A cold drink, an equally crispy and salty snack, and your hometown team. What could be more picturesque? Since sports have been a spectator event, the method to curb the thirst and appetite of the patrons has been the bread and butter of the thousands of stadiums and “ballparks” that envelope the landscape and history of not only this nation, but the world. What would a match be without the aromas permeating through the air, getting picked up by a light breeze that carries its scent across the field and into the stands. Food, and the senses that are activated and light up sections of our brain, are attached to some of humankind’s deepest memories. The aroma of fresh popcorn, or first taste of cold beer on a scorching El Paso summer day, all play into the creation of memories; they are the paragraph structure in which a gameday experience writes itself into your mind. At Southwest University Park, John Schow is the man behind your crafted culinary adventure.
Wild boar sausages with a peach green chili reduction, Mexican-Asian fusion ramen, deep fried wonton wrapped hot dogs with Thai chili sauce reminiscent of a Rangoon … no you haven’t stepped into a high-end Manhattan eatery, you just crossed the threshold of Southwest University Park. As an organization, Mountain Star Sports prides itself on being a leader in innovation; when it comes to the food they are serving, there is no lack of innovations. “You don’t really see anyone else in the city serving wild game meat, especially how we are doing it,” says Schow as he verbally dissects the flavor profiles of the various wild game sausages that will accompanying every Locomotive home match. Calling him a mad scientist would be an understatement, “when you are doing game you need a level of sweetness to bring out that flavor and then you hit it with some heat to round everything out and elevate the dish,” he says while displaying the next masterpiece that will be available on March 23rd at the Sausage Spot in section 123.
Asking John to reveal all of his secret items from the rotating wild game sausage stand came with no avail, but hungry folks, keep your eyes out for what Schow calls some pretty “uptown” creations. Moving along the amusement park ride of flavor we arrive at the fusion ramen, a meeting of the East and something closer to home for El Pasoans. Red or green, typically a pondering question reserved to chili or enchiladas may now be owned by which ramen you are enjoying. Carnitas filled red broth, or a shredded-chicken-packed green broth floods the bowls, topped with cabbage, cilantro and mandolin perfected slices of radish. If that is not enough, the ramen is VENDED at your seat! A bandolier of sauces and toppings accompany a ramen slinger who will make their way through the crowds ensuring you have everything you need.
Schow and his team have their rhythm in place and can’t wait to feed baseball and soccer fans alike. “You aren’t going to find what we have in any other stadium,” he says he stands in one of the many kitchens that are peppered throughout Southwest University Park. For fans who are hungry for not only soccer, see you on March 23rd for our match against Rio Grande Valley FC at 7:30.