Michigan City Restaurants

Hacienda, never, if you have ever been to a Mexican restaurant in a state that has authentic Mexican food, or even eaten at Toco Bell, you will be satisfied elsewhere. Their food is an insult to Mexican, Tex/Mex, California Mexican food. For reasons only known to people in the Midwest the locals love this place. In my opinion I would go only for the liquid refreshments. There is a reason that people drink their Margarita's, that way they won't know what they are eating. Wait until you see people eating chips and salsa and adding ranch dressing to a mild salsa. I don't claim to be from a Hispanic background, I just claim to love REAL Mexican food and folks this isn't it. So bad I was given a gift card for Hacienda and still have money on it and I will never use it. There are far better places to dine than here.

Favorite Dish: Water! Or any liquid libation.

One of several in a group of restaurants. The others cater to different interests. This one's family oriented with medium priced meals and large servings. The others:

Rodini Restaurant & Cocktail Lounge
4125 Franklin St,
Michigan City, IN 46360

Dinos Restaurant
402 W Us Highway 20,
Michigan City, IN 46360

A little bit of everything. If you're group can't decide what type of food you'd like, this is the place to go. A full buffet with steaks sizzling on the grill, Barbeque, pasta salads, lettuce salads, potato salads, oriental, mexican, butter dripping corn and fish. Just about any choice you'd like to make. The price is fixed with lunch time being around $8.00 and dinner about $12. (per person)

Favorite Dish: There are no real stand outs. The food is good, but not outstanding. Usually, we go with a group, when nobody wants to decide the type of food.

It's a local place here and in 21 other towns in northern Indiana & Illiniois. Some are silver metal on the exterior like the old diners, many are modern restaurants. On weekend evenings, the high school kids (teenagers) come here to see and be seen. Always a nice place to have a meal.

Favorite Dish: I've not eaten at this location. But I've never been disappointed at any of the others I've eaten at.

Swingbelly's is a great family place. They have a variety of burgers and sandwiches and dinner specials after 5 p.m. A few salads are available, but items like the chicken pita and the aforementioned burgers and chicken fingers are the standouts. Their soups are excellent.

Favorite Dish: Our favotire dish for many years now is the Friday soup special -- Boston Clam Chowder. It has a rich texture and somewhat smoky flavor and is the chowder by which we measure all others.

It's a family oriented frozen custard shop with indoor booths, a small play area for kids, and (soon) an outdoor picnic area. They serve fresh frozen custard, home made cookies and premium espresso drinks. They are located on the corner of 6th and wabash, just outside the main entrance to Lighthouse Premium Outlets.

Favorite Dish: My favorite dish is a scoop of chocolate frozen custard with raspberry topping on it. I used to think that frozen custard was the same stuff you got out of a donut, only cold. So wrong! It's like a really rich and creamy icecream.