Executive chef for El Paso Chihuahuas announced

A huevos rancheros burger and ghost pepper cheese? You’ll get the chance to try these nuovo cuisine dishes at the new downtown ballpark.

Southwest University Park’s catering contractor, Ovations, named its executive chef today as JJ Castaneda. He gave ABC 7 an exclusive preview of what fans can expect on opening day.

A native El Pasoan, Castaneda said he’ll bring a taste of the Sun City to traditional ballpark fare

“I’ll also provide healthy options for kids,” Castaneda said. “We have yogurt and fresh vegetables. “

The ballpark organizers say there will be a lot of different food offerings, including one hot dog that sounds like it will be inspired by local favorites like Chico’s Tacos.

“Your dog wrapped with bacon, it’s going to have a mountain of cheese – shredded cheese,” Castaneda said. “So it will look like some of the little fast food joints we have here in town, that serve the little tacos. “

And for the upscale tastes – salads and gourmet Mexican variations.

“Also, we have fajitas, we’ll have shrimp tacos, fish tacos,” Castaneda said. “So we have a pretty good array of styles and flavors.”

There’s also a burger based around huevos rancheros.

“I think it will be fun – getting a nice fired egg with your burger,” Castaneda said. “And with all the bacon and the salsa, that will give that huevos rancheros kind of flavor to it.”

There will be three restaurants at the ballpark, and while they haven’t been “officially” named, the Chihuahua’s website lists two of the restaurants as being the “City Hall Grill” and “Sun King Saloon.”

Castaneda said he is still putting together the menus, and the prices won’t be released until the full menus are revealed next week.

Prior to taking the ballpark position, Castaneda served as the Opening Chef for Nofish Kitchen & Bar. He also held previous positions in the San Francisco Bay Area at venues such as the highly acclaimed seafood restaurant, Aqua, La Folie, Restaurant Lulu, and Zibibbo Restaurant, which was voted by Gourmet Magazine as one of the top 100 restaurants in America. Castaneda served as Executive Chef at The Waterfront Restaurant and Caf in San Francisco and Carlos Santana’s Maria Maria Mexican Food locations in Mill Valley, California and in Austin, Texas.

“We are thrilled to have JJ take the lead on culinary services at the ballpark,” said Jeff Hanauer, General Manager of Ovations at Southwest University Park. “He has trained under exceptional chefs around the world and his broad range of expertise makes him the right person for the job.”

“Ballpark food and beverage is a vital part of the experience of attending a minor league baseball game,” added Alan Ledford, President of MountainStar Sports Group. “We’re excited to have someone with Chef JJ’s experience and background leading Ovations’ efforts at Southwest University Park.”
El Pasoans will remember Castaneda from his recent participation as a Celebrity Chef for the March of Dimes. He is a native El Pasoan and has a culinary degree from The California Culinary Academy.

“I’m proud to get to work for the most reputable food service company in the country,” said Castaneda. “It’s a privilege to get to be a part of something as special as the opening of the new ballpark in my hometown. I look forward to creating an incredible culinary experience for thousands of Chihuahua fans.”

Ovations Food Services was selected to provide their signature Everything’s Fresh™ approach to all culinary components at Southwest University Park. Opening Day is scheduled for Monday, April 28, which kicks off an eight (8) game homestand beginning with a 4-game series versus the Fresno Grizzlies (S.F. Giants).