Hall's State Street — Restaurant in Fort Wayne

Restaurant review This is one of those restaurants that jump back a few decades into the past to a bygone era of low prices and no-frills staff. I have been here twice and I can honestly say that the prices are amazing for 2019. Where else can you get a prime rib dinner 10 for 15 dollars or a filet mignon meal for 12 dollars. Now is this going to be Ruth Chris, of course not, but if you go in with the right expectations you won't be disappointed. They have a large parking lot adjacent to the restaurant. You can't miss the iconic sign with the real name of the restaurant "Hall's State St Prime Rib". Both times I have gone for the prime rib and I would say that the quality of the prime rib is better than any buffet I have been to but not at the level of Lawry's in Chicago. The wait staff is prompt and very friendly. The prime rib meal came with hot dinner rolls and some sort of texas toast without the garlic flavor. The main attraction was the prime rib which was cooked to medium-rare perfectly. There wasn't too much seasoning unfortunately to it so the horseradish sauce was utilized liberally. Meat was tender and juicy, however, the color was slightly pale compared to other medium rare prime rib I had in the past. The mac and cheese side is an A+ for not being the Kraft variety and you can't go wrong with a baked potato with sour cream. Overall for the price you pay it is a great experience.

Pros: super low prices, ample parking, friendly staff, no significant wait

Cons: the ambiance throws you back to the 70s, given that it is not in the city there are flies sometimes bothering you during your meal

Hidden deals: Daily specials on the board when you walk in. Seniors have a special meal menu as well. Super cheap prime rib for...

⭐️⭐️½ out of 3 (Ava’s Michelin-style rating)

After two visits—one in the chill of February and another in the warmth of September 2025—Hall’s Prime Rib continues to impress with its inviting atmosphere and old-school charm. The ambiance alone earns high marks: cozy, familiar, and quietly elegant, it’s the kind of place that feels like a local institution without trying too hard.

Vegetarian options? Not exactly their strong suit, but workable if you’re strategic. I ordered the Caesar salad sans meat, which came with two breadsticks. I did detect a few bacon bits sneaking in—an oversight I let slide, partly due to personal context (let’s just say my summer at Purdue Fort Wayne wasn’t one of my finest). Still, the breadsticks were a nice touch.

The real standouts came from the fryer: cheese curds, fried mushrooms, and onion rings, all paired with a Diet Mountain Dew. The cheese curds? Hands down better than Culver’s or Dairy Queen—crispy, gooey, and satisfying. The fried mushrooms were a revelation, especially when compared to the offerings at Baba’s (yes, I’ve been to all four Fort Wayne locations). Hall’s version is crisp, flavorful, and leagues ahead.

This particular visit followed an echocardiogram across the street at Parkview Hospital—a moment that called for comfort and familiarity. At just $40 (tip included), the meal delivered exactly that. It wasn’t just food; it was a small act of self-care wrapped in breading and nostalgia.

While Hall’s may not cater to every dietary preference, it delivers on comfort, consistency, and a sense of place. If you’re looking for a Fort Wayne classic with hearty sides and a warm vibe, it’s worth a visit—even if you’re navigating the menu with a...

Our visit was anything but impressive. My mom spilled her tea, and they came and wiped up the dishes and ice that got spilled on, and then gave us a stack of napkins to clean up the rest. I order the Philly. When they brought our food out and my husbands steak tasted like cardboard, and my Philly was a sub with a thin slice of meat and cheese and that was it. No onions/peppers and it wasn't the right sandwich and it was def not 1/2lb of meat! Maybe 1/8 lb. The waitress took my whole plate back with my sides on it as well and brought it out and said "there they slapped another piece of meat on it and threw some onions on" in the most monotone voice. For the record, taking a plate back in the kitchen and bringing it back out is cross contamination and against health code. I even called BOH before posting that here to make sure that was true. She came back to check on us and when I told her that I had the wrong sandwich but it was fine she informed me that they have 2 sandwiches with the same name--so why not check when I'm ordering to ensure I am ordering the right one?! THEN.. She told us she spent the day with her grandkids and they had pink eye and then asked us if it looked like she had it!!!! Seriously!! If you question it you shouldn't be serving food!!! Not worth the money on this visit. Which saddens me because my mom took us because she's a regular there. She was so disappointed and couldn't stop saying sorry for...