Is Fenway Park's new 'lobstah' poutine actually... good? We reviewed the ballpark's new food

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The Red Sox’ management isn’t the only thing that got shook up this season.

Last month, Fenway Park unveiled a new concessions menu featuring some “Boston” takes on traditional items like hotdogs and fries. Aramark chefs experimented with baked beans, seafood and sweet spreads to develop the new bites, resulting in offerings like the “Boston Dog,” and “Lobstah Poutine.”

Sure, it’s wacky. It’s different. And really, who is going to eat all that?

A panel of WBUR’s brave (and hungry) staffers, that’s who.

Back in early April, I brought six of my colleagues to Fenway to taste test a few of the new menu items, including loaded hot dogs, grilled cheese, Nutella-filled mini empanadas and, of course, lobster poutine. Here’s what they had to say:

Loaded hot dogs

Where to order: Snapple First Base Deck

Our panel tried two loaded hotdogs: The “Boston Dog,” which is $15 and comes with baked beans, bacon bits and onions, and the “Pitmaster Dog,” which is $18 and has brisket, pulled pork, caramelized onions, crispy onions and BBQ sauce.

On the Boston Dog...

“I friggin’ love a hotdog. And I love baked beans. And I love this hotdog.” — Ally Jarmanning, senior reporter

“I really wanted to dislike this because it’s kind of an affront to God and nature. But it’s like, really good. It’s one of the better hotdogs I’ve had in a while.” — Rob Lane, producer

On the Pitmaster Dog…

“Very sweet. The crispy onions are my favorite part. But I’m missing some regular old mustard on here.” — Hilary Gillcrist, corporate memberships manager

Lobster poutine ($39)

Where to order: Big Concourse

Canadian poutine is traditionally a pile of fries topped with cheese curds and brown gravy. Fenway’s iteration has french fries topped with Luke’s lobster meat, clam chowder, bacon bits and green onions.

“It’s the least fancy lobster I’ve ever had… You know, when you’re eating something like this, it’s either going to be a weirdly elevated ballpark food or this is somehow going to drag lobster down into the gutter. And I think that’s what’s happening, but in a wonderful way.” — Rob

“I wanted to hate it, but I actually like it a lot. But for $40, I was hoping for a little more lobster.” — Kevin Vu, news fellow

“This is a lot better than I would have thought.” — Christopher Bowers, web developer

Grilled cheese ($12)

Where to order: Jersey Street

Fenway’s new grilled cheese is made with cheese from Cabot Creamery in Vermont. (It’s usually served with a side of mango salsa, but they had sold out during the lunchtime game we attended.)

“Tastes like I’m at the Ground Round when I’m a child.” — Christopher

“I like the sourdough. I think this would be better for kiddos.” — Hilary

“It’s a grilled cheese.” — Rachell Sanchez-Smith, associate producer

Nutella empanadas ($10)

Where to order: Right Field Roof Box

These new mini empanadas come in three varieties: beef, chicken and Nutella dusted with powdered sugar. For dessert, we chose the latter.

“Sweet, but tasty.” — Rachell

“This is an excellent sweet treat.” — Ally

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