One of the best parts of roadtrippin’ is chowing down on local eats. Grant County kicks Hoosier Hospitality into the next gear with fabulous food and friendly faces. Try these top ten meals and restaurants:
Fish ‘n Chips
Payne’s Restaurant, Gas City
Stephen Payne, born and raised in England, puts a little British flair in Grant County with his classic, yet interesting cuisine. The local favorite boasts cod fried in a traditional crispy batter, French fries, tartar sauce and, of course, malt vinegar.
New York Strip
Grains & Grill Restaurant, Fairmount
The comfortable, laid-back eatery offers an effortlessly elegant dining experience every time. The ten-ounce tender cut is char-grilled to the perfect temperature, accompanied by creamy smashed Yukon potatoes and the seasonal vegetable of the day.
Chocolate Chip Pancakes
Train Station Café, Marion
The former train depot turned brunch hot spot opened in late 2018. And you can bet they serve up some of the best flapjacks around. The fluffy, buttermilk discs are made from scratch, then topped with sweet maple syrup. The chocolate chip variety hits the spot, but you can always switch it up with blueberry or pecan stacks.
Chicken Salad
Hostess House, Marion
The historical home offers the classiest luncheon in Indiana. There’s a sweet and creamy surprise in each bite of this tasty salad. The secret ingredient to the classic recipe? Pineapples. The light, yet tasty and filling meal is finished off with a fruit medley and their signature poppy seed bread.
Baby Back Ribs
Jefferson Street BBQ, Converse
Taste the best BBQ in the Midwest! Each locally-sourced slab of deliciousness is well-seasoned with a special house rub, then smoked over hickory. The signature jalapeño cornbread adds a new dimension to the meal with each perfectly mild, yet spicy bite.
Fresh Strawberry Shortcake Sundae
Ivanhoe’s Drive In, Upland
This old-school drive-in serves up nostalgic scoops every day. Known for its 100 different shakes and sundaes, there’s one that you have to try on your next visit. The seasonally sweet fruit is topped on Ivanhoe’s signature vanilla soft serve ice cream.
Tenderloin
Folkies Tavern, Marion
It’s like stepping onto the set of Cheers… Everybody’s glad you came! The great atmosphere, jukebox and fun entertainment make it well worth the visit. The next time you stop by, try their take on the Hoosier classic breaded or grilled. You can’t go wrong with any of the sides, but the onion chips always hit the spot.
Chicken, Bacon, Ranch Pizza
PC Brick Oven Pizza, Marion
We can’t say enough about the crispy, wood-fired brick oven pies cooked at 650 degrees. This delicious pizza starts with a BBQ base, then they add chicken, cheese, and bacon. A hypnotizing swirl of ranch tops it all off into one delectable bite.
Fajita Jalisco
La Cascada, Gas City
The authentic Mexican restaurant and cantina boasts a fiesta of flavors. The sizzling fajita favorite is loaded with marinated steak, chicken, shrimp, onions, tomatoes and bell peppers. Each entree comes with rice and beans.
Cashew Stir Fry
Jay’s Thai Food, Marion
Fresh, authentic Thai is the name of the game here. The dish starts with cashews, mushrooms, carrots, onion, peppers and Thai chili sauce. Then, it’s stir-fried with your choice of meat and just the right amount of spicy heat.