At a certain point in his life, my Dad began to use the word “Visit” a lot more often than before. It wasn’t about entertainment or an activity, it was about spending time in conversation and catching up with friends and family. As for Heidi and myself, Sophie is away at college,  Rae is living on her own, and  Lawyer and Kiley are newlyweds living in Indy. And of course, Grandma, who started the whole thing is living in Seymour.

Lawyer wanted to bring his new wife, Kiley, somewhere they can’t go at home near Indianapolis. She had a breaded tenderloin with cheese, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pickles and mayo.

I had the pepper jack and cheddar cheese balls with Ranch dip.

Lawyer’s bacon cheeseburger with onion rings was more than enough.

Heidi, Sophie, Billie (Grandma), Rae, Lawyer, Kiley and myself sat long after the food was gone and the bill was paid. No hurry. Just enjoying “The Visit.”

Not to mention, they have beer. 🍺

That is “Ice, Ice, Baby” around the rim of that frosty pint glass at the Country Inn located in Dudleytown, Indiana. $2.50. I’m also impressed that they had Strawberry Blonde from Big Woods Brewery in tap. Very refreshing on a Friday night.

Once again, there is a blog-worthy tenderloin served up at this rural Jackson County establishment.

It takes two slices of cheese to cover this hot and crispy sandwich. So put on your Pioneer Seed Corn 🌽 hat and sit down a spell and talk to your neighbor at The Country Inn.

This is the Chef Salad from Town House Restaurant in Seymour. It is a bit healthier than the breaded tenderloin that is often difficult to pass up. Your server has the responsibility to make the salad. In this case, Jade. She nailed this Chef Salad with fresh Romaine lettuce, cheese, crispy bacon, grilled chicken, croutons, a hard boiled egg and of course, the Ranch dressing peeking in on the left. (I decline on the tomatoes.) You can also get ham on the salad if desired.

It was a refreshing dinner and left just enough room for a slice of pie. I was feeling guilty because I don’t come here very often with the family so I brought Heidi and Liam a slice of peanut butter pie home. (The peanut butter pie has enough personality to stand alone. Therefore, it will have its own post soon!)

201 Arthur Street in Salem, Indiana is where you will find this delicious chicken 🐔 Parmesan and tasty garlic 🥖 bread. Lightly breaded and fried chicken breast on pasta and topped with marinara and shredded Parmesan cheese. I ate every bite. Not to mention a great selection of craft brew on tap and in bottles.

Conveniently located about a block away from the YUM! Center, Impellizzeri’s Pizza at 110 W. Main Street in Louisville, Kentucky is a great place to eat before a concert. We sat on these comfortable couches with a coffee table for our food and settled in with relaxing conversation while we ate.

We had sausage, 🍕 pepperoni and mushrooms on half and it was fantastic! The underneath crust had an awesome 😎 crunch that I really enjoyed. It was more than enough for four.

Another outstanding tenderloin! It is Indiana, you know. Lucille’s On The Go was set up at Fort Vallonia Days selling this freshly breaded, hot, juicy and crispy sandwich with a toasted bun. (That toasted bun makes all the difference.) Add two slices of cheese of course for me then please don’t talk to me for a few minutes while I concentrate on my lunch.

They also serve a delicious bowl of Loaded Potato Soup that is creamy with bits of bacon 🥓 in every spoonful. Lucille’s serves local businesses and for catering can be reached at 812-530-6207. Ask for Amy.

When I walk in the restaurant and see what someone is eating and ask, “What is that?” I know right away that was what I would order.

You maybe can”t see it but there is a second slice of American cheese on the bottom of the 🥪 sandwich. Crispy breading and a hot inside made for a delis ious dinner. And the fries 🍟 were hot and crispy too.*Note: I did also blog about the Train Wreck which is a tenderloin topped with mashed potatoes and gravy.

Each business morning Linzy B’s Doughnut shop makes 20 dozen glazed croissants. If you don’t get there early, chances are you won’t get one.

They are baked to a crisp, golden outside and lightly glazed while the inside is soft and flaky. The ends have a bit more crunch and are my favorite part. I actually got up early on fall break to make sure I could experience this melt-in-your-mouth goodness. Linzy B’s is located at 1002 East Tipton Street in Seymour, Indiana.

Doc Crow’s Southern Smokehouse and Raw Bar is located at 127 West Main Street in Louisville, Kentucky on Whiskey Row.

Vocabulary

roux (roo) a sauce base made with butter and flour

bechamel (bay-sha-mel) white roux and milk

Herbsaint: a liqueur made in New Orleans

This version of Oysters Rockefeller consists of oysters on the half shell, spinach, bacon, bechamel, parmasean, chives and Herbsaint. It is baked until the cheese is melting on top and eaten by taking a fork and digging the oyster and the savory ingredients out of the shell.

The main course was a fried chicken sandwich with a slice of American cheese on a toasted brioche bun and Doc’s homemade potato chips. I asked for some buffalo sauce and it appeared that they make their own. The sauce made the sandwich as it caused my forehead to sweat and my mouth say “Dang! Get me a drink of that ice cold Diet Coke.” After a drink, I was ready for more. It was a nice, slow burn.

Danny Moore and his family have been killing it at the Pizza Palace since I met him in the 70s. The Pizza Boat truck has been at the Oktoberfest and Fort Vallonia Days for the past several years and I like it every time.

I 👀 look forward to Fort Vallonia Days!!!