Jasper a fun spring destination for unique food
Aimee Blume
JASPER, Ind. — Jasper might be best known to us as the home of the Schnitzelbank German restaurant and summer Strassenfest. But as spring begins to bloom, the town an hour to our north tempts us with many ways to enjoy a spring day getaway.
Jasper is home to the 2.1-mile paved Riverwalk along the Patoka River so consider going for a walk or jog through fresh surroundings before finding a unique treat for lunch.
Jasper Dog Haus
One of our favorite Jasper food stops is the Jasper Dog Haus.
Owner Doug Watson grew up eating Coney Dogs in New Jersey, then wound up managing a business in the Philippines for 12 years before coming to Jasper to settle near family. He located the restaurant in a former gas station building planning to have just a cart under the awning.
“The owner of the property built an addition to the building for me with the bathroom and ramp,” he said. “I’m lucky. The idea for hot dogs came from a lady I knew in the Philippines who was selling hot dogs and putting her husband through school.”
Doug’s Dogs are unlike any we have in Evansville. Sure, you can get a plain dog with mustard or Chicago style, but he offers some very unusual items as well.
More:Stay Hungry: Tri-State food and restaurant news round-up
More:Coyote Restaurant in Henderson offers seafood, Tex-Mex with a view
More:Deerhead continues to draw crowds with long-time favorite dishes and employees
His Coney sauce is New York-style and has nothing to do with the thickened chili-like sauce we call “coney” here. It is a sweet and sour concoction made with onions, ketchup, mustard, celery salt, vinegar and sugar, served warm. It tastes a little like sloppy Joe base without the meat.
His homemade chili is similar but less sweet, with ground meat, a variety of peppers and a little cumin-scented chili powder added.
His Doug Dog is a must try: a hot dog crowned with cucumber, wasabi mayo, horseradish mustard and onions.
You may also assemble your own dog by choosing an all-beef hot dog, a frank in a natural casing, bratwurst, smoked cheddar and pepper brat or Italian sausage. Then decide on toppings, of which Watson offers many, including six specialty mustards, onion, kraut, peppers, cheese sauce, pickles, relish, homemade slaw, sport peppers, fresh tomato, any of those referred to above and more.
Chicken salad is made in house. Sometimes tuna salad is available. Slaw, baked beans and loaded tortilla chips are offered as sides. As the season progresses, there will be live music on Friday afternoons.
Jasper Dog Haus — 155 Second St., Jasper Phone: 812-309-4672
Taqueria el Llano
Dubois County has a large Hispanic population, and it’s a great place to find authentic south-of-the-border foods, some of which are not offered in Evansville.
Taqueria el Llano is an authentic Mexican taco stop. For the less adventurous in your group, there are burritos and fajitas offered, but you’ll also find street tacos, tortas, ceviche, menudo, birria and other traditional items. Many are made with your choice of meat filling. These include popular pork al pastor, barbacoa and so on, but you’ll also find beef tongue, simmered beef cheek, tripe, pork buche (stomach), and chicken tinga in chipotle marinade. Have your snack with a beer or Michelada.
Taqueria el Llano —111 W. 28th St., Jasper Phone 812-556-0030
facebook.com/TaqueriaaELLLano/
Miranda’s Restaurant
Just down the street, Miranda’s Restaurant offers Tex-Mex and authentic Mexican dishes, but the exciting draw is the Salvadoran specialties. These include pupusas, which are thick white corn masa patties stuffed with melted cheese, beans and/or meat and topped with a tangy cabbage slaw; fried yucca, a starchy root similar to a very hearty potato, served with red sauce, crema and cheese; and homemade pasteles, little savory turnovers stuffed with potato and chicken.
Miranda’s Restaurant — 1338 Newton St., Jasper Phone: 812-481-0000
Latin Cuba Restaurant
The Latin Cuba Restaurant just opened last fall and gives lovers of Cuban food a spot closer than Louisville to enjoy specialties such as tostones, lechon asado (roasted pork with onions,) ropa vieja (shredded beef in tomato sauce,) vaca frita (shredded beef crisped and topped with onions and garlic sauce), papas rellenos (stuffed potatoes) and more. Chef Rogelio Ramirez Pera is from Cuba, graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Miami and is now making food for us. Your mouth would like you to go eat it.
Watch for the full article soon.
Latin Cuba Restaurant — 314 Newton St., Jasper Phone: 812-556-2966
Search Latin Cuba Restaurant on Facebook
Midwest Café & Market
The Midwest Café & Market was previously Winkler’s Health Food Store and now has more food and a new name. It’s a family-owned coffee shop, weekday café, health food and supplement store rolled into one.
Monday through Friday unique specialty salads are on the menu including tuna with cranberries and almonds on spinach; chicken on greens with mandarin oranges, tomatoes, olives, walnuts and feta cheese dressing; curried chicken salad with cashews, cottage cheese and crackers and more interesting choices.
Every day Monday through Saturday seven flavors of homemade muffins are available, made from the owner’s recipe for over 20 years.
At the coffee bar, choose an espresso drink, fruit smoothie, protein shake, chai or tea.
Midwest Café & Market - 1102 Newton St., Jasper Phone: 812-482-5115
facebook.com/midwestcafeandmarket/
The Mad Batter Bakery
This Alice in Wonderland-themed bakery just got voted the best bakery in Dubois County in a survey conducted by the Dubois County Herald. The Mad Batter Bakery is a wonderland of pastries and almost as fun to visit for the décor as the sweet treats.
Some specialties are iced shortbread cookies, stuffed croissants, cupcakes, bars, mini pies, muffins and occasional theme specials such as a selection of Game of Thrones-inspired pastries made especially for the new season of Game of Thrones – it’s the kind of place where they do cool stuff like that.
The Mad Batter — 708 Main St., Jasper Phone: 812-482-2538