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
Joseph Decuis $$$ Reservations preferred Exit 96B
191 N. Main St.
Roanoke, IN 46783 260-672-1715
http://www.josephdecuis.com
"Creative American fare with a touch of Creole" doesn't begin to describe this revelation in Roanoke. When you drive up Main Street, you know you have arrived. Alice Eshelman told her husband Pete "I've got this idea" in 1996.
The idea was a big one, and the town of Roanoke has been restored to its late 1800's glory with the Joseph Decuis dining rooms; Club Creole, Café Creole, the Conservatory and the Courtyard taking pride of place. Award-winning food from a seasonal menu that always includes gumbo, scallops, kobe beef and chocolate bourbon pecan cake. The beef and eggs on the menu come from the Joseph Decuis farm nearby. Homemade mayonnaise, truffle butter and other gourmet touches raise the level of fresh menu items to sublime. Live jazz on Friday and Saturday nights, indoor and outdoor dining, award-winning wine cellar. Open Tues. -Sat. 11:30 am-2 pm for lunch and 5:30-10 pm for dinner.
Nick's Kitchen $ Exit 78
506 N. Jefferson
Huntington, IN 46750 260-356-6618
http://nickskitchen.net
Home of the breaded pork tenderloin since 1908, this downtown diner is filled with friendly local regulars from 6 am to 2 pm daily. Owner Jean Anne Bailey bakes all the pies, and marinates the giant tenderloins overnight to give them their famous juicy tenderness. This is the starting place of our tenderloin trail, since Nick's claims the honor of serving the first breaded pork tenderloin sandwich from a street cart in downtown Huntington. Business was soon good enough to move into a fine brick building on Jefferson Street, and Nick's has been at its cozy location ever since. Sugar cream and black raspberry pie are dessert favorites, and sausage gravy is served over biscuits or potatoes on an extensive breakfast menu that also features Belgian waffles. Very reasonably priced sandwiches, salads and hand-dipped milkshakes round out the lunch menu. The ½ pound Quayle Burger with fries is the most expensive menu item at $7.95. Open Mon.- Sat. 6 am-2 pm Wi-Fi wireless Internet available.
The Party Shop $ Exit 78
413 N. Jefferson St.
Huntington, IN 46750 260-355-0142
http://www.pecanturtles.com
Watch the caramel being made in a big copper kettle for the Party Shop's giant pecan, cashew and almond turtles and for the fresh caramel corn in this nostalgic downtown candy store. Hot roasted nuts and beverages such as smoothies, coffees and teas are offered year round, along with cinnamon rolls and muffins, and the Shop uses local apples in the fall to make a full line of gourmet caramel apples as long as the supply lasts. Chocolate covered bananas, buckeyes and strawberries are also seasonal features. Chocolates and Indiana-made hard and soft candies round out a full complement of confections. Small dining area. Open Mon.-Sat. 7 am-8 pm
Johnny's $ Exit 78
26 Riverside Drive
Huntington, IN 46750 260-356-5129
Johnny's has been a family dining landmark in downtown Huntington since 1948. The little fieldstone building houses a revolving pie case that shows off a variety of homemade pies. Old-Fashioned Pie, Toll House pie, peach crumble and chocolate silk pie are just a few of the local favorites, so save room for dessert!
Open Mon.-Sat. 11 am-2 pm for lunch and 4-9 pm or until 11 pm on Fri. and Sat., Sunday 4-8 pm.
