9 new things to eat in Arlington at the MLB All-Star Game and Home Run Derby

You could say the MLB All-Star food in Texas this week is a whole new ballgame, at a whole new ballpark.

It’s been nearly 30 years since the All-Star Game was played in Arlington. Back in 1995, we watched baseball outside, in the heat. (Imagine!) In 2024, the air-conditioned Globe Life Field, MLB’s newest ballpark, is cooler in most every way.

Food this year could come from TikTok star StaleKracker or from a cocktail-making robot. How very on trend.

Dallas Morning News Rangers Insider Evan Grant says the MLB All-Star Game is the best superstar event in any professional sport. The Rangers’ concessions lead Casey Rapp takes the food-and-drink part as if he were an all-star hitter himself. His team at Delaware North, Globe Life’s concessions partner, has been building the All-Star menu for a year.

“We’ve got some twists and turns here for All-Star Week,” said Rob Matwick, executive vice president of business operations for the Texas Rangers.

The ballpark’s nine new food items for All-Star Week in Arlington include both “innovative offerings and beloved ballpark classics,” Rapp said in a statement. All new concessions items will be sold at the Home Run Derby on July 15, 2024 and at the MLB All-Star Game on July 16, 2024 at Globe Life Field in Arlington. Some food, noted below, will be available July 12, 2024 at the HBCU Swingman Classic and on July 13, 2024 at the All-Star Futures Game and All-Star Celebrity Softball Game.

Typical Rangers food has to include at least one belt-buster, perfect for an Instagram brag, alongside what the rest of us would call “normal” ballpark fare like loaded hot dogs, barbecue platters and mac-and-cheese-stuffed stuff. The All-Star lineup follows that model, with tacos, Texas-themed food and a seriously giant plate of barbecue and fries.

Grab some napkins, this could get messy.

Three Strike BoomBox — a 2-foot-long Texas feast

The Rangers’ concessions team has served 24-inch food creations for more than a decade.

They keep up that large-and-in-charge persona at the All-Star Game with the Three Strike BoomBox. For $35.99, baseball fans get a 2-foot-long “bed” of waffle fries ladled with chili, brisket, pulled pork, pico de gallo, lettuce and jalapeños.

It’ll be sold at a concessions stand that, you could say, is too big to fail. Also sold there is a 2-foot-long chili dog called the Boomstick — the one that started the 24-inch tradition. The stand will also sell a 2-foot-long tray of loaded nachos called Boomstick Nachos. Basically, the BoomBox will be in good company. Three Strike BoomBox available at the Texas 24 stand in Section 132 for $35.99.

TikTok star StaleKracker’s jambalaya and Cajun pasta

For a taste of Louisiana, TikTok chef StaleKracker will be in Texas for All Star Week. He’s cooking jambalaya at the Home Run Derby and Cajun pasta at the All-Star Game. Rapp said Delaware North invited him to the All-Star events because they like his personality.

“He is a positive, fun character and is from the South,” Rapp said. “We want to give those guests traveling from around the country an opportunity to see what Tex-Mex, Cajun and barbecue is all about.” Find StaleKracker in Section 106.

2 cocktail-making machines

Speaking of celebrities, Inspector Gadget-like robot ADAM will make an appearance at All-Star events in Arlington. His twisty arms make cocktails of all kinds. As if he’s still trying to win you over, ADAM will sport a Rangers jersey while he mixes. Find ADAM near Section 111.

Nearby, baseball fans will find another cocktail maker called Rotender. One news source called it “a jukebox for mixed drinks,” and indeed, it looks like a retro machine with spigots holding upside-down liquor bottles. But there’s nothing old-fashioned here, as Rotender makes cocktails in under 30 seconds. Find Rotender in Section 125.

Asian poke bowl

Visiting chef Yuhi Fujinaga is making a bowl of raw fish and veggies for the All-Star Game. His Asian poke bowl, one of the healthiest options at the stadium, is made with raw ahi tuna, cucumber, mango, edamame, ginger, avocado, green onions and wonton chips, atop white rice.

Fujinaga will be carving pieces of fish from two 200-pound tunas flown in for the All-Star Game. He’s visiting from Walt Disney World Resort in Orlando. Poke bowls and on-site carving at West Marketplace on the 100-level concourse near Section P106. $21.99.

South Street tacos from San Antonio chef

Oscar Breton Echeverria Gonzalez, owner of Tacos Vitali taqueria in San Antonio, will cook in Arlington on July 15 and 16, 2024. He’ll make shaved pork, carne asada and chicken tacos, served three to an order. South Street tacos available in Section P106. $19.99.

Loaded cornbread muffin

Hurtado Barbecue, the Arlington business that joined the ballpark to much fanfare in 2023, is adding a loaded cornbread muffin to its All-Star menu. Owner Brandon Hurtado said these little barbecue bombs have smoked brisket burnt ends stuffed inside of Mexican cornbread. Honey butter comes on top. Loaded cornbread muffin is available in Section P141. $10.59. These will be sold at All-Star events on July 12 and 13, 2024, as well as at the Home Run Derby on July 15, 2024 and the All-Star Game on July 16, 2024.

3 Texas-themed additions

The ballpark is selling three new dishes in honor of our state: a Texas steak sandwich, a Tejas cheesesteak and a Lone Star Frito pie hot dog.

The Texas steak sandwich is made with grilled Nolan Ryan black angus rib-eye beef. It’s big: A whole steak is served with cilantro and chimichurri on ciabatta. Texas steak sandwich is available at Section P106. $23.99.

The Tejas Cheesesteak is a roast beef sandwich topped with melted white cheese, peppers and onions. This dish is executive chef Cris Vázquez’s Tex-Mex spin on a classic American sandwich, Rapp said. Tejas Cheesesteak is available at Sections P128 and P229. $19.99. Sold at All-Star events on July 12 and 13, 2024, as well as at the Home Run Derby on July 15, 2024 and the All-Star Game on July 16, 2024.

The Lone Star Frito Pie Dawwg is a footlong hot dog loaded with chili, Fritos, queso, sour cream and jalapeños. Lone Star Frito Pie Dog is available at Sections P104, 121 and 225. $18.99. Sold at All-Star events on July 12 and 13, 2024, as well as at the Home Run Derby on July 15, 2024 and the All-Star Game on July 16, 2024.

For details on All-Star events, go to dallasnews.com/rangers.

For more food news, follow Sarah Blaskovich on X (formerly Twitter) at @sblaskovich.