While, at first, it may seem odd to host a restaurant based on the 1980s Namco video game character Pac-Man, considering he's made his name from his ferocious appetite, it does make at least some sense. At least that is what Level 257, a new Pac-Man themed eatery in Woodfield Mall in Schaumburg, IL near Chicago, hopes people think when they open their doors in early 2015.
As The Chicago Tribune reported, the restaurant, named after the killscreen level in the game, hopes to provide "great food and drink(s) with our friends and family" while exploring "Pac-Man’s impact upon our society and pop culture, reminding us all of the importance of play in our lives, while facilitating our desire to relive those times when beating the next level was the most important thing in our world," as Level 257 wrote on their official Tumblr.
Level 257 will be more than just a 40,000 square foot eating place; it's also an entertainment venue. For in addition to their 180-seat restaurant, operated by Aaron Whitcomb and Bradley Godinez, they also provide 16 retro bowling lanes with smart technology, ping pong, pinball machines and a Lost & Found games parlor with original arcade as well as some new ones.
For those wondering how the restaurant got away with this, they're officially licensed by the video game company, under Bandai Namco Group, which is a larger group who owns Namco Entertainment Inc. So don't expect the company to be closing shop to this middle America dinner after a month, because they're legit and, if you are in the area, are hiring now too.
Learn more information about the restaurant on their official social media page. Additionally, Level 257 will celebrate the video game character's 35th birthday this May as well. Should this all go over well, will it be too much to ask for a Kirby-centered eating place down the road?