Phillie Phoodie rates the food at Panini's at Citizens Bank Park
Throughout the 2011 baseball season, the Daily News was inundated with emails and calls. Nonetheless, Phillie Phoodie is back for another season as the guardian of Phanatics’ taste buds. This year, the Phoodista will sample new offerings at Citizens Bank Park, as well as some nearby eateries that are popular game-day stops for Phillies fans. We may even hit the road to taste test some of the region’s minor league ball parks. First up: Outlet: Panini’s, at Section 133.
Throughout the 2011 baseball season, the Daily News was inundated with emails and calls. Nonetheless, Phillie Phoodie is back for another season as the guardian of Phanatics' taste buds. This year, the Phoodista will sample new offerings at Citizens Bank Park, as well as some nearby eateries that are popular game-day stops for Phillies fans. We may even hit the road to taste test some of the region's minor league ball parks.
Outlet: Panini's, at Section 133.
We went: Pregame, 12:30 p.m.
Wait: None.
Order: A chicken pesto panini and an Italian Market panini.
Cost: $10 each.
Phindings: The chicken pesto panini was a decent-sized breast plus spinach, ricotta, provolone, red bell pepper and pesto. There was nothing wrong with it, but it lacked pizzazz. On the other hand, the Italian Market version (capicola, Genoa salami, pepperoni, provolone, red onion, pepperoncini tomato and Italian vinaigrette) was bold and brazen, as the spiced meats asserted themselves while blending nicely with the accoutrements. The Italian also was heartier, possibly enough to feed two moderately hungry Phans.
Final score: Like most leadoff hitters, Panini's got a hit — just not out of the park. Let's call it a solid single that wasn't quite stretched into a double.