Dash it all

Dash-In is identified on websites that claim to know such things as a favorite place to dine in Fort Wayne, Indiana. And yes, Dash-In is the proper spelling. We had hoped to eat there for a family Thanksgiving brunch last year, but everyone needs to be over 21 to dine there (sorry, Joshua Brinkman). It made me grateful for Wisconsin where old world family dining sensibilities apply.

It took a nephew's emergency post-surgical hospitalization in Fort Wayne to give us another chance. We asked in advance if anything was needed, and were informed a Five Guys burger with all the black ingredients, none of the red, and no onions would be welcome. We were to also bring along the usual abundance of fries. We complied, learning what black ingredients actually meant. The double-bagged grease bomb made it into the pediatric ICU, where he wolfed it all down. No howls, but wolfish still. I like being an uncle!

We went for a walk after, at a park near our alma mater, where we both admitted to abundant kissing of our former spouses when falling in love. In fact,  for my part, there had been a high school girlfriend kissed there as well.  In this climate-change environment, it was a spring-like February day. We walked the not yet opened golf course, found a spot under the trees….

Oh, and the irony! That previous girl-friend just happened to be in the park. She doesn't live in Fort Wayne anymore either. She was in from out of town for a funeral and to visit a sick niece. Her sister recognized us, apparently, and they facebook messaged us as they were leaving. That would have been an interesting reunion!

Dash-In came after. We parked downtown, hoping we were close, and discovered we were just a block away. The decor is much like many old downtown stores converted to restaurants, with an enormous bar along the elf-hand wall as you enter.

We enjoyed Bruschetta made by people who pay attention to how it is served, a properly prepared medium-rare hamburger with gouda cheese, and some pulled-pork covered in an apple butter BBQ sauce—a treat we know we would enjoy again.

One find we hope to also enjoy again was a Founders Stout called Lizard of Koz.  The description included chocolate and cherries. We attest to its smooth and creamy finish.

It was a smooth