Home Plates

Millions of baseball fans arrive in greater Phoenix every March for Cactus League Spring Training. They come from all over the country—Seattle, Chicago, Los Angeles—to cheer on their favorite Major League Baseball teams. If you're one of them, you'll surely nosh on your share of hot dogs, peanuts and popcorn at the ballpark. But, if you find yourself hankering for a taste of home, Arizona has got you covered.

SOCAL FISH TACO COMPANY

For fans of: Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers
Location: 219 N Gilbert Road, Gilbert
Nearest spring training stadiums: Sloan Park and Hohokam Stadium

When you're craving seaside beach eats, look no further than this laid-back spot. It offers West Coast staples like Baja fish tacos, clam chowder in bread bowls, and craft beers from California breweries like Lost Coast and Dudes Brewing. High Tide Happy Hour features $5 dishes (clam strips, fish ceviche tostadas) and ice-cold margaritas, which make for a light, So Cal-approved dinner before an evening game.

CHICAGO HAMBURGER COMPANY

For fans of: Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs
Location: 3749 E Indian School Road, Phoenix
Nearest spring training stadiums: Scottsdale Stadium, Salt River Fields and Tempe Diablo Stadium

This place is so Chicago that it imports its Vienna hot dogs, Italian beef and toppings (relish, sauerkraut, pickles) directly from the Windy City. Not only does Chicago Hamburger Company specialize in Midwestern dogs and sandwiches, but the owner, a Chicagoan and life-long baseball fan, doled out 2,005 free sliders to customers in 2005 to celebrate the White Sox's World Series win, and 2,016 sliders in 2016 to celebrate the Cubs' World Series win.

FRASHER'S SMOKEHOUSE

For fans of: Kansas City Royals and Texas Rangers
Location: 3222 E Indian School Road, Phoenix
Nearest spring training stadiums: Scottsdale Stadium, Salt River Fields and Tempe Diablo Stadium

For something smoky like, say, Kansas City burnt ends, Frasher's offers a satisfying fix. Chef/owner George Frasher is a St. Louis native, and even though he's created a menu that blends barbecue styles from all over, he ultimately stays true to his Missouri roots. That said, Texas barbecue fans will love the brisket (side of white bread, please!), and Memphis folks will enjoy the dry-rubbed ribs.

ALL PIEROGI KITCHEN & EURO MARKET

For fans of: Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Guardians and Milwaukee Brewers
Location: 1245 W Baseline Road, Mesa
Nearest spring training stadiums: Hohokam Stadium and Sloan Park

In the early 1900s, Polish immigrants landed on the banks of Lake Erie, bringing to the Midwest the culinary traditions of home. Even though metro Phoenix is a long way away from the Great Lakes—and Poland, for that matter—All Pierogi Kitchen serves up authentic Polish delights. Especially those famously stuffed potato pockets.

LOU MALNATI'S

For fans of: Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs
Locations: 27 South McClintock Drive, Tempe (Tempe Marketplace) and 7507 W Rose Garden Lane, Glendale (Carryout and delivery only)
Nearest spring training stadiums: Camelback Ranch and Sloan Park

A Chicago standard, luckily, Lou Malnati's chose Arizona as one of its new homes for the restaurant's beloved deep-dish pizzas. The menu hasn't changed a bit, so no matter if you're digging into a Lou Malnati's pie in Chicago or Phoenix, the flavors are the same.

CHULA SEAFOOD

For fans of: San Diego Padres, Seattle Mariners and San Francisco Giants
Location: 8015 E Roosevelt St., Scottsdale
Nearest spring training stadiums: Scottsdale Stadium, Salt River Fields, Sloan Park, Hohokam Stadium

All of the fish—yes, all of it—featured at this intimate seafood restaurant in Scottsdale is caught off the California coast and delivered to the desert in less than 24 hours. Meaning, it's fresh, fresh, fresh. The San Diego-based restaurant is perfect for post-game meals when you seek something more refined than burgers and fries. The menu changes regularly, all the more reason to enjoy ocean fare at least once a week while you're in town.

PORTILLO'S

For fans of: Chicago White Sox and Chicago Cubs
Locations: 65 S. McClintock Dr., Tempe and 10574 N. 90th St., Scottsdale
Nearest spring training stadiums: Tempe Diablo Stadium, Salt River Fields and Scottsdale Stadium

Portillo's has helped many a Chicagoan get their food fix while in town for Cactus League Spring Training, that being the famous Chicago hot dog. The recipe calls for a mess of ingredients such as mustard, onions and pickle relish, piled high on a poppy seed bun. But don't you dare add ketchup—a forbidden ingredient in the eyes of Chicago-dog traditionalists.