Grabbing a bite from Junk Food Alley at the Three Rivers Festival will be different this year. Officials say the concessions will move to an area on the north side of Headwaters Park known as the Meadows. 

Traditionally, midway rides have occupied that space. The move comes as construction continues at the Lofts at Headwaters Park along Superior and North Clinton streets. 

There is a silver lining: There is more space and expanded seating.  

Junk Food Alley will include a Cajun flare this year. 

Keri Roby, the festival’s director of operations, tells us Bayou Concessions will make their first festival appearance. They have been serving blackened chicken, New Orleans steak, po boys, and andouille sausage to the delight of visitors at the Indiana State Fair in Indianapolis for a few years.

The annual festival’s reach extends beyond Headwaters Park. The International Village has been one of the festival’s trademark events at Purdue University Fort Wayne. Held July 19-20, International Village showcases the area’s unique cultural influences with music, dance, art, and food. Roby says there is a focus on Asian, Filipino, and Colombian cuisine.

Fire breaks out at Powers Hamburgers

A Facebook post early Tuesday morning from Powers Hamburgers, 1402 S. Harrison St., shows a fire broke out at the longtime Fort Wayne restaurant.

With plans for their grand reopening only days away, the business purchased by Salvatori’s Hospitality this year said in the post that restoration would begin soon.

“We look forward to welcoming you back with open arms and delicious burgers once we’ve completed the restoration.” 

North Anthony gets grocery store

Sunrise Mart, 3105 N. Anthony Blvd., is now open in the Northside neighborhood. 

The cozy community grocery with fresh meat, produce, and baked goods is situated near Chung King Express and Dairy Queen in the former Keltsch Pharmacy. 

Along with groceries, Antojitos Mexicanos El Viejon No. 2 restaurant serves up street tacos, burritos, nachos, and quesadillas in the back of the store. 

Sunrise is open from 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 10 a.m.-9 p.m. on Sunday.

2Toms Brewing welcomes 260 BBQ

Barbecue is back on the menu at 2Toms Brewing, 3676 N. Wells St.

After Full Circle BBQ left the brewery to start their own operation at Acme on East State Boulevard, 2Toms turned to a couple of other food vendors before it was announced recently that 260 BBQ would be moving in, with the grand opening being June 22.

Anchoring the menu are pulled pork, brisket, smoked burgers, and street tacos. 

Then there’s the sauce! They have the sweet and tangy taste of Carolina Gold, the vinegar-based heat of Eastside, the spicy and smoky Slow Heat, and the sweet and smoky Kansas City Sweet. 

Chick-fil-A adding Dupont location

Chick-fil-A could have a fourth restaurant in Fort Wayne by next spring. 

A plan working through the Allen County Plan Commission would see the restaurant open at 4851 Dupont Road by March. 

There are three Fort Wayne locations in Summit City: Jefferson Pointe, Coliseum Boulevard, and in the Glenbrook Square food court. 

Culver’s destined for New Haven

Chick-fil-A is not the only chain restaurant expanding its Fort Wayne foot print.

According to Culvers.com, a Culver’s is slated to go up in New Haven at 6244 Ind. 930 West at the intersection of Maplecrest Road. 

There are five Culver locations in Allen County, including West Washington Center Road near Lima Road, Dupont Road near Interstate 69, West Jefferson Boulevard in The Village at Time Corners, and Stellhorn Road in Maplewood Plaza.

Dirty Soda added to Dirty Dough menu

Dirty Dough, 1525 W. Dupont Road, now has Dirty Soda. 

The drink a mash of up-to-date soft drink flavors with flavored syrup and cream. New flavors are rotated in and out weekly with Dirty Dr Pepper, Peachy Keen, Pure Bliss, Caribbean Crush, and Dreamsicle Delight always on tap. If you feel daring you can even experiment and make your own Dirty Soda creation. 

While you are there, you can grab their cookies and brownies. Find out more at dirtydoughcookies.com. 

Off the Eaten Path is the Whatzup weekly column that covers Northeast Indiana’s restaurant and food news. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.