Delaware North Companies Sportservice Bringing Massive 1-Pound Hot Dog to Several Major League Ballparks

BUFFALO, N.Y., June 28, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Delaware North Companies Sportservice, a global leader in hospitality and food service, will celebrate National Hot Dog Month in July by bringing the successful "Giant Slugger" hot dog to several  Major League Baseball locations at which it handles food and beverage services.

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In addition, several of the ballparks will offer guests a chance to break the current record time for consuming the 1-pound hot dog.

The Giant Slugger is a 1-pound, 2-foot-long hot dog – topped with nacho cheese, chili, grilled onions, and jalapenos, served in a 22-inch potato bun. The hot dog is designed to feed as many as a family of four.

It was originally created by Sportservice chef Cristobal Vasquez for Rangers Ballpark in Arlington, Texas, where it's known as "The Boomstick." Since Sportservice began serving it there in April, the hot dog has garnered international media attention.

"We are always trying new concepts," said Casey Rapp, food and beverage director for Delaware North Sportservice at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. "We found that the hot dog offered our fans a great tasting product and that 'wow' factor we were hoping to create."

For the month of July, only, the Giant Slugger will be served at Target Field (Minnesota Twins), Miller Park (Milwaukee Brewers), PETCO Park (San Diego Padres), Great American Ball Park (Cincinnati Reds), U.S. Cellular Field (Chicago White Sox), and Busch Stadium (St. Louis Cardinals).

The Boomstick will remain a staple in Texas throughout the season, but Rangers fans can also look forward to something new for July. "The Great Bratbino," a spinoff of The Boomstick, is a 2-foot-long, 1-pound bratwurst; it will come standard with sauerkraut, and can be topped with chili, nacho cheese, grilled onions, and jalapenos.

Hot dog eating contests will be held at several of the ballparks; contestants are invited to attempt to break the current record of 19 minutes for consuming the Giant Slugger – a mark that was set by a groundskeeper at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington.

"Delaware North has a 95-year history of providing the hot dog, an American ballpark staple," said Rick Abramson, president of Sportservice. "Today, we offer hundreds of unique toppings for the hot dogs at our ballparks, and we're proud to offer this new fan favorite to all of our guests."

July has been designated National Hot Dog and Sausage month by the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council. The council's 2012 report on Major League ballparks estimated that Americans will consume 20.5 million hot dogs at games this season. That's enough to round the bases 28,489 times. In addition, the council projects ballparks will sell 5.2 million sausages this year.

About Delaware North Companies Sportservice

Delaware North Companies Sportservice is one of the nation's leading food, beverage and retail management companies. Sportservice provides concessions, gourmet catering and fine dining operations at more than 50 professional sporting venues, entertainment complexes and convention centers across the United States and Canada. Sportservice is the provider of choice for an impressive client roster including the World Series, the National Hockey League and Major League Baseball's All-Star games, Stanley Cup Championships and the Olympic Games.

For more than 90 years, Sportservice has demonstrated that it knows what it takes to effectively develop, operate and manage multi-faceted kitchens, restaurants, suites, fine dining and retail facilities in order to meet the changing demands of today's fans. From introducing new healthy, organic food selections and creative cuisine for twists on the traditional fare, Sportservice continues to innovate and enhance the fan experience.

About Delaware North Companies

Delaware North Companies is one of the largest and most admired privately held hospitality companies in the world. Founded and owned by the Jacobs family for nearly 100 years, it is a global leader in hospitality and food service. Its family of companies includes Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, Delaware North Companies Gaming & Entertainment, Delaware North Companies Travel Hospitality Services, Delaware North Companies Sportservice, Delaware North Companies International and Delaware North Companies Boston, owner of TD Garden. Delaware North Companies has revenue exceeding $2.6 billion annually and 55,000 associates serving half a billion customers in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. For more information, visit www.DelawareNorth.com.  

SOURCE Delaware North Companies Sportservice