As defending world champions, the Texas Rangers recognized there is no off position on the genius switch, so they’ve been working during the offseason to innovate.
For instance, they’ve installed new turf with a darker palette.
Plus the World Series merch is now on sale.
Fans have been stocking up on merch with a gold logo, but Delaware North also recognizes there’s no off position on the genius switch, so they’ve spent the winter refining the menu. Bear in mind, these are the dishes of a World Series champion, so they had to take their work to the next level.
Staring at me take that picture, thinking, “Ah, Scaia’s here again. He’s probably gonna say something,” is Casey Rapp, the general manager of Delaware North’s operation at the ballpark.
He says someone else asked him this year’s theme. The theme is, “Hey, the food can be comically large and delicious.”
Meatball Garlic Knot Sliders: Classic Italian-style meatballs smothered in marinara sauce and served on buttery garlic knots topped with parmesan cheese. Available in concessions at Sections CL23, 133 and 230 for $17.99 for three sliders.
They don’t serve these in tower form. I double checked. Loyal Scaiaholics will recall teams focus on walkability with their foods because people need to get the food back to their seat, but my concern is Delaware North missed a marketing opportunity to serve an Italian-inspired dish with a Leaning Tower of Pisa theme.
The Boomstick Triple Play: A new take on the Texas Rangers’ classic 2-foot feast, this version features two Nolan Ryan Beef patties topped with Rico’s Nacho Cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles and served on an 8-inch bun; a foot-long Texas Chili Company hot dog topped with Texas Chili Company chili, Rico’s Nacho Cheese, grilled onion and jalapenos; and a towering helping of Tostitos tortilla chips, topped with chili, nacho cheese, grilled onions and jalapenos. Available at the Texas 24” stand at Section 132 for $32.99.
The giant food era even predates #ScaiaBlog, starting with the Boomstick back in 2012. But Nelson Cruz moved on after the 2013 season, so we were introduced to Choomongous in 2014. Last year, of course, the Boomstick became a burger, and to celebrate the pennant, they served a two foot lobster roll topped, of course, with beef tenderloin.
For 2024, the Boomstick has become a cheeseburger, chili dog and some nachos [The nachos are towering, the meatball sliders are not]. Rapp says they’ve taken several small items that may not seem to have much in common, but when they all work together, they create a formidable ballpark luncheon, not unlike the diverse views that make up America [It’s possible he did not mention how patriotic the dish is. That conclusion was made by the Scaianalysis Editorial Board].
Continuing this marriage of different cultures, Hurtado Barbecue has expanded from the Arlington Eats section to a full-time stand in Section 141. This year, Rapp says they’re introducing a brisket taco.
But to celebrate how we can all come together, it’s a taco topped with chicken fried brisket and cream gravy. Our nation might seem less divided if only we looked to something that unites us all: cream gravy.
Ranchero Chile Relleno Dawwg: A Texas Chili All-Angus Beef hot dog is split and stuffed with queso chihuahua, wrapped first in a roasted banana pepper and then in strips of bacon. Grilled to perfection, served on a fresh Martin’s potato roll and topped with grilled onions. Available in concession stands at Sections 121 and 225 for $15.99.
Every time I come to a team’s “new food” reveal, I think, “They’ll never find another place to hid cheese.” But now, they’ve stuffed queso into a hot dog, like a modern day Frank n Stuff.
Chicken Empanadas: Handmade empanadas filled with tender, flavorful chicken, fried to golden perfection and served with salsa roja and Tostitos tortilla chips. Available in concessions at Sections 108 and 225 for $14.99.
This had an insouciant kick, but the photographer from one of the TV stations had to explain where I was getting it. There’s a hint of black olive, but just a hint. And the crispiness of the empanada gave a different texture. If you’re going to fry something, fry it to golden perfection. I believe that’s in Leviticus.
Korean Pork Steamed Buns: Slow Cooked Korean Style Pulled Pork in a pillowy soft-steamed Bao bun, topped with a fresh cilantro slaw and an Unagi sauce and spicy mayo drizzle. Available in concession stands at Sections 124 and 230 for $15.99.
Speaking of insouciance and me not knowing ballpark flavors besides “peanut,” “mustard” and “beer,” the Unagi sauce gave this a kick, but the bun also made the item more manageable because there is a lot going on.
Texas Tacos: Rangers red crunchy taco shells lined with a soft flour tortilla and choice of classic taco meat or grilled chicken. Topped with lettuce, pico de gallo, shredded cheese and choice of salsa verde or salsa roja. Available in concession stands at Sections 17, 106 and 226 for $14.99.
The Rangers laid out newspapers with headlines from the World Series title on the table where they presented everything. What I believe is these are for the fan from Ohio who grew up going to Taco Bell. As one of those fans who has taken associates from high school and college to games, I appreciate the effort.
Arlington Eats is growing from five to seven local restaurants that’ll run on a rotation. One of the new ones is TJ’s Catfish and Wings. I talked to TJ about how, when I first moved here, I thought Arlington would be this li’l baby town between Dallas and Fort Worth. When I moved here, I learned it’s bigger than Cincinnati. He says Arlington Eats can show us children from other parts of the country the variety of restaurants the city has to offer.
The Reds are visiting at the end of April, and my fellow Ohioans don’t have Whataburger, either, so they’re setting up their own stand at Globe Life Field toward the end of the month.
If you’re not familiar with it, Whataburger reports if you ask a Texan, they’ll be happy to explain it to you.
