#265: Dari Fair

Even after a big meal, I say, there's always room for ice cream. And in the hot summer months, it's always time for ice cream. With all this room and time for ice cream, it's good to know all the options available. It took me much too long to add this to my list of regular stops, but Dari Fair is an ideal spot for getting for your ice cream fix.

Dari Fair offers an incredible variety of food, not just ice cream. It opens for breakfast in the morning with typical drive-in fare. As for dairy side of the menu, there are over 100 flavors available, many novelty treats (eg. homemade brownie and cookie ice cream sandwiches), and my personal favorite, "Razzles" (see the photo below). In a long life of ice cream consumption, I have never ever found a place that offers puppy chow (or muddy-buddies, for the southerners) as a mix-in. This alone made me a devoted fan of Dari Fair.

They also offer something not found at every ice cream stand: a strong local flavor. Dari Fair regularly hosts blood drive vehicles in the parking lot, and signs for local camps and events are plastered alongside the menu. Don't expect anything fancy here -- there's a handful of picnic tables and a shaded side patio, handwritten notes on the menus, and a crowded jumble of food and machines inside -- but during this sticky and sweaty summer, it will hit the sweet spot.

When: Seven days a week, 4:30 am-10:00 pm, except for Mondays, when it opens at 11:00 am
Where: 4012 Lincolnway East (Mishawaka/Elkhart side of town)
Website: http://www.facebook.com/DariFair/info - frequently feature specials/coupons on Facebook

I hope the pina colada doesn't actually come out that color green.

"Razzles" = soft serve with mix-in (cf: Dairy Queen Blizzard)

#260: Old 2 Gold

I find it interesting to think about the things that bring out 'the crazy' in different people.  For some, it might be their beloved sports teams; for others, their cats.  Some people drive hundreds of miles for a comic book convention...or a road race.   And for some, a good bargain is worth waking up for, worth fighting crowds and inclement weather. 

Tomorrow morning marks the annual Old 2 Gold sale, a sort of Black Friday for second-hand goods in the area.  Notre Dame collects and sells off unwanted and forgotten goods gathered from its students at the end of the academic year.  The piles and piles of stuff are then sold off at rock bottom prices.  Like $5 bike and $15 TV cheap.  Goofy college t-shirts?  Four for a buck. 

The perk is that this stuff is usually of decent quality.* Students (and as a ND alum, I know) are often too busy or luggage-restricted to deal with the stuff, so they donate it, and it's often high-quality and completely functional.  That's what makes Old 2 Gold such an event.

In years past, the sale was held in the ND football stadium, and people could line up at 5 AM for the Early Bird sale.  This year, things are being done a bit differently due to construction in the stadium.  It will be held at the old Target building near Double T's.  The sale starts at 9 AM, and there will be no Early Bird admittance. 

There is a fee to enter, but at $5, it's still a bargain.  And besides, I think the people-watching will be well worth the entry fee.

When: Saturday, June 16, 9 AM - Noon
Where: Target Building (has Steve & Barry's signage) at Hickory and McKinley Avenues
Cost: $5.00
Website: http://old2gold.nd.edu/

Tip: You can scope out the site map early to formulate a plan of attack for optimal bargain hunting.


*Although I would be careful of college student bedding and cooking stuff. Who knows what happened there.

#254: Cira's Restaurant

I grew up in the 90’s. That decade of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the Spice Girls, and Titanic.  Maybe then it’s apparent why I am afflicted, like so many others in my generation, with nostalgia for times I never experienced. The television show Mad Men is perhaps the biggest and best example of this phenomenon. Without ever having experienced the 1950’s and 60’s, we are enthralled, and alternately horrified, by the fashions, the music, the attitudes, and by Don Draper himself.

I felt something similar when I walked into Cira’s Restaurant right here in South Bend. For 58 years, the restaurant has served breakfast and lunch from its cozy location on Miami Street.  The décor appears to have never been changed. There are mint-green booths along the side and orange stools facing a counter you can imagine has served many a South Bend resident. The waitress welcomed us cheerfully and continued to serve us, cheerfully, even as we proceeded to request breakfast items after the breakfast window had closed. The ambiance is homey and distinctly old-fashioned, if what we mean by that is simply that it was created in an older time. The menu features an extensive list of diner fare and there are always several specials of the day. And as it typically goes in South Bend, you can get the food for very cheap.

Yet there’s an important distinction to make. Unlike Mad Men or other forms of nostalgia, Cira’s isn’t merely a relic. It’s a functioning restaurant that has survived to bring us not only a retro charm, but eggs and toast, hot, on a Saturday morning.

Location:

2007 Miami Street

Contact:

574-288-1077

Tip: It’s cash only. 

#208: Eat. Drink. DTSB.

You've probably seen notifications on Facebook about this, a few tweets on Twitter, and maybe even those old fashion paper posters hung up around town... but it's finally here!  Downtown South Bend's Restaurant Week! 

While I might prefer some encouragement to go to the gym, the incredible deals offered at 16 of South Bend's best restaurants are quite the incentives to dine out in DTSB and put your summer diet on the back burner until the end of Restaurant Week.  Last night, I went to LaSalle Grill with some friends to check out their 3 course meal for only $25.  Tell me where or when else you can get a portabella stuffed mushroom, grilled single cut filet, and creme brulee for $25.  Other participating restaurants are also offering 3 course deals for $25, 2 dinners for $25, and even lunch deals.  All of the menus and tasty deals, can be found HERE.

This downtown-wide feeding frenzy isn't just easy on your wallet.  It's also quite the gastronomic adventure.  You'll find some of South Bend's most well respected restaurants on this list, featuring many of their classic dishes along side rarely offered specials.

Visit any of these restaurants between now and July 9th to indulge in South Bend's finest and most frugal dining:
The Vine
Sunny Italy Cafe
Fiddler's Hearth
LaSalle Grill
LePeep
Tippecanoe Place
Buffalo Wild Wings
Trio's
Backstage Grill
Rocco's
Carmela's at Macri's
Sangria's
South Bend Chocolate Cafe
Ciao's
Siam Thai
East Bank Emporium

#184: Friends of the Library Book Sale

It's First Friday's folks (for some reason, sometimes I imagine that being said in the style of an old-school radio announcer). Theme of the month: All About Art. Check out the official FF's website for all of the events.  After quickly glancing through all of the options, tomorrow I'm going to try and make it to Junk Evolution's Junk Prom (!), the Handy Pottery event at the SB Chocolate Cafe, Idle Hours Sidewalk Sale, and, of course, the Original Art Rain Barrel Auction at the South Bend Museum of Art. It's going to be a long, fun night.

I'm also, however, going to somehow make time to hit up the Friends of the St. Joseph County Library Book Sale. You all know we're fans of the library, and, well, these people are too.  Members of this organization donate both their time and their funds to ensure that the library can continue to operate at full capacity. One of their many activities consists of sponsoring a monthly (and sometimes bi-monthly) book sale of all of the unused, unnecessary, or overstocked books and DVD's from the library's collection.

Last month's haul

When I first walked in the door of their building (at the southern end of Michigan St.) for last month's booksale, I thought I had entered some sort of literary Candyland. The warehouse-esque interior holds shelves upon shelves of hardcover and paperback books. But wait for the best part, none of them cost more than $1.00 (DVD's, including really recent releases, all cost only $3.00). No, I'm not kidding. Books available range from the newest Danielle Steel publication, to poetry anthologies, to travel and cooking books, to Presidential biographies, to...well, the list could go on and on. I guarantee you can find a book you like, and, at this price, take the time to find several.

For a list of the sale dates, hours, and book prices, go here.

To join the Friends organization, fill out this form and send it in to the library.

#173: 99 Cent Margaritas at Mazatlan

Yesterday, we highlighted the best place to get breakfast with a South of the Border twist.  While we claim Chico's proclaims to be "the best", it has a competitor in Mishawaka: Mazatlan.  Mazatlan claims to have the best casual dining, best fajitas, best prices, best margaritas and best drink specials.  Regarding the last two, I side with Mazatlan, home of the 99 cent margarita.

Yes, on Thursday nights, soak up some Sonoran sun in liquid form at this family-owned restaurant.   There is both a non-smoking dining room and a bar where you can smoke and watch the game on TV.  In both areas, the chips and salsa arrive rapidly and the service is friendly and personable.  Many members of owner Alberto Leon's family work on staff here, and even on your first visit, it's not hard to imagine yourself becoming a regular whenever you want a sizzlin' fajita...or a cheap margarita.

Where: 508 W. McKinley Ave.

When: Open seven days a week starting at 11:00 am

Website: http://www.betosmazatlanrestaurant.com/index.htm

#172: Chico's

We had been given a recommendation to go here several months ago, but I hadn't managed to make it over to this well-known Mexican restaurant until this past weekend.  All I have to say is: Why did I wait so long? I had one of the most thoroughly enjoyable brunches I've had in recent memory, and I'm already planning to return.

You can't miss the mural

To give you a bit of background: I spent this past summer in Austin, Texas. Home of the ubiquitous "Keep Austin Weird" t-shirts, copious amounts of live music, and, so they (and the New York Times) claim, the best breakfast tacos.  Well, Austin, I might love you, but South Bend's got you beat. In all honesty, I had the best breakfast tacos (potato and egg, chorizo and egg) that I've ever had which only assures me of the quality of the rest of the menu (including a wide variety of both breakfast and lunch fare). Beyond the fantastic food is fantastic service. Our waiter welcomed us immediately when we entered and continued to extend her warm and friendly welcome throughout our meal. The prices are cheap ($2 per taco so try them all), and the space is bright and colorful.

Perhaps the tagline on the receipt really says all there is left to say: Chico's is the best.

Location: 2418 Western Ave
Contact: 574-237-9198
Hours: Unfortunately unknown

#166: Bruno's Pizza

South Bend, it's good to be back. I mentioned yesterday that I was out-of-state for the weekend, and I was surprised and thrilled to be welcomed back with nearly 80-degree weather. Several months ago, we mentioned that there were a lot of great family-owned pizzeria's in the South Bend-area, and today we're going to highlight one of those and one of the the most well-known pizza restaurants (and families) in the Michiana area. You knew I was talking about Bruno's, right?

Bruno's has been serving a traditional Italian pizza since they opened in 1975 in Mishawaka, and when I say traditional, I mean it. Bruno and Rosa came from Calabria, Italy to Northern Indiana and brought their pizza recipe with them. For more info about their history (and picture documentation), visit their website for a timeline here. The business has since expanded, and today Bruno's has 11 locations in South Bend, Mishawaka, and the surrounding area. A new location in Downtown South Bend just recently opened up. From college students to South Bend natives, everyone agrees that Bruno's serves a great slice of pizza. Pick a location, and let us know how it is!

For location information, a menu, and hours, visit their website here.

#162: Girasol

I can honestly say that I've never had any form of El Salvadoran food until I stopped in to this small but wonderful restaurant on Eddy Street. I've heard the place described as "unassuming" and that is certainly accurate. The eatery is housed in a small building with an even smaller sign out front. Inside, you order at the counter, and, with the limited seating space available, be prepared to take your meal to go.

Yet what a meal it is. Pupusas, a traditional food from El Salvador that have literally been around for centuries, are the main attraction. You can get your pupusa filled with either pork and cheese, bean and cheese, or just plain queso. They also offer tamales, but if you're visiting for the first time I would stick to the pupusas. They're served with a traditional cabbage relish and tomato-based sauce and are meant to be eaten by hand. The owner, and as it appears, sole chef is friendly and you can watch her make your pupusas by hand as soon as you order them.

Pupusas!

While you wait for your food, admire the hand-painted artwork on the walls and sip on horchata. We've previously highlighted the drink, but the creamy and sweet rice-based beverage is just as fantastic here. Get one, I promise you won't regret it. Girasol (which means sunflower, by the way) offers several attractive specials and meal combos. College students, you're in luck, three pupusas and horchata are only $6. There are many great places to eat in South Bend, but Girasol truly gives the community a unique (and cultural!) dining option.

Location: 525 North Eddy Street.
Hours: 11-7, Tues-Fri   11:30-6, Sat   12-5, Sun
Tip: Cash only!

#151: La Central Panaderia

On the way back from Sugar Camp Days (go for the pancakes, stay for the atmosphere), my friend and I happened upon this small bakery on Western. We had debated stopping (we were busy, had work to do, etc.) but were both extremely glad that we did as soon as we parked and entered the store.

The walls were lined from top to bottom with fresh-baked pastries of every kind. I pride myself on being something of a baker, but I could not begin to name the variety of baked goods available. Most seemed to be sweet pastries, but I noticed some flat breads and buns available as well. One of the women working at the shop brought out a fresh tray of pan dulce, a type of Mexican sweet roll, while we were browsing and generously allowed us a free sample. She also generously answered all of our questions and we discovered that the bakery has been in existence for more than 15 years.

Purchased items

Choosing just several items of the great variety available was particularly difficult, not least because of the incredibly affordable price. Most individual pastries cost between 50 and 60 cents. I left with a jelly-filled turnover and a concha, another Mexican sweet bread that the woman had recommended. Beyond these individual pastries, the store also offers catering services and custom cakes. Not only were we glad we stopped, but the discovery made an already pleasant, sunny Saturday just that much better. 

Bonus: There's even a mural!

Location: 3021 W. Western Ave.

Hours: Not quite sure, but open all 7 days of the week

Telephone: 574-289-2550

#148: Generic

Matt Ferriter, the amicable owner of Generic, expressed his intention that his store would not be moving anytime soon.  Good thing, too, because this space really takes advantage of place and space downtown.

Not only would it be painstaking to recreate the decor -- there are hobby horses hanging from the ceiling, an Irish flag in gargantuan frame, and a motley assortment of knick-knacks scattered around the store -- it would take days to move out all merchandise that's crammed into the store.  The store is packed with used and new clothing, shoes, belts, scarves, suspenders, jackets, CDs, incense, jewelry, torn cloth to repurpose...all the necessary punk/grunge/goth gear at good prices.  (Even this prepster found a couple shirts to wear...for $5...total.  Ah, the sweet smell of thrifting.)  Spend an hour and won't have combed over everything this small store has to offer.  Don't forget to check the clothes rack suspended above your head in the dressing room (how convenient!).


While Generic's resourceful use of space is admirable, what really rocks is that somehow, someway, space is made in the back to turn this store into a evening music venue.  In this back room, bands can set up for 50-person show, giving local bands and touring underground artists a chance to display their talent.  Last night's 7pm show featured four bands (Listener, The Homeless Gospel Choir, Analecta, and The Rendition) for $5.  I can only vouch for Analecta's great post-rock sound (see here; haven't heard the others), but we are lucky to have a venue to discover and support these emerging bands.  I only wish there were more places like Generic downtown in order to create an area for like-minded community to congregate, but I'm grateful that Generic makes the most of where's it at...which is right in line with our efforts to foster an appreciation for where you are.


Where: 127 W. Washington St.
When: 10am - 6pm, unless a show keeps the store open late
Website: http://www.myspace.com/genericshop.
Check the store windows for their shows, as well as other concerts in the area.

#81: Cambodian Thai

After realizing we hadn’t yet written about this restaurant, I was shocked. And then hungry. There are fancier restaurants. There are better-known restaurants. There are definitely larger restaurants. But the small, tucked-away gem of Cambodian Thai is not to be missed. It ranks in my top three restaurants in the area. To be honest, I’m not even sure what the other two are, I just know Cambodian Thai is among them.

It serves a wide variety of traditional Thai cuisine. For me, I keep coming back to the basics, their pad thai, but all of my friends who have a more experimental palette, give just as rave of reviews. The wait, depending on the time you go, can be a little longer (it’s worth it, I promise) than other restaurants (have I mentioned that it’s about the size of the entryway to most of those other restaurants?) so either come in with that in mind or just order out (my recommendation). To be honest, you really can’t go wrong.

Where: 229 South Michigan Street

When: Mon-Thu,11:30am-9pm; Fri,10:30am-10pm

To order or call for more information: 574-289-2877

Tip: For many of the dishes, you can order a varying level of spice from 1-10.  Do not, I repeat, do not go past a 3. Unless, inexplicably, you are some sort of hot sauce eating champion.

#71: Sunrise Cafe

Tomorrow marks one of the most revered days in the shopping calendar: Black Friday.  While there are the young upstarts of "Cyber Monday", "Small Business Saturday", and most terrible of all, those soul-less stores that are open on Thanksgiving, Black Friday reigns supreme.  To get your morning started, I recommend stopping by the South Bend Chocolate Company for free coffee, or if you'd like more than liquid fuel, the Sunrise Cafe on Lincolnway.

Small building, big portions...

The Sunrise Cafe is found in a teeny-tiny house on the main thoroughfare between downtown and the airport, a perfect place to stop on your way to/from Chicago or the Michigan City outlets.  The menu features standard breakfast and lunch fare, all at reasonable prices, and the two-person wait staff is as friendly as can be.  When I went, I had an asparagus and swiss cheese omelet (under $5), which was good, but I really enjoyed the accompanying raisin bread that was dripping with butter.  My friend's egg scramble was a tasty mess and came in a huge portion.  Make sure to check out the whiteboard by the door for the morning specials.

Their mug collection is conversation-worthy

The down-to-earth service and intimate space of this place is a world away from what you'll find in stores on Black Friday, but it's a perfect spot to start your morning right.

Where: 1805 Lincoln Way West
When: Open early - 2pm
Tip: As with most local diners in the area, the Sunrise Cafe offers some fantastic workweek breakfast specials (my choice: 2 pancakes + 2 eggs for $3.95).  Order a bottomless cup of coffee, and you will be ready to go for Black Friday, all for the price of one venti Caramel Brulee latte at Starbucks.

#67: 72 cent Junior Burgers at Bonnie Doon THIS WEEK ONLY

While driving to a friend's house Saturday night, I heard a radio ad for an anniversary special at Bonnie Doon.  Head over to that long time Mishawaka institution this week and celebrate 72 years of Bonnie Doon by getting a junior burger for only 72 cents.

Location: 2704 Lincolnway W, Mishawaka, IN 46544

What: 72 cent junior burgers

Why: Because Bonnie Doon has been around for 72 years, which is a long time.

Fun Fact: Last week, they offered 72 cent root beer floats.  So I'm crossing my fingers that there will be another deal next week.

#37: Sidewalk Sales & Yardsales

When the weather's nice and you want to be outside (but aren't really one of those "outdoor" types), try your hand at outdoor shopping.

While other places of the country (shout-out to Short Pump, VA!) may have open-air malls, South Bend's delightful winters aren't as accommodating.  However, that does not mean residents of the 574 have to miss out on this experience.  Fall yardsales and sidewalk sales provide the perfect opportunity to get some fresh air and a great deal.

This past weekend, the row of local shops along East Jefferson Ave. (incl. Marigold's, Just Goods) held a sidewalk sale that featured 30 percent off merchandise I had been eyeing a week before.  Another vendor was selling a bevey of books, from "Marketing for Dummies" to the latest pyscho-thriller, for a dollar each.

And the yardsales!  Nothing is more rewarding than buying that piece of junk that you don't really need and won't ever use because it doesn't work but it was such a good deal that...except for those items that you DO find that become indispensable. My five-dollar pine coffee table, I'm looking at you.  The best place to find the weekend's yardsales is either on Craigslist or in the South Bend Tribune's classifieds on Saturdays.

Happy shopping!

#33: Marigold's

South Bend is now graced with Marigold's, which offers "uncommon home and garden decor, vintage items and fresh flowers".  In other words, Midwest chic.

I was consistently impressed with the quality and range of merchandise found here.  Each person who comes in here seems to discover something special, from a familiar children's book or "I-would-have-never-thought-of-that!" goods (eg. a salad bowl with built-in tongs).  There's also a lot of "I-don't-need-it-but-I'm-getting-it-because-it's-too-cool-not-to-buy" (eg. white tapered candles that drip red "blood" wax) or their gorgeous flower arrangements.

These goods are spread out over three rooms in an old house, which lends to its welcoming atmosphere, and the kind and knowledgeable owners make shopping here personal and special, just like any upscale boutique.  For example, my friend was interested in whether a certain bowl was microwaveable, and the owner went to great lengths to answer her question so that she would be happy with the product.

Marigolds is part of burgeoning high-quality, locally-owned retail stores on Jefferson Avenue.  It's neighbors with Just Goods and just around the corner from Junk Evolution.   They all complement each other's offerings, and together, these stores present a unique shopping experience that's helping to define a developing South Bend style.

Where: 722 E. Jefferson Avenue
When to go: Tuesday-Friday, 10:00am - 6:00pm; Saturdays, 9:00am - 3:00pm
Tip: The owner also prepares phenomenal snacks for First Fridays.  I strongly encourage you to stop by on these nights, if only to eat and shoot the breeze with the lovely owners.

#30: Chicory Cafe

I've never personally been to New Orleans, but if I'd ever had, I imagine I would take pleasure in the little touches the Chicory Cafe makes to bring a lil' Creole to South Bend, Indiana.  Instead of the typical egg sandwich on a bagel or croissant, here you can get an egg po'boy.  Many of the cafe tables double as checkers boards, and you notice that the pace inside seems much more relaxed.  You won't hear the rattle of coffee jargon ("Double Non-fat Extra-Hot Tall..."); perhaps the jazz is just playing too loud.

Despite its location on the corner of two busy downtown streets, Chicory Cafe is a bright little haven and a fun place to unwind for as much time as you have.  The coffee is delicious, and they serve Italian-size cups of cappucino, and the intriguing Spanish latte (cinnamon + half-an-half) that I have yet to try.  There are sandwiches and soups and salads as any coffee shop should have, and if you want something sweet with your java, try a beignet, a powdery French doughnut.

Beignets (ben-gnay), the official state doughnut of Louisiana

 Oh, and they have gelato, as if as to remind you that this isn't the French Quarter, but Indiana, the crossroads of America.

When to go: Monday-Friday, 6:30 am - 5:00 pm; Saturday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Where: Corner of Michigan and Jefferson
Website: http://www.chicorycafe.net/
Tip: The price is right for a quick breakfast-- a small cappucino or an order of 3 beignets both price in at under $2

#15: The Dollar Theater

The actual name of this movie theater is Cinemark Movies 6, but I generally refer to it as the "Cheap Movie Place" or the "Dollar Theater".  The latter is actually a misnomer because only on Wednesday nights are movies truly a dollar.  Other nights, it costs a whopping $1.50.

 

The movies may be second-run and the popcorn still outrageously expensive, but this Mishawaka gem offers that inimitable movie-going experience for a price that fits everyone's budget.  The price is close to Redbox's fees, and think how much better it is to see a film on the big screen.  Who needs to see movies first-run anyway?  (Twilight fans, I'm looking at you. Did you really pay upwards of $7.50 to watch three teenagers gaze at each other?)


Location: 6424 N. Grape Road, nestled behind Best Buy
Website: See showtimes and the movie selection here.
Tip: The seats aren't as plush as in newer theaters, so be forewarned if you choose to see a long movie.

#8: Junk Evolution

Have you ever wandered into a store and suddenly realized that it looks exactly how you wish your house/apartment looked? Or maybe had a sneaking suspicion the storeowner is a long lost sibling? Or really just felt that you wanted to buy everything in sight?

That’s how I felt walking into the one-room, Junk Evolution. It’s stuffed with restored antiques, mismatched teacups, vintage books, handmade quilts, a heavy dose of whimsy and an even heavier sense of sustainability. They take objects that aren’t being used anymore and restore them or find a way to reuse them.  It is, to be frank, the evolution of junk.

Quilt pattern

Location: 528 East Colfax Ave., Suite #2, South Bend, IN 46614

Hours:  Wed.-Fri., 10:00am-6:00pm; Sat., 11:00am-3:00pm

Website: http://junkevolution.blogspot.com/

Tip: Go on the First Friday of every month (as part of Downtown South Bend’s First Fridays). They stay open until 9:00pm with a variety of discounts as well as the unveiling of the décor theme of the month.  (This month’s theme: A,B,C’s and 1,2,3’s. Next month’s: Rust and Ruffles).