Chuck E Cheese's

Now that all the games are one token, it's awesome. I mean the pizza is pizza, but this isn't the place to go for "amazing pizza". But it is the place for fun times and cheap thrills (games, the thrills are games).

I suggest bringing a coupon because it's always good to save a couple bucks (use it on dessert after). Usually, there are coups in the Sunday paper each week, so they are easy to come by.

The "show" is super lame to anyone over 8, but that's ok. This is a kids place after all... Not that i couldn't spend all day there. It's a casino for people who don't gamble,

03/07/12 Bring lots of hand sanitizer!!!

To start, I'm not a fan of this overpriced kid zoo. I grew up with Showbiz Pizza being the place to go (I'm 31) for kid entertainment, parties and food. Having said that, I went with family to celebrate a birthday and Chuck E Cheese's was first choice for the kids. I must say how they've gone downhill since our last visit a few years ago.

The food (pizza and salad bar) were awful. The salad bar and drink area was dirty, counters needed wiping down and floors needed mopping (sticky from spills). I couldn't help but think how I'd rather be at the Ponderosa Steakhouse located in the same parking lot than here. I sat and watched one staffer clear several tables and not come back to wipe them down. I felt dirty and after 5 mins being there was ready to leave; however, the kids love the games (reason we went). I played a few ticket earning games with my son. I noticed that several machines were not working properly and robbing you from tickets earned. In fact, I witnessed a couple with their kids playing skee-ball and getting frustrated due to tickets not being received that they earned. Fortunately, someone that worked there did see to them receiving the other tickets.

I've always thought that Chuck E Cheese's was pricey, but I expect much more for my money than our recent experience. Overall, a dirty place, not-so-great tasting, pricey food and malfunctioning machines isn't worth a repeat visit at the Mishawaka location. Due to the fact my son and other kids in family love this place, I think we'll travel a little further and give the Merrillville location a try. .