For the first time, baseball fans who want to sample food local to Arlington – can now do that at every Texas Rangers home game this season.
The Arlington Eats partnership – the same one that launched Hurtado Barbecue into a standalone concession location last season – is planning to rotate among eight local eateries that will split all 81 home games.
The idea has been tested on weekend games for the past two years with a smaller group of restaurants. This year, each establishment will have about nine home games to serve food in the Lexus Club and near section 101 in the main concourse.
Prince Lebanese Grill, Sugar Bee Sweets Bakery, The Tin Cup, Cartel Tacos, Shrimp Doc, TJ’s Catfish & Wings, Ella B’s and a yet-to-be-determined Asian concept will round out the list.
Newcomer Travis Johnson, of TJ’s Catfish & Wings, likened the current number of food options at the ballpark to the state fair and said he was very excited to be part of the 2024 offerings.
“We’re definitely hoping our name will continue to spread not just locally but throughout the entire metroplex,” said Johnson. “Being a small business our size, we’re kind of a needle in a haystack. We’re really looking forward to our business multiplying and busting at the seams.”
Aziz Kobty of Prince Lebanese Grill said the fall historically ushered in a small dip to the family business, but not since partnering with the Rangers.
“We just got massive exposure, especially last year when there was a World Series run,” said Kobty. “We got a huge influx just being at the stadium and put in the Rangers media releases.”
Casey Rapp, general manager for Delaware North Sport Service, the food and beverage retailer for Globe Life Field, said the goal was to help drive traffic to Arlington’s small businesses, which the owners of Shrimp Doc and Prince Lebanese said it did.
“The first year we did it,” said Kobty, “this big, giant, Atlanta Braves fan with a huge beard comes up to me and he says, ‘Hey man, I served overseas and I know a great gyro, and if this isn’t a great gyro, you’re gonna see me again and we’re gonna have a talk.’ And the guy’s scary, right?
“He leaves, he comes back, and I see him walking I’m like, ‘oh cool, I’m going to die today, this guy is going to eat me alive.’ He sticks his hand out and gives me the firmest handshake and he says, ‘Son, that’s the best gyro I’ve ever had and I can’t wait to come to your restaurant.’”
Kobty said the man visited the restaurant the next day and left them a five-star Google review.
“This is exactly what the partnership is all about,” said Kobty. “Somebody coming from out-of-town, wanting to experience local food.”
Kobty’s sister, Elizabeth, said she’s also heard from season ticket holders who appreciate the variety.
“We send out emails while we’re here,” said Elizabeth Kobty, “and I had one customer run up the stairs and she was like, ‘I didn’t think it was true! I didn’t think you’d be at a Ranger’s game!’”
The complete Arlington Eats schedule isn’t finalized but both the restaurants and the Rangers plan to post it on social media.
