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
Fort Wayne / Allen County
DeBrand Chocolatier Exit 116
10105 Auburn Park Drive
Fort Wayne, IN 46835 260-969-8333, ext. 4
http://www.debrand.com
Cathy Brand-Beere's world-class chocolate business is one of Indiana's star culinary trail sites. Started in Cathy's kitchen in 1987, DeBrand's has grown to provide chocolates for Trump Hotels and the Mirage Wedding Chapel, but is still Fort Wayne's hometown chocolate shop, with a new stone and stucco headquarters full of friendly staff and "chocolate" walls. You'll find a full line of chocolate beverages and gourmet coffees, desserts, ice creams and toppings just inside the front door. Bet you can't leave without buying a $6 tasting bar in flavors from 82% dark chocolate to raspberry rendezvous, or a half pound box of creams from the Classic Collection. It's hard to resist these artisan chocolates for gift giving. Choices range from the $2.50 Chocolate Thoughts to the $72 Connoisseur Collection. Public tours are offered Tuesday at 10 am and Thursday at 1 pm and at additional seasonal times. Open Mon.-Thu. 7 am-9 pm, Fri. 7 am-10:30 pm,
Sat. 10 am-10:30 pm and Sun. noon-6 pm.
The Oyster Bar $$$ Reservations preferred Exit 111B
1590 W. Dupont Road 260-490-6755
Fort Wayne, IN 46825
A Fort Wayne landmark since 1888, this saloon with the curvy bar has been a favorite haunt of professional patrons for decades. The dark and cozy atmosphere is perfect for a convivial dinner, with a microbrew or glass of wine. Talented young chef, Matt Straka and his crew prepare everything from scratch and make the most of signature sauces and fresh ingredients like perfect shitake mushrooms and sautéed squash. The starters include Ed's Cargot, oyster stew, and of course, the Oyster Bed: 7 ways to present oysters on the half shell, or a sampler tray. The seafood menu is extensive and features a signature walnut-crusted walleye, a flavorful swordfish picatta and a velvety Asian tuna tempura that is irresistible. Beyond the signature entrees, you can choose your fresh fish, and then choose your preparation – and if you don't want seafood, you can order raspberry chicken or a hand-carved filet mignon. Open for lunch Mon.-Fri. 11 am-4 pm, dinner Mon.-Thu. 5-10 pm, Fri.-Sat. 5-11 pm.
Cindy's Diner $ Exit 102
830 S. Harrison St.
Fort Wayne, IN 46802 260-422-1957
John Scheele bought this classic 1952 diner as a Mother's Day present for his wife Cindy, and they restored it in 1990. Their motto is "feeding the world 15 people at a time"-that's the number of stools at the red counter. Breakfast is served all day and John says that Garbage is the #1 order for lunch. Garbage is Cindy's name for a hearty blend of eggs potatoes, cheese, onion and ham served with excellent raisin, sourdough or wheat toast. Cadillac coffee is served, along with cherry and vanilla cokes, root beer floats and shakes. Besides the full breakfast menu, sandwiches, sides and soup round out the menu. John makes pies several times a week (rhubarb is a favorite) and the Murphy's Dime Store donut machine keeps rolling those fresh cake donuts out, to be iced with maple or chocolate. Open Mon.-Sat. 6 am-2 pm, Sun. 7 am-2 pm.
Club Soda $$$ Exit 102
235 E. Superior St.
Fort Wayne, IN 46802 260-426-3442
http://clubsodafortwayne.com
Chef Jesse Arnold uses the premium local beef from venerable Didier Meats as "his own butcher" a few blocks away. He also creates duck spring rolls and cumin and apricot glazed breast of duck from local supplier Maple Leaf Farms and features Midwestern rainbow trout, walleye and a butter crust pork pie on a sophisticated and international menu. Sides like aged white cheddar mashed potatoes, butternut squash risotto and the signature Italian House Salad sit happily next to the steak and seafood entrées. Choose from the dessert tray or go liquid with after dinner cognacs and cigars. The Rat Pack inspired bar on each floor offers an extensive martini and wine list; enjoy a Timotini while admiring the beams and bricks of the old textile warehouse that houses the Club Soda. Open for lunch Mon.-Fri. 11 am-2 pm, dinner Mon.-Sat. 4 pm-late.
Old #3 Firehouse Cafe $ Exit 102
226 W. Washington Blvd.
Fort Wayne, IN 46802 260-422-4850
Helen Grimes is an institution in Fort Wayne, known for her charity work and
Dalmation dog collection. She presides over the dining room up a long flight of stairs from the Firefighters' Museum in the 1893 Brick Engine House. Her partner, Ed Graf runs the kitchen and catering operation, baking muffins and serving up homemade soups, salads and sandwiches. Helen is a winner of the Governor's Hospitality Award, so a warm welcome is the order of the day. The sandwiches have names like Queenie & Her Ten (braunschweiger, cream cheese and red onion on marble bread) and the Backdraft (melted Swiss and turkey with sweet and sour dressing on a croissant garnished with broccoli). Open Mon.- Fri. 11 am-2 pm.
J.K. O'Donnell's Irish Ale House $$ Exit 102
121 W. Wayne St.
Fort Wayne, IN 46802 260-420-5563 http://www.jkodonnells.com
Not a faux Irish chain restaurant, but the real thing, with a sister Ale House in Castlebar Ireland. Mussels, baked oysters and fried St. Killian cheese are good starters in this gold-walled pub, so much the better to enjoy with a pint of one of the 12 imported brews on tap or the 70 bottled beers. Caoimne's batter is just a whisper coating the substantial cod on the fish, and the chips are hand-cut. Real Irish sausage and mashed potatoes are standard for the Bangers and mash, and half orders can be had on all the entrees, including the Red Ruby Trout and Irish Stew. Sides like braised radishes, peas with rashers and dill and roasted beets are worth a try, as is the Banofee, a traditional Irish dessert with a homemade shortbread crust, sticky toffee pudding, bananas and whipped cream. Proprietor Kim Jacobs has
kept the televisions in the back corners tuned to Irish stations to promote conversation at the bar. This is not a sports pub, it’s a local ale house in the best tradition. Open Tues.-Fri. 11 am-2 pm, Mon.- Thu. 4-11 pm,
Fri.-Sat. 4 pm -midnight.
Mad Anthony Brewing Company $$ Exit 102
2002 Broadway
Fort Wayne, IN 46802 260-426-2537 http://www.madbrew.com
Blaine Stuckey became the producer of award-winning handcrafted ales and lagers ten years ago, and has built the Mad Anthony Brewing Company into an Indiana tradition. Combined at the Fort Wayne location with another tradition, Munchies
Emporium, this hometown party place is known for live music, gourmet pan pizzas, outstanding salads with homemade dressings and munchies like Scotch eggs and jambalaya. Patrons have a window view of the brewing process from the bar as a reminder that its all a backdrop for the main attraction – the seasonal beers, and perennial favorites like Old Fort Porter, Ruby Raspberry Wheat, Pale Ale and Auburn Lager. You can take home a growler, six pack, cases or kegs. Pitchers, pints and half pints are available at the bar and tables. Open Mon. 11 am-12 midnight, Tues.-Wed. 11 am-11 pm, Thu.-Sat. 11 am-midnight.
