Ballpark Savvy

If you have been to GABP, you have likely noticed the restaurant on the second level, down the first base line. In the past, you needed a ticket just to get to this area, and then order of the menu. According to the Enquirer, that has changed for 2011. I can't verify this yet on the Reds' site, but here is the Enquirer write up:

"The Riverfront Club is now open to anyone with a ticket. It’s a buffet, set up with upscale food stations including a salad bar, a carving station, a pasta bar and a dessert bar. Sounds like a bargain to me: it’s all you can eat for $26 ($20 on day games except Opening Day).

Plus, there are great views of the game and the river from here, so if you’ve bought cheap bleacher seats, you can not only up grade the food, you can possibly snag a much better view of the game while eating. It also offers an a la carte menu, with dishes like Airline Chicken, a half breast beautifully sauced with morels and gnocchi and slender young carrots."

If true, this presents a nice budget luxury option. Get a $5 ticket and pay $26 more for all your food and drinks in a premium area. I would call ahead until you have done this once, and definitely get there early. There are only a few tables with a good view of the action.