The Lucky Turtle Grill — Restaurant in Fort Wayne

My friend and I stopped here for dinner tonight and was pleasantly suprised. We though this was going to be your typica bar and grill. So thankful it was not. The food was good. I ordered the classic cheese burger and fries with sides of mac & cheese and baked beans, any my friend got the cajun chicken with red potatoes and mac & cheese. My burger tasted great. It tasted flame grilled, the baked beans were excellent and my fries were nice and crispy. The mac & cheese was a bit on the to smoky side for my liking but maybe paired with the pulled pork would be great. My friends cajun chicken was excellent as well. A nice breading not thick, and very flavorful. The red potaotes could have done with bout another 5 minutes or so of cooking as they were still a bit raw in the middle, but overall was good. We ordered the bread pudding for dessert. The bread pudding was good, had excellent flavor but the bottom half of our was compleatly custard soaked and extremely soggy. I would have like d it to be a bit more firm. It suprised us as it looked as if it is just 2 slices of thick cut french toast. But overall was nice.

The decor was friendly and the atmosphere was great. The only things that I would like to see done is if the lamps on the tables are going to stay they should be cleaned everyday. Our looked like it had grease caked on the beads of the lampshade and the dust on the railings was a bit off putting. Also the umbrellas hanging from the celeing are fine but could do with a good wiping down as you could see the discoloration from the dust. The dust seemed to be on everything, the decor, the trees, the rocks in the planters. A good once over every couple of weeks or once a month would help...

Food was really good. Went with my son later in the evening and apparently they had been very busy but were not that busy by the time we arrived. Host acted annoyed by how busy they were and behave as if they were still drowning in business. I suggested that being busy was a good problem to have aqnd he agreed. We were seated at a table for 6, which was curious. I asked about being in one of the many available booths and was told it was due to our server assignment. That makes sense...seat people based on your server area, not where they would like to sit. Perhaps restaurants should share areas and take care of any customer in need of a refill, napkins, etc., and share tips at the end. Then areas wouldn't matter and good servers can help you overcome those less capable of good customer service. I mentioned wanting to make a SEPARATE takeout order for my wife and daughter, who chose to stay at the hotel. Had to remind our server after flagging her down when we were nearly done eating. When she asked if we wanted ranch or bleu cheese, I went to text my wife. She said she would come back and place the order once I knew. Not sure how that would delay the food prep, but that added 5 minutes to our time there. Finally, when the check was brought, she combined the dining order with the takeout order. I suppose I should have been clear about separate checks. I don't tip service for a takeout order, and one shouldn't have to. To me, that is a play for a higher, in this case double, gratuity. It only serves to guilt someone into giving a larger tip. I am patronizing your business...why serve me with undeserved guilt? Overall 3 stars, food quality being a 5 and all other...

Feb 27th, 2025...

Always good food. We have been coming here for years, at least once per month. Always good food, yes, said it again. Sizable portions. Nice wait staff... McKenna, thank you! It's a local hangout but great food & service. My earlier comments from previous visits below are still valid. The food is consistent, and always good. And, we will always be back. My wife gets the Shrimp Tacos with Blue Corn Shells, and loves them. Options on how to prepare the shrimp makes it that much better. I always get the Blackened Catfish. Two sizable filets. Eat one and take the other home or eat both and suffer from over-eating and no leftovers for lunch the next day. Thanks, again!

October 24, 2024 update with an add-on at the bottom:

Still my #1 goto restaurant in NorthEast Fort Wayne. My wife had a smoked Salmon sandwich with avacado... OMG!

I had my usual blackened Catfish with jalapeno tarter sauce. To die for! Well, maybe the Salmon was a bit better, but can't argue (I'll get slapped).

This restaurant is a good place to go for good food. Not the best atmosphere, but the food is great and service is very good (with one exception). It is our first pick for an evening meal.

Thanks, everyone! Just left after a great meal. Service was exceptional. Thank you to the guys and gals at the bar where we ate. The food was awsome!

Gotta say, if you can eat both blackened catfish filets, more power to you... they are big. And that's one of the reasons why I get them... always assured of a lunch the following day with...