Food
  • Crooked Ewe - best combination of value, ambiance, and quality food in South Bend. This is generally where I take friends from out of town! Their menu is very veg-friendly and randomly kind of Asian fusion. I highly recommend the poke bowl, side of tso (cauliflower tempura), and french fries. They have great beer too that you can take to go in growlers.
  • L Street Kitchen - my favorite breakfast spot. Definitely recommend their breakfast burrito (it's huge), sopes, and tacos. They also have avocado toast if you're feeling #basic, pies, and other baked good. They have some relatively healthy lunch options too! 
  • The Lauber - new hot spot downtown great for lunch, dinner, or drinks. One of the few places with quality salads. But, they also do "tin can nachos" just as well. Known for their pizzas but I haven't tried them yet. Lots of outdoor seating on their patio where you can also play corn hole. Head to Corby's once they close!
  • Cambodian Thai - love their curries!
  • The General - soups and sandwiches
  • Jesus Latin Grill and Evil Czech - these sister restaurants are both technically in Mishawaka, about a 10 minute drive from DTSB. Both have some outdoor seating.
    • Jesus Latin Grill has great cocktails and a mix of dishes from various South American cuisines. I particularly liked their chaufa (fried rice) and meat dishes. They have daily specials like: $7 margarita Mondays, Tac-quila Tuesdays where you can get two tacos and a marg for $12, $10 Chaufa Wednesday, and $10 bottomless mimosas and $15 ceviche flights on Sundays. 
    • Go to Evil Czech for beer and burgers (they also have a great veg burger). Great pizza too!
    • Both restaurants serve this fun dessert-in-a-beer-can which you can definitely share between at least 3 people.
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Crooked Ewe
  • Mexican food - there are a lot of amazing options for Mexican food, here are just my three favorites.
Drinks 
  • Corby's - your classic college dive bar. Large patio out back which is my preferred summer night hang out spot. You can play beer pong and corn hole AND they also have very good pizza! 
  • Hammer & Quill and Render both have great cocktails
  • The Exchange - the vibe and prices here are reminiscent of a big city hotel bar...at least when I've gone on weekday evenings. Lots of whiskey on the menu!
  • Oyster Bar - dive bar that does karaoke on Mondays
  • Ironhand Wine Bar - across the street from the Farmer's Market (which means it's walkable from Crooked Ewe). They have a large indoor space where the often have live music and a small outdoor patio facing the river. 
Coffee (disclaimer: I am not a coffee drinker)
  • Zen Cafe - apparently highest quality coffee, but they will NOT customize anything for you. Not a lot of natural light.
  • The Local Cup - really cute neighborhood coffee shop that is "pay-what-you-can." There is an outdoor patio.
Other
  • Saigon Market - such a treat having this market right downtown. This is primarily an Asian market but they also have some African products too. Every Friday, they go to Chicago (Chinatown and Argyle Street) to pick up fresh produce, baked goods, banh mi, and roast duck / BBQ pork! You can place a specific order with them by Thursday morning if there's something you want.
  • South Bend Farmer's Market - this is my Saturday morning tradition. Right along the river (across from Crooked Ewe), it's where I get most of my groceries for the week. Unlike your big-city farmer's market, I find the prices to be pretty comparable to what you'd see at a grocery store, and you're buying fresh and local! In addition to produce, there are amazing flower, meat & cheese, bread / baked goods, and coffee vendors.
    • There's also a diner inside where you can fuel up before doing your shopping.
    • Their website also has a list of when certain products are in season which is awesome.
Activities
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