They say “teamwork makes the dream work.” Yet here’s a case where multiple teams contributed to a home run for Greenleaf Foods, SPC, Elmhurst, Ill. And coincidentally enough, this story involves baseball—with the Signature Stadium Dog now sold both outside and inside the Los Angeles Dodgers Stadium.

The story dates back to mid-2019 when Greenleaf Foods’ personnel—including sales, marketing, R&D, culinary and manufacturing—determined to create a plant-based hot dog that mimics a traditional premium, Kosher-style hot dog.  

Greenleaf Foods President Dan Curtin says “food science took the lead role” and notes that the Signature Stadium Dog is the nation’s first pea protein-based hot dog. In addition to pea protein, the product contains is a blend of brown rice and fava bean. In total, Greenleaf Foods says the Signature Stadium Dog delivers the same amount of protein as a traditional hot dog with less sodium and no added nitrites or nitrates. It also is Non-GMO Project Verified and certified vegan.

Furthermore, Greenleaf Foods’ operations team followed traditional hot dog making practices to deliver authentic flavor profile. Field Roast Signature Stadium Hot Dogs are hung in a smokehouse and double smoked using maple hardwood wood chips and a combination of steam and dry heat. The result, says Curtin, is a “savory, hot dog with a smoky chargrilled flavor profile.”

Proud Partners

Greenleaf Foods also partnered with Chef Roy Choi, co-host of The Chef Show and co-the founder of the famous Kogi BBQ Truck, to bring the new Signature Stadium Dog to market.  Now through September 2021, Chef Choi uses the Field Roast dog in an exciting menu concept at his Los Angeles and Orange County-based Kogi BBQ food trucks. The Kogi Plant-Based Dog (aka “The Home Run”) features the Field Roast Signature Stadium Hot Dog topped with Choi’s signature Kogi slaw, cilantro-onion lime relish, salsas roja, verde and naranja, and roasted sesame seeds. It’s then smothered with melted Chao Creamery dairy-free cheese (another Field Roast product) and nestled inside a toasted bun.

“I’ve always been driven by making different flavors and foods accessible to as many people as possible, so when I was frequently getting asked about plant-based alternatives for my truck’s menu offerings beyond just tofu, I knew it was time to bring something new to the table,” says Choi. “What Field Roast and I have accomplished together with the Kogi Plant-Based Dog is special to me because it takes an iconic menu item that’s representative of America, the ballpark, and the streets—then turns it up to ‘eleven’ for anyone who wants to try it. I’m really proud of how it came out.”

The Field Roast Signature Stadium Hot Dog officially launched into foodservice last September and it debuted with Chef Choi this past March. This June, Greenleaf Foods announced that the Los Angeles Dodgers also approved the product as the “Official Plant-Based Dodger Dog,” giving fans the opportunity to purchase the hot dog at select concession stands and in the suites at Dodger Stadium.

Ready to Meat This Product?

Additional partnerships are continuously being added as operators and patrons alike are introduced to this new creation. The Signature Stadium Dog is being tested by several commercial and non-commercial foodservice operators. Wienerschnitzel, the world’s largest hot dog chain, has been testing the Signature Stadium Dog in their “Backyard Veggie Dog,” “Barbeque Veggie Dog” and “Chicago Veggie Dog” builds at select locations across California, Texas and New Mexico. 

Leo’s Coney Island, Birmingham, Mich., a 68-unit chain, plans to introduce the plant-based dog in many of its Michigan locations in the coming months. Veggie Grill, Irvine, Calif., also incorporated the Signature Stadium Dog as part of a take-home grilling kit in May as well as a featured limited time offer in all of their locations this summer. 

In April, Greenleaf Foods announced that the Field Roast™ Signature Stadium Hot Dog debuted in a six-link pack and is sold alongside traditional beef dogs at most major grocery retailers.

The Field Roast™ Signature Stadium Hot Dog earned “Best Foodservice Product-Back of House” honors in Prepared Foods’ annual Spirit of Innovation (SOI) awards. Hear more of Greenleaf Foods’ story when Prepared Foods hosts its SOI Awards ceremony on Wednesday, July 28, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. EDT.

REGISTER for this year’s virtual event.