Amish Cooking in Indiana along I-90?

October 3, 2007 7:04 PM

We're looking for authentic Amish cooking in Indiana along I-90, and especially near Shipshewana, which we will be staying near. Any suggestions?

I love Amish cooking because it reminds me of my Grandmother's and Aunt's cooking. We're returning from a road trip and I was hoping that we might find some authentic Amish cooking as we drive I-90 through Indiana.

Please don't suggest Das Dutchman Essenhaus or some similar place. We tried them on the way out and they weren't authentic and the food wasn't even good.

posted by 14580 to Food & Drink (6 answers total)

I'm guessing your not going to find what you want... my impression of Shipshewana is that it is pretty much a tourist trap... interesting for about an hour, and then it begins to feel like every other highway attraction..

I've been there a couple of times, and have yet to find anything that is authentic...

head on up to Marshall Michigan..and visit Win Schuler's (if that takes you in the direction you're going)....
posted by HuronBob at 7:38 PM on October 3, 2007

Best answer: Roughly 15 minutes south of Shipshe is Tiffany's Restaurant in Topeka. Now, it's been 5-10 years since I've been there, but family members who have made the trip say it's still just as good as remembered. There was a largely Amish staff, and there were always several buggies in the parking lot, so you can make your judgment based on that.

But the food was always good, and the pie is absolutely divine. It's the most important part of the meal, really. The atmosphere is very unassuming and the clientèle would never be mistaken for sophisticates. It's the kind of place you can only find in a small town, and I still get nostalgic for its down-home Americana feel. It's pretty much the opposite of the manufactured "charm" of the Essenhaus. (From what I understand, the Essenhaus has has morphed into a Cracker-Barrel-type restaurant, leaving out all the flavor because the older patrons can't handle it any more.)

When my family lived close enough to eat at Tiffany's a couple times a month, it was a 20-30 minute drive. So don't count it out based on distance; it's definitely a destination in its own right. Even now, just remembering it all is making me start to plan a weekend trip up there, an hour and a half each way. Is there anything else I have to say to convince you to eat there? Just go.
posted by kyleg at 12:34 AM on October 4, 2007

That's where my family lives. I'll send Mom an e-mail and ask for recommendations...
posted by web-goddess at 3:38 AM on October 4, 2007

This is from my cousin, who grew up in the area and worked at the Shipshe Flea Market as her summer job...

The Blue Gate is where we had Mom's wedding reception. Right downtown on 5, just across from the Craft Barn. :) That's where she suggested also. Plus, it's right around the corner from the Bread Box (that's where I always get strawberry rhubarb pie when I visit) and JoJo's Pretzels - so goood.

I know there was a thing Mom & her friend did where they ate in an Amish home. I'm guessing that's the ML Acres thing on the Shipshewana website (now that's something I never thought I'd type). There's a voicemail to set up a reservation.

I won't comment on the 'sophistication of the clientele' or the 'tourist trappiness' of it. You know, it's that thing where I can say whatever I want about my hometown, but to hear other people talk about it is just irritating. You know?

Not to mention, the staff of every restaurant is largely Amish. :)

My own Mom mentioned that she had gone to a group dinner in an Amish home, which she referred to as "Miller's." I'm guessing that's the same "ML Acres Homestyle Banquets" that my cousin mentions. Can you get a group together?
posted by web-goddess at 2:12 PM on October 4, 2007

Response by poster: Thank you. Kyleg's suggestion was one of the last ones we saw before we hit the road this morning, so we ate at Tiffany's. They were about twenty miles off I-90's exit 121 but trip was worth it. The food was excellent, we really enjoyed the rural small-town atmosphere of the restaurant and it was inexpensive, even though that didn't matter. I highly recommend them and we will stop there again the next time we head west.
posted by 14580 at 6:46 PM on October 4, 2007

I'm really glad to hear that you enjoyed it and to know that it hasn't changed much. And it was never my intention to be construed as insulting the fine folk of Michiana, though I can see now how it might be read that way. I just don't want any of those "big-city Mefites" to be put-off by the casual atmosphere if they are ever forced to drive through the fly-over states.

There's more than corn in Indiana.
posted by kyleg at 9:02 PM on October 4, 2007