Gary-Hammond recs

Picking up my love's father from O'Hare and driving him to see his brother in Gary next wk. We'd like to take him out for dinner en route or nearby. He's a no nonsense meat and potatoes type of man that would have no interest in the majority of what I normally consume. Looking for somewhere solid to eat. Any suggestions would be welcome.

http://www.theoshighland.com/ - should fit the bill.

I'm in the midst of a lake perch crawl (Stay tuned) and have Miller Cafe in Miller Beach on my list. I cant rec it personally since I haven't been yet but as far as dining within or right next to Gary. I think its that or Coney Dogs.

The best meat-and-potatoes restaurant in the Gary-Hammond area is the steakhouse in the Horseshoe casino. Note that smoking is allowed in the restaurant, so if that's an issue, consider other choices.

I'd suggest Giovanni's in Munster...it serves an excellent steak but has other interesting things on the menu as well. It's also very close to the Calumet Ave exit of I-80/94. Another choice in that area is Cafe Borgia, and a third off-the-wall choice is the brewpub at Three Floyds. Cafe Borgia and Three Floyds are also in Munster.

Smoking was banned in restaurants July 1st--pretty sure that would cover the restaurant in the Casino, if not the Casino itself--best to call and inquire if you decide to take that route. And I like Giovanni's but have only ordered basic amer-italian staples there so can't speak to the quality of meat (and it's certainly not a destination--more like a convenient option when I do go there). Gary's only a 30 minute drive (depending on traffic) from downtown--any reason you wouldn't just eat there first then drive out? You'd likely be a heck of a lot happier with your meal and environment than anything you're going to make do with closer to NWI...

boudreaulicious wrote:Smoking was banned in restaurants July 1st--pretty sure that would cover the restaurant in the Casino, if not the Casino itself--best to call and inquire if you decide to take that route.

Casinos were exempted from the smoking ban, and I'm pretty sure the exemption includes all facilities within a casino, including the restaurants.

As for Giovanni's, the last time I was there (last fall), they still had a 21-day dry-aged (choice) strip steak on the menu. It has been on their menu for many years, and I would be disappointed if it's been removed.

And...Gary is a 30-minute drive from downtown Chicago? How fast do you drive?

boudreaulicious wrote:Smoking was banned in restaurants July 1st--pretty sure that would cover the restaurant in the Casino, if not the Casino itself--best to call and inquire if you decide to take that route. And I like Giovanni's but have only ordered basic amer-italian staples there so can't speak to the quality of meat (and it's certainly not a destination--more like a convenient option when I do go there). Gary's only a 30 minute drive (depending on traffic) from downtown--any reason you wouldn't just eat there first then drive out? You'd likely be a heck of a lot happier with your meal and environment than anything you're going to make do with closer to NWI...

Giovanni's menu has a lot more than "basic amer-italian staples". I like their veal dishes and the soft-shell crab. Add in a tab $10 cheaper than in the city, and the fact that you can park free....what's not to like? And there's certainly plenty to like at Cafe Borgia, although I'll admit the environment of the Munster Landfill isn't the greatest.

hahaha---faster than I should I'm also pretty bad about measuring time accurately--but I drive it a lot and if it's not rush hour, seems like it doesn't take much longer than 30-40 minutes or so from downtown. Now from O'Hare, that's another story. And if he's picking up at Midway, the downtown suggestion doesn't make sense either since they'd have to back track.

Called to check and the restaurant at Horseshoe is definitely still a smoking facility--in fact, it is now 21+ only to enable them to do that.

No idea if that steak is still on the menu at Giovanni's. I have eaten there frequently and for years and while it has other things on the menu, I've never had anything outside of the basics that I felt was very good. Certainly only one person's opinion.

Not a fan of Borgia's at all. Three Floyds is probably the best of the bunch but likely NOT the atmosphere you're looking for...

I'll also add that Borgia's is pretty far (west? south?) on Calumet Ave--not really convenient to Gary. Giovanni's or Jack Binion's, if you can deal with the smoke, are probably your best options based on location.

It may be a bit further than you wanted to go, but Tiebels in Schererville is one of my favorite old time places, it's in the Stern's Roadfood book. If you go get the chicken or the boned & buttered perch, dinners come with soup, salad and the prerequisite relish tray.