Stadium Mustard is a variety of mustard popular in Northern Ohio, particularly in Cleveland. The condiment was originally only available at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, but is now sold in grocery stores across Ohio.
Stadium mustard is a mildly spicy brown mustard, more similar to European mustards than American deli-style brown mustards. Stadium mustard is unique in that it is homogenously brown in color, compared to traditional brown deli mustards, which are yellow with brown mustard seeds ground into it.
Stadium mustard was first formulated in the 1920s by Polish immigrant Joe Bertman, who sold food service products to schools, hospitals, and other large-scale food operations.[1] While having a number of clients, stadium mustard was made popular when it began being sold in League Park, then the home of the Cleveland Indians. The mustard began retail sales in the 1970s as "Bertman Original Ball Park Mustard."[2] After League Park, the mustard followed the Indians to Municipal Stadium and to its current home of Progressive Field (originally Jacobs Field). In 2006, during his tour of all 32 major league baseball stadiums, ESPN.com writer Jim Caple declared the mustard the "signature concession item" at Jacobs Field.[3]
More widely available is "The Authentic Stadium Mustard," sold by David Foods. While not the original brand sold at Municipal Stadium, "The Authentic Stadium Mustard" hit retail stores in 1969 before Bertman's product, and gave the brown mustard it common name. According to Davis Foods, the mustard is sold at over 150 stadiums and arenas across the United States.[4] Outside of Greater Cleveland, "The Authentic Stadium Mustard" is generally easier to find in stores than Bertman Ball Park Mustard.
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