It wasn't long ago that Mitch Kreps noticed a Cubs fan bragging on social media that he had successfully brought a Chipotle bowl into a Major League Baseball game. He knew Brewers fans could do even better.
Kreps, 32, of St. Francis, and five friends plotted a spaghetti dinner inside American Family Field on April 28, enjoying some home-cooked magic during the Brewers' 13-2 victory over the Diamondbacks. And it was totally within the stadium's carry-in policy.
"Certain stadiums will have more or less restrictions, but generally, if you can bring it in a clear gallon bag, then you're good," Kreps said after his crew's cuisine went viral with more than a million views on X.
We understand the spaghetti policy pic.twitter.com/hkVetiKc0y
The Brewers indeed permit "personal size food items" like a sandwich, small bag of unopened pretzels and fruit. Kreps, an avid stadium-goer who's also dubbed himself president of the newly formed Hot Dog Club at the stadium, knew the policy well enough to know he could pass through security with an allotment of spaghetti supplies.
Kreps himself brought the noodles, Zach Behnke brought the garlic bread, Natalie Kreps handled the grated parmesan, Mike Pankowski brought in Glorioso's meatballs, Jonathan Rick handled the paper plates and "sauce master" Bert Lauderdale, himself a Milwaukee social-media personality who documented the entire proceedings on video, provided the final touch.
There was a small price to pay, however; between the shuttle ride from nearby Rounding Third and the process of getting into the ballpark, not everything was exactly piping hot by meal time.
"The only thing that was slightly warm were the meatballs because our buddy brought them in a [thermal] lunch box to our house," Kreps said. "It was great anyway. It's like cold pizza."
Kreps has already contributed to the Milwaukee culinary landscape with his preference for Hamm's beer, something he's been drinking for years with a slice of lemon. That caught on locally when another friend of his established the #HammsWithALemon hashtag. Kreps learned that one vendor inside the stadium would be selling Hamm's this year, and so he brought lemons (in a clear plastic bag, of course) to opening day.
He has to qualify as an influencer by this point, no? Kreps says no.
"I am a person who lives a life, and a lot of people seem to enjoy the way I live," he said with a laugh.
Next on the agenda for AmFam potluck dining? Perhaps fried rice or a party sub that he envisions being carried into the stadium over his friends' shoulders.
This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Brewers fans bring spaghetti dinner to game, go viral