We all gotta eat, and that’s why I’m here.
This is the first entry of a brand new, fresh out of the oven column. Before we are done, I hope to take you on a wonderful journey of culinary delight.
We’ll do it by highlighting old favorites and new ones, fine dining and greasy spoons, digging deeper on some places you’ve taken for granted, announce new joints, and just get you excited while informing you about what tasty treats there are in the area.
Comfort food, indulgent dishes, whatever and wherever: If you eat it or drink it, we’ll talk about it, and hopefully highlight uniquely Fort Wayne establishments and tell their stories.
And of course, we’ll need your help uncovering what’s out there. So drop a line to info@whatzup.com … and by all means, dig in.
Hall monitor: Triangle Park returns
Nothing says dining in Fort Wayne like Hall’s family of restaurants, and one is ready to reopen. They’ve been at it since 1946, and when the pandemic hit in 2020, one of the causalities was Hall’s Triangle Park Bar & Grill.
Owners seemingly closed it after 34 years in business. At the time, the Hall family issued a statement saying they wanted to open “Sooner rather than Later.”
Tucked away on Trier Road just off Coliseum Boulevard, Triangle Park was a popular spot for live music, lunches, and relaxing by watching ducks on the pond.
It looks like it’s reinventing itself with specialty soups, salads, and flatbreads. The building will open with a re-imagined interior.
According to their Facebook page, “Triangle Park is coming back and better than ever!”
Besides saying it’s undergoing major renovations, Hall’s have not set an opening date.
Salvatori’s expands
Salvatori’s is undergoing a big expansion. Like BIG big, and they aren’t done.
This spring they opened up shop at Leo Crossing, joining popular Fort Wayne-centric eateries Big Eyed Fish and Lexy’s Pizza. Salvatori’s is in the former Subway location on Leo Road just off North Clinton Street and Dupont Road. That brings the total to five Salvatori’s locations, including one on Smaltz Way in Auburn near Home Depot.
Before the end of 2022, they expect to open up in Warsaw on U.S. 30. It will be the sixth location in northeast Indiana for the family-owned and operated chain.
On the radar
It’s a few months away, but soon Crumbl Cookies will be operating out of the Orchard Crossing shopping center on Thomas Road near Hobby Lobby and Target.
Their pink boxes are found in more than 300 stores in 36 states. They hang their hats on their chocolate chip cookies, but you’ll have any number of treats and baked goods on their rotating menu.
We are also tracking some additions to Columbia City offerings. Both Culver’s and Starbucks are expected to open sooner or later.
Again, it’s on our radar.
Old dog, new tricks
If you’ve spent any time around the lakes in Steuben County, chances are you’ve had a doughnut from Tom’s Donuts either in their stores or from a convenience store.
Now, they’re moving out of their comfort zone with a new comfort food.
For about a year, Tom’s Donuts has been offering BBQ prime rib brisket burgers from their food trailer at the Four Corners at Jimmerson Lake and Lake James (technically, it’s Lane 101, Jimmerson Lake). Of course, just a few feet away, the original Tom’s Donuts, a.k.a. the Doughnut Capital of the World, is going strong.
Owner Todd Saylor says they’ll sell more than 10,000 doughnuts over Labor Day weekend, a weekend that is topped only by Independence Day and Memorial Day.
What about Bob’s?
For nearly 50 years, Bob’s Restaurant in downtown Woodburn has delighted diners, but they’ve been temporarily closed a few weeks, and there is no word on what comes next for the building.
During the closure, Bob’s Pizza Place continues to roll out the dough at the Main Street building, next to the railroad tracks, so it is hard to miss. Their dessert pies were hard to beat, serving more than a dozen fresh daily, including peanut butter pie.
Friday night fish fries were legendary, too. By some accounts, it wasn’t unusual to prepare 70 pounds or more of fish on those nights.
Bob Sprouls opened the restaurant in 1975 and has had four other owners since.
We’ll circle back when we learn more.
Hidden gem in downtown
One of our favorite places for a snack or quick drink is Downtown Bistro.
You might not even know it’s there, but it’s tucked away in the back corner by the main lobby at Downtown Lutheran Hospital at Main and Van Buren streets.
My personal favorite: the smoothies.
It’s open 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday and noon-4 p.m. on weekends.
Fair food
Grabill Country Fair in downtown Grabill is heavenly for foodies.
Running Sept. 8-10, it’s easy to get lost in the folksy arts and crafts at the festival, and the food isn’t too shabby, either, with caramel corn, fresh honey, and apple dumplings. Don’t forget the beef and noodles.
