Last week, I attended a film festival called Fantastic Fest, the largest international genre festival in the world. Over seven days, thousands of people from across the globe converge on the Alamo Drafthouse movie theater in Austin, TX to watch movies from Korea, China, Japan, Spain, France, Canada, and the U.S. The Alamo is world-renowned for its unique theater experience. Movie goers can order food and drinks from the Alamo’s amazing menu while watching a movie. To order, you simply write down what you want on a piece of paper (pens and slips are supplied at each seat) and a server comes by to take the order and deliver your order. It works seamlessly – no small feat for a theater serving up to 850 people every two hours. That kind of turnaround isn’t achieved easily.
A lot of other theaters offer the dinner and a movie experience, even big chains like AMC have picked up on the trend, but the Alamo set the bar years ago. While attending the festival, I ate several meals in the Alamo including a hearty turkey wrap, BBQ pizza, salads, and tons and tons of beer. The servers never disrupt the movie and the food was always on point.
I did some research and found out some of the equipment used in their former downtown location. The Alamo Drafthouse I was at on South Lamar street has a dual mirror kitchen support by several chefs, runners, and bussers. Here’s some of the equipment from their downtown location: 6 tap 90″ kegerators (CONTINENTAL KC-90-6), Blodget 1000 gas Deck Ovens, 23″ upright refridgerator (TRUE GDM 23), 12″ 2 burner stove and table (IMPERIAL IHPA-2-12), 8′ Beer Cooler (TRUE TD-95-38), Walk-In cooler w/ remote condenser (Kolpack, 5’X7′), etc.
For some films, the Alamo’s chefs will create a special menu. During a Lord of the Rings marathon they held, a feast of 12 courses was prepared. For the recent Conan the Barbarian remake, massive turkey legs were served.
Alamo has been expanding its operations and recently opened up a theater in Colorado. Fingers crossed you get one in your town.
One Fat Frog Restaurant Equipment
One Fat Frog • 11473 S. Orange Blossom Trail • Orlando, FL • 407-480-3409
One Fat Frog • 1137 W. Airport Blvd. • Sanford, FL • 407-936-2733
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