Dodger Stadium

Official Review by J.C. Ayvazi, Stadium Journey Correspondent

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First opened in 1962, Dodger Stadium is the shining jewel just north of Downtown Los Angeles. Amazingly, Dodger Stadium is the third oldest major league stadium, trailing only Boston’s Fenway Park and Chicago’s Wrigley Field.

Current owners, the McCourt family, have made numerous upgrades and refurbishments to the stadium in the five years since purchasing the team. Club seating behind the plate has been remodeled to allow for more capacity. The dugouts have been remodeled and moved closer to home plate, with more club seating behind the dugouts as well as down the foul lines. Private clubs are open to fans with these premium seats. More remodeling is scheduled for the next few off-seasons.

Food & Beverage   5/5

Food service has been upgraded and expanded on all levels of the stadium. While one can find the famous Dodger Dogs at almost every food stand, there are many other food choices to please the fan’s palate. Panda Express, Camacho’s, Canters’s Deli, Carl’s Jr., South Street Philly Cheesesteaks, Gordon Biersch, Brooklyn Dodgers Pizza, and Saag’s Gourmet Sausage along with stands serving health food add to ones culinary choices. Premium beers and mixed drinks are also available.

Atmosphere   5/5

There have been eight World Series held in Dodger Stadium: 1963, 1966, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1981 and 1988, with the Dodgers winning four times. In the ‘88 series, Kirk Gibson provided baseball and the city of Los Angeles with one of the most dramatic events in all of sport history, coming off the bench injured to slug a two-out game winning home run in the ninth inning of Oakland’s future Hall of Famer Dennis Eckersley. In 1984, the first ever Olympic baseball contests were held at Dodger Stadium, and World Baseball Classic games have been hosted as well.

Neighborhood   1/5

Fitting as it is minutes away from Hollywood, Dodger Stadium has served as the venue for numerous movies, TV shows and commercials. Concerts featuring acts ranging from The Beatles and U2, to Michael Jackson and The Three Tenors have been held. In 1987, Pope John Paul II conducted services from an altar in center field.

Area Restaurant Reviews

First opened in 1937, Damon’s Steak House has been a Glendale staple for steaks ever since. The restaurant features a Polynesian theme, and its signature drink is the very popular Mai Tai. Close on its heels is the Chi Chi. Damon’s hosts a full bar featuring a variety of beers on tap, and many more available from the bottle. There are wide range of vodka, whiskey, scotch, and other tasty beverages to wet your whistle. You can watch your game while either sitting at the bar or one of the tables in the bar area.

About two thirds of Damon’s is dedicated to its sit down dinner service. Along with numerous beef options such as Rib Eye, Prime Rib and Top Sirloin one can choose from chicken and seafood (the Broiled Shrimp is fantastic) dishes. One can find three or four specials of the day, and top your meal off with your choice of some scrumptious desserts.

Sundays features a Mai Tai Brunch featuring a fantastic selection of omelets along with Belgian Waffles and French Toast.

Located in Downtown Glendale, Damon’s is surrounded by lots of other interesting shops and restaurants. There is plenty of parking available in the lot behind the restaurant. Only a couple blocks away is the 134 Fwy, a couple of exits down to the 2 Fwy which ends an exit away from Stadium Drive. Usually a 10-15 minute ride to the stadium off ramp from the restaurant.

Located just a few miles south of Dodger Stadium is Olvera Street, the birthplace of the City of Los Angeles. Across Alameda St. from Los Angeles’s historic Union Station, which opened in 1939 and has been the site of numerous movies, Olvera Street was named after a prominent local judge in 1877. There are 27 historic buildings and numerous stalls in the center of the marketplace. Inside, you will find Juanita’s, the taquito stand I was introduced to by a Mexican family when I was in second grade and have been going back to for many decades since.

Located at 20 Olvera St. E in the middle of three small stands along the northeast side, Juanita’s serves up fantastic fresh Mexican food, with numerous combination plates available. Whatever you choose, a side order of taquitos is mandatory—maybe even a few side orders.

Served two per order and swimming in a tangy avocado sauce, the freshly cooked treat features a flavorfully spiced meat filling and a slightly crunchy shell.

Atmosphere is served up in large portions on Olvera Street as you will likely have a visit from a Mariachi band. There is a store featuring hand blown glass items and numerous leather and woven goods available in different stalls. There are also a few sit down restaurants and bakery stands, but the best taste treat you can hope for will be from Juanita’s taquitos.

Fans   4/5

Access   4/5

Return on Investment   4/5

Extras   4/5

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