Look for this Hungry Hoosier Seal of Approval at Indiana restaurants and other food-related businessesThe Chronicle-Tribune in Grant County has enlisted lots of bloggers, including Steve and Tricia Gibson who write The Grub Report. They have some great weekly features including the "Ingredient of the Week" and "Cooking the Books" and "Friday Night Mega-Bites" Check them out.
Originally published in the Lebanon Reporter on January 19, 2005
Occasionally in this column, I file a field report of my travels around the state in search of food, family, and community. So just in case you find yourself out and about in various parts of the state, you’ll have dining options that will be much more interesting than the standard Interstate fast food. Today’s field report includes Texas-style BBQ; to-die-for tamales; some good, fast soup; a hearty bowl of chicken and dumplings; amazing cheesecake; and mile-high coconut pie.
Crescent Moon Cheesecake Company
Ric Spaulding has been baking cheesecakes for over 20 years. His Lafayette-based Crescent Moon Cheesecake Company offers about 16 different varieties at any one time. I’m a cheesecake purist, so I’ve only tried the traditional plain version and I can honestly say it is some of the best cheesecake I’ve ever had. Cheesecakes range from $28.95 - $36.95. These five-pound cakes serve 12-14.
Taste of Texas
This is one I go out of the way for. There are many things I love about Indiana but one thing I really dislike is the lack of great BBQ. I’ve lived in both Texas and the Southeastern US and have an appreciation for both pulled pork and beef brisket. I’ve found a couple of places that do an adequate job with pork but only one place that can do justice to brisket - Taste of Texas in Upland, Indiana. Their brisket is as good as any I had while living in the Lone Star State. It is tender, smoky, and amazing. Taste of Texas will soon be opening a second location in Muncie. Taste of Texas is located at I69 & State Rd. 22 in Upland, Indiana. Their phone number is 765-998-7000.
The Other Place
I found myself in Winamac, Indiana a couple of months ago with an empty stomach and only 15 minutes to find something to eat. There are not too many choices in this small town so the first restaurant I found was The Other Place. On the special board was Stuffed Green Pepper Soup. That sounded good and quick so I placed my order. It showed up in no time at all and really hot the spot. If you find yourself in Winamac with 15 minutes to eat, The Other Place is a good bet. The other place is located at 103 South Monticello Street in Winamac, Indiana. Their phone number is 574-946-7250
If ever in Dale, Indiana stop for a meal at Windell’s Café known for their chicken and dumplings and coconut cream pie. I tried both. The dumplings were in a very thick sauce and the chicken was shredded and placed on top of the bowl of dumplings. These were not the chicken and dumplings with which I grew up, but there were flavorful and certainly satisfying. The pie was a big hit. They use coconut in both the pie and the meringue for a double shot of coconut flavor. Windell's is certainly worth checking out.
The Tamale Place
Who could have predicted that the Northwest side if Indianapolis would become a melting pot with family-owned restaurants representing multiple nationalities. One of the best is The Tamale Place. There unique eatery offers 8-10 types of tamales each day. They are listed in a dry-erase board where they also keep a tally letting customers know how many of each is left. My favorite so far is the chicken chipotle. The chocolate tamale has me curious. They open at 9 am so you can even get a tamale for breakfast if you want it. The Tamale Place is located at 5242 Rockville Road in Indianapolis, Indiana. Their phone number is 317-248-9777.
I've had a lot of bad BBQ in the nine years I've lived in the Midwest. I spent a few years in Texas and got spoiled by the abundance of places that can put a "mean burn" on a brisket. I'm also quite found of Carolina-style pulled pork. With my pulled pork I prefer the vinegar-based sauce that is popular in North Carolina
I've recently found a place that does a great job with brisket. Their pork leaves a bit to be desired. If you find yourself near Gas City, Indiana stop in at Taste of Texas and order the brisket. This place is on I-69 between Fort Wayne and Indianapolis.
If you want to make a batch of your own vinegar-based sauce, here is the recipe I use:
2 cups cider vinegar
3 tablespoons ketchup
2 tablespoons brown sugar
4 teaspoons kosher salt
1 tablespoon hot sauce (like Tabasco)
2 teaspoons red pepper flakes
2 teaspoons black pepper
Combine all these ingredients and whisk until the salt and brown sugar dissolves. You can store this in the refrigerator for several months.
Although it is not a necessity I use smoked black pepper in the above recipe. I buy mine online at Adrianna's Caravan.
