Best Local Restaurant Chains in Fort Wayne, in

Fort Wayne, Indiana may be known as the City of Churches. But the City of Good Eats it is not. Like so many other mid-size American cities, Fort Wayne (with a population of about 300,000) is bursting at the seams with predictable, unhealthy, not very appetizing chain restaurants. If you want an Applebee’s, Logan’s Roadhouse or Outback Steakhouse, you will have no trouble finding one. In the mood for something a little faster? Perhaps a Subway or Arby’s? They’re practically on every corner. And the Golden Arches loom over every neighborhood.
But branch out a little past the familiar, and you may be pleasantly surprised by some of the local chain eateries around The Fort.

• Don Hall’s Restaurants: The name Don Hall has been known to Fort Wayne residents since 1946. The best part about this establishment is the variety. Don Hall’s has 12 locations, which range from a Japanese steak house to a drive-in eatery to a prime rib restaurant. Price is reasonable. However, the clientele at almost all the locations is primarily elderly. You almost get the feel of a constant “early-bird special.” Atmosphere is lacking. The company also owns a catering business and a hotel. To check out their website, including menus, click here.

• Casa: On the other side of the local entrepreneur chain coin is Casa Restaurants. This Italian eatery is a favorite among many locals. Portions are good, price is great, and the flavor is there as well (some will disagree on this last point. I’ve heard one person compare the food to “Chef Boyardee,” but I hear more positive than negative reviews.) I guess to be reasonable, it’s somewhere in between an authentic and more upperscale Italian restaurant and Fazoli’s. Perhaps the best comparison is Olive Garden – sans the corporate chain feel. There are five restaurants – one on pretty much each side of town. The look of the restaurants is pretty standardized, minus Casa D’Angelo (the original restaurant near downtown) and Casa Ristorante (on the southwest side.) To check out their website, including menus, click here.

• Cebolla’s: The best local Mexican chain in Fort Wayne. Three locations to serve you. Atmosphere, especially in the original on Fernhill Avenue by Glenbrook Mall, is loud and festive, both in decor and people. Portions, as they usually are in these types of restaurants, are huge. Menu is extensive. Prices are what should be expected. Margaritas are good and so is the salsa.

• Blu Restaurants: More upscale than the former establishments, Blu’s two restaurants are very different. The original, Catablu, is described as a “gourmet Americangrille.” I’m not sure exactly what that is, but people seem to like it. The building is one of its strong points: a renovated theater. However, some feel this detracts from the atmosphere because it makes conversations a bit difficult and not as intimate. You can get anything you would expect at an upperscale restaurant here and will most likely enjoy it very much. Blu’s second restaurant is Blu Tomato, on the northeast side. It’s not as fancy, but still has good food in an okay atmosphere. The separate bar, which has seating as well, may be enjoyed more than the dining room by some. To check out their website, including menus, click here.