The best restaurants in Gary

39 restaurants we’ve checked and stand behind — with the story on each one. Not a ranking; a record.

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Restaurants · 39 places · showing the latest additions first

Easygoing, strip-mall outlet serving classic Mexican dishes from tacos to fajitas in casual digs.

7849 W Taft St (Merrillville)

Easygoing, strip-mall outlet serving classic Mexican dishes from tacos to fajitas in casual digs.

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Casual spot (bar area out front) serving pizza, burgers, wings and fried chicken.

1923 Calumet Ave (Whiting)

Casual spot (bar area out front) serving pizza, burgers, wings and fried chicken.

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Long-running regional chain dishing up Mexican eats, margaritas & more in a kid-friendly space.

6720 Indianapolis Blvd (Hammond)

Long-running regional chain dishing up Mexican eats, margaritas & more in a kid-friendly space.

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Italian eatery serving chicken parmigiana, seafood lasagna, and other familiar dishes in a casual atmosphere.

8267 Wicker Ave (St John)

Italian eatery serving chicken parmigiana, seafood lasagna, and other familiar dishes in a casual atmosphere.

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Strip-mall restaurant serving up traditional Mexican entrees & margaritas in a festive atmosphere.

269 81st Ave (Merrillville)

Strip-mall restaurant serving up traditional Mexican entrees & margaritas in a festive atmosphere.

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The Oven

Restaurants

Casual Italian eatery dishing up pizza and pasta, along with comfort staples.

13258 S Avenue O (Chicago)

Casual Italian eatery dishing up pizza and pasta, along with comfort staples.

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Easygoing option for American & Greek fare, including specialty pizzas, plus cocktails & draft beer.

7205 Broadway (Merrillville)

Easygoing option for American & Greek fare, including specialty pizzas, plus cocktails & draft beer.

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Casual eatery dishing up a variety of tacos at affordable prices.

6949 Indianapolis Blvd (Hammond)

Casual eatery dishing up a variety of tacos at affordable prices.

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Little Italy

Restaurants

Romantic, contemporary Italian spot with gourmet versions of staples like lasagna & pizza.

1155 Joliet St (Dyer)

Romantic, contemporary Italian spot with gourmet versions of staples like lasagna & pizza.

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Japanese restaurant boasting a sleek bar and a menu of creative Maki rolls as well as steaks, lobster and noodles.

9625 Calumet Ave Ste A (Munster)

Japanese restaurant boasting a sleek bar and a menu of creative Maki rolls as well as steaks, lobster and noodles.

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Gamba Ristorante

Restaurants

Luxurious Italian dining locale plates classic cuisine in elegant European-style surroundings.

455 E 84th Dr (Merrillville)

Luxurious Italian dining locale plates classic cuisine in elegant European-style surroundings.

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Long-running, casual regional chain serving signature tacos & other classic Mexican fare.

4841 Indianapolis Blvd (East Chicago)

Long-running, casual regional chain serving signature tacos & other classic Mexican fare.

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Lively eatery with a beer list and rooftop deck, plus a menu of elevated eats and cocktails.

9605 N Centennial Dr (Munster)

Lively eatery with a beer list and rooftop deck, plus a menu of elevated eats and cocktails.

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Bombers BBQ

Restaurants

Compact, contemporary eatery with a military theme for BBQ, classic sides & craft beers.

435 Ridge Rd Ste f (Munster)

Compact, contemporary eatery with a military theme for BBQ, classic sides & craft beers.

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El Taco Real

Restaurants

Classic family-run cantina serving traditional Mexican cuisine & daily specials since 1974.

935 Hoffman St (Hammond)

Classic family-run cantina serving traditional Mexican cuisine & daily specials since 1974.

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Big Daddy's BBQ

Restaurants

Simple counter-serve BBQ joint serving rib tips, hot links, fried wings & more with Southern sides.

4213 Cleveland St

Simple counter-serve BBQ joint serving rib tips, hot links, fried wings & more with Southern sides.

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Soul-food and breakfast eatery with a cozy, familiar vibe dishing up steak, burgers and grits.

2601 Broadway

Soul-food and breakfast eatery with a cozy, familiar vibe dishing up steak, burgers and grits.

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Vintage, late-night diner offering a wide selection of American comfort fare in laid-back surrounds.

7430 Indianapolis Blvd (Hammond)

Vintage, late-night diner offering a wide selection of American comfort fare in laid-back surrounds.

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Comfort food and vegetarian options are offered at this casual restaurant also known for its butter chicken.

5480 W 25th Ave

Comfort food and vegetarian options are offered at this casual restaurant also known for its butter chicken.

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Bright, easygoing outpost serving traditional Mexican standards alongside tequila drinks & beers.

1147 150th St (Hammond)

Bright, easygoing outpost serving traditional Mexican standards alongside tequila drinks & beers.

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Asian Kitchen

Restaurants

Family-owned spot for Vietnamese classics (such as pho and spring rolls) as well as Chinese-American favorites like fried rice and chicken…

6412 Calumet Ave (Hammond)

Family-owned spot for Vietnamese classics (such as pho and spring rolls) as well as Chinese-American favorites like fried rice and chicken sandwiches.

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Sophisticated chophouse with patio featuring prime steaks, seafood & cocktails in an urbane setting.

9144 Indianapolis Blvd (Highland)

Sophisticated chophouse with patio featuring prime steaks, seafood & cocktails in an urbane setting.

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Langel's Pizza

Restaurants

Original location of a mini-chain featuring pizzas & pastas plus a sports bar, billiards & a patio.

2833 Highway Ave (Highland)

Original location of a mini-chain featuring pizzas & pastas plus a sports bar, billiards & a patio.

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Chill Polish spot serving classic dishes, sausages and beers, along with American comfort fare and some Italian eats.

918 Carroll St (East Chicago)

Chill Polish spot serving classic dishes, sausages and beers, along with American comfort fare and some Italian eats.

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Homey chain restaurant serving American comfort food, with an on-site general store.

7750 Corinne Dr (Hammond)

Homey chain restaurant serving American comfort food, with an on-site general store.

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Culver’s

Restaurants

Fast-food chain specializing in frozen custard & signature burgers made with Midwest beef & dairy.

7905 Cabela Dr (Hammond)

Fast-food chain specializing in frozen custard & signature burgers made with Midwest beef & dairy.

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Latin Lounge

Restaurants

Mexican dishes and margaritas in a cozy setting with TVs and a jukebox.

1208 Carrol St (East Chicago)

Mexican dishes and margaritas in a cozy setting with TVs and a jukebox.

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Giordano's

Restaurants

Known for deep-dish pizza, this casual chain serves other classic Italian food, plus beer & wine.

625 W Lincoln Hwy (Schererville)

Known for deep-dish pizza, this casual chain serves other classic Italian food, plus beer & wine.

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Capri's Pizza

Restaurants

Modest, family-run pizzeria, also offering chicken dinners, ribs, sandwiches & pasta.

837 Main St (Schererville)

Modest, family-run pizzeria, also offering chicken dinners, ribs, sandwiches & pasta.

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Relaxed sports bar offering burgers, pizza & wings, plus regular events such as trivia & live music.

1013 W Lincoln Hwy (Schererville)

Relaxed sports bar offering burgers, pizza & wings, plus regular events such as trivia & live music.

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Mexican fare ranging from steak tacos to seafood is served in a casual setting with a bar.

7840 Wicker Ave (Schererville)

Mexican fare ranging from steak tacos to seafood is served in a casual setting with a bar.

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Easygoing destination for Mexican comfort food, such as carnitas & tacos, plus margaritas.

717 US-41 (Schererville)

Easygoing destination for Mexican comfort food, such as carnitas & tacos, plus margaritas.

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Giuseppe's Pizza

Restaurants

Traditional wood-fired Neapolitan pies & Italian dishes offered in a quaint, old-time ambiance.

1000 Eagle Ridge Dr (Schererville)

Traditional wood-fired Neapolitan pies & Italian dishes offered in a quaint, old-time ambiance.

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El Amigo

Restaurants

Time-tested, late-night institution in a shopping center preparing typical Mexican grub.

210 W Lincoln Hwy (Schererville)

Time-tested, late-night institution in a shopping center preparing typical Mexican grub.

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Casual option for burritos, tacos, and other Mexican offerings, with a drive-thru window.

820 US-30 (Schererville)

Casual option for burritos, tacos, and other Mexican offerings, with a drive-thru window.

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Jalapeños

Restaurants

Contemporary Mexican restaurant offering classic cuisine, many tequilas & weekend DJ events.

200 US-41 (Schererville)

Contemporary Mexican restaurant offering classic cuisine, many tequilas & weekend DJ events.

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Chicago-born chain for hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches & more, plus beer & wine, in retro digs.

1403 US-41 (Schererville)

Chicago-born chain for hot dogs, Italian beef sandwiches & more, plus beer & wine, in retro digs.

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Familiar eatery offering rice-based rolls, along with cooked dishes like noodles, soups and salads.

5942 US-6 (Portage)

Familiar eatery offering rice-based rolls, along with cooked dishes like noodles, soups and salads.

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Fast-food eatery known for its fried chicken tenders and sliders, available with various heat levels.

69-A US-41 Ste 300 (Schererville)

Fast-food eatery known for its fried chicken tenders and sliders, available with various heat levels.

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