Longtime Region favorite El Salto Mexican Restaurant is making that happen with a full-service catering menu designed to handle everything from backyard open houses to 100+ guest weddings.

“We are full-service catering,” said Chief Operations Officer Jose Mendoza. “We have three basic options on our website, but if people want to customize certain things, we are more than happy to do custom food.”

El Salto’s catering options include pickup, delivery within a five-mile radius of its locations, or full on-site service. For larger events, the team can provide staff, buffet-style service, plated dinners and even full bar packages—an option Mendoza noted many customers don’t realize is available.

“If you have a venue, we’re able to work with the venue and have our bartenders service there,” Mendoza said. “Usually, people will do food and bar service, and since we’re one company, we’re able to give them a better price point. It’s the same margaritas that people love in the restaurant, just on the go.”

Summer is especially busy for the catering team, with graduation parties and weddings filling the calendar. At the Valparaiso location alone, more than 15 weddings with guest counts over 100 are booked this season. Corporate lunches and office events also keep the team active year-round, helping sustain consistent demand across different types of gatherings.

Packages start at $12 per person for the taco bar, which includes ground beef, shredded chicken or both, along with rice, beans, tortillas, chips, salsa and salad. The Fajita Fest package is $13 per person, while the Fiesta Grande package is $16 per person and features expanded entrée and appetizer options.

Customers can also enhance their menus with a la carte items such as tamales, flautas, quesadillas, mini burritos, enchiladas, guacamole and queso dip. These add-ons allow hosts to tailor menus to fit the style and size of their event without overcomplicating planning.

For those with dietary restrictions, flexibility is built into the process.

“We’re pretty vegetarian-friendly,” Mendoza said. “If people want to add vegetarian options, that’s never a problem.”

In addition to food and bar service, El Salto can provide equipment such as warmers and chafing dishes, along with service staff to help manage events. The goal is to allow hosts to focus on their guests rather than logistics.

The catering operation reflects the same family-driven approach that built the restaurant brand. Founded and operated by the Mendoza family, El Salto has grown into five Northwest Indiana locations in Valparaiso, Munster, Merrillville, Schererville and Cedar Lake. 

For Mendoza, catering is another way to stay connected to the community the family business has served for decades while continuing to grow its reach.

“It shows that we’re able to be versatile and provide a good experience in different situations,” he said. “Any event that needs service, we’re able to be there.”

For more information on El Salto, or to book a catering package, you can visit elsaltorestaurant.com.

The post El Salto expands full-service catering across Northwest Indiana appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

Here are a few of our favorite coffee spots #INElkhartCo: 

@theelkhartbrew

The Electric Brew 

They’ve got two locations to satisfy your needs – The Electric Brew Goshen at 118 E. Washington St. (574-533-5990) or The Electric Brew – Downtown Elkhart at 113 E. Lexington Ave. (574-575-5354). 

@mainstreetroasters

Main Street Roasters 

Oh, the smells are so enticing. You can’t miss this stop in the heart of downtown Nappanee at 105 N. Main St. Catch a whiff of freshly brewed coffee, cookies and brownies, or beans being roasted just next door.  

@thelegendarygrind

Legendary Grind Café & Coffee Bar 

This charming coffee shop is nestled in the back of the Middlebury Mercantile at 108 S. Main St., Middlebury, but do make the effort. It’s worth it for the coffee, espresso drinks and paninis! 

@ADECservices

ADEC Gaining Grounds Coffee House 

This bright and airy coffee house at 1671 W. Vistula Street, Bristol, IN. 46507 delivers a great cup of coffee. Even better, your purchases help to support the services that ADEC provides to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Some of the staff are ADEC clients, and you can enjoy artwork they created hanging on the walls. 

Nearby

Five Lakes Coffee, Shipshewana

A small batch roastery with walk-in or drive-thru service. Enjoy a hot, iced or frozen beverage. 0920 N St. Rd 5, Shipshewana, IN.

Check out more dining options here.

The post Where to find the best cup of coffee in Elkhart County appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

Forks up! Savor the South Shore Restaurant Weeks returns February 23 through March 8, inviting residents and visitors to dig into the region’s vibrant food scene. During the 14-day culinary celebration, more than 30 local restaurants will offer specially priced three-course meals or exclusive menu deals showcasing their signature flavors.

“Savor the South Shore is all about celebrating the incredible creativity of our local restaurants while giving diners a fun reason to explore new favorites,” said Phil Taillon, President/CEO of the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority. “It’s a win-win—you enjoy great meals at a great value, and our restaurants get the spotlight they deserve.”

And the perks don’t stop at dessert! Diners are encouraged to check in at participating restaurants using the South Shore Passport App for a chance to win an exclusive $250 gift card prize package. Each check-in counts as an entry, and the more you dine, the better your odds. One lucky winner will be selected the week of March 9.

Find participating restaurants and menus online at savorthesouthshore.com. No coupons or discount codes are required, just ask for the Savor menu when you dine.

Learn more and plan your culinary adventure at savorthesouthshore.com.

The post Savor the South Shore Restaurant Weeks Kicks Off Monday appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

First, you need to come hungry. An Amish-style meal is an all you care to eat, pass the plates of meat, vegetables, noodles, and bread affair. Of course, there’s always pie involved.  So you’re biggest decision is going to be what type. It’s important to remember to keep portions small. That way if you’re still hungry you can re-fill your plate instead of heaping it on all at once and making yourself uncomfortable even with your jeans unbuttoned (And the Amish are not wasteful, so it’s rude to leave a plate full of food.) Plus you need to save room for that pie!

Where to find Amish families that will serve in-home meals?  Here are some great choices.

No reservation needed

Das Dutchman Essenhaus 240 US 20 Middlebury, IN 800.455.9471

Village Inn Restaurant 107 South Main St, Middlebury, IN 574-825-2043

Blue Gate Restaurant 195 N Van Buren St, Shipshewana, IN 46565 (260) 768-4725

Reservations Required

Amish families who serve meals in their home **Note: all are certified by county health boards

A Taste of Shipshewana 7720 W 200 N Shipshewana, IN (260) 350-2017
Experience the traditional flavors of Amish culture. Chef Brenda uses characteristic skills to create a tasting menu that deliciously highlights the Amish cuisine and local delicacies, allowing you to taste flavors that have been enjoyed for eras. Breakfast and lunch menu available. Open dining for any party size on Wednesday evenings.

Eden Meadows Banquets 10740 W 200 S Shipshewana, IN 46561 Voicemail: 260.499.0150 Contact: Vera Miller

The Carriage House 5280 S 500 W Topeka, IN 46571 Voice Mail: 260-768-8199 ext. 2128 
Come discover the best! Homemade Amish family-style meals cooked just for you. Groups of 12 – 150.

Yoder’s Homestyle Cooking 10667 W 325 N Shipshewana, IN  46565 Voice Mail: 260.768.3078 Contact: Henry & Carolyn Yoder

Also offers buggy rides and cooking class demonstrations

It’s important to note to plan ahead to find out if there is room at the table. So phone, leave a message and they will get back to you. It’s a fun experience to go with a group of friends or just a few. You’ll meet new people as dinner companions and have a wonderful time.

The post Top Places for Amish Style Dining appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

“I grew up in the restaurants with my dad; even as a little kid, I was bussing tables,” said Jose Mendoza, Chief Operations Officer of El Salto. “It feels nice to be seen by a community that we are in and being really active in it.” 

Jose Mendoza, son of Rosendo Mendoza, steers the family business alongside his father and uncle, Robert Mendoza. The El Salto brand now spans five Northwest Indiana locations, including Valparaiso, Munster, Merrillville, Schereville and its newest site in Cedar Lake. The Mendoza family maintains a hands-on approach to daily operations to ensure the business remains independent as it expands. 

“My dad and my uncle put in a lot of hard work to get the restaurants to run pretty smoothly,” Jose Mendoza said. “The work-life balance has gotten a lot easier for us, but that comes with the industry. I would not have it any other way.”

El Salto has built its reputation on quality ingredients, sourcing beef from a local purveyor and using original family recipes for favorites like queso and carnitas. These dishes rely on a signature seasoning blend that has been a staple since the restaurant’s 1999 debut. While the menu offers naturally vegan and vegetarian-friendly options, the brand has expanded its reach through a private-label tequila, a custom lager brewed with Soundgrowler Brewing Co. in Tinley Park, Illinois and a modern line of branded margaritas-to-go. 

“We are trying to make sure that we are staying relevant within the communities because Northwest Indiana is growing substantially,” Jose Mendoza said. “We want to make sure we are staying in front of all the new faces that are moving in here.”  

The Mendoza family takes pride in its workforce of more than 100 employees and maintains a family-first culture that fosters a remarkable, high retention rate, with many staff members remaining for 10 to 20 years. This independent approach also strengthens its community ties by providing catering services for major life events, from high school graduations to weddings. 

“There are so many really nice core memories that we have within the community,” Jose Mendoza said. “I’ve worked weddings and graduations, and when their kids graduated high school, we also did their catering. It all means the world to me.”  

The Mendoza family favors strategic growth for El Salto over rapid expansion to maintain the brand’s independent, family-run style across its locations. As Northwest Indiana continues to evolve, the Mendozas remain committed to providing a community gathering space where staff members build long-term careers and original family recipes can continue to bring smiles to generations to come. 

“Since we’ve been around for so long, people think we’re like a franchise or a big corporation,” Jose Mendoza said. “I want people to be aware that we are still a family-run business. We are family-owned and operated.”

Pick up your authentic El Salto “Margarita To Go” today, or view the menu and catering options available at elsaltorestaurant.com.

The post El Salto builds independent restaurant legacy across Northwest Indiana appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

“Vodka is a popular spirit, so producing vodka-based RTDs helped tap into the existing demand,” said Deric Freymuth, brand manager at Indiana Beverage. “The taste of these RTD products is a clear point of difference. It ensures that consumers will keep coming back for more.”

Indiana Beverage began seeing the demand for vodka-based RTDs increase coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. That year allowed consumers to experiment with several new brands, and the category began to gain real momentum.

“There is something for everyone in this space, whether you’re a new drinker, a traditional vodka fan or someone looking for convenience,” Freymuth said. “The variety of these brands helps capture the demand of all consumers.”

Newly popular brands like Surfside, Carbliss and Goodboy are some of the category leaders, representing many different styles and flavors that consumers are seeking. The drinks come in a wide range of options—citrus, tea-based, seltzer-style or bold cocktail flavors—giving shoppers plenty of choices on the shelf.

“These brands, even though they exist in the same space, fill the needs of different consumers. Surfside has teas and lemonades. Carbliss offers vodka cocktails. Goodboy is a combination of all three. If a consumer doesn’t like tea, there are lemonade and other cocktail options,” Freymuth explained.

Taste remains the ultimate driver of repeat purchases, and the feedback from consumers is overwhelmingly positive.

“These products, to put it simply, taste great. Almost all consumers echo this when they sample them,” he said.

Consistency and simplicity are other key factors in the category’s appeal. Consumers know what to expect, whether enjoying a drink at home or at a bar, which makes RTDs an easy choice in any setting.

“When making mixed drinks, either at home or at a bar, the end result will never be exactly the same. There is a consistency to RTDs that ensures consumers get the same product no matter when or where they drink one. There is also a convenience in only needing a can versus needing glasses, mixing tools and multiple ingredients,” Freymuth said.

The only difficult part could be deciding where to start. With so many options on the shelf, choosing a favorite can be intimidating. Indiana Beverage helps make the process easier through variety packs and retailer support, ensuring consumers can sample and find the flavors they enjoy most.

“We have a sampling team that samples and educates consumers on these products. We also have a team that helps draw up shelf schematics for retailers, making the consumer experience both understandable and enjoyable,” Freymuth said.

Looking ahead, the category is expected to continue evolving with new flavors and styles, keeping consumers engaged and coming back for more.

“The flavor variety and innovation within these brands will bring consumers back for more and encourage them to explore new flavors within brands they already know, trust and enjoy,” Freymuth said.

Even with multiple brands competing in the space, there’s room for all to thrive. Variety and choice are strengths that help grow the category as a whole.

“Even though there are several different options in this category, I believe all these products fit different needs and demands. They can coexist and actually help the category grow. A rising tide lifts all boats,” Freymuth said.

For Indiana Beverage, success isn’t just about the products; it’s also about the people behind them. Strong partnerships with quality brands help ensure the category continues to grow and thrive.

“We simply look for high-quality products and high-quality people. To be successful, you must have both—high-quality people to partner with to help grow a brand, and a high-quality product to keep consumers coming back,” Freymuth said.

To learn more about Indiana Beverage’s vodka-based ready-to-drink beverages or browse other drinks, visit indianabev.com.

The post ‘Ready’ for anything: Indiana Beverage and the vodka-based ready to drink beverage boom appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

The post Aviva Valparaiso hosts Soup Tasting Fundraiser 2026 appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

Jason Evans, Owner/Operator of Catch 22 Table & Tap, notes that the restaurant provides a unique variety of fresh catering options.

“Catch 22 Table & Tap offers catering for dine-in and to-go that you can either pick up or we can deliver to you,” Evans said. “The packages we offer range from the breakfast bar to finger food appetizers (the tailgater) to casual dining (the wraps package or fajita bar) or even a more special experience (the classic or the Italian). All these packages include non-alcoholic beverages with the food order.”

Catering options have been one of the most successful business approaches for Catch 22.

“We specialize in to-go orders for doctor offices via pharmaceutical reps, schools, sports teams or business meetings,” Evans said. “These packages include soda, water, and all utensils needed. These are available for pick up or we can deliver these for a $30 fee, which also includes set up for the event.”

Whether the restaurant is managing business events, private gatherings, or pickup orders, there is some variance when it comes to catering for each. Big sporting events have proven to be one of the biggest sources for catering specials.

“Some of our upcoming to-go catering specials will be for the Super Bowl,” Evans said. “This includes a wings package, pretzel bites, or macaroni and cheese, which are available for pick up the day of the game between 12-4 p.m. Those orders would need to be placed at least 3 days in advance. We will also be offering that same package during March Madness so people can have food at their house to watch all the big tournament games.”

While many customers elect to do carry-out catering, there are endless possibilities for those who are interested in the dine-in options.

“We have our private dining room for an event that can hold as many as 40 people,” Evans said. “It’s great for baby showers, birthdays, or business meetings. In the room, there are multiple TVs that you can hook your computer to if you have any presentations, slideshows, or pictures for the party that you would need to show. We accommodate these guests with a three-hour window to have the room. They determine when food would be served and how they want the flow of the party to go that best suits them. Alcoholic drinks are available at guests’ request for an additional charge.”

Catch 22 also has a live edge area, which is a space that is more open to the bar feel. It’s a fun area that has five TVs set up to watch the best live sports games. The space can accommodate between 20-25 people and serves as a perfect space to host casual events or smaller parties.

Getting the word out about catering has been a point of emphasis for Catch 22 since the beginning. With the NFL Playoffs underway, along with the Super Bowl and March Madness to follow in the first quarter of the year, sports fanatics can plan for many months of incredible catering options ahead. For those who wish to celebrate a birthday party or social gathering, the staff at Catch 22 are eager to help out each individual to have the catering options that their heart desires.

The atmosphere, quality of food, customization of menu options, and exceptional staff make Catch 22 Table & Tap your go to place for dine-in or to-go catering options.

For more information on Catch 22 Table & Tap, you can visit catch22nwi.com and follow the restaurant on Facebook and Instagram.

The post Catch 22 Table & Tap brings the life of the party with variety of fresh catering options appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

The post Northwest Indiana Challenges Bears Coach Ben Johnson to Give A Shout Out to Indiana Fans — Free Wings on the Line appeared first on GreatNews.Life.

The post Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Northwest Indiana hosts Don Quijote Dinner 2025 appeared first on GreatNews.Life.