One of the things I do at KHOU is setting up the live shots at sporting events. Our media credentials come with obvious perks: we can get into the games early, meet and talk with the players, see the players warming up, see the cheerleaders warming up, etc. But the best perk at the sports events is less obvious: the media dining.
Virtually all sports events, from a one-day golf classic to the city's pro teams have some kind of dining area for the media and employees. Some charge a fee, others don't. For people who are working there all day, it is often the only dining option. Following is a short review of the major players in the world of Houston media dining.
The Houston Texans: You'd think the city's richest sports franchise would have the best media dining. For certain people, they do. On-air reporters have a different credential that allows them access to the upper-level dining room where, rumors say, filet mignon grown on trees and champagne flows from Toro's horns. I don't know if that's true because I've never been up there. For the "rest of us" (photographers and technicians), there are box-lunch sandwiches in a windowless room. If you're lucky, you might get a bottle of water before they run out. The best thing about it is that it's free!
The Houston Rockets dining experience is even more disappointing. Usually the entrée consists of warmed over rice with some sort of meat-like product thrown on top. The first person in line usually gets all the good stuff. It wouldn't be so bad if they didn't charge for it but they do!
The Dynamo is the new team on the block, but they do ok with media dining. They usually have a simple catered meal of fajitas or sandwiches, and it's free. Another plus is that the eats are dished out in the upper-lever media boxes, so you get a good view of the field while you eat.
And so we come to the undisputed champion of Houston media dining, the Astros. I could eat here every day. Let's take a look. To begin with, there are daily entrees which range from enchiladas to bbq to (during the playoffs) lobster. There's always fried chicken, hot dogs (with chili and cheese sauce), and a "slider" sandwich bar. Full salad bar, soup, and bread. Sodas, teas, milk, and juices. Starbuck's coffee. Popcorn and peanuts. Cookies, cakes, and a freezer of frozen treats. I tell you, this place is a belt-busting heaven.
Although the Astros do charge for media dining, the quality and quantity make it well worth it. For the price of a fast-food meal, one can eat like a King. Or an Astro!
you forgot about the aeros! they have good free food too!
Nick, you hit the nail on the head. You described the media dining experience to a "T". I (and my photographer) have experienced all these dining experiences and everything you say it true.
My photographer always hates going to Reliant Stadium as she knows I get the good food and she gets that "boxed lunch." I usually have to sneak some food down to her between quarters as I want some good shots for my story and as everyone knows, photographers and technicians skills go downhill when they get MEGA hungry. LOL Only kidding, photographers and technicians deserve better.
My choices are as follows:
1. Astros (Minute Maid Park)
2. Texans (Reliant Stadium)
3. Dynamo
4. Rockets
5. Aeros (by default, never covered a Aeros game)
My photographer would switch 2 and 3.
Great article. Thanks for writing it.