“Indianapolis.”
“What was the purpose of your visit?”
“Friends.”
“Didn’t you do any shopping while in the United States?
“No.” [Canadian Border Man raises eyebrows.] “What? I ate what I spent.”
The above happened in September when arriving back in Canada following
my second trip to the US. I wasn’t lying. I wasn’t secreting a iPad
into the country or anything. I ate every penny I spent.
On that trip in particular, the goal was to dine at Bub’s Burgers &
Ice Cream in Carmel, Indiana, as seen on MAN vs FOOD. While my
companion was determined to inhale a Big Ugly Burger, I would have
been happy with a milkshake and some fries. Sadly, we did not make it
to Bub’s. Well, we arrived at Bub’s and were told there would be a 2
hour wait, so we just went elsewhere. All I will say about our
alterative venue was that there was beer and food poisoning.
I come from Atlantic Canada. If you go to a restaurant that isn’t fast
food you’re getting pan-fried fish, calamari, mussels, or lobster, so
I have to admit I was a little confused when I heard that a Tim
Hortons in Ohio was serving mac and cheese. What? Mac and cheese? I
want mac and cheese when I go to Tim Hortons! Sadly, it was not to be,
but my visits have resulted in some great food.
Fair Oaks Farm – Fair Oaks, Indiana
Oh sweet Jesus, the cheese! And I’m not a big fan of the cheese, but
this was orgasmic cheese served in an orgasmic quesadilla. There
really is nothing like visiting a dairy farm that smells like ice
cream and fresh milk instead of cows.
http://www.fofarms.com/en/home
The Bread Ladies – Greenfield, IndianaTwo words: chicken salad. So yummy with little chunks of mandarin
orange and spreadable on their delicious bread. I haven’t had a chance
to sample their coffee, but they seem to have a unique selection.
http://www.thebreadladies.com/
The Lemon Drop – Anderson, Indiana
When the lady in this 1950s style diner (the real kind, not the Happy
Days kind) put a little hamburger and toast in front of me I thought,
“Really?” but it really hit the spot and hung on. Just don’t forget
your milkshake to go.
The Holy Grail – Cincinnati, OhioLocated across from the Great American Ball Park, this was an
unplanned stop on a day trip to the Freedom Center. They’ve got a beer
tap built right into one of the tables (a source of fascination for
the entire meal) and the food was that special kind of awesome that
makes you go, “Is that xxx I taste?” or “Oh my God, there’s the xxx.”
http://www.holygrailcincy.com/
Tim Hortons – Richmond, Indiana
I know what you’re thinking. Honestly. I couldn’t leave the only Tim
Hortons in the state of Indiana off of the list. I’ve fallen out of
love with Tim Hortons, but the novelty of driving an hour from
Indianapolis to visit was too hard to pass up. After the shock of
discovering tiny fast food differences, it was comforting to discover
that a medium double double in Indiana tastes the same as a medium
double double in Canada (just don’t judge me for cheating by eating
Square Donuts before hitting Timmy’s).
Honorable mention goes to MacNivens in Indianapolis. Not because of
the food, or the beer, but, as Dhympna can attest, because of THE
AWESOME SCOTTISH-THEMED BATHROOMS!
(http://www.amhartnett.com/
