Prairie Grille & Bowl — Local services in Belle Plaine

Edit: The fact that this review has been up for over 4 months and been seen nearly 500 times.. but the business hasn't bothered to reply says a lot. I really used to love this place. I would honestly love to change this to a 5 star review, because this is our local ally, and I love nearly everything about it. The food is good, the bowling is reasonably priced, and the staff is generally always pleasant.

My issue is that I've come to realize I can't count on being able to visit with my family without having to take the time to call ahead, and ask them if bowling is open, or if it's league bowling (which is always).

They have league bowling nearly every single day of the week, and we were turned away from bowling again after walking there today (that's how close we live), because they had 'kids league' in the afternoon and 'womens league' in the evening.

The venue has changed their league and day off schedule over the last couple years, so by the time I get used to a semi-regular day or time of the week that we can go, something has changed and we're turned away.

There have even been several times where we showed up on a day / time that was supposed to be open for bowling, and they had some 'special league' or tournament going.. and the lanes were again closed to local players.

I honestly feel bad posting this, because there's a decent chance the staff will know who I am.. and I'm 'supposed to be' a dang regular with my kids (I usually pay for me and several children, and we usually get several dinners and drinks each time).

I LOVE going there and bowling and eating, I just hate getting turned away half the time I go there.. and it's happened so often I feel like I can't trust the place anymore.

I understand the business makes more money during league nights, I really do. I know they need funds to stay open, but it really feels like me, my kids and all our neighbors here are being left in the dust. Like we don't matter in any way.

Honestly, one evening during the week that they leave open (or even just reserve an extra lane or two for locals during some league nights) would turn this place back into a business I want to return to and regularly support again.

For now we'll do what we've had to do, which is take the time to go elsewhere for a few months, and then try again. ...

I came here to try out the bowling. I bowled a couple of games and realized that the lane was leaving glue style marks all over my bowling balls. One of them I just got. I went up to the counter as soon as I noticed it and they had the owner come over. Only thing he offered was to clean the ball. It didn’t even get all of it and they still made me pay for the games I bowled even after their lanes damaged both of my bowling balls. Very disappointed and they will never get my business again. Would not recommend this location for anyone who actually cares about the sport and your...

Not a bad place, but clarification on pricing should be made. We asked how much for 2 kids, 2 adults. We're told "$4 per game". A rational person would think 4 to 16 per game. We played 1 game, we're charged over $28. Decided not to argue with the kids right there. Please make it clear, or pay ahead. Ruined an otherwise good day of bowling.

I understand the shoe rental, but we were never told that the shoe rental cost money. It was never communicated to us and the surprise at the end was frustrating.

The kids had...