What To Eat At American Airlines Center, Home Of Your Dallas Mavericks And Dallas Stars

Whether you're a die-hard Dallas Stars fanatic or an MFFL (Mavs Fan For Life, though at this point explanations should be unnecessary), you're likely to work up an appetite that doesn't include the same old boring stadium eats. So, whether you've decided to venture into loaded hot dogs, brisket nachos or churro territory, we've got the concessions staked out so you don't wait in a long line and end up with peanuts. Unless you want peanuts, because there are peanuts.

This guide to the dining options within American Airlines Center may be of service to you, but it's also our way of saying "Let's Go Mavs!" and "Dallas! [stomp, stomp] Stars!"

American Airlines Center's Five Standouts

Grill Zone: Here, the messy, loaded cheeseburgers are half-pound beasts to contend with but it's worth it. And the housemade veggie burger ain't too shabby. [Sections 106 and 118]

Big Dawgs: Try to ignore the spelling and just focus on the foot-longs. While the Southern Dawg is a barbecue-bacon bomb loaded with crispy onions, the chili-cheese is a classic. [Sections 101, 112, 301, 318]
[Photo: Daniel B./Yelp]

Fast Break: This is the perfect one-stop shop with the family or a large group. Load up on the Nachos Grande, hot dogs and even cotton candy. [Sections 104, 116, 307, 324]

Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Club: The sit-down patio option of the Old No. 7 is literally, a breath of fresh air. Plus, the bartenders are as fast serving up sports bar fare as they are at making a whiskey drink.

El Jimador Tequila Bar: This 21-and-older bar doesn't let you take your drinks back to your seat but it does offer a serious specialty cocktails to help forget the last flagrant foul.

* indicates special Eater recommendations

Plaza Concourse

Audi Club: Chef Brian Johnson is responsible for hot and cold fare populating the "chef's table" and a lounge menu is also available, though not always for every event. This is the AAC's answer to in-stadium fine dining, and it requires reservations.
*Big Dawgs, Sections 101 and 112: Foot-longs with chili, foot-longs without chili, German hot dogs, and the Southern, a barbecue bacon hot dog.
Blue Moon Bar, Section 114: Blue Moon, Peroni and seasonal beers.
Bubba Burger, Sections 114 and 124: Burgers -- including turkey ones -- in basket options or alone. (Go with the basket.)
Edge of Texas, Sections 105 and 117: Tacos, nachos and the coveted churro.
*Fast Break, Sections 104 and 116: Need a Nachos Grande (with chili and sour cream) you must eat with a fork? Go here. Note to parents: There is cotton candy.
*Grill Zone, Sections 106 and 118: Prepare for a line, because the Grill Zone has seriously loaded half-pound burgers. Fan favorites include the mushroom-Swiss and barbecue-bacon. A housemade veggie burger is also available.
High Steaks, Sections 108 and 120: Steak sandwiches including Philly and Texas cheesesteaks.
Hot Popped and Twisted, Sections 113 and 123: Popcorn, peanuts and candy.
Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Club: The street level and patio offers table service of basic grill and sports pub fare, while the lower level features a "chef's table" of hot and cold items. Specialty cocktails are a focus. The club is accessible from outside the stadium as well.
*Market to Go, Section 105: The gluten-free, vegetarians and health nuts also have a place to eat. Housemade wraps, sandwiches, snacks and salads.
Pizza Patron, Sections 102, 107, 111 and 119: An easy, but not-so-exciting chain pizza option.
Sheriff Blaylock's, Section 109: The Sheriff has the sausage. Get a brat and sauerkraut or some spicy Italian.
Slurpee, Section 121: 32 ounces of brain freeze.
*Stampede Station, Section 121: When you absolutely need meatballs to root on Dirk and the Mavs, Stampede has a sampler of Italian, Mexican and Thai balls you won't see on the court. Its identity is further complicated but a barbecue sandwich and loaded baked potato option.
Texas Beers, Section 116: All Texas beers all the times. Fireman's 4 fans rejoice here.

Terrace Concourse

Big Dawgs, Sections 301 and 318: Foot-longs with chili, foot-longs without chili, German hot dogs, and the Southern, a barbecue bacon hot dog.
Bubba Burger, Sections 310 and 326: Burgers -- including turkey ones -- and other park concessions like corn dogs.
Center Ice, Sections 319, 326 and 334: Frozen yogurt.
*Dr Pepper Bottling Plant, Section 306: Alcohol-free nostalgia to distract the kids and soda-loving grown-ups. Will it survive the Dr Pepper bottling wars?
*El Jimador Tequila Bar, Section 331: Fair warning, drinks must be enjoyed within the bar. Don't expect to dash in and dash back to the stands.
*Fast Break, Sections 307 and 324: Need a Nachos Grande (with chili and sour cream) you must eat with a fork? Go here. Note to parents: There is cotton candy.
Hot Popped and Twisted, Sections 302 and 317: Popcorn, peanuts and candy.
Motleys Pub, Sections 328 and 307: Find beer, wine and margaritas, but no sodas, so don't even try.
Pizza Patron, Sections 312 and 329: An easy, but not-so-exciting chain pizza option.
Sheriff Blaylock's, Section 319: The Sheriff has the sausage. Get a brat and sauerkraut or some spicy Italian.
Slurpee, Section 310: 32 ounces of brain freeze.
*Stampede Station, Section 334: When you absolutely need meatballs to root on Dirk and the Mavs, Stampede has a sampler of Italian, Mexican and Thai balls you won't see on the court. Its identity is further complicated but a barbecue sandwich and loaded baked potato option.

Platinum Level

The following are available to Platinum Level ticket holders only.
Chef's Corners: These are located in the "corners" of the PL, and offer gourmet twists on concession favorites like brats and brisket nachos.
Margarita Bar: Fans can find the roving frozen margarita in what looks like a vuvuzela, or they can have one make with premium tequila on the rocks. No brain freeze.
The Red Bull Lounge: Chi-chi digs for Red Bull cocktails.
Wine Press: Among the various upscale-ish bev stands on this level, wine lovers can uncork here.

Plaza Access

Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Club: The street level and patio offers table service of basic grill and sports pub fare, while the lower level features a "chef's table" of hot and cold items. Specialty cocktails are a focus. The club is accessible from inside the stadium as well.
Pira Latin Fire: Latin American dishes and themed cocktails in a swank environment brought to you by Señor Pizza Patron, Antonio Swad. Also accessible to ticket holders from within the stadium.