Center Lounge

Great wings, cold beer, and a bartender who absolutely runs the show. Safe to say, we’ll be back on a nightly basis.

It's a great neighborhood bar with really great food. They also have bingo once a week. Always good service here and you'll always see a face that you recognize.

Sigh, I gave this place two chances and it never seem to work out. The first time I ate here I had gotten a grilled cheese and waffle fries. The fries were under cooked and the grilled cheese itself was pretty good. The fries were bad cause they were flavorless and sougy. The second time I just gotten food this evening, not long ago. My order this time was a grilled cheese and skinny fries. The worker could barely hear us trying to make the order, and mines was messed up my and my boyfriend's wasn't. They gave me onions in my grilled cheese which I didn't ask for and actual chips, which I asked for skinny fries. The disappointment in my face was like seriously? All I can say is I won't be coming back, but my boyfriend loves the porogies. He thinks they're great. I think the grilled is decent since those are hard to find for some odd reason around northwest Indiana.

Good place for beer and food. If you mostly like fried food. I recently went to have their salad bar and fish. Both left me wanting. Salad bar was mediocre. Cheap ingredients. Pass on it. The fish combo I had was Perch and shrimp. The shrimp was small but excellent grilled. Perch was clearly frozen and breaded, not fresh. Did not know that. I would have passed on it had I known as I chose sauteed which they charged $1 extra, also not known. They are used to frying it, so it tasted bland. Overall the meal was mediocre. Go for shrimp only, or actually grilled options, skip the salad bar and check for up charges. Total for two plus soda and coffee w free refills $39. Not worth it. Stick to what you know. Fish menu really not worth the price overall.

love it! great place to have a beer! great bartenders cool people

Most generous owners around. Very good food, but large parties are a problem for getting your food in less than a half hour. Cramped, uncomfortable seating in "dining room".

Good local bar. Was invited by a friend. Drinks were reasonably priced. Didn't get a chance to try the food.

There wasn't very many people and we enjoyed the dartboard and the jukebox. The bartender done his best to make my special margaritas. I enjoyed it.

Order a corn beef sandwich... The fries were almost raw. The cook has to pay little closer attention to detail.

Cute unassuming neighborhood Restaurant & Bar located in Downtown Whiting Indiana. Great and Extensive bar food selection. The it definitely has a 'Cheers' warm feel. Nice accommodating employees and a large back of house longings area for larger families / parties.. The Friday Fish Fry Special is a great value and it's really well prepared. And the bonus is it comes with the salad bar. Families are welcome. The bar selection and specials are also a big draw for the after work crowd. Definitely give this spot a try.

I am not sure how I could rate this restaurant any higher. We never ate the food, not because it was bad, but we waited well over 75 min for 1 entree to come out. People were being served all around us but we kept being promised that it was being plated. Finally, I just wanted it boxed and that took 15 more minutes. If you are needing to get in and out quickly I would not choose center lounge.

Great atmosphere and thebartenders are great. Food has been good most times. Had a few Burt burgers but they are very quick to replace food you are not happy with.

Do know if you are black and you like to take pictures for a Facebook check in the owner might just call the police on you. That's what happened to me ...first time I was ever in Whiting. I was literally surveilled and pulled over by a police officer when I came out of the bar. It happened around 6 o'clock. Was in the bar for like an hour and a half drinking two beers. Apparently one of the patrons didn't like the fact that I was literally taking four pictures for a Facebook check in so they told the owner and the owner instead of saying something to me about it. Just call the police. Unbelievable but true. when I was walking out of the bar, I saw a police car pull over to the curb a few parking spaces behind me and I got my car and just sat there for five minutes just to see what he would do. Sure enough he didn't do anything until I pulled out and then he pulled out behind me and after turning a couple times going around the block, he pulled me over and proceeded to tell me that somebody in the bar told the bar owner that I might be taking pictures of the security camera. to his credit he knew what was up and didn't do anything further but I literally kept them there for 10 minutes because I was so stunned that in 2019 something like that could happen. he told me the owner was concerned, because they had been robbed a few months back, which of course, had absolutely nothing to do with me, and under no circumstances should provoke a call to the police department. I called the owner immediately afterwards and asked her why she would do something like this and she was apologetic and swore she wasn't "that" way because she has family that are half black. Which is a total BS explanation for doing something this bad. I was so pissed off I called the mayors office and I called the police chief. This is the exact kind of behavior that can get people killed or injured by cops. This happened over four years ago and it's still irks me every time I think about it. Haven't been back since but I probably will at some point. Shameless profiling that could've had tragic consequences . The four photos that warranted surveillance and being pulled over by the cops included. You make the call Update 5/13/24Don't know why I am the only one that can see this review, but it deserves to be seen and I'm going to see to it that it is .

People wonder what they can eat in Whiting Center Lounge is a staple for anyone from the region who's been to Whiting more than just for the pierogi fest. You'll be hard-pressed to find better bar food than at this local establishment! Get the deluxe BLT, the Reuben, the wings, all of the burgers, waffle fries...gosh I can't think of anything that I've had on this menu that has not been five star. Their food is consistently great ...not good but GREAT. Not pretentious, but good bar, comfort food.

Everything on the menu is good the owners are really nice it's my second year coming to whiting and center lounge never fails.

Great food great service wings very good great vibes and great people. Lastly owner is really nice.

Wednesday Wing special = $0.75 wings; min. 5 wings per order and per sauce. The Garlic Parmesan isn't the creamy kind you'd expect from other places, but it is still very good. The wings are much bigger than most other places as well. They have a "Fish Fry" on Fridays and for lunch on Wednesdays too. The lunch orders are $7.95 each. I ordered the frog legs, but they were slightly under-cooked and not as big or juicy as I've had at other places - maybe they're not that popular here so they are running on old stock? I've seen complaints on here about the service, but if you sit at the bar it's very quick and quite pleasant. I did notice that the servers were also sitting at the bar and chatting with the patrons like they were long time friends, which is what you want in a small town bar like this, but maybe that's why the service is slow in the dining area? Anyways, I'll be back, but definitely only ordering wings OR fish next time - both was too much!

Been going a couple of times a month or so, found the BLT (club). It's awesome. Really good. My favorite now. Fries done the way I want and like in CHEERS, everybody knows my name. Just kidding. A couple of the bartenders do. Which is nice. Coleslaw iz good, and a pickle. I go for lunch, so it's not too busy at that time, but friendly staff and even customers will strike up a conversation, which is nice. Price is good. Location convienient. Street parking.

A great dive bar with family eating area in back. Awesome wings! I don't wait for Wednesday's to dig into the wings, but if you can, wings are $0.25. Servers are nice, getting better in this category. Lots of free parking nearby.

Driving from Chicago to Michigan with my partner...had the urge for a Fish Fry. Pulled off on Calumet off I-90 and into Whiting Indiana Surprised by the food. Loved the local vibe. Fish fry hit the spot.

Cheap wings. That's the selling point. If you like great food & service....not the place to go to. Don't get me wrong, there is one server that is great! But sadly, its just the one. If you like being forgotten, ignored, warmish food, receiving annoyed looks for wanting to place an order, or God forgive another beer, this is the place for you! The Coors Light is always fresh! But if you like any 'fancier' beer, this is not the spot to get it. They have a decent selection of vodkas & various liquors so that is an upside although the Coke tastes funny usually. Most of the food served seems to have been purchased from a big box store & cooked so just remember that you are paying for someone to do what your lazy butt could have done. Although, I'm pretty sure you would have cooked whatever you ordered to actually be hotter. I really only go here because my son enjoys this place but I haven't gone back in a couple of months, I would rather go to the grocery store & cook myself (I don't like to cook). Save yourself the time & money & go to the grocery store or another place. Unless you're really craving beer & wings. And you have really low standards for those beer & wings you are craving.

As soon as well walked in, "IDs!!!" No warm welcoming or anything. I asked for a pitcher, the bartender goes "of what do u want?" I got my Lite and dipped. Only went there cuz it was close and cheaper. Also there's a sign in the jukebox saying "offensive music won't be tolerated and will be shut off. No refunds will be given" here's a solution: get rid of your jukebox.

Went to the pierogi fest on 07/26. They were by far the longest line and so we decided this must be the spot. They moved their line very quickly and once I got to enjoy my pierogi and polish plate I realized why they had the longest line. Everything was excellent. Their polish and kraut, haluski and pierogi were amazing. Cant vouch for their restaurant but I can only assume its very good. I will definitely come in and try them soon

This place is a lovable little dump, very charming. Yes, it is run-down, old, etc.... The food is good and the people are friendly. I'll go again for sure. The prices are like jumping into a time machine. Don't change a thing! (OK, you could fix a few things, but if that changes the price, keep it dumpy!!!)

Didn't go inside, but I did try 3 pierogis from here while at Pierogifest, and liked the ones I did have. Also, this is one of the few bars on 119th that I could tell from signage was non-smoking inside, like Bulldog Brewery(the brewpub just down the street).

Great local place. All the food I've tried is good but my favorite is the cheeseburger & waffle fries. Good selection of craft beer. Most Monday evenings they offer bar trivia which is a great time.

I usually go in there for wing Wednesdays but today was Friday and I was craving some wings and waffle fries. First, I place my order and the lady told me 15 mins which turned out to be a half hour and she also sounded drunk from the bar (slurring speech). Get home and open my bag and wings aren't fully cooked like they usually are. They're usually crispy and full of sauce. I bit into one and it made my stomach turn. Next, the waffle fries were soggy and oily. I know they get steamed from the container but to be that soggy and greasy and not even crispy at all is ridiculous and for as many times I go there the amount they gave us was nothing compared to their full serving they usually give. Very disappointed in them. Maybe I'll just stick to wing Wednesdays.