Wallace, Indiana - home-cooked food, country music

My mom will celebrate her 88th birthday on Tuesday. It has become somewhat of a tradition to join her at her favorite "hang-out" in Wallace, Indiana, the Saturday night near her birthday. That was tonight. (side note: since her birthday is always close to Mother's Day, it's usually a double celebration)


I'm not sure how she got started with this addiction...and yes, I'm going to call it an addiction....but our family has learned to never schedule any family activity on a Thursday or Saturday evening if we have any interest in her joining us.  Those are her dancing nights. 

On Thursday and Saturday nights, the Highway 341 Country Cafe is a reservations-only hotspot with people driving  hour + distances from Illinois and Indiana.  Regulars arrive around 5pm to get their reserved seats and order dinner early before the band starts playing.  The Highway 341 band plays from 6-9pm.

For dinner you can order anything from a burger to chicken fried steak or a rib-eye, all home-cooked right there in the kitchen.  Home-made pie is popular (my mom's favorite is Butterfinger).For less than $10 you can get a great meal. They don't serve liquor.

The band is 100% country.  They are popular in the area and often play other venues such as county fairs, VFW's and town festivals.   They have a following.

Wallace is a very small town. Rumor has it, the population doubles on Thursdays and Saturdays. Getting there involves a scenic drive through rural Indiana (great bike trip - rolling hills, heavily wooded). They always warn you when you're leaving to watch out for deer.

It was a fun birthday celebration...like having a party except you didn't have to have it at your house.  Lots of friends and family.

Mom spends a lot of time on the dance floor.  She's lucky in that many of the married ladies generously share their spouses with her so she can dance a swing or a polka. 

Looking for something to do on a Saturday evening - give it a shot.  Only make sure you plan a little in advance cause if you wait until Saturday, you may not get a seat!