Where we Gonna Eat?
Greetings PawSox Fans!
We've all been there. We decide to go out and eat, then spend a lot of time deciding where to go. One of the things that Rhode Island is known for is the great restaurants, and that makes it more difficult to decide. You'll always hear, “I don't care where we go.” That's followed by, that's too far, the wait is too long, etc. Sometimes what follows is, “Let's just order pizza delivery.”
Like everyone on this planet, Rhode Islanders have our favorite places to eat, from fast food to high-end restaurants. When we travel to places we've been to before, we have a favorite place to have a meal. When I travel with the team I have a place in every city that is a “must go to” for a meal.
Just a couple of places: When in Buffalo, lunch at Chefs Restaurant is a must.
The Spaghetti Parm is the best. A bowl of pasta, with a helmet of parmesan cheese, is sensational…
In Columbus, Ohio the Must Go place is The Thurman’s Cafe. It's the home of the Thurmanator! Here is how the burger is built:
The THURMANATOR: Bottom bun, mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickle, banana peppers, 12-ounce burger, bacon, cheddar, another 12-ounce burger, sauteed mushrooms and onions, ham, mozzarella & American cheese, top bun. Eat it for lunch, no need for dinner!
Since we started the Dining on the Diamond we’ve had people from our region joining us for a great dinner with a majestic atmosphere. We then learned of a couple, Kevin and Alyssa, who drove 4 hours from upstate New York for dinner! This was so impressive, we had to show them on our video board! (Please note front office staff Alex photo bombing the picture!)
They had a great time and enjoyed it very much. A week or two later, as people were being seated, we saw Kevin and Alyssa here again!
Then a couple of weeks later, they scored the Hat Trick with their 3rd visit for dinner!!!!
They quickly became part of the PawSox Family and shared an email with us…
From Alyssa:
I remember my first baseball game ever, in 2001. I was 9. I can point and remember exactly what section I sat in. What souvenirs I got, ( I still have my original foam claw!) And the level of excitement that I felt just to be there. It wasn’t very long after my mom died, So I was just a lost little kid needing to find something that would spark some joy. Baseball was always more than just a game to me. It was passion. And the closest thing that brought me such joy growing up.
Growing up in Acushnet MA, I had been too far more Pawtucket games than I had Boston. Mostly because of course Pawtucket was a lot closer, affordable, and family-friendly. I’ve had so many memories with family and friends, ones that I will forever cherish.
Since moving to Vermont in 2009, and subsequently upstate New York in 2014, unfortunately, I haven’t made as many trips to games at McCoy as I would have liked in the last decade. When home I always tried to make it a point to gather my family and their kids together to go for a game, but I finally got to bring my husband for the first time last year and we had an amazing time.
This year, we loaded up our baseball schedule with many Paw Sox games which at least guaranteed us the first and last game of the season but of course no thanks to Covid none of that happened. I was DEVASTATED. All I needed was a chance to take it all in, and reminisce on all of the memories.
The concept of dining on the diamond was a dream come true. In ways, it was almost better than just enjoying a game in the stands. Getting to eat dinner ON the field. Where so many amazing plays and historic events occurred. Many of my childhood heroes walked that field. Truly a dream come true and once in a lifetime.
My husband and I both share a passion for baseball together. So especially when there was a time where we couldn’t go out to eat or anything we were going crazy. I found this opportunity to join the waitlist and we made sure we did, and we were overwhelmed with joy to find we finally made the waitlist after a month or two. So we got in the car, drove 4 hours to make sure we got to see McCoy for what I thought was one last time.
From the moment we arrived at our first seating, my husband and I were overwhelmed with the AMAZING service first. To this day when we explain the experience to friends, we compare it to the service we get at Disney World. Next the food, over the 3 times we did dining we were BLOWN AWAY by how delicious that food was. And of course, the experience. We come as ordinary people but we leave astounded with the experience for all from start to finish. From watching the kids running around on the field enjoying themselves, birthdays being celebrated complete with singing a birthday song, and special moments being shared on the Jumbotron for families celebrating. Last visit someone even got to fulfill their dream of singing sweet Caroline over the microphone. The dining on the diamond experience was truly like no other. If I didn’t live 4 hours away, I’d probably be there every evening it was available just to be able to share and experience those special moments that you all create with these families. But I am thankful that I was able to wiggle my way down the waitlist 3 times total. But I will always hope that each time we leave that it’s not truly goodbye.
Understanding that it’s New England and of course getting a little chilly for outdoor dining, I can only hope that dining on the diamond returns next year. McCoy has always been a place full of history, joy, and excitement. I hope it can still be utilized as such for family entertainment and dining for many years to come. There’s truly no experience that will top this for us. And we hope to be able to bring our growing family for a meal and to enjoy the experience as well.
I wish I could thank each and every staff member individually, as we were leaving last night it took me too long to leave so I missed out on saying goodbye to most of you. But from the person working in the gift shop, to the servers/front office staff, the executives but of course Rick. I owe the most sincere thanks and appreciation for all that you do. You’ve brought so much joy and memories to families over the years. A handprint, or Pawprint, on so many hearts
But I hope to be able to see you all again as you’ve truly brought so much happiness to so many in this chaotic year we have had. I am sure I’m not the only one who feels this much gratitude for the experience and the opportunity but for those who can not express otherwise, THANK YOU. We appreciate you and I hope to see you all again!
As always, GO SOX (next year)
** but hey. At least the Yankees lost.
- Alyssa and Kevin Sylvia-Kelly
Thank Youse guys very much! Looking forward to seeing you again!
As always, we will be, “Here for You!”
Love hearing from you…………….rickm@pawsox.com
Yours in Baseball,
Rick Medeiros