Eating BIG in Northwest Indiana

 Eating like a local:
Regional food specialties 
- Return to the Region 

It’s been awhile since I threw up some stuff on Northwest Indiana. The Region and beyond has always been a fascinating place to me thanks in part to its history. Going thru there can feel like stepping back in time in many ways such as visiting some of the older bars and restaurants in the area. Another thing that’s interesting about this part of Indiana to me is how it’s one of the prettiest parts of the state and also the most industrial which doesn’t necessarily translate to ugly but I wouldn’t describe factories, warehouses, and pollution as pretty. But go over the area where the Indiana Dunes National Park is at and it seems like it’s a world away from the casino and all the manufacturing.

Northwest Indiana

Over the years I’ve featured more than 50 spots I’ve stopped at while out this way but it’s been almost four years since I had a dedicated NWI post. Today’s post is a roundup of new (to me) spots I’ve visited over the last few years so no repeats so to say even though I still like to stop at spots like Schoop’s, Miner Dunn, Zel’s Roast Beef and so forth. My story on the 'Legacy of Lincolns Sandwiches' is one of the 5 most read posts in my blogs history while I’ve featured all of the areas popular crispy taco spots as well as a big roundup of where to get lake perch in the area and much more. But today’s post is never before featured eating establishments - some are old, others are new.

Northwest Indiana
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Munster Donut (Munster)

First stop is a great option if you’re passing through NWI early in the morning when only the casinos and gas stations are still open. Munster is notable for being the home to the Three Floyds Brewery but locals love Munster Donut just as much if not more than the brewery. It originally opened as Mister Donut in 1969 but the current owners, a pair of sisters, switched the name and not little else. They still use just one oven, one fryer, and one donut proofer while making fresh donuts throughout the day. 

Donuts at Munster Donut 
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The Taco Dive (Whiting)

Next we head over to Whiting, home to the Midwest's largest oil refinery and a spot with deep Chicago connections called The Taco Dive. The Mexican Inn once stood at the corner of 95th and Ewing on Chicago’s East Side. At the time of its closing it was the city’s oldest Mexican restaurant. Mexican Inn was a staple for families on the city’s Southeast side, popular for their crispy beef tacos which were made the old fashioned way as in corn tortillas stuffed with ground beef that are folded and held together with tooth picks while frying. This style of taco remains popular up here on both sides of the IL/IN border. In fact there’s a family connection between Taco Dive and the Mexican Inn. You can also find the unique soft cheese tacos which Mexican Inn was known for at The Taco Dive. These are enchiladas with nacho cheese like you would tend find at a Mexican restaurant in the 70’s. Anyone that enjoyed this combo from the old Mexican Inn will enjoy it from the new Taco Dive.

Tacos at The Taco Dive
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State Line Pizza (Hammond)

Seeing as how Northwest Indiana is basically an extension of Chicago there’s alot of Pizza History in these parts. State Line Pizza is a mini chain with a few locations including the original in Hammond. It gets its name from its location on State Line Avenue separating Illinois and Indiana. The original location is basically takeout only though there’s a counter inside where you can stand and eat your pizza though nobody does that as this is a real locals type of place so the majority of the customer base lives in the area. State Line uses an old Fauld’s Oven which was a popular line of pizza ovens made in Chicago back in the day. Even though the company is no longer in service there’s still quite a few spots that rock an old Fauld’s oven. I met Bob, the pizzamaker, who’s been here for more than 30 years and he showed me a couple of bullet holes in the oven from an attempted robbery more than 30 years ago. I can usually tell if I’m going to like a tavern style pizza just by looking at it and I thought the pizza here looked good in a few of the pictures I saw. It looked thin and crisp and quite delicious and despite online reviews being a mixed bag I thought it was a pretty solid pizza. The sausage was flavorful, sauce not sweet and it had some of the crunchiest crust I can remember. Since 1957.

Sausage Pizza at State Line Pizza in Hammond 
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Asian Kitchen (Hammond)

This generically named Asian restaurant serves some of the best Vietnamese food in Indiana. Asian Kitchen sits in a busy strip mall and you'll find people from all walks of life in there as was the case on my visit. I can tell if an Asian restaurant is worth trying with a quick glance at the menu and a few unique offerings at Asian Kitchen put it onto my radar. But when I finally visited just last week I decided to try the Pho (Vietnamese beef noodle soup) since it was my first visit and the smell of it coming from the kitchen was too good to pass up on. I got the Dac Biet which comes with a little bit of everything including sliced eye round steak, brisket, meatball, flank, tripe, and tendon. The broth was flavorful and just as important it was hot and all of the herbs and veggies served on the side to personalize your bowl were crisp and pungent. This place could hold its own on Argyle in Chicago.

Dac Biet Pho at Asian Kitchen
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Indian Kitchen (Gary)

I read a piece in the Washington Post last year about all the Indian restaurants starting to sprout up along the country’s busiest highways. The reason behind of which is a growing Desi trucker population. In this article the author Meena Venkataramanan goes onto explain that the majority of these Indian truckers are Punjabi hailing from the region spanning northwest India and east of Pakistan. According to one stat Punjabis make up 20% of the U.S trucking industry and that number is only growing. So it’s only fitting that these Punjabi Dhaba’s as they’re called are starting to pop up across the country. You can find one sitting right off I94 in Gary in the area where all the big gas stations are bunched together with a few fireworks shops and what not. I was put onto Indian Kitchen by Mike Sula at The Reader who told me he had some really good Baingan Bharta here so I took note for the next time I was out that way which was just recently. I arrived to a small line of clientele, all Indian men, and a large workforce of at least eight people shifting in and out of the trailer and the kitchen in the building behind it. One guy pulled up in a minivan and left with an order of more than five bags worth of food strategically placed throughout. I had a hard time deciding what to try so I went with my go-to dish for judging an Indian restaurant - Dal Makhani (black lentils, kidney beans and cream among other things depending on the recipe). I added an order of Tawa Roti and also got vegetable pakora (fritters) as an app. I was happy with all of it and will plan on going back.

Vegetable Pakora at Indian Kitchen
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Pizza Terra (Burns Harbor)

I got word of some good food to be found at Pizza Terra which is in Burns Harbor not far from Indiana Dunes National Park. Wood fired pizza is the main act here but the rest of the menu was tempting me to try a couple other things including a big old plate of linguine topped with an extra crispy chicken parm, pomodoro, and melted mozzarella that can easily feed two for just $16. Bone Marrow Arancini was also excellent albeit a bit misleading as I expected there to be bone marrow inside the arancini but it was still delicious mixed into a bolognese paired with a taleggio fondue. As for the wood fired pizza we got the namesake Terra with wild mushroom, caramelized onions, taleggio, spinach, and a black truffle fonduta that tasted as elegant as it sounds. I thought Pizza Terra was reminiscent of Stop 50 in nearby Michiana Shores and The Rolling Stonebaker in Valparaiso making the Northwest Indiana area a bit of a hot spot for wood fired pizza on top of Lake Perch and Crispy Tacos.

Lunch at Pizza Terra
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Wagner's Ribs (Porter)

The last time I ate at Wagner’s Ribs was a handful of years before they moved to their current location so although I’ve been here before it was around 20 years ago give or take. As the name suggests they’re popular for ribs which are pretty good if you can find joy in the baked until the meat is falling off the bone variety. I’m not sure the baby backs here ever see any real smoke but they’re still tasty albeit not true bbq. But even you don’t like baked ribs slathered in sauce I still recommend stopping here for the lake perch dinner as it might be the best plate of lake perch in all of Northwest Indiana. Wagner’s lightly breads small and tender pieces of Canadian Yellow Perch and pan fries them in butter. The end result is lake perch that taste like it came from the late great Phil Smidt’s which I never got to visit but I know good lake perch when I have it and Wagner’s is my pick for best in NWI (Tiebel’s is also top tier). It’s not cheap at $31 for a dinner which includes 8 pieces and 2 sides of your choice but it is worth it. You can also get a half order of lake perch and a half slab of ribs with two sides for the same price. Please note it’s 21+ and they can get busy but it’s a big space with a huge patio so they can really pack them in during summer months but best to call ahead in season.

Lake Perch / Ribs at Wagner's Ribs 
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Brooks Family Corned Beef (Michigan City)

Next stop might be my favorite of them all as far as recently opened dining options in Northwest Indiana. Brooks Family Corned Beef is hidden within in a large strip mall that includes a now defunct Carson Pirie Scott building in Michigan City. I saw some pictures online and noticed the way the corned beef comes in chunks (my preferred style) as opposed to slices so I checked them out just recently. I was very much impressed with their Reuben sandwich which comes on marbled rye. It was perfectly put together down to both sides of the bread being crisp while the cheese was completely melted. They also make corned beef egg rolls and although it’s a takeout only operation they have a few throwback video game machines for you to play while you wait for your food. Cool spot.

Reuben Sandwich at Brooks Family Corned Beef 
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Carlson's Drive-In (Michigan City)

It seems like every lake town in the U.S. has a seasonal drive in. In Michigan City that’s Carlson’s Drive In. This real deal drive in opens at the end of every February and closes for the season in early October. Carlson’s is known for their all beef Eckrich Farms Hot Dogs topped with a tomato forward chili sauce and also made on site root beer. The latter of which is why you stop here. Since 1947.

Chili Dog and Root Beer at Carlson's Drive-In
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Ritz Klub Tavern (Michigan City)

I’m a little late to the party at Michigan City’s oldest tavern (est. 1890) but better late than never. I’d read good things about some big ass burgers served here so me and some friends rode over one day last summer while we were up in Michigan City for the boat race. The namesake Cheeseburger at the Ritz Klub is 3/4 lb of heavily seasoned, lightly smashed fresh ground beef served with a pile of fresh cut fries and it’s a damn good bar burger served up in a timeless setting. 

Cheeseburger at Ritz Klub Tavern
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Cool Runnings Restaurant & Bar (Michigan City)

A couple summers ago I got word from a reliable source about some jammin’ jerk chicken at Cool Runnings in Michigan City. With jerk chicken being my favorite prep of chicken I made sure to stop in last summer with a couple of friends on our way into Long Beach. I really like the setup which has the feel of a Northwoods Tavern except it’s decorated like an island bar and there’s reggae and what not on the jukebox. I kind of knew we were in for a treat not just bc my friend who knows good jerk chicken told me it was good but also bc there was a dense cloud of smoke hanging over the restaurant. I was right in my assessment as a plate of the jerk chicken with mac and cheese plus rice and peas was a banger. Cool Runnings has two locations including another in South Bend.

Jerk Chicken at Cool Runnings 
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If you liked this post you might also be interested in:

Eating BIG in Southwest Michigan

Eating BIG in South Bend (and beyond)

Eating / Drinking Tour of Hegewisch
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5 More Indiana Drive-Ins

Eating like a local:
Regional food specialties
- The Drive-Ins of Indiana

Happy National Hot Dog Day! Today's post is a collection of Indiana drive-ins I've visited in the last few years. A couple of which are known for the hyper regional Spanish dog. You can check this previous report for a history on this Northern Indiana favorite that was made popular in the area by BK Root Beer. The now defunct drive-in chain was founded in Wabash in 1941 and at one time had more than 200 locations in Indiana and Ohio. The chain is long gone but plenty of independently owned BK’s still exist in Indiana. But why the name “Spanish Dog?” Well I’ve done some digging since that last post and some say the name was coined by one of the BK founders but then you can find recipes for Spanish Hamburgers predating BK as does a 1935 article traced back to The Morning Spotlight in Hastings Nebraska that mentions Spanish hot dogs being served following a Red Cross meeting. A year later an advertisement in the Kokomo Tribune announces their arrival in Indiana. So while it’s tough to say exactly how hot dogs topped with a Sloppy Joe like sauce became known as Spanish Dogs it’s easy to trace their popularity to parts of Indiana and Ohio too. Let’s check them out.

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Dick's Drive-In (Rochester)

Even though I'd been to Rochester many times growing up, as my aunt and uncle have a lakehouse there, I didn't make my first visit to Dick's Drive-In until adulthood. They're known for the previously discussed Spanish Dog. Dick’s was originally a BK Root Beer stand when it opened in 1957. They make the best Spanish Dog I’ve come across which is all about the tomato forward sauce that’s basically the same stuff used to make a Sloppy Joe (you can find recipes for Spanish dogs online). Just don't call these chili dogs or coneys bc they’re not the same according to those that love them. The tacos are actually the most popular item on the menu. They were introduced in 1958 when the owner switched it’s name to Dicks and put his wife’s tacos on the menu. They’re made with the same sauce used on the hot dogs which in my opinion works better with lettuce, cheese and the house hot sauce on a tortilla than it does on a hot dog. It’s possible this is the oldest spot serving tacos in Indiana. So while not “authentic” by most measures they’re most certainly iconic. Not just bc of the age of the place but also bc tacos like these are now are found at other drive-ins in the area.

Spanish Dog and a Taco at Dick's Drive-In
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Jamie's B&K Drive-In (Knox)

Here's an old B&K that kept the name, now called Jamie's B&K Drive-In, located in Starke County. Spanish dogs and root beer are the big draws here and they do a pretty zippy sauce that I found to be better than most others. That's the thing with these now independent BK's across Indiana, each spot has their own Spanish sauce recipe and so just like with chili sauce it differs from place to place. 

Spanish Dog at Jamie's B&K Drive-In
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The Original Root Beer Stand (Culver)

The town of Culver is located in Marshall County about two hours from Chicago. It sits on Lake Maxinkuckee and is home to Culver Academy which is a private boarding school that's been around for a long time. The Original Root Beer Stand is their other popular venue and it's got all the looks of a classic drive-in as it sits on the lake in a postcard setting. But the good things about this place kind of end there. I had a chili dog and a double cheeseburger and neither was worth finishing. 

Hot Dog and Hamburger from The Original Root Beer Drive-In
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Tastee Top Grill (Cedar Lake)

You can find this locally loved year round stand on the outskirts of Northwest Indiana. My visit was more than five years ago but recent reviews show it's still going strong. Judging by the name it's possible this was once a Tastee Freeze but there's not much info online about the Tastee Top. They offer most all of the usual stuff you'll find at a place like this including hot dogs and burgers. The Big Tastee is their signature offering and it's a double decker served up with mustard, onion, pickles. 

Big Tastee at Tastee Freeze
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The Port Drive-In (Chesterton)

The Port is a place I've visited a few times over the years. Another aunt and uncle of mine have a place in Dune Acres and Chesterton is the closest town to their spot so I've pulled into The Port a few times over the years while visiting them. It was an old B&K Root Beer like so many other Indiana drive-ins. While the name has changed the location has been serving hot dogs and root beer since 1953. The chili cheese dogs aren't bad but what I really like from here every few years is one of their namesake 'Port Dogs' which is a Chicago style hot dog plus lettuce, peppers, and cucumbers. It's a style that was once more prevalent in Chicago than it is these days but places like Byron's still put a similar set of toppings on their hot dogs. To me they bring back memories of my childhood. Even though I never went to The Port until later in life I ate hot dogs like this as a kid so I still enjoy one now and then. Bonus points for serving up their homemade root beer in a frosted glass mug.

Hot Dogs and Root Beer at The Port Drive-In
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Previous Post: The Drive-Ins of Indiana

See ya next time @chibbqking

More Gary Indiana Eats

-Exploring NW Indiana

I'm pretty sure this remains the only food blog with a dedicated series of posts exploring the food options of Northwest Indiana. Could you imagine one of those cute social media blog / influencer types doing a post from Gary, Indiana? Haha. That's pretty funny to think about. As far as this site goes the NWI area remains a fascinating place with plenty of spots to explore. You're not going to find any future Bon Appetit 'Best New Restaurants in America' here but you will find some interesting things. Interesting as in lots of BBQ and trips to the Flea Market. Gary remains down but not out.

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 Faby's Tacos

First stop up is Faby's for some Flea Market Fried Tacos. A pleasant but not unexpected surprise as Northwest Indiana is a major stop on America's crispy taco trail. These were pretty much pristine. To the best of my knowledge they're setup outside the Flea Market whenever the flea market is open. 

Fried Tacos at Faby's 

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Thai Chhimski's Egg Rolls And Stir Fry

This next stop is also found at the Market City Flea Market. Except you have to go inside to find it. I'm pretty sure the inside area is open all week while the outside vendors set up on just the weekends. Thai Chhimski's Egg Rolls And Stir Fry caught my eye with the mention of egg rolls in their name. I'm always down to try a place that thinks their egg rolls deserve to be in their name. I walked to the back where the food court is at and was greeted by a friendly Asian lady who must've been the matriarch as all the customers knew her. A young man took my order and within five minutes I had a fresh fried housemade egg roll. These are stuffed with your choice of shrimp or chicken and lots of cabbage and such. Bc they fry them fresh they're extra crunchy with a thinner than normal wrapping. They also do Chinese-American favorites and fresh fried green tomatoes.

Egg Roll from Thai Chhimski's Egg Rolls And Stir Fry

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Phenomenal Ribs

One thing I've noticed on recent trips though Gary is lots of BBQ options. Like tons. I need to check a few out sooner than later bc they do come and go. Some are just weekend type pop-ups in empty lots and such and others are full brick & mortars. Phenomenal Ribs is the latter and I chose it based on the fact smoke was billowing out of the parking lot as they had a huge smoker setup outside. I had to try the rib tips as that's what I would normally judge a bbq spot in these parts by. Not bad at all. The tips themselves were extra meaty and had nice smoke flavor. They may have been pulled off a tad early but nothing wrong with a bit of chew. Extra points for the well done fresh cut fries.

Rib Tips at Phenomenal Ribs 

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Motha Trukn' Kabobs

With Indiana being the crossroads of America they see a ton of truckers pass through. Especially in  in Gary where lots of freight passes through the highway junction. It's a popular place for truckers to pass out too with there being lots of gas stations catering to them and such. These truckers have to eat and in most cases cant go through the drive-thru. So spots like Balkan Grill Company decided to make it easier for them to stop in and get some food. Gary’s newest food semitrailer is already popular with all the Black truckers who find themselves passing through the Region. There's plenty of parking for 18 wheelers at Motha Trukn' Kabobs. Their big blue Charcoal grilled chicken kebab with rice was nice. Ask for the house special sauce which is an interesting raspberry concoction.

Chicken Kabob at Motha Trukn' Kabobs

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See ya next time @chibbqk1ng

(new twitter handle)