Opening Day brings with it the promises of a new year, and more so than the Astros actually still being in the hunt, it means new food at ballparks across the country.

Each season, the chefs at MLB stadiums release menu items that they've been dreaming up over the hot stove, and this Wednesday will not disappoint. You may have already heard about the two-foot long $26 hot dog the Texas Rangers are selling. But that's just one of the many twists on the humble frank that fans can chow down on this year. Food Network, the mouth-watering television channel, is also getting into the concessions business with unique hot dogs for many stadiums this season.

More than a dozen ballparks have created signature nachos, with toppings as varied as pastrami and jerk chicken. Some represent the culture and heritage of the city and its fans. Others, like Oakland's Cholula Kalua nachos, are just going for straight flavor using Hawaiian-style pork.

But stadium chefs have also branched out beyond traditional fare, embracing more specific dietary needs for an evolving fan base. Several parks will over the Sloppy Jane, a vegan twist on the classic sandwich. The filling is a blend of tempeh, peppers, onions, molasses and brown sugar barbecue sauce on a vegan wheat bun.

No matter what you like to fuel up with to cheer your team on, there's something for everyone this year.

New Menu Items At MLB Stadiums Include Creations By Food Network Slideshow

 

Cincinnati Reds

Francois Burger: Fresh all-beef patty, topped with wild mushrooms, gruyere cheese and black-truffle spread.

 

Pittsburgh Pirates

Pittsburgh Slugger Steak Sandwich (pictured): A take on a long time Pittsburgh staple and favorite, piled high with steak, coleslaw, french fries and provolone cheese. Gunner's Foot-long Sausages are available in three mouth watering flavors: Hot Italian, traditional hot dog and kielbasa. On opening day they will "blow out" the condiment station, which means approximately 35-40 different sauces and topping that fans can choose from to add to their sausage. Bucco Nachos: Lime tortilla chips topped with ground beef, smoked jalapeño peach salsa, cilantro crème fraiche and nacho cheese.

 

Milwaukee Brewers

The Beef Parfait, which was introduced last year and is a combination of smoked brisket and creamy mashed potatoes drizzled with a special BBQ sauce, will be available with pulled pork as well.

 

Houston Astros

Barbecue Brisket Nachos: Tortilla chips topped with smoked, cubed brisket, nacho cheese and corn salsa.

 

Detroit Tigers

Adult Grilled Cheese (pictured) with provolone, Swiss, jalapeno jack and cheddar. Smoked Beef Brisket and Smoked Pork sandwiches served w/ your choice of mild, sweet or spicy sauces.

 

Cleveland Indians

"Billy's BBQ" Dry-Rubbed Smoked Beer Can Chicken served with Chuck Wagon Three Bean Bake & Creamy Coleslaw.

 

Chicago White Sox

Stuffed Burgers (pictured) are filled with your choice of bacon and cheddar or jalapeno slices and cream cheese. DaBurger Triple Play is an 8-ounce pork patty topped with cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce and caramelized onions. The Balkan Dog is a cevapcici casing-less sausage made of beef and lamb, served with diced white onions and a zesty red pepper and eggplant sauce on pita bread.

 

Boston Red Sox

Kickin' Chicken Nachos: Shredded chicken tossed in buffalo sauce over warmed corn chips with blue cheese dressing and blue cheese crumbles, served with a carrot and celery sticks.

 

Toronto Blue Jays

Big Smoke Jerk Chicken Nachos: Tri-colored tortilla chips topped with cheddar cheese sauce, smoked jerk chicken, pico de gallo, scallions, country slaw and jerk-infused sour cream.

 

New York Mets

Pastracho (pictured: Fresh fried corn tortilla chips topped with chopped New York pastrami, Swiss cheese sauce, sauerkraut, Thousand Island dressing and sliced scallions. Fried Fruit Pies: Mixed berry or apple crumb served with caramel sauce.

 

Philadelphia Phillies

"Dessert Alley" features homemade cinnamon sugar donuts (pictured), Gina's homemade cupcakes, hand spun milkshakes, an ice cream bar with hand dipped ice cream with candy toppings, fresh funnel cake and hand-scooped water ice. Ancho Pepper Braised Pork Nachos: Chips topped with ancho pepper braised pork, nacho cheese, fresh cut tomato salsa, fresh jalapenos and sour cream. Barbecue Chicken Nachos: Chips topped with slow roasted chicken braised in barbecue sauce with nacho cheese, black beans, fresh cut tomato salsa and sour cream.

 

Texas Rangers

Boomstick a.k.a. Champion Dog: A 2-foot long, one-pound hot dog topped with sauteed onions, nacho cheese and chili.

 

Los Angeles Angels

Arctic Nachos (pictured): Crispy flour tortilla sprinkled with cinnamon sugar and topped with vanilla bean ice cream, Hershey's syrup and caramel sauce. Cali Dog: Signature Angel Dog wrapped in a flour tortilla, deep fried and served two ways. Norte is topped with house made chili and cheddar cheese. South is topped with pico de gallo, shredded lettuce and an avocado sour cream. Chicken Barbacoa Nachos: Chips topped with charro chili beans, chicken barbacoa, queso, pickled jalapeno, black bean relish with habanero, avocado sour cream and mild salsa. Also available with Beef Barbacoa.

 

Oakland A's

Cholula Kalua Nachos: Yellow corn tortilla chips topped with seasoned cheese sauce, fresh tomato salsa, avocado cream and Cholula infused Kalua shredded pork.

 

Arizona Diamondbacks

Short Rib Dawg (pictured): Char-grilled hot dog topped with beer braised short ribs, cheddar cheese and crispy onions. Enchilada Dawg: A Phoenix specialty, this char-grilled, foot-long sausage is locally made and filled with cheese and three types of chilies, spicy remoulade and pico de gallo.

 

Los Angeles Dodgers

Doyer Dog: Named for the Spanish-language pronunciation of the Dodgers ("Los Doyers"), the beef frank is loaded up with nacho cheese, jalapenos, chopped tomatoes and onions.

 

Colorado Rockies

S'more Nachos (pictured): Fresh tortilla chips fried then coated in graham cracker crumbs and cinnamon. Topped with warm marshmallow fluff, drizzled in chocolate sauce and finished with M&M minis and mini marshmallows. Colorado Queso: Fresh corn chips with spicy chorizo sausage covered with Monterrey jack and green chili cheese sauce topped with pico de gallo and sour cream.

 

Chicago Cubs

High Plains Bison cart: A different bison product at each game.

 

Kansas City Royals

Cheesy Corn Brisket-achos: Chips topped with smoked brisket, baked beans, cheesy corn and cole slaw drizzled with barbecue sauce.

 

Atlanta Braves

Chili Cheese Pico Nachos: Santita chips, house made chili, shredded cheddar and Jack cheese, pico, jalapenos, sour cream, cilantro and green onion. Sweet and Sour BBQ Carnita Nachos: Santita chips, house smoked pork, Sweet and Sour barbecue sauce, barbecue beans, shredded cheddar, green onion, bread and butter pickles.

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-- Adam Watson is the food czar at ThePostGame. You can follow him on Twitter @AdamKWatson.

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