Culinary Trails
Scenic By-Ways Trail
Indiana Foodways Alliance recommends the following restaurants for visitors who wish to sample the local fare throughout the state. Call to verify hours.
We recommend that you use an Internet mapping service for the detailed directions you might need to find the recommended restaurants and businesses.
(Map Coming Soon)
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
Vincennes
Pea-Fections Culinary Connection
321-323 Main St. 821-886-5146
Vincennes, IN 47591
Johnson & Wales chefs Becky Pea and Bill Stenger got married and moved back home to open a culinary cornucopia in downtown Vincennes. Soups, salads, and sandwiches are made fresh from scratch, and are great with the Italian sodas and specialty coffees, but the stand-outs are the desserts. Portraits of Uncle Roy's Bread Pudding, Chocolate Bar A La Mode and fabulous cakes and cheesecakes compliment the cozy dining rooms in a restored 1800's commercial building on the town square. Pastry Chef Stenger's creations are glamorous on the walls, but even better on the table. Visit the cake decorating shop upstairs, and don't forget to take some cashew raisin chicken salad or puffed corn home for later. Open Mon.-Fri. 10 am-5 pm, Sat. 10 am-3 pm. Reservations accepted for 6 or more.
Apple Hill Orchard
6235 N. Ford Rd. (Highway 41 North)
Bruceville, IN 812-324-9010
Karen and Brad Black built this airy log Apple Lodge commanding a 360 degree view from the porch in 1999 to market the fruit and produce from Joe Black's hilltop orchard. Watch cider-making and fruit sorting while partaking of a cider slushie or just-out-of-the -oven donut, bread or pastry from the open kitchen.
Fresh seasonal fruit served over ice cream, zuchinni bread, pies and drinks can be enjoyed, cider is available by the glass and gallon, and jams and jellies can be taken home to savor. Apple Hill Orchard is open to the public July 5-December 23, 9 am-6 pm Mon.-Thurs. and 9 am-6 pm Fri. & Sat. $
Charlie's Carmel Corn & Candy Shop
427 N. 2nd Street 812-882-8008
Vincennes, IN 47591 http://charliescaramelcorn.com
A nicely restored little white house on 2nd Street houses a Vincennes landmark. Since 1955, award-winning candies and caramel corn have been made and sold here. Family photos share wall space with the signature red tins of Charlie's Caramel Corn, and the wide variety of turtles are the #1 selling chocolate item. We especially liked the chocolate-covered orange peel. Caramel corn starts at $1.75, and chocolates are $12.95/ lb.
Open seven days a week, 10 am-6 pm summers, and 10 am-7 pm in the winter.
Zander's Ice Cream
315 Main St. 812-886-0380
Vincennes, IN 47591
Vincenne's hometown ice cream stands have been consolidated into a downtown ice cream shop serving breakfast, lunch and dinner in a "bring the outdoors in" atmosphere. Just two doors down from Pea-Fections, the new version of Zanders still offers their famous cake batter ice cream, along with 23 other seasonal flavors made on the premises. Owners Mike Weber and Tim Shidler have perfected more than 120 ice cream and gelato recipes, and often combine their premium ice creams with coffee or soda to make customized drinks such as the popular "steamed cake batter drink" served hot, of course. Open Mon.-Fri. 8 am-10 pm, Sat. 9 am-10 pm, Sun. 11 am-10 pm. $
Bill Bobe's Pizzeria
1651 N. 6th Street. 821-882-2992
Vincennes, IN 47591
Since 1954, the Bobe family has served classic pizza and stromboli with local ingredients in a green-trimmed brick building on the corner of 6th and Meyer Streets. Pam Bobe promises your pizza is not made until you order it, and the wait is so worthwhile. Bobe's sticks to what it does very well; pizza, breadsticks and stromboli, so the menu's only additions are a small salad bar (try the local salad dressing) and soft drinks, but you can add vanilla or cherry flavoring to a Coke for 15 cents and there are free refills on the freshly brewed sweet tea and coffee. Bobe's is open for lunch Mon. - Fri. from 11 am to 2 pm, and for dinner seven days a week from 4 to 10 pm. $
There is usually a wait for a table, but carry-out & delivery are available.
