The Pioneer Eats Here series came back to my neck of the woods in Southwest Allen County. There are many, many great restaurants that were in the running for this part of the series. One that I didn’t expect to win, but did, was Sara’s Family Restaurant.
Sara’s Family Restaurant was established in May 2003 and is locally owned and operated by Nabi Faghihi, an immigrant from Iran, who joined us for our visit. The restaurant is named after his oldest daughter. Their menu boasts a wide variety of cuisines, from Americana to vegetarian and gluten-free options. Sara’s Family Restaurant’s claim to fame is providing “The Best Value for the Money.”
I would also add other claims to fame, including that during the 2008 Presidential Campaign, Senator Hillary Clinton held an economic round table discussion at the restaurant. Then, in 2011, Diane Sawyer hosted a political round table discussion at our restaurant about the debt crisis in America, televised nationally on ABC World News.
The restaurant takes pride in its patriotic theme with pictures of all the presidents on the walls and several dishes named after a handful of them. The prices on the menu live up to their claim to fame, and you get a good portion of food no matter what you order. The staff features several people who have worked for Nabi for over 15 years, including our server, who has been at the restaurant for nearly 23 years!
The staff is loyal, as are the customers, and the food is comforting. Sara’s Family Restaurant will truly make you feel at home.
Here are our thoughts on the meal and overall experience at Sara’s!
Brice – Monte Cristo
“In my opinion, when a sandwich needs to be eaten with a fork and knife, it’s going to be a good meal. The Monte Cristo holds a special place in my heart. Every time I have it, I’m always satisfied. This experience was no different. The strawberry sauce wasn’t overly sweet and brought the sandwich together. The combination of sweet and savory is one that I love, and this sandwich hit the spot.”
Hannah – French Toast
“Our experience at Sara’s felt like a warm hug. Between the wide variety of comfort foods and the friendly staff, to even getting to eat with the owner. The long list of breakfast items caught my attention, and I had to order the French toast with strawberries. The plate that got delivered to me was larger than I could have imagined for the price of $9! I got six large pieces of thick French toast with a generous amount of strawberries and whipped cream. With French toast being my go-to brunch item, I was blown away at the quality and the value.”
Callie – Chicken & Waffles
“I can see why the sign says Sara’s Family Restaurant. Because when you walk through the door, you are treated like family. I really enjoyed the unique theming and the excellent service!
I ordered the Chicken and Waffles because I was craving something sweet and savory. The chicken and the waffles were both cooked very well. It was exactly what you’re looking for when you order this dish. Nothing was soggy, everything came out hot and fresh!
Overall, I had a lovely experience at Sara’s, and I will definitely be back!”
Ashton – Alfredo Pasta w/Chicken
“I had the chicken alfredo, which came with blackened chicken, creamy alfredo pasta, and mixed vegetables like bell peppers, broccoli, and peas, plus a breadstick. The alfredo sauce was rich and tasty, and the bell peppers added a subtle kick that really elevated the dish. The portions were generous and very filling.”
Jonathan – Meatloaf
“I loved this place. Growing up in Wisconsin, Sara’s reminded me of my mom’s cooking. I had the meatloaf, which came with mashed potatoes/gravy and green bean casserole. The meatloaf came with chili sauce on it and was perfectly prepared. Delicious flavor and a lot of food. The green bean casserole and potatoes were no slouches either. Needless to say, I did not finish my lunch and ate the rest for dinner. Awesome!”
Team – Carrot Cake
“The real standout, though, was the carrot cake – perfectly moist and full of flavor, topped with cream cheese frosting, a caramel drizzle, and what I think was coconut bits around the edge. Absolutely delicious and worth saving room for,” Ashton said.
This blog series was created to highlight the best restaurants in Northeast Indiana. If you missed out on voting the first time, make sure to follow our social media to vote for your favorite restaurant in one of our 11 counties.
Our previous stops in this series: Caruso’s in Steuben County, Albion Ale House in Noble County, Fulton & Main in Adams County, Botanas Locas in Kosciusko County, Shorty’s Steakhouse in DeKalb County, Destination 814 in LaGrange County, Harry’s in Wabash County, Mercado in Downtown Fort Wayne, and The Patio in Roanoke.
Brice Vance is the copywriter and brand strategist for NEI and loves the combination of sweet and savory.
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