A 2-foot cheeseburger? Texas Rangers go long — and large — with 2023 ballpark food

The Texas Rangers are keeping their big, bold tradition alive in 2023 by selling a 2-foot-long beef burger at baseball games this year.

The new Boomstick Burger follows the name of the Rangers’ first ballpark belt-buster 11 years ago. It all started with the simple — but simply huge — 2-foot-long hot dog named the Boomstick. Over a decade, the Rangers’ concessions company, Delaware North, has also served a 2-foot-long brownie, a massive ghost pepper burger, a chicken sandwich the size of a dinner plate and a chicken tender that Rangers Insider Evan Grant held like a baseball bat.

Many of those oversized options don’t make it onto menus for a second year; these headline-makers are one-and-done.

This year’s concession options are big, beefy, messy or meatless. Evan and I tried all six. Let’s dig in.

Boomstick Burger

Think of this as a (very) oblong cheeseburger that can be cut into eight slider-sized pieces. Or four rectangles. Look, do it however you want. Underneath the 2-foot-long bun is a 2-foot-long Nolan Ryan Beef patty as big around as a baseball bat. It comes with a messy blend of chili, nacho cheese, jalapeños and onion rings.

Evan and Sarah’s verdict: The Boomstick Burger doesn’t make a lot of sense, but it’ll be fun to try once.

Available at the Texas 24″ stand in Section 132 — where all these long and large concessions are sold. It costs $34.99.

Flamin’ Hot Cheetos Pretzel

Hooray, the Rangers again incorporate one of our favorite salty, spicy snacks! This pretzel is coated in “Cheetle” — that’s industry speak for the Cheetos powder you get on your fingers. Then there’s a crust of crushed Flamin’ Hot Cheetos. Get some wet wipes: The pretzel is an atomic shade of orange.

Evan and Sarah’s verdict: The Flamin’ Hot Cheetos lost their zing on top of a fluffy pretzel.

Available in Sections 3, 12, 121, 208 and 233 for $8.99.

Brisket croissant

Not oversized but still solidly Texan, this barbecue pastry is made with slabs of Nolan Ryan brisket on a butter croissant. The whole thing is topped with Sweet Baby Ray’s “donut-style glaze.”

Evan and Sarah’s verdict: Delicious! Get it.

Available in Sections 3, 123 and 230 and costs $9.99.

PLT Sandwich

The Texas Rangers have had a vegan stand at the ballpark since the mid-2010s, and this year’s new item is a portabella mushroom sandwich with lettuce and tomato. It comes on vegan bread and is slathered with vegan mayo. Meatless options have become part of the Rangers’ identity after the team’s former home, Globe Life Park in Arlington, was named the most vegan-friendly ballpark in 2017.

Evan and Sarah’s verdict: A PLT and a BLT look similar on paper, but they are not. Still, we appreciate the vegan option for our meatless friends.

Available in Section 101 for $14.99.

Pizza Dawwg

The Rangers have done a lot of things to hot dogs, but 2023 is the first year they’ll turn a hot dog into pizza. This Texas Chili Company beef hot dog is topped with pepperoni, marinara and mozzarella cheese, then baked.

Evan and Sarah’s verdict: It’s not anything like pizza. This is still a hot dog, with funny toppings on it.

Available in Sections 3, 133 and 214 for $11.99.

Corn ribs

Perhaps you’ve noticed the corn rib phenomenon. The Rangers are getting into it by cutting corn on the cob into rib-sized planks, then covering them with spicy lime crema, cotija and Tajin. Why not just serve corn on the cob, which is the same thing but ... more whole? Because that wouldn’t be as much fun.

Evan and Sarah’s verdict: These are surprisingly great. Get an order for the family and tell yourself you’re eating vegetables at the ballpark.

Available in Sections 3, 121 and 230 for $9.99.

The Texas Rangers’ first home game of the 2023 season is Thursday, March 30, 2023.

For more food news, follow Sarah Blaskovich on Twitter at @sblaskovich.

For all things baseball, follow Evan Grant on Twitter at @evan_p_grant.