Mariners fans can't get enough toasted grasshoppers during Monday's home
opener at Safeco Field
By Chuck SchilkenContact Reporter

Seattle Mariners fans celebrated their teams home opener on Monday by
eating bugs. And lots of them.

Safeco Field is serving toasted grasshoppers tossed in key lime salt at
one of its concession stands this season. The Mariners broadcast during
Seattles 6-0 win over Houston reported that the stadium had sold out of
the kind of gross-sounding snack, according to ESPNs David Schoenfield.

Toasted grasshoppers are said be popular in Mexico, where they are
called chapulines. Mariners concessionaire Centerplate offers them in a
$4 cup at a stand run by local Mexican restaurant Poquitos in the area
behind the outfield wall known as The Pen.

"They are a one-of-a-kind snack that the fans will really love -- either
on a taco or on their own," said Steve Dominguez, general manager for
Centerplate at the stadium. "It's a testament to our relationship with
the Mariners to be bold and creative with bringing in new local partners
that really embody the Seattle culinary scene."

Maybe the stand didnt stock much of the item in the first place. Maybe
it was the novelty. Or maybe the crunchy critters actually taste good.
But for at least the first home game of the season, fans apparently just
couldnt get enough.