Chuck E. Cheese

Chuck E. Cheese

Reviews Summary

Chuck E. Cheese is generally praised for being a fun, family-friendly venue, especially for kids' birthday parties. Many appreciate the variety of games, clean environment, and friendly staff. The pizza receives mixed reviews—some find it tasty, while others consider it overpriced. Complaints include high costs, chaotic atmosphere, occasional malfunctioning games, and inconsistent service. Security measures like hand stamps are noted, though enforcement varies. Recent updates, like COVID protocols and game changes, are well-received, but some miss the older animatronics. Overall, it’s a hit with kids but can be expensive and loud.

About This Listing

Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Prizes
Wheelchair Accessible

Who Can Play?

Most arcades welcome all ages (some may have age restrictions for certain games)
Minors may need parent/guardian supervision (policies vary by location)
No gaming experience required - games range from beginner to expert level
Comfortable clothing and closed-toe shoes recommended for safety
Valid ID may be required for certain attractions or age verification
Groups and parties welcome (advance booking may be required)

*Note: Age restrictions and policies may vary by arcade. Check with your local facility for specifics.*

First-Time Visitors

First-time visitors may need to sign a waiver or register for a game card. Staff are typically available to help explain games and provide tutorials. Some arcades offer newcomer specials or free play sessions to help you get started.

Common Restrictions:

Age-Based Some games may have height or age requirements for safety reasons
Capacity Popular games may have wait times during peak hours

*Note: Policies vary by arcade. Confirm with your local facility.*

What to Bring

Cash or card for tokens/credits (some arcades are cashless)
Valid ID for age verification or membership signup
Phone to capture high scores and memories (check photo policies)

*Note: Payment methods and requirements may differ by arcade.*

Preparing for Your Visit

Check arcade hours and peak times online before visiting
Eat beforehand or check if the arcade has food options
Bring friends for multiplayer games and competitions
Wear comfortable clothes you can move freely in
Avoid bringing valuable items that could be lost or damaged
Check for special events, tournaments, or discount days
Set a budget for games and stick to it
Stay hydrated, especially during long gaming sessions

*Note: Tips may vary by arcade type and location.*

How to Get Started

Most arcades accept walk-ins, but call ahead during busy periods or for large groups. Check for membership deals!

Other Helpful Info

Most visits last 1-3 hours depending on games and group size
Popular games may have longer wait times during weekends and evenings
Many arcades offer unlimited play packages or time-based pricing
Some locations host tournaments and special events regularly
Prize redemption available at many arcades - save your tickets!

*Note: Policies, pricing, and features differ by arcade. Contact your local facility for details.*

How Arcade Prize Games Work

Dive into the excitement of arcade prize games! Expect claw machines, skee-ball, whack-a-mole, or basketball challenges where you test your skills or luck to win tickets or prizes directly. Claw games require precise joystick control to grab toys, while redemption games reward accuracy with tickets to trade for plushies, gadgets, or trinkets at prize counters. Modern setups boast colorful displays and smooth mechanics, blending nostalgia with fresh fun. The thrill of winning and the vibrant arcade vibe make prize games a captivating draw in 2025.

Features

Has Arcade Cabinets
Has Food
Good for kids
Has Prizes
Wheelchair Accessible

Contact Information

Address

4444 WI-16

La Crosse, Wisconsin 54601

Hours

Monday 10AM-9PM
Tuesday 10AM-9PM
Wednesday 10AM-9PM
Thursday 10AM-9PM
Friday 10AM-9PM
Saturday 10AM-9PM
Sunday 11AM-9PM

Customer Reviews

Kinda expensive, but I already knew that before going. However... some games didn't have the equipment to play and had no out of order signs. A basketball game had no basketballs,and the baseball game had no baseballs. There's also quite a limited amount of arcade games now. The prizes are also super cheap dollar store quality when you pay $22ish for 1 hour. You get on average 3-7 tickets per game.

I decided to check the place out, see how ?newer and better? it was. Last time I went before this last visit was back when they still had the animatronics. First of all, the food was way pricier than I remember it being, secondly, I was outraged seeing an advertisement for Ryan?s World on the big screen where the stage used to be, is it not clear to the public that his parents should be arrested for all the abuse behind all this? Why does CEC still support it? Oh and here's the straw that broke the camel?

Poor staffing is a significant issue. I understand that on a weekday like Wednesday, it's likely not busy in terms of customer traffic. However, when I went to the front to redeem my kids' points, there was nobody there. We had to wait for about 30 to 40 minutes. We shouted for help, and there was no response. A DoorDash driver also became annoyed and was shouting in there to see if anyone was present. Eventually, a male staff member came out. He didn't even apologize for making us wait or offer a greeting.

My 12 yr old son has always dreamed of going here so we finally did for his 13th birthday. He's autistic. Him and his 4 friends along with myself and Daddy all went and had a great time. We bought the 99$ birthday pkg and 1 pizza, got free churros. They made sure my son got the stuffed animal he really wanted from all the arcade game prizes. We had so much fun I really can't believe they allow for unlimited arcade game play that's so amazing to me!

I haven't been here in years and today was a reminder of why. Waited in line to pay 55 dollars for a sampler platter, two sodas and half hour of play time. Three different sodas were out and I let two different employees know which one replied with ?we're really busy?. I waited 15 mins, checked and still running clear. Gave up. Party was done at 2:30 and 2:24 I went to the counter asking where my sampler platter was a 1.5 hours later. Mind you, two other people in our party did not receive their pizzas who

It's much better than the Madison location. This place was clean, well staffed, and the pizza was actually edible. We had ordered two birthday packages, which came with a small birthday cake. Even the cake was fresh and more than our party could eat, after pizza.

We arrived soon after they opened to beat the rush. Our kids had a great time, they enjoyed the food, and we left once it became crowded. We'd recommend it!

They have improved their pizza since 2018, added options like stuffed crust, and overall improved it's quality. The salad bar is robust for making a diverse salad, though there aren't a lot of options outside if that. I think the largest improvement is how they handle the play time. It used to be all points based, but now they offer a time option, ( which is a much better option with children like mine that can blow $20 in an arcade in under ten minutes) where you can buy a preset amount of time which ca

Not exactly the "Chuck E Cheese" (or Showbiz Pizza, depending on how old you are??) of our youth. They are modernizing it a little. The stage is now gone, replaced by large TV's & a small dance area. But there are tons of games for kiddos to enjoy. We had our daughter's 6th birthday here. Chuck E. came out to dance with her & sang. Our hostess was great, our daughter left feeling really special. By 6 year old standards, it was top-notch.

Vacuuming while people are present kinda ruined the atmosphere, but I get it, teens want to get out as soon as possible. Service was decent when we ordered food at 5:51. The place said it was open until 9pm and we ordered some desert at 8:10 which was difficult as no one could be found at the counter. Finally my girlfriend peeked through the food pass to witness a dance party in the kitchen. As we waited 20 mins for a cookie, we chatted with someone else who was waiting for cheesey bread for 40 mins and tho

This place is always very clean, and it's so nice there since they remodeled it. The pizza is good, and the service is good. There's a good variety of games for kids and adults of all ages.

The staff and guests wore mask, and staff were walking around cleaning games continuously. The place was clean. The games were working and functioning. The prizes are quite cheap for the money spent for the play time, but it is a fun time for families. And the stuffed crust pizza is very good!

Lots of games for us little ones, and for the kids...lol. The food is pizza is good and pricing topical for this type of place. Salad bar available. Live mechanical "band" for kids to see.

Food was good and games were fun - my 4 year old son had a blast. Doesn't have the tunnel system it had when I was a kid, but still plenty to do. My one major complaint was some places appeared dirty. For example, the bathroom had some old food that was dropped (?) and a bunch of ants were all over it.

Great place for the kids birthday party, but staff seem to run from helping customers

Fun place to bring kids for fun and birthday parties but food is just so so.

They just installed an indoor trampoline area, kiddos loved it!

A MUST if you have kids. Pizza is really awesome and I absolutely LOVE that you added some new games! Definitely deserve those 5 stars!

So chuck e cheese only comes out for birthday parties now does he not come out and visit the other kids

We have fun coming here but service can be hit or miss. We've waited at the door just to be checked in a few times with no staff in sight. Most of the machines are working with no issues but some machines get jammed up a lot, like football, and the clown throwing game NEVER has enough balls in it to actually achieve the high goal set for the bonus win. Still fun overall.

Great place for the kids to go! Can be a little expensive, but at least we're also getting food out of it! Pizza is delicious. I like that they have a younger kids area separated from all of the big kids so we don't have to worry about kids getting knocked down, etc. we have used both points and unlimited time and both seem to work well for our family. Most of the games are priced well for points.

I haven't been to Chuck E Cheese in awhile so when the thought of going to Chuck E Cheese 5ish years later for me everything changed and some of the games I knew aren't there anymore. At first I was sad but I'm happy that the employees are nice and they clean very well after you. The thing that I didn't know I had to do was take a selfie with my group before entering Chuck E Cheese. I miss the number prints on our hands but with a selfie that works better with proof of who you came with before you came to

We hosted a birthday party for my nephew and bought the birthday package. Our birthday helper was Enily and she was fantastic. She answered all our questions and was very patient with the children. She matched their energy and kept us all on time to maximize everything we wanted to do!

We had my grandson's birthday party there. We all had a great time, and the person assigned to our table was a great hostess.

The kids had so much fun! Thats all it was about and it was accomplished being here.

My son wanted to go here. He loved it. For me it was stimulation overload. Everyone working there is very friendly and patient.

It has changed. Prices are up and the stage is gone. The staff was lovely and Johnny had a great time at the birthday party.

Great place to spend an hour or two with your child(ren). The food is fine as well. If you can print coupons from their website you will get a better deal. I love the 100 play points for $20 coupon and I always use that. Plenty of things to do for toddlers to children and even adults. The newest picture booth is great! Update; the games are much of the same. It is clean and well taken care of. However the cost of the play points has gone up quite a bit since the last time we were there and I can't find the

Fabulous and top notch experience all around! Employees were extremely helpful and very considerate. My son had a fabulous time and would most certainly do it again! Thank you! Love the improvements they made with venue and food! Pizza was delicious!

First time visit for me and my family and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised. We purchased the hour long free play for our kids and they went to town. (Do the pass by time imo) Games are definitely for a younger crowd which my kids are so it was perfect. After a bunch of games we purchased a pizza, half cheese, half pepperoni and sausage. It came out pretty fast and as a pizza connoisseur I have to say... It was pretty dang tasty. I figured it would be something they pulled out of the freezer but I

I have been enjoying to Chuck-E-Cheese over the past maybe 18 years. It has changed a lot over time for the better. The food is still okay. It's a great place to host a birthday party for kids. They've basically done away with the token system which was a good idea and now you just use cards that have points loaded on them. Some you can add points to and some you can just play all the games that you want for certain amount of time depending upon how much time you purchase. Even myself and my 22 year old dau

A tiny pizza and small drink $19.99 !? Nice place for kids.

Games are well-maintained and fun for the kids-- especially under 10. Get you wallet out though. $13 for a half hour. New covid-safe electronic ticket system is highly inaccurate too. My granddaughter hit 1000 tickets making the shot of her life with a ball in a narrow tube and was told she had fewer than 200 tickets at the counter. I witnessed her rack up no less than 1500 tickets. At least she got a plastic slinky. Smart enough to avoid the over-priced and marginal food offerings.

Pizza was good not great but that not why we really went there. The kids had a blast and is great place to take your children for a birthday party. I really the fact they have someone at the front door and they check the stamp on your hand and it has to match the stamp on your kids hand. Great security feature.

maybe a tad pricey on the food and fun. still not as expensive as arcade places or knuckle heads.

Great place for families. A little expensive. Good place for kid's birthday party. They have change from tokens to refillable cards where you play the games by time or by points. The tickets you put in a machine called a ticket muncher which eats the tickets and counts them as it does and then you print out the receipt and take up to the counter to trade it for prize (s) if you have enough to get what you want. Some games are easier to get tickets from then others. They have something for pretty much every

3 stars because Saturday we had a 1 star experience but Sunday the staff were much nicer/professional and I'd give it 5 stars. Saturday night however I was pretty disappointed in the young man who was working the 'check in' desk.. he stamped our hands on the way in like they're supposed to, but no-one checked them on the way out.. We even waited there and no-one came. Also 1 of the time cards we bought didn't work, and I couldn't find anyone to fix it.. he was vacuuming near the door while looking at his

There isn't much to go wrong with Chuck-E-Cheese. It's clean, the games work, the pizza is good. As much as I hate the rebrand, the removal of the animatronics, and more, it is still a good location.

Just had our kid's 8th birthday party here. Staff were incredibly helpful and accommodating. Games all worked and the facility was clean. Great experience.

We went for my nephews birthday. My kids had fun despite feeling they are too old or cool to enjoy it (12 and 11). The pizza is also good.

This Chuck E. Cheese I have personally been to for most of my birthdays when I was younger so I do have fond memories of this location's arcade pizzeria growing up. My folks and I take my 4 nieces and nephew up there. They always have a blast playing the games, enjoy eating their pizza, and earning prizes or treats from their tickets. However, recently the last few visits I'm noticing most of the employees aren't very engaging when you have a question as you have to get their attention even while you're sta

Just had my daughter's 4th birthday at Onalaska Chuck E Cheese. The service was impeccable. Ching organized and hosted the event and we couldn't have had a better experience. We plan on having all our children's birthdays here whenever possible. Great value and a wonderful time for all of our guests age 2 to 66.

It's so nice to sit and relax while the kids run around, and not have to worry at all about their safety! They have the BEST salad bar in town! I know that seem weird, but It is ALWAYS fresh! The Lacrosse/Onalaska location has the new "play pass". Also, just found out they have coffee now. They just went from 100% to 110% on the fun factor!

Good family fun. I enjoyed playing skee ball just as much as my daughter enjoyed the rides. The best part was that adults can order a beer!!!

Fun place for the kids. Chuck E. will come out and dance as a group activity. Plenty of games to play while waiting for your food. More than just pizza on the menu.

Happy 5th Bday Tatem from your family.

My husband and I were very frustrated with the bathrooms. This place is meant for kids and the bathroom is impossible for a kid to use independently. No stools at the sinks, soap too high, and the trash can was like 5 ft high on the wall! Seriously?? You cater to kids, so please cater to them completely. Not only is this inaccessible for kids but not ADA compliant either. Might want to invest in some bathroom modifications.

Every card reader will successfully take the money off your cards, but about 10% of the games don't work!! Kids don't realize that the game doesn't work and scan the cards repeatedly (losing money each time). Sneaky way for the place to make a few extra bucks.

Now that they have done away with tickets, it seems my kids are barely getting enough to "win" anything. But as chuckecheeses go. This one is clean, nice and safe, all you could want from a chuckecheese. They could use more games though.

Chuck E Cheese has definitely changed in my lifetime but it's still great for little ones! We'll be back in march for our youngest birthday.

Don't do the chucky cheese dance. My son was on the end and didn't get tickets like he was promised. The mouse only have them to the middle kids. They got rid of slot of games and the big play area.

Clean not alot of people which is great! A little on the expensive side since I had been there last! I mean those toys are cheap dollar store toys so at the very least the could give better deals!

Caught the cook making people's pizza while blowing his nose several times.... Never washed his hands. Never stopped just kept making pizza's . This is a Serv Safe violation I informed the manager and she did nothing. So if you like mucas on your pizza then this is the place for you... Absolutely disgusting Sr. Management needs to step up and retrain the staff. Nor was the cook wearing the required gloves another Serv Safe food handling violation

We had out daughter's 5th birthday party here and it was more than I could ask for! We had our party right away in the morning and we had full run of the toys. Definitely recommend for birthday parties!

Overall like bringing my kids here. Unfortunately they upgraded to play cards. The tokens were much better for little kids. Most kids don't know if the card worked and just waist it now.

Went to a birthday party for a nephew last Saturday. All the kids seemed to have a really good time (and adults too), pizza was good, and the staff was GREAT!

Very disappointed that this franchise has moved to a time-based all-you-can-play card system with significantly inflated pricing! What previously cost our family of 5 in the ballpark of $50 per visit now costs $85 with less food, less play time and reduced service. Very poor business decision made by Chuck E Cheese. We will not be back again.

Don't forget this cool place in your list of exhausted take-out options! The pizza is AWESOME! I've had both the stuffed crust and regular and they're easily better (and super affordable!) than any of the usual go-to pizza places. Great friendly service too!

Nice family place. Fun for everyone

The pizza was actually great! I love being able to use my kids as excuses to go here!!

How can you not love Chuck E. Cheese? The amount of mileage you can get with your arcade pass is pretty great. The animatronics are creepy but in a loving way. It feels like you're swimming through a cloud of germs, as is the case with any place swarmed with as many young kids as Chuck E. Cheese, but it's worth it for some great arcade entertainment.

It's a bit noisy and overpriced, but the kids love it, lol.

Hi I love your store it's really been a blessing. I went there a lot but I heard that you guys are getting rid of your robots is this true? Thanks Also you have amazing staff I talk to them for hours until I leave.

Pizza was very good but overall is was very expensive. $44 for 1 single topping xl pizza, 4 cups & 33 pts for games. Utter chaos in there. Very loud, lots of games not working.

Like going on wednesday for the all you can play for the kids. Safety measures are nice and machines are cleaned regularly. Food is pricey and prizes are not great.

Awesome...even better than I remembered it as a kid. $20 buys you unlimited plays for an hour. Great deal for an afternoon out hanging with the kid.

This is a great place for children roughly ages 3 to 8. Host a birthday party or take the kids for some fun on the weekends. Not great for the older kids or adults.

We went for a birthday party. It was a great time. Pizza came out hot, boneless Buffalo wings were great, and the kids had a great time.

Not what I expected! There isn't many games! and each machine takes alot of credits from your card and barley gives you any tickets! You end up spending more money on the machines that only give you two tickets! Not worth the prizes you get! The prizes are really cheap quality! I really recommend Kalahari theme park in Wisconsin dells! They offer so much more then chuck E. cheese!

I witnessed my own child get stuffed into a animatronic suit and he died. But the pizza was good which is why you get 2 stars instead of 1.

They are doing a great job during covid. They are checking Temps at entry. They are all wearing masks. They are contually cleaning every game and machine they have removed many games to ensure there is plenty of space between people.

( 4 to 6pm Sat sept 28th) Whats the point of stamping everybody, when nobody is watching whats going on? Nobody was monitoring who was going in or out... Watched numerous little ones go in and out on their own ( not one question asked). One of the gals taking points( tickets) for prizes was so loaded out of her mind, she could add anything in her head or calculator, most of the time she just stared off into space. We had to tell her numerous times what we wanted, had over 800 after 300 we just gave u

They renovated the La Crosse location and now if you go off of peak times, it's a lot of fun. Things were clean and working properly. Staff was super friendly and helpful.

I went there last year with my sister's family. Good staff, clean dining area. I think almost every game was up and running, too!

Great place to host a kid's birthday party.

The kids loved it. The adults liked watching the kids enjoy. The pizza brought this rating down to a 3, nothing to "write home" about

Used to hate the pizza but it has changed and is so much better now

Was fun bit they really have skimped on the tickets they give for games since they stopped giving actual tickets, just putting them on your play cards. It was fun though.

Had my son's birthday party here and the staff was awesome.

The party was priced at $179.00. i put $50 down on-line and then paid another $150.00. And all i got extra was 2 adult pops. I don't think That should have been $20.00 but yeah it was a good party. I just when they say 179.00 it should be that not $200.00

Fun place to take kids. Great staff. Very helpful and staff made our grandson's birthday a success.

This place is expensive, pizza is terrible, and prizes more than candy almost impossible to earn with tickets. A lot cheaper to take your child in the toy store and let them pick a 100 present

Staff is very friendly and all the kids really enjoyed playing as did the adults

My boys are a little older, so they just like to play the games. My 23 yr old nephew with Asperger's always has a great time!

Bad service for real dont go here

Had a good time with the kids. But did not anticipate there will be there was almost four different birthday parties going on

Was there for a kid birthday party. The staff did a great job of showing excitement for a little girls birthday party and making the birthday girl feel special.

Prices were better with coupons. I like the free play, for so much money you can play unlimited for up to 60 mins.

Frequently Asked Questions

What’s it like visiting an arcade today?

It’s a mix of nostalgia and high-energy fun! Many arcades blend retro classics like Pac-Man and pinball with modern VR games, racing simulators, and rhythm challenges — often with music, lights, and a social vibe.

Is it better to go alone or with friends?

Both can be great! Solo visits let you focus on your favorite games, while going with friends adds competition, teamwork, and laughs. Many people plan arcade meetups as a casual hangout or even date spot.

What should I bring to an arcade?

Usually just yourself and a way to pay (some arcades still use coins, others use cards or apps). If you're competitive, bring your A-game. If you're social, bring friends or meet new ones over multiplayer games.

What’s the best time to visit an arcade?

Weekdays or early afternoons are usually less crowded — perfect for focused play. Evenings and weekends bring the buzz, especially at barcades or venues with DJs, tournaments, or themed nights.

Can I meet new people at arcades?

Absolutely! Arcades attract a mix of casual players and serious gamers. Whether you're jumping into a four-player co-op or chatting between rounds, it's a fun, low-pressure way to connect over shared interests.

Are arcades still just for kids?

Not at all. While many arcades are family-friendly, there are also adult-oriented ones with full bars, 18+ nights, or vintage nostalgia themes. Arcades today cater to everyone — from first-timers to lifelong gamers.

Are there events or tournaments I can join?

Yes! Many arcades host regular competitions, retro nights, cosplay parties, and more. Whether you're into high scores or just want to watch and vibe, events add an extra layer to the experience.

What if I’m not great at arcade games?

No worries — arcades are about having fun, not being perfect. Try a variety of games, ask others for tips, and remember: the vibe is more “let’s play” than “let’s win.”

Why are arcade prize games so exciting to play?

Arcade prize games are a thrilling highlight in 2025! Claw machines, skee-ball, and ticket-redemption games like basketball offer a rush of skill and chance, with rewards like plushies, toys, or electronics up for grabs. Modern machines feature vibrant lights, digital scoreboards, and responsive controls, amplifying the fun. The lively arcade atmosphere, with cheering crowds and buzzing energy, makes every win feel epic.