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Rensselaer, Indiana: Willow Switch – Good to the Last Drop

Jessica Nunemaker — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:30:08 +0000

Rensselaer, Indiana residents are so lucky – they’ve got Willow Switch, a fantastic downtown coffee and gift shop! But, coffee fiend or not, there’s still plenty to love!

First: the coffee! Well, Willow Switch has plenty of coffee varieties all bagged up and ready to go, just in case a single cup isn’t enough. I admit that I’ve only recently discovered a love for coffee — not even a year ago kind of recent. Not until after baby #2 was born did I decide to try it again – and actually liked it (black).

Every time I happen by, I tend to go for some variety of Chai Tea (hot or ice, spiced or vanilla) or a Strawberry and Banana Smoothie. Yum! I’ve heard the Mixed Berry Smoothie is awesome but some habits are hard to break.

Hubs always orders some variation of coffee so between the two of us, I’ve probably tried almost everything. Yes: it’s all good – even with the pound and a half of sugar and creamer hubs dumps into his.

Anyway, this isn’t just a coffee shop – it’s also a well-stocked and very well-kept gift shop! There’s really neat furniture of all kinds, both antiques and reproductions, picture frames – some with gorgeous local photography (by Ardent Papers Photography), quilts, tablecloths, and other linens, light fixtures, and even more! I think it’s the perfect mix of old and new. Something always catches my eye!

So, next time you meander around little Indiana and wander through Rensselaer make sure to grab a drink and a cookie or a muffin for the ride home at the Willow Switch (and maybe a little present for yourself, too!). Seriously, you aren’t still settling for Big Box Burger, are you?

As always, check out my Flickr photostream for a few more images of The Willow Switch.

Willow Switch
215 W Washington St
Rensselaer IN 47978
219.866.7106
willowswitch at centurylink dot net

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Buzz on in to Busy Bee!

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 07 Apr 2010 13:30:04 +0000

My superhero weakness? Ice cream. Summer or winter – I like it, I love it, I want some more of it! Based on my frequent ramblings about food, you would be surprised to know that, no, it does not take five grown men to lift this Hoosier out of bed (yet)! I stay semi-active, mainly so I can take advantage of foodtabulous treasures as they happen – enter: Busy Bee in Rensselaer, Indiana!

Busy Bee has a great location – it’s just off The Square in Rensselaer – and kind of near Iroquois Park! Super convenient. I could seriously visit this place once a week – they have changing weekly special flavors! Now that’s just FUN!

Did someone say Blue Moon? Yes, that mystical, magical flavor of pure awesomeness makes an appearance here each year. So, too does Blue Raspberry, White Cake Batter, German Chocolate, Strawberry, and a whole bunch more – a whole summer full in fact!

Another random fact about me? It is nearly impossible for me to eat an ice cream cone without spilling all over myself – but I do it anyway. Add a chocolate dipped ice cream cone and it’s just disaster. But guess what? It’s so good I just don’t care!

At Busy Bee, who so far has the best ever chocolate dip cone I’ve ever had – I decided that I had to try the “crunch” cone. The kid had a sprinkle cone (kids can also ask for a cone with a face – cute!), and hubs had a peanut butter shake. Everyone was happy!

Now, they do have something called a Tornado which is similar to a DQ Blizzard or McDonald’s McFlurry (but of course way better), as well as slushies, banana splits, shakes, FlavorBurst, ice cream with a swirl of flavoring, and then some, so I don’t know how you couldn’t find something!

Busy Bee Freeze is only open Spring to Fall – so don’t take too long getting out to cute little Rensselaer, Indiana! Add Busy Bee to your must visit list of small town places this summer – you’ll thank me later!

Busy Bee Freeze
331 W. Washington St.
Rensselaer IN 47978
219-866-3140

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A Slice of Pie Pizza: Garlicky Goodness

Jessica Nunemaker — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 13:30:53 +0000

I asked the owner of A Slice of Pie Pizza in Rensselaer, Indiana, “What’s good?” (there’s no playing around when it comes to food) His response? “Everything – or it wouldn’t be on the menu…but the garlic rolls are popular.” Garlic rolls? SOLD!

Let me just tell you now – these are addicting! Terribly, terribly addicting! Warm, buttery, melt in your mouth – and garlic, yummy, yummy garlic! Lucky for us, the kid couldn’t get through half of his (did I mention they are really big?) so hubs and I split it. Have I mentioned how I hate sharing food?

We had a half pepperoni (yay!) and a half mushroom and sausage pizza (boo!). Since it was around lunch time (I can’t believe we made it in somewhere at a normal time!) they had pizza by the slice – and some looked really good! We were so full from those garlic rolls, though, we hardly made a dent in our pizza! I had to grab a box to bring the rest home! Woot – cold pizza!

A Slice of Pie Pizza has a really nice menu – side items, salads, and pasta. The inside is so brightly decorated you wouldn’t believe what an improvement it is from what it used to be – an old and decrepit building! Bonus: inside is the cleanest and most spacious bathroom in town. Hey, that’s good to know if you have kids (and we do!).

Did I mention that they are across the street from a fun little park – and located right next to Ayda’s Authentic Mexican Restaurant? I am pretty sure I will grab a garlic roll from A Slice of Pie Pizza and a steak burrito from Ayda’s Authentic Mexican Restaurant and call it dinner. Does it get any better?

I will admit that I am on a mission to recreate these awesome garlic rolls at home. When I reach success – you’ll be the first to know! Until then…I will be forced to do lots and LOTS of research! And, no – I won’t be sharing.

A Slice of Pie Pizza
305B N. College Ave.
Rensselaer, IN, 47978
Tel: 219-866-8682

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City Office and Pub: Food Fit for the Mayor

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 14:30:03 +0000

Ask someone in Rensselaer, Indiana where to head for lunch or dinner and you’ll probably hear “City Office and Pub” (if you are 18 and over, that is!)

City Pub, as locals call it, is known for a really nice, laid back atmosphere and great food – and judging from the steady flow of people coming through the doors – it looked like the Cheers of Rensselaer! Everyone seemed to know everyone else but that’s not exactly uncommon in a small town.

Wondering about the name? City Office and Pub is a bit unusual — but once upon a time, the pub also housed the Mayor’s office! Talk about job perks! It’s kind of a tradition in the area for the just turned 18 year old to accompany their parents to City Office and Pub for a nice celebratory dinner.

The building is filled with beautiful woodwork (gorgeous bar!), photos of Rensselaer, Indiana in its early days, and daily specials. We ordered a cheeseburger with Swiss and Fries (hubs) and a Reuben Sandwich with Fries (me). As you can see from the photos – they were good!

What you don’t see in the photo? The awesome Spicy Bloody Mary hubs and I had before ordering. I’ve never had it served with a pickle and olive before but, yeah, that olive was GOOD! Who needs celery?

City Office and Pub
114 S Van Rensselaer St.
Rensselaer IN 47978
219.866.9916

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Ayda’s Authentic Mexican Restaurant: Flavorful and Fantastic!

Jessica Nunemaker — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 14:30:39 +0000

Rensselaer, Indiana has had a sudden flurry of new restaurants: Papa Bill’s Pizza, A Slice of Pie Pizza, and Ayda’s Mexican Cuisine. Mmm…Mexican food.

Have I yet professed to you my undying love of Mexican food? No? Well, I love it. It is second only to pizza, in my opinion. (Yes, I realize I am talking about a whole culture’s food versus a specific type of food but I don’t care: My blog, my rules) Anyway, back to Ayda’s.

Ayda’s Mexican Cuisine is mouth-watering deliciousness in a fantastic location. Okay, I admit: parking could be a little hairy because it is located smack on the corner next to A Slice of Pie Pizza with not many parking spots between them BUT it is right across the street from Iroquois Park – which has plenty of parking!

Someday when there is actually warm weather and sun and the snow and ice seem like a distant memory…it would be fun to let the kids loose and then walk across for lunch, especially because Ayda’s gives you a choice: carry-out or dine in.

Did I yet mention the prices? Um, cheap! Cheap, cheap, CHEAP! Most everything was $5 bucks and comes with rice and beans. Hubs ordered a monster steak burrito (that’s what it’s actually called) for $6.50, I got Combination #4: one chicken taco, one enchilada, and one tamale for $6, and a healthy order of guacamole with a big bag of homemade tortilla chips for $5. Yum! We cut the burrito in half and divided it all between the three of us…we STILL had a little bit of food leftover!

There is no way I won’t be hitting it up again! The kid loved everything, the hubs loved everything, and I kept sneaking guacamole out of the fridge all night so…yes: the new Mexican Restaurant was a hit with all of us! The only question is…how soon can I get back!

Want to see more? Check out my Flickr photostream for more goodness. By the way — this is my absolute favorite place to eat in Rensselaer (and try the Banana Fry — pure Heaven)!

Ayda’s Mexican Cuisine
305 N College Ave Ste. 1
Rensselaer IN 47978
219.866.5370

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Rensselaer, Indiana: Cruise Night Classics

Jessica Nunemaker — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 14:30:46 +0000

It’s that time of year…you know, when you start yearning for nice weather and the ability to stand outside sans coat without risking frostbite. It leaves me to dreaming about parades, yard sales, fairs, and Cruise Night.

People flock from miles around for Rensselaer, Indiana’s annual Cruise Night. Most folks gather around the square, sometimes setting up blankets hours in advance (no kidding). With a food vendor or two as well as a car show, it’s a nice way to spend an afternoon gawking at cars I will never remember the name of!

Here are a few fantastic cars from this year’s cruise! Sweet!

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What kind of car are you always excited to see at Cruise Night? For me: it’s all about the 50’s and lots of chrome!

Edit: July 10, 2010 is Rensselaer’s Cruise Night!

Rensselaer, Indiana; Jasper County

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Papa Bill’s Pizza Goes Heavy on the Cheese

Jessica Nunemaker — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 14:30:00 +0000

You know my great love and big addiction to pizza. Seriously. I can’t get enough! Hot, cold, a couple days past its prime…it doesn’t matter and I’m not ashamed to admit it!. As you can see from these images of loveliness…I found another great small town pizzeria.

Papa Bill’s Pizza opened up in little Rensselaer, Indiana – and it was good. Very, very good. Kind of funny for a town that already has three pizza places! Do they really need one more?

Yes! We got: a sausage and a pepperoni. I know: we are totally creatures of habit. I will say, however, that in the interest of research, I had to sample both, and I greatly preferred the sausage over the pepperoni (which is usually so not the case) but I think that is because the fennel seed in it really added to the overall flavor. Mmm!

We also bought a side order of cheese bread. Can you say ooey gooey? I can, of course, that’s hard to do with a mouthful of piping hot melty cheese, but there you go.

Prices were okay. It wasn’t any 80 cent cup of coffee but still better than those tasteless slabs of pie offered by the big chains. Who goes to those places, anyway?

Bottom-line: You gotta go and, when you do, make it a sausage with a side of cheese bread. YUM!

Papa Bill’s Pizza
2605 N McKinley Ave.
Rensselaer IN 47978
219.866.8177

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Think Pumpkins are Only Orange? Think Again!: Mathew Tree Farm and Pumpkin Patch

Jessica Nunemaker — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 13:30:57 +0000

I always thought pumpkins came in two basic colors: orange or white. Was I ever in for a surprise after a visit to Mathew’s Tree Farm and Pumpkin Patch in little Rensselaer, Indiana!

Cinderella, Fairytale, Sandstone, Meal and Pie Pumpkins like Golden Pan and New England Sugar (I got one of each, I’ll let you know which makes the better pie in a future posting), from black to flaming orange to yellow stripes, from smooth to bumpy, Mathew’s Tree Farm and Pumpkin Patch has it!

The prices were beyond reasonable…can you say $6 for 5 pumpkins? No kidding. The couple who own the farm is super nice as well. Not only that, but they also produce their own honey.

Of course, as soon as we got home, I had to bake some bread so we could do a taste test the right way. The verdict? Definitely better than the little bear containers at the store!

If you are tired of the same old ho-hum orange pumpkins and want to really make a statement this Halloween, without breaking the bank, make your way to Mathew’s Pumpkin and Christmas Tree Farm. Perhaps even grab some pumpkins for my pumpkin muffins recipe.

Give them a call at 219.866.3388 for hours and directions.

For more photos, visit little Indiana’s Facebook Fan Page!

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Mathew’s Tree Farm and Pumpkin Patch
224 E 900th S.
Rensselaer IN 47978
219.866.3388

Rensselaer, Indiana: Architecture

Jessica Nunemaker — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:30:09 +0000

See what I mean about Rensselaer, Indiana and amazing homes? If these don’t make you want to explore…I don’t know what will!

Rensselaer, Indiana; Jasper County

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Rensselaer, Indiana: Small Town, Big Heart

Jessica Nunemaker — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 13:30:46 +0000

What Rensselaer, Indiana lacks in size it makes up for in loads of charm. Rensselaer is just one of those small towns where you constantly find yourself saying, “Wow! Look at that house! Oh, and over there! That side, hurry, look at that!” There are a lot of fancy Victorians all over the place.

One of my favorite features of a small town is the presence of a courthouse – and Rensselaer boasts an imposing Gothic styled three story courthouse with stone-carved figures and expressive (translation: creepy) faces that have watched over the town since 1896. Inside, well, let’s just say you are in for a surprise, but here‘s a hint: marble flooring, stenciled ceilings…super sharp. Be sure to poke around!

Surrounding the massive courthouse, “The Square”, is where much of the action in town takes place. Cobblestone streets line two sides and it isn’t hard to imagine the sounds of horse hooves once clacking along pulling carriages in front of the turn-of-the century buildings.

Sure, some could use a little TLC, but for the most part it is a really neat downtown with some fun little shops – and such nice people! Everyone is ready with a smile or a simple “hello.” I love that!

The great thing about Rensselaer, Indiana, though, is that there always seems to be something going on …many times located on The Square itself. Art in the Alley, Little Cousin Jasper, the County Fair, Oktoberfest, Art Camp…and the list goes on. That doesn’t even count the events and activities that occur at St Joseph’s college!

Rensselaer, Indiana is a great choice for a fun-filled, family-oriented small town escape.

Rensselaer, Indiana; Jasper County

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