The Time I Ate 30 MLB Stadium Samples

Last weekend I attended a food event hosted by the Major League Baseball called the MLB FoodFest thanks to the food selfie queen @eatwithnia (you should follow her, she’s the best).  

And when I say we ate… I mean we ATE so many samples. 30 samples to be exact! If you've ever dreamed of visiting all 29 (with 1 in Canada) baseball stadiums and eating then this is the event for you. 

The concept of this food fest is really cool. All 30 MLB stadiums have a signature food item that’s actually served at their stadium and this event puts whatever that food item is on display for everyone to try. The tickets range from $35-55 (with taxes and fees you’ll end up spending $40-65). You have 3 hours to try as many stadium items as humanly possible. 

There were 2 ticket options: with beer/drinks or without. The cheaper ticket does not allow drinks but I would say its worth it. The venue served some really refreshing beers (and spiked seltzer) available (3 max) but don’t feel bad if you go for the cheaper option they have plenty of water and coca-cola all around for the taking. 

Nia and I were on a mission to try food from all 30 stadiums and because we are dedicated women we did it! It personally took me 2 days to do this but I did it! I attended both days, different time slots (8pm on Saturday and 1pm on Sunday). 

A few different people asked what my favorites were that night. This took me some time to think over but I was able to come up with (3) of my favorite samples from the weekend. 

3 - Oakland Athletics : Brisket Nachos 

 

 

2 - Baltimore Orioles : Stuggy’s Crab Mac & Cheese 

 

 

 

1 - Boston Red Sox : Hot Lobster Roll 

 

 

 

If you are reading this and giving me a side-eye because I’m a New Yorker born and raised stating that Boston has the number baseball fare it’s okay. I love everything about my city and I’m confident enough to admit that I’d happily go to a baseball game in Boston just for the lobster roll. 

This event takes place in NEW YORK and LONDON. 

 

Keep an eye out for next years event! I’m sure it will be a food-tastic time!

 

And, while you wait here are pics I took from all 30 stadium stands. Here's a small slide show of my eats.

 

 

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Day 26 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Favorite Fast Food Restaurant

Today's Challenge:Favorite Fast Food RestaurantBeing that I live in an area of Queens (NYC) that's surrounded by so many different types of sit-down restaurants, I generally do not go to fast food joints.But.....when I get the craving for fast food my go-to place is Popeyes.I'm not a huge burger person so I stay away from McDonald's and Burger King but somehow the chicken at Popeyes calls my name when I'm too tired to cook.One of my biggest regrets from my trip to New Orleans was not stopping at the Popeyes location while I was there. My friends and I had so many other places to try on our list but I feel like the chicken from the actual Louisiana Popeyes would be extra delicious. I do plan on going back to New Orleans and when I do, I'll be sure to grab some wings.What's your favorite fast food restaurant? Comment below.

Day 25 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Favorite Food Truck

Today's Challenge:Favorite Food TruckI mentioned before that I really do like food trucks. They remind me of summer time. And usually summer time here in New York City is pretty much lit!Food trucks allow you to eat on the go and are usually a specific type of food.I've gone to many food truck festivals and music festivals that have food trucks and I always find myself at the lobsters truck.I don't know what it is but I love a good lobster roll from a food truck.I hopet that doesn't gross too many people out but it's a pretty regular thing to see a food truck that sells lobster on it.Now, to answer the challenge question, my favorite food truck is the:Urban Lobster Shack They serve THE BEST lobster rolls in town (on a food truck) and the price is pretty reasonable. Whenever I order I go for the traditional (seen in the photo above).WHat's your favorite food truck? Or favorite food to eat from a food truck? Comment below. 

Day 16 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Dine In or Take Way

Today's Challenge:Dine In or Take AwayThis is a bit of a tough question because it all depends on so many factors:1 - The time of day2 - The weather 3 - If you are sick or just feeling like bingwatching shows on Netflix 4 - The size of the restaurant 5 - The number of people with youHere in New York we have tons of food options but this does not always result in dining in at a location.Some of my favorite places to grab food from only have 2 or 3 chairs for people to sit.There are lots of Chinese restaurants in New York that have no seats for dining in.I do not often dine at large food chains (Applebee's, Red Lobster, etc) but when I do its always dine-in.But locally, I often take-away food. Sometimes it’s easier to grab food, head home and enjoy some yummy food in your warm apartment in front of your tv.As for lunch, I work in Manhattan so 9 times of out of 10, lunch is brought back to the office.There are exceptions for work lunch meetings, or lunch with my lady friends which we try to get out of the office for sit down lunches once a month.To answer the question, I prefer to dine in (if that option is available) during the summer, but if it’s really cold out and the weather is pretty bad here in NYC, I’d rather take out.Comment below. Which do you prefer?

Day 10 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Favorite Appetizer

Today’s challenge is:Favorite Appetizer This was an easy one.French Fries is my favorite appetizer.They are pretty universal.You fry up some skinny potatoes and everyone loves them.I'm also a fan of poutine which is a form of fries and native to Canada. If I go back to Montreal it will be for the yearly Poutine festival.I can eat fries plain, with bacon, with cheese, salchipapas, any way you make it.The photo above is one of my faves: kimchi fries 🤤How do you like your French fries?

Day 9 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Most Exotic Food You've Tried

Today’s challenge is:Most Exotic Food You've TriedI'm not picky when it comes to trying new food.Well if it involves okra then I'm not trying it > you can read about that in my previous post.But I'm pretty open and will give almost everything a try once.Throughout my foodie years, I've tried a lot of different things.I vividly remember trying escargot at a Yelp event a few years ago and for awhile that experience was a bit weird for me. It's mostly because of the texture. It did not sit right with me. However, I have to say it was not as weird as eating a salad full of grasshoppers (that's whats in the photo above).Back in August of 2016, I dined at a restaurant called Serenata. It's located in Chelsea here in New York City. Serenata is a Mexican restaurant and before the shade is thrown at me, I will say that Mexican food is NOT considered exotic to me. I eat Mexican cuisine often.But this particular evening, I was feeling a bit adventurous and decided to order the "ENSALADA DEL DESIERTO" which I believe translates to "Salad of the Desert".The ENSALADA DEL DESIERTO contains the following:Grilled cactus, grasshoppers, roasted corn, roasted cipollini onions, wild mushrooms, grape tomatoes, avocado, dates, cilantro-sabila vinaigrette, toasted sunflower seeds, red & black lava saffron salt.I'm not sure why I ordered this but I did and it was delicious.If you know anything about me then you know that I am terrified of bugs. I hate them. I'm not a fan. No matter how big or how small, I'll freak out. So for me to eat something with grasshoppers in it was a stretch and I made it!The grasshoppers were roasted so they had a crunch to it, they were a bit salty by themselves but worked well mixed with all of the other ingredients in the salad.I would try it again if given the opportunity.I do not see myself eating any other kinds of bugs in the future but hey you never know!Readers out there, what do you consider an exotic food item? Or have you ever eaten a bug? Comment below.

Day 8 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Food That You Dislike...

Today’s challenge is:Food That You Dislike That Most People Do Like I hate okra.I do not like the taste. I do not like the texture. I do not like it's look. I do not like okra.I've made this known amongst my friends and family. It's seems that every time I mention that I hate okra the next thing I hear is: "you just haven't had it _____ this way" or "you just haven't tried it the way I make it. "People have suggested I try it fried, stewed, baked, or grilled.NOPE.I'm not going to try it any other way.I've tried it twice in my life time and I think that's enough.Once my late grandmother Maureen prepared okra as a side dish with tomatoes and peppers (known as Caribbean style) and I was not having it.The second time I tried it at a restaurant and it was fried. Nope. I did not like it that way either.I just do not like it.Also, it's way too slimy for my liking.Okra and I will never be friends.

Day 4 - 30 Day Food Blog Challenge - Favorite Chef

My favorite chef is Marcus Samuelsson.If you don't know the name you may know him from popular food competition shows such as Chopped and Top Chef Masters.He's a brilliant chef and I appreciate him because he's heavily involved in preserving and celebrating black culinary history.It seems like every other culture has food that's proudly celebrated but its seems like black food isn't celebrated as much as Italian or even Mexican food. I feel Marcus is doing a great job representing for us and showing the culinary world the importance and sophistication of black food.I've had the pleasure of eating at Red Rooster which is one of Marcus' restaurants here in Harlem - New York City. Harlem is a historically black neighborhood so I can see the significance of why he chose to open the restaurant there. Once you step into Red Rooster it's like a party. The people are friendly, the bar is lively, there's a band playing live music and the smell of delicious food hits you as soon as you walk in.While I was at the restaurant I had a chance to meet Marcus. I completely fangirled and as you can see from my photo I was really excited to meet him. He was extremely humble. He was even open to suggestions about the food. Which I thought was really thoughtful and just plain real. He made sure he went to every table and checked to see if everyone was happy with the menu and the dishes they ordered.A few years back I started reading his James Beard Foundation award winning memoir titled Yes Chef. It's a great read about his life growing up Ethiopian in Sweden, his family and how his passion for food made him who he is today. I highly recommend it if you like good memoirs or foodie related books.To keep up with Marcus I now follow him on Instagram and you should too!

Black Eyed Peas and New Years Day

 It's 18 degrees here in New York City.When it's that cold in New York no one goes outside unless they have to. This morning I got up and ran my butt outside to the grocery store to buy a bag of black eyed peas. That may sound crazy but in the back of my mind I knew it was something that had to be done.I bared the cold for tradition.Growing up I can remember eating black eyed peas and collard greens around the holidays but most specifically on New Years Day (not eve). No one ever explained why we did this and I didn't question it because who doesn't love black eyed peas with ham and collard greens?! I thought it was just holiday food.It wasn't until I was older and started cooking for myself did I start to question this tradition.After doing a bit of research I've learned that eating black eyed peas is a Southern tradition. This makes sense in my case being that my mothers side of the family is primarily from the south. My aunt (one of my mother's older sisters) is a powerhouse at cooking traditional southern food. My mouth is watering just thinking about her collards.In the south, it is said that black eyed peas was a symbol of emancipation for African Americans who had been previously enslaved and were freed on New Years Day.If it takes cooking and eating something that I love the taste of to celebrate emancipation I'm all for it. I'll walk in the cold a thousand times if I have to.Black eyed peas is also considered a good luck dish. This tradition (well the superstitious part of it) also stems back from the south. The concept is, if you eat black eyed peas on New Years Day you will be prosperous throughout the year.I'm here for this too. I believe in certain superstitions to some extent so I'm going to rock with this one and eat up these peas!I've already cooked and eaten my black eyed peas (seen above) for the day. I did not go with tradition and cook them with pork , I just added a tiny bit of onions and garlic seasoning. I did however throw a little hot sauce on them once they were cooked which is considered traditional.Now that my belly is full and I had a side of good ole' black eyed peas I can rest easy and manifest all of the good things coming my way.Cheers to much success in the new year!Foodies out there, are there any New Year traditions you follow or keep going? If so, share below. Leave a comment. 

TameekaEats: Happy 1st Blogiversary To Me!

Today marks the 1 year creation of this site: Tameeka Eats!I'd like to give you a brief history about my site.Tameeka Eats came about at the end of an era. The end of a lifestyle blog I started/managed for about 6 years called Tameeka Time.In 2014, I took a break from blogging and took time for myself. I needed to take a break. I needed to really get into my life and focus on my post-production career. Mama needed them coins so I could take care of myself. My time off from blogging worked out well for me.Now that I had my career on track I was able to focus on what my heart wanted.At the beginning of 2016, I had a realization that I needed to get back into blogging no matter what.No lifestyle site this time. Something more focused.After a bit of meditating and some self reflection I realized my life really revolves around taking photos of food, looking up recipes, cooking, dining out weekly, going to food events and writing Yelp reviews. It all sort of came together.I started with a food instagram page. Then transitioned into creating the blog site to match.The biggest highlight of this year for Tameeka Eats was opening up and meeting like minded women of a group called BLACK BLOGGERS UNITED.I feel like I've fount my people. These are busy women making it work. These women have children, own companies, amongst other things and they still manage blog sites. Even from the first meeting I went to I was inspired. We have monthly meet-ups and those meetings put a fire under my butt and motivate me to get it together.A huge THANK YOU to everyone who has supported my site or have acknowledged my work in any way. It really means a lot to me.On a daily basis, I wish I would be able to post more. It bothers me that I can not but I'm doing my best. I work full time and at night or certain weekends that's when I research and work on my food photos and planning on where to eat. It's taken me a year to realize that I can't feel down on myself about not posting. It's like I have a mantra: "post when you can--post when you can, just be consistent". I'm using a calendar/planner now to organize myself better to schedule posts and I use an app called Trello to organize my ideas and topics. Baby steps. I look forward to providing you readers with more food photos, more IG posts, more snaps, more event recaps and more restaurant reviews.xoxo Tameeka ?

Foodie Haul: Teas from Paris & London

I love tea! I've said it before and I'll say it again: I'm a tea lady :DI like it hot, I like it cold, I like it in the morning or in the evening. Ok.. ok... I'll stop turning this into a Dr. Seuss rhyme.My dearest (and favorite photographer) friend Camile (check out her work) vacationed in London and Paris recently so she ever so kindly brought me back some tea. I am over the moon with this tea haul. I'm so happy!I waited all day to open up the bag she gave me and lookie look at what I got!I can't wait to try all of these teas! I'm starting out tonight with the above Marco Polo Rouge.I'm so using this Palais Des Thés cotton loose tea filter (something I did not know existed). I've only used metal filters. This should be quite interesting. The Montagne Bleue (below) black tea has rhubarb in it! I'm pumped.  This is also a product from Palais Des Thés. The ingredients in this one is giving me evening tea vibes.Then there's the  Marks & Spencer Rwandan black tea from London. I can just image this with some almond milk right now ?I haven't tried these teas yet but I already have a favorite. The Marco Polo iced tea!!! You guys I'm going to drink French iced tea *I'm screaming on the inside right now*​[video src="http://tameekaeats.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/ae79d532-48cb-4a2b-9aaf-399f5b7355e4.mp4" poster=""][/video]​I was also lucky enough to get some of my favorite things in the world from Paris! Popcorn and nail polish. I don't know what it is about popcorn but I love it and one of these days I'll be brave enough to show the internet how much nail polish bottles I own.I'm super duper lucky to have friends who know and love me! Hashtag Lucky. Hashtag Spoiled.Have you been to Paris? Have you had any of these teas? Comment below. Let me know!

RECAP: Los Pollos Hermanos Pop Up Restaurant - NYC Edition

Earlier this week AMC cleverly teamed up with a parking lot company named Citizens Parking to bring us Breaking Bad fans the (now) famous Los Pollos Hermanos Pop Up Restaurant to New York City. The shop was here to promote the upcoming season 3 premiere of the Breaking Bad spin-off series Better Call Saul. The first episode premiered on April 10th @ 10pm EST. You can watch the first episode for free on AMC's site.If you've ever watched (or plan on watching) the television series Breaking Bad then you know (or will know) how significant this restaurant is within the series. *Slight Spoiler Alert Ahead*  Los Pollos Hermanos was founded by Gus Fring (played by the talented Giancarlo Esposito) and was the store-front used to hide money made off of meth sales. It's an amazingly well written television series. It's now considered a cult classic in some circles. If you haven't watched this series yet stop reading this now, get on Netflix, and start binge watching.The pop up restaurant was originally opened at this years SXSW festival and was a huge success (from what I heard around the internet) so AMC took the pop up restaurant on the road and brought it to LA in March and then NYC in April. When I saw an article announcing the pop up hours, I immediately marked my calendar because this type of event is my jam! It seemed perfect! A mix of two things that are near and dear to my heart: scripted television and food. I immediately sent an all-caps text to one of my foodie friends to let her know that WE MUST GO on Sunday and get there early because we are New Yorkers and New Yorkers show up and show out when it comes to food events/trends/festivals.The pop up restaurant/parking lot was located downtown Manhattan at 243 Pearl Street and the hours were: 4/9 11am-8pm and 4/10 10am-8pm.  My friend and I arrived somewhere between 930 and 10am. Even at that time people were already on line ahead of us which means they must have gotten there at either 7 or 8am (see what I mean by New Yorkers showing up and showing out).While waiting to get in everyone took photos with the staff members, the infamous man in a chicken costume, and we watched the official trailer a few times. In the trailer I noticed Gus says "come in and try our curly fries". I didn't think anything of it until one of the staff members announced there was no chicken being sold nor given out. My heart sunk. ?I want to mention that I ALWAYS research every restaurant, event, pop up shop, grand opening, etc I attend. I search the internet for details and because of my "need to know" personality I always like to be prepared and know what to expect. But this time, because I saw so many tweets about it being so "cool" at SXSW I did not dive into finding out what to expect and wanted to be surprised. With that said, I was unaware that chicken would not actually get served at the pop up restaurant.The one time I do not research a pop up event this happens. I would not have gotten there so early if I knew this. On a positive note, they did however provide us with curly fries (and the fries were actually tasty). For free. I will say this was more of a pop up museum of the Los Pollos Hermanos restaurant rather than a standard pop up restaurant. I can't front, I'm sad I did not get to try some chicken but it was kinda astounding seeing the replica of the set. It was like we were actually in the southwest and in this extremely nice and wholesome chicken joint that was really a front for drug money. It was pretty freaking awesome to have experienced it.

I Ate Pasta From A Giant Cheese Wheel & You Should Too

Earlier today I met a few dear friends for lunch. While making meeting arrangements one of my friends texted me that we are meeting at a place called Basta Pasta. I immediately figured this was a standard Italian restaurant until I checked my trusty Yelp app and saw that this was one of "those" places. And by "those" places I mean, one of the places I could get pasta severed straight from a cheese block. I know this may sound weird but this is all of the rage going on in the foodie world (well one of the popular foodie gimmicks going on right now).I've bookmarked at least 3 locations that serve you pasta in a cheesy form but I haven't taken the time to go in and experience it, so when I did my research on this restaurant I was ecstatic to come here. Not only because I would get to try the elusive cheesy pasta but also because Basta Pasta is an Italian Japanese fusion restaurant. That's right up my alley. I LOVE fusion restaurants, you get so much bang for your buck.Now, if you haven't experienced pasta this way here's a break down of what Spaghetti con prosciutto e parmigiana consists of: Parmesan cheese gets heated and melted in a massive cheese wheel. Once the cheese is significantly hot, lightly cooked pasta is placed into the wheel. Once the pasta is in the wheel it is mixed throughly until the pasta is completely cooked and now part parmesan cheese. This is then plated and topped with prosciutto. It is delectable and extremely rich. Here are (5) reasons why you should eat pasta that was cooked in a giant cheese wheel:

1. It's a cheese wheel there should be no further questioning ?
2. People will be drooling at your Instagram and Facebook photos ?
3. You will never want plain pasta ever again ?
4. You'll actually enjoy eating spaghetti again ?
5. It's kid, mother, father, cousin, boss, everyone friendly. Everyone (well a good portion of people) will be impressed and thank you when you take them to a place that serves this. They'll look at you like your a visionary ?

Check out the video I snapped of the cheese being cooked in the wheel then delicately plated.https://www.instagram.com/p/BShDIhHl-PO/?taken-by=tameekaeatsWe ordered just 1 bowl to share. I probably could have eaten a whole bowl on my own.In the photo below you can see me eagerly awaiting my tables cheese wheel pasta.I will say this is something every cheese lover should experience. One time in their life. There are so many restaurants all over the United States now that offer this. To find your local cheese wheel/cheese boat pasta download the Yelp app and have a grand ole' cheesy time.Location: Basta Pasta > https://www.yelp.com/biz/basta-pasta-new-york > Flatiron, New York City 

5 Last Minute Valentine's Day Gift Ideas For The Foodie In Your Life

Valentine's Day is 1 day away and for those of you who STILL have not gotten a gift for a loved one (doesn't matter if it's a boyfriend, girlfriend, co-worker, bestie, or neighbor) you still have time. After all it is the season for loving. ❤️ And if you have a foodie in your life, show them some love on Valentine's Day with one (or all) of these "Foodie Based Gifts" they will be sure to love it!These are also gifts you can easily run out and get without having to rely on your Amazon Prime membership shipping ? #5 - Buy a food based deal from a popular deal site (Groupon/Living Social/Pulsd). These three sites are known for having great dinner, food and drink tour deals which will be a hit in the gift department if you buy a foodie either a baking class or a whiskey tour. Depending on what your mate likes it will sure be a hit as a gift. Find the deal, print it out and put it in a fun card.#4 - Buy a Bed Bath & Beyond gift card. I know right now you must being saying "what?!". But hear me out. If you have ever been inside a Bed Bath & Beyond with someone who loves food, or someone who loves to cook this place is a foodies playground. There are so many cooking utensils, kitchen decor items, and kitchen gadgets it will make a foodies head spin.#3 - Buy a food box subscription for your Valentine. Food box subscriptions are very popular right now. These subscription meal delivery services ship their members fresh ingredients and recipes every month. Plus the meals are totally Instagram photo worthy once they've been cooked. It also allows your foodie to collect recipes. If you are worried about certain diets most of the subscription companies provide special dietary options for vegans, vegetarian, pescetarians, gluten free, and paleo. Here are a few boxes I've tried and  suggest: Blue Apron/Home Chef/Hello Fresh#2 - Buy your foodie a ticket to a food conference or food talk. Many cities host events almost weekly or monthly where people discuss food, food culture, recipes, and teach food history. If you have a foodie on your hands they will be sure to love this!  Eventbrite would be a helpful source for finding local food events to buy tickets. *Side note: be sure to look up the event before buying tickets to make sure everything is legit). For New Yorkers check out the Museum of Food and Drink (MOFAD) for talks. I would personally love a membership or a ticket to one of their food talks.#1 - Buy your foodie a cookbook. It's just that simple. If you know a foodie you know they can not resist a good cookbook. If you have a Barnes&Noble near you that's even better but you can practically get a cookbook anywhere there's a mall. Be sure to get a gift receipt just incase that foodie friend already has that cookbook but it's a sweet gesture and guaranteed to be a hit. If you really do not have time to go out and get a cookbook don't fret because you can purchase digital cook books which will save time.I hope this post helped someone out there that has a foodie in their lives and wants to treat them sweet this Valentine's Day.Comment below if you thought this post was helpful or if you have any tips for me! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 <3