Draw Your Sword
Who doesn't love a knight themed restaurant? Dallas firm bets Medieval Times will kill in Houston
What kingdom has ever wanted to reign over less? Like most kingdoms, Medieval Times Dinner & Tournament — yes, that restaurant . . . er, "dining attraction" . . . with debatable food that has guys in costume jousting on horseback as you eat — is looking to expand.
And the Irving-based chain is eyeing Houston.
The company has nine "castles" featuring jousting knights on horseback scattered across Canada and the United States, including a popular location in Dallas that has been around for around 20 years. Jon Speier, senior vice president of Medieval Times Dallas Castle (yes that's his official title), tells the Dallas Business Journal that the company is looking at Houston and Phoenix for expansion because the two markets have similar demographics to the north Texas metropolis.
The Medieval Times experience aims to transport diners back in time to the 11th century, where knights engage in hand-to-hand combat and take part in sword fighting while a four-course meal is served. Think Houstonians will buy in?