The Great Cleveland Mustard Debate: Stadium Mustard vs. Bertman’s Ball Park Mustard

There are certain arguments Clevelanders may never settle.

East Side or West Side?

Which Cleveland sports heartbreak hurt the most?

Does putting “The” in front of every highway make perfect sense?

And, of course, the big one:

Stadium Mustard or Bertman’s Ball Park Mustard?

If you grew up in Cleveland or Northeast Ohio, you probably already have an opinion. A strong one.

Because in Cleveland, mustard isn’t just something you squeeze onto a hot dog.

It’s part of the culture.

Cleveland’s Love Affair With Mustard

Go to a baseball game in Cleveland, fire up the grill for a summer cookout or order a hot dog at your favorite local spot and there’s a pretty good chance you’ll find that familiar brown mustard nearby.

Not yellow mustard.

We’re talking Cleveland mustard.

That spicy, tangy brown mustard that belongs on hot dogs, brats, sausages and just about anything else Clevelanders can reasonably put on a bun.

But that brings us to the question that can turn an innocent Cleveland cookout into a full-blown debate:

Stadium Mustard vs. Bertman’s: What’s the Difference?

To someone outside Cleveland, this might seem ridiculous.

“They’re both mustard.”

Those are dangerous words around here.

Stadium Mustard has long been associated with the Cleveland stadium experience and generations of Northeast Ohio sports fans.

Then there’s Bertman’s Original Ball Park Mustard, another Cleveland institution with deep ties to baseball, hot dogs and summer nights at the ballpark.

Put the two bottles next to each other and ask a group of Clevelanders which one is better.

Then stand back.

Everyone suddenly becomes a mustard expert.

“My family always bought Stadium.”

“Bertman’s is the REAL ballpark mustard.”

“That’s not how it tasted at the old Stadium.”

“My dad has been putting this on hot dogs since 1978.”

Within five minutes, somebody is probably telling a story about Municipal Stadium.

Welcome to Cleveland.

So Which Cleveland Mustard Is Better?

Nice try.

We’re a T-shirt company. We know better than to get involved in this.

There are loyal Team Stadium Mustard people.

There are die-hard Team Bertman’s people.

There are people who happily eat both.

And then there are the people who put ketchup on their hot dogs.

We’ll deal with them another day.

The truth is, the argument itself is part of what makes Cleveland food culture so much fun.

These aren't just condiments sitting in the refrigerator.

They're connected to baseball games with your dad. Summer cookouts in the backyard. Dollar dogs. Cold beers. Tailgates. Family traditions. And memories of Cleveland sports venues that don't even exist anymore.

That's why people care.

Introducing Cleveland Mustard

With two sides battling for mustard supremacy, we decided there was only one logical thing to do.

Make a T-shirt about it.

Meet Cleveland Mustard.

No secret recipe.

No decades-long condiment rivalry.

Just a celebration of one of those weird, wonderful and extremely specific things that makes Cleveland… Cleveland.

It's for the people who know that brown mustard belongs at the ballpark.

It's for the Clevelanders who have a preferred mustard brand and are prepared to defend it.

It's for anyone who hears the words “Stadium Mustard vs. Bertman's” and immediately has an answer.

Most importantly, it's another way to wear a little piece of Cleveland.

More Than a Mustard T-Shirt

Since 2008, Cleveland Clothing Co. has been creating Cleveland T-shirts and apparel inspired by the places, people, food, neighborhoods, traditions and inside jokes that make Northeast Ohio home.

Some designs celebrate the big stuff.

Cleveland landmarks. Sports. Music. History.

Others celebrate the things only Clevelanders understand.

Cleveland mustard definitely falls into that category.

Because sometimes hometown pride isn't a skyline.

Sometimes it's brown mustard on a hot dog.

Now It’s Your Turn, Cleveland

We want to settle this once and for all.

Or, more realistically, start an argument in the comments.

Which side are you on?

🌭 Team Stadium Mustard

⚾ Team Bertman’s Ball Park Mustard

🔥 Team Cleveland Mustard

Or are you refusing to choose sides?

Let us know and choose carefully. Your Cleveland credibility may depend on it.