Culinary Trails
I-69's Long Horizons Culinary Trail
The Indiana Foodways Alliance recommends the following restaurants for visitors who wish to sample the local fare in the counties contiguous to I-69 in Northeastern Indiana. Call to verify hours.
Suggested I-69 exit numbers are included, but we recommend that you use an Internet mapping service for the detailed directions you might need to find the recommended restaurants and businesses.
Click here to download a PDF file of the trail information.
Pricing is averaged and may be subject to change.
$ = Sandwiches are under $5, entrees under $10
$$ = Sandwiches are under $9, entrees under $18
$$$ = Lunches $10 and up, dinners $18 and up
DeKalb County
The Maple Leaf Inn Reservations required Exit 134
425 W. Maple St.
Waterloo, IN 46793 260-837-5323
http://mapleleafbnb.com
The Maple Leaf is a 1918 Bed & Breakfast, run by Ken and Candi Surber, but tea is served in the English style, as befits this grand Georgian Revival house filled with antiques. One, two or three course teas are available, and can include scones served hot from the oven with homemade jam and Devonshire cream, finger sandwiches and irresistible desserts.
The Bridgewater Golf Club $$$ Exit 129
Reservations recommended
1818 Morningstar Road
Auburn, IN 46706 260-925-8004
For a fine dining experience, the Water's Edge Restaurant offers a warm atmosphere overlooking Bridgewater's eighteen-hole fairway and pond. The menu features steaks, seafood, pasta and a full bar. For a more casual evening try the Bridgewater Grille Room. Open Sun.-Fri. 11 am-2 pm, Tues.-Thu. 5-8 pm,
Fri.-Sat. 5-9 pm.
Cricket's Tavern $ Exit 129
120 W. Seventh St.
Auburn, IN 46706 260-925-9980
Cricket's has been an Auburn bar since before Prohibition, and the historic building started life as an 1890 saloon. Chuck Blevin's grandfather bought the Cricket in 1955, and the regular lunch crowd has included judges, businessmen and police officers for generations, enjoying beef & noodles over homemade mashed potatoes, BBQ hog wings (pork shanks) shrimp, fish and prime rib sandwiches. The warm wood floors and tin ceiling give this "home of the Cricket Burger" that historic touch, but the service and atmosphere spell fun and comfort. Open Mon.-Sat. 8:30 am-1:30 am.
Mad Anthony Tap Room and The Munchie Emporium $ Exit 129
114 N. Main St.
Auburn, IN 46706 260-927-0500
Located in historic downtown Auburn, this charming building features tin ceilings and great décor. Munchie's offers gourmet pizzas, salads, sandwiches, and of course, munchies. The tap room features a variety of lager beers brewed by the Mad Anthony Brewing company of Fort Wayne. Open Mon.-Thu. 11 am-11 pm, Fri.-Sat. 11 am-midnight, Sunday 11 am-10 pm.
Sandra D's Garden Café $$ Exit 126
Reservations requested
1330 S. Main St.
Auburn, IN 46706 260-927-7282
http://sandradscafe.com
Sandra D's offers fine dining in a casual garden setting. Certified Chef Bentley Dillinger makes all of the outstanding salad dressings and sauces, as well as warm fragrant breadsticks and flatbreads to go with the hand-cut steaks, authentic Italian specialties and seafood dishes offered on a seasonal basis. We especially liked the house salad with cranberries and fresh tarragon, the eggplant side dish and the tender, flavorful walleye. Homemade soups and desserts round out the menu.
Located just blocks north of the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum. Open Tues.-Thu. 11 am-8 pm, Fri.-Sat. 11 am-9 pm, Sun. brunch 10 am-2 pm.
Auburn's Town Tavern $$ Exit 126
1343 S. Main St.
Auburn, IN 46706 260-925-0555
Home of the Hershburger, this family-owned traditional tavern offers lots of choice on their breakfast, lunch and dinner menu. Weekly specials include fried fish, chicken, ribs, steaks, and prime rib on Saturday night. State Fair corn dogs and macaroni and cheese are featured on the children's menu. Most items available for carry-out. Open Mon.-Sat. 6 am-10 pm.
Shorty's Steakhouse $$ Exit 126 or 129
127 N. Randolph St. (Old U.S. 27)
Garrett, IN 46738 260-357-5665
Across the highway from Auburn in charming downtown Garrett, Shorty's is a tiny but mighty fine place for family dining. The antique bar offers a full line of beverages in a non-smoking atmosphere, while owner Lisa Walters, (Shorty) stops at tables and booths to visit with the locals and visitors. Black Angus burgers and daily lunch specials are featured, and the extensive dinner menu stars steaks, seafood and chicken entrees. But for lunch or dinner we recommend the jumbo lump crab cakes-these may be the best west of the Chesapeake, served with Shorty's secret sauce. Open Mon.-Thu. 11 am-9 pm, Fri.-Sat. 11 am-10 pm.
Sechler's Pickles Exit 116
5686 State Route 1
St. Joe, IN 46785 260-337-5461
http://www.gourmetpickles.com
You can't dine here but you can sample some very good pickles, and take a tour of
of Sechler's Fine Pickles factory in Hoosier farmland near St. Joe. You will experience the same fine art of pickle processing that began in 1921 when Ralph Sechler founded his pickle company in the homestead that still stands next to the factory and cypress pickling tanks that make Sechler's pickles the pride of Indiana.
More than 40 varieties of pickles are featured in the rustic retail store and samples of most varieties are available. Tours are available April through October. Call for retail hours.
