Merrillville Food Guide: 10 Must-Eat Restaurants & Street Food Stalls in Merrillville

April 14, 2018 Harland Bartelt

Merrillville /ˈmɛrəlvɪl/ is a town in Ross Township, Lake County, Indiana. The population was 35,246 at the 2010 census. Merrillville is located in the east-central portion of Lake County, in the Chicago metropolitan area. On January 1, 2015, Merrillville became the most populated town in Indiana, as Fishers in Hamilton County was converted from a town to a city.
Things to do in Merrillville

1. Portillo's

555 E 81st Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410-5789 Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Accepts American Express, Accepts Mastercard, Accepts Visa, Accepts Discover, Takeout, Seating, Highchairs Available, Accepts Credit Cards Italian, American, Fast Food, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options Lunch, Dinner +1 219-769-8300
Excellent
62%
Good
29%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 441 reviews

Portillo's

Home to America's favorite Chicago-style hot dogs, Italian beef, burgers, salads, and chocolate cake.

Reviewed By Neal D - Crown Point, Indiana

If you're from this area you know exactly what you're getting with Portillos. They have over priced hot dogs, burgers, italian beef sandwiches, etc. For the exorbitant price you'd expect big flavor and something that will knock your socks off? Sorry to burst your bubble but it's tasteless beef and your run of the mill char-grilled burgers and dogs that you can get at literally 50 other places for cheaper in the area. Save your time because the lines are extremely long and save your money because you arent getting out of there without spending a minimum of $15-$20 per person while the owners of this establishment are laughing all the way to the bank. Read up, or even stumble into the dozens of other greasy spoon local joints and get the same food for much cheaper why spend more for just a name?

2. Starbucks

800 E 81st Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410-5646 Takeout, Seating, Wheelchair Accessible Cafe Breakfast +1 219-757-3571
Excellent
68%
Good
23%
Satisfactory
9%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 21 reviews

Reviewed By IndianaKris - Evansville, Indiana

Good muffin and coffee cake.....glad it was in the hotel. Typical Starbucks....kind of expensive for what you get.

3. Coopers Hawk Winery and Restaurants

2120 Southlake Mall Ste 500, Merrillville, IN 46410-6439 Takeout, Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Free Wifi American, Wine Bar, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Brunch SGD 14 - SGD 46 +1 219-795-9463
Excellent
62%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
5%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 235 reviews

Coopers Hawk Winery and Restaurants

Reviewed By paulak22 - Demotte, Indiana

Night out with friends. Ordered lobster bisque and short rib risotto. I absolutely love Coopers Hawk Lobster Bisque and could easily make a meal out of it. However Saturday night something was way off with the bisque. So much so that I asked our server if this was the lobster bisque. This bisque was full of chunky raw vegetables, the flavor was off and not a single bite of lobster. Our server returned and said she talked to the chef and he agreed it “could have been better” she also said it depends on the chef that day how it will turn out. So I guess I will have to ask for a sample from now on prior to ordering lol. I only took a few bites. Server returned to our table just as our meals were set in front of us and asked how everything was. We Hadn’t had a chance to take a bite yet. My first two bites of risotto were very fatty. I could not take a third bite. She did not return until she asked if we saved room for dessert. I had plenty of room but did not want to chance a disappointing dessert. Not happy that we were charged for the bisque considering the remarks from our server.
This night was a miss.

4. Asparagus

7876 Broadway, Merrillville, IN 46410-5539 Takeout, Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Asian, Thai, International, Fusion, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options, Vegan Options Lunch, Dinner, Late Night SGD 20 - SGD 26 +1 219-794-0000
Excellent
64%
Good
25%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
3%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 213 reviews

Asparagus

Reviewed By LizaAllee - Chicago, Illinois

This is one of our favorite restaurants. It's off the beaten path. The food and service is always great. Pad Thai is amazing! Make this a place to visit soon!!

5. Abuelo's

8255 Georgia St, Merrillville, IN 46410-6226 Takeout, Serves Alcohol, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Full Bar Mexican, Southwestern, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner +1 219-769-6181
Excellent
54%
Good
28%
Satisfactory
14%
Poor
2%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 170 reviews

Abuelo's

Reviewed By Lbouknight - Columbia, South Carolina

I’m not big on chain restaurants, but decided to give this one a try. I was pleasantly surprised at the quality and freshness of the food. I had the Chiles Relleno which was very good. The chips are thin and crisp and they brought out...MoreThis is what we love to hear! Thanks for the excellent review. We look forward to welcoming you back soon! Thanks, Carissa Shelton, GM

6. Aladdin Pita

3750 W 80th Ln, Merrillville, IN 46410-5051 Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Wheelchair Accessible Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Lebanese, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Halal Lunch, Dinner SGD 20 +1 219-736-5204
Excellent
73%
Good
26%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 63 reviews

Aladdin Pita

Reviewed By Marie A - Chesterton, Indiana

I had a delicious buffet dinner here on Sunday night. The buffer includes soup, salads, kebabs, potatoes, rice and other unique items. The flat bread was served hot and to the table. Also, the fruit juices tasted fresh squeezed. My only concern was the banquet room smelled smokey.

7. Gamba Ristorante

455 E 84th Dr, Merrillville, IN 46410-6640 Reservations, Private Dining, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar Italian, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner SGD 26 - SGD 33 +1 219-736-5000
Excellent
67%
Good
13%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
9%
Terrible
3%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 115 reviews

Gamba Ristorante

Reviewed By Tula K - Munster, Indiana

I have eaten at Gamba Ristorante several times over the years as well as having been a regular patron of its predecessor restaurant, Cafe Venezia. I have rarely been disappointed by the food quality and the service is always excellent. I most recently visited with my office staff for lunch on 9/12/17. Senore Franco greeted us graciously and made some suggestions. Our server was attentive throughout the meal. The risotto that day was extraordinary (I tasted my secretary's) and another employee was very pleased with her choice of the beef tenderloin tips. I especially enjoyed the artisanal cheese and charcuterie board appetizer and the roasted beet salad with candied walnuts, blue cheese and a balsamic glaze. The overall flavor of the mussels and pasta in a rich seafood broth which I chose for my entree was fabulous, but the mussels were overcooked, rubbery and difficult to remove from their shells as a result. Two of our three dessert choices were less than spectacular (a pumpkin tart and a layered caramel parfait). The pumpkin tart seemed like a not so glorified piece of pumpkin pie and the parfait, though extremely tasty, lacked the consistency to hold it together. We were pleased to see Benito and look forward to our next visit.

8. Old Chicago

740 E 81st Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410-5537 Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Television, Wheelchair Accessible, Serves Alcohol, Full Bar, Outdoor Seating, Highchairs Available Italian, American, Bar, Pizza, Pub, Vegetarian Friendly, Gluten Free Options Lunch, Dinner, Late Night +1 219-472-0616
Excellent
42%
Good
38%
Satisfactory
12%
Poor
4%
Terrible
4%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 148 reviews

Old Chicago

Reviewed By Martin P - Griffith, Indiana

6 for dinner. Hand full of appetizers. 2 pizzas & 2 calzones. Took 1-1/2 hours to get served main courses. While there were a bunch of people, no lines were forming. Food was mediocre, our server was just overwhelmed by the 5 tables he was trying to take care of. Food is not cheap.2 Calzones, piece of cheesecake & 2 soft drinks was 35.00.

9. Roxana's Restaurant

234 W 81st Ave, Merrillville, IN 46410-5475 Takeout, Reservations, Seating, Waitstaff, Wheelchair Accessible American, Middle Eastern, Afghani, Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch +1 219-525-5190
Excellent
78%
Good
18%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
2%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 38 reviews

Roxana's Restaurant

Reviewed By Kristine Y

We stopped here for dinner while driving through on I-65 from Florida. Everything we had was super. Service was excellent and staff very friendly and helpful with suggestions. There is ethnic food but there are also hamburgers, pastas, salads, Mexican choices, kebobs and sandwiches. There is a great variety for anyone's tastes. We tried lamb (super) and an eggplant dish ( different than flavors I have had before, but delicious). I would highly recommend this restaurant

10. Cracker Barrel

6200 Opportunity Ln, Merrillville, IN 46410-2775 Takeout, Seating, Waitstaff, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible American, Vegetarian Friendly Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Brunch SGD 26 +1 219-947-2617
Excellent
48%
Good
39%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
3%
Terrible
6%
Overall Ratings

4 based on 105 reviews

Cracker Barrel

Half Restaurant. Half Store. All Country

Reviewed By Ryan C - Chicago, Illinois

Had the maple bacon breakfast with hashbrowns, it was spot on. The eggs were cooked exactly as ordered (pretty rare) and the hashbrowns were amazing. Staff were very attentive and friendly. Just wish there was a cracker barrel near me, such a bargain too!

ThingsTodoPost © 2018 - 2024 All rights reserved.