Gluten Free Options at Midland’s Dow Diamond

Planning a trip to Midland, Michigan? If you’re visiting in Spring or Summer, make sure to buy tickets to a Great Lakes Loons ballgame. Gluten Free options at Dow Diamond include hot dogs, burgers and more!

Where is Dow Diamond? Who Plays There?

My husband and I had the great opportunity to go to a Great Lakes Loons game in Midland, Michigan. If you’re unfamiliar with the Loons, they are part of the Class A baseball league. They play teams such as the Lansing Lugnuts and the West Michigan Whitecaps. The team moved to Midland in 2006 after being in Battle Creek for a decade.

Dow Diamond is Family Friendly

Like many Class A league games, the draw in attendance is more than just about baseball. These games are a great place for entertainment for every age. Admittance is incredibly reasonable, with lawn seats only costing $10. Standard Box seats are $15.

There’s pre-game entertainment most nights, as well as giveaways and fun activities during the game. The night we visited, they featured the most amazing acrobats called the Chicago Boyz. Their acrobatic skills were amazing ! You have to watch their audition from America’s Got Talent. Their abilities and their story is awe inspiring.

Of course, like all Class A games, there was a spectacular fireworks display at the end of the night.

What Gluten Free Concessions are at Dow Diamond?

What sets this ballpark apart from others are the gluten-free options that they offer. Their gluten free options amazed me. They offer individually wrapped gluten-free hamburger and hot dog buns, plus helpful signage around the park. In addition, they train their staff to prepare gluten free options, to prevent cross contact.

Here are the specific gluten free concessions at Dow Diamond:

• Cactus Carlos- super nachos and all items sold here are gluten free.
• Smoke House BBQ- the meat is gluten free and we off gluten free buns.
• Wrap City- turn any wrap into a salad
• 1 st or 3 rd base concessions –
  • Hot dogs, we offer a gluten free bun, and the meat is gluten free
  • Cheeseburgers we offer a gluten-free bun, and the meat is gluten-free
  • Chicken Sandwich, we offer a gluten free bun, and the meat is gluten free
• Soft Serve Ice Cream is Gluten Free

Do They Take Cross Contact Seriously?

I spoke with Carlos Valles, Director of Food and Beverage for the Great Lakes Loons. He shared with me some of the steps they take to keep gluten free customers safe.

• Do staff change gloves if a customer orders a gluten free burger/ hot dog?
  • We train our staff that if someone mentions they have a gluten intolerance to change gloves
  • Gluten free buns are served in sealed packages to prevent cross contact.
• Are hot dogs/ chicken/ burgers cooked on a dedicated surface?
  • The burgers and hot dogs are cooked separately from anything else.
• Do staff toast wheat based buns on the same griddle where burgers/ hot dogs are cooked? 
  • We do not toast any buns  on any grill, we use bun warming drawers. No burgers or hot dogs come into contact with that.
• At any of the concession stations, would staff be willing to grab fresh toppings (lettuce, tomato, salad fixings) from the back if a customer asked?
  • Yes, if asked our staff will be glad to do that.
• Would I be correct in assuming french fries are NOT gluten free, because they are cooked in a shared fryer?
  • Yes, french fries are cooked in a shared fryer, which is why we don’t list them as a gluten free option at Dow Diamond.

So enjoy your gluten-free peanuts and popcorn, enjoy the seventh inning stretch, and make sure to stay for a great fireworks show. This is one ball stadium that hits gluten-free dining out of the park!

Where Should I Park When Visiting Dow Diamond?

Dow Diamond offers ample parking on site. The parking lot contains almost 700 parking spots. The cost to park there on game days is $7. You can use the Clutch! App to secure parking spots ahead of the game.

Other Gluten Free Dining Options in Midland, Michigan

If you’re planning to eat outside of the ballpark, I highly recommend Brinstar. They serve gluten free burgers, fries cooked in a dedicated fryer, and they feature loads of video games. Proper Taco is another good option, as most of their menu is gluten free.

Craving something sweet? Make sure to stop at Off The Wheaten Path. Everything baked and sold here is gluten free, and they offer vegan options too.

Other Michigan Sports Venues with GF Options

Curious about other sports teams? The Detroit Tigers offer gluten free options, including hot dogs and a Breadless concession stand that’s 100% gluten free. I’m also working on an article about Little Caesars Area and Ford Field. In addition, I’m reaching out to the Lansing Lugnuts and the West Michigan Whitecaps to ask about their gluten free concessions.

Dow Diamond Location and Contacts

825 E Main St, Midland, MI 48640

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What other sports stadiums do a great job of accommodating Celiac Disease and other food allergy needs? What’s your favorite place to catch a game in Pure Michigan?

Originally published August 2016