Nacho cheese is a ballpark food staple. The ooey, gooey cheese sauce smothering a pile of crispy tortilla chips is a classic concession stand menu item. But have you ever wondered what brand of nacho cheese is served at major league ballparks? Which brand is the MVP of cheesy deliciousness paired with a cold beer and the crack of a bat? Let’s take a closer look at which nacho cheese brands are fan favorites across MLB stadiums.
The Most Popular Nacho Cheese Brands
When it comes to nacho cheese sauce, there are a few major food suppliers that provide the cheesy goodness to concession stands across Major League Baseball. Here are some of the heavy hitters in the nacho cheese game:
- Kraft – This household name is by far the most popular brand of nacho cheese served at MLB stadiums. Kraft’sshelf-stable cheese sauce comes in convenient #10 cans and is the official nacho cheese of over 20 MLB teams.
- Frito-Lay – As one of the largest snack food companies in the world, Frito-Lay makes their own branded nacho cheese sauces. Several ballparks serve Frito-Lay’s prepared cheese sauce on chips and other concession items.
- ConAgra – Another major food supplier, ConAgra produces their popular Parkay Squeeze nacho cheese sauce that can be found at many baseball stadiums.
- Superior Foods – This Wisconsin-based company offers both original and thicker “champion” style nacho cheese for concession stands. Superior Foods cheese sauce is served at stadiums like Busch Stadium and Great American Ball Park.
While some ballparks opt for big-name branded nacho cheese sauces, others work with local food distributors to source their cheese. Custom nacho cheese recipes are also popular for giving stadiums a unique cheese sauce offering.
Nacho Cheese Brands at MLB Stadiums
Now let’s dive into the specifics on which nacho cheese brands are served at Major League ballparks across the United States:
American League East
- Fenway Park – Kraft nacho cheese
- Yankee Stadium – Kraft nacho cheese
- Tropicana Field – Kraft nacho cheese
- Oriole Park at Camden Yards – Local cheese sauce
- Rogers Centre – Kraft nacho cheese
American League Central
- Guaranteed Rate Field – Kraft nacho cheese
- Comerica Park – Superior Foods nacho cheese
- Progressive Field – Local cheese sauce
- Kauffman Stadium – Kraft nacho cheese
- Target Field – Kraft nacho cheese
American League West
- Angel Stadium – Superior Foods nacho cheese
- Minute Maid Park – Kraft nacho cheese
- Oakland Coliseum – Local cheese sauce
- Globe Life Field – Frito-Lay nacho cheese
- T-Mobile Park – Local cheese sauce
National League East
- Citizens Bank Park – Superior Foods nacho cheese
- Citi Field – Kraft nacho cheese
- Nationals Park – ConAgra Parkay Squeeze
- loanDepot Park – Kraft nacho cheese
- Truist Park – Kraft nacho cheese
National League Central
- Wrigley Field – Kraft nacho cheese
- Busch Stadium – Superior Foods nacho cheese
- Great American Ball Park – Superior Foods nacho cheese
- PNC Park – Local cheese sauce
- American Family Field – Kraft nacho cheese
National League West
- Oracle Park – Local cheese sauce
- Dodger Stadium – Frito-Lay nacho cheese
- Petco Park – Local cheese sauce
- Coors Field – Kraft nacho cheese
- Chase Field – Kraft nacho cheese
As you can see, Kraft is by far the dominant nacho cheese brand used across Major League Baseball stadiums. About two-thirds of all ballparks opt for the familiar creamy yellow cheese sauce from Kraft to slather on their nachos. Frito-Lay and Superior Foods nacho cheese products are also popular choices for big league concession stands.
Some stadiums pride themselves on using local or in-house made cheese sauces to give their nachos a unique flair. For example, the Seattle Mariners partner with Beecher’s, a local artisanal cheese company, to make a special cheese sauce for T-Mobile Park nachos.
Why Kraft Dominates Ballpark Nacho Cheese
There are several key reasons why Kraft nacho cheese reigns supreme at MLB stadiums across America:
- Brand Recognition – For over 50 years, Kraft has been synonymous with nacho cheese. Generations of fans associate Kraft’s signature tangy cheese sauce with ballpark nachos.
- Convenience – Kraft cheese comes ready-to-use in large #10 cans that only require heating up. No complex preparation is needed.
- Consistency – Kraft delivers the same dependable cheese sauce time after time. This reliability is key for busy ballpark concession stands.
- Safety – Kraft cheese is shelf-stable with no refrigeration required. This makes it ideal for the demands of huge MLB venues.
- Cost – With economies of scale as a huge company, Kraft can provide cheese sauce at a lower cost than artisanal brands.
Kraft has emerged as America’s ballpark cheese thanks to its total package of familiarity, convenience, consistency, safety, and affordability. Nacho cheese sauce is a proven crowd pleaser, so most concession stands opt for the reliable standby in Kraft.
Specialty Nacho Cheeses
While traditional yellow nacho cheese reigns supreme, some ballparks offer unique twists on the classic sauce to give fans more cheesy variety:
- Queso Blanco – Smooth white cheese sauce provides a creamy alternative to yellow cheese.
- Queso Dip – Made with tomatoes and chilies for a cheese dip with heat and Southwest flavor.
- Jalapeño Cheese – Nacho cheese kicked up with spicy jalapeños for extra flavor.
- Pico de Gallo Cheese – Tangy pico de gallo mixed into the cheese ups the freshness and crunch.
- Beer Cheese – Cheese infused with popular local brews to amp up the ballpark vibe.
By offering unique styles like queso blanco and beer cheese, stadiums can give fans more cheesy options beyond standard yellow nacho cheese sauce.
Making Awesome Ballpark Nachos
To build the ultimate ballpark nachos, follow these expert tips:
- Start with freshly fried tortilla chips. The crispier the better!
- Use stadium-safe squeeze bottles for even cheese coverage.
- Layer on toppings like shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, and jalapeños.
- Include chili, shredded chicken, or ground beef for extra protein.
- Drizzle with extra cheese sauce before serving!
With flavorful nacho cheese as the foundation, the possibilities are endless for crafting the most epic ballpark nachos.
The Best Ballpark Nachos
Hungry baseball fans can find some of the most mouthwatering, cheese-laden nachos across these top MLB venues:
| Ballpark | Signature Nachos |
|---|---|
| Comerica Park | Tiger Town Nachos |
| Oracle Park | Crazy Crab Nachos |
| Busch Stadium | Redbird Nachos |
| Petco Park | Park Nachos |
| Coors Field | Rockie Mountain Nachos |
From Detroit to San Diego, these creatively topped nachos are piled high with all the cheese, chips, beans, salsas and fixings needed to keep fans fueled up for nine innings of action.
Nacho Cheese for Home Tailgating
Want to make excellent nachos at home for tailgating or game watching? Here are some great nacho cheese options for DIY cheesy bliss:
- Kraft Easy Cheese – Quick, convenient canned cheese sauce.
- Frito-Lay Jalapeño Cheddar Cheese Dip – Spicy shelf-stable cheese dip.
- Rotel Dip – Creamy cheesy blend with tomatoes and green chilies.
- Velveeta – The smooth, melty “liquid gold” cheese sauce.
- Homemade Cheese Sauce – Equal parts melted cheese, milk and sodium citrate.
With the right nacho cheese ready-to-go, you can enjoy ballpark-worthy nachos without leaving the house.
The Bottom Line on Ballpark Nacho Cheese
When it comes to nacho cheese at MLB stadiums, Kraft is the leading brand by a landslide. Its familiar flavor, ease of use, consistency, and cost-effectiveness make it the go-to cheese sauce for concession stands across baseball. While some venues get creative with specialty local or homemade cheese recipes, the majority of fans expect that quintessential tangy, yellow Kraft cheese on their ballpark nachos. With heaps of chips and fixings, cheese sauce makes these loaded nachos a guaranteed home run.