The Texas Rangers and the operator of their concession stands, Delaware North, have announced new menu items that will be available at Globe Life Field in 2022. The Rangers open their regular season at Toronto Friday; their home opener is Monday, April 11 against Colorado.
This year, Delaware North is opening "421 Food Hall", a buffet-style dining area near Section 225 named for the date the Rangers played their first game in Arlington on April 21, 1972.
"We've got a lot of great things planned for the 50th anniversary of the club here in Arlington, and it all starts on Opening Day," Executive Vice President for Baseball Operations Rob Matwick said. "We're excited to get the season started with fans."
Matwick said the all-you-can-eat area has been moved from the upper concourse to the left field with a view of the game. 421 Food Hall and "High Ball Bar" will occupy the former all-you-can-eat area.
The Rangers are also working with restaurants in Arlington that will be featured at a stand called, "Arlington Eats", near Section 101.
"Arlington is a great city," said Casey Rapp, general manager of Delaware North at Globe Life Field. "They've really grown. In the downtown area, there are a lot of great restaurants. We wanted to feature that. When people come from out of town who don't get to experience Arlington, those who come from out-of-state who want to experience a little Texas flair, we wanted to have that here."
Rapp said Delaware North started with about 60 ideas for new items at concession stands in November. They have whittled that down to eight:
· Alligator Corn Dog: An Alligator Andouille Sausage hand-dipped in corn dog batter and fried to a delicious golden brown. Available at the Bullpen Grill at Section 125.
· Chicken Fried Brisket Sandwich: Generous pieces of in-house-smoked Nolan Ryan Beef Brisket – hand-battered and fried – piled on thick slices of Texas Toast with pickles, red onions, and Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce. Available at the Sweet Baby Ray’s stand at Section 125.
· Brisket Egg Rolls: Created by a Rangers fan in 2020 as part of a recipe contest. Tender house-smoked brisket shredded and rolled up in a classic eggroll wrap with Napa cabbage – deep-fried until crispy and delicious. Served with Togarashi-seasoned fries and Sweet Baby Ray’s barbecue sauce for dipping. Available at the Go Deep Fried stands at Sections 121, 225, and 230.
· Vegan Bratwurst: An Impossible Vegan Bratwurst served on a fresh locally baked vegan roll with grilled onions. Available at the Vegan Cart at Section 101.
· Vegan Chicken Salad: A classic chicken salad sandwich – but with vegan “chicken.” Served with Terra Chips and sliced vegan bread. Available at the concession locations at Sections 101 and 205.
· Golden Chick Loaded Fries: Golden Chick’s signature battered fries are loaded with Rico's Nacho Cheese, bacon bits, and Rico's Jalapenos. Available at the Golden Chick stand at Section 128.
· Mac and Cheese Nachos: Tostitos Tortilla Chips covered with Rico's Cheese Sauce, a pile of creamy mac and cheese, pico de gallo, Rico's Jalapenos, and a drizzle of sour cream. Available at concession stands at Sections 106 and 225.
· Cornbread Chili Pie Dog: A Texas Chili all-Angus beef hot dog with fresh-baked cornbread as the bun – topped with Texas Chili’s chili, shredded cheddar cheese, and Rico's Jalapenos. Available at concessions stands at Sections 132 and 225.
Rapp said chefs work together to compile the list to ensure they can get large amounts of the ingredients necessary, how they will serve items and whether they can make large amounts of the item quickly.
"You want something that's portable. You don't want to have to sit down. You don't want to have to cut it with a knife and fork," he said.
Rapp said he doubted Mac and Cheese Nachos initially.
"When I first heard about it, I was like, 'I don't know how this is going to taste,'" he said. "You've got pasta, and you've got chips? But once you put it together, ultimately, it's cheese, you've got crunchy; it actually works well together."
Brisket Egg Roll won a fan survey two years ago, but when COVID forced crowd limits, Rapp says he was unable to introduce the product. He says Alligator Corn Dog ranked among his favorites.
"Every year, I may think something's going to be super popular and then something else is chosen," he said. "A couple of years ago, we had the Dilly Dog. I didn't think that was going to have any traction. It's a hot dog and a pickle in a corn dog. But we couldn't keep up on Opening Day because so many people wanted to try it. We hope one of the items we've created does that same thing."
PETA has ranked the Texas Rangers the "most vegan friendly" ballpark twice. This year, Vegan Bratwurst and Vegan Chicken Salad are new additions.
"We actually worked with a fan, she's in charge of the vegan Rangers fan club. She approached me and said, 'We want to have that same experience everybody else has at the ballpark. Can we have vegan nachos? Can we have a vegan hot dog? It kind of started slowly then snowballed," Rapp said. "It's crazy because we're Texas, right? Everybody thinks we're meat eaters and brisket, but there are vegan fans here too. We're really proud we can have those other things to offer."
Wednesday afternoon, Matwick said tickets for the home opener Monday were still available.
Related
LISTEN on the Audacy App
Sign Up and Follow NewsRadio 1080 KRLD