Phillies legend Ryan Howard’s new restaurant venture set to open at Citizens Bank Park
Ryan Howard is returning to first base at Citizens Bank Park, just not in the way you’d expect.
The Philadelphia Phillies legend is a part-owner of Colbie’s Southern Kissed Chicken, which will have a new concession stand behind first base in the main concourse.
Better still the signature sandwich bears Howard’s nickname “The Big Piece,” given to him by his manager, fellow Phillies legend, Charlie Manuel. According to the menu, the sandwich has chicken, garlic aioli, pickles, American cheese, bacon, lettuce, and tomato on a sweet Hawaiin bun. The fast-casual eateries also offer other sandwiches and wraps, chicken tenders and nuggets, salads, and shakes, though it’s unclear exactly how many of their several offerings will be on the CBP menu.
As for the location, Howard is thrilled to have the stand near his old spot on the diamond:
"“I kind of just threw it out there like, ‘Man, I think it would be really cool to have the restaurant inside the ballpark. That would be amazing. Here we are. They’re giving us the opportunity. I thought it was very, very cool to have it on the first-base side.”"
The Colbie’s-Phillies connection runs deep. According to the Philadelphia Inquirer, Howard invested because of fellow former Phillie Chad Durbin, who knows the Colby family.
Durbin and Howard overlapped on the Phillies from 2008-10 and again in 2013, winning the 2008 World Series, two pennants, and a trio of division titles together. Howard, of course, played his entire 13-year career in red pinstripes and cemented himself as one of the greatest hitters in franchise history.