Eating Out in Indiana

Batesville: Hobo Hut, 1356 SR 46 E, Phone (812) 934-5010 Breakfast is simple and filling. The Western Omelet had sausage, bacon AND ham in it and Denny's plate of eggs with three types of meat was cooked well. This is where the locals have breakfast. Cash only.

Elkhart: Between the Buns, 2041 Cassopolis St. Phone (574) 206-9900 Tuesdays are the $3.99 burger and fries deal and the burgers are pretty darned good.  As are the Smurfettes, the Tuesday Happy Hour drink special. We went back for lunch and had fish sandwiches and those were good also. (9/2010)

Callahan's Restaurant, 2917 Cassopolis St., Phone (574) 262-3151 Touted by the locals as the place for breakfast and lunch. We had Italian steak sandwiches for lunch along with their homemade soups; chicken noodle for me, French onion soup for Denny. Really, really good. (8/2009) Edited 9/2010;  we returned and it's still good food, pleasant staff, comfortable surroundings and still favored by the locals.

Golden Egg Restaurant, 3124 Plaza Ct., Phone (574) 266-6400 Bring a big appetite when you stop at the Golden Egg Pancake House. Here, if you order 2 eggs you'll end up with three eggs, so if you truly only want 2 eggs, order 1 egg. Make sense? Reasonable prices, great breakfast. (8/2009) Edited 9/2010; still good, still more than you can eat in one sitting, still recommended.

King Wha Chinese Restaurant, 2819 Cassopolis St Phone (574) 266-0285 Typical decor, very bland Chinese. They have really turned down the heat on their spicy dishes and we were disappointed with our food. Not recommended if you like good, spicy Chinese food. (9/2010)

Samuel Mancino's Italian, 2930 S. Nappanee St (Hwy 19) Phone (574) 522-7400  We were hungry for pizza and we were disappointed. Our first clue should have been the empty restaurant. Simply okay, nothing more. (9/2010)

Middlebury: Das Dutchman Essenhaus, 240 US 20 Phone (800) 455-9471 Good home cooked family style meals. You won't leave hungry, especially if you try a slice of one of their many homemade pies. The rhubarb custard is fabulous. (8/2009)

Monticello: Harvest Time Restaurant, 722 W. Broadway St., Phone (574) 583-8666 Denny and I both had the Western Omelettes which were excellent. We skipped the American fries and toast. It was the cheapest breakfast we've had in ages. Welcome back to the Mid-west. They serve lunch and dinner also with a decent variety of choices. (5/2007)

Oldenburg: Wagner's Village Restaurant, 22171 Main St. Phone (812) 934-3854 Pan-fried chicken is their claim to fame, served family style. Green beans and mashed potatoes with gravy are okay, the blackberry cobbler and chocolate cake are from scratch. A little pricey for a small town, but an enjoyable meal made more pleasant by a couple of blocks walk around town to see nicely restored homes and buildings. Worth the trip. (5/2009)