Amish Country Blog

Sweet Creams Soda Shop
700 S. Main @ State Street / Elkhart / 574.970.5568
-Step back in time
-Try the lunch-time grilled cheese with sautéed peppers & onions
-Best noon ‘till 1:30 pm

Michael’s Italian Restaurant – since 1957
Corner of 6th & Harrison / Elkhart / 574. 522.3664
-Great local feel with “Wednesday night regulars”  – mayor, former police chief
-Best Wednesdays 7 – 8:30 pm

Tabletop Soignee at Flytrap’s
505 S. Main Street / Elkhart / 574.295.1400
-Check out the beef “brutzli” served on a cooking stone @ table
-Great a-la-minute Swiss methods
-Cool original art

Thirsty Thursdays @ The Vine
214 S. Main Street / Elkhart / 574.970.5006
-50% off wines by the bottle each Thursday, free tastings – very popular
-Great retro interior

Power Lunch Fridays
McCarthy’s on the RiverWalk / Elkhart
333 NIBCO Parkway @ Elkhart Avenue bridge / 574.293.2830
-The place for bankers/ developers/ players to launch deals
-Best  Fridays 12 – 1:30 pm

It’s not so surprising to see travel research ranking visiting small towns tops the list of desired vacation activities. Elkhart County is especially blessed with terrific cities and towns with vibrant main streets.

The ECCVB is showing them off in exciting new ways to motivate travelers and keep them interested by launching a series of video clips promoting our cities and towns on our  new YouTube Channel.

Take a look. This is just the beginning!

Let us know what you think of these videos, leave your comment here.

Going to the Blue Gate Restaurant is a must do in Amish Country. They have wonderful food, and good service. I was there on a Flea Market Day, and we had to wait for our check, but that is my only complaint. I loved my beef and noodles, and since it was lunch time, I could have a smaller portion of it. It’s nice not to have to gorge yourself sometimes, and I like that the Blue Gate offers the smaller portion. I did not order dessert, and that is always a mistake in Amish Country. The only excuse I have is that I can travel back to the Blue Gate at anytime. The rest of you wouldn’t want to forgo the wonderful desserts that they have. So when you’re tired of shopping at the Flea Market, and need someone to wait on you, travel to the Blue Gate for a great meal.

-Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor and Visitor Center Travel Specialist

There are definite signs people are traveling shorter distances, so Amish Acres has adjusted its services and offerings to appeal to a more local audience. For example, it’s expanded its restaurant menu beyond the Threshers Dinner introducing fresh ideas such as the new Sunday Buffet, German Sausage Wednesdays, and Half-Price Thursdays with a ½ price rib dinner, ½ price theatre tickets (non-reserved seating) and ½ price hotel suites – encouraging people to start their weekend getaway early. And it seems to be working.

Amish Acres has also taken a totally different marketing approach and forged cooperative partnerships with CVS in over 400 of its Midwest stores and all Kroger, Owens, and Scotts stores in most of Indiana.

Richard Pletcher, Founder and CEO, Amish Acres Historic Farm & Heritage Resort, Nappanee, IN

How far do you plan to travel for your summer vacation? Let us know.

Make room for lunch and dinner during your Elkhart County stay! Just travel down any Main Street in our hometowns and you’ll find a variety of “taste-full” dining choices.  At Culinary Treasures restaurant in downtown Middlebury, it seems like owner/chef Tami Osborn is always making something fabulous, like her tempting crème brulee bars.

Blending comfortable yet upscale décor with a creative, well-priced menu is earning brothers Tony and George Anagnos plenty of happy customers and compliments at their recently opened 523 Tap & Grill in Elkhart.
And on Goshen’s Main Street, an old-fashioned butcher shop/deli combo soon takes residence in a renovated historic building. Mattern’s, know for custom-cut meats, will be offering sandwiches, soups, and salads to enjoy in an inviting atmosphere that combines old and new. For sure, you won’t go home hungry! Start planning your trip today by finding a great place to stay.

-Jessica Miller
Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor

These days “What’s for dinner?” is never a problem when you’re in downtown Elkhart.  Another great restaurant, 523 Tap & Grill , has appeared on the Main Street scene.  I heard people talking about this place but was a bit worried that it may be more bar than restaurant — until I stepped inside.  The restaurant is larger than I expected, and I was happy to see it’s decorated to feel comfortable yet upscale. Owner, Tony Anagnos, greeted us at the door (his brother George is also an owner).  The menu, that was a nice surprise too.  Lots of well-priced selections. I always seem to end up with a filet, and I’m glad I did. And be sure to order the house salad – it’s delicious! We went on a Thursday night and called ahead.  Weekends, you’ll definitely need reservations. 574.523.1523.

Been there?  Then let us know what you like about 523 Tap & Grill! Leave a Comment

- Dave Azinger, General Manager, Ramada
President, Elkhart County Convention & Visitors Commission

Mike and I finally had a date last night – the first one in over three months. I’ve forgotten how nice it is to go out, talk with friends, and not having to worry about eating quickly so I can dash out of a restaurant before my two year old terrorizes everyone in the place.

We went to Mad Anthony’s Old State Alehouse in downtown Elkhart. They moved in three months ago. It is a very modern space. I loved the inside, with the big dining room. There are movie posters throughout, and two big screen TV’s at the stage end of the building. On the stage space, they had a couple of tables - but I bet it’s a great space for entertainment, which I’m sure they utilize. The staff was very friendly, and the service was wonderful.

The menu is huge. I arrived 10 minutes earlier than the rest of my party, and I made it to the salad page by the time our friends arrived. They have pub food, wraps, unwraps, and entrees. There was a page dedicated to the many different kinds of pizza they have. I ordered a cheeseburger, Mike ordered a portabella sandwich, and our friends ordered salads. The food was delicious! I know we’ll go back many times to try everything else.

So when you come to Elkhart, make a visit to Mad Anthony’s. I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.

-Mindy, Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor

It is going to be a beautiful week in Amish Country Northern Indiana! NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmostpheric Administration, pronounced Noah) says we’re supposed to have temps in the 70’s and it will be sunny until Thursday night.  For those of you who come to Amish Country this week, go drive the Heritage Trail, it will be a great time to be out and about. Start early and enjoy a leisurely pace as you go. Everyone on the trail needs to stop at Bonneyville Mill and enjoy being outside for a long period of time. Stretch your legs, fill your lungs with fresh air, and then get on the trail again. 

Stop at the Essenhaus for that handmade and homemade gift. This is one of my favorite places to shop for someone who already has a lot of stuff, and would like something with more thought put into the gift. Also you can head on over to Honeyville and take pictures of some beautiful farms and landscape. In Goshen, stop at the Old Bag Factory and find that perfect item for that hard to buy person on your Christmas list.  I love coming here and looking a dreaming about all the things that I would love to buy. Then head on to Nappanee. By this time, you’re going to want a snack, so stop at the Dairy Queen.  This restaurant was destroyed by the tornado, and was finally rebuilt earlier this year. They bring your food out to your table.  How great is that! Then, as you just think that you can’t be that car any longer (because it going to be so nice), get out and about in Wakarusa. Enjoy the small town atmosphere. Eat at Cook’s Pizza, and find some take along candy at the Wakarusa Dime Store.  When you head back to Elkhart, go walk the Riverwalk and exercise off all the food you ate. It will be a great day.

If you like, go to the web site at Amish Country.org, and take the virtual Heritage Trail.  You can find it by following this link amishcountry.org/heritage.trail.

Have a great time being out and about in Amish Country this week.

Mindy – Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor

Last weekend was beautiful. The weather was perfect, low 60’s, with lots of sun.  Mina, Michael and I went to a pumpkin farm on Saturday with some friends. The kids had a great time. We had three toddlers, who liked running around the farm and patting pumpkins. At the farm, they had a box of mini pumpkins, and Mina picked up one, said “ooh” and the put it back, and repeated the process about 20 times. We went through the farms pumpkin fantasy land, which dressed pumpkins up as nursery rhymes.  The kids had fun looking at the dressed up pumpkins. We laughed at all the ways pumpkins could be dressed. They even had jailed pumpkins.

Then we went to the Essenhaus.  I didn’t make a reservation, because I thought we wouldn’t need it on a Saturday afternoon, however, it was packed. Thank goodness we only had a 10 minute wait for 6 adults and 3 toddlers. The waitress was very quick.  Even with the kids keeping us busy because they were sleepy, we really enjoyed the food and the time there. I had the chicken and noodles and it was wonderful . I love their chicken and noodles because it tastes so yummy.  Mina loved her noodles, and although the Essenhaus isn’t known for it, she ate a lot of ketchup. The other two toddlers loved the bread, and the apple butter and peanut butter for the bread.  Our meal and service was wonderful. 

By the time we made it home, Mina was asleep, and she slept for 3 hours. It was a great way to spend our day.

Mindy – Amish Country Northern Indiana Contributor

I know that Mancino’s is a franchise that has many locations around the US, but the best location is the one on Main Street Middlebury. The dining area is small, but the seating arrangements make it welcoming to everyone. My favorite part of Mancino’s is not the grinders and pizza, but the homemade Vic’s Ice Cream.

On my last trip, I had the chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream cone. The flavor of the ice cream was unlike any other ice cream I have had. It was much stronger and had more cookie dough bits in it then I have found in any other brand of ice cream. Mancino’s also has all of the familiar flavors such as vanilla and chocolate, but I urge to step out of your comfort zone and try something new! If you are only feeling slightly adventurous, they do offer free tastes.

-Tasha, Amish Country Northern Indiana contributor