ARLINGTON, TX (1080 KRLD) - The Texas Rangers will have six new items at concessions stands when they open the 2023 season at Globe Life Field.
The Rangers host the Kansas City Royals Monday night and Tuesday afternoon for spring training games; they then host the Philadelphia Phillies at 3:05 Thursday for Opening Day.
Monday, the Rangers say about 1,000 tickets remained for Opening Day.
The Rangers are introducing six new menu items, expanding their "Arlington Eats" stand and launching partnerships with 7-Eleven and Amazon.
Amazon has "Express Gill" locations near Sections 108 and 124. Those stands are the first at a professional sports venue in North Texas to use technology where customers can scan their phone and pay for items using Amazon One. Options there include hot dogs, burgers, bratwurst, beer and soda.
"You can either have your palm set up through Amazon, and we have a sign-up station, or you can just swipe your credit card, and you walk in," says Casey Rapp, Delaware North general manager at Globe Life Field. "Once you walk in, you have to do nothing else but grab whatever you want and walk out."
7-Eleven is opening four concessions stands. Slurpees will be served near Sections 101 and 205. Big Bite Pizza will be served near Sections 133 and 214.
The Texas Rangers are also expanding "Arlington Eats." The program has local restaurants set up at stands during weekend series and selected weeknight games.
"Really, at the end of the day, it's about supporting small business, supporting Arlington restaurants," says Rangers Executive Vice President of Business Operations Rob Matwick.
This year, six restaurants will rotate on Arlington Eats gamedays: Ella B's Restaurant, Prince Lebanese Grill, Sugar Bee Sweets Bakery, The Tin Cup and Cartel Taco Bar.
"We've decided to step up the number of games and the number of restaurants we'll have for Arlington Eats," Matwick says.
The Rangers are also introducing six new items at some concessions stands:
• The Boomstick Burger: A new take on the iconic 2-foot-long hot dog, this variation features a 2-foot Nolan Ryan Beef patty topped with Texas Chili Company Chili, Rico's Nacho Cheese and Jalapenos, and Crisp Onion Rings – much like the original Boomstick – and served on a fresh-baked brioche bun. Designed to feed up to four people. Available at the Texas 24" stand at Section 132 for $34.99.
• Brisket Croissant: Generous pieces of house-smoked Nolan Ryan Beef Brisket are hand-rolled between layers of buttery croissant dough and baked until golden. Topped with a Sweet Baby Ray's donut-style glaze. Available at the Sweet Baby Rays stand at Sections 3, 123, and 230 for $9.99.
• Corn Ribs: Fresh sweet corn on the cob split into finger lickin’ "ribs" – tossed with spicy lime crema and coated with cotija cheese and tajin spice. Available at the concession locations at Sections 3, 121 and 230 for $9.99.
• Flamin Hot® Cheetos Pretzel: A pillowy soft Bavaria-style sourdough pretzel dipped in Flamin Hot® Cheetos Cheetle and then coated in crushed Flamin Hot® Cheetos. Available at the concession locations at Section 3, 12, 121, 208 and 233 for $8.99.
• Pizza Dawwg: A Texas Chili Company All-Angus Beef hot dog topped with marinara, mozzarella cheese and pepperoni – and then baked to bubbly golden perfection. Available at the concession locations at Sections 3, 133 and 214 for $11.99.
• The PLT Sandwich: A vegan twist on a classic sandwich featuring a balsamic-glazed, grilled portabella mushroom topped with bibb lettuce and sliced tomato. Served on fresh-baked vegan bread with vegan mayo. Available at the Visiting Vegan Stand at Section 101 for $14.99.
Rapp says Boomstick Burger is an offshoot of the original Boomstick which debuted in 2013 as the largest hot dog in Major League Baseball. The two foot hot dog was named for Nelson Cruz, but he was traded to Baltimore after that season.
Rapp says the Boomstick Burger also incorporates elements of the Beltre Buster which debuted the following season and included a pound of beef and half pound of bacon. He says the Boomstick Burger will come in its own carrying case.
"You can set it on two people's laps. You can share, eat from the other direction. I don't want to say it's like the two dogs with spaghetti who get to the middle. It's not a date item," Rapp says. "Well, I guess it could be."
Rapp says items like the Boomstick Burger, Pizza Dawwg and Flamin Hot Cheetos Pretzel can take familiar ballpark foods and give them a unique taste for fans who come to Rangers games often.
"When you come to the ballpark, you want hot dogs, nachos, peanus, pretzels, those types of items, right?" he says. "How do you play on that for people who come out to multiple games who want to experience new things? There are all these items that still tie back to a ballpark favorite but have a unique twist you can try out."
One of the restaurants featured in Arlington Eats 2022 has now become the official barbecue partner at Globe Life Field. Hurtado Barbecue now has its own location at Section 141.
This year, every fan at Globe Life Field can order food remotely through the MLB Ballpark app and have food delivered to their seat.
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