‘Fun zone’ arcade spotlight of recent Pizza Ranch – Park Rapids Enterprise

The outdated Pizza Ranch had a bowling alley, however the shiny new constructing has an arcade.

The revamped restaurant had a gentle opening on Wednesday, Sept. 17 and Thursday, Sept. 18.

“It went phenomenal. We had about 140 people in for the buffet and about 20 people out the door for pick up,” Larsen stated.

The authentic constructing was in such poor form it was demolished a couple of 12 months in the past, stated retailer working associate Dean Larsen.

The constructing on 1400 1st St. E. is darkish on one aspect the place a storefront has but to be occupied, however neon arcade lights will be seen from State Hwy. 34.

There are tens of video games, together with Skee-Ball, digital actuality battle video games and claw machines. Larsen stated the Pizza Ranch “didn’t scrimp on savings.” There’s additionally a prize wall with the whole lot – from stickers to Nerf weapons.

Instead of buying and selling paper tickets for prizes, Larsen stated, factors from received video games are saved on a bodily card you’ll be able to hold between visits.

“Some people will want to cash them in right away, you know, especially younger kids,” he stated. “Some people are savers and they want to save up points because they want that big drill set for dad for Christmas.”

The arcade, known as the Fun Zone, has the identical hours as the remainder of the shop: 11 a.m. to eight p.m. each day of the week.

There are televisions with a stay view of the arcade within the birthday celebration room for folks who wish to keep watch over their youngsters whereas consuming their pizza in peace.

The buffet has two specialties: pizza and fried rooster. There are a lot of sides, like fries, mashed potatoes and biscuits. People could make requests if their favourite merchandise isn’t underneath the warmth lamps.

There’s additionally a salad bar with all of the fixings – together with pickled herring, a necessity on this a part of the nation, Larsen stated.

“Here and in Detroit Lakes, which I have partners in, they said, ‘You don’t do herring, you will hear about it,’” he stated of the Norwegian nosh.

Larsen stated he labored at a Pizza Ranch in Fargo, the place he nonetheless lives, for about 15 years. He retired and didn’t prefer it, so returned to the enterprise.

Ironically, he stated he hates cheese.

“But I love pizza – that I have without cheese – and the advantage is I never have to share,” he stated.

The new constructing employs about 55 folks, a barely bigger workers as a result of they’re nonetheless studying the ropes. Larsen stated it’s “one of the best crews he’s ever seen.”

Many of the brand new workers used to work at Coborn’s earlier than it closed.

Larsen stated he was on the lookout for somebody to start out as an assistant basic supervisor, on monitor to turn out to be the overall supervisor after which an proprietor. When he requested for a advice on the Park Rapids Chamber of Commerce, Tom Marcussen, the then-store director at Corborn’s, was talked about.

“I went and talked to him, and then I ended up talking to the whole team, and I hired every one of them,” he stated.

Pizza Ranch Park Rapids doesn’t do supply, however has a separate door for pick-up orders.

Kids eat free on Tuesdays and Thursdays are “unlimited wings” nights.

Alex Haddon has been a multimedia reporter with the Park Rapids Enterprise since May 2025. You can attain her at 218-237-1823 or ahaddon@parkrapidsenterprise.com.