Evansville is one of the few places left that is lucky enough to still be home to G.D. Ritzy’s, and to me, that makes it local. G.D. Ritzy’s was once a chain on a smaller scale, but now only three states still have their original Ritzy’s. Evansville is lucky enough to be the one city in one of three states that holds that honor. The other restaurants Owensboro, KY and Huntington, WV.

Ritzy’s has the old 50s style, decorated in green, silver, and white with a couple neon signs. Walking in, you order your food on the left side of the counter where it will soon arrive on a tray right near where you can find the condiments and utensils. However, the right side of the counter has the array of ice cream, and you do order that at a separate register. Most tables are on a platform and continue in the 50s style with stainless steel on the tables and plush green seats.

We decided to eat in so we could get a feel of the atmosphere. We both ordered a combo #1, which is a cheeseburger, shoestring fries, and a soft drink. Mine was delicious, just as they have always been. With the thin grilled hamburger patty, slice of cheese, crispy leaf lettuce, thin sliced tomato, tart pickles, and ketchup and mayo-what more could you ask for? Of course, I had to leave off the mustard and onion. If burgers aren’t your thing you can also find hot dogs, chili, or even a peanut butter & jelly sandwich on their menu. The chili is great for the colder months, and is unique in that they offer it 7 different ways and over spaghetti. The PB&J may sound boring, but they serve it open face with thin slices of strawberries over the jelly, and crushed peanuts over the peanut butter. Looking for something healthy? Their salads are great and made to order; they also offer steamed vegetables, grilled chicken sandwich, or a fish sandwich.

If you go to Ritzy’s, you can’t leave without getting some ice cream. Flavors range from chocolate to vanilla, mint chocolate chunk to peppermint, butter pecan to Oreo, and a lot in between. Sampling a few scoops of their ice cream is nothing less than delicious, but why not splurge and get a sundae? Choose any of their ice cream flavors and cover it in hot fudge, caramel, whipped cream, topped with a cherry. You can also get a milkshake made with any one of their ice creams. If you ask for a chocolate shake, you’ll be asked if you want it made with vanilla (in which case they put chocolate syrup in it) or with chocolate (which is made with chocolate ice cream). I always suggest the chocolate-chocolate.

Ritzy’s truly is a staple of Evansville, and you can find everyone from infants to teens, to adults to grandparents stopping in for their food. While similar to Steak n Shake, Ritzy’s definitely takes the food, service, and cleanliness up a notch or two. I find it hard to believe there is someone from Evansville who hasn’t been there yet, but if you are someone who hasn’t, head to Ritzy’s for lunch. Go in, sit down, and enjoy. You won’t be sorry.

G.D. Ritzy’s can be found at 601 N. Green River Rd, (812) 474-6259; 4320 N 1st Ave, (812) 421-1300; or 4810 University Dr, (812) 425-8700. Sun-Thurs 11am-9pm, Fri & Sat 11am-10pm.

And so it begins. Today is the official launch of the 86th annual West Side Nut Club Fall Festival. The Festival is second only to Mardi Gras as the longest running street festival in the US. This year, the festival will be presenting much of the same same: food, carny rides and amateur entertainment.

The festival opens today at 10:00AM. During the week, it will stay open until 10:30PM. On Friday and Saturday, the festival will be open until eleven. Your guide to the festival can be found at these two links:

• Food map
• Entertainment schedule

We’ll also be highlighting some of the evening festival entertainment in our activities posts.

If you want to have some tongue in cheek fun at the Fall Festival, don’t forget to carry along your Bingo Board. There is also a mullet hunt taking place at the festival. Take your digital camera and start snapping photos of the best mullets you find. You earn points for the quality of the shot. Unlike normal photography however, you don’t get points for lighting and composition. Instead, you earn extra points if the mullet is dressed in a wife beater, an old even t-shirt or anything that contains a 3 or 8 on it.

Between both games, and the traditional fair food and activities, there should be plenty to do at the festival this week.

Living in Newburgh most of my life, one of the signs that fall is upon is is the annual Newburgh Fiddler Fest. The Fiddler Fest is when the Evansville area descends upon downtown Newburgh to enjoy live music and fiddler and catfish dinners. 2007 marks the 27th year for thew annual festival and will feature much of the same types of activities you are used to. Besides the delicious fiddler dinners, the festival features a beer garden to help with your social lubricating.

Throughout the weekend there will be live music and other events. Live music will feature Mike Libs and Avalanche Rose, Kelly Chandley and Nine O’clock Curfew, Pat Coslett and Company, Byron Rohrig and more. There will also be an amateur talent show and open mic session on Saturday.

The Fiddler Fest starts Friday night at 5PM and runs until Sunday at 10PM.

photo courtesy of L.Todd

While summer is slowly heading out, we wanted to introduce you to a great spot to help beat the heat. Jeanne’s Gelato is a nice addition to Evansville that can help cool you down with their flavorful gelato, Italian ice cream. Gelato is the Italian take on ice cream that has a much lighter, creamier texture than regular ice cream.

Jeanne’s is located in a small building on E. 4th St. downtown. It is small, but already inviting on the outside with cheerful rainbow colored umbrellas at tables outside. Inside there are just two or three tables, but that’s really all that is needed. It seems that people stop in sporadically and take their fare with them instead of sit. Everything is behind a counter-display case that begins in the middle of the room-this definitely shortens the customer’s space, but also gives the impression of intimacy between customer and owner.

There are usually ten gelato flavors available at one time. There are always constant flavors like chocolate, coffee, or raspberry, other flavors switch regularly between a long list. If you need to, you can taste test the flavors before choosing. Today, I sampled pineapple, lemon, and raspberry, while my friend sampled chocolate gelato and cheesecake. Everything was great; the gelato was so smooth and light, but filled with flavor.

You can have multiple flavors in your cup so you don’t have to choose between your two favorites. If you want a little more than a cup, there are also waffle cones, or even gelazzies (their version of a milkshake).

We went just for the gelato, but Jeanne’s also serves sandwiches and soups for a light downtown lunch. They also prepare cookies, pies, and cheesecakes that are displayed on the counter or in a case if your sweet tooth wants something more traditional.

Prices at this unique Evansville shop are very reasonable by any standard, especially for a quick simple lunch with a little sugar pick-me-up after. If you decide you love this gelato so much, you can even buy gelato or gelato-cakes to take home. Take a trip downtown while it is still summer to cool down with this creamy, sweet gelato.

Jeanne’s Gelato is located between Locust and Walnut Ave. at 113 SE 4th Street, next to Jaya’s. 812-402-8282. Mon-Thurs 11am-6pm, Fri & Sat 11am-9pm, Sun (Spr/Fall) 1pm-4pm.

I don’t have a craving for donuts but maybe once a year, but when I get that urge, I seek out the nearest Donut Bank. The local donut chain is breaking ground on its seventh store today at the corner of HWY 41 and Lincoln Avenue (see map below). The store is scheduled to open around November and will be serving the same delicious treats as the other 6 stores. I’m sure its proximity to UE and free WiFi will make it a nice morning hangout for the college and Memorial HS crowd.

photo courtesy of prettynpink

It has been a while since we last reviewed a Mexican restaurant at It’s Evansville, despite our never ending obsession with the region’s flavors. This time we ventured out onto the West Side to visit El Charro for lunch.

El Charro is located in a little strip, and is very hidden away. Once you find it, the little outdoor seating area looks inviting, but I still felt unsure until I got inside. It does not appear that there is a vast amount of seating, but the décor brought you more and more in. It was a hodgepodge of bright colors, piñatas, and various Mexican trinkets. It works and draws you in and makes you want to stay.

We were seated and brought chips and salsa and our drinks. The salsa was delicious, and while the chips were nice and hot, they felt too airy and tasted as if the oil hadn’t been recently changed. Our menu was the lunch menu, with no dinner menu in site, which was nice since most menus are together and you have to figure out what to order off of. Also, everything on the lunch menu was $5.50. My dining partner ordered the Chicken Fiesta Burrito which is topped with sour cream lettuce, cheese, and a big slice of tomato. It also comes with beans and a side of rice. Delicious! I decided on a dish I absolutely love, but rarely get: huevos con chorizo. It is a nice little plate of scrambled eggs mixed with chorizo, next to rice and beans, served with warm tortillas. Perfect — nice and spicy.

All your favorite Mexican dishes are available at El Charro. I have heard their specialties include paella (usually a seafood and rice dish) and chimichangas (a fried burrito). There are different names for and seemingly different takes on their food, but it all seems to be there. Burritos, tacos, enchiladas, fajitas, and quesadillas.

The service was good, the waiters seemed very friendly-even trying to speak Spanish with us. Moreover, the food was very good, and I’d be glad to go back. It is a little out of the way and hard to find, but the good food is worth it, especially with such reasonable prices.

El Charro is located at 720 N Sonntag Ave, between Mt Vernon Ave. & W Maryland St. (812) 421-1986. Mon-Thurs 11AM-9PM, Fri-Sat 11AM-10PM, Sun 11AM-8PM.

This week we ventured out of Evansville and up the highway to Haubstadt. About fifteen minutes out, you find Haub House where they specialize in steak and the train, but have a little bit of everything.

Haubs is in a large brick building, very much like a house, just feet from a train track. The track is actually a big feature for children who will run up to the windows when it rolls by. Inside there are two floors, and the decor is very old fashioned-lots of old wallpaper and other old styles.

Everyone in my party ordered some type of steak or lobster. Steaks ranged from strip, rib eye, chop sirloin, and of course, the ever delicious filet mignon. Lobster dishes came either on their own or in a Land & Sea combination. Looking down the table, the strip and rib eye looked especially delicious — nice and big, cooked perfectly. I ordered the 8 ounce fillet (also comes in 4 and 12 ounce), which came wrapped in bacon, cooked a perfect medium. Sides are all ordered separately, the most popular being the twice-baked potato, followed by German fries and rice pilaf. All of our meals came with our choice of salad, with loaves of hot, freshly baked white and wheat bread.

There is also a substantial amount of seafood at Haubs. Start with the Oysters Mornay or Rockefeller, or Herring. Continue on the seafood route with Crab Legs or Lobster, Baked Stuffed Jumbo Shrimp, and any number of various fish. Not a seafood fan? Try a Bacon-Wrapped Liver or Stuffed Mushroom appetizer followed by Chicken Kiev, Roasted Chicken, or Broiled Pork Chops. After stuffing yourself, you can end with Bread Pudding or Pecan Pie, or even a dessert drink such as the old-fashioned like the Grasshopper or Pink Squirrel.

The service is good, but not great. You will have to exercise patience when attempting to get your drink refilled. The food, however, always comes out hot and delicious, I’ve never had anything bad. This is a pricey restaurant though so expect to pay a fair amount. Most dishes are a la carte. The steaks range from $17 to $30, and fish ranging from $14 to $35. If you are interested in eating a little earlier, there is an Early Evening Menu section in which everything is $12.95. Haubs is also also able to accommodate large parties or meetings.

I do suggest trying Haubs at least once. It is a bit out of a trek to get to Haubstaudt from Evansville, but the steaks are worth the trip. Just know that you will be paying a premium for your dinner.

Haub House is located in 101 E. Main St., Haubstadt, In—41 North, West on Highway 68, North on Main. (812) 768-6462. Mon-Thurs 4PM-9PM, Fri & Sat 4PM-10PM.

In this weather, sometimes you just want a small, light meal that is refreshing, but more than just a salad will offer. That’s where Maxine’s Caf’e & Bakery comes in. Maxine’s is a little caf’e focusing on delicious pasta salads and desserts.

When you enter, you go to the back counter where they have all their salads, quiches, soups, or pastries displayed and pick what you would like. I think the most common order would be the plate which serves 1 chicken salad and 2 pasta salads (or 3 pasta salads in case of vegetarians). Today I chose the Classic Chicken Salad, Pesto Tortellini, and Tomato Artichoke Salad. My choice in chicken salad seems to be a favorite, it is mayonnaise based with chunks of chicken, walnuts, and celery. The two pasta salads were just as the name describes-simply made, yet elegant. With your meal comes French bread or a dill roll. They place it all in a little wicker basket that you carry to your table.

The two other chicken salads offered are the Vegetable Chicken Salad and sweet, yellow Curry Chicken Salad. There are is a variety of other salads and pasta salads to choose from such as he Sun Dried Tomato Bowtie or Mediterranean Pasta Salad. Other salads include the Fruit Salad, Mushroom Salad, and even the Asparagus. There are always several daily specials ranging from quiche to soup, from salad to pizza-everything always being outstanding and stylish. Behind the counter on the wall menu, you will also find they can make sandwiches with Boarshead meat.

A strong focus of Maxine’s can be found on the other side of the bake-case: pastries. Some of their items like the Red Velvet Cake or Bourbon Brownies seem to be somewhat of a legend around Evansville. Other goodies range from refreshing Lemon Bar Squares to decadent Baklava, warm bread pudding to personal cheesecakes. Of course, you will never get past the beautiful cakes: Red Velvet, Carrot, Poppyseed, Strawberry, Chocolate, Chocolate Mousse, and more. And I must say this; the rich, creamy frosting is to-die-for.

Although the crowd caters mostly to women, I highly recommend Maxine’s. If you men out there feel uncomfortable, go a little later for lunch when it is beginning to clear out. Prices can range, though on average, lunch without dessert is around $8.50. Again, for a filling meal that is somehow light and refreshing, do try Maxine’s.

Maxine’s is located behind Putt-Putt at 1322 N. Green River Rd. (812) 473-3663. Mon-Sat 10AM-4PM.

I have managed to overlook writing a review about one of our favorite restaurants, here at It’s Evansville. Yen Ching. Like many others, we are loyal customers who have been frequenting the restaurant for excellent Chinese food for twenty-three years. Yen Ching not only has a thoroughly Chinese interior, but also exterior, as the building is roughly styled after a traditional dynasty building. Inside are murals of the palace life and painted wall hangings.

While I usually go for dinner, my favorite time to go is for lunch for the perfect amount of food. They also have lunch specials Monday through Friday. I went for the Mandarin Chicken, which is breaded chicken in a salty brown sauce with sliced carrots, baby corn, broccoli, and pea pods. My dining partner had the Pineapple Chicken: chicken and pineapple with large chunks of onion, peppers, and water chestnuts in a tomato sauce. Each entree comes with a plate of fried rice (if you go for dinner, rice comes in a metal dish) and the choice of egg drop or hot and sour soup. Every thing was delicious and perfectly spiced.

Those are just two of our many favorite dishes at Yen Ching. Start off with the delicious crab rangoon, egg rolls, or potstickers - it’s impossible to go wrong, and it is early satisfaction. A great suggestion for the colder months is Combination Soup Noodles; a bowl so big you-can’t-believe-it of noodles covered in chicken, shrimp, crab and vegetables in a light broth. The Triple Delight, General Tso’s Chicken, Mu Shu Chicken (hint: only Mu Shu Pork is on the menu, but if you ask they can substitute any type of meat), or Mongolian Beef. Don’t forget the Twin Diced Bird’s Nest. For something light and refreshing after your meal, try the lychee fruit; a small round Asian fruit that is almost a very subtle mix of grape and cantaloupe.

Come early for the Sunday lunch buffet, the restaurant fills quickly, and food is kept fresh and hot. Reservations are accepted, and they can accommodate large parties. Two more great things to note are that they can cater (up to very large parties), and have a “secret” authentic menu (but you have to ask for that!). I can attest to always having great service with their attentive waiters and owners.

Lunch prices range from $4-7 and include soup, rice, and entr’ee. Dinner prices vary depending on type of meat, but generally range from $8-12, upwards for duck or lobster. I highly recommend the restaurant for all, its family friendly, date friendly, and business friendly. If you have not yet tried this Evansville staple, please be sure to do so soon; there is a much more personal environment and customized meals than some of the larger chain restaurants.

Yen Ching is located at 406 S. Green River Rd. (812) 474-0181. Lunch Hours; Mon-Sat 11AM - 2:30 PM, Sunday Buffet 11AM - 2:30PM. Dinner Hours; Mon-Thurs 2:30PM - 9:30 PM, Fri & Sat 2:30 PM - 10:30 PM, Sun 2:30PM - 9PM.

My father and I ventured down to West Franklin Street where you can find the Gerst Bavarian Haus. This is the restaurant in Evansville that truly captures our predominantly German heritage.

The restaurant actually has its roots in Nashville, Tennessee, it’s only other location. In Evansville, it is located in an old hardware store and the owners chose to keep much of the original style of the building, which gives it a great feeling. Very high ceilings, pressed tin walls covered in deer heads, with heavy wooden tables and booths best describe the interior. Not quite a pub feel, but that’s the best I can describe-very casual and comfortable. The one large room is divided into a bar and dining area. Of course you can eat in both, but it depends on your taste. The bar area also has a row of 29 beers on tap, and that’s just the beginning.

The menu is divided into German and American food, though it obviously predominates as German food. This means that even if you aren’t a big sausage or goulash fan, you can still find something you will enjoy! One of my favorite items to get is their Pork Chop, and it is uncharacteristic of me to do so, but anyone who has ever had it can easily attest that it is filled with flavor and are always excellent cuts. A good friend of mine never fails to get the fried catfish dinner, another great thing-best asked for well done though. Today I got the Kielbase Dinner, and my dad got his favorite, the Ruben Sandwich. We both enjoyed the food, which I believe is made fresh in haus. My dad got the cornbread for his side, but it is not your everyday run of the mill cornbread, these are little flat cakes with pepper in them for a little kick. I got their mashed potatoes as my side-thick and lumpy with a great brown sauce, what could be better?

The Gerst Haus is known for their beer selection from all over the world. Today my dad simply got a Blue Moon, but a nice touch was that the waitress also brought him a sample of the beer of the day. My friend’s parents always enjoy getting the fishbowls of beer or margarita. Most importantly, it shouldn’t go without saying that the Gerst Haus has their own Gerst beer that they brew.

Go try this stable of German-heritage Evansville out. It will be worth your time and money whether you eat the German bratwurst or schweine schnitzel or opt for something American. Do know that sometimes it can take a little time to get your food-but it always comes out piping hot, cooked to order.

Gerst Bavarian Haus is located at 2100 W. Franklin St. (812) 424-1420. Mon-Thurs 11am-10pm, Fri & Sat 11am-11pm, Sun 11am-9pm.