COLUMN: 10 Bloomington dishes every newcomer should try

By Matt Byrne matbyrne@iu.edu | @MatthewByrne1

There are restaurantsgalore in Bloomington’s scenic and large downtown area. Entering my senior year at Indiana University, I’ve gathered a double-digit rotation of places to eat. My freshman year, my friends and I dined at the same three restaurants the entire school year. There are too many food spots in Bloomington to be doing that. Rather than listing my favorite restaurants, here are an editor’s 10 go-to dishes to try in no particular order.

1. The Jersey | Gables Bagels

I’m from northern New Jersey, where bagel shops are king. The bagels at my local place are fluffy perfection. I’ll always prefer my hometown spot, but Gables is the best bagel in Bloomington. Try The Jersey special — choice of breakfast meat, egg and cheese with salt, pepper and ketchup on any bagel. That’s my exact order at my local spot. Gables offers tastes like back home for tri-state students. I also enjoy their medium roast coffee.

2. Corned Beef Hash (add two eggs cooked any style) | The Runcible Spoon

Before college, I ate corned beef hash maybe once. After countless trips to Runcible ordering the make-your-own omelet, I randomly decided to experiment with the corned beef hash, picking the option to add two eggs on top. The eggs balance the heavier, but tasty, potato hash — with delicious bite-sized pieces of tender corned beef. Pinch some salt, order any coffee beverage to help wash it down and enjoy this hearty meal in this rustic eatery!

3. Breakfast Tacos, Cajun Grilled Chicken Sandwich, Home Fries | The Village Deli

Three items for the Deli, nestled in the heart of Kirkwood Ave –– it’s just that good. I recommend the breakfast tacos: two tortillas stuffed with eggs, cheddar cheese and potatoes coated with an in-house jalapeño avocado sauce. It has some kick but doesn’t overwhelm the plate. I add chorizo as well. My dad took me here for lunch the first time I visited Indiana University. I got the cajun grilled chicken sandwich. This sandwich tastes fresh and the Cajun spices pack tons of flavor. Pair anything you order with their savory and crispy home fries!

4. Bruschetta Classico | Da Vinci

Probably the best bruschetta I’ve had anywhere. Diced tomatoes and basil spread across toasted crostini bread, topped with balsamic glaze and one thin slice of parmesan cheese. This appetizer is seasoned to perfection. Pair it with an artisan pizza. My favorites are the Truffle Funghi and Pera. Da Vinci’s ambiance, as well as great food, is perfect for date night.

5. Louie’s Dozen Boneless Wings | BuffaLouie’s Right by the Sample Gates, BuffaLouie’s is iconic in Bloomington — from Indiana and Big Ten Conference memorabilia covering the walls to the distinctive architecture with dugoutstyle seating and the crow’s nest upstairs. I keep it classic with 15 boneless wings, called the Louie’s Dozen, covered in medium buffalo sauce. I always add curly fries and soda to my order! Grab some friends for weekly trivia night, where you can win up to $30 in gift cards.

6. The Vinny Pancini | Dagwoods Deli & Sub Shop Dagwoods is adjacent to BuffaLouie’s. When I first started going here, I ordered the classic Italian Sub. Soon, I switched to the Vinny Pancini and I’m never going back. The Vinny is like an

Italian sub but on airy and delicious Focaccia bread. The banana peppers on the Vinny, which aren’t on the Italian, complement the cold cuts well. Plus, at less than $10, it’s worth it for the portion size, fresh ingredients — and that Focaccia lightly soaked in red wine vinegar.

7. Sink the Biz Fries | Nick’s English Hut Nick’s is another quintessential Indiana college-town spot on Kirkwood. Try the bucket of Sink the Biz Fries for the table. The fries are tossed in Romano cheese and seasoned with Nick’s spices. I take two-to-three fries and dip just the edge in Nick’s garlic mayonnaise sauce. The slight hint of sauce combines well with the spices. You can also order the sandwich portion!

8. Beef & Shrimp Teriyaki Combo | Z & C Teriyaki & Sushi

Just across the street from Nick’s is Z & C. Need some late-night food? It’s open until 3 AM ThursdaySaturday. The aroma of Z & C is mouthwatering upon entering — the flattop grill is only feet away from where you order. I opt for the beef and shrimp teriyaki, which comes with steamed vegetables and fried rice in takeout boxes. I order white rice rather than fried. The fried is delicious, but it makes the meal quite heavy. Remember to grab three-to-four soy sauce packets to pour over the protein. If the weather is warm, sit outside and enjoy!

9. Combo Box D, Lion King Roll | Restaurant Ami Moving away from Kirkwood and downtown, Ami is located near the Southeast Neighborhood of campus: right by Read, Wilkie, Spruce, Forest and more. I always start with the soothing green tea, then the Veg- etable Gyoza and finally, Combination Box D. The box comes with bulgogi (grilled beef), pieces of California roll sushi, white rice and more vegetable gyoza — I can’t get enough. If you don’t mind cream cheese, the crunchy Lion King roll is also tasty!

10. Matcha Latte | Soma Coffeehouse and Juice Bar Back to Kirkwood Ave. Soma is the perfect place to grab coffee with friends or do homework. They have two separate areas for both occasions. One is the atrium which has chairs and small tables to chat with the sound of coffee-making in the background. The other is a quieter room in the back that has larger tables and a fireplace. I opt for the unsweetened Matcha Latte with whole milk. Somewhat bending the rules with beverages, but they also have pastries!

Bloomington Music Expo, Cosmic Songwriter Festival set for this week

By Helen Rummel hrummel@iu.edu | @helenrummel

As the start of summer approache, those enjoying quieter nights in Bloomington may be looking for more to do.

The Bloomington Music Expo and the Cosmic Songwriter Festival will kick off this week, with the Songwriter Festival beginning events on

Wednesday and the Bloomington Music Expo coming on Saturday. Both events promise live music across a variety of genres from alt-pop to folk. The Cosmic Songwriter Festival, presented by The Cosmic Songwriters Club, will feature both local and nationally known artists at five Bloomington venues over four days. In total, the festi- val will feature 30 performers such as S.G. Goodman, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Jason Wilber and The Local Honeys. Venues will include The Orbit Room, The Bluebird, Blockhouse Bar and Buskirk-Chumley Theater.

Tickets are available on the festival’s website. While festival passes are currently sold out, music lovers can still purchase tickets for most of the individual shows. The Bloomington Music Expo will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Switchyard Park. The expo, which is free to attend, will feature live music, food and plenty of musical memorabilia available for purchase. Saturday’s artists include Matt Lundquist, Rickie Maxwell, Hazy Hollows, Amanda Webb, Millaze and Lenox Monroe.

Evangelical Lutheran Church in America

Rose House LuMin- Lutheran Campus Ministry at IU

314 S. Rose Ave. 812-333-2474 lcmiu.net

Instagram: @hoosierlumin facebook.com/LCMIU

Sunday: 8:30 a.m. & 11:00 a.m. @ St. Thomas Lutheran Church 3800 E. 3rd St.

Tuesday: 6:30 p.m. Dinner & Devotions @ Rose House LuMin 314 S. Rose Ave. Rose House is an inclusive Christian community that offers a safe space for students to gather, explore faith questions, show love to our neighbors through service and work towards a more just world. Rose House walks with students to help them discern where God is calling them in life.

Rev. Amanda Ghaffarian, Campus Pastor

St. Thomas Lutheran Church

3800 E. Third St. 812-332-5252 stlconline.org facebook.com/StThomasBloomington

Sunday: 8:30 a.m. & 11 a.m.

We are the worshiping home of Rose House Lutheran Campus Ministries. As disciples of Christ who value the faith, gifts and ministry of all God's people and seek justice and reconciliation, we welcome all God's children* to an inclusive and accessible community. *No strings attached or expectations that you'll change.

Rev. Adrianne Meier

Rev. Lecia Beck

Independent Baptist

Lifeway Baptist Church 7821 W. State Road 46 812-876-6072 lifewaybaptistchurch.org facebook.com/lifewayellettsville

Sunday: 9 a.m., Bible Study Classes 10 a.m., Morning Service 5 p.m., Evening Service Barnabas College Ministry: Meeting for Bible study throughout the month. Contact Rosh Dhanawade at bluhenrosh@gmail.com for more information.

Steven VonBokern, Senior Pastor Rosh Dhanawade, IU Coordinator 302-561-0108 bluhenrosh@gmail.com

*Free transportation provided. Please call if you need a ride to church.

Episcopal (Anglican)

Canterbury Mission

719 E. Seventh St. 812-822-1335 IUCanterbury.org facebook.com/ECMatIU

Instagram & Twitter: @ECMatIU

Sun.: 3 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Mon., Wed., Thu.: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Tue.: Noon - 8 p.m.

Fri., Sat.: By Appointment

Canterbury: Assertively open & affirming; unapologetically Christian, we proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ by promoting justice, equality, peace, love and striving to be the change God wants to see in our world

Ed Bird, Chaplain/Priest

Jacob Oliver & Lily Dolliff, student workers

Unitarian Universalist

Unitarian Universalist Church of Bloomington

2120 N. Fee Ln.

812-332-3695 uubloomington.org facebook.com/uubloomington

Sunday: 10:15 a.m.

We are a dynamic congregation working for a more just world through social justice. We draw inspiration from world religions and diverse spiritual traditions. Our vision is "Seeking the Spirit, Building Community, Changing the World." A LGBTQA+ Welcoming Congregation and a certified Green Sanctuary.

Rev. Connie Grant, Interim Minister

Rev. Emily Manvel Leite, Minister of Story and Ritual

Church of God (Anderson Affiliated)

Stoneybrook Community Church of God

3701 N. Stoneybrook Blvd. stoneybrookccog.org facebook.com/StoneyBrookCCOG

Sunday: 10:30 a.m.

10 a.m. Coffee & Treats Stoneybrook Community Church of God is a gathering of imperfect people learning to follow Jesus. We invite you to join us on the journey.

Interim Pastor

Mitch Ripley,

Evangel Presbytery

Trinity Reformed Church

2401 S. Endwright Rd. 812-825-2684 trinityreformed.org facebook.com/trinitychurchbloom

Email us at office@trinityreformed.org

Sunday Services: 9 a.m. & 11 a.m.

College Bible Study: Contact us for more info.

"Jesus answered them, 'Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who commits sin is the slave of sin.'" Proclaiming freedom from slavery since 1996. Only sinners welcome.

Jody Killingsworth, Senior Pastor Lucas Weeks, College Pastor

Bahá'í Faith

Bahá'í Association of IU 424 S. College Mall Rd. 812-331-1863 bloomingtoninbahais.org facebook.com/BaháíCommunity-of-BloomingtonIndiana-146343332130574

Instagram: @bloomingtonbahai

Regular Services/Devotional Meetings:

Sunday: 10:40 a.m. @ Bloomington Bahá'í Center

Please call or contact through our website for other meetings/activities

The Bahá'í Association of IU works to share the Teachings and Principles of the Founder, Bahá'u'lláh, that promote the "Oneness of Mankind" and the Peace and Harmony of the Planet through advancing the "security, prosperity, wealth and tranquility of all peoples."

Karen Pollock & Dan Enslow

Non-Denominational

Calvary Chapel of Bloomington

3625 W State Road 46 812-369-8459 calvarychapelbloomington.org facebook.com/calvarychapelbloomington

YouTube: Calvary Chapel Bloomington IN

Sunday: 10 a.m.

Tuesday: 7 p.m., Prayer

Wednesday: 6:30 p.m.

Hungry for God's word and fellowship with other believers? Come as you are and worship with us as we grow in the knowledge of His love, mercy, and grace through the study of the scriptures, and serving those in need. May the Lord richly bless you!

Frank Peacock, Pastor

Alissa Peacock, Children's Ministry

Christ Community Church

503 S. High St. 812-332-0502 cccbloomington.org facebook.com/christcommunitybtown

Instagram: @christcommunitybtown

Sunday: 9:15 a.m., Educational Hour

10:30 a.m., Worship Service

We are a diverse community of Christ-followers, including many IU students, faculty and staff. Together we are committed to sharing the redeeming grace and transforming truth of Jesus Christ in this college town.

Bob Whitaker, Senior Pastor Adam deWeber, Worship Pastor Dan Waugh, Adult Ministry Pastor

Church of Christ

825 W. Second St. 812-332-0501 facebook.com/w2coc

Sunday: 9:30 a.m., Bible Study

10:30 a.m. & 5 p.m., Worship

Wednesday: 7 p.m., Bible Study

We use no book, but the Bible. We have no creed but His Word within its sacred pages. God is love and as such we wish to share this joy with you. The comprehensive teaching of God's Word can change you forever.

John Myers, Preacher

City Church For All Nations

1200 N. Russell Rd. 812-336-5958 citychurchbloomington.org facebook.com/citychurchbtown

Instagram: @citychurchbtown

Sunday Service: 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.

*Always check website for possible changes to service times.

City Church is a non-denominational multicultural, multigenerational church on Bloomington's east side. 1Life, our college ministry meets on Tuesdays at 6:30 p.m.

David Norris, Pastor Sumer Norris, Pastor