RiverDogs' Game Offers Up An Eclectic Mix of Ballpark Eats, Beverages, & Upgrades at the Segra Club

Jeff Walker, Food & Beverage Writer

With each new Charleston RiverDogs season comes varied expectations. For the players it a chance to continue to live out their dream of playing baseball, with an opportunity to prove themselves worthy of the next level. For the fans taking in a RiverDogs game provides several anticipations. 

Those visiting Joseph P. Riley Stadium aka 'the Joe', not only get to enjoy 'America's favorite pastime', with a likelihood of running into comic actor Bill Murray (Director of Fun), but for food & drink lovers, it's an occasion to sample a menu full of one of a kind crazy eats and unique beverages.

For decades those who oversee the concessions at 'the Joe' have made it their mission each and every year to come up with menu items that cater to the unusual palate, while keeping the everyday ballpark staples for the less adventurous. And the 2025 RiverDogs season is no different.

While the team had hoped to repeat as Carolina League Champions in 2024, a title they won the previous three years, sadly they fell short. With another championship season in mind, the overall theme for players and the the RiverDogs staff including Josh Shea, Vice President, Food & Beverage is 'come back'.

Joe's Food Court just inside the front gate is where you'll find your 'starting lineup', a decent selection of first team food & drink players that reflect baseball's vast appeal, with a good mix of local flavors. The food court offers variety for everyone in your party including cheeseburgers, brats, shrimp & catfish po'boys, Bavarian pretzels, and turkey sausages. 

If you're bringing a hungry-man or hungry-woman appetite to the ballpark than consider chowing down on a Footlong Homewrecker Brat or the low country boil, with an ample mix of boiled shrimp, sausage, potatoes, and corn on the cob. Aptly seasoned to satisfy low country palates. Two of a few new menu items on the food and drink roster this season. 

Grand Slam snacks at Joe's include hushpuppies, boiled peanuts, nachos, and house-made fries. If you want to steal a couple of extra bases (actually they'll cost you $5) than you can get kids of all ages popcorn, cotton candy, or roasted peanuts. You can wash it all down with Gatorade, bottled water, soda, beer or Porch Pounder wine.

The State Fair concession booth has moved up in 'the Joe' concourse lineup offering up a few things listed at the food court, with most of their menu reflecting items you'd expect at the Coastal Carolina Fair. Under the banner of 'Stick It To Me' you'll find four edibles on a stick including kid favorites, a footlong corndog or a pickle on a stick, as well as chicken or street corn. Satisfy your salty palate with cheese curds or funnel cake fries. Prices between $4 and $8.

Right across the way it's Cheesy Charlie's, a unique kiosk serving up ample sizes of Cheeto Popcorn ($7) and Cheeto Pretzels ($9). These two snacks go great with a cold beverage. Want the cheesy powder without the crunchy snack, for a mere $3 they'll blanket any food item you buy in the ballpark with Cheeto Dust. That's a good kind of cheesy! 

Baseball attracts fans from all backgrounds, as does the international menu at Charlie's Passport. Here is where you'll discover the most eclectic food items at 'the Joe'. Vegetarians have several options here including a Cauliflower Veggie Rice Bowl and Cauliflower Taco, as well as a Cauliflower Pizza. Of course you can get a plain cheese or a pepperoni pizza. 

Carnivores might opt for the Teriyaki Brisket Rice Bowl or its poultry cousin the General Tso's Chicken Rice Bowl teeming with grilled veggies and an egg roll. The Chicken Parmesan Bake complete with garlic bread might entice pasta lovers, with the Beef Barbacoa and Nashville Hot tacos (both newcomers) calling meat eaters.

The Dog House has been a RiverDogs staple since day one. Heavy hitters here remain The RiverDog topped with slaw, pickled okra & BBQ sauce, and The Bulldog (nod to the Citadel) covered in chili, cheese & onions. Little ones might opt for the Chicken Nuggets. All come in combo and basket form ranging from $8 to $14. 

Not feeling the dog, than sink your teeth & gums into a warm Brookwood Pulled Pork Sandwich, a family owned business recognized for nostalgic real-pit-cooked Southern flavored barbeque. That's good eating! Vegetarians, the Dog House also serve up a Southern Black Bean Burger topped with avocado, corn relish and their own special sauce. Souvenir fountain soda drinks with $3 refills, canned cocktails, along with domestic and craft beers are always available in the on deck circle.

Just a squeeze bunt away from the Dog House you'll come across a Carolina favorite. The Smoke House dish up smoked meats just like your favorite neighborhood BBQ joint. We're talking mouth watering smoked brisket and turkey alongside pulled pork and chicken. 

Have them as a sandwich with one side, or on a plate with two proteins. Enjoy creamy coleslaw, seasoned collard greens, loaded potato salad, and mac n' cheese. The sides are picnic essentials that easily complement the main entree. My personal preference at the Smoke House is the Mac BBQ Bowl. It's a no-brainer. Mac n' cheese and collards under pulled pork drizzled in BBQ sauce.
No fuss, no muss, easy to eat. If you're going full tilt, don't forget to save some room for the velvety banana pudding.

While the Dog House is ballpark food 1.0, Dog World outside first base on the concourse is ballpark food 2.0. Let's get real. Hotdogs aka frankfurters and baseball go together, and are an American institution. 

At Dog World they have a half dozen ways to enjoy an all beef frank, including the foot long Homewrecker topped with heaps of chili, cheese, pulled pork, coleslaw, onions, bacon, pickled okra, and an extra slather of pimento cheese. Basically everything but the kitchen sink! At $18, the combo meal easily feeds two. You can feast like the Germans do and down a spicy and juicy Grilled Brat served old school with peppers and onions.

Looking for the best kids meal deal, $5 gets the little ones a dog, pretzel bites, and a 16oz soft drink. Dog World is the ideal food & beverage destination for families, especially those bringing two or three kids to the game. It's also one of the few places to get scooped ice cream or real milkshakes.

Throughout concession row you can find your favorite Pepsi products, bottled water, and Gatorade alongside canned cocktails and Porch Pounder Wine. The RiverDogs carry your favorite domestic beers, and a half dozen local craft brews from the likes of Commonhouse, Palmetto, Two Blokes, and the ever popular Belly-Itcher beer from Rusty Bull.

Your first base for beer and wine is the Wicked Weed Foul Pole Porch adjacent to Joe's Food Court. If you steal second base you'll no doubt be at the Seltzer Bar. However if you hit a triple or are looking for a home run, than step next door to the Craft Beer Garden and Cape Fear Bar.  

Seeking an adult beverage with a bit more pizazz. The Cape Fear bar is bringing holy water to the holy city, pouring up signature cocktails alongside frozen margaritas and pina-coladas. Located close to the front gate. Cape Fear share the same spot with the Craft Beer Garden where the RiverDogs have brought back a fan favorite, the Beer Shake.  Ice cream and beer in the same cup. Is your mind blown yet? Cool and refreshing!

If the line is too long you can make your way further down the concourse to Joe's Spirits, where they also serve up $12 Tall Boys and $9 canned cocktails.

Just an infield pop fly away from Joe's Spirits you'll come across the Twisted Tea kiosk where they carry Twisted Tea (duh), Bud, Bud Lite, Michelob Ultra, Wicked Weed, and Sam Adams. Maybe grab some roasted peanuts to go along with your preferred ice cold beer. Additionally they serve canned cocktails and Tall Boys. 

Hotdogs, burgers, tacos, po'boys, smokehouse meats, rice bowls, pasta, pizza, and more. At 'the Joe' they offer up a plethora of ballpark eats that appeal to a variety of palates. Let's not forget peanuts, popcorn, and cotton candy that go nicely with chocolate chip ice cream sandwiches, gummy popsicles, and frosty milkshakes.

Sweet and salty snacks, handhelds, and entrees that require a fork, with flavors covering Italian, Asian, Mexican, American, and low country tastes. They are all on the menu when attending a Charleston RiverDogs game.

Although the concourse level at 'the Joe' caters to the 'average Joe', the Segra Club located on level 3 provides an upgrade experience like no other. We're talking pay one price (which covers admission) and enjoy unlimited food and beverage (including beer & wine) through the seventh inning. 

While the menu changes from game to game, here's a sampling of what you might expect at the Segra Club. Mouth watering brisket, carved roast beef, three cheese mac n' cheese, seasoned collard greens, fresh salads, seafood, and more. How about a build your own burger and hotdog bar, create your own sundae, alongside fresh baked cookies, brownies, and designer confections from Charleston Chocolatier.

Not only do you enjoy awesome food in a controlled environment with big screen TVs keeping you up on specific sports, you have a personal bartender, private bathrooms, and select seating providing the best overall view of Joe Riley Stadium.

Obviously you're going to pay more, so perhaps it's something you do every other blue moon. Maybe you're treating yourself, or a friend or family member for a special occasion. When you factor the price of a ticket, and depending on your eating habits, maybe you're spending $50 at 'the Joe'. For a little more than twice that you get treated like royalty, and who knows maybe Bill Murray will pop in. Hey, it's been known to happen. Available or large parties and corporate events. Discover the difference at https://segraclub.com/

According to Shea, he wants visitors to 'the Joe' to say, "‘Wow! I cannot believe I am at a ballpark right now'." Adding he wants to celebrate international flavors while honoring the long baseball tradition in the holy city. “We are trying to create a unique, one-of-a-kind experience for fans while also paying homage to Charleston and the rich history of food and culture that exists here.”

Coming full circle, or in this case rounding the bases for a stand up home run. When the weather cooperates, and the sun is setting over the Ashley River, there's no greater feeling than watching the Charleston RiverDogs play America's favorite pastime in the one of the best minor league ballparks, in the number city in the country. Sounds like a homerun experience to me!

Fun, food, and drink, with a side of baseball! Totally awesome baby! In case you're wondering they still offer $1 beer nights on Thursday.  Bring your check card or upload  some $$$ to your ticket, because 'the Joe' is a cashless stadium. Check out the menus and ballpark food map by clicking here https://www.milb.com/charleston/ballpark/foodmap