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
Burkie's Exit 41
1515 W. Jackson St.
Muncie, IN 47303 765-282-4355
Burkies is an old-fashioned drive-up and eat-in-your-car spot with bell-hops in attendance. Their fresh hand-cut fries have won awards, and they go well with the burgers, tenderloins, steak and cheese, chicken, barbeque and coneys on the tray in your window. Cherry Cokes, milkshakes and sugar cream pie make the little brown and white striped building in a residential area a nostalgia feast, and the neon sign with the arrow is the icing on the cake. Open year round, Mon.-Sat. 11 am-9 pm. $
Eva's Pancake House Exit 41
4008 W. Bethel Ave. 765-288-9650
Muncie, IN 47304 http://www.evaspancakehouse.com
A cool green stucco exterior with a glass block column and an umbrella patio leads into the garden atmosphere at Eva's. The friendly staff serve up strawberry stuffed French toast, Belgium waffles, omelets and shredded hash browns to a big crowd, but the secret recipe buttermilk pancakes are the feature: they are light, but with perfect texture, slightly sweet and served with butter and confectioners sugar. Many of us don't even need syrup to enjoy these excellent pancakes. There's a full lunch menu as well, and fresh ground Kona coffee, but Eva's closes after lunchtime. The restaurant's local success has led proprietor Eva Angelopoulos to open additional pancake houses in Anderson and Pendleton. Open seven days a week, 6 am-3 pm. $$
Vera Mae's Bistro Exit 41
207-209 S. Walnut St. 765-747-4941
Muncie, IN 47305 http://www.veramaes.com
Right next to Dave's Alley, with the orange mailbox where you can post your letters to Letterman, is a wonderful old brick building with green awnings – Vera Mae's Bistro, one of IFA's culinary stars. Glowing with jewel-like walls, skylights and polished wood floors, it is a perfect setting for the signature crab cakes and French onion soup, chicken brie raspberry and Bombay rack of lamb served for dinner. Desserts include a house-made pecan pie that is exceptional. Vera Mae's bleu chicken salad, pizza margherita, dill crusted cod sandwich and half-pound hamburger are a few of the reasonably priced lunch items offered with a gourmet twist. Local art is featured on the walls and an extensive wine list and imported beers make this a special occasion. Free parking in lot behind building.
Open for lunch Mon.-Fri. 11 am-2 pm, for dinner Mon.-Thu. 5-9 pm, Fri.-Sat. 5-10 pm Pianist Thu.-Sat. evenings. $$
Concannon's Pastry Shop Exit 41
620 N. Walnut St. 765-288-8551
Muncie, IN 47305
Pies, cakes, cookies and pastries …did we mention pies? Mike Concannon's glittering bakery across from Muncie Central High School is filled with temptation from the signature chocolate crème filled cake to turnovers and carmel corn. Fresh bread and doughnuts, cookies, lemon streusel cake and sugar cream pies, oh, my! Concannon's has been family-owned since 1959 and is a sweet Muncie tradition. Open Mon.-Fri. 5:30 am-5:30 pm, Sat. 5:30 am-5 pm.
Lowery's Candies Exit 34
6255 W. Kilgore Ave. (IN 32) 800-541-3340
Muncie, IN 47304 http://loweryscandies.com
Lowery's fine chocolates are hand-dipped with no fillers. Vickie Good's family opened the seasonal candy business downtown in 1941, moved to Rt. 32 in 1964, and Hoosiers have been enjoying nut rolls (vanilla creams rolled in black walnuts), real butter toffee with pecans and those silky wonders, the "Dark Secrets" ever since. The little beige house with brown trim is full of seasonal favorites as well as the tiger paws, creams, nuts, cherries, chews, and pastels they are famous for. Chocolate Easter eggs and Colt's footballs filled with candies are especially popular. Say hello to the dedicated staff while you are there – their artistry makes Lowery's a special place. Open Labor Day to Mother's Day, Mon.-Fri. 9 am-5 :30 pm, Sat. 9 am-5 pm.
Bird's Smokehouse BBQ Exit 34
9008 S. Walnut St. 765-378-1900
Daleville, IN 47334 http://www.birdssmokehousebbq.com
Slow-cooked hickory smoked meats are featured in this friendly log cabin just blocks from the highway. Linda & Reba Strange built their restaurant as a tribute to "Bird" Strange, who ran the family Southern barbeque business from the caravan that still sits out back. Tender pulled pork, ribs, chicken and beef brisket all get smokey on site, and then join signature giant spuds and traditional sides such as green beans and macaroni and cheese on platters and with sandwiches. There is even a piglet sandwich for small appetites for only $3.75 with a side and drink. Real brewed sweet tea and seasonal fruit cobbler round out the menu.
Open Mon.-Sat. 11 am-9 pm, Sun. 11 am-6 pm. $
Pete's Duck Inn
721 W. Walnut St. 765-789-8488
Albany, IN 47320
Traveling along Route 67, you'll see a gray roadside building with a smiling duckling on an elevated sign - that's Pete's Duck Inn, a fine example of traditional Hoosier cuisine. If its Thursday, Greg will be slow grilling ribs out back for the daily special, and on Wednesdays all-you-can eat frog legs are featured. Pull right in and find a seat in the dining room or on the bar side, which allows smoking. Phil (Pete) and Carol Peterson have run the Duck since 1987, and it’s a friendly casual place where good food is taken seriously. The extensive menu says they specialize in pan-fried chicken, charbroiled steaks and chops, but the stuffed shrimp, gizzards & livers, Cajun catfish and salads are worth the trip as well. Pete's Duck Inn is also known for its hefty breaded or grilled pork tenderloin sandwiches. Pete says he doesn't pound them thin because his customers like the predominant taste the premium pork he uses. Open Mon - Fri. 8 am - midnight, Sat. 9 am - 2 am, Sun. noon to 8 pm. $$
Minnetrista
1200 N. Minnetrista Pkwy 800-428-5887
Muncie, IN 47303 www.minnetrista.net
Minnetrista includes 40 acres of beautiful gardens, a farmers market and a museum along the historic White River in downtown Muncie. This non-profit was founded by the Ball Brothers, and one exhibit details the history of the
Ball Jar. The seasonal farmer's market is open from June through October, and Minnetrista hosts many regional culinary events throughout the year, including cooking demonstrations and a February chocolate celebration.
Farmers Market open Saturdays,8 am to noon and Wednesdays 4 pm - 6 pm.
Thai Smile
2401 N. Tillotson Ave. 765-289-8989
Muncie, IN 47320
Atin Jiamjerarat opened Thai Smile in the stone restaurant near Ball State in 2000, bringing a wide array of Thai cuisine to Muncie. From hot to mild, residents have especially taken to his curry puffs, filled with chicken ad sweet potatoes, the pineapple-tangerine chicken, Mongolian barbeque, and the three-flavored chicken. Spicier fare includes Basil - a dish made with your choice of meat, or the pad kee-mao, one of Atin's favorites. A selection of beers and wines is available, but no mixed drinks. Open Mon. - Fri. 11 am - 2 pm and 5 pm to 9 pm, Sat. 4:30 - 9 pm. $$
