Football &
Foodies
Why Arlington, Texas Is Unbeatable For Sports And Good Eats
Football & Foodies: Why Arlington, Texas Is Unbeatable For Sports And Good Eats
Football & Foodies: Why Arlington, Texas Is Unbeatable For Sports And Good Eats
By Corbin Lee | The Travel
Arlington is home to world-class sports stadiums, surprisingly diverse dining, and Texas Live! which creates a monumental mixture of the two.
Summary:
- Arlington, Texas is home to three world-class sports stadiums: Choctaw Stadium, Globe Life Field, and AT&T Stadium. Visitors can take tours of these stadiums and experience their unique features.
- Arlington offers diverse and delicious dining options, from authentic Texas BBQ to international cuisine like Lebanese and tiki bar cocktails and street tacos.
- Texas Live!, a sports and entertainment megaplex, is the heart of Arlington's sports scene. It offers endless food and drink options, live sports coverage, and even a luxury hotel next door. Additionally, Cut & Bourbon, a classic steakhouse, provides an exceptional upscale dining experience just outside Texas Live!
_________________________________
Some may argue that the two things most integral to the human experience are food and sports. The former earns this distinction for obvious reasons, while the latter brings to mind all the evidence of sportsmanship dating back centuries, like the ancient sports field of Pompeii.
Therefore, it should come as no surprise that, even in modern times, there is a close relationship between the two. Some self-proclaimed foodies have even ranked the best MLB stadiums based on food options, and places like Austin are renowned for stunning restaurants— although various cities in the US are known for their excellent food and drink.
One particular American city has seemed to master this beloved pairing. Here is why Arlington, Texas is an unbeatable destination for sports and food.
Arlington Is Home To Three Sports Stadiums
Choctaw Stadium, Globe Life Field, and AT&T Stadium are world-class stadiums
The 48,000-seater Choctaw Stadium was home to MLB's Texas Rangers before they upgraded to the new Globe Life Field in 2020. It is still active and also hosts football, soccer, concerts, and more.
Just a skip and a hop away, Globe Life Field from above boasts the world's largest single-panel retractable roof. Down below, the field along with its labyrinthine hallways and inner chambers is lined with abstract art, not-so-hidden numerical baseball references, historical memorabilia, and a myriad of unique vantage points of the field from sleek speakeasies to rustic rocking chairs.
A variety of outstanding tours are offered.
- AT&T Stadium tour cost: VIP Guided Tour (recommended) - $40-$45 (always book far in advance)
- Globe Life Field tour cost - prices vary depending on the chosen tour experience
- Average tour duration per stadium: 1-1.5 hours
Looking outward from the heights of Globe Life Field, the metallic, imposing figure of AT&T Stadium dominates the skyline. The home of the Dallas Cowboys is an impressive display of architectural engineering that is just one of many epic stadiums that even non-sports fans enjoy.
Its massive jumbotron was the world's largest center-hung HD screen at the time of its installation. Depending on availability, various tours take visitors from top to bottom showing off the stadium, locker rooms, and the field including glimpses of the Cotton Bowl's Field Scovell Trophy residing in the trophy room.
Arlington Boasts Diverse, Delicious Dining
Tacos, tiki bars, and Lebanese cuisine are just a few highlights of Arlington's diverse dining
Authentic Texas BBQ is certainly sought after for a reason, but Arlington serves as a testament that it does not have to stop there. Visitors will stumble upon cuisine from all corners of the world and, most importantly, it is all delicious.
One easily overlooked corner just a quick drive away from the stadiums is home to 4 Kahunas, a vivaciously designed yet laid-back tiki bar that serves up fruity — and sometimes fiery — cocktails. It is conveniently located next door to Cartel Taco Bar which makes for a flavorful one-two punch when following up a cocktail with classic street tacos or Tex-Mex-style variations stuffed with decadent mac-n-cheese.
- 4 Kahunas + Cartel Taco Bar location:506 E Division St.
- Prince Lebanese Grill location: 502 W Randol Mill Rd.
Nearby also lies Prince Lebanese Grill, a family-owned business that has brought impeccable Lebanese cuisine to Arlington since 1989. On any given day, the restaurant will be packed with locals from all walks of life, as the award-winning dishes from gyros to dolma or tabouli have even brought Guy Fieri to town.
Texas Live! Merges The Best Of Sports And Food
If Arlington's stadiums are its body, the sports, food, and entertainment megaplex Texas Live! is certainly its heart
Texas Live! could be described as a spin-off section of the Las Vegas Strip entirely dedicated to sports fans. The expansive complex is brightly lined with more TV screens than one can count, with perpetual sports coverage complemented by endless eating and drinking options. Hall of Fame Pitcher Iván "Pudge" Rodríguez even has his own pizza joint here.
- Highlights: Shift4 Arena is the 35,000-square-foot "living room" of Texas Live!
- Exact location: nestled right between Choctaw Stadium and Globe Life Field
Texas Live! also hosts holiday events, concerts, and much more. To complete the ultimate sports tourism package, it comes with the luxury hotel Live! by Loews next door featuring upscale bars and dining as well as spectacular views of the stadiums and surrounding grounds.
An Exceptional Upscale Option Next Door To Texas Live!
A classic steakhouse at its core, Cut & Bourbon elevates Texas Live! dining in an inspiring way
Executive Chef Robert Carr puts all his experience of 25 years in luxury hotel cooking on display in Cut & Bourbon found only a quick walk outside the doors of Texas Live!. As the name suggests, the steaks complemented by a smooth glass of bourbon really shine, but there is far more to indulge in.
- Where to find it:at the ground floor of Live! by Loews hotel
- Menu highlights: The Artisan Bread, Tuna Tartare Tower, and New York Strip are just a few incredible highlights on the menu.
- Average price: $60-$80/person
The diversified menu also features seafood that reviewers rave about, as well as pizzas, salads, and top-notch burgers. For those less fond of bourbon, fine wines and creative cocktails are also available in this upscale experience that still maintains a cozy and welcoming atmosphere, and the delectable desserts must not be skipped.
With such a diverse, outstanding food scene and top destinations in sports tourism, Arlington, Texas has over time transformed itself into an unbeatable amalgamation of the two that everyone should experience.
For more information on Texas, visit TravelTexas.com