Pickleball, Food, and Fun: A Day at Chicken N Pickle in Grapevine

I went to Chicken N Pickle in Grapevine, Texas, to try pickleball for the first time (I know I’m late to the game), and pickleball is so much fun! As a ping pong and badminton fan, I knew I’d enjoy it, and after just a few volleys, I was totally into it.

Going to Chicken n Pickle Grapevine for my introduction to the sport was the best decision—the food alone was worth it! So, if you’ve never been, here’s what you can expect based on my experience.

Read Next: Meow Wolf Grapevine, TX (What to Expect + Tips)

What is Chicken N Pickle?

Chicken N Pickle is a lively indoor/outdoor family-friendly entertainment venue with a casual restaurant and sports bar, pickleball courts, yard games, and a pet-friendly outdoor patio. The facility includes eight indoor and four outdoor pickleball courts, so you can hit the courts rain or shine.

My First Pickleball Experience

It was raining the day I visited, so we rented an indoor pickleball court at the check-in counter and picked up paddles and a ball. She told us we didn’t have to play by official pickleball rules; we were free to do our own thing—thank goodness!

When we got to our court, a server handed us a menu—wait, we can eat while we play? Best surprise ever! There’s a counter along the courts where you can set your food and drinks, so you can rally for a bit, then take a snack break. Perfect setup. (Oh, and there’s a full restaurant on-site, too—more on that later!)

The menu was packed with mouthwatering chicken dishes that were seriously tempting, but since it was mid-afternoon, we decided to go the appetizer route instead. We went with fried pickles and chorizo queso with chips and chicharrones—and wow, did we choose right. Everything was delicious, but that chorizo queso? Absolute perfection. I could have easily eaten the whole thing myself!

Between bites, we hit the courts, and even though I had no clue what I was doing, we just went with it—seeing how long we could keep a volley going. Spoiler: not very long, lol. But it was a blast, and when I actually connected with the ball and heard that satisfying thwock, it felt amazing!

When we checked in, the staff warned us not to move backward to catch the ball. Did I listen? Nope. Not on purpose, though—it was instinct to scoot back, and sure enough, I took a little tumble (minor knee scuff). So, if you’ve never played before, maybe take their advice… learn from my mistakes! But it’s the most fun I’ve had playing a sport in a long, long time!

Beyond the Courts

After our court time, we wandered around to check out the rest of the place. The restaurant had plenty of indoor and outdoor seating. And it’s the kind of menu that makes you want to come back even if you never play a single game of pickleball.

The rain kept us from checking out the outdoor shuffleboard courts, but that’s definitely on my list to try next time. I’ve never played shuffleboard either, so it would be fun to give it a shot! They also have Cornhole, Ping Pong, Battleship and Jenga!

Final Thoughts

I’m officially hooked on pickleball and Chicken N Pickle in Grapevine! The courts are in great shape, the service is awesome, and the food and drinks are top-notch. Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned player, it’s the perfect spot to play, hang out, and have a great time with friends and family.

Thanks to my friends at the Grapevine Convention & Visitors Bureau for hosting and joining me for the experience!