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
Steuben County
Clay's Family Restaurant $ Exit 157
7815 N. Old 27
Fremont, IN 46737 260-833-1332
If you are driving up I-69, don't leave Indiana without stopping at Clay's, just south of the Michigan border on Lake George. Clay's famous fish dinner is $6.49 with 2 sides and a roll, but spring for the made to order fried biscuits to share and save room for the "made in-house from scratch" pies. We liked the rhubarb and peach, but are told by locals that the Oops! Pie, a warm pecan-chocolate chip dessert, is Clay's signature. This is an all-family establishment, with sons and daughters managing and serving. Our waitress's sister, Chass Baker makes the tender shortcrust pies daily. Open Tues.-Fri. 11 am-8 pm, Sat. 8 am-8 pm, Sun. 8 am-8 pm. Weekend Breakfast buffet 8 am-11 pm.
Potawatomi Inn $$ Exit 154
Pokagon State Park
6 Lane 100A Lake James
Angola, IN 46703 877-768-2928
Breakfast, lunch and dinner are served in the dining room of this rustic 80-year-old inn. Known for its family and holiday buffets, hearty breakfasts and especially the Sunday Brunch, served 9 am-2 pm, where Kenny Roland "the omelet guy" serves up made-to-order omelets and waffles to go with the fresh salmon and baked goods. The inn has spectacular lake views and landscaping, and the fried fish and cinnamon ice cream are exceptional. Enjoy the all you can eat prime rib buffet every Saturday evening. Open Mon.-Sat. for Breakfast 7-10:30 am, Lunch 11:30 am-2 pm, Dinner 5-8 pm, Sun. 9 am-2 pm. Park entrance fee.
Satek Winery Tasting Room Exit 154
6208 N. Van Guilder Road
Fremont, IN 46737 260-495-WINE
http://www.satekwinery.com
Larry and Pam Satek offer impromptu tours and tastings in the pleasant winery and tasting room just beyond their vineyards. French-American hybrid grapes and Native American grapes from this Lake James region offer a wide array of sweet, semi-dry and dry wines with lots of character. Open 11 am-6 pm daily.
Wild Winds Buffalo Preserve Exit 154
6975 N. Ray St.
Fremont, IN 46737 260-495-0137 http://www.wildwindsbuffalo.com
Daily café lunches, meat sales, gift shop, horse trail rides and guided buffalo tours are open to the public at this bed and breakfast. Open Wed.- Sun. 10 am -4 pm
The Herb Garden $$ Exit 154
215 E. St. Road 120
Fremont, IN 46737 260-495-1658
The Herb Garden started as an herb business on this site in a genuine log cabin built as a home and developed into a local restaurant. Comfort food specialties include yam fries, crab and salmon cakes and deep fried crispy fish. Open Mon.-Thu. 11 am-8 pm, Fri.-Sat. 11 am-9 pm, Sun. 11am-7 pm.
Captain's Cabin $$$ Reservations accepted Exit 150
3070 W. Shady Side Road
Angola, IN 46703 260-665-5663
http://www.captainscabinrestaurant.com
Steaks and seafood served in a real log cabin with log-legged tables and water views of Crooked Lake. Known for tender prime rib and huge cold-water lobster tails, the crispy frog legs, pan-seared crab cakes and steaks are also worth the trip. Amish rolls and peppermint ice cream are signature dishes, along with martinis served in stainless steel glasses. Open for dinner only, after 5 pm, Wed.- Sat.
Lower level lounge.
Caruso's $$ Exit 150
2435 N. 200 W.
Angola, IN 46703 260-833-2617
The Caruso family has operated this comfortable family restaurant since 1976. Recently renovated, it features American and Italian traditional foods including lasagna, Chicken Marsala, steaks and sausage rolls. Italian breadsticks, cakes and pies are signature items, along with spumoni. Open for lunch Tues.- Fri. 11 am-2 pm and dinner Tues.-Sat. 4-9 pm.
Lelli's Hatchery $$-$$$ Exit 148
118 S. Elizabeth
Angola, IN 46703 260-665-9957
http://www.hatcheryrestaurant.com
Upscale dining on the site of a 1930's chicken hatchery; the building Lelli's is housed in was built prior to 1870. The award-winning restaurant features a scampi recipe from John Lelli's father's restaurant in Detroit, and is known for great seafood and pasta, Motor City ribs and the Hatchery classic prime rib. Cedar planked duck, grilled quail and very reasonably priced gourmet sandwiches round out the menu. Lelli's is well known for its pies, so save room for dessert. Open Mon.-Thu. 5-9 pm, Fri. -Sat. 5-10 pm.
Skip's $ Exit 148
112 W. Maumee
Angola, IN 46703 260-665-3922
http://skipspartyplace.com
Built in 1908, Skip's originally was known as the Sailor's Saloon. A renovation in the late 1960s made room for a dance floor, pool tables and an upstairs bar, but left the beveled glass in the ceilings. Christy's Coney dogs, onion rings, mozzarella sticks and pizzas are popular with locals who come to dance and listen to nationally recognized blues and jazz acts where the walls are decorated with hundreds of guitars. Open Mon.-Sat. 9 pm to 3 am.
Sutton's Deli $$ Exit 148
140 N. Public Square
Angola, IN 46703 260-665-6799
Grab a seat overlooking the Angola Public Square and Soldier's Monument and order bagels, soups, salads and sandwiches at this small town deli where the locals stop in to eat and visit. Open Mon.-Sat. 7 am-4 pm.
Pier 32 $$$ Exit 140
6665 S. State Road 1
Hamilton, IN 46742 260-488-2808
Fine dining on a summer patio or next to an inviting fieldstone fireplace in cooler weather. An extensive wine cellar featuring more than 100 wines is available to complement the seafood menu, which includes Leelanau Bay walleye and sesame sashimi tuna. Open Mon.-Sat. 11 am-9 pm, Sun. 10:30 am-9 pm.
