Perhaps the most intriguing establishment at Texas Live! (which includes, among others, Pudge’s Pizza, Troy’s, and Sports & Social Arlington, which, no lie, has beer pong tables) is a place called Miller Tavern & Beer Garden. From its website:
“Miller Tavern & Beer Garden will offer an unparalleled beer and dining experience for sports fans and visitors to Texas Live!. Guests will enjoy elevated gastro-pub fare with a twist, presented with the opportunity to pair with world-class beers. Featured menu items include Cherry-Glazed Bourbon Bacon, Pimento Cheese Red Potato Skins and Miller’s Fried Chicken with Bacon and Jalapeño Corn Fritters. The venue will also feature lighter options including Tavern Bowls—perfectly grilled chicken or salmon over citrus-infused quinoa, brown rice, wheat berries, fresh roasted season vegetables and balsamic drizzle.”
I don’t want to be too snarky about this!. But are we talking about a tavern, or are we talking about a beer garden, or are we talking about a gastropub? Given that this whole enterprise is housed in a multistory food court surrounded by acres and acres of parking lots for three sports venues, it would seem difficult to lay legitimate claim to any one of those three designations. Taverns are small and charming. Beer gardens are outdoors. And I don’t think gastropubs serve “season vegetables,” whatever those are, though I admit I’m confused by Texas Live!’s aversion to the Oxford comma.
An emailer named Jim recently accused me of being a liberal Democrat. Perhaps he is right and I am here showing my bias, but if Bacon gets a big B, I’d certainly uppercase Citrus-Infused Quinoa. I think even Sarah Huckabee Sanders and I could find common ground on that menu-related matter.
Which brings me to the image of Miller Tavern & Beer Garden that I have taken from its website and displayed for you here in my role as a critic, clearly adhering to the fair use laws that govern copyright. I have comments to make about the people therein depicted. I’ve numbered the people to make it easier for you to follow along.
This guy drew a funny picture on his palm.
I wish I had someone in my life who looked at me like this dude, whose name I imagine is Colt, is looking at his friend’s palm.
I’ve never seen someone so totally pumped to find an empty booth.
Amazing hair. Also appreciates the palm joke.
My man seriously cannot believe the grief that his lady is giving him right now. All he wanted was the opportunity to pair a world-class beer with an unparalleled dining experience.
Nag.
Here’s the lady my man is probably going home with, after he noshes on some Citrus-Infused Quinoa, Brown Rice, and Wheat Berries. Chicken or Salmon: his choice!
This bartender suffers from hallucinations. He is showing a bottle of wine to an imaginary customer. But we all now know that mental health is not something to joke about. He needs help.
Some dude who digs sweater vests.
A lady waving to no one.
This band features drums, fiddle, and bass but no lead singer, and it appears that they are so bad that two customers just walked out, leaving behind their full beers.
He has a full stein of beer, yes. But right now he needs a sip of coffee.
In summation, Miller Tavern & Beer Garden at Texas Live! creates a number of ontological and punctuational disconnections in my brain, if not my palate, given that I’ve never visited the place. But I’m glad that Rougned Odor turned his season around and finally started getting some hits. Go, Rangers!
