Sure, you can equate the ol' ballgame with peanuts and hot dogs, but on summer Saturdays in Vancouver, it's all about smoked meats outside Nat Bailey Stadium.
Since 2022, Rosie's BBQ has been teamed up with the Vancouver Canadians at the stadium to give their food options a delectable local boost. Fans cheering on the team can get items with Rosie's own pulled pork, for example, from some of the food stands. But you'll also find the Rosie's BBQ trailer - and now its newest massive smoker, Junior - parked outside the venue for some pre-game or game-time grub.
New smoked meat banh mi and loaded potato on the menu
Fresh on the summer 2024 lineup is Rosie's riff on the beloved banh mi sandwich, which is a fresh baguette bun loaded with brisket, pulled pork, smoked bologna, pickled veggies, and cilantro. There's also the photo-worthy and mega-loaded "Instagram Potato," which is a baked spud decked out with pulled pork, brisket, sausage, baked beans, cheese, and fried onions.
The Rosie's menu is stacked with Texas-style (and some Texas-sized) options, from slow smoked wings to a breakfast brisket sandwich. There's Hank's Rib Plate (with side choices like mac and cheese or beans), cornbread, slaw, and even a vegetarian option, a crispy chick-un sandwich. Brisket, barbacoa, pulled pork, and ribs are available by the half-pound or pound.
Rosie's first got fired up back in 2021 and is the venture of Chef Karl Gregg and his wife Mandy. Gregg certainly knows meat: He was the founder of Big Lou's Butcher Shop, which was a popular local favourite for a few years ahead of its sudden demise in 2015 due to some serious behind-the-scenes issues with his ex-biz partner.
Rosie's menu was built on Gregg's trips to enjoy the traditional BBQ offerings from Central Texas, and the new business is a realization of a long-time dream of his to serve up the fare here in Vancouver.
Gregg got the name Rosie's from the backyard shed tricked out with a smoker that he used as his BBQ "test kitchen." Their first trailer is known as the red "Rosie," while the second one - the one I stepped up to at the Nat - is the white "Dolly" trailer.
All of Rosie's additional smokers and trailers have names taken from country music, Mandy Gregg explains.
Junior is Rosie's newest family member, a Mill Scale smoker that they customized with extra interior shelves. The additional smoker is helping them meet the demand for their smoked meats, and you may see Junior parked next to the trailer doing its thing (with the crew tending to it) outside the Nat.
Take Rosie's BBQ food into the stadium on game day Saturdays
Baseball fans who want to bring a plate of Rosie's into the stadium have recently been given the go-ahead to do so; be sure to ask for your food to be sealed with a special sticker (and keep it sealed) that will let you pass through the gate.
While baseball and Rosie's fare are a dream team, the trailers make their way to events and locations all around the Lower Mainland. They're at the Nat on Saturday game days, but can also often be found at the Riley Park Farmers' Market, Batch at the Plaza of Nations, or Parkside Brewery in Port Moody. The full Rosie's BBQ trailer schedule is posted on the roaming restaurant's website.
Watch: Rosie's BBQ at Nat Bailey Stadium on game day Saturdays
@forkingawesomevia On game day Saturdays Rosie’s BBQ trailer and smoker (named Junior) are parked outside Nat Bailey Stadium. They have a menu of fantastic Texas-style BBQ and you can take your food into the stadium to enjoy during the Vancouver Canadians game. #forkingawesome #vancouverbc #bbq ♬ original sound - Forking Awesome/V.I.A.
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