THE TAMALE PLACE

            The Tamale Place is a Mexican restaurant that has three locations in Indiana:  Greenwood, City Market, and Rockville Road.  This restaurant has a casual atmosphere and customers order at the register from an overhead menu.  The Tamale Place has been visited by Guy Fieri and has been featured on the popular Food Network show “Diners, Drive Ins and Dive”.  This restaurant’s specialty is hand made tamales.  The customer can choose from chicken or pork tamales in a green or red sauce.  For those who like it hot, spicy selections are also available, including chipotle chicken or beef.

            Other Mexican selections are also available on the menu.  A variety of tacos and tortas are offered.  My favorite is the chicken verde taco with green sauce.  Combo meals are also available and are a great value.  The customer begins by choosing a tamale, taco or torta.  Rice or black beans are then added to the combo meal, along with tortilla chips, salsa and a fountain drink.  Another popular favorite are the Nachos.  A huge dish of warm nachos smothered with chicken, beans, cheese and lettuce is another of my all time favorites.  The homemade nachos have a delicious taste that is unlike any other.

            The atmosphere is very casual and the customers can sit at a picnic table, or at metal round tables with chairs inside the restaurant.  At some locations, outdoor seating is also available during the warm months.  During peak lunch hour, the restaurant can become very busy, and seating is limited.  If you want to dine inside, it is best to arrive before noon, or maybe at 1:00 pm.  Don’t let the long lines turn you away from The Tamale Place.  It is well worth the wait!  I hope you like it as much as I do!  Be sure to visit their website to read about the history of the Tamale Place and to check out the menu!

http://www.thetamaleplace.com/menu/

 

PIADA ITALIAN STREET FOOD

            During the past year, I learned about a new restaurant called “Piada Italian Street Food”.  Since that time it has become one of my favorite places.  The restaurant specializes in Italian fare, in a casual, family atmosphere.  Customers approach the serving counter where the server will build a dish of your choice.  The customer can choose from a piada, salad, or a dish of pasta.  A piada is a large Italian wrap, similar to the soft Mexican tortilla.  Once the selection is made, the building begins!  My favorite selection is pasta.  After the server places a large heaping of angel hair pasta in a bowl,  I then have the choice of multiple ingredients to add to my dish.  First, I can choose from chicken, calamari, steak, or salmon.  Then I top my pasta with a variety of fresh vegetables, cheese, and sauces.  Sundried tomatoes, mushrooms, green peppers, roasted artichokes, feta cheese, and roasted red peppers are only a few of the many ingredients than can be added to the dish.  Finally, I have the choice of 3 different sauces to put on the pasta.  For those who do not prefer pasta, a large salad can be created with the same selection of meats, cheeses, and vegetables.  For customers who prefer a wrap, the piada bread is heated on a grill and then stuffed with your choice  of meat, cheese, and vegetables.  In addition the main entrée, the customer can choose a piada stick.  This is a soft wrap, stuffed with artichokes, cheese, or pepperoni.  Soup is also available as a side dish.  For desert, the customer can enjoy cannoli chips and cream cheese dip.

            PIada Italian Street Food is one of my favorite restaurants.  I like the variety of fresh toppings that are available, and I enjoy creating my own dish.  The restaurant is very clean and the servers prepare your food behind a glass panel.  The food is delicious and the customer can build a fresh, healthy meal at a reasonable price.  Piada Italian Street Food is locating in Carmel and at Keystone at the Crossing.  Visit their website at

http://www.mypiada.com/