Foodie events are on the menu at Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment in East Rutherford, New Jersey, kicking off with a combo of two popular culinary experiences: the BBQ Extravaganza and the Burger Battle.
The Battle of the Meats is scheduled for Saturday, May 17 and will be one huge food truck event, with nearly $5,000 in total prize money up for grabs. Top prizes of $500 will be awarded for the best brisket, chicken, pulled pork, ribs, and a People’s Choice BBQ award.
A $500 grand prize will be awarded, along with $250 for second place, $100 for third place, and a $500 prize for the best-tasting burger patty in the burger competition. To up the ante, there is a $1,000 top prize for the best bite.
This free event runs from 5-11 p.m., and two lucky fans will win a spot at the Judging Table and get to sample all of the food.
Food Trucks at Battle of the Meats
There are 26 food trucks registered for Battle of the Meats:
- ◾Magic Mike’s Smoked Meat
- ◾Eat My Balls
- ◾Magic Mikes Smoked Meat
- ◾Eat My Balls
- ◾Kimchi Smoke BBQ
- ◾Clydes Italian Ice
- ◾Latin Bites
- ◾Wild Bills Soda
- ◾Btch’N Bacon
- ◾Angry Archies
- ◾Carnival Concessions
- ◾Why Not Burgerz
- ◾Gimmie Hibachi
- ◾Cat Like Reflexes
- ◾The Quarry Food Truck
- ◾Uncle Bob’s Kettle Corn
- ◾The Original Delicious Lola Josefa’s
- ◾Shugar Shack Soulfood
- ◾The Hen & The Hog
- ◾Antojitos de mi Tierra
- ◾DAW Concessions
- ◾Fire and Coal BBQ
- ◾Lots of Meat BBQ
- ◾The Empanada Truck
- ◾Michael’s Backyard BBQ
- ◾Chef J’s Latin Dragon
- ◾Jersey Johnny’s House of Dogs
- ◾Bennetts BBQ
Battle of the Meats: Prizes, Judging, More
Vendors can compete for $2,500 in prize money. A $100 entry fee must be paid before May 17.
◾BBQ Extravaganza Prizes: $500 prize for the best brisket, chicken, pulled pork, ribs & people’s choice.
◾Burger Battle Prizes: $500 Grand Prize; $250 2nd place; $100 3rd place; $500 best burger patty
◾Grand Prize for Best Bite: $1,000
Entrants must be ready to sell by 5 p.m. Entrants must prepare six plates for judging.
Turn-in times: chicken, 7 p.m.; pulled pork, 7:30 p.m.; brisket, 8 p.m.; ribs, 8:30 p.m.; and burgers, 9 p.m. Winners will be announced at 9:30 p.m.
The competition is open to area food trucks and restaurants. To register or for more information: email Raryan@playmeadowlands.com.
Save the Date for Meadowlands Pace
Meadowlands Pace Night is scheduled for Saturday, July 12, and will have racing, food trucks, live music, games, and family-fun activities. Doors open at 5 p.m.; the first race is at 6:20 p.m.
Admission and parking are free. A t-shirt giveaway starts at 5 p.m. for the first 5,000 guests. DJ ALX will perform in the Backyard, and there also will be carnival rides, games, Admission and parking are free. A t-shirt giveaway starts at 5 p.m. for the first 5,000 guests.
DJ ALX will perform in the Backyard, and there also will be carnival rides, games, face painters, glitter tattoos, balloon animals, and a cornhole tournament.
- ◾Eat My Balls
- ◾Kimchi Smoke BBQ
- ◾Clydes Italian Ice
- ◾Latin Bites
- ◾Wild Bills Soda
- ◾Cousins Maine Lobster
- ◾Uncle Eddie’s Touch of Sauce
- ◾Angry Archies
- ◾Btch’n Bacon
- ◾Carnival Concessions
- ◾Uncle Bob’s Kettle Corn
- ◾The Original Delicious Lola Josefa’s
- ◾Cat Like Reflexes
Dining With a View During Meadowlands Pace
Make a reservation to guarantee your spot to dine and ensure a great view a an epic night of the stakes on July 12.
◾The Lounge: Center of the action with front row seat to Victory’s giant screens. 2- and 4- top tables and bar seats available. Ticket purchase acts as food and beverage credit for Victory Sports Bar menu.
◾Pink Buffet: Tiered dining room with great views of the live racetrack action. Buffet features salads, sides, main courses, carving station, and delicious desserts.
◾Outdoor Cafe Table: Table for four near the Winner’s Circle. $100 per table – price is a credit towards cafe food and drink purchase.
Stakes
Estimated purses are:
- ◾$700,000 Meadowlands Pace
- ◾$275,000 WR Haughton Open Pace
- ◾$250,000 Stanley Dancer
- ◾$225,000 Del Miller Memorial
- ◾$175,000 Jerry Silverman
- ◾$175,000 Dorothy Haughton Open Mare Pace
- ◾$40,000 Miss Versatility Mare Trot Leg 3
Seafood Festival & Hambletonian Eliminations
The Annual Meadowlands Racetrack Seafood Fest takes place on Saturday, July 26 from 5-11 p.m. in conjunction with the Hambletonian and Hambletonian Oaks Eliminations. Admission is free, with the first race starting at 6:20 p.m.
The Seafood Fest features fresh seafood from area food trucks and restaurants, plus the Racetrack’s Backyard Grill and Bar will have shrimp cocktail and more. Some food options include lobster rolls, fried clams, fried fish, grilled shrimp, shrimp tacos, crab fries, and more.
Food trucks are pay-as-you-eat and include:
- ◾Eat My Balls
- ◾The Mozzarella God
- ◾Cousins Maine Lobster
- ◾Kimchi Smoke BBQ
- ◾Clydes Italian Ice
- ◾Latin Bites
- ◾Wild Bills Soda
- ◾Btch’N Bacon
- ◾Gimmie Hibachi
- ◾These Freakin Empanadas
- ◾Carnival Concessions
- ◾Angry Archies
- ◾Gimmie Hibachi
- ◾Cat Like Reflexes
- ◾Uncle Bob’s Kettle Corn
- ◾Star of the Sea Seafood
- ◾The Original Delicious Lola Josefa’s
- ◾Shugar Shack Soulfood
- ◾Vagabond Kitchen & Tap House
- ◾Rods Fish N Chips
- ◾Antijitos de mi Tierra
- ◾The Hen & The Hog
- ◾Jersey Johnny’s House of Dogs
- ◾Chef J’s Latin Dragon
- ◾Lots of Meat BBQ
- ◾The Best in Zest
Interested in being a vendor? Email Rachel Ryan raryan@playmeadowlands.com and include name of food truck and menu offerings. Cost to participate is $100.
Looking Ahead: 100th Anniversary of Hambletonian
Hambletonian Day — known as Harness Racing’s Greatest Day — is happening on Saturday, Aug. 2. Doors open at 10 a.m., with the first post at Noon.
This 100th running of the Hambletonian will have food trucks, a hat contest, prize packages for the snazziest dressers, music, pony rides, carnival rides, games, driver/trainer autographs (from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon), and swag giveaways at the FanZone Tent.
Signup for the $1,000 Hambo Hat contest by 2:30 p.m. in the Clubhouse Lobby. Judging will take place outside. Prizes: 1st Place $500, 2nd Place $250, 3rd Place $100, 4th Place $50, and Fanciest $100.
Live music by DJ ALXX will be in the Backyard, along with family fun activities. Food trucks signed up so far include:
- ◾Eat My Balls
- ◾The Mozzarella God
- ◾Cousins Maine Lobster
- ◾Kimchi Smoke BBQ
- ◾Clydes Italian Ice
- ◾Latin Bites
- ◾Wild Bills Soda
- ◾Btch’N Bacon
- ◾Uncle Eddie’s Touch of Sauce
- ◾Angry Archies
- ◾Carnival Concessions
- ◾Cat Life Reflexes
- ◾Uncle Bob’s Kettle Corn
- ◾Star of the Sea Seafood
- ◾The Original Lola Josefa’s
- ◾Lots of Meat BBQ
Stakes
◾$90,000 Shady Daisy
◾$1 Million Hambletonian
◾$500,000 Hambletonian Oaks
◾$300,000 John Cashman Memorial
◾$275,000 Cane Pace
◾$275,000 Sam McKee Memorial
◾$175,000 Lady Liberty
◾$150,000 John R. Steele