Auburn Indiana eats

We feel that eating where the locals eat, rather than at the big chain place out at the interstate exit, gives us some of the best opportunities to savor the flavor of a particular location. It’s a thought that Detroit area chef and reality TV vet perhaps best and most unjustly known for his soggy rice, “Survivor” season two’s Keith Famie, even parlayed into a book—You Really Haven’t Been There Until You’ve Eaten the Food.

Finding the little independent diners, specialty foods and cozy local pubs is a big part of the fun of traveling for us.

Getting away from home for even just an overnight trip like our recent jaunt to Auburn, Indiana gives us the chance to try something a little different and file away a few more favorites in our food memory banks.

Maria’s House of Pancakes & Restaurant

We spotted Maria’s tucked into a large batch of chain restaurants and stores along a busy main road near Kendallville, Indiana.

The big sign picturing a stack of pancakes drew attention as Tim is a big breakfast and pancake fan.

Maria’s was a pretty standard diner type place, with its hand-lettered chalkboard announcements of that evening’s specials, like pork chops and spaghetti, greeting customers at the front door that opened into a dining area packed with locals.

The dinner menu sounded like great comfort food fare, with home-style entrees like country fried steak, baked meatloaf and roasted turkey with dressing. I suppose some folks even savor the thought of ordering baby beef liver and onions, but we were there for breakfast.

Tim’s platter of four massive blueberry pancakes with a side of sausage was more than enough to keep him full until dinner.

I’m a real Eggs Benedict fan, and one of Maria’s takes on this breakfast dish had a twist that I had to try. The Potato Benedict breakfast I ordered featured a split English muffin, thick Canadian bacon and two large potato pancakes topped with three poached eggs, drizzled with a light Hollandaise sauce and accompanied by a mound of hash browns. I made a valiant effort, but as tasty as it was, it was definitely too much food to finish in one sitting!

Bottom line—Maria’s offers great and plentiful breakfasts at a reasonable price. You won’t leave Maria’s House of Pancakes & Restaurant hungry, that’s for sure!

Mad Anthony Brewing Company

I was thinking it might be nice to stop at a pub for a burger and beer when we spotted Mad Anthony Brewing Company in downtown Auburn, Indiana.

The Auburn tap room is in an historic building and former local department store that owners of the Fort Wayne-based Mad Anthony Brewing Company purchased and renovated before opening it in 2002.

Friendly service, massive pub fare portions and local beer-what’s not to love?

Oh, and free downtown parking! Does it get any better?

I love spicy food, and the crispy fried crawfish accompanied by a spicy hot cheese dip studded with more crawfish bits was just the thing to accompany my Auburn Lager, an American-style amber lager.

I continued with the spicy specialties by ordering a Cajun-spiced fried grouper fish sandwich and the restaurant’s Scooby bits, potato wedges dusted with crab spice. Tim opted for a grinder sandwich and onion rings.

Again with the massive portions! Both sandwiches were so huge that we thankfully remembered our motel room had a mini fridge and ended up taking the remainder of our meals back with us to enjoy later.

Bottom line-Hearty local brews and spicy specialties are a winning combo at Mad Anthony Brewing Company in downtown Auburn. Come hungry and be prepared for plenty of leftovers to take home!

Be sure to check out Sechler’s Pickle Factory store in Saint Joe, Indiana for more northern Indiana eats.

© Dominique King

Comments

[Becks Davis]

I completely forgot about Keith Famie, but I agree that eating where the locals do is always best.

The Eggs Benedict sounds fab. Who has the best Eggs Benedict in Metro Detroit?

[Tim]

The food was good and the Italian Grinder I had was massive

[Dominique]

Becks-I'm not sure what Keith Famie is up to these days, although his site seemed to list some fairly recent appearances. I loved watching him on Survivor and enjoyed the Food Network show he did about the food/travel connection.
It's been a long time since I had Eggs Benedict around town, although I seem to remember that Union Street had a couple of fun takes on the dish (including a version with lobster!!).

Tim-Those sandwiches were as big as our heads--and certainly bigger than our stomachs!
Both meals were pretty good...and it's always nice to support the locals where you travel.