Keep score as the Dude intended: with pencil and paper. As the name suggests, all the lanes at this North Center spot are made of real wood, which makes it harder to rack up high scores (a perfect excuse for your gutter balls). With its cheap pitchers, BYO food policy, and $3 games on weekends, the most remarkable thing about this no-frills alley just might be that it hasn’t been overrun with vintage-crazed hipsters.

1851 W. Irving Park Rd., timberlanesbowl.com