Bites Nearby: Canal Park

We know, you just rubbed your eyes and had a bit of a double-take. But yes, you read it right. Canal Park has “Bites Nearby.” With baseball season squarely upon us, families across Northeast Ohio are piling into minor league ballparks for fun. Home to the Cleveland Indians' Class-AA affiliate Akron Aeros, Canal Park offers the most family-friendly experience of them all.

With a championship-caliber team named for the Ohio’s history of aerospace innovation, hip real estate in the center of downtown Akron which holds over 9,000 fans, and the largest free-standing scoreboard in minor league baseball, why not go a little bit gourmet when it comes to the grub?

That was new ballpark chef Jason Kerton’s idea. He’s debuted a whole host of savory ballpark nosh this year, including the half-pound WonderDog hot dog with 40 (!) different topping options—four of which are surprises that are said to change from week to week.

The Dog Pound (located behind Section 118) offers a whole host of other dogs, including lengthy The Eighth Wonder of the World (and it is) and the Three Dog Night, which is Kerton’s weineresque take on the “Turducken.” The latter is a hot dog stuffed inside a brat, which, in turn, is stuffed inside a kielbasa.

All of this says nothing of the gigantic gourmet burgers and five-pound ice cream sundaes that Kerton and Co. are turning out at Canal Park.

With old fashioned “Bull Durham” charm, between-inning fan fun and the always loveable red space cat Orbit serving as mascot, even the more discerning diners will enjoy themselves. The Eastern League Aeros are two-time league champs and impressive as the park and its amenities. Expect to see future "Tribe" stars and current Indians players rehabbing injuries playing there as well. 

300 S. Main St., Akron, 330-253-5153, www.akronaeros.com. Regular hot dogs start at a recession-busting $2.

Found a great place to dine? Let us know about it in the comments.