Holiday Bowl creates tradition

On any given weekday afternoon, you will find Holiday Bowl on Hixson Pike bustling with life. After school, local high school bowling teams go there to practice. On my last visit, packs of teenagers huddled about the bowling ball dispenser chatting and sipping sodas between turns. "That's Soddy-Daisy's team," general manager Brittiney Grimes said. Baylor, Girls Preparatory School, Signal Mountain and Hixson teams also practice at Holiday Bowl. "It's really fun when they're all here together," Brittiney said. "The girls are cheering and everybody's having a good time."

photo Ultimate Variety Platter

Brittiney's energetic personality suits her business. The atmosphere is naturally festive - the recreation center is complete with 32 bowling lanes, an arcade, Legends Bar and a full kitchen - making it an ideal location for holiday parties.

Party packages can be customized for as few as 15 people but can accommodate up to 200. "We have a couple companies that rent out the entire place," Brittiney told me. Legends Bar is also available for reservation. "Sunday nights the bar isn't open, so it's inexpensive to rent the whole bar out that night," Brittiney explained.

Holiday Bowl's party packages also include an extensive food menu. For instance, there are tender fall-off-the-bone chicken wings with your choice of sauce, and deli trays that include meats, cheeses, lettuce, tomatoes, onions and freshly baked rolls. There are wrap platters featuring overstuffed roll-ups, and festival fruit platters with pineapple, grapes, melons and blueberries. "But we're flexible," Brittiney said. Holiday Bowl will also tailor a menu to your needs.

When I was growing up, bowling alleys did not offer much more than soft pretzels and pizza. Holiday Bowl has certainly stepped it up. In addition to its platters, the local bowling alley offers a varied everyday menu that includes the popular halfpound Cattleman's Burger made with 100 percent Angus beef served with lettuce, tomato, red onion ,cheddar cheese and crisp bacon and topped with tangy barbecue sauce. There is also barbecue chicken flatbread and Bang Bang Shrimp served with a spicy sauce alongside limited time specials like the new decadent loaded fries made with fresh-cut potatoes, melted cheese, jalapenos, chopped bacon and ranch dressing.

Holiday Bowl

LOCATION: 5530 Hixson PikePHONE: 843-2695HOURS: Monday-Thursday from 9 a.m. to midnight, Friday-Saturday from 9-2 a.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m

I like the new face - taste, rather - of bowling. As long as we're shaking up old traditions, consider adding Holiday Bowl to your holiday tradition this year. The bowling center will be open the evenings of Thanksgiving and Christmas days with discounts on games. After all, 'tis the season for togetherness. Indulge a little. And don't forget, those loaded fries are for a limited time only.

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