Singer John Mellencamp has never strayed far from his roots in Seymour, Indiana. And when a detour took us close to that small Indiana town I asked Peepaw to stop.
We only had about another hour of driving before our arrival at our son’s home near Indianapolis, and we didn’t want to arrive at mealtime. So we drove into Seymour for a “look-see” and a quick bite before we finished our drive that day.
The town is truly Small Town America…just like Mellencamp’s songs describe.
And there is another layer of Americana as well…
We quickly spotted a small cafe and we headed inside to check it out.
Bullwinkles Family Restaurant offered just the kind of quick and tasty Midwestern fare we were craving that day.
UPDATE: Unfortunately this cute restaurant has permanently closed. 🙁
Both Peepaw and I were hungry for something green, so their Side Salad was a great starting point. The lettuce was fresh and crisp, and the toppings were plentiful.
After that salad, I decided on a Midwest classic…A Breaded Pork Tenderloin. I was NOT disappointed. It was HUGE!
It was so large I immediately asked for a box to take half of it for my lunch the next day since we were only an hour from son Nick’s house in Indy. Yes Friends…that sandwich was gigantic…and absolutely delicious!
Our pleasant server introduced me to Bullwinkle’s owner, Garvin. Both of those friendly folks made our early evening meal a truly enjoyable event.
I worked my way through more than half of that amazing sandwich, and by that time Peepaw had finished his grilled chicken sandwich. (It was also delicious, according to him.) So I asked Peepaw if he want to sample the tenderloin too.
So…guess how much of that sandwich actually ended up in that “to-go” box? You guessed it.
I asked Garvin about the Mellencamp roots in Seymour and he told me John’s parents still live there. He even described the house to me and told us the approximate location, so when we headed out of town I kept searching…and I’m pretty sure I found it!
What a beautiful home…smack dab in the Heartland!
It seemed so ironic that the previous night in Nashville Peepaw had visited with John Mellencamp’s nephew Eric. (In case you missed that post, Click HERE. You’ll learn about John Mellencamp’s connection to our condo in Fort Lauderdale years ago.)
And this is Eric Mellencamp in Nashville…chatting with Peepaw.
And now we were sailing by the Mellencamp home in Indiana.
It’s amazing the people and places our Road Trips lead us to!
Yes…the Heartland is a beautiful part of America. And Seymour is a typical “Small Town” as John Mellencamp’s lyrics will attest.
But we were soon to enjoy three of our BEST reasons for heading back North after our “Snowbirds In Florida” warm winter…
Just imagine how our hearts melted as we headed to our bedroom to unpack for a short visit when we were met with this sign…
Yes…There is more than one reason we call the Midwest The Heartland. In fact we have SEVEN little reasons. We couldn’t wait any longer to head back North for HUGS from ALL of them. (And their parents too!) First our grandgirls in Indy, and soon with our four grandkids back home in Iowa.
It’s all about HUGS…and feeling blessed and lucky to be living long enough to be a part of our grandchildren’s lives…”Growing up in the HEARTland.”
(SING it John!)
Loved seeing this one!! thanks
Thanks Linda…as always! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
XOXO
Meemaw
We live in Indianapolis, and my in-laws are in a nursing home in Seymour. We make the trip to Seymour many times each month. So nice to see a positive review of small towns! And next time we head to Seymour, I’m trying that tenderloin sandwich! Hope you had/have a wonderful visit with your kids and grandkids!
Thanks so much Joansy! I appreciate your comment and I look forward to hearing how you like that HUGE tenderloin sandwich. (Be sure to let me know if you need a “To-Go” box when YOU leave Bullwinkles! -:)
We LOVE small town America and I write about places like Seymour all the time. I truly believe small towns are the backbone of our country, and the Mom and Pop restaurants and diners are the heart and soul of the USA!
XOXO
Meemaw
I grew up in the very tiny town of Austin In. Where the song “little pink houses” was filmed and then moved to Seymour as an adult so all of John’s music really resonates with me. I love the people from these small towns and everyone is so friendly. I would invite anyone to visit and enjoy what our small towns have to offer.
Thanks so much for your comment Charles! I love to hear the history and stories behind the small towns that dot the countryside in America. You have just given me another destination on a future road trip! (Now Little Pink Houses is running through my mind!) 🙂
All the Best!
XOXO
Meemaw
Im from brownstown, just a few miles west of seymour. What you said about bullwinkles is absolutely correct! I’ve always liked Mellencamp since I was little, and being a farmer, my favorite song has to be ” Rain on the Scarecrow”. The song is about the farm crisis that impacted the midwest in the 80’s. You should do some research on it! its a good read.
Thanks so much for your comment Matt!My heart still hurts for the farmers who were wiped out by the farm crisis back then. You live in a beautiful part of Indiana and I hope to stop back again some day. Thanks for putting food on the tables of America! Farmers are the backbone of the Heartland.
XOXO
Meemaw
I live in the NW part of Indiana and am a huge fan of John Mellencamp At the moment i am in Seymore Indiana and plan on looking for his childhood home tomorrow before i leave for home. I hope i can see it…its on my bucket list! It would mean souch to me to see where my fellow Hoosier grew up at. Im so proud of him and love his songs! Cherry Bomb is my favorite bc it reminds me of me so he sang about me!
That’s great Christine! I hope you found it! And aren’t music memories priceless??
XOXO
Meemaw