Restaurant Name: McCord’s Candies

Location: 536 Main St., Lafayette, IN 47901 (map it)

Phone: (765) 742-4441

Cuisine:  American

Review:  Today was a lovely day so we took a trip downtown to visit the Farmer’s Market and eat lunch at McCord’s. According to their website, McCord’s has been a staple of downtown Lafayette since 1912, the oldest soda fountain and candy shop in town and one of the oldest in Indiana. It sits at the corner of 6th and Main with a brightly striped awning so it’s hard to miss.

It’s a small narrow place, with the candy counter on one side and the soda fountain on the other and seating in the back. It’s not fancy, just tables and chairs with menus on the table. We went for lunch, and the menu consisted mainly of sandwiches. Selections include the likes of grilled cheese, hamburgers, chicken salad, chicken sandwich, ham salad, peanut butter and jelly and even a concoction called the Bohemian – advertised as a ham salad sandwich with peanut butter. (I said no thank you to that one!)

Our table ordered grilled cheese, a hamburger, ham salad, and a BLT, and it was all delicious. Everything was served with chips and all the food came in baskets and the drinks were served in styrofoam cups. The server took a little long to find us, but they were very busy and once we got our order in, it wasn’t long before we got our food.

However, people don’t generally go to McCord’s for the food, they go for dessert. And I can say that for some reason, I’ve never had a shake or a sundae there! Something must be wrong with me and I am going to make a point to have one. I did see some that other tables ordered and they looked amazing and from everything I’ve heard, they are quite good.

On the way out, we all picked out a few pieces of candy to eat and enjoyed that while walking around downtown Lafayette. The candy was really delicious and you can pick out each piece individually or buy it by the bag. They have about every chocolate you can imagine.

Kid friendly: Yes.

Methods of payment: Cash.

Restaurant Name: Silver Dipper

Location: 201 E State St. West Lafayette, IN (map it)
Phone: 765-743-7511
Hours: 1-11 daily

Cuisine: Dessert

Review: I’m ashamed to admit the frequency with which I have the opportunity to review this establishment, so let’s just say I’m qualified to review it. This is hands down the best ice cream in Lafayette. One of the things I dislike about chains like DQ is that they no longer have real ice cream, it’s all machine made soft serve in your choice of chocolate or vanilla. When I want ice cream, I want real ice cream, scooped onto a cone. Something with serious flavor that melts in my mouth. I want to be able to walk around and see all my choices, and I want choices. I want to have difficulty making up my mind.

So when I found out about the Silver Dipper, I was pretty stoked. Not only is it a local establishment (which I love!) but the owner is exceptionally friendly (he knows my kids by name). The place is very clean with ample seating and benches outside if you prefer to eat it outside. They have ever flavor you could ever want, to be served in every available kind of cone, and they can also do shakes, sundaes, and more.

Kid friendly: Yes.

Menu Recommendation: Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream in a dish

Related Sites: Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream

Note: The Silver Dipper does not accept credit cards, so remember to bring some cash.