Texas Rangers Roll Out High-Tech Concession Stand

Take me out to the ballgame, take me out with the crowd. Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jacks.

And a Flamin Hot Cheetos Pretzel?

The Texas Rangers will begin the 2023 season on Thursday at Globe Life Field in Arlington against the National League's Philadelphia Phillies. First pitch is 3:05. 

Rangers officials had media out to the ballpark to introduce new food offerings, and, suffice to say, we're not in 1923 anymore, Toto. Flamin Hot Cheetos Pretzel and a vegan rendition of the BLT!? What in the world of William Howard Taft is going on here?

And, now, this. High tech food courts are here, thank you very much, Jeff Bezos. Not as if we couldn't spend money fast enough as it was.

A first-of-its-kind technology that allows visitors at the park to use the palm of their hand to pay for food and drinks is ready for roll out.

Two new food service outlets, “Express Grill,” located near sections 108 and 124, are equipped with Amazon’s Just Walk Out Technology and Amazon One. According to a press release, this style of tech was designed by Amazon to enable an effortless and convenient shopping experience that has eliminated checkout lines. This technology allows guests to enter the Just Walk Out Amazon One store with a credit card. A scan of the palm of your hand is then linked to the card. Each item selected is added to a virtual cart that charges those items to your card without ever stopping to pay or wait in line.

If you decide you don't want that cheeseburger, put it back before leaving and it's removed from your cart.

Offerings at these new Just Walk Out and Amazon one locations include some standard fare, such as cheeseburgers, hot dogs, bratwurst, sausage, and corn dogs, along with an assortment of packaged beer, spiked seltzers, soda, bottled water, chips, candies, and sundries.

“We are excited to be collaborating with Amazon and Delaware North to add this new shopping experience to Globe Life Field,” says Rob Matwick, Texas Rangers executive vice president. “The Express Grill locations will offer added convenience and quicker transactions — allowing fans to spend more time watching a Rangers game or event and less time standing in line.”

But wait, there’s more.

The Texas Rangers and Delaware North also unveiled a few additions to the hospitality program in the form of a few new specialty items, expansion of mobile ordering to all stadium seats, and some new merchandise. That’s right, baseball fans, you now have access to mobile ordering with delivery via the MLB Ballpark app at any seat in Globe Life Field. This means fans can make their selection of hot food items, snacks, and beverages through the mobile app and have those items delivered to their seats without missing a moment of the on-field action.

“We are continuously evaluating our operations and customer insights to understand how we can add even more variety — including with local partners — and bring new levels of convenience for fans at Globe Life Field,” says Casey Rapp, Delaware North general manager at the ballpark. “Between the culinary offerings, bolstered retail selection, and new fan-facing technology, there’s a lot to be excited about for the upcoming Ranger’s season.”

The Arlington Eats section of the stadium will feature a rotation of Arlington-based restaurants that include Ella B’s Restaurant, Prince Lebanese Grill, and Sugar Bee Sweets Bakery. This rotation will also include newcomers The Tin Cup and Cartel Tacos, with Hurtado Barbecue as the official barbecue of Globe Life Field.

New food items revealed for this season will include, the Boomstick Burger, a 2-foot-long Nolan Ryan beef patty, topped with Texas Chili, nacho cheese, jalapenos, and crisp onion rings. (And heartburn. We added that part.) Other new food items will include a brisket croissant, corn ribs, and a pizza dog.

Oh, and that Flamin Hot Cheetos Pretzel is a nice plump pretzel covered in bits of Flamin Hot Cheetos. Instead of bacon — a staple in many diets in Texas — the PLT features a portobello mushroom and the rest of the ingredients. 

Add some mayo to that concoction and we got something.