Another nice slice option for Merrillville coffee, Fluid typically gets my vote with their…read moreexquisite blends and ingredient craft yet this spot does homely, brown, simple, and enticing your grandparents entirely better. I noticed the usual sugar syrups with little alternatives to balance flavors or sucralose. My coconut cloud was fine, nothing rich with the espresso or outstanding with taste. This is the old school cafe with couches!

I drove out to Crown Point after seeing a few social media posts about Jilly's Cafe, but I was…read morerather disappointed in my visit there. I searched for another coffeeshop nearby, and I wish I had just bypassed Jilly's and went straight to Refuge. The food was simple but good, and I loved the Samoa Latte I got. Everyone was hyped for Jilly's because of the aesthetic, but honestly, I liked the Refuge better. I was there during warm weather, so the building was wide open with easy access between the outside and inside.

Honestly, this might be my new overall fave coffeeshop in the region. Crown Point is about a half…read morehour drive for me, but it was worth it to give this place a try. My husband had the Doncaster - Salted Butterscotch Oat Draft Cold Brew, and I had the Voodoo - Peanut Butter Chocolate Espresso Latte ($6.50 each). Both were very tasty although my husband's needed a good stir since a lot of the flavoring had settled at the bottom. I was looking at the paper menu when I ordered, so I thought the Gold Rush ($9) was a really interesting bagel when it's actually a bowl of oatmeal. A bit disappointing. My husband had the Avocado Toast ($9), a solid breakfast option. The interior is very nice with ample seating. Can't wait to make it out to CP again and have another opportunity for coffee at Fluid.

Another amazing visit to my favorite NWI coffee shop. They always hit the mark and today was no…read moreexception.

I was traveling on 1-65 and started thinking about lunch. I searched Yelp and found Great Harvest,…read moreso I took a quick detour. This restaurant smells wonderful! The aroma of bread baking is in the air. I ordered a bowl of broccoli cheddar soup and grilled cheese sandwich on cheddar jalapeño bread for carry out. The soup was served piping hot, and was creamy with plenty of cheddar. Delicious! And the grilled cheese had cheddar, provolone, and garlic herb spread. It was perfectly toasted. Service was very friendly and also fast. I'll definitely make this a regular stop on my frequent trips between Indianapolis and Hammond.

Umm... Omgoodness. So very good. They bake their own bread…read more Make the sandwiches. Sell little bags of candies and treats. EVERYONE is super patient and kind and just yeah. They are not open on Sundays and keep day hours. They do have a lot for parking.

Last fall was when I decided to give Azucar a try. Honestly, if you live in Crown Point and haven't…read moretried the ice cream they have here, you're missing out on some great stuff. Since first trying it out, my wife or I, probably come in about 3 times a month and bring some home. Their flavors are so original, and really tasty. Their 'popsicles' are more of a firm fudge. But excellent. We highly recommend.

Azucar is located in the heart of town and always seems to be busy. We entered the store because it…read morewas so hot outside, and I was looking for dairy-free ice cream. To my surprise, they had numerous options for dairy ice cream and only a few options for dairy-free products, but they weren't ice cream. I sampled three choices but couldn't make up my mind. Ultimately, I left empty-handed because I was specifically craving ice cream. I will say that the next time I'm in town, I will give them another try. The vibe of this location is family friendly, with a few arcade games in the back.