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The National Medal of Honor Museum is in the Arlington Entertainment District. (Courtesy photo | National Medal of Honor Museum)<\/p>\nThere\u2019s a new eatery in Arlington where visitors can have a meal with a backdrop of American heroes in a setting surrounded by views of the Arlington Entertainment District and its massive stadiums, green lawns, lakes and popular destinations.<\/p>\n
The 1861 Cafe at the National Medal of Honor Museum was named for the year in which President Abraham Lincoln authorized the Medal of Honor. More than 3,500 individuals have received the honor, including former President Teddy Roosevelt for his actions in the Spanish-American War and northeast Texas native Audie Murphy, the most-decorated soldier of World War II who became a famous film actor.<\/p>\n
The museum\u2019s in-house restaurant at 1861 AT&T Way is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and serves up a variety of sandwiches, salads, coffee drinks and desserts, as well as cocktails and wine. Ben Johnson, executive chef, said the cafe is a great place to visit as a lunch destination or for museum visitors to eat before or after touring the exhibits.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere\u2019s been a few times where people sit down because there\u2019s a lot up there, and just kind of decompress after seeing all of the history and everything else,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cIt offers a good moment to do that and have some good food and talk about what you just went through upstairs and witnessed and saw and read about. It\u2019s definitely a good gathering point for people after the museum.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnson came to the museum, which opened in March, from city-owned Texas Rangers Golf Club where he was executive chef. Before the golf course, Johnson worked at Hyatt hotels properties and country clubs in Texas and California. In addition to the cafe, Johnson is in charge of all food services at the museum including special events and dinners both inside and outside the museum.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe had a beautiful Fourth of July thing. I believe we had around 750 guests on the lawn,\u201d Johnson said. \u201cWe had a barbecue station. We were grilling. We had a brisket sandwich, some different sides and things, and it was beautiful.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnson said the museum did the same thing for Memorial Day.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe planted a bunch of flags, and people could write the name of their loved one or somebody to commemorate,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
Johnson said the most popular items are the turkey wrap and the brisket sandwich, which is stamped with the museum\u2019s logo on the bun.<\/p>\n
The public can visit the cafe and shop without having to pay the museum admission charge.<\/p>\n
The National Medal of Honor Museum is in the Arlington Entertainment District. (Courtesy photo | National Medal of Honor Museum)<\/p>\n
Lance Murray is a freelance contributor covering business for the Arlington Report.<\/p>\n
At the Arlington Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n
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