This week’s Diners and Dives crew from left are Kris Williams, Mark Caruso, Paul Finley, Antony Garza, Shari Benyousky and Jeff Owens.

Text and Photos
By Shari Benyousky
Guest Writer

Column Note: At this dinner, some Warsaw Breakfast Optimist Club members explored a great spot between Little and Big Barbee lakes.

NORTH WEBSTER — Tucked away at 3620 N. Barbee Road, the grand and strikingly blue Barbee Hotel and Restaurant is hard to miss. Head up to the second floor, and you’ll find Danny’s Pizza and Sports Bar.

If these walls could talk, they’d likely share stories of secret handshakes, passwords and perhaps even a cameo by infamous gangsters like Al Capone, John Dillinger and Baby Face Nelson, who once hid out nearby. More than just a spot to grab a slice or catch the game, Danny’s is a living piece of history with a past as vibrant as its award-winning pizza, which has earned the title of No. 1 people’s choice multiple times.

The Rumble

For our Friday lunch, server Lexie Gottschalk suggested trying the burgers, the Philly, or the Barbee’s Famous Reuben. “I know customers who drive an hour just to get the Reuben,” she grinned. “And, of course, we are famous for our pizza.” Banker Paul Finley opted for a medium meat lovers pizza, which at Danny’s comes in either deep-dish or thin crust.

To complement the meal, the bar offers a selection of cold beers on tap that would have made Prohibition-era Dillinger proud. During our visit, the draft board featured Upland Dragonfly and American IPAs, 3 Floyds Deluxe Lager, Chapman’s Austaras Baltic Porter, Lagunitas Born Yesterday Pale Ale, as well as Miller Lite, Coors Light, and Yuengling Lager.

The Closing Argument

Lexie Gottschalk holds the menu.

Our wildcard for the day was Mark Caruso, a former prosecutor, current semi-retired public defender and, most importantly, a Danny’s regular. Server Alex knew Caruso’s drink of choice — Coors Light — without even asking. “That’s why I come here,” Caruso smiled.

Mark, who recently recovered from brain surgery, proudly showed off the jagged scar on his scalp, earning our admiration. “He’s kind of like the 6-million-dollar man,” longtime friend Judge Antony Garza joked. “But without the charm. More like Frankenstein.”

Consultant Kris Williams chimed in, “Technically, Dr. Frankenstein was the doctor, not the monster.”

The mention of Coors Light sparked a memory for Realtor Jeff Owens. He shared a story about a party where his friends brought a 30-pack of the Silver Bullet Light, only for everyone to decide it wasn’t “real beer.” Instead of drinking it, Jeff and his wife Vicky decided to play a prank. They hid the cans throughout their friend’s house, stashing them in cabinets, closets, and even the furnace room. Years later, the friends would still occasionally stumble upon a can, but the best moment came when the furnace repairman finished his work and came upstairs, puzzled, asking, “Is there any good reason there’s a Coors Light down here?”

Caruso’s legal career has taken him across multiple counties and states, and he’s also known for his rugby career with the Fort Wayne Rugby Club. He’s no stranger to surgeries, having endured his fair share of injuries. Caruso also coached the Girl’s Rugby team at Warsaw Community High School starting in 2002.

“How did an attorney get into rugby?” I asked.

“Well,” Caruso rubbed his head, “I was a football player as a freshman in college, and a friend of mine told me I’d never make it half a game in rugby. So … well.” He shrugged, noting that rugby players don’t wear padding or helmets like football players.

As we chatted, Alex balanced Owen’s steaming pepperoni stromboli wrapped in house-made bread and Judge Garza’s loaded BLT on Texas toast, promising to return with refills for Kris’ raspberry tea and my Diet Coke.

The Payoff

Regular Mark Caruso with Server Lexie Gottshalk.

I eagerly picked up one of my three jerk chicken tacos, topped with red cabbage, onions and cilantro. They were perfectly spicy and delicious: a must-try. We dug into our meals with enthusiasm, seated at one of the longer tables on the former porch. Regulars, meanwhile, perched closer to the bar on traditional stools. Caruso leaned back, watching us eat.

“When’s the last time you sat at a table over here?” Finley asked Caruso, who frowned in thought.

“Probably my retirement party!” he laughed, sipping his drink. This sparked questions about how Caruso spends his time in semi-retirement. “I have a dog,” he shared. “A mutt. Like a 120 pound Beagle-mix named Daisy.” He pulled out his phone to show us a picture of Daisy, her tongue lolling happily.

The Top Dog

Alex was eager to see Daisy, and soon we were all sharing pictures of our dogs. Alex showed us her dog, Diesel. Williams introduced us to his golden retriever, Arizona. Jeff Owens had a cute photo of his friendly black dog, Hank. Paul Finley proudly displayed his black German Shepherd, aptly named Vader. Even Judge Garza found a picture of his late dog, Duke.

“Danny’s should do a dog event!” Alex exclaimed. “People would love it.”

Danny’s is no stranger to hosting lively events, from bikini contests and Bingo to karaoke, classic car shows and hot wings challenges. While the lunch crowd was modest during our visit, weekends often see a full house and packed parking lot.

The Fix

Even if big events, gangster lore, or adorable dogs aren’t your thing, Danny’s shines with its focus on great food.

Mondays feature hot dog nights with fried slaw dogs smothered in an addictive house-made slaw. Tuesdays are all about the famous Italian beef, while Wednesdays bring taco nights. Thursdays offer Bingo with $1 off chicken sandwiches, and Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for Karaoke. Who wouldn’t want to hear Mark Caruso belt out a tune with the regulars?

So, the next time you’re in the Barbee Lake area, make a stop at Danny’s Pizza and Sports Bar. You might just feel the ghostly echo of a jazz tune — or the shadow of a fedora-clad figure — lingering in the air.

Tip: Don’t miss the St. Patrick’s Bash on Saturday, March 15.

Do you know of an interesting place, restaurant, nonprofit, or person that you’d like to see featured in Diners and Dives? Send Shari Benyousky of SB Communications LLC an email at [email protected].