South Bend Farmers Market Cafe, Amish Indian ???

Bruce, and others with local knowledge, whata do you think of the South Bend Farmer's Market Cafe. Also, any general suggestions for interesting stuff in the area, with a focus on Amish-y things. Also, has anyone visited the American Countryside Farmer's Market in Elkhart?

Rob

Can I add, anyone know anything about this place in Middlebury:

Patchwork Quilt Country Inn

The South Bend Farmer's Market Cafe is okay, but nothing to write home about. I eat here occasionally.

Mary and I went to the American Countryside Market and it is very nice. Well worth visiting. Stuff wasn't quite yet in season, but as the season develops it will get better. A variety of dining choices are available inside. Quite a few crafts stores too.

I wouldn't hesitate to visit or stay at the Patchwork Quilt Country Inn. They have been in business quite awhile. I've never been, but thanks for the reminder.

the SB farmers market cafe is ok like a million country ham and egg and toast kind of places.i ususally like to make the rounds and have some of the food from the chinese vendors.to me the american countryside markerplace was like a glorified food court.i went one of the earlier weekends so there wasnt much produce out.i always like the stuff at the SB famers market though. got to go and see if there are any more ranier cherries.

Thanks guys.

Between Nappanee, Shipsewanna and Middlebury, any preferences for Amish goodness?

Vital Information wrote:Thanks guys.

Between Nappanee, Shipsewanna and Middlebury, any preferences for Amish goodness?

There is an Amish Bakery in the SB Farmer's Market that has the absolute best molasses cookies. I thought I found them in the Elkhart market but as soon as I got home I learned they weren't the same. Even my 4 y/o niece thought the SB molasses cookies were better and she remembered them from 2 months previous.

I'm going Friday and will see if I can get the name. They are in Shipshewana or Middlebury.

BTW, Goshen has a diner that was featured on the Food Network a few weeks ago. Goshen has a wide variety of Mexican restaurants available too.

From the title of this thread ("...Amish Indian ???)", I was hoping for so much more...

VI, this farmer's market in Niles is pretty interesting:

http://www.nilesmainstreet.org/wst_page7.html

They open at 9am, but don't get there too early because the vendors take their time getting set up. It's not as elaborate as the web page makes it sound, but there's some very high quality local product on display here.

The pork is outstanding. It's sold frozen, but even after thawing out it's better than anything you'll find at a butcher. Make sure you bring a big cooler and stock up.

At the corner of Main & Front in downtown Niles, right on the river bank.

germuska wrote:From the title of this thread ("...Amish Indian ???)", I was hoping for so much more...

Yeah, I was thinking maybe some
Apple Butter along side Peshwari Naan;
that could be tasty.

Well, try as we did, we found no curry accented shoo-fly pie*.

The South Bend Farmer's Market will be known as the place my elder daughter discovered gravy.



Gravy on an omelet, who knew! Overall, it was about as described, a good enough meal if in the market, nothing more. On the plus side was a smoked pork chop from the market; on the minus side, some rather awful cherry pie. The market itself was way empty on Thursday, with only about 1/5th of the stands in operation. It may be worth going, however, just for the man who sells Hungarian baked goods, perhaps the orneriest shopkepper this side of Dickens. In between yelling at my younger daughter, who was in the midst of purchasing some of his stuff, he scared off another family.

Amish Indiana is really worth visiting, although it's far from a gourmet's paradise. After all it is genuinely filled with Amish.

Parking lot of local bank


What can be wrong with a land of pie and gravy. Does it matter that all of the crusts are made with shortening and the whipped cream is whipped topping? A few pies rose over their humble ingredients, especially this one, a custard rhubarb at the Village Inn in Middlebury, Indiana.



Two things make this pie. First, the rhubarb is fresh, a small thing to ask, but a pleasure nonetheless. Second, it's a brilliant combo; the soft, rich custard marries so well against the tart rhubarb. It bakes up nice.

Otherwise, Village Inn was so-so. They did a nice job of frying up some unknown fish, but took too many shortcuts with things. I'll leave it at that.

The Blue Gate in Shipshewana should be a feeding trough, but the food was better than expected. Here's the family style meal, one meat (that is fried chicken + ham or beef):


Better gravy, better mashed potatoes, better green beans, delicious noodles, really delicious ham. The pies about matched the best at Village Inn, with these two being the best.


Outside of the restaurants, there's so much for a fresser to love around here, roadside stands, Amish outlet malls, house-made ring bologna, canned goods, candy, etc. I'm eager to return.

*The Amish-ish style food in Indiana differs slightly from what I remember in the Lancaster PA area. Not the least, there was no shoo-fly pie to be found, and there were other key dishes that are absent like fried corn and scrapple--they do have headcheese here, I'm not sure if it's the same thing. Also, the meals do not include any of the vaunted seven sweets and seven sours. Village Inn actually served Smuckers packaged apple butter. Blue Gate has their own apple butter and their own peanutbutter spread but no sours. Anyone know more?

The market itself was way empty on Thursday, with only about 1/5th of the stands in operation.

I must have just missed you. I stopped in for some vegetable and fruit purchases myself. The market's best day is Saturday. Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday's are pretty slow.

The smoked pork chops probably came from Hiatt's and they are good. Hiatt's is my primary source for cheese and poultry. The melon guy has good watermelon and cantaloupe.

Bruce wrote:

The market itself was way empty on Thursday, with only about 1/5th of the stands in operation.

I must have just missed you. I stopped in for some vegetable and fruit purchases myself. The market's best day is Saturday. Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday's are pretty slow.

The smoked pork chops probably came from Hiatt's and they are good. Hiatt's is my primary source for cheese and poultry. The melon guy has good watermelon and cantaloupe.

Well, first Amish Indian food, and now this...I may be pleased with my pie pics, but otherwise, this is one braindead thread from me. We were at the South Bend Farmer's Market on Friday. Sorry Bruce. Still, as Bruce notes, Friday's a dead day too. I am anxious to try the market on another day as there are a lot of vendor slots that look interesting.