The U.S. Open: What's for Lunch?

Food and drink at any professional sporting event is expensive. And a good amount of the time, the food isn’t very good, save for that classic hot dog at the ballpark, and even that rides mostly on nostalgia.

Most fans know and expect this.

And as a member of the media, I can attest that the food in the media tent, albeit free, is usually subpar as well.

Surprisingly, this is not the case at the U.S. Open at

For fans, the prices aren’t bad, especially considering how much food normally costs in the D.C. region. A burger at the Open will set you back $7.50 and a turkey and cheese club is $7.

For a classic combo, a Nathan’s hot dog is $5, a worthwhile price for a fine dog. And a beer is $6, which is about what you’d pay at a city sports bar if you were to watch the Open on TV.

Incidentally, they also have hot chocolate for $3.50. I have no earthly idea why someone would want to drink hot chocolate at an outdoor sporting event in the sweltering heat. But if you want it, it’s here.

Then there’s water. It’s something we all need to survive. It’s something that should not be denied to anyone. And when vendors price gouge spectators for water, it’s always a story. Luckily at Congressional, even the water is reasonable at $2.50 for a bottle of Aquafina.

The press who cover the event get free lunch every day in the area of the course that is set aside for those with media credentials. It’s just one of the perks of being a reporter. Unfortunately, the free food isn’t always good food.

The media tent, along with the corporate tents, the Champions and the players tents, are catered by Bethesda-based Ridgewells, though a seperate company handles the aforementioned concessions. Ridgewells bucked the trend here. The food, though buffet style, was edible.

Each day there is a deli tray with rolls and rye bread. This is something with which you can’t go wrong. Ham, turkey, salami, swiss. It’s a sandwich. Then there is also a more filling option each day.

Monday it was chicken tenders with barbecue sauce. It wasn’t special, but it hit the spot.

Tuesday was crab cakes. I don’t think this was a good choice. Maryland is famous for crab cakes, but catered crab cakes aren’t the way to introduce them to sportwriters from all over the world. They weren’t the worst I’d ever had, but they weren’t Faidley’s in the Lexington Market.

Wednesday the press got mini hot dogs, and they were delicious. It’s tough to screw up a hot dog, and with mustard and relish slathered on, it only got better.

I do have to say, though, the best part of the press tent food was the fountain machine. There is nothing better than being able to get your own soda. And I didn’t even care when I embarrassed myself in front of some of the greatest sportswriters in the world by mixing them all together like a child.

Clarification: This story has been updated to indicate that Ridgewell's handles catering only for the media tent, corporate, Champions and players tents.