Valpo Travel Guide

[valpotx]

Was a hot dog place near where Dairy Queen is/was (not sure if DQ is still there even)?

[agibson]

[Red Hot] Was a hot dog place near where Dairy Queen is/was (not sure if DQ is still there even)?

Oh, right.  It was somewhere around Culver's?  DQ is indeed still there, now next to the Country Inn and Suites.

Red Hot's is gone - I never did visit.  Most recently, El Charro (which occupied the old BK on lincolnway, for a number of years) is now closed.

[Valpo89]

Someone asked about Tony's deep dish or thin? Both are great. The thin isn't really what I would call thin, just basic. They do carry out only, I believe. But again, probably the cheapest prices for the quality of pizza.

Shoe's Pizzeria is also good. It's NY style pizza. The owner bought out BuffaLouie's, and has the BuffaLouie's wings.

Red Hots is long gone. It was in the old DQ building, but they built the new one across the street at what is now the controversial LaPorte-Lincolnway-Sturdy roundabout.

If you're visiting the area and you're a runner, and looking for a good place to run on Saturday or Sunday, go to the Dunes to run the trails or Coffee Creek, which is located at the toll road exit on state road 49.

[covufan]

Tony's pizza is awesome, again in my opinion, better than Greeks or Gelsosimos.  The deep dish, which isn't quite like Gino's or any Chicago deep dish is the way to go. 

Ah, the deep dish, not the thin crust?  89, do you concur?

Do they do take-out pizza?  Delivery?

I remember the deep dish being the best at Tony's.  This was 25-30 years ago, but if they are still in business, it must still be good!

[covufan]

I remember Pass Times from 20 years ago - are they still affiliated with Strongbow's?  Strongbow's is always good, and the Sunday brunch was excellent.  Last time I was in Valpo I went to the Old Syle on the square - ate outside so the dog wouldn't be in the car.  They brought out a water dish and a treat.  Had a nice lunch and told the story about how my mother and friends had to get out of the bar area quickly, as my grandparents were coming in for dinner.  This was probably 50-55 years ago. 

[milldew72]

I highly recommend hitting Figure 8 Brewery on the west side.
Amazing craft beer and a kick butt little joint. No food, but you can get food off site and bring it in and eat while drinking their beer.
They're moving into a bigger place right downtown on the square, but I don't think it will be open by the tournament so you'll have to head west on L'Way. It's just a mile west of Campbell and well, well worth it!

[agibson]

I remember Pass Times from 20 years ago - are they still affiliated with Strongbow's?

What was the connection with Strongbow's?  Pass Times management has apparently changed one or more times over the years, so maybe whatever connection once existed is gone.

They still have a reasonable selection of beer, decent outdoor seating.  Not inexpensive.  Worth a visit.

I'll second the Figure 8 recommendation, even if almost everything is over-hopped.  I'm eagerly waiting to try their new location.

[covufan]

I remember Pass Times from 20 years ago - are they still affiliated with Strongbow's?

What was the connection with Strongbow's?  Pass Times management has apparently changed one or more times over the years, so maybe whatever connection once existed is gone.

They still have a reasonable selection of beer, decent outdoor seating.  Not inexpensive.  Worth a visit.

I'll second the Figure 8 recommendation, even if almost everything is over-hopped.  I'm eagerly waiting to try their new location.

The owner of Strongbow's started Pass Times.

[crusaderjoe]

If your goal is to visit NWI but to not necessarily stay in Valpo, the Radisson Hotel - Star Plaza in Merrillville might be a good alternative, particularly if you're planning on hitting the Casino boats at night since most are located in Hammond or Gary.  I haven't been there in a while but I've heard it's still a good place to stay.  Merrillville is about 12 miles or so west of Valpo.

http://www.radisson.com/merrillville-hotel-in-46410/merrillv

[covufan]

Chef may have a few ideas for places to eat as well.

[milldew72]

If your goal is to visit NWI but to not necessarily stay in Valpo, the Radisson Hotel - Star Plaza in Merrillville might be a good alternative, particularly if you're planning on hitting the Casino boats at night since most are located in Hammond or Gary.  I haven't been there in a while but I've heard it's still a good place to stay.  Merrillville is about 12 miles or so west of Valpo.

http://www.radisson.com/merrillville-hotel-in-46410/merrillv

Blue Chip in Michigan City is a better option if this is your itinerary.
It's all in one place. Gambling, great rooms, great food.
And a 25 minute drive to Valpo.

[elephtheria47]

I'll do it because I love this little town I live in........

Restaurants
Breakfast: Suzie's Cafe or The Viking Chili Bowl
Steak: Kelsey's
Ribs: Wagners
Something quick and close to campus: Culvers
Sit down: Dish
Wings: Wings, etc
Pizza: Tony's
Chinese: House of Kobe (Merrillville)
Italian: Pesto's
Spanish: Don Quixote

Bars
Good water holes: Duffy's, Franklin House, Northside
Nicer place for drinks: Passtimes, Parea, Dish

Figure Eight Brewing for craft beer
Butler Winery (chesterton) and Anderson Winery (Valpo) for wine

Things to Do
Valpo University / Chapel
Franklin house usually has a band, as does Martini's.
A lot of people go downtown around the Courthouse square / Lincolnway when it's nicer out
Memorial Opera House ( an Old Grand Army of the Republic Building, next to the Old jail/ History Museum and Court house)
Taltree Arboretum
Broken Wagon Bison Farm
Porter County History Museum
Rogers Lakewood Park

In the Area
Michael Jackson house in Gary
Casinos (Blue Chip is my favorite in Michigan City, followed by the Horseshoe in Hammond, also have the Magestic Stars Gary)
Car Museum (rag tops) in Michigan City
Another winery, Shady Creek, in Michigan City
Coffee Creek (between Valpo and Chesterton)
Indiana Dunes (catch a sunset, climb the dunes, see Chicago across the lake) (Chesterton)
Bailey Homestead (Chesterton)
Portage Waterfront (Portage)
Take a trip to Merrillville, tons of restaurants with even some Chicago ones (Portillo's, etc)
Albanese Candy Factory (Merrillville)
Ice Skating at Deep River Water Park (Merrillville)
Southlake Mall (Merillville)
Star Plaza (Merrillville)
John Dillinger Museum (Hammond)
Cabela's / Bass Pro Shops (Hammond / Portage)
DC Country Junction - line dancing (Lowell)


If you want to make a little trip out of it, could always hop on the South Shore Train and take a Trip into Chicago or South Bend too, or make your way into Michigan for the Wine Trail and Casino's there

As previously said, the Bluechip Casino would be a fun place to stay. They have two bars in the casino / hotel that usually have pretty good entertainment. But no minors allowed and twenty five minutes from campus.

[MattCarter]

I assume that Red Hot is no longer around?

The former "Red Hot" which was (in my kid years) Dairy Queen was torn down as part of our "roundabout" construction.  For food along those lines, go down the road just a few blocks for King Gyros

[malone]

Visitors coming to Valpo for the HL tournament should check out indianadunes.com, the website for the Porter County Tourism Bureau.  You can check out hotels, restaurants, things to do close to campus; the site has maps and links to businesses websites.

[crusaderjoe]

If your goal is to visit NWI but to not necessarily stay in Valpo, the Radisson Hotel - Star Plaza in Merrillville might be a good alternative, particularly if you're planning on hitting the Casino boats at night since most are located in Hammond or Gary.  I haven't been there in a while but I've heard it's still a good place to stay.  Merrillville is about 12 miles or so west of Valpo.

http://www.radisson.com/merrillville-hotel-in-46410/merrillv

Blue Chip in Michigan City is a better option if this is your itinerary.
It's all in one place. Gambling, great rooms, great food.
And a 25 minute drive to Valpo.

Who are you, the Blue Chip Casino company spokesperson or something? Ha! They could use your post for a commercial.

Seriously, this is good infomation--I may have to check this place out the next time I am in the area based on your remarks.

[lowposter]

Tony's has really great pizza and their other dishes are very good and inexpensive.  As mentioned previously...cash only.

BW3 is horribly overrated.  The service is very slow.  Wings Etc is excellent.  Got TVs also.

Suzie's is great for breakfast, but my favorite is Jimmy's on Michigan Street downtown.  I have probably eaten 2000 meals there over the past 35 years.  Saturday and Sunday mornings see tons of VU students.  Not a big place but great food.

Wagners is just east of VU and has excellent ribs and other sandwitches.  The Buffalo Chicken sandwitch on pretzel roll with waffle fries will set you back $7.50 and is a huge sandwitch...with a kick.

Red Hot is long gone (moment of silence please).  However, as previously mentioned King Gyros is still serving great sandwitches just off campus.  The owners of Red Hot own Kosmos which is on Calumet Avenue.  It is the "go - to" lunch spot for my son and me.  Lunch for the two of us will run about $10.  They have huge breakfasts there which will run about $4. 

There is a new BBQ place on the northside of town called Smokey's (I think).  They smoke in house, ribs, pork butts (pulled pork) and beef brisket.  Real good. 

The Hollywood Cafe is just off of VU campus at US 30 and Rt 2.  Huge menu, reasonable prices, quick service, good food.  What more does one expect from a Greek / American restaurant?

Round the Clock - downtown across from Tonys...Huge menu, reasonable prices, quick service, good food.  What more does one expect from a Greek/American restaurant?

Kelseys - best steakhouse (only steakhouse) in town.  Really good.

Strongbows - I am personally not a big fan, simply because turkey, dressing, mashed potato, etc are best at home.  Their bakery is top notch...no make that TOP NOTCH.  Try their cinamon rolls. 


Bon Femme - absolutely outstanding dining at reasonable prices.  $20-$30 per person plus drinks.  Never, ever had anything other than top notch food.

Pikks Tavern - next door is a small downgrade from Bon Femme, but not by much.  Pretty good food.

Old Style Tavern - really good solid food/value.  Generally an older crowd.  Never been disappointed.

Northsides Tap - younger folks bar.

Franklin House - middle age bar...and pretty good bar food.

Billy Jacks/BJ - incredible Italian Chicken sandwitch...outstanding.

If it were up to me:
Breakfast at Jimmy's or Suzie's, lunch at Billy Jacks or Jimmy's (hey I have eaten 2000 meals there) and dinner after the game at Wings, etc.

lowposter

[sectionee]

I really don't like Tony's but I'm definitely in the minority.  There really isn't going to be much to do, but if you stop by rTrail Collective Edge, my wife is one of the featured artists in an art show there during the month of March.

http://sectionee.blogspot.com/2012/02/why-hl-loves-valpo.html

[vuweathernerd]

there's also a small aviation museum over at the airport, which is kinda cool.

[valpospartan]

Another pizza vote:
Greeks is my favorite - NY style pizza (cut in pie shape pieces, not squares) and the garlic knots are to die for.  Several long tables for big groups. 

[MattCarter]

I really don't like Tony's but I'm definitely in the minority.  There really isn't going to be much to do, but if you stop by rTrail Collective Edge, my wife is one of the featured artists in an art show there during the month of March. http://sectionee.blogspot.com/2012/02/why-hl-loves-valpo.html

u r not alone.  I CAN'T eat Tony's as I am allergic to onion and they have raw and cooked onion within their pizza sauce.  I always thought it looked pretty greasy and nasty, but do have family that swears by it.  If I eat that stuff, I know exactly where I would b spending the HL Tourney...and it isn't my bleacher seat

[valpotx]

Hearing all these familiar restaurant names is bringing back the memories, thank you.  I forgot about King Gyro's, and didn't know the Red Hot owners brought in Kosmos.  That place opened up just before I graduated I believe.

Is Figure 8 a Brew Pub?  I have a co-worker that I talk Valpo with, as her cousin lives in Valparaiso, keeping her updated on what is going on in the area.  Supposedly I am in for a big surprise in regards to places to shop/dine in area, versus 8 years ago when I was last in Valpo to receive my baseball jersey at the alumni event.

[milldew72]

Hearing all these familiar restaurant names is bringing back the memories, thank you.  I forgot about King Gyro's, and didn't know the Red Hot owners brought in Kosmos.  That place opened up just before I graduated I believe.

Is Figure 8 a Brew Pub?  I have a co-worker that I talk Valpo with, as her cousin lives in Valparaiso, keeping her updated on what is going on in the area.  Supposedly I am in for a big surprise in regards to places to shop/dine in area, versus 8 years ago when I was last in Valpo to receive my baseball jersey at the alumni event.

Yes. F8 is a brew pub, but again, no food yet. You can buy a pizza or something and bring i to the pub and eat it, but they don't serve food. But the beer is very, very good.

[chef]

Nothing against Tony's, but I would say the pizza is better at Gelsosomos, Shoe's, and Aurelios. You can always get a good breakfast at Broadway Cafe right next to campus. On the higher end PIkk's Tavern and The Dish are both excellent. Blue Chip is the closest casino and has a very good sports bar. The best poker room is at the Horseshoe in Hammond.

[agibson]

Yes. F8 is a brew pub, but again, no food yet. You can buy a pizza or something and bring i to the pub and eat it, but they don't serve food. But the beer is very, very good.

So, for me, this isn't quite the same as a brew pub   It's a brewery with a tasting room that includes some tables.  They also sell some snacks (nuts, etc.), apparently allow you to bring in food, and do a very brisk take-out business (only place in Porter county to buy beer on Sunday!).

I definitely appreciate the local brewing effort.  They make some good stuff.  Most of it's very, very hoppy. I guess that's a popular American style these days.  If it was cheaper in growlers, I'd definitely drink more of it at home.

They're aiming at something more like a brew pub, SW of the courthouse.  Not sure of the schedule.

[valpotx]

Brew pubs do really well in my area.  The main one is a place called BJ's, and that place has amazing food to go with their good beer.