Important Matters: Rating Track Snack Shacks

Readers, today I tackle a very important topic: The snack shacks at local race tracks. While most would think there'd be a pretty basic menu at all of them, they all have their own quirks. Yes, they all serve things like cheeseburgers, Frito pies, and hot dogs, there are some menu items that set other tracks apart from the pack. Today I will break down those differences for you. Your stomach can thank me later. Here, in no particular order, are the best items from each local race track: 


5. US 36 Raceway in Osborn. Honestly, they have a pretty basic menu and nothing really sticks out. Cheeseburgers are pretty good. Frito Pie is equally awesome. 

4. Thunder Hill Speedway in Mayetta. Again, pretty basic fare. But my disclaimer on this one is that last summer I spent most nights out in the pits, so I wasn't able to sample the menu at the main snack shack. They also have a vendor that sells really good kettle corn. But the best part? For a fee, you can bring in your own cooler. The hill getting up to the track is a little steep, making it hard for one girl to carry a big cooler, so it's my dream to get one of these babies: a cooler scooter.

3. I-35 in Winston. Really good cheeseburgers and last I knew they also had some frozen ice cream treats. The best part is that they accept debit cards so it makes sampling everything at the snack shack very easy. But one thing that sets it apart from the others: the Walking Taco.


Wait, what? You don't know what a Walking Taco is? Well, bless your heart. 


Basically, you take a bag of Fritos or Doritos, crush them up, cut them open down the side, and add hamburger, lettuce, cheese, salsa, and other taco goodies. Then you can hold the bag of chips and easily it while you walk around, hence the name Walking Taco. Check it:

2. Lakeside Speedway, Kansas City. While I haven't been there for awhile and can't vouch that the menu is still the same, this track had a very diverse menu. One of the favorites? Spicy chicken sandwich. Do it. 

1. Heartland Park, Topeka. This track doesn't just have a snack shack, it has snack shackssss. Yes, that is very plural. This place is number one (I know, I know, I said they were in no particular order, but this one is totally the winner) because they almost have a veritable food court. I think they even have a Johnsonville stand. Yes, as in Johnsonville brats. But my favorite? Two words: Margarita Stand. 

Not actually the margarita stand at Heartland Park, but whatever.

When you're at the track and your husband is having a bad night (like mine just happened to be having one night while we were there), I cannot tell you how immensely wonderful it is to have a margarita stand. They also serve other frozen beverages, but I have a low tolerance and can only handle about two drinks before I fall asleep, so I didn't get to sample a wide variety. 

So, there you have it, the best items from the local snack shacks. Hopefully this summer you'll be able to make it to a race and try some of the items yourself...and definitely have a margarita...or four.