Amusement park food gets a gourmet twist as Six Flags Over Texas welcomes executive chef Douwe Iedema, introducing in-house smoked meats, handmade crepes, and Texas-style brisket

Arlington, Texas – Six Flags Over Texas is ushering in a new era of culinary delights with the appointment of its first-ever executive chef, Douwe Iedema, who brings a wealth of international experience to the popular amusement park. With over 25 years in the culinary field, including a stint at a Michelin-starred restaurant and serving the Royal Dutch family, Chef Iedema is set to transform the park’s dining landscape with fresh, homemade dishes and locally sourced ingredients.

A native of the Netherlands and trained in French cuisine, Chef Iedema has an extensive background that spans several European countries and includes running his own catering company and hosting a cooking show on television. His culinary expertise is now directed towards enhancing the food and beverage offerings at Six Flags Over Texas, aiming to match the park’s reputation for thrilling rides with equally impressive food experiences.

“I am delighted to bring my creativity and passion for food to Six Flags Over Texas,” Chef Iedema said. “My goal is to reimagine the food options at our park, so they rise to the level of the world-class roller coasters and immersive entertainment that our guests come to enjoy year after year.”

In his new role, Chef Iedema has overhauled the menus at seven different dining locations within the park. These revamped menus feature a mix of Texas classics and regional favorites—from smoked brisket and pork pastor tacos to New York-style pizza and delicate crepes. Notably, some of the meats are smoked in-house, a first for the park.

As part of these culinary enhancements, Six Flags Over Texas has also renovated two of its restaurants to improve both their aesthetic appeal and operational efficiency. The upgraded JB’s BBQ and All American Café not only sport themed décor but have also introduced new menu items that promise to tantalize the taste buds of all visitors.

The revamped JB’s BBQ now serves smoked brisket, chicken, and pulled pork, accompanied by a selection of sides like smashed potatoes, mac & cheese, and peach cobbler. Meanwhile, the All American Café has expanded its seating and now offers double-patty diner-style burgers, hand-breaded chicken tenders, Detroit-style pizza, and milkshakes.

Additional dining venues like Casa de las Banderas and La Cantina are set to open later this year with their own unique offerings, including street tacos and Mexican tortas. Texas Tacos will showcase Dallas-style brisket and pork tacos, and Etiennes will cater to those with a sweet tooth with its fresh beignets and crepes. Primo’s will continue to offer New York-style pizza alongside new items like tossed-to-order Caesar salads and a variety of cannoli.

The park’s 2025 season kicks off with a Spring Break celebration running daily from March 13 to 23. Visitors can explore the enhanced dining options alongside the usual array of rides and entertainment, with extended hours on select days to maximize the fun.

For more information about the new dining experiences and to purchase tickets, guests can visit Six Flags Over Texas.