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If you haven't tried it, Memo's Taco Mex is also very good...

Memo's Taco Mex
2128 45th Street
Highland, IN, 46322

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“The problem with people who have no vices is that generally you can be pretty sure they’re going to have some pretty annoying virtues.” Elizabeth Taylor

Correct.

As for the Mexican places mentioned above, I've heard great things about El Mariachi in Lansing and Dyer. Memo's is a favorite of a lot of people.

I wonder if the Mariachis in Dyer and Lansing are affiliated with this one in Highland?

We took a walk over to El Mariachi the other evening. Sadly I have nothing to report other than they close at 7.

Yeah, they close at 7:00 on M-F, and 6:00 on Saturday.

I heard a commercial for them on WJOB today.

Well, between the low-traffic not-so-visible location and inconvenient hours, I have a feeling it won't matter for long whether they're any good or not.

After enjoying the BBQ from Uncle Johns at Calumet Park we crossed the border and went over to Cabela's. My friend had never been and I wanted to show him what I consider to be one of the coolest stores in America. I'm a city boy so I dont know much about the outdoors and rugged lifestyle of sitting in a tree chair 40 feet in the air for 12 hours while covered in deer piss waiting for bambi to pay a visit. But I do love the outdoors and enjoying them until I'm ready to head back to my cabin with AC, cable and a hottub. I swear I almost feel like I'm in the Northwoods or Canada when I'm in this store. They got it all. I love the store made fudge caramel apple flavor from the general store.

When we drove past Schoops on Indianapolis in Whiting, my buddy said "oh man I didn't know they had a Schoops this close" and I said hell yea. We've been backing the Mickey against Redamaks cheeseburger whom another buddy insists is better since we were spending summer wkds at his parents place in Michigan City back in high school. I love me some Chick Fil A too but I wish Schoops would make the move into the city, then we would be set. Since we were right there and I hadnt been in a while and I had driven past Schoops a few too many times of late, I had to stop in. As good as it ever was.


bada bing bada bing

Schoops
1449 South Indianapolis Boulevard
Whiting, IN 46394-1132
(219) 659-7030
Website w/ other locations

Cabelas
7700 Cabela Drive
Hammond, IN 46324
(219) 845-9024

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Smokin' Chokin' and Chowing

At one time they did have a store in Chicago on the NE corner of Lincoln & Irving Park. I'm thinking around 15-20 years ago.

$7.49 for a dbl cheeseburger by itself? Didn't Schoops used to be fairly inexpensive?

From the article:

"The original Dickey's opened in Dallas in 1941, with one goal: "Serve barbecue so good people will crave it. And don't make 'em wait too long to get it.""

I think they ripped off this idea from White Castle.

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What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?

OMG, the worst! I tried one in Orange County, Ca., and I swear they opened a bag and put it in a warming drawer. No evidence of any smoking going on that I could see.

The key phrase there is "used to be."

Shoops still gives you a lot for the $.

Schoops is pricier than some other places, but sometimes nothing but a Mickey will do the trick.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but Shrimp-A-Licious has closed permanently. An old sign inside reads, "Today will be the last day of operation for Shrimp-A-Licious. I want to thank all of our loyal customers for their great support." I'm sorry I never got to try it. I don't know how the food was but the interior has some character, with a nice old wooden counter and stools.



Shrimp-A-Licious (closed)
6315 Melton Rd (Route 20)
Portage IN 46368

Peter, you might not be surprised to hear that I've been to Shrimp-A-Licious several times over the years. It was a very good shrimp shack with a menu very similar to what you find in the Chicago places. Sorry to hear it closed.

Sadly that whole area is turning into a wasteland.

Yeah, wassup with that? Somebody told me Miller was making a comeback. Rt. 20 doesn't look like it's coming back.

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What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?

Had an office in Miller for several years. No comeback. I believe the artisans have thrown in the towel. The Bakery is good and Miller Pizza is good. There is nothing else.

That's too bad. I grew up in that area in the 70s and have many fond memories of Miller, and Gary in general. It was pretty good until it went pretty bad. I always figured someday they would make a comeback. They probably will, just not now, eh? Remember the pizza at the Tivoli Tap and Flamingo?

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What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?

Hi,

What about the BBQ shack thisclose to Miller? I want to say it is along the railroad tracks, but it was only one visit maybe 2-3 years ago.

Regards,

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Cathy2

"You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways, Road Food 2012: Podcast

Those BBQ shacks were open infrequently. Have not seen any smoke coming out of them in a year or so.
Opening up in that area would be crazy. No money coming into area at all.

Those BBQ shacks were open infrequently. Have not seen any smoke coming out of them in a year or so.
Opening up in that area would be crazy. No money coming into area at all.

I think that artisan scene a few years back was lacking something. Authenticity? There was such a "this place is ready to explode; it can't miss" mentality, that a lot people came into the area only expecting to make money. What remains is committed to the area. I think any rebirth will be much more organic.

I had an interesting dining experience last night... I went to Steak Burritos in Highland. Now, with that name you'd probably assume that it's a Mexican restaurant. In reality, it's a gyro place that happens to serve tacos, burritos, tostadas, and fajitas.

I ordered a chicken burrito. As a whole it reminded me more of a Fresh Stuffed Pita from Wendy's (I miss those) than a burrito. I probably would've enjoyed it more if the chicken was a bit juicer and cut into smaller chunks, but I'm not complaining. I dined with my parents; Mom had a Philly and Dad had a Polish. We were all pleased with the food.

Bottom line: if you're looking for an authentic Mexican burrito, don't bother with this place; but if you're in the area and are looking for a good meal at a good price, I recommend it. The employees were friendly and courteous. I will be going back soon to sample more of the menu items.

Here's their menu. It's at least 5 years old, so the prices here aren't current. I don't think the "Lunch Specials" exist anymore so you can probably just ignore that entire section. The rest is reasonably accurate.

http://www.mymealworld.com/restaurant_b ... asp?id=305

Here's a blog entry on the place (with my comment at the bottom). This review is lukewarm at best, but after cruising the site you'll notice that he rates it higher than 15 other "Mexican" restaurants he visited.

http://burritodigest.blogspot.com/2007/ ... ritos.html


Steak Burritos
3028 45th Ave.
Highland, IN 46322
(219) 924-6667

That reminds me of "BBQ On Demand" in Melrose Park on Mannheim Rd. They've been open for a couple of months and have another sister spot somewhere on the NW side. Anyway, I got a copy of their menu at the driveup and noticed that there were only two "BBQed" items available: ribs; half or full slabs; and chicken. Otherwise everything is pretty standard Chicago hotdog stand fare with some Greek items. So I tried the ribs; they were OK if you like the meat jello variety. I tried the BBQ chicken; it was not BBQed at all, but simply your usual Greek roast chicken. I tried one of their burritos, it was awful. But the gyros, souvlaki, spinach pie, and pastitsio were quite good. So I guess "BBQ On Demand" is for people who aren't very demanding when it comes to BBQ, but good for those wanting some Greek food. People pick some strange names for their restaurants.

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What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?

I too was suckered in by that huge,inviting, "Steak Burritos" sign I've eaten at many other places that highlight their signs with that term and rarely have I been disappointed. I knew I was in trouble the minute I saw them placing a slice of American Cheese in the burrito. A truly wretched experience.

As I mentioned above I read that "Burrito Digest" page long before I went there, so I knew exactly what to expect (I guess "interesting dining experience" was a poor choice of words on my part. I meant it in a positive way. ). And the comparison to a Wendy's pita was a good thing as well (I really didn't convey that very well, did I? Man, I'm having a bad day. ).

Steak Burritto makes a good gyro. The meat is always tender; there's never any burnt pieces, or dry slices on the sandwich.