Dine on the DART: Where to grab a bite on the way to Aurora

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So you have plans to check out Aurora, the free art and technology exhibit taking over downtown Dallas this Friday. You picked out your outfit and have been planning which pre-game events to hit up during the week. Now all that's left to decide is where your party should eat before the show.

This decision is not as easy as asking, "What are you in the mood for?" There's traffic to consider and since the event is a massive 19 city blocks, there's bound to be congestion. A piece of advice: Consider taking the DART, which runs by plenty of places to grub on the way to the venue.

Note: Aurora is located nearest to Pearl/Arts District Station, which is accessible via all lines: Red, Blue, Green and Orange. No matter where you're coming from, the trip will be easy.

Here's a quick guide to dining on the DART lines.

Pearl/Arts District Station: The fine dining hotspot

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Feeling fancy? You're in luck -- the closest station to Aurora will be your go-to. Head to One Arts Plaza, near the Pearl/Arts District Station, where you'll find several chef-driven concepts. There's Proof and Pantry, a modern gastropub with seasonal menus for eats and drinks. (It received three stars from Morning News critic Leslie Brenner.) Tei-An, a Japanese soba house, has one of the best skyline views in the whole city and four stars from Brenner. There's also Jorge's Tex-Mex Cafe if you'd rather go for tacos and enchiladas.

Mockingbird Station: The land of free parking

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Maybe you don't want to DART the whole way. Here's a tip to save a couple bucks on parking and satisfy your appetite. Mockingbird Station has a sizable commuter parking lot that is always free of charge. Before you jump on the Red, Blue or Orange lines here, consider filling up at one of the station's many restaurants: People's Last Stand, a cocktail lounge with elevated bar food; Trinity Hall, an Irish pub with a great patio; Old Chicago, a pizza pub; or Reikyu Sushi, if you're craving seafood. See the full list of Mockingbird Station eateries here.

Victory Station: Away from the action

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OK, so you'd rather not fight the Aurora crowds. There are plenty of places to dine near American Airlines Center, just a few stops away. Craving Tex-Mex? Downtown staples El Fenix and Meso Maya are located near the Perot Museum of Nature and Science. Perhaps you'd rather eat some pizza. Neo Pizzeria, at the intersection of Houston and High Market streets, is sure to satisfy. There's also Mediterranean (Medina Oven and Bar), sushi (Kenichi), and plenty of bar food (House of Blues, Hooters, Dick's Last Resort). Note: The Dallas Mavericks are playing a home pre-season game Friday, Oct. 16, so there may be waits at some of these restaurants.

Akard Station: The choice of classy or casual

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Let's be frank: Downtown dining options aren't terribly abundant. But at Akard Station, choosing your vibe is the easiest way to choose a restaurant. Feeling classy and ready to spend a pretty penny? Hit CBD Provisions, an upscale gastropub where Leslie Brenner called the food "exciting" and "energized" in a four-star review. Feeling more comfy and casual? Grab a burger and beer at City Tavern or the newly opened Frankie's Downtown and Underground. Bonus: You can take the Red and Blue lines from this station.