Branson restaurateurs unveil new concept

Branson businesspeople Paul and Ann Bluto are converting a restaurant they own into a new concept.

Heroes Tastes and Taps is slated to open in early spring at 3225 W. 76 Country Blvd., the site of the Blutos' former Montana Mike's Steakhouse franchise, according to a news release. Heroes is planned through the Blutos' Branson Restaurants Inc., which also owns McFarlain’s Family Restaurant inside their IMAX theater and Florentina’s Ristorante Italiano on Green Mountain Drive.

"Throughout the year, we’ll create opportunities to call attention to our traditional heroes like veterans and first responders, but we’ll also emphasize heroes like our health care workers, teachers and farmers," said Tom Forster, vice president of marketing for Branson Restaurants and the Blutos' ITEC Attractions, in the release. “We’ll be serving new American cuisine and celebrating new American heroes."

Forster added the concept is "culinarily speaking ... a bit of a gastropub." Along with up to 24 beers on tap, planned menu items include a pimento cheese and chorizo dish, deconstructed shepherd’s pie, and chicken and waffles.

Becky Blair, spokesperson for Branson Restaurants, said the company "invested significantly" to renovate the 7,000-square-foot building. She declined to disclose renovation expenses for Heroes, which is slated to employ up to 75 people.

The Montana Mike’s Branson Facebook page posted Jan. 1 the restaurant had closed for the season and to "stay tuned for some exciting news before we reopen this spring."

The Blutos' ITEC Attractions has operated Branson's IMAX theater on Shepherd of the Hills Expressway for more than two decades, according to past reporting.