Everybody loves food, and La Porte County is chalk full of different eateries to satisfy any hankering. But as the weather warms up and summer fills the air, a certain craving comes for the best summer treats to beat the heat. Therefore, LaPorteCountyLife.com has taken on the bold mission to try some food and give you a list of the top ten summer eats in the area. Let it be noted that these are not in a particular order, all of these next ten restaurants equally dominate.
Mucho Mas
This swanky Cali-style Mexican restaurant has something for anyone. Meat lovers, vegetarians, vegans, and gluten intolerants unite here! Mucho Mas stirs up fresh, fast, and delicious dishes of cuisine with a bold flavor new to the area. Try their plate of mucho nachos-a towering behemoth of homemade chips, guacamole, sour cream, cheese, pico de gallo, jalapenos, and beans that can feed a whole family. Or try an item for their new breakfast menu such as the classic huevos rancheros. Oh, and did I forget to mention that this place is so cheap you will end up ordering take-out on your way out for dinner? Mucho Mas is located on 609 Lincolnway in La Porte and open Mon-Tues 11-8, Wed-Thu 9-8, Fri-Sat 7-9, Sun 8-3. Click here to visit their website and click here to connect with Mucho Mas on Facebook!
Temple News Agency
This is the ONLY classic soda fountain in La Porte, and has become a beloved icon and staple of the area. Whether you are a businessman on the way to work or a teenager enjoying a relaxing summer day, Temple News Agency serves something up for you. Located in an old news agency, this joint has customers nostalgic for a time before when the ice cream was sweeter, the coffee was stronger, and the times were slower. I dare you to choose between one of their many ice cream flavors or not to develop an addiction to their thick and creamy chocolate malt. Sit outside at one of their tables and people watch on a summer afternoon or peruse the collection of classic La Porte High School yearbooks inside. The shop also has gourmet chocolate, decadent desserts, rich coffee, homemade gifts, and books for purchase. Stop by this place and they will make it like mom used to. Temple News Agency is located at 816 Jefferson Avenue and is open 7-9. Click here to conect with Temple News Agency on Facebook!
Bridges Waterside Grille
A restaurant doesn’t take you much closer to summer than Bridges Waterside Grille. Located on Pioneer Pier in Michigan City, Bridges overlooks a canal and is a walk away from Lake Michigan. Take a seat on their large porch in your beach cover up and order up a tasty, casual meal. It is a sandwich, salad, and seafood kind of joint, but some items jump off the menu. Start off the meal by ordering up a plate of breaded lobster bites and Maryland style crab cakes. Then, for the main event, order a plate of fried coconut shrimp that is so good you won’t even cringe at the word “fried” or one of their 16 sandwiches. Ahoy! Bridges Waterside Grille is located at 508 E 2nd St. in Michigan City and opened Sun, Mon, Wed, Thurs 11-9, Fri and Sat 11-10. Click here to visit Bridges on the web and here for their Facebook page!
Texas Corral
This grill and saloon is always wild, always spicy, and always a good time. If you are looking for an escape from the heat and excuse to get messy, Texas Corral in Michigan City is the place to be. While you are waiting for you table put your feet up, munch on some peanuts, and don’t go looking for a trash can just throw the peanut shell on the ground. Not enough Wild West for you yet? Then strap in and order up a Texas Flower, an exploding onion battered, fried, and served with a zesty onion sauce. While you are there why not go all the way and order the BBQ Trio Grande, a ½ pound mess of ribs slathered in Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ Sauce served alongside smoked sausage and pulled pork. But don’t worry there are more tame menu options available as well. Ride in soon for an unforgettable experience. Texas Corral is on 5718 Franklin St. in Michigan City and open Mon-Thur 3-10, Fri-Sat 11-11, Sun 11-10. Click here for their website and click here to for their Facebook page!
Options Buffet at the Blue Chip Casino
Let me start off by saying this is not your typical run-of-the-mill, lumpy mac n’ cheese and suspicious looking meat buffet. This is a buffet amped up on class and quality. We will call it the exception to the rule. Options Buffet serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with the freshest of ingredients and obvious attention to detail. Not to mention the buffet has multiple cooking stations where chefs make your food to your liking. From a succulent steak to specialty pastas, Options Buffet literally has it all. Sit down with a plate of Asian fare, and then go back for a plate of Mexican food. Whatever you prefer I can promise that you will go back up to the buffest again, and again, and again. Trust me you will get way more than your money’s worth at this gem. Options Buffet is located in the Blue Chip Casino at 777 Blue Chip Drive. Click here for more information on their hours.
Tree House Restaurant
The Tree House is a restaurant like no other. Sure you will get a great meal, but you will also get a chance for some free fun that will have you hanging out there for hours. When you go there you are entering their 10-acre nature preserve and a haven of amusant. It is complete with a beach volleyball court, wiffle-ball field, outdoor ping-pong, basketball area, and corn-hole section. This is the perfect summer place for kids and families, but hey adults are more than welcome to let loose and get in on the games too. The salad, sandwich, and pizza menu will have you smiling at the clever names, but more importantly a slice of their award-winning pizza will have your mouth watering. The Tree House Restaurant is located at 3103 East Highway 12 in Michigan City, and is open seven days a week. Click here for for more information about Tree House Restaurant!
Deluxe Tastee Cream
This little red and white candy striped building may appear quaint, but don’t let it fool you. Deluxe Tastee Cream serves up serious ice cream creations, and its spring opening is anxiously awaited each year by ice cream connoisseurs. Order up a classic, such as the loaded banana split, or try something new. Its Squirmy Worm Dirt Cup-chocolate ice cream, crushed oreo, hot fudge, and gummy worms-is a fan favorite or the Blue Goo swirl cone. If you are feeling like eating a healthier option, Tastee Cream recently added fat-free frozen yogurt to the list and it is oh, so good. It also has a menu full of scrumptious summer items including a loaded Chicago all beef hot dog. Deluxe Tastee Cream is located at 415 J. Street in La Porte. It is open Mon-Sat 11-10 and Sun 12-10. Click here to connect with Deluxe Tastee Cream on Facebook!
Carlson’s Drive-In
This beloved drive-in is celebrating its 65th anniversary this year. When something lasts over half a century, it has to be pretty fantastic. This is one of the only drive-ins left in Indiana, and with a dedicated fan base that only seems to keep growing, it will be around for a lot longer. Pull up to the brown, orange, and yellow hut and be serviced by one the car-hops, or take a seat at one of the many picnic tables. Once you settle in, the easy part is ordering your drink. You must order a tall frosty mug of Carlson’s homemade root beer. This creamy confection tastes as if it is root beer float although there is no evidence of ice cream. Pretty amazing. The drive-in keeps traditions alive and serves all beef hot dogs, freshly peeled and cut onions, and homemade chili and BBQ pork made from secret recipes. Carlson’s Drive-In is located at 118 W. Coolspring Ave. and is open Mon-Sun 10-6. Click here for Carlson's website and here for their Facebook page!
Cabo’s Ice Cream Shop and Cafe
Summer is all about trying something new, and Cabo’s Ice Cream Shop and Cafe is the perfect place to try a spin on summer staples. Newly opened in the past year, this shop serves up fresh ice cream and popsicles made with fresh fruit. This translates into delicious and unique flavors that are always natural. The cafe also has a latin flair that is even evident in their desserts. Try their all water based smooth mango ice cream or an esquimales- coconut, vanilla or strawberry ice cream bars dipped in chocolate with coconut or peanuts on top. Try the enchiladas potosinas when you want something hot, and sip on a chocolate fudge brownie Cabo's coffee when you want something cold. You will leave the whimsical pink and green shop feeling refreshed and bold! Cabo’s Ice Cream is located at 731 Washington St. in Michigan City. Hours are Mon-Fri 11:30-9, Sat 8-9, and Sun 12-6. Click here for Cabo's website and click here to connect with them on Facebook!
Panini Panini
This is hands down the purest quality of Euro-bistro food around. Panini Panini in Michigan City delivers each time with artful taste and presentation. This little cafe boasts a gigantic menu of European delights. Think pappardelle with smoked salmon and fresh peas in a light lemon-mint-butter cream sauce or the French favorite a croque madame-grilled ham with swiss and provolone topped with a fried egg. All of this is thought up by the owner, who was a former resident of France and clearly knows her stuff. This food is anything but pretentious, it is simply divine and you will spend a good thirty minutes ogling at the menu before you can make a decision. For dessert any of the homemade treats made from scratch will do the trick, but may I recommend the avocado and coconut cheesecake with Oreo crust. One bite and your taste buds will be transported to a place you never knew existed. Panini Panini is located at 1720 Franklin St. in MIchigan City. Hours are Mon-Sat 10-4. Click here for their website and click here to connect with Panini Panini on Facebook!
There you have it. The top ten summer eats in La Porte County. I now challenge you to go out and try a little something from each of these unique restaurants. This will be a mission you will not regret; I can guarantee that. Send any photos of you at one of these restaurants to share@laportecountylife.com!