Indiana’s food scene is growing.
From international food festivals to hosting the World Food Championships in a few weeks, the culinary scene is rich with new faces, James Beard nominees and the diversity of the Midwest. Carrie Steinweg’s “Unique Eats and Eateries of Indiana” examines this growth through an extensive culinary guide and behind-the-scenes tour of what makes Hoosier restaurants tick.
The book is more than just a culinary guide, it’s a delicious journey through the Hoosier State’s rich food landscape.
From roadside diners to hidden gems in bustling cities, Steinweg offers readers a savory snapshot of Indiana’s diverse and ever-evolving food scene. House-made fried bologna sandwiches and Hoosier tenderloins emphasize that top-notch may not always be the top dollar.
With nearly 85 restaurants to explore, readers can see photos of famous dishes, historic buildings and notable art while reading, a nice touch that adds to the storied element of the guide. Each page highlights the small details that make you feel like you’ve eaten at the restaurant before you step foot inside. It’s clear that Steinweg visited each restaurant herself.
For example, the page on Shapiro’s Delicatessen, an Indiana staple, features photos of the classic hearty stew, the owners and a variety of menu options. Beyond the photos, Steinweg explores the history of Shapiro’s. Founded in 1905, the traditional Jewish deli and bakery is the oldest single-family deli in the country. They first sold goods from a pushcart before opening the brick-and-mortar business and living above the deli with their eight children.
While many Hoosiers know about Shapiro’s or may have visited, reading about their history makes every pastry eaten there even sweeter because now you understand the generations of work and dedication it took to become an Indy favorite.
Steinweg’s book is not all about Indianapolis, however. She features restaurants from across the state, some near Lake Michigan and others near the Indiana Dunes. Many are smaller restaurants who may have a specific dish the locals love or a beautiful view. Steinweg’s restaurant choices showcase the variety outside of the city, which I love.
Steinweg’s voice and descriptive language make each dish sound delectable. She packs so much information into a short section, condensing history into the present, mixing famous dishes with the newest innovations.
Aside from providing the background and inside stories of the restaurants, Steinweg provides the location, phone number and website. Best menu items, cash-only establishments and extra facts are listed in each spread, which could help visitors who are apprehensive of straying from their favorite places.
The restaurants are listed in alphabetical order, and there is an additional appendix grouping restaurants by region. In a landscape overflowing with chains, fast food and corporate dining, supporting these local, family and minority-owned restaurants can mean the difference between a thriving business and closing up shop. An all-encompassing guide, “Unique Eats and Eateries” is cover-to-cover a must-have tool for history buffs, road trippers and foodies looking for their next Hoosier-made meal.
“Unique eats and Eateries of Indiana” is available wherever books are sold.
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Contact Health & Environmental Reporter Hanna Rauworth at 317-762-7854 or follow her on Instagram at @hanna.rauworth.
Hanna Rauworth is the Health & Environmental Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper, where she covers topics at the intersection of public health, environmental issues, and community impact. With a commitment to storytelling that informs and empowers, she strives to highlight the challenges and solutions shaping the well-being of Indianapolis residents.
