Okay, so it was a Tuesday night and we wanted to try something new. We had all heard of a new place called White Rhino and noticed their billboards around town. So we headed to Dyer to check it out. We were disappointed in our last outing to Highland just two weeks earlier, so expectations were high. The place was packed... our first good sign that this place might pan out. And did it ever!
The White Rhino really converted a "white elephant", which used to be the old Jewel Food Store, into a bustling spot. It has sat empty for years and it was a real treat to see some of the vast space renovated and turned into this great bar and grill. It was a great example of what can be done with existing buildings in towns across Lake and Porter counties in Indiana.
Who would have thought we would've had to wait for a table at an old abandoned Jewel Food store in Dyer on a rainy Tuesday evening? The White Rhino, aptly named after a white rhino sets inside a section of the long closed Jewel store on US 30 just west of Hart street. Every table and bar stool was occupied this evening and Justin, our waiter said "it's like this every night". Our excellent service and great food explained why.Since Bob and Rick tend to expand as they eat, we moved from a cramped booth to a chaired table that we needed for the plethora of food that soon came. The extensive wine list provided libations for three of us and Bob started on his first of many free refills of Diet Pepsi, his NA cocktail of choice.
Bob's cup of chicken noodle soup was refreshing with small noodles and bits of chicken and all the necessary veggies. We all shared a thin crust pizza as an appetizer, a 10 inch full of veggies and mozzarella. A great start to a great meal.
After taking some time reviewing the extensive menu, we all discussed our meal choices. Patty chose the BBQ rib basket complete with seasoned fries and coleslaw, Jodi opted for the Tilapia ($11.99) while Bob went for the all you can eat (AYCE) pasta bar where Chef Randy prepared your selections right in front of you. You may also fill out an order form and the server will turn it in for you. The pasta bar is available each Tuesday evening. Rick kept coming back to the 3-cheese stuffed chicken breast and finally decided to try it.
Patty must have enjoyed her 1/2 slab of BBQ pork ribs ($8.99) because she hardly said a word during the meal! She offered that they were great, tasty and that she would order them again. A real sign that we use to see if something was really good or not! Hey, if you wouldn't order it again, then why, right? Jodi loved her fish selection and the portion was huge. It was cooked just right and was very tasty. All of us shared tastes back and forth, well all of us except Patty... she was so busy enjoying her ribs that she hardly stopped for much of anything else. But, you know, once you get into ribs, it is hard to stop, lick your fingers, etc. You might as well keep at them; and she did! There was plenty of food to share as portions were generous.
Bob's AYCE pasta bowl ($12.99) was overflowing with farfalle (bowtie) pasta, andoulle sausage, shrimp, Italian sausage, garlic & onions, and a tasty Alredo sauce. It was AYCE, but one huge bowl was all that he could "musterd", (foodie joke), and Bob isn't a small guy. Justin (our server) was at our table so often checking on us, he became part of the family. No seriously, his service was attentive but not over-bearing.
Rick's chicken breast was huge and packed full of flavor. Justin informed us that it was really stuffed with 5 different cheeses, not the three as described on the menu. That explained the flavor explosion during each bite. The sauce on this dish was to die for, and Rick used all of it to smoother each bite.
After our meal was complete, Justin brought Randy (the head chef) over to our table so we could meet him and compliment him on our food. Nice touch there Justin, who later explained that they were friends and that Randy was the reason why Justin came to the White Rhino.
Although we were all totally stuffed; Jodi ordered the "Chocolate cake to die for" dessert and four forks! We all enjoyed the freshly made chocolate cake covered in fudge that we later found out Randy made. He makes all of the desserts from scratch! It was a great ending to a wonderful meal.
The consensus of our group was that this is a place we'd recommend and definitely return to often. This group gives the White Rhino FIVE FORKS! Our best rating! It is worth the trip to Dyer.
If you go:
- Casual dress is fine (it's a bar and grill atmosphere)
- Food is reasonably priced, click here to be taken to the menu
- There are daily lunch and dinner specials
- Tuesday night is pasta bar night
- Smokers are welcome, but sit in the bar area
- Noise levels not bad, some TV sound on the dozens of screens all over but not too loud to interfer with dinner guests talking
- Clean great service, booths are a little tight, not sure what happened there - try a table for comfort
- Fast service
The comments listed above are those of Bob, Patty, Jodi and Rick. White Rhino had nothing to do with this review. Please offer your comments, we would love to hear from you.
