Even though many theaters have adapted to this new paradigm, they all still differ in their strengths and weaknesses. Some theaters may have a killer bar but a weak selection of food. Others may shine in the appetizers department and offer elevated versions of typical movie snacks.
Everyone wants something different out of their dinner-and-a-movie experience, and we promise there’s a Dallas-area theater to meet every need. Here are 10 of those theaters, categorized by best full meals, bites and snacks, and bar offerings.
Best Meals
Alamo Drafthouse
Multiple LocationsAlamo Drafthouse is the first place many moviegoers think of when someone mentions dine-in theaters. The full-service, Austin-based chain has a solid menu, most of which does not require silverware, so there's no need to stab around your plate in the dark. Entrees include chicken tenders, fish and chips and scratch pizzas ranging from simple crowd-pleasers like pepperoni to more adventurous offerings like Brussels sprouts, bacon and goat cheese. Their signature burger is the Royale with Cheese, whose title is both a Pulp Fiction reference and a possible European McDonald’s copyright infringement.Cinépolis
2365 Victory Park Lane If nothing else, the menu at Cinépolis gets points for both variety and decadence. Options like truffle mushroom and spinach pizza and butter-poached lobster tacos are of a higher creative caliber than most of the films in theaters right now. If your tastes are a bit simpler, there are more conventional items like burgers and hot dogs as well as lobster grilled cheese to split the difference.EVO Entertainment
5409 Beltline Road If you’re feeling extra daring, have the chicken and waffles at EVO Entertainment. We personally would not have something that’s dripping in hot syrup off a tray that’s always a hair too high and while sitting in a reclined seat in the dark. But that doesn’t mean we don’t admire those brave enough to try. The rest of EVO's menu includes the more standard burgers, sandwiches and pizza as well as a shrimp basket and chicken tenders.Studio Movie Grill
11170 N. Central Expressway While old standbys like burgers and pizza are present on Studio Movie Grill’s menu, items like the Hatch Chile Pasta, brisket sliders and 12 flavors of wings (eight for traditional, four for boneless) set it apart. Again, we question the decision to eat messy food like wings or pasta in a movie theater. But we respect whatever you need to do to make it through box office bombs like Madame Web.Best Bites
Angelika Film Center & Cafe
5321 E. Mockingbird Lane The Angelika is not a full-service dining experience, so all snacks are purchased at the concession stand and schlepped to your seat. And that’s OK! Theaters did it that way exclusively for over a century, and not only was everyone good with it, many people still prefer to watch their movie without interruption from staff. That doesn’t mean they can’t partake in some elevated movie snacks, however, and the Angelika has those in droves. In addition to popcorn and candy, the menu has green bean fries, crispy cauliflower bites and gourmet cookies.LOOK Dine-In Cinema
10110 Technology Blvd. While LOOK does serve full meals, the “snacks and shareables” section of the menu is where this place shines. Options like edamame, cheesy garlic bread and queso, salsa and guacamole are more hearty than the average bag of popcorn (though you can get that, too), but low-effort enough to where the movie you’re seeing is still the main event. Desserts like fried Oreos and hazelnut chocolate beignets are also worth indulging in if you want something sweet but won’t settle for a candy bar (which, again, are also here).
The Violet Crown's menu may just ruin popcorn for you.
Danny Gallagher
