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Food

8 D-FW movie theaters where you can get food served at your seat 

Combining two of America's favorite things to do -- eating and going to the movies -- is easy to do around Dallas-Fort Worth.

Editor's note: It's hot outside, so we're bringing this story back in case you want to beat the heat while watching a movie.

Combining two of America's favorite things to do -- eating and going to the movies -- is easy to do around Dallas-Fort Worth.

You don't have to settle for burnt popcorn or fake-cheese nachos. At these theaters, you can settle into a comfy seat, scan the menu, and your server will take your order and deliver drinks and food right to your seat -- even while the movie is playing.

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We visited theaters around the area to bring you a handy guide to dine-in movie experiences, prices, menus and more. While the theaters cater mostly to adults, unless otherwise noted, kids are welcome, too.

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ALAMO DRAFTHOUSE

The Austin-based dine-in movie chain is known for its strict policy forbidding texting and talking during screenings. But despite that serious rule, Alamo is all about fun. In addition to mainstream movies and blockbusters, it offers opening-night parties, quote-alongs, events with props and costumes, and other quirky ways to see a film.

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TICKETS $6.50 for screenings before noon, $8.50 for afternoon screenings before 5 p.m., $11 for screenings after 5 p.m. Discounts for children, seniors 60 and older, students, military and first responders. Tickets for 3-D movies are $3 extra (Richardson only). On Tuesdays, most tickets are $5 each.

SEATING All auditoriums have reserved seating. Richardson has seats with bench-style tables. Cedars has reclining seats with individual tables.

THE MENU Made-from-scratch food using locally sourced ingredients is served at your seat. The menu includes pizza, burgers, hot dogs, sandwiches, salads, brunch items and other entrees priced from $11 to $15. There's a separate menu each month inspired by a current movie, and some events have their own specialty menus.

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ALCOHOL In-seat full-bar service includes local and other craft beers on draft and in bottles and cans for $4 to $8 apiece. There's also a cocktail menu with drinks priced $10 or less and a list of boilermakers with local names such as the Big Tex and Red Pegasus for $6 to $14.

POPCORN Bottomless popcorn is $7.50 with warm clarified butter available on request. Herb-Parmesan popcorn is $8.50.

KIDS For most screenings, depending on MPAA rating, the minimum age is 6 with parent accompaniment required. There are exceptions to the age rule, including kid-focused special events and sensory- and baby-friendly screenings.

AMENITIES Both locations have arcade games and separate bars (Vetted Well in Dallas and Glass Half Full Taproom in Richardson). On select nights, such as when a big movie opens, the lobbies will house photo ops, pop-up shops, cosplayers and other activities.

PRO TIP Arrive early for pre-show fun and to order food and drinks before the lights dim. You can also place orders during the show by writing them on slips of paper that waitstaff will pick up and fulfill. Be sure to join the free Victory rewards program to earn movie tickets and be notified about special events and menus.

DETAILS Cedars, 1005 S. Lamar St., Dallas; Richardson, 100 S. Central Expressway, Richardson; Las Colinas, 320 Las Colinas Blvd., Irving; Lake Highlands, 6770 Abrams Road, Dallas; Denton, Interstate 35E and U.S. Highway 380, Denton. drafthouse.com.

AMC 30

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The AMC 30 in Mesquite blazed the trail for AMC's dine-in movie efforts, experimenting with "Fork and Screen" theaters before other locations in the chain followed suit. It remains a good place to go for a movie if you're in any of the suburbs east of Dallas, even if you don't want to pay the premium to have food delivered to your seat.

TICKETS $5.49 for matinee screenings before noon; prices can range from $5.99 to $12.99 after, depending on your age and the type of theater.

SEATING Select theaters have AMC Signature Recliners, which are a bit more comfy and have more adjustment options than standard seats.

THE MENU The full-service menu offers a wide variety of snacks and meals. You could share some boneless wings or a crispy shrimp sushi roll, get yourself an artisan pepperoni flatbread, keep things simple with a burger or get some gluten-free snacks like dark chocolate pretzel crisps. (See the website for prices.)

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ALCOHOL Beer, wine and cocktails are available at MacGuffins Bar.

POPCORN Ordering a large, freshly popped popcorn at your seat will cost $8.69. You can save a buck by grabbing a regular-size popcorn yourself at the concession stand for $7.59.

AMENITIES A selection of arcade games can help keep you busy if you need to kill time before your movie starts.

PRO TIP Not every theater at the Mesquite location features a dine-in option. If ordering tickets online, make sure to check for the "Dine-In Full Service" label if you plan to eat in your seat.

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DETAILS 19919 LBJ Freeway, Mesquite. See the website for other dine-in locations. amctheaters.com.

iPIC

The most expensive theater on this list has enough amenities to let you spend an entire night out. Arrive early or stay late and have drinks in the full bar, shoot a game of pool or just hang out in one of the small alcoves meant to encourage close conversation.

SEATING There are two tiers of seating: premium and premium plus. If you want seat-side service, be sure to choose premium plus when buying tickets. Both have oversize leather seats, but in the premium section, seats do not recline and food and beverages must be brought in from the iPic Express counter just outside the auditoriums.

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Premium Plus seats at iPic Theater in Fairview come with pillows and blankets.
Premium Plus seats at iPic Theater in Fairview come with pillows and blankets. (Eileen Escarda)

TICKETS $16 for premium seats, $25 for premium plus seats.

THE MENU The chef-driven menu was created with the idea that each dish should be easy to eat in a dark auditorium during the show. Highlights include mac-and-cheese fries (with three cheeses and roasted tomato dip, $14), filet mignon sliders ($22), a selection of pizzas ($16-$18) and a lobster roll ($20).

ALCOHOL Full bar; iPic Express offers Cocktail Shakers so you can take a couple of drinks with you into the theater.

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POPCORN $7; while you can always get regular popcorn, flavored varieties that change daily are also offered.

BEST MOVIE-MENU PAIRING Date night? Catch a rom-com and share a side of $11 fries with Parmesan and truffle oil, a rumored aphrodisiac.

PRO TIP Buy tickets online, and create an account if you think you'll go more than once. It saves serious time on your next round of ticket-buying. Get them early, especially on weekends, as the theaters are on the small side and can sell out quickly.

DETAILS 321 Town Place (in Fairview Town Center), Fairview. ipictheaters.com.

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LOOK CINEMAS

The interior view of the Look and Dine Theater at Look Cinemas in Dallas, TX on October 23,...
The interior view of the Look and Dine Theater at Look Cinemas in Dallas, TX on October 23, 2013. (Kye R. Lee/The Dallas Morning News)(Kye R. Lee / Staff Photographer)

Go a little upscale at this movie house with a 70-foot-long lobby concession stand, two adjacent restaurants -- Ivy Kitchen and Coal Vines -- and theaters on two floors. If you want at-your-seat food and drink service, be sure you select a "Look and Dine" theater. Your experience includes entering from the back of the theater so you don't have to climb stairs if you choose seats with a little distance from the screen. An LED-backlighted menu will be waiting on your seat tray along with silverware wrapped in a cloth napkin. Look also offers Living Rooms and Evolution theaters with take-in food and drink. If you see a movie in the second-floor Lofts lounge, you can order food at the bar and have it delivered to your seat.

TICKETS Look and Dine prices are generally $15 for matinees, $19 for evening showings.

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SEATING Power recliners have shared armrests that can be raised for a cozier experience.

THE MENU Food comes from Ivy Kitchen and includes sushi after 5 p.m. ($12), sliders and burgers ($14-$19), flatbreads ($13-$14) and entrees such as Churrasco Fajita Steak ($19).

ALCOHOL Domestic and local beers, wine and cocktails ($8-$18) can be ordered from your server. A limited selection of beer and wine is also available at the concession stand and can be taken into the theater.

POPCORN $7; real butter available.

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KIDS Welcome, except in the Lofts bar after 6 p.m.

AMENITIES Ivy Kitchen and Coal Vines are full-service restaurants with their own entrances and patio areas. Look's second-floor lounge, the Lofts, opens at 4 p.m. on weekdays, 11 a.m. on weekends.

PRO TIP Don't sweat the math. An 18 percent gratuity is automatically added to your dine-in movie bill (and marked as such).

DETAILS 5409 Belt Line Road, Dallas. lookcinemas.com.

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MOVIE TAVERN

Don't let construction on Airport Freeway deter you: The Movie Tavern at Central Park in Bedford aims to please with reasonable ticket prices, the full-service Tavern lobby bar, dine-in service in all theaters, plus weekend brunch. Nice touch: On a recent Saturday-afternoon visit, the server offered a complimentary glass of water.

TICKETS $7.75 for matinees; after 5:30 p.m., tickets are $10.25 on weekdays, $10.50 on weekends.

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SEATING Super-plush power recliners.

THE MENU Create your own pizza ($10.95, plus $1.25 for each topping); share a Game Day Platter with sliders, wings, bacon cheese fries and dipping sauces ($16.95); or crunch on Crispy Chicken Chipotle Sliders (four sliders with house fries for $11.25). Refillable soft drinks, iced tea and coffee are also available.

ALCOHOL Draft, bottled and pitchers of beer (from $4.95), wine (from $7.25). Choose from 16- or 24-ounce cocktails, adult shakes and mules. A small Blue Thing Margarita, frozen or on the rocks, costs $8.50.

POPCORN $7.95 for a bucket, $5.75 for a single serving.

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AMENITIES The Tavern bar hosts trivia night on Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m., with movie gift cards as prizes.

DETAILS 2204 Airport Freeway (at Central Drive), Bedford. Other locations are at 916 W. University Drive, Denton; 5727 Interstate 20, Arlington; and in Fort Worth at 2872 Crockett St., 4920 S. Hulen St. and 6801 Ridgmar Meadow. movietavern.com.

MOVIEHOUSE AND EATERY

The Moviehouse at Craig Ranch in McKinney offers seat-side service in all auditoriums, with family-friendly touches including vegetarian and gluten-free menu items, a Mommy Monday discount for moms (and dads) with babies, and a free camera station in the lobby. Gather the kids in front of the white screen and the camera will snap a photo with a movie-themed backdrop that you can share on social media.

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TICKETS $9.50 before noon, $12 after. Mommy Monday tickets are $6.

SEATING Leather recliners.

THE MENU The many menu choices include gluten-free nachos, veggie pizzas and chicken tenders. A shareable cheese and charcuterie Date Plate is $11, $33 with paired wines from the drink menu. Shrimp tacos are $10.50 with a choice of black beans and corn salad or chips and salsa. Sip a cold Topo Chico mineral water for $4. Get unlimited refills on soft drinks, Icees and Barrilitos aguas frescas, priced from $4.50 to $6.

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ALCOHOL Beer, wine and cocktails are available in the lobby bar and seat-side.

POPCORN Bottomless popcorn, popped in coconut oil, is $7.50.

AMENITIES The lobby bar is open until midnight Sundays through Fridays, until 1 a.m. on Saturdays.

PRO TIP Brunch is served seven days a week: Saturdays and Sundays from opening until 2 p.m. and Mondays through Fridays from opening until noon, with a special food and drink menu.

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DETAILS 8450 State Highway 121 (Sam Rayburn Tollway at West Exchange Parkway), McKinney. Other locations are at 250 Rufe Snow Drive, Keller; and 951 Long Prairie Road, Flower Mound. themoviehouse.com.

STUDIO MOVIE GRILL

The granddaddy of eatertainment chains started in Dallas in 1993 with one screen. Now there are nine D-FW locations. Studio Movie Grill's main focus is first-run, wide-release films paired with casual American food and drinks.

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TICKETS $6.25 for screenings before noon; prices can range from $8.75 to $13.25 after, depending on time of day and whether the film is in 2-D or 3-D. Discounts for children 12 and younger, seniors 65 and older, and students and military with ID. On Tuesdays, most tickets are $5 each.

SEATING All theaters offer reserved seating, and most auditoriums have leather recliners. The newer locations have custom-made leather seats.

THE MENU The full-service, in-seat menu includes burgers, pizzas, salads and entrees such as chicken tenders, ribs, pasta and quesadillas, all priced under $15. There are also options for children, a weekend brunch menu and limited-time specials such as a $25 combo that includes an appetizer and two entrees.

ALCOHOL Beer, wine and cocktails are available at your seat. There are drink specials on most days, including $5 house margaritas on Mondays. Try the Royal Tea, a limited-time cocktail inspired by Black Panther, for $13.

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POPCORN Orville Redenbacher popcorn is $3 to $7 depending on size, with warm butter available on request.

KIDS Children are welcome; age limits are based on MPAA ratings. Studio Movie Grill has twice-monthly screenings for families raising children with special needs with free admission for the children and their siblings. (Adults pay before-noon prices.)

AMENITIES All locations have bars and lounge areas.

PRO TIP Tickets to first-run movies are $5 on Tuesdays. On select Wednesdays, older films will be shown for $5. Whenever you go, don't forget to check the menu for daily specials and any food and drinks inspired by current movies.

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DETAILS In Arlington: Arlington Highlands, 225 Merchants Row; and Arlington Lincoln Square, 452 Lincoln Square. In Colleyville: 5655 Colleyville Blvd. In Dallas: Northwest Highway, 10110 Technology Blvd.; Royal Lane, 11170 N. Central Expressway; Spring Valley, 13933 N. Central Expressway. In Lewisville: 1600 S. Stemmons Freeway. In Plano: 4721 W. Park Blvd. In The Colony: 4800 State Highway 121. studiomoviegrill.com.

New: CINEPOLIS 

The luxury eight-screen theater is now open in Victory Park, behind the American Airlines Center. Amenities include all-leather reclining seats, lobby lounge and a gourmet menu with in-theater waiter service. Take a tour of the new moviehouse with GuideLive's Dawn Burkes.

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Staff writers  Dawn Burkes, Sara Frederick Burgos, Britton Peele and Shannon Sutlief contributed to this report.