Yankees GM Brian Cashman took plenty of heat during the offseason for running back the same Bombers squad that fell short in the playoffs last October.
The same can’t be said for Yankee Stadium executive chef Robert Flowers.
Flowers and his culinary squad spent the offseason creating a star-studded, rookie-dominated menu to impress Yankee fans starting on Friday afternoon when the Bombers return to the Bronx to face the Marlins in the ‘26 home opener at the Stadium.
“I get the butterflies every morning when I come in this time of year just because we know the anticipation of the gates opening up and us getting ready for [opening day],” Flowers, the culinary boss for the Yankees since 2024, told the Daily News on Tuesday afternoon as his team unveiled the new menu items for the press.
Flowers, who also has a stint with Citi Field and the Mets on his 20-plus year culinary career, says there is no offseason when it comes to getting the menu ready for a new season.
“It’s funny, people say ‘what do you do in the offseason’ and I always tell them there is no offseason in what I do.”
Streetbird Sticky Que Chicken Sandwich (Courtesy of New York Yankees)
“This menu has literally been in the works since the last game of last season,” Flowers told The News. “So as soon as the season ends we sit down — we take a break for about a week — and then all of my chefs and everyone on the team gets together and then we start working with all our partners to come up with different menu items and then we do the research and development of those menu items and see if the demographic palate is going to be willing to eat it.
“I think we hit it out of the park with this one.”
Some of the new items — “rookies” — designed to wow the taste buds of the Yankee faithful this season include the Streetbird Sticky Que Chicken Sandwich from famed chef Marcus Samuelsson, which is described as “crispy chicken, a signature spice blend, BBQ sauce, slaw, pickles and ranch,” which will be sold in Section 112. A few sections over in Section 115, fans can get a taste of a couple of other rookie menu items — the King’s Hawaiian Angry Lobster Roll (featuring Togarashi spice, lemon aioli and scallions) and the King’s Hawaiian Chicken Parm Sando (featuring flash fried chicken, basil-marinara and artisan mozzarella cheese).
King’s Hawaiian Angry Lobster Roll (Courtesy of New York Yankees)
But Chef Flowers didn’t hesitate when asked what new addition to the culinary lineup he was most excited for.
“Christian Petroni and his concept in Stand 105,” Flowers said of the Food Network star. “Parm to table. It is going to be an unbelievable eclectic mix. Artisan pastas that we are going to doing out of there. Fried mozzarella sandwich with eight-hour marinara. Affogato with Mr. Softee. You can’t go wrong.”
Christian Petroni Mozzarella En Carrozza (Courtesy of New York Yankees)
Want a burger? You have two in the everyday lineup, including the Aaron Judge of ballpark burgers — the aptly named “99 Burger” (which features two 4-oz American wagyu beef patties, American cheese, caramelized onions, secret sauce, dill pickles on a brioche bun) and is available in Section 107; and the rookie — the MVP Burger (which adds tomato-bacon jam and an onion ring to the 99 Burger) which is featured in Section 227.
With so many items to choose from, The News asked Chef Flowers to map out his ideal culinary day at the intersection of East 161st Street and River Avenue.
99 Burger (Courtesy of New York Yankees)
“I would start with something light,” Flowers game-planned, “like maybe some popcorn and then you go right into a sweet treat to start with like a Mr. Softee and then I go into my main meal and probably get one of those Christian Petroni pastas and then top it off with an affagato.”
Flowers also made sure to hype the sweet treats on offer at the Stadium.
“We have an eclectic mix of unbelievable desserts and pastries around the stadium,” Flowers said, with Magnolia Bakery and Treathouse listed as new partners for the season.
Treat House Rice Krispy Bar (Courtesy of New York Yankees)
And make no mistake, the competition isn’t just on the field this year, as the Yankees are looking up at their counterparts at Citi Field who were just voted to have the best baseball stadium food in USA Today’s most recent Readers’ Choice Awards.
“All of my colleagues around all the other ballparks, we [tease] each other a little bit and do all that kind of stuff, but it’s definitely a competition to see who can come out on top.”
Nathan’s Hot Dog (Courtesy of New York Yankees)
What about the fans that hunger for the old school ballpark experience?
“You want a simple hot dog? You want chicken tenders? You want all the nostalgic fare? We’ve got you.”
THE DAILY NEWS’ OPENING DAY ALL-ROOKIE LINEUP
Hibiscus Tully Ball cocktail
Mac & Cheese Dumpling
King’s Hawaiian Angry Lobster Roll
MVP Burger
Petroni Pasta Tasting
Streetbird Sticky Que Chicken Sandwich
Fuku Lucky Fries
Mini Chicken Dessert Bucket
No-Hitter Mocktail