Give us your Wrigley tips and tricks!

[Brock Beauchamp]

We're writing up a lengthy guide to Wrigley and need your input.

Where do you like to sit?

Where do you like to park or how do you prefer to get to the stadium?

What food do you like at eat at the stadium?

Where do you pre- or post-game around Wrigley?

Have any other suggestions about the ballpark experience?

[Irrelevant Dude]

On 9/4/2023 at 8:54 AM, Brock Beauchamp said:

Where do you like to sit?

I'll sit anywhere but Terrace Reserved.  Some of the Terrace Reserved seats are ok if you know exactly what you are getting, but I would prefer to always be in front of the steel poles.  Terrace Box are good for an affordable option, and I still think Upper Deck Box gives the best view in the ballpark.

On 9/4/2023 at 8:54 AM, Brock Beauchamp said:

Where do you like to park or how do you prefer to get to the stadium?

I'm coming from a fair distance south of the city, so I typically have to drive.  Taking the Metra to the Red Line is usually more trouble than it is worth, especially when it comes to getting home at night after a game.  For night and weekend games, I usually take advantage of the Cubs remote parking service at 3900 N. Rockwell St.  They have buses running back and forth starting 2 hours before the game up until I think an hour after to shuttle people back and forth from the lot to the dropoff point.  For other games, I used to park on the street just north of Irving Park and west of Southport, but there were some changes made to the parking rules this year that make LV2 parking a riskier proposition since street parking is only allowed until 5pm regardless of what time the game took place.  That means if you park on the street and a game runs a little long, you are at risk of being in violation of the parking rules and ticketed/towed.  With that said, I have started using SpotHero more, but I'm still in search of a better (preferably free) parking option, even if that means a bit more walking.

On 9/4/2023 at 8:54 AM, Brock Beauchamp said:

What food do you like at eat at the stadium?

The food is fine for what it is, but certainly isn't the best ballpark food around.  Always get the grilled onions on the hot dogs, and stock up on the free dill pickle spears!  One thing I have discovered more recently is that the giant soft pretzel in a box is worth the extra money over a regular-sized pretzel.  Those standard soft pretzels are almost always terrible anytime I get them and taste like they are multipel days old.  I think a regular pretzel is about $8 and the giant pretzel is close to $20, but the giant pretzel will feed 3-4 people and is almost always fresh.  I have started just buying the giant pretzel anytime I take my son and we will just eat off that for multiple innings.  Also, for the beer-drinking traditionalists, there are still a few places where you can buy Old Style, which is still my go-to beer whenever I'm at Wrigley.

On 9/4/2023 at 8:54 AM, Brock Beauchamp said:

Where do you pre- or post-game around Wrigley?

I haven't ventured out much in recent years and can't remember the last time I went south of Addison.  Whenever I get something to eat or meet up with friends before or after a game, it is usually at Yak-zies.  My wife enjoys Big Star, so we will occasionally go there as well, but I can't speak to much outside of that.  The Diner Grill off Irving Park Rd. is another great spot for breakfast or late-night food further away from the ballpark.

 

[EricG]

We went to the cubby bear last time I went to a game in 2018.  We took the South shore train from Indiana and then the El to Wrigley. Had done that once in 1989. I still have the 76 3 piece lapel pin set from August 1989. I remember going to Wrigley to buy tickets with my dad as a kid and we had hotdogs at a bar just off Addison. I think it is now a souvenir shop. Does anyone know a history of bars/ restaurants near Wrigley?

[Andy]

On 9/4/2023 at 9:54 AM, Brock Beauchamp said:

We're writing up a lengthy guide to Wrigley and need your input.

Where do you like to sit?

Where do you like to park or how do you prefer to get to the stadium?

What food do you like at eat at the stadium?

Where do you pre- or post-game around Wrigley?

Have any other suggestions about the ballpark experience?

- I've sat most everywhere in the ballpark (non-rich people division) and my favorite seats remain the upper deck box seats. However, behind home plate 200 level, which I sat in for the first time last year, was pretty amazing too. Bleachers are always fun, but you have to get there early to get in the top row, which is my preference because you can stand and catch the wind if it's a hot day.

- I park north of the Clark/Southport intersection just past the cemetery. Once you get past that intersection you can park on Clark for no charge. It's something like a 10 to 15 minute walk to Wrigley from there, which is nothing to save $50+.

- The Lillie Q's stand in the CF bleachers is pretty great. You know what's low-key awesome, especially on a hot day? The Oatly ice cream helmets. My favorite things to eat were the Chef Series in the RF bleacher area, but unfortunately that went away after 2019.

- I do not do that mostly on account of being poor, but I've been to Sluggers a couple of times and enjoyed myself each time.

- Get all the food you want to get as soon as you get in the park if that's a feasible option, lines get stupid during the game. But the Clark/Southport parking thing is my biggest suggestion, it was a total game-changer when I discovered that hack.

[Y2J]

The Upper Box Infield will always be my preferred seat. There isn't a better ballpark view in baseball. 

I am a traditionalist like Irrelevant Dude and the only beer I will drink in and around Wrigley is Old Style. I am asked as a season ticket holder to make any recommendations for the ballpark/season ticket holder experience at the conclusion of every season and I always ask for more Old Style vendors. 

Food in Wrigley has a lot of room for improvement. Hot Doug's is always a winner. The North Side Twist pretzel is the perfect food to share with a date.

For some reason, Wrigley got rid of the mini deep dish pizzas, but kept the nasty Homerun Inn pizza. Poor decision.

Murphy's Bleachers and Sluggers are my two favorite pre-game spots. And yes, they serve Old Style! 

[UMFan83]

7 hours ago, Irrelevant Dude said:

The Diner Grill off Irving Park Rd.

I lived at Byron and Ashland for 2 years post college and so many nights ended up at Diner Grill for a Slinger 🤤

[profisme]

On 9/4/2023 at 7:54 AM, Brock Beauchamp said:

We're writing up a lengthy guide to Wrigley and need your input.

Where do you like to sit?

Where do you like to park or how do you prefer to get to the stadium?

What food do you like at eat at the stadium?

Where do you pre- or post-game around Wrigley?

Have any other suggestions about the ballpark experience?

Preferred seat is in the RF bleachers next to the aisle, no more than 3 or 4 rows from the exit.  Easy access to beer, Hot Dougs, and a quick run down the stairs to the main level for the bathroom.  Also have the benefit of a great view of the video board for replays.  LF bleachers you are more likely to get a home run ball, but you have to turn all the way around to see the board.

I got to sit on the 3rd base-line right next to the bullpen home plate one time before the bullpens got moved.  It was the game the Cubs clinched the playoff berth in 2016 on a Miggy oppo homer.  I got to see the bullpen sessions of Kyle Hendricks (pre-game) and Aroldis Chapman (warmup) and they were both crazy awesome in their own ways.  That was a great place to sit, but the big draw was being next to the bullpen for me.

I either take the red line or grab a cab and have them drop me off 3 or 4 blocks north of the field and walk down Sheffield.  I like walking through the neighborhood on the way to the stadium.

Hot Dougs is usually the go to for me.  My favorite was the Dick Tidrow.  It was some sort of sausage with shredded smoked gouda, fried plantains, and a tasty gourmet mustard.

Pre and post game I prefer Murphy's.  You usually see a former Cub or current Cub in there.  I had a great chat with John Mallee one very drunken night.

 

[Brock Beauchamp]

Thank you all for your input, keep it coming! @Brandon Glick is writing this up so he may have more specific questions once he starts assembling all this information.

[Brandon Glick]

On 9/5/2023 at 6:21 PM, EricG said:

We went to the cubby bear last time I went to a game in 2018.  We took the South shore train from Indiana and then the El to Wrigley. Had done that once in 1989. I still have the 76 3 piece lapel pin set from August 1989. I remember going to Wrigley to buy tickets with my dad as a kid and we had hotdogs at a bar just off Addison. I think it is now a souvenir shop. Does anyone know a history of bars/ restaurants near Wrigley?

A section of the Wrigley Field guide will include a history on bars in the Wrigleyville area! There's actually a bar/pub crawl in the area that goes in depth too: https://brewsandclues.com/tour/chicago-cubs-bar-crawl/

[Brandon Glick]

On 9/5/2023 at 5:39 PM, Irrelevant Dude said:

I'll sit anywhere but Terrace Reserved.  Some of the Terrace Reserved seats are ok if you know exactly what you are getting, but I would prefer to always be in front of the steel poles.  Terrace Box are good for an affordable option, and I still think Upper Deck Box gives the best view in the ballpark.

I'm coming from a fair distance south of the city, so I typically have to drive.  Taking the Metra to the Red Line is usually more trouble than it is worth, especially when it comes to getting home at night after a game.  For night and weekend games, I usually take advantage of the Cubs remote parking service at 3900 N. Rockwell St.  They have buses running back and forth starting 2 hours before the game up until I think an hour after to shuttle people back and forth from the lot to the dropoff point.  For other games, I used to park on the street just north of Irving Park and west of Southport, but there were some changes made to the parking rules this year that make LV2 parking a riskier proposition since street parking is only allowed until 5pm regardless of what time the game took place.  That means if you park on the street and a game runs a little long, you are at risk of being in violation of the parking rules and ticketed/towed.  With that said, I have started using SpotHero more, but I'm still in search of a better (preferably free) parking option, even if that means a bit more walking.

The food is fine for what it is, but certainly isn't the best ballpark food around.  Always get the grilled onions on the hot dogs, and stock up on the free dill pickle spears!  One thing I have discovered more recently is that the giant soft pretzel in a box is worth the extra money over a regular-sized pretzel.  Those standard soft pretzels are almost always terrible anytime I get them and taste like they are multipel days old.  I think a regular pretzel is about $8 and the giant pretzel is close to $20, but the giant pretzel will feed 3-4 people and is almost always fresh.  I have started just buying the giant pretzel anytime I take my son and we will just eat off that for multiple innings.  Also, for the beer-drinking traditionalists, there are still a few places where you can buy Old Style, which is still my go-to beer whenever I'm at Wrigley.

I haven't ventured out much in recent years and can't remember the last time I went south of Addison.  Whenever I get something to eat or meet up with friends before or after a game, it is usually at Yak-zies.  My wife enjoys Big Star, so we will occasionally go there as well, but I can't speak to much outside of that.  The Diner Grill off Irving Park Rd. is another great spot for breakfast or late-night food further away from the ballpark.

 

All of this is incredibly helpful - thank you! HUGE shout out especially on the Spot Hero call. Looks like a lifesaver

[Brock Beauchamp]

Here is the first pass at this guide. Please read through it and give feedback. We still have a lot of formatting to do so please focus on the content and anything that should be changed/added.

 

[Irrelevant Dude]

I would dispute this line about the rooftops:

Quote

A great vantage point from the outfield and a suite-like experience have made the Wrigley Rooftops famous for a reason.

I have been on 2 or 3 different rooftops and I have always found them to provide an abysmal game-watching experience.  Yes, it can be a good time with lots of food and drink, etc, but don't expect to actually get a good view of the action.

[CubUgly]

On 9/5/2023 at 7:27 PM, Andy said:

- I've sat most everywhere in the ballpark (non-rich people division) and my favorite seats remain the upper deck box seats. However, behind home plate 200 level, which I sat in for the first time last year, was pretty amazing too. Bleachers are always fun, but you have to get there early to get in the top row, which is my preference because you can stand and catch the wind if it's a hot day.

- I park north of the Clark/Southport intersection just past the cemetery. Once you get past that intersection you can park on Clark for no charge. It's something like a 10 to 15 minute walk to Wrigley from there, which is nothing to save $50+.

- The Lillie Q's stand in the CF bleachers is pretty great. You know what's low-key awesome, especially on a hot day? The Oatly ice cream helmets. My favorite things to eat were the Chef Series in the RF bleacher area, but unfortunately that went away after 2019.

- I do not do that mostly on account of being poor, but I've been to Sluggers a couple of times and enjoyed myself each time.

- Get all the food you want to get as soon as you get in the park if that's a feasible option, lines get stupid during the game. But the Clark/Southport parking thing is my biggest suggestion, it was a total game-changer when I discovered that hack.

 

On 9/4/2023 at 8:54 AM, Brock Beauchamp said:

We're writing up a lengthy guide to Wrigley and need your input.

Where do you like to sit? I like to sit in the bleachers on Friday afternoon games for the reasons most who do would want to.  Otherwise I really like the 300 section on the third base side and far enough back where I get shade and sun protection.  Great view of the game from there. 

Where do you like to park or how do you prefer to get to the stadium? I'm from out of state so I either stay downtown when I come and take the Red Line or if I have points stay at the Zachary or the Best Western in Wrigleyville.  But 95% of the time I stay downtown at any number of hotels walking distance from the Red LIne, whatever we get the best deal with. 

What food do you like at eat at the stadium?  I'm not big on the Wrigley food, will usually get something in Wrigleyville pregame (dog or Brats at Murphy's typically) but if I do get something it'll be a hot dog.

Where do you pre- or post-game around Wrigley?  Pre-game Murphy's or Old Crow, Post - if we win Sluggers, if not Bernie's and occassionally Vines on Clark. 

Have any other suggestions about the ballpark experience?  I just like to get there a couple of hours before the game, maybe walk around in some of the t-shirt shops, get a beer at the places I mentioned above and maybe the Sports Corner up on the roof if the weather is nice.  Post game if we win my wife and I go dance at Sluggers and every now and then I'll go up to the batting cages and take some tipsy swings. 

 

[CubinNY]

On 9/6/2023 at 11:46 AM, profisme said:

Preferred seat is in the RF bleachers next to the aisle, no more than 3 or 4 rows from the exit.  Easy access to beer, Hot Dougs, and a quick run down the stairs to the main level for the bathroom.  Also have the benefit of a great view of the video board for replays.  LF bleachers you are more likely to get a home run ball, but you have to turn all the way around to see the board.

I got to sit on the 3rd base-line right next to the bullpen home plate one time before the bullpens got moved.  It was the game the Cubs clinched the playoff berth in 2016 on a Miggy oppo homer.  I got to see the bullpen sessions of Kyle Hendricks (pre-game) and Aroldis Chapman (warmup) and they were both crazy awesome in their own ways.  That was a great place to sit, but the big draw was being next to the bullpen for me.

I either take the red line or grab a cab and have them drop me off 3 or 4 blocks north of the field and walk down Sheffield.  I like walking through the neighborhood on the way to the stadium.

Hot Dougs is usually the go to for me.  My favorite was the Dick Tidrow.  It was some sort of sausage with shredded smoked gouda, fried plantains, and a tasty gourmet mustard.

Pre and post game I prefer Murphy's.  You usually see a former Cub or current Cub in there.  I had a great chat with John Mallee one very drunken night.

 

There are a lot of hot Dougs in the RF bleachers?

[Rcal10]

On 9/5/2023 at 2:39 PM, Irrelevant Dude said:

I'll sit anywhere but Terrace Reserved.  Some of the Terrace Reserved seats are ok if you know exactly what you are getting, but I would prefer to always be in front of the steel poles.  Terrace Box are good for an affordable option, and I still think Upper Deck Box gives the best view in the ballpark.

I'm coming from a fair distance south of the city, so I typically have to drive.  Taking the Metra to the Red Line is usually more trouble than it is worth, especially when it comes to getting home at night after a game.  For night and weekend games, I usually take advantage of the Cubs remote parking service at 3900 N. Rockwell St.  They have buses running back and forth starting 2 hours before the game up until I think an hour after to shuttle people back and forth from the lot to the dropoff point.  For other games, I used to park on the street just north of Irving Park and west of Southport, but there were some changes made to the parking rules this year that make LV2 parking a riskier proposition since street parking is only allowed until 5pm regardless of what time the game took place.  That means if you park on the street and a game runs a little long, you are at risk of being in violation of the parking rules and ticketed/towed.  With that said, I have started using SpotHero more, but I'm still in search of a better (preferably free) parking option, even if that means a bit more walking.

The food is fine for what it is, but certainly isn't the best ballpark food around.  Always get the grilled onions on the hot dogs, and stock up on the free dill pickle spears!  One thing I have discovered more recently is that the giant soft pretzel in a box is worth the extra money over a regular-sized pretzel.  Those standard soft pretzels are almost always terrible anytime I get them and taste like they are multipel days old.  I think a regular pretzel is about $8 and the giant pretzel is close to $20, but the giant pretzel will feed 3-4 people and is almost always fresh.  I have started just buying the giant pretzel anytime I take my son and we will just eat off that for multiple innings.  Also, for the beer-drinking traditionalists, there are still a few places where you can buy Old Style, which is still my go-to beer whenever I'm at Wrigley.

I haven't ventured out much in recent years and can't remember the last time I went south of Addison.  Whenever I get something to eat or meet up with friends before or after a game, it is usually at Yak-zies.  My wife enjoys Big Star, so we will occasionally go there as well, but I can't speak to much outside of that.  The Diner Grill off Irving Park Rd. is another great spot for breakfast or late-night food further away from the ballpark.

 

Not all terrace reserve are created equal. My seats are terrace reserve preferred, which means rows 7 thru 13 in the infield. I have row 9 section 223 and can see everything. Piles could be a problem in some of those terrace reserve preferred, but a seat there with no pole is a great seat. I also do enjoy the upper deck box. That is where I used to sit before I got season tickets. But for the money and for resale value I will take mine all day over upper deck box. 

[Rcal10]

Depending on your physical condition and how much time you have you can always park for free. You just have to park 1.5 miles from the park. Typically I park around Wolcott and Roscoe. Roscoe is only a few blocks south of Addison, but Wolcott is over 1 mile from the park. The positive of parking there is if you go to a day game there are a lot of good bars that you pass on your way to the car and Roscoe west of Wolcott has a lot of very good restaurants for an early dinner. Used to love the 3PM starts using this strategy. After the game go to dinner at 7. Now with quicker games it isn’t as good. But we do still park that far out. I used to go to 25 games a year. Paying $40 to $50 to park for all those games adds up. So we park for free and walk a bit. Part of my exercise for that day. 

[UMFan83]

14 minutes ago, Rcal10 said:

Depending on your physical condition and how much time you have you can always park for free. You just have to park 1.5 miles from the park. Typically I park around Wolcott and Roscoe. Roscoe is only a few blocks south of Addison, but Wolcott is over 1 mile from the park. The positive of parking there is if you go to a day game there are a lot of good bars that you pass on your way to the car and Roscoe west of Wolcott has a lot of very good restaurants for an early dinner. Used to love the 3PM starts using this strategy. After the game go to dinner at 7. Now with quicker games it isn’t as good. But we do still park that far out. I used to go to 25 games a year. Paying $40 to $50 to park for all those games adds up. So we park for free and walk a bit. Part of my exercise for that day. 

Second this.  You don't even need to go quite as far as Wolcott.  I'm pretty sure anything west of Ravenswood south of Addison is legal parking.  I almost always find a spot right by the pencil factory lofts on Ravenswood and Roscoe. I personally love walking from there because I get to walk through the neighborhood I lived in for 5 years (Roscoe and Greenview) and I've never been someone who minds walking.

Also I could be wrong but I think its closer to just over 1 mile.  Roscoe to Addison is 2 blocks.  Ravenswood to Clark is about 7 blocks. 8 blocks = 1 mile in Chicago

Edited September 15, 2023 by UMFan83

[Rcal10]

40 minutes ago, UMFan83 said:

Second this.  You don't even need to go quite as far as Wolcott.  I'm pretty sure anything west of Ravenswood south of Addison is legal parking.  I almost always find a spot right by the pencil factory lofts on Ravenswood and Roscoe. I personally love walking from there because I get to walk through the neighborhood I lived in for 5 years (Roscoe and Greenview) and I've never been someone who minds walking.

Also I could be wrong but I think its closer to just over 1 mile.  Roscoe to Addison is 2 blocks.  Ravenswood to Clark is about 7 blocks. 8 blocks = 1 mile in Chicago

In April/may I stayed at an Airbnb on Roscoe and Wolcott. Went to 8 games. Let’s split the difference, it was 1.25 miles. Yes, just west of Ravenswood you can park for free. But that is only a block from Wolcott. Used to be able to park just west of Southport, but now that is permit parking. , 

Edited September 15, 2023 by Rcal10