Written by DCist contributor Whitney Satin

When the concession stand line up at Nationals Park was announced in late February, fans rejoiced knowing that, regardless of the game’s outcome, they’d leave the new stadium having enjoyed some classic D.C.-area good eats. The arrival of Ben’s Chili Bowl, Cantina Marina, Hard Times, and Five Guys have given us plenty of combinations to douse our half-smokes and fries in chili and queso. But, for those of us with a sweet tooth, the dessert options have given new life to the tired pre-packaged cotton candy and Dippin’ Dots norm at RFK.

Silver Spring native Gifford’s Ice Cream and Candy Company offers ten flavors of ice creams and sorbets, ranging from the standard vanilla and chocolate to ice cream parlor favorites like chocolate chip cookie dough and butter pecan. Prices are slightly steeper at the stadium than at Gifford’s retail outlets, with one scoop going for $5 (compared to $3.80 at retail locations) or $7 for two. Get a hot fudge sundae replete with all the fixin’s for an additional $2 or have any flavor combination blended into a milkshake for $8. Finger food more your style? Grab a $4 bag of vanilla or chocolate caramels or a $5 “Dinger,” the specially named vanilla ice cream and chocolate-cookie sandwich. Gifford’s donates a dollar of every Dinger sale to the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation, so feel good about indulging in more than one.

Photo by squidpants

The frozen goodies don’t stop there. Arlington-based La Piccola Gelateria offers a rotating selection of eight gelati and sorbetti flavors available in small, medium, and large cups for $5-$7. Highlights include the creamy tiramisu and stracciatella gelatti and the refreshing lemon sorbetti, and overall demand has proven so high that plans are in the works to scatter additional carts throughout the ballpark.

If cool and creamy sounds too heavy after all of those nachos, then head over to the Krazee Ice cart behind the first base line. This Clinton, Md.-based shaved ice company makes their fruity syrups from scratch, and most flavors include a sugar-free option. Try a Zany Cherry or Lovely Lemonade for $5, or, for another buck, add an extra shot of syrup, sprinkles, or … marshmallows? Added between layers of ice, the marshmallows soften as they soak up the syrup and develop a gooey, taffy-like consistency, giving Krazee Ice a unique spin on the typical snow cone.

For cooler night games, when an iced treat seems less than desirable, there's Noah’s Pretzels out of Gaithersburg for a fresh hand-rolled pretzel coated in cinnamon and sugar. Or, swing by one of the Mayorga Coffee carts for a cookie or brownie to dunk in a steaming, 16-ounce hot chocolate. Of course, it’s hard to go wrong a good ol’ box of Cracker Jacks, but why not let one of the local vendors sweeten up your Nats experience?