POV: You’re sad because you’re not going to the World Series.
For the first time in 15 years, the New York Yankees have made it to MLB’s championship showdown, but you just couldn’t fork out $1,000 (or two, or three) for a ticket.
Good news, baseball fans! The concessions at ballparks are terrible! They’re bad! They suck!
So, even though you won’t be watching our hometown heroes take down the Dodgers in the flesh, you’ll be watching from a distance — with food that isn’t freezer burnt (shoutout to the Dippin’ Dots), stale (@pretzels), radioactive (nacho cheese) or overpriced (all of the above).
In regards to the aforementioned, then, you’re probably wondering: do the Yankees themselves actually eat in the stadiums they play in?
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Predictably, the answer is no. From Juan Soto to Derek Jeter, the sluggers’ tastes have always been more refined than shell-on peanuts and boiled hot dogs.
This World Series, thank your lucky star that you don’t have to eat those things, either.
Here are the most iconic Yankees’ favorite foods of all time — and where you can get them in North Jersey.
Mickey Mantle, Chicken Fried Steak
Kicking off this list is a Yankee with a go-to meal as underrated as Pillsbury Toaster Scrambles. Widely regarded as one of the best baseball players of all time, Mickey Mantle was a proud “Oklahoma boy” (despite spending his entire career in New York), and sure had the tastebuds to prove it.
In multiple interviews, Mantle shared that chicken fried steak — a thinly-pounded battered steak topped with gravy — was his favorite food. In 1988, the athlete even opened his own Manhattan restaurant, where he was often seen indulging in the crispy Southern specialty.
Where to get: The Hibernia Diner in Rockaway offers two versions of chicken fried steak (under Country Fried Steak). The “breakfast” steak comes with eggs and home fries, while the “entrée” rendition is accompanied by green beans, mashed potatoes, soup and dessert. 9 Green Pond Road, Rockaway; 973-625-3255, hiberniadiner.com.
Derek Jeter, Chicken Parmesan
Derek Jeter was born in New Jersey, so it comes as no surprise that his culinary weakness is chicken parm. Juicy, saucy and smothered in melted mozzarella cheese, the American-Italian dish could probably defeat the goldfinch as the official state bird, should contenders be allowed to come from an alternative lifecycle stage.
“I eat really well for the most part,” the local native told Men’s Journal. “I love chicken parmesan though — it’s my absolute favorite.”
Where to get: Crafted by the former chef of Del Posto Giuseppe Agostino, the chicken parm at Verana in Norwood is massive, crisp-edged and proclaimed — by food critics and diners alike — to be one of the best in the state (an Instagram video I released on the dish currently boasts over 600 thousand views). 530 Livingston St., Norwood; 201-347-6759, verananorwood.com.
Aaron Judge, Pizza
Aaron Judge may have been raised in California, but he’s quickly adopted the flavor preferences of a New Yorker. Admitting on multiple occasions to “loving” pizza, the MVP award-winning slugger generally eats a diet of fruits, veggies protein smoothies and more.
When he’s looking to treat himself, however, it’s all about that greasy cheese slice.
Where to get: For classic New York slice, Pasquale’s in Boonton is the only option. 307 Main St., Boonton; 973-335-8686, pasqualesboonton.com.
Joe DiMaggio, Pasta and Meatballs
When Simon & Garfunkel asked “where have you gone, Joe DiMaggio?,” they probably didn’t expect the answer to be “to crush a bowl of spaghetti and meatballs.”
With the amount of incredible renditions of the dish throughout New York, though, I’m sure that’s exactly where he went.
Where to get: It may be on the kids menu, but the spaghetti and meatballs at The Pasta Shop in Denville features homemade spaghetti, homemade meatballs and homemade sauce — and it’s irresistible. 13 First Ave., Denville; 973-253-4143, thepastashopdenville.com.
Yogi Berra; Tripe, salad, celery and a glass of water
Well.
He was great at baseball.
Where to get: This is a ShopRite situation. shoprite.com/store.
Juan Soto, Pastelón de Plátano Maduro
Pastelón de plátano maduro is a Dominican lasagna made of sweet mashed plantains, meat and cheese. Layered together in a steamy casserole, the meal is a Latin American delicacy — as well as current Yankees star Juan Soto’s favorite food.
Though there are plenty of places to indulge in the dish in New York City, Soto is partial to his mother’s version. “Anything that she makes,” he shares, “is great.”
Where to get: To get the Dominican version of pastelón de plátano maduro, you’re going to have to head to South Jersey to El Bohio Cafe & Restaurant (make sure to call ahead to guarantee availability). Locally, Pasteles Y Mas in Ridgefield Park serves the Puerto Rican version (which is a similar substitute if Pleasantville is too far). El Bohio: 229 S Main St., Pleasantville. Pasteles Y Mas: 63 Ridgefield Ave., Ridgefield Park.
Lou Gehrig, Pickled Eels
Lou Gehrig loved fishing for eels — so much so that he once caught 86 in a day. Too many to cook, his mother pickled them for prolonged shelf life.
Enjoying the taste of the marinated fish, Gehrig continued to eat them, and it was rumored they were responsible for his power at bat. When he introduced them to other teammates, they noticed improvements in their hitting, too.
In other words; eat these while you watch the big games, and you might just end up on the team next season.
Where to get: To be honest, I have no idea. If you’re a local vendor and sell these, DM me @northjerseyeats. Otherwise, you can order a case from Europe (if you’re willing to pay $42 for shipping): portugalvineyards.com.
Alex Rodriguez, Cheetos
Chicken, fish, egg whites, brown rice, sunflower seeds — does A Rod ever cheat on his diet?
Back in 2017, his daughter Ella totally ratted him out.
After dinner, she said, “my dad loves Cheetos.”
Where to get: You know where to find them.
Mariano Rivera; A ‘nice, big jar of chocolate milk’
So, if it doesn’t come in a jar, does he still like it?
Where to get: Chocolate milk is everywhere, but, if you want it in a jar, Hapgood’s in Mountain Lakes has you covered. 44 Midvale Road, Mountain Lakes; 973-299-3399, hapgoodsrestaurant.com.
Babe Ruth, Porterhouse Steak
And, rounding out this list is Babe Ruth: a man equally famous for hitting over 700 home runs and consuming one of the most bizarre diets in baseball.
Each day, the legendary left-handed pitcher was said to eat two steaks for lunch, two steaks for dinner, a pint of bourbon and up to a dozen hot dogs.
Who cares about heart disease, however, when you have a .342 batting average?
Where to get: RP Prime Steakhouse serves a Prime Porterhouse for Two (or, if you’re Babe Ruth, a Prime Porterhouse for One-Half). Fair Lawn and Mahwah; rpprime.com.
Kara VanDooijeweert is a food writer for NorthJersey.com and The Record. If you can’t find her in Jersey’s best restaurants, she’s probably off running a race course in the mountains. Catch her on Instagram: @karanicolev & @northjerseyeats, and sign up for her North Jersey Eats newsletter.
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