Monday, April 20, 2015

5 More Northwest Indiana Food Stops

-Exploring NW Indiana

It's been a few months since we strolled around The Region in search of gems that might be hiding in plain sight. Today we're going to knock five spots off the list. Like the area itself it's an eclectic group of spots that cater to some of the last of the blue collar workers in the country.  Lets have a look.
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Vee & E Original Jamaican Jerk

Gary, Indiana

There seems to be a countless amount of smoked meat shacks in the city where the Jackson 5 was born. You'll see spots set up at gas stations, in empty lots, and a handful of storefronts turning out American style BBQ and or Jamaican Jerk Chicken. One day while riding down Ridge road I got a big old whiff of smoke thru my window and couldn't resist the smell of it. I pulled around and went inside. I knew it was the real deal when I waited some 20 minutes for it after ordering. A tad overcooked is better than undercooked and the spicing was fire. $5 meals don't get much better.

Jerk Chicken Lunch Plate
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Super Submarine

Hammond, Indiana

Remember that sandwich shop you loved back in the 70's, Super Sub is it. Upon stepping inside this longtime submarine shop you will be transported to another era when satin was king.

a peek inside

The sandwiches here are also straight out of 1973, for better or worse. They use mid grade meats and pack them high inside. This sandwich below is a monster and it's not a large or double meat, just the normal one they serve when you order. I liked the addition of extra pepperoncini peppers.

Italian Sub
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The Quesadilla Company

Highland, Indiana

Next stop up has been open for almost a week now. The Quesadilla Company hopes to bring locals in with $1 quesadillas as well as their signature walking taco, stepped up and put into a cup with layers and layers of toppings. The $1 quesadillas are like the ones so many Midwestern moms have made over the years. Its a quick, cheap, snack and one I'd stop in for if they were a neighbor of mine.

Taco and Quesadilla
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Miner Dunn 

Highland, Indiana

Next stop up has been featured on here before. Back in 2009 to be exact. Miner Dunn is still going strong. I hadn't been by there in forever until this past winter when we rolled thru on a trip into the area. Instead of their famous hamburgers we opted to try a couple sandwiches instead.

Reuben Sandwich 

The Reuben was made with corned beef made on-site however it was sliced a little too thin for our liking. To me the whole point of making it yourself is so you can have nice tender hunks that fall apart when bitten into. Better success was had with their roast beef and cheese. The Region appreciates a good roast beef sandwich as is evident in a few spots specializing in them. While MD's specialty is burgers they also do house roasted beef sandwiches and they're pretty damn good. I imagine this is what a beef and cheese from Arby's used to taste like before it went franchise. 

Roast Beef and Cheese
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Jodi's Italian Ice Factory

Hammond, Indiana

Don't look now but Jodi's is taking over the ice game in The Region. They just opened their second spot and have a third coming. Reason they've been able to expand is locals love for their Italian ice. Aside from all the usual flavors they're doing unique recipes like horchata and it's really refreshing.

Summer is so close!
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Vee & E Jerk Chicken
471 W Ridge Rd
Gary, IN 46408

Super Submarine
7010 Kennedy Ave
Hammond, IN 46323
(219) 845-6705

The Quesadilla Company
2945 Jewett ave
Highland, IN 46322
(219) 531-9293

Miner-Dunn Hamburgers
8940 Indianapolis Blvd
Highland, IN 46322
(219) 923-3311

Jodi's Italian Ice Factory
7322 Calumet Ave
Hammond, IN 46324
(219) 678-2018

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I HIGHLY recommend the cod dinner at Miner-Dunn. It comes with two cod fillets, your choice of fries or mashed potatoes with gravy, a scoop of green beans, a dinner roll, and your choice of soup or salad. The cod is EXCELLENT... batter dipped and fried to perfection; neither too greasy nor too dry. It comes with tartar sauce, but I didn't use any because it was so good without it. I had fries, so I can't say anything about the potatoes. Green beans aren't one of my favorite vegetables, but they were there, so I ate them. They had California Medley soup that evening. It kinda reminded me of a broccoli-cheese soup. It was quite good.

I had a fish sandwich tonight. I ordered it with whole wheat bread and no cheese. Most places put tartar sauce on a fish sandwich, but Miner-Dunn puts Thousand Island dressing on theirs. Initially I had a few reservations about that, but I'm starting to prefer it that way... and that dressing tastes homemade. They don't put tomatoes on it which is good for me because I don't like tomatoes on a fish sandwich. I recommend this sandwich as well.

Anonymous said...

The Quesadilla Company es no mas. It is now Dan's Pierogis. And in other Highland news, it looks like Niko's and Anthony's bit the dust recently as well.

NKijurna said...

Only been to one of these locations, Miner Dunn! Looks like I have some more exploring to do. Next stop, Jodi's Italian Ice! Always heard people rave about this place, have to see (taste) for myself.

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