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Valparaiso, IN

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Maple + Bacon

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        I do not typically have Sundays off working in food service, so when I saw I was off, I knew we had to try a new place. This place is in the heart of the Aberdeen neighborhood of Valparaiso, IN. It is a charming brick building with vintage charm. Upon walking in, you are transported to a homestyle, cozy feel that screams breakfast.
        For Christmas, all the staff were dressed up in Christmas attire, making the atmosphere fun. For drinks, they have a massive selection of crafted cocktails designed for each year’s season. I ordered the Coffee and Donuts cocktail with tiramisu liqueur, baileys, chocolate bitters, and more. My Fiancé ordered the Puff the Magic Dragon cocktail, which had Screwball whisky, Recces puffs, and more. They were strong but sweet and delicious, a much-needed holiday pick-me-up.
       I ordered the Cinnamon Crunch French Toast for food—four pieces of sweet, crunchy goodness. Every bite has pieces of cinnamon toast, crunch cereal, and syrup. I also ordered a side of hashbrowns to cut the sweetness of everything I ate. They were made with minced onion and were super crispy, which is hard to do.
        My Fiancé ordered the Jalapeno Cheddar Biscuits and Chorizo Gravy. The flavor of this dish was an explosion in my mouth. It was not very spicy, which is not what I was expecting, but it still had enough kick to taste. I am very sensitive about spice, but I would absolutely order this on my own sometimes.
        Overall, this place is a must for everyone. With a warm, cozy atmosphere and a unique menu, there is something for the whole family. I would 100% recommend this to anyone in the area or visiting.

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Viking Chili Bowl

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        On my way to work, I have passed this place many times. The only time I have ever not seen the parking lot full or almost full is when it is closed. Yesterday, I had to take my Fiancé to work early, so we thought we would stop by and finally try it. When you walk in, you get the classic feel of a local staple restaurant that has been around for a long time. They offer bar seating or tables and booths. My fiancé and I sat at a booth.
        For the meals, we both wanted to try something unique to the place’s menu. My fiancé got the Mexican skillet. It came with taco meat, hashbrowns, eggs, tomatoes, onions, peppers, and jalapenos. He is not a huge fan of veggies, but I encouraged him to only opt out of one veggie. He also does not like eggs, so he did not get them either. The meat had a ton of flavor that complimented well with the hashbrowns and veggies. It is a must-try for anyone who loves tacos and breakfast.
        For my meal, I ordered the chili cheese omelet. It was a giant omelet, and I recommend splitting with someone if you can. The flavor of the chili was exploding but not too spicy, which I enjoyed. It also had a ton of cheese, which all omelets should have. If I were not mildly lactose intolerant, I would always order this. It came with hashbrowns, which were typical. Although, I would order them crispy next time. This meal was very unique and is a must for anyone.
        Overall, this place lives up to its reputation. They have a unique menu with many classics as well. Giving off a cozy, welcoming atmosphere has made this place a hit. It is also pretty good on the wallet, which is always a bonus. Check it out!

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Uptown Cafe

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        Even though we have lived in Valparaiso, IN, for a little over a year, we still find places we have yet to try. We have passed this place too often in the car but have continued. This time, we stopped. The decor and atmosphere give a minimalistic modern vibe, which offers a calm feel. This would be a great place to work or study for the day.
        The drinks are the first great thing about the menu. They offer a wide range of coffee, tea, and Italian soda. They even have pour-over coffee pots and tea kettles for all-day stays. I ordered the dark mocha, which was just the pick-me-up for the early morning. It is not too sweet for people who find regular mocha too rich. They even add a touch of latte art every time they dine in.
        For breakfast food, I got the sausage biscuits and gravy. The biscuit was light and airy, which complemented the gravy just right. The gravy had the right amount of spice and the right amount of sausage. It’s one of the best biscuits and gravy I have ever had. They also have breakfast sandwiches on the menu and an array of pastries.
        Overall, this place has everything for breakfast anyone could ever want. I would come here way more often if my bank account would allow me. If you are ever in Valparaiso, you should check it out.