week (April 3-April 9) and enjoy festive baseball snacks including specialty Texas wagyu hotdogs. Then board the restaurant’s complimentary shuttle, Rare Force One, and they’ll take you to the ballpark and back. (The shuttle to the ballpark will operate throughout the entire season after dinner and Sunday brunch.)
- Chef Tommy’s Dog – Texas wagyu hot dog with applewood smoked thick-cut bacon, blue cheese crust, topped with caramelized onions and truffle-infused honey – $26
- The Carpetbagger Coney – Texas wagyu hot dog topped with Cajun fried oysters, applewood smoked thick-cut bacon, crumbled blue cheese and house-made blue cheese dressing and hot sauce – $29
- The Wellie Dog – Texas wagyu hot dog baked in a puff pastry with wild mushroom duxelles and seared foie gras, served over a marsala sauce – $42
- Break the Bank Frank: Texas wagyu hot dog in a truffle butter-toasted bun and topped with two ounces of A5 Japanese wagyu filet, sautéed main lobster in a truffle mustard beurre blanc and finished with 24k gold edible flakes – $124