Indiana Restaurants

How sad to report that just this month, Phil Smidt's closed down for good. We were able to eat their three days before they closed their doors forever.

From the time I met my husband Allan, all I heard was how much I would love going to Phil Smidt's in Hammond, Indiana. Fish is not my favorite food so I was quite reluctant. When I finally was able to go there and order the famous lake perch and baby frog legs, the taste of these fabulous foods converted me forever. It's hard to describe why their fish and froglegs are the very best

They say that the basics of this restaurant have not changed since it's opening in 1910, but it has grown in size. This is a restaurant that has been written up a number of times. I remember seeing the Chicago Magazine write-up. I wished I had kept it, but it basically said that the froglegs and perch were so good that people from Chicago have been driving their ever since Taft was president!

I've really never tried anything but the froglegs and the lake perch, but other people have told me that the homemade soups are delicious as is fried chicken. They do have a full menu with other fish, steaks, and chicken. When we took my parents to Phil Smidt's they tried the "World Famous Gooseberry Pie" because my mother had never seen it on a restaurant menu, and she makes a delicious Gooseberry Pie. She said that it was fantastic; thus, it must be.

We always order Lake Perch boned in butter. They are very small and oh so tender. The Froglegs are also quite tiny and tender. I don't usually like froglegs that are big.

The waitresses are excellent and have been there for years so they are quite "in the know" about the menu and the food. Service is excellent.

We like to eat in the Rose Room in a large leather booth. It's called Rose Room because of the Rose plates that sit on the ledge around the room.

You can order a salad or have the platter for everyone at the table that includes cottage cheese, coleslaw, beets, and kidney beans. You also are served rolls with butter and your choice of potatoes (red skin garlic mashed potatoes, baby red boiled potatoes or french fries).

Each year the price goes up because lake perch have become scarce. The last time we were there, the all-you-can-eat perch was $17.00.
That sounds quite expensive, but it sure is worth it.

Indiana Restaurants

Visiting Indiana?

Visiting Indiana?