July 10th, 2007 By Justin Williams
Open Thread: Best Local Evansville Restaurant
For this week’s Open Thread let’s focus on local restaurants. What’s your favorite local restaurant? I’m not talking about chain restaurants that have the same boring flavor here as they do in Des Moines, Iowa. I’m talking about the Turonis’, Firefly’s and Yen Ching’s of Evansville.
What’s your favorite and why?
Use this open thread to discuss it in the comments.
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Heather
July 10, 2007 @ 10:52AM
I love Logan’s food, but I’m not a fan of the service. I use to work there, so the servers think that since I’m there, they have an excuse to come sit down at my table for a quick break. Some of them, I didn’t even like when I worked with them! I also like Shyler’s, but they’re too slow to eat there if you’re on your lunch break. I end up getting back to work late because the service is too slow.
Retisha
July 10, 2007 @ 11:15AM
Love the Nick’s pizza!!!!! yummy
SUPERBANANABOMB
July 10, 2007 @ 11:24AM
Some of my favorite joints in town are:
Charlie’s Mongolian BBQ
Los Bravos (I prefer the west side location)
Gerst Haus
Kanpai
Cork & Cleaver
This town is missing a good seafood restaurant (Are we ever going to get a Joe’s Crab Shack??) as well as a decent cajun/creole place.
Emily
July 10, 2007 @ 11:45AM
My favorites:
1. Los Bravos’ chimichangas
2. Acapulco’s fajitas
3. Edgewater Grill’s pizza
4. Ritzy’s salads and burgers
5. Yen Ching’s sizzling rice soup
6. Nagasaki’s teryaki chicken and shrimp
7. Piece of Cake’s desserts
8. Cork ‘N Cleaver’s salmon
Jeff
July 10, 2007 @ 12:10PM
CheeseBurger In Paradise. Great food & awesom Margaritas!
Cody
July 10, 2007 @ 12:11PM
yen ching best chineese
acapulco best mexican
gd ritzy’s can eat there every day
biagis best italian
bone fish bang bang shrimp/martinis
skrhoadesdesign
July 10, 2007 @ 12:17PM
ashley
July 10, 2007 @ 12:22PM
joe’s crab shack is gross… Isn’t Logan’s a chain?
I LOVE Yen Ching’s! The have the BEST crab rangoons and general tso’s shrimp. And nick’s is just a rip off of Turoni’s (his son in-law opened nick’s) and is not even nearly as good. Turoni’s is great.
Brian E. Buxton
July 10, 2007 @ 12:46PM
This is a tough thread as Evansville has, shall we say, “varied” tastes. When Sirloin Stockade can be voted best steak something is definitely not right. Choosing the “best” restaurant in town is tough, as some places have great menues and others just one or two great dishes. You also have to think about what type of food you are looking for - Italian, Chinses, Korean, pizza, Mexican, etc. I won’t even include any chain restaurants because those really don’t count in my opinion. To the person hoping we get a Joe’s Crab Shack (which is barely a step above Red Lobster) - try seafood at Edgewater, the Cork or at Cavanaughs. You will be very surprised at the quality of food here in Evansville. But I think some of the best restaurants in town (as in their overall menu selection and food quality) are:
The Kennel Club
900 East for Kobi beef
Cavanaugh’s esp. for seafood and steak
Cork and Cleaver esp. for shrimp cocktail, seafood and steak
Haub’s Steak House for seafood and steak
Shing Lee for Chinese
Jaya’s for Vietnamese
Nagasaki for sushi
Tommie’s Place
House of Como for Arabian
Deerhead (best bloody mary) and/or Roca bar for pizza
There are others … interested to read other comments …
jim
July 10, 2007 @ 01:53PM
Thai Chow for amazing spicy Thai food
Madeleine’s for the best and freshest seafood (and whisky selection)
The Cork for the salad bar and dim lighting
Tootie’s for pasta salads and desserts
The Slice for new york style pizza
La Cabana for the best TORTA in town
And that little Oriental market next to Earl’s Muffler and Transmission (because they have the best sushi in the area—they started Kanpai).
apie
July 10, 2007 @ 01:55PM
Try El Charros on the westside. They have the best taco salad and fajitas I’ve had in Evansville.
Justin Williams
July 10, 2007 @ 02:33PM
I love El Charros. I haven’t been in months though. It’s my second favorite mexican place in town. Acapulco is #1.
average joe
July 10, 2007 @ 03:11PM
Come on what about McDonalds. Seriously, the Crazy Buffet is awesome!The food is good not the best, but I think the best variety. Or some of the places just outside Evansville, Silver bell, Nisbet Inn, Log Inn, and Hornville if you like some good ol’ home cookin, its too close to say which one is the best.
cody
July 10, 2007 @ 03:23PM
The Slice is the shit for different pizza! try the Ranch
Mike
July 10, 2007 @ 04:01PM
The Loft above Club Baja is my favorite. I can’t get enough of the Filet Oscar.
Jesse
July 10, 2007 @ 04:47PM
Lorenzo’s - Hands down in my opinion for steak and seafood.
While I have not had seafood at Cavanaugh’s, I did have fillet mignon and while the cut was nice, it had zero flavor - maybe it was just a bad night?
The Slice and Toroni’s are top notch for pizza.
Jenna
July 10, 2007 @ 07:26PM
@brian e. buxton: jaya’s is Korean. Jaya herself is Korean and cooks Korean food. However she recently absorbed Wasabi, so now there is a little Japanese on the menu as well. But Jaya’s is Korean, not Vietnamese. See my review
A lot of people here are naming chain restaurants (def not my favorite ones either)—don’t forget, local places people!
By far my favorite place, hands down is YEN CHING. It has been my favorite for years and years, and I won’t eat any other Chinese even by force. The owners and staff are great, and the food is outstanding, I haven’t had and couldn’t as for better! Crab rangoon…empress chicken….mu shu chicken….triple delight….twin diced bird’s nest….its amazing. There’s absolutely no food in town that is better than this.
Dana
July 10, 2007 @ 08:06PM
Definitely going to have to bookmark this thread, for when we move to town (soon, we hope!)
Sam
July 10, 2007 @ 08:27PM
I agree, Nick’s use to be good, but what the hell happened? The interior is nasty, the food has changed and the service sucks! If you want good pizza, Deerhead or Turoni’s is where it’s at!
Sam
July 10, 2007 @ 10:10PM
Mandarin Garden has the best crab rangoon!
Andrew Smith
July 10, 2007 @ 10:37PM
I can’t believe no one has mentioned Franco’s!
mike
July 10, 2007 @ 10:48PM
Deerhead
Yen Ching
Ritzy’s
Roca Bar
There’s a great take-out pizza place on North Weinbach & Morgan, although I sadly can’t remember their name … regardless, for less than $10 you get a large pepperoni pizza, 2-liter of soda (your choice), and a bag of bread-sticks. It’s an excellent stop on the way home when you’re not in the mood to cook or wait for delivery because they keep the take-out pizzas ready to go for when someone walks in
Brian E. Buxton
July 11, 2007 @ 12:36AM
Jenna,
You are correct that Jaya’s is Korean … was at work trying to type a response to this thread and was typing faster than I was thinking! I am surprised at all of the people who like Yen Ching - it isn’t bad food at all, but definitely not real Chinese food. Kind of like saying Hacienda is Mexican. They are both very watered down Americanized versions of their native foods. One other person mentioned La Cabana for Mexican, and I have to agree with that. I think it is the most authentic Mexican food in town, and very reasonably priced. But I still say that Shing Lee’s is the most authentic Chinese food you can get in Evansville. It is the oldest Chinese restaurant in town, and although they have odd business hours and are inconveniently located on the walkway downtown, it is worth the effort to eat there. I also love Jimmy Jengs Szechuan on the East side. Madeleins is an interesting mention as I have had great meals there and have also had terrible meals and some of the worst service I have ever had in any restaurant. A server actually was fired from there for how my date and I were treated one night. It is quite expensive as well, and I am NOT one to complain about the cost of a great meal or a bottle of wine. Tim and his wife made things right with me, but it was a pretty bad experience.
Anyway, interesting thread going here!
Brian
Jan
July 11, 2007 @ 03:08PM
Canton Inn is an Evansville tradition that everyone should experience. Not authentic by any means, but it does have it’s own originality. It’s a great trough!
hewtown
July 11, 2007 @ 04:10PM
“Vincenzio’s Master-Pizza” at Turoni’s is my favorite pie of all time - and I’ve had pizza from all over the world. Can’t say the same for most of the beer at Turoni’s though. But the Light Lager is a decent stand-by.
I also love the salad’s at Roca Bar (east side, haven’t been to Newburgh location). And you gotta love the atmosphere there - pure Evansville.
hewtown
July 11, 2007 @ 04:13PM
Mike - I think you’re talking about Mama Roma’s pizza. It is always cheap and fast, but you definitely get what you pay for at that place. Put it this way - if there was a Mama Roma’s when I was in college that’s all I would have ever eaten!
Jenna
July 11, 2007 @ 04:23PM
actually when I went to China, besides the breaded foods at Yen Ching, a lot of the food there was pretty authentic, just served nice and pretty which makes it look fake
when I want mexican (my 2nd favorite)—it’s a split between Los Bravos and Acapulcos—they are both REALLY good, but have different flavors sorta. Or styles, I’m not sure. I’m starting to like Acapulcos more though, and their salsa is definitely the best
jim
July 11, 2007 @ 07:02PM
No one mentioned Franco’s because the pizza quality took a big Italian nosedive about a year ago…there’s a lot to be said about CONSISTENCY in a restaurant’s food.
SUPERBANANABOMB
July 11, 2007 @ 07:11PM
I think that Yen Ching is good, but not as good as everyone seems to think it is. I’ve eaten there many times and I LOVE their sizzling rice soup as well as their Mai Tais, but the food itself seems to all taste the same. I used to live in the condos behind it and I ate there all the time. It’s good food but after you’ve eaten there a couple of times it gets boring because, well, everything tastes the same.
As far as Shing Lee goes, I am not even sure if they are still open. I’ve lived downtown for a couple of years now and I know the area like the back of my hand. I frequently go by there on the off chance that they will be open, but they never are. The last five or six times I’ve tried to eat there they have been closed.
In my opinion, the best Chinese food in town is Jimmy Jeng’s, hands-down. It’s a pity more people don’t know about it, or even know where it is.
At Jayas you can find some really good Korean food but my main gripe are the portions. They are super small!!! I typically get the Kim Pup as an appetizer, then an entree and 2-3 beers. And even then sometimes I’m still hungry. (I have a big appetite.) The place is really good if you’re a light eater, but for someone who wants to sit down and really chow down, I wouldn’t recommend it.
And I will defend my love for Joe’s Crab Shack! I have never, ever had a bad meal there! The food has always been awesome, I’ve always had good service and the restaurant itself is usually a lot of fun.
I think that when it comes to value, quality of food and service, the best Mexican restaurant in town is probably La Cabana. The food is super cheap (I think the fajitas are like $5 at lunch) and the margaritas are strong. They don’t skimp on the tequila at all. Plus, what other place do you know of that offers 44-ounce margaritas on the rocks???
Los Bravos is really good as well, except there’s so much MSG in the food that I feel like I am going to fall asleep after I get done eating there. It happens every single time. It’s totally delicious but when I’m done I want to curl up and die.
The Gerst Haus has plenty of traditional Bavarian food and I’ve never had anything I didn’t like. Plus the portions are HUGE and they have a great beer selection! (Dinner without beer is like taking a shower without soap.) It’s not exactly light cuisine by any means but if you have a serious appetite, that’s the place to go.
I know I will be crucified for saying this, but am I THE ONLY PERSON IN TOWN that thinks Turonis is over-rated? The pizza is okay but not amazing. The rest of their food is decent. Their home-brewed beers range from decent to piss. I like going there once in a while but I’d honestly rather go to Roca Bar. The pizza is so much better and I find that it’s more entertaining of a place as well.
Cavanaughs has good food, don’t get me wrong, but most of what you’re paying for when you get there is presentation and atmosphere. I used to work at Max & Erma’s, which is right below Cavanaughs. I had several chef buddies that would let me sample stuff and it was pretty good but not worth what they charge.
If you’re looking for a quality steak, go to LONESTAR. I know that it’s a chain and I know that people might pre-judge because of this, but I can honestly say that unless you want to spend tons of money at a place like Cork & Cleaver or Lorenzos, Lonestar really is the way to go. All the steaks are cut by hand every day and I’ve honestly never tasted a better prime rib in my life.
One of the most under-appreciated restaurants in town is Max & Erma’s. Not too many people know about it because it’s located at the casino but the food is REALLY GOOD! I used to work there about 2 years ago and I still come in frequently to eat because it’s always delicious and they change their menu frequently, based upon customer satisfaction. If something doesn’t sell, they get rid of it. If something is a hit, they keep it. Price-wise it’s about on par with a TGI Fridays, so it’s not too bad. I’d recommend it to anyone!
SUPERBANANABOMB
July 11, 2007 @ 07:13PM
Oh, and where is Thai Chow?
jim
July 11, 2007 @ 10:41PM
Thai Chow—Go up 41 to coal mine (gibson county) road and take a left. Go over the railroad tracks and take a right at the Thai Chow sign. It’s best to call before you go. It’s the best Thai food I have eaten. You can bring your own cooler full of your favorite beverage. I recommend the Phad Thai, the Larb, and the Coconut Curry soup. The owner is so nice and I never know what she is saying. It’s a lot of fun—especially if you bring a large group.
Jerry
July 12, 2007 @ 07:41AM
I have to agree with “Jim” regarding Franco’s. We used to eat there quite often, but after the fire rebuild, it has really sucked. The service has been awful, the food quality was not as it once was. They closed the patio citing code violations. My opinion is Franco is out of that restaurant and concentrating on his new steak house.
Jerry
July 12, 2007 @ 07:45AM
My “It’s Evansville” top picks:
Chinese Yen Ching
Mexican Acapulco
Italian Angelo’s
Pizza Turoni’s (Main only)
Burgers G.D. Ritzys
Steak Haub’s Steak House
BBQ Moonlite (Owensboro)
Fiddlers Knob Hill
Emily
July 12, 2007 @ 08:15AM
SuperBananaBomb - try the Joe’s crabshack in Indy or Louisville and you might change your mind. Their crab legs are never warm enough when they are served, and often time they taste like rubber. I’m a bit of a seafood snob, but even to a normal person I’ve never had a great experience at the more local Joe’s locations. It is hard to get fresh seafodo in the Midwest, but other places seem to do a better job, in my opinion. The problem with that is that Joe’s is a seafood place - they should be able to get the best stuff. Their fish is usually overdone, and the crab taste like it came from a chinese buffet. The experience can be fun, and the ones I have tried in Florida were much better, but I don’t think Evansville would be able to support one.
Brian E. Buxton
July 12, 2007 @ 12:18PM
I agree with Emily. Joe’s is a chain and about the same type and quality of food you get at a Hooters or Red Lobster. Their crab legs are pencil thin and the meat sticks to the shell. If you want crab legs here in town the two best restaurants are Cork and Cavanaugh’s. Huge thick crab legs cooked correctly and already split so it is easy to pull out huge chunks of meat. Yes those two restaurants are expensive, but you get what you pay for when it comes to food. And isn’t that the point of eating out - to get the best possible food, the best ambiance, dining experience, etc.? And a great wine list doesn’t hurt either!
And if you want to cook crab at home, Sam’s Club has the biggest crab legs I have ever seen or had in any restaurant.
Brian
Sam
July 12, 2007 @ 01:06PM
FRED’S BAR AND GRILL HAS BETTER HAMBURGERS THEN GD RITZYS!!!! I have to agree though with the restaurant chain of CHEESEBURGER IN PARADISE that Jeff mentioned, it’s amazing!!! It’s so much fun there and the drinks are delicious!
average joe
July 13, 2007 @ 01:19PM
I still wish there was a Skyline in Evansville. You don’t even need a menu they serve chilli.
Heather
July 16, 2007 @ 03:56PM
Oh how I miss Skyline! I love Cincinnati chilli! Nothing like having cinnamon in your chilli. haha!
BrianB
July 31, 2007 @ 09:37PM
Madeleine’s (Best meal i’ve had in town.)
Dilegge’s (Italian)
Nagasaki or Fuji Yama (Sushi)
Gerst Haus (Good German fare and great beer selection.)
Roca Bar (Pizza) (The one on Kentucky Ave. not in Newburgh, big difference. Deerhead is also very good along with Crickets in Newburgh.)
Szechwan (Chinese)
The Pub (Burger)
My house (Steaks and seafood) (For the price of a decent steak and good seafood, I have found that staying at home and cooking it yourself is the way to go. And the service is always good. My apologies to Madeleine’s, I had a great Canadian Fillet there once.)
I am slowly but surely crossing local restaurants of my list of places I like to eat. To many place have inconsistencies with their food or bad service (my biggest pet peeve). Someone earlier mentioned Franco’s. I at one time loved Franco’s but after my last experience (quality of food) I probably won’t be going back. As for him concentrating more on his new restaurant, he needs to try harder. I had the scallops and for the price the taste was just alright and they were definitely over cooked.
I also appreciate hole-in-the-wall bars. No better place to get a good cheeseburger. Someone mentioned earlier Fred’s, great burger. Can’t go wrong with a pattymelt at The Stockwell. I used to like to go to The Dogtown Tavern but after this weekend I won’t be going back. It was the worst burger I’ve ever had and the service was horrible.
Maldini
August 01, 2007 @ 12:04AM
Best restaurant in Evansville I think is Lorenzo s SOUTH HEBRON >
Great service ,great bread,great dessert,friendly people,great dinner and lunch
Mary
August 01, 2007 @ 09:14AM
Take a drive to Ft. Branch and try the Gemeca Inn. It’s closed on Sun. & Mon. They have the best steaks, fried chicken, german fries and much more. It’s a little pricy (a la carte) but worth every penny
Billy Chia
August 05, 2007 @ 03:04PM
Biaggi’s has the best service hands down.
At least in my humble opinion, which could quite possibly be skewed do the the fact that I’m a waiter there. ;)
Love the beer at Turonis’
Love the food at the Cork.
Tom
August 22, 2007 @ 10:43AM
Haub’s Steak House in Haubstad
Jacob Jingleheimer Schmitt
August 27, 2007 @ 04:55PM
Western Rib-Eye anyone? The salad bar is great.
Deerhead, the best pizza.
BBQ Barn on Diamond- awesome BBQ.
Jenna
August 27, 2007 @ 08:52PM
@ Tom—you’ll be glad to know that Haub’s is next Monday’s review! mmm filet
Jackie
August 31, 2007 @ 08:40PM
El Charo on the west side is GOOD STUF. You can’t be Gerst either!
Cherie
September 27, 2007 @ 10:18AM
I love prime rib, and trying to find a good prime rib in evansville is next to impossible. Any suggestions that I haven’t tried?
Brian
September 27, 2007 @ 01:20PM
Try Haubs Steak House …. and I think Cavanaughs has it as well.
hoghead
September 30, 2007 @ 12:47PM
The old hickory bbq in fort branch sveral years ago had the best bbq and seafood buffett any where around for 100 miles. The wwent to a rack of ribs to rack dancing
Renee
October 12, 2007 @ 12:40PM
Head away from the East side and try something new:
Hickory Pit Stop
Log Inn (for some good homestyle food)
Hornville
My Two Brother’s Chinese
Charlie’s Mongolian BBQ
Rounder’s Pizza (must try the BBQ Pizza!)
Angelo’s (off of Main Street)
Although I do love Nagasaki, Old Chicago and Olive Garden!
Trying Lorenzo’s this evening so I’m pretty excited about that!
Justin Williams
October 12, 2007 @ 08:22PM
We have a review of Angelo’s scheduled to go up Monday.
Judith
October 24, 2007 @ 12:37PM
For several years now, we have had dinner out once a month with two other couples. The only rule - we can’t visit the same place twice.
Some of our favorites:
Firefly - went there last month. The menu was different for the area and the food was very good. I had the crayfish etouffe and it was really, really good. The service wasn’t great, but we tend to go for a long, leisurely meal so that gave her a bit of a bye.
Lorenzo’s - It’s always good.
Cavanaugh’s - I’ve never had a bad meal there. The French onion soup is to die for.
Jimmy Jeng’s and Ma T (that new place, subtitled China Bistro). We pulled up to the outside of Ma T and thought we had made a mistake and picked a buffet type, trashy place. But once inside, we found the decor to be very nice. The food was good and had some really fascinating garnishes (like a butterfly made out of carrots).
There are others - but these stick out in my mind as some of the really good, non-chain places that we have enjoyed.
Mike H.
November 29, 2007 @ 12:55PM
Jimmy Jeng’s is excellent. Yen Ching previously hold the crown in my mind, but the service and the food there beats it hands down.
Ma T 888 China Bistro is good too, but not amazing.
Angelo’s is great too, best Italian in town.
I don’t understand why Justin likes Acapulco… it just doesn’t have much flavor. I didn’t like it the first time I went there, and I’ve gone back several times, trying different things every time. Haven’t liked it yet. Los Bravos or El Charo, or La Cabana are much better.
Madeline’s is excellent, I’d eat there more often if I could stomach the cost. I’d say it’s on par with nice restaurants in bigger cities… too bad Evansville has only one of them.
Jenna
November 29, 2007 @ 02:08PM
Oooooo I love Acapulcos, I think the quality of their food is much higher than Bravos and Charo. Though I’ve yet to go to Cabana it’s on my list for you all. Of course that’s not to say I dislike Bravos or Charo, I think they are fantastic. But Acapulcos is just a notch up there for me.
I haven’t yet tried Madeline’s but it’s definitely on my list, I can’t wait!
ali
December 28, 2007 @ 02:15PM
Madeleine’s
Jimmy Jeng’s
1st Ave Diner (breakfast and burgers)
Knotty Pine for meat and three
Smitty’s for pizza
Coffee Cottage (near UE on Weinbach) for pastries
Tin Fish for crabcakes
El Rio on N. Green River
Kanpai, Nagasaki & Iwataya (all great)
Firefly
Gerst Haus
and Stockwell Inn for anything fried
Karen
January 26, 2008 @ 08:09PM
Dilegge’s is the best place for italian! Their lasagna is amazing, and the prices are decent too.
Fresh Harvest Deli (located downtown) is really good for lunch. I always get the green salad (the dressing is so good you will want to drink it) and chicken salad duo. They always have fresh salads to choose from, soups, and subs. My co-workers and I have lunch there about twice a week!
Other favorites include: Gerst Haus, Turoni’s, Yen Cheng, and Cavanaugh’s.
Warrick Reader
February 26, 2008 @ 01:55PM
I don’t know where to start. A lot of people are quick to criticize Evansville’s selection of restaurants, but I’ve lived in and have been to worse cities and towns. The best place for Chinese is Jimmy Jeng’s Szechwan. To me personally, Yen Ching is just slightly above average. The Chopstick House isn’t too bad, but the last few times I’ve been there the service was sub-par. In my opinion, we have a nice handful of good Italian places. A personal favorite is Milano’s on Main Street. My fiancé and I go there every once in a while on Saturday evenings to enjoy a nice quiet dinner and a glass of wine. They have great service and a nice quiet atmosphere. You usually can’t go wrong with Biaggi’s, and Angelo’s is certainly one of the best. A lot of people aren’t big fans of Pasta Grill, but I think it’s an above average restaurant. I especially enjoy eating there when they have live jazz (usually Friday nights). As far as pizza is concerned, I’m partial to Deerhead and Turoni’s. Roca Bar is good too as long as you visit the original on South Kentucky Ave. I have not had any luck with the Newburgh location. And you can’t forget the strombolis at Pizza King. But again, I have not had very good luck with the Newburgh location. El Charro and Los Bravos top my list for Mexican. I have yet to try La Cabana, but numerous people have told me that is the best place to go for an authentic Mexican meal. I’ll just throw a few other “miscellaneous” places out there: GD Ritzy’s is good for fast food and they also have good salads. The Hickory Stop (across from Bosse Field) is a good place for old-fashioned BBQ. It’s just a hole in the wall, and the “locals” may stare at you when you first walk in, but the good BBQ is worth the trip. Overall, I think Evansville has a great selection of restaurants.
Scott Biggerstaff
March 06, 2008 @ 01:07PM
Ok, let’s face it, it is extremely difficult to find true fine-dining in Evansville. I have dined at some top notch restaurants in larger cities, and it’s frustrating trying to find something comparable here. Anyway, here’s my list:
STEAK: This is frustrating, because you really cannot get a prime steak here—-F’s in Newburgh is generally consistent, and the service has always been decent, or better. Cork used to be my top choice, BUT their quality has drastically gone to hell in the last year! Cavanaughs can be great, but I’ve also had really bad cuts there as well.
SEAFOOD: Probably Madeleins, but I agree with Brian Buxton—-the service can be absolutely horrendous! I have NEVER had good service there, and refuse to go back!
SUSHI: You have to try Zuki (where Wasabi used to be). I believe they have the freshest sushi I’ve had here lately.
KOREAN: Jayas, hands down—-ALWAYS GOOD!
CHINESE: Jimmy Jeng’s Szechwan
MEXICAN: LaCabana is the best! El Rio is a close second.
PIZZA: Roca Bar and Deerhead. Sportsden isn’t bad either
ITALIAN: This is tough——either Angelos or Dilegges. Biaggi’s absolutely sucks, and the service is worse than the food!
Matt
March 12, 2008 @ 04:25PM
I just recently moved here from Chicago and quickly realized that
Evansville is not exactally a treasure trove of fine dining, however it does have some hidden treasures for those who are willing to do some searching. The following are some of my personal favorites…
Chineese: Jimmy Jeng’s Schezuaun
Sushi: I like Iwataya , but have been told that Zuki is exceptional
Seafood and Steak: Tin Fish downtown in the Riverhouse Hotel
Korean: Jaya’s
Pizza: Little Italy or Deerhead
Italian: I have eaten at DiLegges, Biaggi’s, and Angelo’s and found the food to be ok at best. Shame because I love Italian food
Mexican: El Rio on Green River Rd
Contempory Fine Dining: Madelines
Chanda
March 30, 2008 @ 06:30PM
My son called tonight asking for suggestions for where to take his girlfriend after he proposes this coming Saturday. He asked about Angelo’s, Haub House, Edgewater Grille & Western Ribeye. Are there other quite spots around? Her out-of-town parents will join us for a surprise celebratory meal after he pops the question. (It’s also her birthday & all of us have never met.) I need suggestions QUICK!
ch
March 31, 2008 @ 05:30AM
During evening hours…I might suggest Angelo’s or The Jungle…both are downtown on Main Street and quiet…nice atmosphere in both and away from all of the traffic and noise.
Jenna
March 31, 2008 @ 01:26PM
I really like Angelo’s, it’s a quiet and nice atmosphere, though nothing fancy—I’d say it’s more casual-nice. You know, wear something appropriate to look nice. The food is great.
Milano’s is also downtown, it’s pretty good Italian also, I haven’t been in quite a while, but I believe the restaurant is smaller than Angelo’s, and has that dark-nice-quiet atmosphere to it
I have never been to Madeline’s, but you may want to look it up to see how you’d like it. That is also downtown, but since I’ve never been there I’m not sure if that’s a proposal type of place—though looking at the website it seems to be a very very nice place! ( http://www.madeleinesfusion.com/ )
I would stay clear of Haubs simply b/c the food is good, but it’s just not a romantic atmosphere and is is decorated in a really old fashioned way. Western Ribeye just seems to be a place completely inappropriate for a proposal.
The Edgewater is a choice, a few years ago I was there on Valentines Day and saw a proposal happen. The food is just average though, pizza is great, but nothing there is too special.
My vote is Angelo’s and Madeline’s (I bet at madeline’s he could call for the reservation and say that he will be proposing there and ask for an appropriate table and wine/champaign)
Jenna
March 31, 2008 @ 01:27PM
(let us know how it goes!)
Brandon
April 02, 2008 @ 09:59PM
I absolutely love to eat at privately owned restaurants. I recently moved here from louisville. There were tons of great places to go and spend some quality time with friends and enjoy a good meal. On the other hand, Evansville has very few really good private restaurants. There are a few such as madelines, Firefly and probably the best privately owned, Turoni’s. I have many friends who have worked for Madelines. They were good employees who moved on to better jobs. This brings me to my point. Tim Mills has made sure that finding a good job is almost impossible. He recently had someone fired from their job at a separate company because they had previously worked for him. This is wrong. Does he not have enough money. Tim Mills thinks he owns this town because he now 2 restaurants. I say boycott him. If you really knew what he paid his employees or where he gets his Asian spring rolls for madelines. $7 for 4(Sams Club, 100 for $10). Lets not let someone with such disregard for the community have free run. Please check out my information, you will be surprised at what you find about Tim Mills, and how much he doesn’t care about people or the city of Evansville.
Jeff
April 10, 2008 @ 10:15PM
Flavor if India is one of my favorites in Evansville. If you’ve never had Indian food, give their buffet a try—that’s how I got attached to this place. Good service, nice people and really great food.
Always loved Franco’s, too!
Chanda
April 11, 2008 @ 07:58AM
We went to Angelo’s to “Meet the Parents” last Saturday night after my son popped the question earlier that day at a special spot. Service was GREAT! Food was just okay - not extra special, but certainly above average. In the end, the event went the way he had hoped - she said “yes” and all the in-laws/out-laws like each other! Thanks for the tips, Chanda
Jenna
April 11, 2008 @ 11:04AM
@jeff, I used to eat Indian food fairly often when I was at school in Bloomington, and have been wanting to give this place a try
@Chanda—glad everything went great! I’m sure it is all exciting!
Blake Kollker
April 16, 2008 @ 09:48AM
It was great to read through peoples comments on the best restaurants in Evansville. As Chef de Cusine at Flyte World Dining and Wine Restaurant in Nashville, it is good to see what peoples idea about good food is. I am a native Evansvillian who would love to open a place back home and this is giving me a better idea about the food scene there. Looks exactly like I was thinking it would. Keep your eyes peeled for something in the next year or two….
Prost!
Blake Kollker
Blakekollker.com
greg
April 23, 2008 @ 04:39PM
Moved from E-ville to Indy in 2003-
YOU guys don’t know what you have in Pizza King West Stroms, Hickory Pit Barbecue, Dogtown Fiddlers, etc.
Can’t wait to get back home when I retire.
Laura
May 07, 2008 @ 10:47PM
I recently had Thai Chow - It was amazing food. The owner is so great, she runs the place by herself. Service isn’t great, but it is definitely a great time and the best Thai food ever