The Hungry Hoosier

Schoop's Hamburgers

For my money, one of the best burgers in the Hoosier state can be found at Schoop's, the Northwest Indiana institution. Alan Schoop opened the first Schoop's in Hammond in 1948. Back then burgers were 15 cents. They'll now cost you $3.89 which is still a bargain. There are now over 20 Schoops in "da' Region" and they've established franchise stores in Texas, Florida, and Las Vegas.

The burgers are cooked to order -thin, crispy, and delicious. The menu goes way beyond burgers and includes a ton of other sandwiches, chili, and a few salads. For the vegetarians, they offer a veggie burger and a portabella mushroom burger. Pies are baked fresh daily and they have terrific milk shakes and ice cream sodas. Schoop's also serves breakfast. Try the Chorizo Hash! The full menu is available here. You can visit their website for a full list of locations.

Collins Caviar, Michigan City

When it comes to Indiana's claim-to-fame foods we immediately think of tenderloins and sugar cream pies. We can even count as our own a few household brands like Weaver's, Red Gold, and Clabber Girl. Even Wonder Bread and Papa John's have Hoosier roots.

Here's another one to add to the list. As of about a year and a half ago, Indiana became home to nation's finest domestic freshwater caviar house. Collins Caviar began in Chicago in 1983 when mother and daughter Carolyn and Rachel Collins decided to start selling their caviar. Carolyn and Rachel were avid fisher-women and after seeing the beautiful roe of the Lake Michigan Chinook Salmon they caught, they set out to learn how to transform the raw roe into succulent caviar. Their caviar became quite the hit with family and friends. When they first served it to a chef friend who then insisted on having some for his restaurant. A business was born. It was not long before they moved out of the home kitchen into a production facility in Chicago.

Fast forward a few years and they had reached legend-like status among caviar enthusiast. Along the way, Carolyn retired, leaving the business completely in Rachel's capable hands. A couple of years ago, a series of circumstances led Rachel to look for a new location in Northwest Indiana and Michigan City took the prize.

Yesterday I had the opportunity to spend most of the day with Rachel getting quite an education about caviar and her company. I also got to sample several of her products. I must say, they were magnificent. I had never considered myself a caviar fan. My exposure had been limited to what is sometimes found on maki rolls. After the day with Rachel, I think I'm hooked. A caviar lunch on a regular Tuesday - just another day in the life of the Hungry Hoosier!

Collins has a varied line of products including caviar from freshwater salmon, whitefish, hackleback, and paddlefish. Collins also has some great infused products - caviars flavored with Citron Vodka, wasabi, and other great flavors. They also offer several caviar creme spreads that are out of this world. Some of these come in a pastry bag complete with plastic tip - ready for applications as pleasing to the eye as the mouth!

More information about Collins, including how to order, can be found on their website. Consider ordering some for the upcoming holiday parties. If you do, I think you'll become a regular, year- round customer. I know I will.            

Shoreline Brewery, Michigan City

I'm going to qualify these comments with a disclaimer - I am not a big fan of the typical brew pub. Sure they were great, about 15 years ago, before they could be found in every suburban strip mall. Success breeds copycats and, for the most part, if you've seen one brew pub, you've seen them all.

That somewhat cynical view was rocked a bit this week when I ran across the Shoreline Brewery in Michigan City, Indiana. Shoreline is housed in a beautifully renovated 1850-something warehouse near the coast of Lake Michigan. I meandered in at an odd hour, around 2:30 in the afternoon, and was greeted warmly by the staff who invited me to belly up to the bar to sample a few of their beers. A chalkboard (pictured) listed 10 different offerings. I sampled several and was impressed by all of them. One that struck a particular chord was the Smokestack, a porter made with malt that has been lightly smoked prior to the brewing process. The smokiness doesn't shout, it barely whispers. I decided to take a half gallon to go. I have plans this weekend for a cookout featuring a slow-smoked pork shoulder. I think the Smokestack will be a great accompaniment. I'll let you know.

I did not eat, but did get a chance to look at a menu. It looks as interesting as the beer. Here are a few of the most intriguing selections. The appetizers include a Fried Green Tomato Napoleon which is breaded in panko bread crumbs and layered with horseradish mayo. Even the burgers feature an unexpected flair - toasted pretzel bread instead of a standard bun. Their beers make their way onto the menu in great-sounding dished like the Oatmeal Stout-Braised Lamb Shank. The menu also includes a few salads, pasta dishes, and desserts. They also offer a kid's menu. Their menu changes frequently but a sample is available here.

Shoreline is located at 208 Wabash in Michigan City, Indiana. They have a website here and can be reached by phone at 219-TRY HOPS (879-4677).