Subscribe
Jobs
Cars
Real Estate
Apts
Classifieds
Shop
When I was a wee lad, my grandmother and aunt worked part time in the snack bar at Market Square Lanes in Lafayette, where my grandfather bowled and where his name adorned the wall next to a 289 and 711, which signified his high game and series.
I spent a good amount of time there at that snack bar, having fries or burgers or milkshakes, the usual fare one gets at a bowling alley. And despite not being anywhere close to my grandfather's league as a bowler, I still love going from time to time. And when I do, chances are I am going to visit the snack bar at least once.
So, I decided to see which lanes in Fort Wayne could post the best scores.
Where: 1414 Northland Blvd.
Strikes: Crazy Pinz has the most impressive atmosphere and truly is a sports bar/restaurant of its own. The giant screen is one of the best venues for watching a Colts game, or any other game, for that matter, and it takes a backseat to no other sports bars. The pizza with its big, bread-like crust was better than the norm, and the meat toppings were fresh and tasty.
Gutter balls: The Bleu Hawaiian burger was dripping with a nasty steak sauce that really clashed with the intensely sharp cheese. The blackened burger, touted as prime beef in the menu, was nowhere near prime quality. Despite having the most impressive and spacious digs, the menu here was a bit disappointing with nothing that stood out as special.
Final score: The service was solid and there is really nothing to detract me from returning. That said, there was nothing stellar enough to have me clamoring to go back.
Where: 6770 E. State Blvd.
Strikes: The pizza was awesome, with a thin, crisp crust, fresh garlic and a special Italian herb seasoning on top along with a variety of toppings – zesty crumbled sausage in my case. Even if you don't feel like bowling, it is worth trying. The loaded grilled chicken sandwich, which came highly recommended by the ladies working the counter, did not disappoint. The chicken was seared to a dark brown and had a little texture, and it was super moist inside.
Gutter balls: The french fries were mushy and greasy, and the spicy fried pickle spears were not at all spicy.
Final score: The eagerness of the folks working there, who were polite, prompt and eager to make suggestions, combined with the strength of the food coming out of the kitchen, make it the best place to chow down while knocking them down.
Where: 746 Coliseum Blvd. N.
Strikes: The sloppy Joe had a bit of peppery flavor and the essence of onions in its slightly sweet tomato base. It was great when paired in a combo with one of Lakeside's homemade soups, which vary daily. The hot wings were respectable with a crispy exterior despite being smothered in sauce (the way I like them) and just the right amount of heat. They were also served atop a slice of white bread, which was a nice touch.
Gutter balls: The grilled tenderloin had a strong, off aftertaste that low-grade pork tends to have. The barbecued pork sandwich was boring with a forgettable sauce.
Final score: The addition of homemade soups and the personal service left me with a good feeling about the place and make it worth trying again.
Where: 6700 Lafayette St.
Strikes: The hot wings, which they proudly advertise as "always fresh, never frozen," were big, meaty and fried crisp. The Asian sesame sauce had a savory, soy flavor instead of sweet like most Asian wings. The hot had a straightforward red sauce that was not too spicy, and the barbecue wings were sweet and smoky. The breaded pork fritter sandwich was also a great find. Served on a toasted bun, the fritter was moist and had a lot of flavor for such a thin, pounded-out cut of pork.
Gutter ball: The pizza was mediocre, but on days when they run the $4 14-inch special, it would be hard to be critical of it. It was heavy on sauce, which was very bland and almost like plain tomato sauce with no spices or other ingredients.
Final score: The sports lounge is very attractive and clean, and is a great place to hang out and play some free pool or watch a game on one of the many TVs scattered throughout. The service was perfect, the food was decent and I would not hesitate to return.
Where: 1710 Bluffton Road
Strikes: The Bacon and Ham Burger featured a nicely seasoned burger with three strips of bacon, two thin sandwich slices of ham and American cheese. The ham was grilled before being put on the burger, which was a nice touch. The breaded tenderloin, dubbed the "Waynedale Wonder; tastiest tenderloin in town," was not, but was still decent. This perfectly round loin was about 8 inches across and was decently thick and not at all greasy.
Gutter balls: The hot dog was lauded in the menu as an all-beef wiener that you "Gotta see … it's huge." What arrived was a regular-sized mini-mart quality hot dog. Service was a big problem. We sat at a table in the bar forever before someone finally waited on us. After asking what beers were on draft, we were told Coors Light was on special, so we opted for that and were promptly served bottles. On a busy league night, only one person was working the snack bar, where the food is made, and the wait was excruciating.
Final score: I don't think I would plan to eat at Village Bowl, but it would be OK in a pinch. But be sure to go straight to the snack counter to order because waiting in the bar could be a disaster.
Where: 3810 Lake Ave.
Strikes: The bacon double cheeseburger was a big sloppy, hearty sandwich with two wonderfully juicy patties, fresh bacon and cheese oozing out of the sides. The grilled chicken and breaded tenderloin sandwiches were respectable.
Gutter balls: Nothing stood out as bad, really, but the chili-cheese fries were a bit overloaded, causing the thin potatoes to get a bit soggy.
Final score: Good service and decent food had me feeling confident about eating there anytime.
Where: 2400 W. Jefferson Blvd.
Strikes: The bacon cheeseburger on a toasted sesame seed bun and the grilled ham and cheese on either a toasted bun or bread were served hot and fresh from the grill, and were pretty good. The little nine-stool counter was nostalgic and reminded me most of trips to the alley when I was young.
Gutter balls: The sanitation was poor. One person worked the counter and continually took money and credit cards from customers and then returned to making food without donning plastic gloves or washing hands. The pizza, offered free for customers who bowl at least four games, was terrible. Cooked in a little oven at the end of the counter, this frozen pie was cold in the center and the tiny cubes of cheese had not even melted. Even after a second trip through the rotating oven, it was not done enough.
Final score: Would not go back. The quality of food was nowhere near good enough to ignore questionable preparation practices.
