Blog

As much as I enjoy the field-fresh fruit and veggies that are the star of Hamilton County’s summer farmers’ markets, there’s something to be said for the stick-to-your-ribs heartiness of winter market fare.

Bread. Eggs. Meat. Cheese. Sweets. Even wine. Throw in a gallon of milk and you’ll be ready for the first big snowstorm of the season. (Oh, and you can find some winter vegetables too, if you’re into that kind of thing.)

Here’s a guide to stocking up at winter markets in Hamilton County, Indiana.

"Mmm...donuts." Homer Simpson’s infamous ode to the sweet breakfast treats speaks the simple truth: Few things in life are as gratifying as fried dough coated in sugar.

I may be more of an enthusiast than most. But given the sheer volume of donut shops in Hamilton County, I can’t be the only one.

Whether you spell it donut or doughnut, here’s a list of donut shops in Hamilton County, Indiana. Scroll down to learn more about each of these tasty bakeries.

Hamilton County, Indiana is abuzz this fall with excitement of the much-anticipated openings of IKEA and Portillo’s in Fishers, but don’t let your craving for Swedish meatballs or Chicago dogs keep you from sampling other recent arrivals.

The culinary scene continues to grow across the county. Here are a few of the new and planned eateries you should check out this fall.

The next time you’re in the mood for a change of scenery, do yourself a favor: Hop in the car and head to northern Hamilton County, where suburban development gives way to pastoral landscapes and farm markets are more prevalent than roundabouts. It took me more than a decade to discover the “other” Hamilton County north of State Road 32, and now others are catching on, too.

As a native Hoosier, I’ve eaten hundreds of breaded tenderloin sandwiches. I don’t really need a reason to indulge in crispy pork goodness, but I’m a creature of habit, so I welcome Tenderloin Tuesdays every summer as a reminder to try something new.

This year, I followed the Tenderloin Trail to Carmel, where husband-and-wife team Kevin “Woody” and Chef Richelle Rider own two distinctively different eateries, each with its own take on the unofficial state sandwich.

It sounds like summer in Hamilton County, that toe-tapping time of year when free outdoor concerts are as easy to find as fireflies and sweet corn.

This seasonal celebration of all things musical is hitting a high note this year thanks to two milestones: the debut of Federal Hill Commons in Noblesville and the 15th anniversary of summer concerts in Fishers.

Everyone knows not to shop for food on an empty stomach, but I refuse to eat before making my weekly trip to the farmers market. It’s not willpower as much as mouth-watering anticipation of what’s ahead.

If the way to your honey’s heart is through the stomach, say “I love you” this Valentine’s Day with a taste of Hamilton County, Indiana. Here are a few ideas for sharing the local flavor with your special someone.

When temperatures drop and cold winds blow through Hamilton County, Doug Kemp knows he is going to be spending more time than usual in the kitchen.

Kemp owns Dooley O’Tooles in Carmel, which has been warming up patrons with a wide variety of homemade soups since 1985. Weekday mornings begin at the steam kettle, where he transforms four of his 100-plus handwritten recipes into some of the restaurant’s most popular menu options. The restaurant is closed on Saturdays and Sundays.

There’s not much my husband and I enjoy more than sampling the impressive array of local restaurants