Located right outside of the American Airlines arena in downtown Dallas, Hero is a hip new restaurant and bar with an arcade!

They say everything is bigger in Texas and Hero is no different. The main dining room boasts 2 beautifully designed bars, seats 540 guests and includes a quirky trinket shop from the Dallas based custom T-shirt company, Bullzerk. There is also an indoor/outdoor space with games like air hockey, Pac-man and NBA Jam, not to mention the huge 24-foot television for all of your sports viewing needs.

When imagining an arcade restaurant, good food may not be at the top of your list of expectations but, Hero does not disappoint.

From left to right: Froze, 14 oz. Creamsicle Swirl, Old Fashioned, Bourbon Peach Cobbler and an Aperol Dreamsicle

Naturally, we ordered drinks first and the beautiful photo does not do them justice. The drink menu has a variety of classic cocktails with a Hero twist and of course a summer favorite, Froze.

The meal started with pulled pork nachos, crab rangoon dip and delicious jalapeño hush puppies. First, because of allergies in the group, we subbed out the pulled pork for chicken. It was a great decision. The chips were fresh, the cheese was REAL and the jalapeños provided just the right amount of spice. The jalapeño hush puppies were fluffy and tasty without being too dry.  All amazingly delicious and none of the flavors overpowered the dish itself (which I was afraid of with the jalapeño hush puppies).

As for the main course, I decided on the steak frites (if you know me, you know I’m a steak and potatoes kind of gal). The meat was cooked perfectly medium with the tenderness and juiciness I was hoping for and the food came out hot and timely.

Medium 8 oz. butcher’s cut steak with pecorino-herbed frites

Everyone in the group thoroughly enjoyed their meals and unfortunately there was no room for dessert but, the menu includes brownies, an Oreo cookie ice cream sandwich and other classic post-meal favorites.

Hero is now open Sunday- Thursday from 11am until midnight. Friday and Saturday they are open from 11am until “late” (as listed on their website).