The following “CHEW THAT!” column originally appeared in “The Courier-Times” and / or “The Shelbyville News”. Check their websites for further information.
“CHEW THAT!”
The Rose Restaurant and Lounge
Blaise Doubman
I have been a fan of The Rose Bowl literally my entire life. My Grandma Deloris used to bowl there and belonged to many leagues. Her name is inside that building more times that just a few for all of her record breaking accomplishments. So, it was natural that when me and my brother and cousins started started showing an interest in bowling, she was the first one to take us. Me, being me of course, was immediately attracted to the food. Who said you could eat and bowl at the same time? What a concept! It was from that young age that I fell in love with what I call “bowling alley french fries” and I hate this expression but I have to use it here, if you know you know.
I later found out that some people have all kinds of superstitions about bowling. They have to use a certain lane, a certain bag, ball, towel or even order a certain type of food. My Grandma Deloris told me a story one time about “having just enough grease on her fingers and caffeine in her system”, that she bowled a perfect game. I always thought that was hilarious.
So, The Rose Bowl and I have a history. My family would take my brother and I there a lot and like I said, my Grandparents too. My Grandma Barbra would go on to break both wrists bowling there at The Rose Bowl, which put an end to her bowling career. Even later on as an adult, I go with friends and family and even throw Birthday parties there with The Rose Bowl’s special help.
Recently, they remodeled their restaurant area and reopened it as “The Rose Restaurant and Lounge” and let me tell you, it is delicious! If you do not like bowling, do not worry about it! Simply go there to eat! You will be amazed at the new 70’s inspired decor. It really sets off a welcoming vibe for people of all ages and is really pretty impressive. They now serve all kinds of foods! For appetizers they offer guacamole and chips, breaded mushrooms, cheese balls, wings with several flavors to pick from, fried pickles, nachos and cheese, French fries, chicken tenders and so much more. And let us not forget about their delicious pizza and breadsticks! They also offer loaded nachos that are fabulous and topped with meat, onion, tomatoes, nacho cheese, olives, jalapeños and sour cream. They even offer a tenderloin sandwich that is hands down one of the best Indiana tenderloins I have ever had! What really stands out, aside from even their dessert selection, is their burgers. They have 4 “house style” burgers that are chef inspired and created. The “Gutter-Ball Cheeseburger” which is cheese, tomato, lettuce, pickle, onion and special sauce is one of the things I enjoyed most. All of that with a delicious patty of meat and a brioche bun! This is not your typical bowling ally food! Their 3 other burgers are the “Kingpin Burger” with bacon, tomato, lettuce, onion and BBQ sauce, the “Perfect Ten Pizza Burger” with pizza sauce and mozzarella cheese and their “House Ball Burger” with grilled mushrooms, onions, Swiss cheese all served on sourdough thick sliced bread.
Located inside The Rose Bowl bowling ally at 550 South Memorial Drive, it is really worth checking out! The prices are reasonable and the food delicious. Not to mention the priceles nostalgia that goes along with eating your “bowling ally fries”. If you go and I really hope you do, please tell them that Blaise from The Courier-Times and “CHEW THAT!” sent you there!