Aaron Judge is the New York Yankees’ best player. It’s only fitting Yankee Stadium’s best food is named after him.
The 99 Burger — named for Judge’s best-selling No. 99 jersey — made its debut in the Bronx last season to major burger-flipping fanfare. Featuring two smashed American wagyu beef patties, American cheese, caramelized onions, secret sauce and dill pickles, the 99 Burger quickly became the most coveted concession item at Yankee Stadium.
Adding to the burger’s lore was its scarcity. When the season started, only 99 burgers were available per game — with a digital display counting up to 99, reminding hungry fans how many burgers were left. With lengthy lines (sometimes forming before games even started) stretching down the third base concourse and demand far outpacing Judge’s jersey number, the Yankees wisely started selling 199 burgers per game. Lines (and waits) were still long, but 100 more fans per game were able to try the sandwich.
The good news? The 99 Burger is back at Yankee Stadium for 2024. The even better news? The Yankees are no longer capping the number of burgers sold.
“We’re looking at probably 600 to 700 burgers a game now,” Yankee Stadium executive chef Brian Flowers told NJ Advance Media at a food preview event at the stadium earlier this week.
The 99 Burger, which was served last year at a temporary kiosk, has been moved to a permanent concession stand in section 107 — out in the right field corner. You’ll may have to wait a while for your burger, but you won’t have to worry about them running out.
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While the Yankees have historically been better than their crosstown rivals on the field, the New York Mets have had concession stand bragging rights since Citi Field opened in 2009. Even as a Yankee fan, I have to admit the Mets have the Bombers beat when it comes to eats. So when I saw the Yankees were launching a special burger for Judge last year, I assumed it would be like most food offerings at Yankee Stadium — overpriced and underwhelming.
But the burger looked good and the Yankees did not (the less we speak of 2023′s disastrous campaign, the better) so I had no issue waiting in a long line when I went to game last June. It took nearly 20 minutes, but I got my hands on the vaunted burger. And it’s not hyperbole to say it was the best thing I’ve ever eaten at a sporting event. The burger was hot and crispy yet juicy, the cheese was nicely melted, the burger sauce provided the requisite tang and creaminess to balance the bite. I housed that thing immediately and as full as I was wished I could get back on line for another. And for $20 bucks? I’d scoff at that most places, but at Yankee Stadium that is a steal.
So if you find yourself at a Yankee game this summer and find yourself craving something other than a hot dog and a pretzel (undefeated combination, especially at a baseball game) your best option is in right field. Because the 99 Burger is Yankee Stadium’s best bite.
More burger stories:
• N.J.’s 31 greatest burgers, ranked
• N.J.’s best new burger, served by a fine-dining chef, is challenging local legends
• This iconic joint was just named N.J.’s best burger by a national magazine
• Viral smash burger tacos, now sizzling at this N.J. grill, are a greasy hit
• How a N.J. bodybuilder became the hamburger Hulk, eating a burger every day
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Jeremy Schneider may be reached at jschneider@njadvancemedia.com and followed on Twitter at @J_Schneider and on Instagram at @JeremyIsHungryAgain.