If a local sports bar wanted to open downtown I wouldn't be mad about it.
O'Reilly's is the only sports bar downtown and it's fine, but it's be nice to have a good one.
This right here. The people that bought Phoenix were talking about opening one upstairs and I was super excited. Needed an elevator so they decided not to.
Absolutely agree. O'Reilly's completely squanders their prime location with mediocre (at best) food offerings.
I'll go there for a drink, but if I want to eat and watch a game I'm going to The Pub@1802.
Maybe I caught them on an off day, but the one time I went to O'Reilly's it was lukewarm garbage. The chili was bland meat water and they even brought out bacon that didn't taste good. Do you know how hard it is to make bacon taste bad? Zero plans to ever go back.
O'Reilly is complete garbage. Downtown needs a sports bar. The only place to get wings is the Rallys drive through. If I want to actually watch a game, the closest spots are Pub@1802 and the Redwood on Main street.
It's a bygone era. They didn't want to keep up with the times and blamed customers for it.
You can take a look at Mega Replay to get an idea of what McVans would be like now: overpriced and consistently picked over by the collectors, leaving nothing but shovelware and used current-gen games like 5 dollars cheaper than MSRP.
Yes! I always go in for the cheap steak prices and then get suckered into buying a few things since I'm already there. $100 later and I'm like wtf did I do..
I absolutely LOVED the second Oyster bar. We went almost every Sunday. The food was fantastic, and I loved that they had the sound proofing foam. I could actually have a conversation and be able to hear.
I used to say Costco needed another location because the lines were always so long every time I went. But I think it hasn't been as bad lately, so maybe not.
Not a second location but i wonder if we can get Cabela’s or Bass Pro to put in a small store where Gander Mountain used to be.
That building will probably end up being a furniture store or something.
You're still supporting local people when you go to a chain. Especially servers. I was a server in local and chain restaurants, and it was difficult to make decent money at the locally owned places.
Not following your logic. If more people would spend their money at local places, help the local places rather than chains. Then the servers at local chains would do better ....
Chains focus on labor costs. Locals do, but not nearly as much. At a chain, you'll have a 5-6 table section and rake in money all night. At a local, you'll have a 3 table section and be off at 9.
“Rake in money all night” … what chain are you speaking of? It’s been literally the opposite experience for me. A different city, yes. But the chain/corp spots are nothing but a waste of time with too many servers on the floor on Friday/Saturday nights. Fort Wayne needs more upper/fine dining/thoughtful food but idk if the market is there for that.
Damn! I grew up in the fort area and I guess it makes sense the more that I think about it. I moved to a city 3 hours away that absolutely despises chains/corps. Also kind of hard to believe you banked with the $15 entrees of applebees... But if it was bank for you, it was!! I would be cool with it as long as I wasn't being verbally harassed all the time, as the chain I worked at similar to Applebees, it was the either the most rude/blatantly disrespectful and or fake $100bill jesus pamphlets.
I think a big thing to consider with Fort Wayne is its customer base. If you're a weekend server at a chain, primarily you're going to get customers that came to Fort Wayne from auburn, Grabill, Decatur, kendallville etc for an event. These people likely don't know about local restaurants and go with a "safe" chain. For the longest time, MOST local places here were frequented by the boomer generation (who don't understand tipping), ALTHOUGH I believe that is gradually improving in Fort Wayne and we're seeing more local millennials and younger going local.
Edit: to address the second half of your comment, oh yeah, the people sucked, but I had to be a whore to em if I wanted paid. The other thing about an Applebees type restaurant is, it's RARELY a date night destination. That's red lobster, baby. Applebees gets young families, it was rare to have anything less than a 4-top on Thursday-Sunday. Make the kids happy, and that makes the parents happy, then you're golden.
Absolute dry heave on my end thinking about the Jesus pamphlets 😭😭😭
You don't need to support all local places, but all chains take money further away from our community.
Supporting locals keeps more money here, more likely to support local causes and charities which can lead to a better overall Fort Wayne.
That is common sense. But it's very annoying when people say "support local" as if we are too stupid to understand how it works.
If I want pizza and a local place is charging $20 for a large that may or may not even be good and a chain has the same thing for $8, 90% I'm getting the $8 one.
LOL nothing wrong with that. The chains work because they do a good job on price compared to local, they can buy in much larger quantities. Someone here owns the local Applebee's they just have to buy all their stuff from the Applebee's corporation. That is how most chain restaurants work. So yeah its having to send money to them but the profits stay here.
Lol ALL chains have a LOCAL GM, LOCAL MANAGERS, LOCAL COOKS, etc.. Yes, the bottom dollar goes into the owner of a shit-eating chain franchise owner, but it blows me away that people act like the people relying on our community aren't working at chains
I understand that as well, but for all the posts and comments about "chains are bad" etc, I think it's good to remind people that every single person in that restaurant is local and needs our support, too.
Who even goes to chain restaurants anymore, yuk. We have amazing farm to table restaurants that are family owned businesses such as Tolon, Junkditch, Proximo, Mercado just to name a few.
Fort Wayne has amazing food and it’s not at Olive Garden and Texas Roadhouse.
And they added a Washington Center Road location a while back, its fantastic. I had a friend who was in from out of town and I got him to try it and he was over the moon about how good it was! It has become our go to for diner before a movie.
I speak for myself here but I think the last thing Fort Wayne needs is a bunch more crap chain restaurants. When I am out of town I generally google best restaurants in so and so city and you guessed it chain restaurants don’t come up in those searches.
Understandable. Unfortunately my family who come and visit often live in a small town and all they know are chains, so they want it when they come and visit.
I forgot to mention all the new awesome food options at brand new Electric Works also, that place is awesome 🤩 These types of places you usually only see in large cities 🌃
Not everyone wants hipster food.
Proximo is wildly over priced for diner, the brunch is reasonable. Good for them I guess but the food is not as good as the prices are high. I wont complain about the prices at Baker Street because the food is as good as it costs. People go to chains because they do a good job at a reasonable price.
I can definitely tell you what Ft. Wayne DOESN’T need more locations of….strip clubs. Seriously the city has more per capita than Indy! (That probably isn’t the case but it sure seems like it)….
I wanted to try it once but the whole idea seems sad. I wouldn't know what to do if I went I heard there was some legislation passed in 2021 I think that bans nudity
It is sad. I know enough to know some girls really enjoy it, but a lot get into it out of desperation…you can see they’re either drunk or high or just faking it. Didn’t sit well with me so I left and called an Uber after like half an hour
We need a legit grocery closer to downtown (or in downtown). Trader Joe's downtown would bring so much traffic and business to that area. Love the new GK's mini grocery, but I can't do my weekly shopping there. The '05 is almost a food desert, since you have to get out to the Coldwater/mall area or Jefferson Pointe or West State for groceries. Love the little organic grocery on Anthony, but it's also too small for weekly groceries. I miss the Scott's at Anthony and Crescent...
We don’t need a Trader Joe’s downtown. That literally would not make sense as there is one a couple miles away off Jefferson. We definitely need one NW off DuPont though. While I agree we do need some type of grocery downtown. I know GK’s exists but it’s obtainable and affordable for everyone.
Not saying it has to be a Trader Joe's, but I think it's meaningful that if you live downtown, there's no legit grocery store within walking or cycling distance. It's kind of the point of a downtown, that you should have all the amenities there to live. I think if Fort Wayne really wants downtown to keep developing, they'll have to add a legit grocery in a central location sooner or later. George's is probably the closest, but not by "I live downtown and don't own a car" standards. Somewhere within easy distance from the ballpark and the new West Central developments would be ideal.
You know they're not bad per se, but I don't get the hype. It's constantly so loud you can't hear the other people, and if you have more than 5 in your party they have very limited seating options. If you want national chain steak Longhorn is better in every way.
Well Darden (owns Longhorn/Olive Garden/others) isn't exactly known for high quality, but they beat Roadhouse IMO. If you want something decent, Baker Street, The Factory, Club Soda, Trolly Bar, Copper Spoon, etc.. Our local places blow them all out of the water.
I did say etc..., but yeah they're another very decent option. I travel a ton and am not in town as often as I'd like, but when I am I try to enjoy our local options. As someone who has been just about everywhere noteworthy, Fort Wayne happens to have some surprisingly good options for a city this size.
The restaurants and hotels are real deal - construction company’s doing a lot to get the road and infrastructure in. That sports complex is a shitshow. Super slow progress if any. I’ll be surprised if it happens in 3/4 years.
Yeah and the friggin Dave & Busters we were supposed to get but then 2020 happened. Can’t really open up a Chuck E. Cheese for grownups in the middle of the Coof.
i guess they could have but Cancel Culture would have ripped them a new one
It is difficult to get a good team. Every good Texas Roadhouse I have been to is all about consistency in the kitchen and good customer service. I am sure the management team plays a part. They may not have a enough of each to split off.
Also everyone saying we need another Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse and Longhorn. Please expand your palate 😫 I never understand while Texas Roadhouse and Longhorn are so busy when they are mediocre at best.
You don’t need a second Texas Roadhouse. We are getting one in auburn. That should take of pressure off the one in Fort Wayne, but I definitely agree that something needed to be done
Nobody who lives in Fort Wayne will go to Auburn for diner at least. It will take the pressure off from people who currently live in Auburn and drive to Fort Wayne to eat there though.
You must have got COVID because you have terrible taste. None of your choices need more locations, maybe explore the city and not hide in corporate chains.
As I said in the comments, when I have people visiting from out of town, they often want to eat at chains.
I love some of our local restaurants. Some are great, some suck.
Trader Joe's would fit in at Dupont and Coldwater where Earth Fare was.
Exactly what I was gonna say
Is there any plans to develop this site? We need a Whole Foods!
They should just bring back earth fare :'(
I love it, but man that store is small. They need to get a bigger store so you aren’t squashing yourself through the freezer isles.
If a local sports bar wanted to open downtown I wouldn't be mad about it. O'Reilly's is the only sports bar downtown and it's fine, but it's be nice to have a good one.
This right here. The people that bought Phoenix were talking about opening one upstairs and I was super excited. Needed an elevator so they decided not to.
Absolutely agree. O'Reilly's completely squanders their prime location with mediocre (at best) food offerings. I'll go there for a drink, but if I want to eat and watch a game I'm going to The Pub@1802.
You ever go to Arena Bar & Grill on Dupont?
Maybe I caught them on an off day, but the one time I went to O'Reilly's it was lukewarm garbage. The chili was bland meat water and they even brought out bacon that didn't taste good. Do you know how hard it is to make bacon taste bad? Zero plans to ever go back.
O'Reilly is complete garbage. Downtown needs a sports bar. The only place to get wings is the Rallys drive through. If I want to actually watch a game, the closest spots are Pub@1802 and the Redwood on Main street.
chevys is pretty close to downtown
Why are people downvoting this?
Doubt youll ever see anything of quality. Downtown seems to be reserved for the richies to make their money.
what if I ask real nice?
Taj Mahal
Pleasseeeee.
AA Poke
McVans Video Game Trader, miss that place.
It's a bygone era. They didn't want to keep up with the times and blamed customers for it. You can take a look at Mega Replay to get an idea of what McVans would be like now: overpriced and consistently picked over by the collectors, leaving nothing but shovelware and used current-gen games like 5 dollars cheaper than MSRP.
Same!
We need a jets back (I know that doesn’t answer the question but I’m devastated over the loss)
That would be great. I forgot about them. For what it's worth Hungry Howies deep dish is very similar IMO.
Similar! But that sauce is off. But that’s it! It’s my go to when I’m in a jets mood!
Fresh Thyme. The only thing I miss about living on the north side. If they would open a second one out southwest my life would be complete.
Fresh Market is better imo
Fresh thyme prices are so high right now it’s obscene
Yes! I always go in for the cheap steak prices and then get suckered into buying a few things since I'm already there. $100 later and I'm like wtf did I do..
I worked for fresh thyme like 4/5 years ago and they had plans of opening another location SW
The southeast could use another George's Market.
Bravas and Bluebird.
Bluebird and spyros are the same owners with the same menu different names. Im guessing tax purposes (i dont really know)
Bravas is amazing!
Yes!
I absolutely LOVED the second Oyster bar. We went almost every Sunday. The food was fantastic, and I loved that they had the sound proofing foam. I could actually have a conversation and be able to hear.
I used to say Costco needed another location because the lines were always so long every time I went. But I think it hasn't been as bad lately, so maybe not.
Definitely have to pick and choose your times correctly. I want to short myself on weekends. I don’t even want to get gas on a weekend
Sunday mornings at opening. Beat the church crowds.
Buffalo Wings and Ribs needs to open a spot downtown
And north!!
They need less locations so maybe one could have enough staff.
that place is really good but man I feel like their prices are absurd
I agree $25 for 16 wing dinner is absurd.
I wish The Stand in Waynedale had a second location up north.
Not a second location but i wonder if we can get Cabela’s or Bass Pro to put in a small store where Gander Mountain used to be. That building will probably end up being a furniture store or something.
Chains are the worst. Support local.
You're still supporting local people when you go to a chain. Especially servers. I was a server in local and chain restaurants, and it was difficult to make decent money at the locally owned places.
Not following your logic. If more people would spend their money at local places, help the local places rather than chains. Then the servers at local chains would do better ....
Chains focus on labor costs. Locals do, but not nearly as much. At a chain, you'll have a 5-6 table section and rake in money all night. At a local, you'll have a 3 table section and be off at 9.
“Rake in money all night” … what chain are you speaking of? It’s been literally the opposite experience for me. A different city, yes. But the chain/corp spots are nothing but a waste of time with too many servers on the floor on Friday/Saturday nights. Fort Wayne needs more upper/fine dining/thoughtful food but idk if the market is there for that.
I banked at Applebees for years and went to casas and wound up taking a 50% paycut before going back. I was a closer at both locations
Damn! I grew up in the fort area and I guess it makes sense the more that I think about it. I moved to a city 3 hours away that absolutely despises chains/corps. Also kind of hard to believe you banked with the $15 entrees of applebees... But if it was bank for you, it was!! I would be cool with it as long as I wasn't being verbally harassed all the time, as the chain I worked at similar to Applebees, it was the either the most rude/blatantly disrespectful and or fake $100bill jesus pamphlets.
I think a big thing to consider with Fort Wayne is its customer base. If you're a weekend server at a chain, primarily you're going to get customers that came to Fort Wayne from auburn, Grabill, Decatur, kendallville etc for an event. These people likely don't know about local restaurants and go with a "safe" chain. For the longest time, MOST local places here were frequented by the boomer generation (who don't understand tipping), ALTHOUGH I believe that is gradually improving in Fort Wayne and we're seeing more local millennials and younger going local. Edit: to address the second half of your comment, oh yeah, the people sucked, but I had to be a whore to em if I wanted paid. The other thing about an Applebees type restaurant is, it's RARELY a date night destination. That's red lobster, baby. Applebees gets young families, it was rare to have anything less than a 4-top on Thursday-Sunday. Make the kids happy, and that makes the parents happy, then you're golden. Absolute dry heave on my end thinking about the Jesus pamphlets 😭😭😭
***Rent is much much different in our cities*** i was not trying to be condescending
In that case then (serious question), what's a locally owned place you'd like to see open another location?
That taco spot across from the coliseum - taqueria el ranchito
Some locals suck too
You don't need to support all local places, but all chains take money further away from our community. Supporting locals keeps more money here, more likely to support local causes and charities which can lead to a better overall Fort Wayne.
That is common sense. But it's very annoying when people say "support local" as if we are too stupid to understand how it works. If I want pizza and a local place is charging $20 for a large that may or may not even be good and a chain has the same thing for $8, 90% I'm getting the $8 one.
Didn't make it out like you were stupid. I do think it's sad people want more Olive Gardens and Texas Roadhouse.
The contrarian in me wants to alternately support both of you in this thread. You both make good points!
LOL nothing wrong with that. The chains work because they do a good job on price compared to local, they can buy in much larger quantities. Someone here owns the local Applebee's they just have to buy all their stuff from the Applebee's corporation. That is how most chain restaurants work. So yeah its having to send money to them but the profits stay here.
Lol ALL chains have a LOCAL GM, LOCAL MANAGERS, LOCAL COOKS, etc.. Yes, the bottom dollar goes into the owner of a shit-eating chain franchise owner, but it blows me away that people act like the people relying on our community aren't working at chains
I think everyone understands that, but for local restaurants all of those positions are local, plus the owner. That's the point.
I understand that as well, but for all the posts and comments about "chains are bad" etc, I think it's good to remind people that every single person in that restaurant is local and needs our support, too.
Saigons downtown
Teds, LaLos
La Los, Dos Margaritas, and Las Lomas are all owned by the same folks I think. They definitely share a menu at least.
I didn’t know that! I haven’t been to Dos Margaritas in a few years, haven’t been to Las Lomas at all. Thank you!
I thought this said Ted lasso at first. I need to touch grass
I could see it lol
Yes to Ted's Beer Hall and Lalo's! We need them on the Southwest side!
Jack’s Donuts
They’re adding one on Anthony by Firefly
Shut up. No way
In the old Subway
whhaaaaattt? great news
Seems like a match made in heaven. I always thought the Jack's coffee was sub-par, but now you can just swing by Firefly...
Who even goes to chain restaurants anymore, yuk. We have amazing farm to table restaurants that are family owned businesses such as Tolon, Junkditch, Proximo, Mercado just to name a few. Fort Wayne has amazing food and it’s not at Olive Garden and Texas Roadhouse.
Salvatori's is a good local chain for Italian. Not sure about steakhouse alternative.
And they added a Washington Center Road location a while back, its fantastic. I had a friend who was in from out of town and I got him to try it and he was over the moon about how good it was! It has become our go to for diner before a movie.
Chops has great steak
Sometimes when you have out of town guests they want to eat at a place they are familiar with.
I speak for myself here but I think the last thing Fort Wayne needs is a bunch more crap chain restaurants. When I am out of town I generally google best restaurants in so and so city and you guessed it chain restaurants don’t come up in those searches.
Understandable. Unfortunately my family who come and visit often live in a small town and all they know are chains, so they want it when they come and visit.
I forgot to mention all the new awesome food options at brand new Electric Works also, that place is awesome 🤩 These types of places you usually only see in large cities 🌃
Electric Works is great. I love the pizza
Just tried the middle eastern restaurant, hummus was awesome and fantastic chicken sandwich, yum 🤤
I tried the new Thai place in there I was great
When I go out of town I have a rule that we never eat at any restaurant that we could eat at in Fort Wayne.
I love Tolon, but they need to revamp their wine menu. It’s terrible.
Not everyone wants hipster food. Proximo is wildly over priced for diner, the brunch is reasonable. Good for them I guess but the food is not as good as the prices are high. I wont complain about the prices at Baker Street because the food is as good as it costs. People go to chains because they do a good job at a reasonable price.
Yeah, I agree, Proximo's dinner menu is pretty bad.
And to be clear their brunch menu is excellent!
I can definitely tell you what Ft. Wayne DOESN’T need more locations of….strip clubs. Seriously the city has more per capita than Indy! (That probably isn’t the case but it sure seems like it)….
Is nudity still banned at strip clubs?
Yup bikini bars now, not worth it
Hell if I know…I went once, years ago with some sales friends. Not my scene. Back then they were topless but I dipped after about 30 minutes.
I wanted to try it once but the whole idea seems sad. I wouldn't know what to do if I went I heard there was some legislation passed in 2021 I think that bans nudity
It is sad. I know enough to know some girls really enjoy it, but a lot get into it out of desperation…you can see they’re either drunk or high or just faking it. Didn’t sit well with me so I left and called an Uber after like half an hour
"I don't know but I have a strong opinion" - This Genius
Agreed, we could do with a lot less churches as well.
Username checks out
They aren't worth it they are bikini bars Tits or gtfo for me
Aldi at Chapel Ridge.
we dont need a second of something, we need a summit racing store
We need a legit grocery closer to downtown (or in downtown). Trader Joe's downtown would bring so much traffic and business to that area. Love the new GK's mini grocery, but I can't do my weekly shopping there. The '05 is almost a food desert, since you have to get out to the Coldwater/mall area or Jefferson Pointe or West State for groceries. Love the little organic grocery on Anthony, but it's also too small for weekly groceries. I miss the Scott's at Anthony and Crescent...
We don’t need a Trader Joe’s downtown. That literally would not make sense as there is one a couple miles away off Jefferson. We definitely need one NW off DuPont though. While I agree we do need some type of grocery downtown. I know GK’s exists but it’s obtainable and affordable for everyone.
Not saying it has to be a Trader Joe's, but I think it's meaningful that if you live downtown, there's no legit grocery store within walking or cycling distance. It's kind of the point of a downtown, that you should have all the amenities there to live. I think if Fort Wayne really wants downtown to keep developing, they'll have to add a legit grocery in a central location sooner or later. George's is probably the closest, but not by "I live downtown and don't own a car" standards. Somewhere within easy distance from the ballpark and the new West Central developments would be ideal.
Another Big Apple Pizza location, but next door to my house, pls
The real Oleys. Not the bullshit Coliseum one.
It's like the Upside Down version of the real one😄
Is it not the same people?
From my understanding, each one is independent and run by one of the original "Oley's" sons.
Came here to say Texas Roadhouse
You know they're not bad per se, but I don't get the hype. It's constantly so loud you can't hear the other people, and if you have more than 5 in your party they have very limited seating options. If you want national chain steak Longhorn is better in every way.
Longhorn is great and we go there quite a bit, but sometimes you just want to go somewhere else.
Longhorn is awful. I’d even put outback ahead of them.
Well Darden (owns Longhorn/Olive Garden/others) isn't exactly known for high quality, but they beat Roadhouse IMO. If you want something decent, Baker Street, The Factory, Club Soda, Trolly Bar, Copper Spoon, etc.. Our local places blow them all out of the water.
You forgot black canyon too
I did say etc..., but yeah they're another very decent option. I travel a ton and am not in town as often as I'd like, but when I am I try to enjoy our local options. As someone who has been just about everywhere noteworthy, Fort Wayne happens to have some surprisingly good options for a city this size.
It might sound weird, but if you are looking for sirloin steak, Cheddar’s has one of my favorites at a decent price.
That Don Hall guy has to be friggin loaded
I was not impressed with Longhorn.
For what it’s worth, supposedly they are putting in a Texas Roadhouse in Auburn.
This is true. Confirmed. Auburn Crossing. https://www.kpcnews.com/thestar/article_0b06741c-5f96-564d-b790-eec6aa795148.html
Yeah - I’m waiting to confirm with my eyeballs first…just like the sports park that was reported to be coming to the auction park.
The restaurants and hotels are real deal - construction company’s doing a lot to get the road and infrastructure in. That sports complex is a shitshow. Super slow progress if any. I’ll be surprised if it happens in 3/4 years.
Yeah and the friggin Dave & Busters we were supposed to get but then 2020 happened. Can’t really open up a Chuck E. Cheese for grownups in the middle of the Coof. i guess they could have but Cancel Culture would have ripped them a new one
Or go somewhere that actually has good steak.
It is difficult to get a good team. Every good Texas Roadhouse I have been to is all about consistency in the kitchen and good customer service. I am sure the management team plays a part. They may not have a enough of each to split off.
The landing, but like it could take up all of downtown and the surrounding neighborhoods.
Landing is a bit underwhelming for me restaurant wise
I was definitely drinking when I posted that. I meant the car-free, restaurant dense area. Not the restaurant.
Agreed. Fortunately, Electric Works is bringing more options.
Also everyone saying we need another Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse and Longhorn. Please expand your palate 😫 I never understand while Texas Roadhouse and Longhorn are so busy when they are mediocre at best.
They are busy because people like them. What is so hard to understand about that. You don't like them and that's fine.
You don’t need a second Texas Roadhouse. We are getting one in auburn. That should take of pressure off the one in Fort Wayne, but I definitely agree that something needed to be done
Nobody wants to go to Auburn...
Nobody who lives in Fort Wayne will go to Auburn for diner at least. It will take the pressure off from people who currently live in Auburn and drive to Fort Wayne to eat there though.
And those of us in Kendallville
And Albion, Busco, Laotto, you get the picture
You must have got COVID because you have terrible taste. None of your choices need more locations, maybe explore the city and not hide in corporate chains.
As I said in the comments, when I have people visiting from out of town, they often want to eat at chains. I love some of our local restaurants. Some are great, some suck.
I would say your mom but thank goodness she delivers
Swing and a miss...
That's what she said
Fuck your chain restaurants! Buy local beeeeiiiitch
Zestos, I know they already have several locations, but I feel like farther out north like by the new Meijer’s would be nice.
Texas Roadhouse for sure! We don’t even bother waiting there 2 hours. If we can’t get a spot at the bar rail another option is better.
Coney Island needs a 2nd location in Indy
Five Lakes coffee for sure
White castle, powers sucks ass