McAfee Coliseum - do they allow outside food?

[wchane]

going to the A's game tonight and instead of ordering hot dogs and over priced beer i'd like to buy something in the city or oakland then bring it in.

do they and any recs?

thx.

[kevine]

The A's allow outside food and non-alcholic drinks; the Raiders allow absolutely nothing.

[wchane]

update:

they're really lax about food items you can bring, people were getting in with all kinds of stuff however we left late and had to rush to make it to the opening pitch. ended up with the usual saag's polish, overpriced beers and cotten candy. not worth commenting on =/

[kevine]

Our A's seats are in the same section as Saag's and we used to get the hot links there all the time. Back in 2003 I remember it as being pretty good but as of last year, the couple of times I went, their food was practically inedible, especially what is now passing for buns.

Have also found this to be the case with the BBQ place out in Sec 102. We bring our own food now all the time.

Has my taste buds changed or have others found this to be true?

[farmersdaughter]

Good idea to check the official website regarding policies. http://www.coliseum.com/info/prohibit...

[SLRossi]

Contrary to what they list, just last week we carried in many water bottles (viewed by security) and saw a number of people eating food out of tuperware, etc.

[joem94547]

Yep plastic bottles are fine - just no glass or aluminum cans or alcohol. And they definitely allow noisemakers - drums and horns are definitely in attendance - and poles as evidenced by the waving flags.

[Robert Lauriston]

Fromt that Web page:

"Your Name Here" Arena:

"PROHIBITED ITEMS ... FOOD & BEVERAGE, INCLUDING BOTTLED WATER"

"Your Name Here" Coliseum:

"PERMITTED ITEMS ... FOOD IN CLEAR PLASTIC WRAP"

[Ruth Lafler]

Good point -- the arena and the stadium have different rules. Most arenas don't allow food or drink of any kind, and most stadiums do. I think the Raiders are a separate issue, because there are significant security issues (unfortunately).

At any rate, I've never had a problem bringing food or drink to an A's game, as long as it's not in a prohibited container. In theory they could ban any unsealed drink containers as potentially containing alcohol, but they've never looked twice at any of mine.

Banh mi are good, as are burritos from one of the trucks on Coliseum Way. If you're coming from BART, you can get your dogs from the vendor in the BART station for a fraction of the price.

[Dave MP]

Where exactly are the trucks on Coliseum Way? Is that right near the Coliseum BART stop too?

Dave MP

[Dave MP]

Also, are there any specific trucks that are best?

[nicedragonboy]

I like either trucks at High St & International or 22nd & International. I know there are places closer to the stadium but I usually don't need to go any farther to get my taco truck fix.

If you're going to get banh mi, then of course you gotta go to Ba Le on International & 15th I think it's on.

[Ruth Lafler]

Coliseum Way is the road that runs parallel to the freeway between the High St. and 66th Ave. exits (where it deadends at the entrance to the Coliseum's north parking lots) -- not particularly near the BART station on San Leandro. The number and location of the trucks varies depending on the day and time, but there's always a La Pinata truck (okay, not great) tucked alongside the cheap gas station at High St. and on the weekends there are usually two or three others along that stretch and often an agua fresca/raspados cart as well.

I don't have a favorite -- one of them used to do a nice al pastor (with pineapple) but it didn't have a name and I'm not sure it's still in the mix.

[kc72]

yes they allow outside food and non-alcoholic drinks in plastic bottles.

i usually stop for bahn mi in oakland chinatown or grab burrito somewhere on international blvd

[wchane]

thx.

[Eugene Park]

Outside beverages of any type are not allowed in the Coliseum.

[kc72]

incorrect... i've brought gatorades, snapples, diet cokes, etc in plastic bottles thru the security perfectly fine.

from their site:
Carry-in Items:
All bags must be no larger than 16" x16" x 8". All bags, including backpacks and purses, are subject to search. No cans, weapons, glass containers or alcohol are allowed into the Stadium at any time. No hard-sided coolers of any size are permitted.

[PeterL]

I guess your experience counters their listed prohibited items, which include bottles and beverages.

[Hapa Dude]

You are adding the words "bottles and beverages" to their policy, which prohibits cans and glass containers. I regularly bring in a Nalgene water bottle, which they sometimes sniff. Plastic soda/water bottles are OK, as well as most food.

When I was at Safeco Field in Seattle, they wouldn't allow ANY outside bottles because they wanted me to buy their $6 water.

[Dave MP]

I'm going to the game tomorrow....the banh mi idea sounds great.

Dave MP

[rworange]

Too late ... too little ... but there is some sort of either burger or BBQ joint near the Coliseum. I just remember it had a soup nazi mentality ... you needed to know what to order. I had it high on my list to try when in the area and I think I even posted a query. Unfortunately , can't find it in search, didn't write the address down. No bookmarks ... anyone know of a place like this in that area?

[Alan408]

Are you thinking of Sonny's ?

[rworange]

Yeah ... many thanks ... bookmarked it this time.
http://www.chowhound.com/topics/394794

Have you tried it? Any good?