Payne’s Restaurant
4925 Kaybee Dr, Gas City, IN, 46933
Payne’s Restaurant Menu
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Visit below restaurant in Gas City for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Gas City for healthy meals suggestion.
Visit below restaurant in Gas City for healthy meals suggestion.
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Address :
4925 Kaybee Dr
Gas City, IN, 46933 - Phone (765) 998-0668
- Website https://www.paynescoffeeandcustard.com
- Click To Get Directions
Opening Hours
- Mon :8:30 am - 10:00pm
Specialities
- Takes Reservations : Yes
Delivery : No
Take-out : Yes
Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
Good For : Lunch
Parking : Private Lot
Bike Parking : Yes
Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
Good for Kids : Yes
Good for Groups : Yes
Attire : Casual
Ambience : Casual
Noise Level : Average
Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only
Outdoor Seating : Yes
Wi-Fi : Free
Has TV : No
Dogs Allowed : No
Waiter Service : Yes
Caters : Yes
Good for Working : Yes
WE SERVE THE FOLLOWING STATES
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Sam H.
Awesome little place. Would have to say it was my favorite place to take family and friends when they visited TU! A little pricy, but the food is really great. Awesome combinations and the portions are worth the price. Never left hungry! Also they love organic stuff. Good custard. And a wide variety of beverage choices (including wine & beer).
(5)Jasen S.
A surprisingly fantastic find in the middle of a corn field right off the highway. I had the tomato black bean soup with the pepper jack grilled cheese baguette. Fun(ky) interior with friendly staff. One of those places you stumble upon on a road trip and tell your friends about when you get home.
(5)Jeff K.
Had the turkey burger - it was quite good. Very moist and flavorful. Definately will be back Interested to see what they do with the herb garden
(4)Dan K.
Had the Scottish lentil soup in Muncie for a Sustainability/art show and it was so good! I'll be driving to Gas City sometime soon for more!
(5)Laura B.
I have been patronizing Paynes for years, in fact since they opened during my brief period as a Grant County resident. One thing I've noticed since the beginning is a forward thinking drive to always outdo themselves. As far as competition goes, nothing in the area holds a candle to what they have going on. They definitely hold their own in the entire Midwest and will always have a special place in my heart. If it's your first time, just follow the quant "EAT" sign in the Northeast corner of the 69/18 intersection. They have a drive through if you want to grab a quick cup of coffee, but I'd recommend coming here with some time to explore the menu and enjoy the ambiance. It's a great place to study and get work done. I love sitting at the tall booths because you feel like you're in your own cozy world of wi-fi and bottomless coffee. The interior is always smartly done, well lit, and the music is appropriate. Plus they have a beautiful patio where you can enjoy the warmer days. Everything I've had here, from espresso to soup to a salmon burger, is good. It's several steps above every restaurant in the area so come expecting quality instead of quantity. In my opinion the servings are all very reasonable and usually an appropriate amount to fill you up without needing to share or ask for a takeout box, which I appreciate. Save room for custard- I recommend the option with espresso and raspberries. Down with Starbucks. Spend your money at the most interesting local business around, conveniently located right off the interstate.
(5)MD D.
Stumbled upon this place when i stopped off to go to Cracker Barrel. Not a fan of traditional British food, which is usally bland as ______. But the sign said sandwiches, organic salds, and they had a garden out front. Ordered the veggie burger. It was super tasty. Homemade patties from black beans and quinoa. Tasty coleslaw, sprouts, avacado, tomato on top of wjole grain bread. Had 'em put the egg on top. Had to eat it with a fork eventually, but that didn't take away from the experience. Also ordered the sticky toffe dessert. I rarely order dessert, but this one was on point. The custard that came with it was rich, creamy, tasty!!!! Glad i found this spot!!
(5)C M.
stayed at the best western and strolled here for a late dinner served with great style.
(4)Craig S.
Came in on Fathers Day on our way back to Indy. Looked like a great surprise right off the interstate. Was impressed with the menu and three types of Three Floyd's beers. There were two large parties ahead of us. The pâté' was very good. The smoothies satisfied our 11 and 9 year olds. We ordered sandwiches and an hour later we still had no food. They apologized however it was apparent they were stressed the whole time we were there. When we were told it was going to be yet another 15 min. we chose to leave as we were now late getting back to pick up our dog at the kennel. Our beer and two smoothies were on the house and I have to say the owner was mortified and apologetic. However, they clearly appeared as if they could not handle a large crowd and the place is not that big. Great potential. Horrible experience.
(1)Kristine T.
Great little restaurant! I found Payne's by accident, while I was in Gas City. We wanted to stop for a bite, while meeting some family, and came across them. Their decor is friendly and welcoming; the atmosphere is casual; and the food is exceptional! If you are in the area, this a definitely a restaurant you want to go to. I will definitely being going back!
(5)Amy G.
Absobluminlutely charming. Stopped in for a late dessert of coffee, custard, and smoothies. Coffee was a rich roast and excellent. Not over roasted (take notes, Starbucks). The custard was fantastic. The mango smoothies were excellent. The menus nestled into "vintage" books was clever. The ambiance was warm and artistic. I regret not being able to try more items on the menu. Yet another two thumbs up for a locally owned place in an unexpected location.
(5)Steve S.
This is by far one of my favorite little places in the area. The food is absolutely amazing. The soups are to die for, the sandwiches are tasty (and the right size...no giant globs of goo on bread here), and my wife said the fish pie was the best she has ever had (and she's British, so that's saying something!) The staff is always super friendly and on top of it. We try to drive up to Gas City to go here every month or so and it is always worth it. Actually, it is hard to drive north on 69 and pass the exit without stopping. Bravo to Payne's!
(5)Lisa I.
Great food. Warm, friendly service in a spotless dining room. Flavors and quality well above any locally available fast food or chain restaurant. Locally sourced fresh ingredients make a tremendous difference. On site coffee roasting, too. The food and drink menu is clever, professionally presented, and delicious. What a treat to find a restaurant that doesn't compromise quality for quantity. Affordable.
(5)Rachel S.
Service can be a bit lackluster. Menus are confusing and stuck in the middle of random hard back books. Free wifi is what brought me in, the food choices will keep me going back. I'm impressed Gas City. Coffee could be better. I'm not a fufu coffee drinker. I drink it to taste it.
(4)Lorri M.
Experienced yet another FANTASTIC meal at Payne's Custard & Coffee Shop yesterday for lunch. My b/f had the Fish Pie (i know right, sounds like something you would NEVER order in theory lol) HOWEVER, it was INCREDIBLE! A generous portion of quality cod, mixed into a wonderful pot-pie type gravy with veggies, and served up with the mouthwatering, homemade garlic mashed potatoes (they seem to be made with yukon gold potatoes, but not confirmed on this). The combination is wickedly good! I opted for the oversized club sandwich served on quality panini style bread, fresh spinach leaves, generous portions of healthy turkey, and a special spread that you could eat with a spoon! I only got the 1/2 order and it was more than enough. the BEST part of the meal, which is always why you have a meal, is to get to the dessert! Oh, yeah, baby ... the dessert ... (my mouth is watering just thinking about it!) The STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING! Omg ... served up with their homemade vanilla frozen custard ... it's to die for and I'm not kidding. It comes in a generous, but not overwhelming portion, you aren't sure whether to dive in with a spoon or fork, by the end of it you've used both I assure you. :) Service was AWESOME! Very friendly from the time we entered the door, and continued until we left. I just can't say enough great things about Payne's ... this place is on our continual "eats" jaunt and will remain there until we've had everything on the menu. The Brits do it right!
(4)Alice N.
Can't go wrong at Payne's. Nummy good healthy choice items with some sinful options. I would definitely eat here again.
(5)Danny S.
Ok, where to begin... Let's start with the service or should I say the lack thereof. We heard good things about this place so we went out of our way. Unfortunately the staff did not. If I had to make an educated guess ; the owner/owners got money from family to launch this pretentious hipster wannabe gastropunn because mom and dad were tired of junior switching majors just six months from graduating because junior didn't want the party to end. Now I say pretentious because as a classically trained certified executive chef that has lived and worked all over the world the food is just that...pretentious, pretend, fake, wannabe, not real! There's nothing more insulting to the customer than to assume they won't know better and market dishes as "Bourgionne Style" then charge $18 for $1.00 worth of cheap stewed beef. Just because you add red wine to the pot and throw some fresh herbs in the mix doesn't make it the real deal. And how about that tomato soup...any praise needs to be directed to Campbell's for this one. Alas...the grilled cheese...hmmm, was this supposed to be a sandwich or a floating brick of bread four inches thick? The 80s and the age of excess are over. There was a time when plate height was fashionable. But four inches of bread filled with tasteless cheese is not impressive. People in this neck of the woods deserve quality over quantity. Seriously, there's an epidemic of obesity in central Indiana and this place isn't helping. Kettle chips from a bag served on a huge bed of fresh spinach? Really? Doesn't anyone else see the irony here? What I'm getting at is it looks like someone decided to take generic food, doctor it up with a little wine and toss greens on under around and in everything to appear to be a healthy wholesome experience. Don't be fooled...anyone can put perfume on a pig. Speaking of pigs...the pulled pork sandwich (any guesses on how thick the bread for this winner was...insert sarcastic expression here) if this is your cup of tea then call Gordon Food Service because I guarantee it wasn't made in house from a raw slow smoked roasted pork butt. And if it was then the cook (hard to use the word chef) deserves an award for most authentic recreation of commercially pre cooked processed food. In closing, if you are a fan of this pretentious wannabe hipster establishment with clueless waitstaff then you need to get out of Indiana! Go see the world! Live! Payne's success is mind boggling.
(1)David C.
Best restaurant around these parts. Unassuming from the outside, very nice atmosphere on the inside. Fun menus, unique mugs, cozy booths. Nice selection of coffee drinks, and now a selection of Indiana wines and beers (and a few on tap - Three Floyd FTW!). Some of these other reviewers must have been here on a bad day, as I have always had very friendly and knowledgeable servers. The food here is top-notch. The portions are just right and each dish is unique, fresh, and tasty. Some of my favorites include the everything oatmeal, the omelets, and the goat cheese/turkey/bacon wrap. Great soups, beef stew, and other comfort food. I've only heard good things about the fish pie, and I'll try that next time. All the desserts are scrumptious. It's surprising to find a hidden place like this out here - it seems that it is the type of restaurant you would find in a big city or culture-rich college town. I know people who drive 45 minutes just to come here. If you live in the area, you should be coming here regularly. If you're traveling and want a change from the same old Cracker Barrel (which is next door), fast food, or Dennys, check out Paynes - you won't be disappointed!
(5)Michele K.
Whenever I return to rural Indiana to visit family, a trip (or 2 or 5..) to Payne's is a must. In a land of bad chain restaurants and greasy spoons, Payne's is like a breath of fresh air. Their coffee rivals the best I've had in Seattle, and their food is quality, creative, and delish. Payne's deserves infinite stars for what they do, and where they do it!
(5)L G.
Stopped at Cracker Barrel next door to use the restroom. Saw the frozen custard sign. Absolutely the best chocolate ice cream I have ever eaten. And reasonably priced. Chatted with the manager--very nice and informative. We live an hour away but will be back for dinner. What we saw other diners eating looked amazing.
(5)Elaine M.
We returned to Payne's on a recent Sunday evening for our fourth visit. I ordered the bangers and mash and my husband ordered the chicken curry. We both ordered $7 glasses of a red wine. By the time the wine was delivered, we were both finishing our salads. We would have enjoyed having the wine with the complimentary pate that was served before the salads. Our waitress was too busy sitting at a table with friends. When our wine finally arrived, we were shocked. Each glass held no more than 2 and 1/2 ounces of wine. We asked the waitress what the wine pour measure was and she said that she did not know. We told her that the glasses were tiny and she said, "well, would you like me to get you some more?" Duh, yeah. She brought back two wine glasses with about one ounce of wine in each one. We have ordered wine at Payne's before and had acceptable pours. Come on Payne's. Train your wait staff! The industry standard for good wine is a six ounce pour. Stingy restaurants pour 5 ounces to get more glasses per bottle. Two and one-half ounces for $7 is absurd. Please don't embarrass your customers by forcing them to ask for more wine.
(2)Taylor F.
I'll add this to the Paleo List gladly. However, why only 3 you might ask? Well...I do expect my servers-although very nice and friendly-to know their menu. It's important form all aspects from preventing food allergy reactions to advising on a lunch selection. Fun coffee menu...very hipster!
(3)Caroline C.
I love this restaurant. It's a favorite for students attending Taylor University. Great selection of food and inexpensive. Their desserts are fantastic. The atmosphere is very chill and relaxed. Students often hang out here or study. The waitresses are all very friendly and helpful. However, don't go here if you're in a rush. This place is definitely not a fast food restaurant and service is slow.
(4)Erin A.
This is a wonderful little cafe with an eclectic feel (but not in an applebee's kind of way). The bathroom has a real changing table and a stool so kids can reach the sink. A rare breath of fresh air when traveling with children! And the food was great too! Don't let the "sandwich shop" description turn you off. They have all sorts of food. And their grilled cheese sandwich is incredible!
(5)Zach S.
Good food, good coffee, great atmosphere, but the staff seemed very snooty.
(3)J K.
What a great surprise! After having stopped at Gas City for several years now, as it is a half way mark to meet family from Ft Wayne, I finally decided to see if there was some real place to stop and have a meal. ( that wasn't a chain). I'm so glad I found Payne's! Don't let the run down sign and eclectic outside turn you off. It's part of what makes it so great. The mix match seating and and look are the beginning of the experience. The menus come in old children's books. I think the fact that its called a coffee and custard shop does it a disservice. The menu has many great sounding items. From the soup and grilled cheese choices to tempting salads and great entree listed. I had the spicy pepperoni BBQ item. It was a great surprise. What a creative dish with great taste and the perfect size. The Quake shake was the perfect pick me up. My companions soup and grilled cheese was delicious. And their coffee/custard drink was tastee . The staff was genuinely happy that we were there and thank us for trying them. I wish it was warmer so we could have sat outside on their porch area. I love custard, so I'm looking forward to getting back and really trying more. I'm so glad we stopped in. We now we will look forward to stopping in Gas City. Stop there! You'll be glad you did.
(5)M C.
I absolutely adore Payne's! Since moving to Grant County from the suburbs of Chicago two years ago, I have brought every visiting friend and family member here, as well as sent numerous locals for their first time. From the atmosphere to the friendly staff to the amazing menu (that tomato soup is out of this world!), I always leave Payne's satisfied and happier than when I arrived. Lately they have revamped their menu and decor, only furthering their awesomeness and providing a truly special atmosphere for everything from breakfast with friends to a lovely date night. No matter the occasion, Payne's will suit it. My family begs to return every time they are in town! Very grateful to have found such a special place in our time here.
(5)Joyce R.
Stopped here on a trip north of Indy a couple of nights ago. We were delighted to discover a non fast food joint so close to the interstate and a perfect fit for a break from highway driving. Payne's offer a fun, eclectic mix of vintage furnishings with simple satisfying food choices and a very pleasant surprise so close to I-69. My Cauliflower Bisque was delicious with a very pleasant spiciness. Our shared desert was bread pudding chocked full of dried fruits, cherries, apricot, raisins and nuts and was served warm with homemade vanilla custard. YUM! Prices were quite reasonable. On the downside, the exterior lighting is dim and service was a bit slow but, we arrived just after a group of six and just as a group of 8 were checking out with each having separate checks. I will go again next trip on that highway. BTW,we wouldn't have found this place without YELP or Google maps. It's worth a stop when in Central Indiana.
(4)Serenity N.
Arrived @ 9:20 on Saturday morning. Not open, no employees in site. Frustrating.
(1)Johnny M.
Stop here for something really different and very good. The atmosphere alone is worth stop. Great coffee and sweets but its healthy and different. Seriously novel!
(5)Ryan K.
Chai latte was best ever, ambience is quaint and tranquil. Food was exquisite!
(5)Chad C.
What a pleasant surprise yo find this little joint off of I-69 on my drive from Indy back to Michigan. If this place were in the city, it would get 2 or 3 stars. But because it's in Gas City, Indiana where you normally would stop only to get gas, it is a solid 4! The Puccini tastes something in between iced coffee and a milkshake. Worth a try.
(4)Rusty M.
Inventive soups, creative grilled cheese sandwiches, beautiful presentation, great coffee, homemade art. Also the only place I have ever taken a picture of my food to show someone else. If you are ever in the middle of nowhere, take the time to stop. Not cheap, but worth every penny.
(4)Laura And Kyle D.
The food alright, but the portions are very small. The small portions make the food very overpriced. The custard is good, but again overpriced. It is a good place to go once or twice, but the more we went the less we liked it.
(2)Tim E.
Always interesting menu
(5)Thomas C.
After the experience today we won't be ordering again. Our staff ordered lunch for carry out. We sent someone down to pick it up. And when she gets there they inform us they went ahead and added 18% gratuity. Really for what, doing what your in business to do make food. We order from other restaurants in the area all the time and none of them ever tell us we have to give them more money for the pleasure of there food. So after we tell them you can keep the order. They drop the extra 18% we get it all divided up back at work and stuff is missing. The food didn't have any flavor and the way they put in to the to go containers made some of it look awful at first glance. Now I see why you wanted that extra 18% you need it.
(1)Sara G.
Delicious soups! Three of us went (including my 11-year old son). We all had soups--black bean/tomato, pea/mint and butternut squash. All excellent and fresh. Could taste all the ingredients yet they meshed so well. They were served with their take on grilled cheese--on French bread with Gouda or pepper jack. Yum. We were off to a food festival so didn't get a chance to try dessert or anything else. We will be back! We went at an off-time so can't speak to service when busy. However, Jenny Payne waited on us and was super friendly and helpful. Had fun checking out the patio seating and the garden too. Really cute atmosphere.
(5)Carlos C.
I give this wonderful place 4 1/2 stars. The food was great; all of us (4) where every happy with our dishes. I got a great hummus (home made for sure). It came with fresh and warm pitta bread triangles and it had some virgin olive oil on a bed of fresh baby spinach leaves. I also had a delicious potato, leek and lemon grass soup; it was really good. Never had his combination before; it was very, very good. Desert was a treat; not too much into dessert, but the sticky toffee pudding is fantastic as is the bread pudding a la mode. In short, wish we live closer (reside in South Carolina), if we were this would be a frequent place for us to eat. Met the owner; you can tell that they are passionate about serving good quality food that is several steps above any chain around the area at very reasonable prices - Highly recommended
(4)David T.
The decor is adorable, the food was FANTASTIC, the service was TERRIBLE. As a 20 yr. veteran of the restaurant biz (most of which was spent as a server) I understand when a place gets slammed that there may be some rough patches. My family has been here several times and raved about it. We had the male server and he was disappointing from the start. I only gave it 3 stars because of the service it would have gotten 5 if I'd have just been reviewing the food.
(3)Sam K.
I really want to love Payne's. I currently attend the nearby Taylor University, and many of my fellow students frequent it. However, I have stopped in upwards of 6 or 7 times, and have never had a purely positive experience. For starters, I will say that the food is fantastic. I have nothing bad to say about it, aside from the fact that I'm never really full afterwards, despite spending 12 or more dollars. It's very high quality, perfectly seasoned, and there are many organic options, some of which are grown outside. That said, the service is typically atrocious. For starters, waiting for someone to take your order can take a very long time. The shortest time I have had to wait is probably about 5 minutes, but I have had to wait for up to half an hour. Compared to how long it can take to get your food though, this is nothing. I have left multiple times while waiting for my food. Once my group ordered an appetizer and meals, and after an hour and ten minutes, not even the appetizer had arrived. Granted, it was a somewhat busy day, but we ordered hummus and pita for the appetizer. Just put it on a plate and bring it out! It doesn't take much effort, and after specifically asking two times for them to bring it, we gave up. Each time that I have left, I have gone to the Mexican place next door (Casa Grande) and had a very positive experience.
(2)Thomas B.
staff was polite, food came quickly. Bangers and mash was excellent, pita and hummus too. Goat cheese turkey bacon wrap!
(4)Charlie Isabel H.
Stopped in for breakfast after night in lackluster Gas City Holiday Inn Express. What a treat. Delicious hearty oatmeal and decadent "French" omelette. Fancy teas and coffee drinks, and good beer on draft. Eclectic design, and warm and inviting ambience. A pleasant surprise and unexpected for a highway roadside cafe. Can't wait to go back to try the soup.
(4)Anna O.
The mates make their own custard, they roast their own coffee and even stuff the sausages for Bangers and Mash. And they seek out local organic ingredients. Local brews on tap. Would fit just fine on Mass Ave in Indy... Espresso poured over custard - the taste of childhood. Instead of a staple salad - fatoush with its tangy yogurt marinating tomatoes and cucumbers. Bangers and mash also come with roasted swede (similar to very mild sweet potato) - a fine compliment of sweetness to spicy sausages. Shakes are worth the indulgence. Fellow Yelpers traveling on I-69 - this is a fine local find. It will save you from Cracker Barrel at the same exit.
(5)Bob H.
This place is doing a great job! Still non-descript from a distance, but the parking lot was jam packed. We had suffered a fail on a destination lunch to Huntington and, on return, elected to salvage the day by stopping at Payne's for dessert. So, so thankful we did. Place was hopping at 6:00p on a Sunday. Complimentary appetizer of fantastic pate and toasts. (yummm) Our party of 3 ordered the sticky toffee puddings and custard ($6 each). My God - fantastic again. Quick food service, but chaotic. Fellow at next table ordered the fish & chips. He was raving about it and was a huge entree. I don't know if I can return and NOT get the sticky toffee pudding but that fish might do it - there's just no way I could have room afterwards for dessert. Only downer - we had to wait for a long time for the check and couldn't gain eye contact with any of the staff. Other than that - it's a we-be-backer.
(5)Kelly H.
We met at Payne's for a family get together. We had a group of nine and though Payne's is small inside they do have quite a bit of patio seating. The menu is unique and leans toward the British theme of the restaurant. Our group tried the fattoush and hummus appetizers and loved them both. Two of us had fish and chips and raved about the crispy batter. Others in our group had some of the diverse soups and sandwiches and one had pork chops. Our server tried to keep up, but we were often waiting on drink refills. We would definitely return if in the area again.
(4)Daniel D.
While driving through Indiana, hunger started to kick in so we stopped for gas, in gas city... And then we see this little restaurant called Payne's so we decided to check it out, and man was it worth it. Since you get there its a very unique experience, the place is not very fancy, but it has this homy awkward feeling. Even the menus are something you wouldn't expect, the outside is just a book, but the inside is filled with delicious options, and we did try many of them. Everything we tried, from appetizers to entrees were very good, and portions are HUGE... didnt get a chance to try the desserts but that will be for the next trip. Overall, if you find yourself traveling in indiana, this restaurant should be your refueling point, I would even recommend to travel an hour just to eat there. AWESOME
(5)Thibaut L.
Certainly the best place around to have lunch or dinner. Good prices and nice team. I will come back
(5)Lori F.
Holy Foodie Delight! Bring your food snob friends, the ones that want farm fresh greens, hell they grow ingredients out front.. you actually see them picking it while you eat... top that hipster wanna be spots... oh you want in house roasted coffee? Want vegan and gluten free options with out feeling like "that guy" .. Boom. DONE. .drops Mic.
(5)Cheryl C.
Paymes is an unexpected gem located in Gas City at the I-69 exit. The restaurant had been highly recommended to us, and we have been eager to give it a try after perusing their menu online. We had a delightful meal on their lovely patio. Although it was mid -morning we ordered off the lunch/ dinner menu, and they were happy to accommodate. I had the chicken curry with fattoush and my daughter had bangers and mash with the soup of the day. The food was delicious , the decor was charming. (Love the use of cookbooks as menu covers) and their commitment to fresh, local ingredients was a plus. We had a sit-down meal, but this would be an excellent pit stop for coffee to go when traveling. We often stop in Gas City for a cup of coffee on our way to Fort Wayne. From now on we will be stopping at Paynes.
(5)Angelus K.
Paynes is about as quirky as it gets for rural East Central Indiana. That's a good thing. British food, Midwestern frozen custard, apparent inventions (the "french omelette), and menus in National Geographic magazines. I've been here several times, for breakfast and for dinner, and the food and service have always been top notch. The breakfast has something called a "french omelette" which is an omelette cooked into a bread bowl. It was good. I also tried the "Payne's reaction," an expresso poured into a glass of frozen custard. Also very good. For dinner, I'm a huge fan of the "cock-a-leeky" soup. It has a nice balance of sweetness and savory and the leeks actually become very tender. The fish and chips are also very nice. Not greasy at all (well for something deep fried) and the crust was very crunchy an airy. Additionally props for serving 3 Floyds beer. I'll leave one star aspiration---if Payne can come up with an Anglicized Hoosier Pork Tenderloin or biscuits and gravy, then five stars for sure.
(4)Dennis R.
I can't rave enough about this place AND NOW authentic fish and chips!!! This is a MUST destination! Tonight we dined like British Royalty! I enjoyed authentic fish and chips. BUT I started with an amazing bowl of black bean and tomato soup. It was tremendous! My wife enjoyed a fresh salmon burger. Her dessert was a grilled zucchini, mozzarella and arugula salad. Service was spectacular, thank you Hannah!! If you haven't been to Payne's you're not eating right!!
(5)Macy T.
Awesome breakfast with the strawberry and custard french toast or the bagel sandwich. For lunch or dinner the pepper-jack grilled cheese is amazing.
(4)Liz R.
Great service and great ambiance! Found this on Yelp and was delighted to find this place! Outdoor seating, and outdoor booths make a date magical! I love their creativity with the menus! The beer was great!
(5)Lesley M.
Great place off 69 for excellent coffee/espresso and comfy food! The decor is adorable and you will love the staff! I'll be back!
(4)Nicholas R.
Driving down I69.. Heading back to Michigan. This place was our stomachs hero. We pull up and loved the fact that they grow there own herbs and vegetables. Garden is in the parking lot. Walk into a friendly staff and greatly decorated small restaurant. Menus are inside netgeo mags from the 1970s. Every table is different. Very pleasant atmosphere. Menu was simple and everything looked great. It looked like everyone was eating soup.. The lady next to us told the server she thought about licking the bowl... Stuff must be good...! Butttttt my girlfriend and I ordered brunch. She ordered the French Gouda cheese and ham omelette.. Never had anything like it. It was a tunnel of love... An omelette baked into a hollowed out French bread. (Mind officially blown). I ordered.. Wait no.. My girlfriend enforced the French toast with strawberries and custard for me to eat.. (I am a French toast freak) I could live in a house made out of French toast.. The French toast was good! Wasn't expecting frozen custard, and My mouth loved it. Very happy with our brunch stop. Definitely a hidden gem!
(4)Lizzie J.
Adding our voices to the chorus praising Payne's... We were on our way home to Michigan after visiting family in Illinois and found this place on Yelp. What a great find! Actually, the name on Yelp is misleading. Payne's is a full service restaurant, not just a coffee/dessert shop. Easy access off I-69. Vegetable garden in front of the parking lot. Patio with lots of nice flowers. Creative decor. Interesting menu with lots of choices. Very limited wine selection, but what we had (the red) was very good, as was the hard apple cider. Enjoyed the complimentary pate served before our meal. Because of the way our waitperson described it, most of us got the sweet potato/ginger soup with the pepper jack grilled cheese. YUM. The one person in our party who dared to be somewhat different ordered the same soup with half of a "Clubhouse" sandwich, which was a grilled sandwich with bacon, brie, spinach, turkey, and tomato. The "half" was as big as many full sized sandwiches I've had in other places, and it was really good. After the soup and sandwiches we got the dessert sampler. All of the desserts were good, but the sticky toffee pudding was declared the winner. All of the delicious food was brought to us by friendly, knowledgable waitstaff. Do yourself a favor and skip the Cracker Barrel and try this wonderful local independent place instead for something unique and tasty. Thanks, Payne's, and thanks, Yelp!
(5)Leisa D.
Stopped here on a Monday morning about 103:30 after court in Muncie because I heard on NPR that they were serving breakfast all day. I had some kind of French omelette / French bread combination, with ham and Gouda, which was really delicious and at the same time unique. You will have to try it to see why this was different than any omelette I've ever seen, but really good. Excellent coffee as well and really friendly prompt service. Highly recommended.
(5)Carolyn K.
Yum. Stopped here while traveling and was not disappointed. My companion had the pork chop and mashed potatoes and I had sweet potatoes soup. Both were delicious. I also ordered the appetizer mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts. I went expecting to have dessert, but was too full to order any custard. Next time... Location is great for the traveler, easy on/off the highway.
(4)Heather F.
Oh Payne's, why do you not hire competent employees? I've been a patron of this awesome establishment since it opened. I recommend it to anyone. But the last THREE times I've been here, the wait staff is horrendous. I mean: rude, inattentive, unable to problem solve, and quite frankly an embarrassment to this place. I DO NOT RECOMMEND this for large parties or for anyone trying to impress anyone else with a cool place. The food is always worth the trip for me, and it is reasonably priced for all the fresh and unique things they offer. I really wish they'd stop changing the interior and spend more time on training their staff. Why do the bussers have no bus tub or tray? They have to make a ridiculous amount of trips to clear one table, let alone a long table from a large party of diners. It is laughable and it is wasteful. Why are we told to please wait to be seated, when the majority of the time customers are left awkwardly piled in the entryway, ignored? And it isn't just when the restaurant is busy. It is sadly not uncommon to wait for 5-10 minutes, neglected, only to get an attitude from whomever decides to grace us with her presence? (I hate to say it, but the attitude problems that I experience here only come from a certain couple ladies, never any men.) Owners of Payne's: PLEASE stop trying so hard to be different. You have been delightfully different since you opened your doors. PLEASE stop rearranging everything. There is no space! Just work with what you have! It is a great place, so just give it a rest. PLEASE better train your waitresses. The reviews on here saying service was bad are not exaggerating. It seems that every time your place has a few tables full, your staff just says "Screw it," and has the worst work ethic for the entire time I'm there. Perhaps spend some money on an actual seating hostess. Someone who can smile and talk to patrons without disdain, and who can politely say, "I'm so sorry, it will be at least a 15 (or whatever) minute wait, we are pretty busy today!" Or something. Jeez. Anything would be better than your current set up. And lastly, PLEASE figure out to whom you want to cater. You cannot have a family style/college hangout/European cafe/quirky hippy sit-down restaurant with the space you have provided. You can't have half the tables marked "reserved" and then allow one person to sit with her laptop at a booth for two hours whilst people are waiting to be seated. Figure it out. Your food is incredible, the vibe is always cool, but your front-of-house and daily execution need to be addressed. Thank you!! PS. Please also consider getting "normal" menus that can be wiped off. Paper inside of a dirty book or Nat Geo is gross.
(3)Zach G.
Was my favorite restaurant in Marion/ Gas City area.. they have the best food around, healthy and tasty, though they were a bit pricey... Then recently I came with a friend to do hw while we ate and drank coffee, and they told us to leave when we were done.. which was annoying but we dealt with it, then even more recently they raised the prices even more.. the food is still good, but at this point, it is way over-priced. I suggest trying it once, but I won't be returning.
(3)Todd B.
I used to frequent this place some years back in high school, because I always liked their coffee, the brie and apricot sandwich, and the people. So I find myself in the neighborhood about seven years later and decide to check it out. Right away, I get the rude treatment. There's a sign indicating that one should wait to be seated, so I waited. After a couple minutes of getting no one's attention, a server asks me what I'm waiting on, and I tell her that I guess I'm waiting to be seated (as I glance none-too-subtly at the sign). Then she tells me that I can sit wherever. Okay, I pick a table, she follows me, gives me some silverware, and walks away. Hm. Maybe five minutes later, my server brings me a water and says she'll be back for my order. Closer to ten more minutes later, another server comes and asks for my order; not "What would you like to drink?" to start, just my general order. I order a beer and ask for a recommendation on a sandwich (not an entrée - I'll get to why later), and settle on the "goat cheese wrap," which the menu failed to describe. Between the time my second server took my order and my first server came back to ask for my order again, another table was seated and served both drinks and food. Then I got my wrap. THEN I got my drink. Hm. I took my time with my meal, yet not until my food and beer were both gone and I'd stared forlornly out the window for some ten minutes did I get another visit from server number one, who asked if I needed my check. I said I'd like some sticky toffee pudding to go first, then I'd like my check. Another ten minutes for the pudding to come out, then yet another ten minutes to get my card back with my receipt, and I'm finally set to leave. Hm. Long story short, service was pretty bad. My wrap was above average though, with some pretty swanky bacon, really fresh greens, and "meh" honey mustard sauce with goat cheese somewhere in it. But it was $10. For a wrap and some old kettle chips from a bag. It was either that or bangers and mash for $16 - SIXTEEN DOLLARS for bangers and mash from a little Indiana Interstate café. Those bangers better be made with endangered species for that price. Everything else aside, the sticky toffee pudding was delicious. I just meant to taste it before leaving, but I actually sat in my car and ate half of it with the engine running. Moral of the story: come here for dessert and coffee to go and you won't be disappointed.
(2)Jason W.
What a great little place! A very welcome change from highway exit chains. Payne's has a great cozy atmosphere and I loved the menus built into old copies of National Geographic magazines. Really good coffee and their "Famous Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese" is famous for a reason, it's friggin' delicious. The grilled cheese came served in the soup. Can't wait to be back in the area.
(5)Derek H.
Always fantastic food and service. With a dedication to local craft beers, how could you not love Payne's? The club is always a favorite, the floating grilled cheese is great, and you can never go wrong with their bangers and mash! Stop by and check them out! Maybe they will even have FFF's Zombie Dust
(5)Dale B.
This is an eccentric place in the middle of no-where!! Who would think that you would find a British style food restaurant in Gas City? If you love finding interesting places to eat....then you have to try Payne's. Payne's is different! They have garden boxes out by the parking lot to grow their own organic produce. The menu's are affixed inside National Geographic magazines. The place is small and has an interesting mix of décor. The place places classical music. Beyond that....the service was excellent!! The menu is small and is focused on British food. I had the tomato soup which was excellent. The bread and pate was very good!! I had the pepperoni & BBQ brioche. It's small but tasty. The homemade chips were good too! My wife had a walnut-apple and goat cheese sandwich. She said it was good but the goat cheese was a bit over powering. We didn't stay for dessert which I hear is a must try!!!
(4)Ashley N.
My favorite place to hang out with friends and enjoy a meal! The staff is always nice and go out of their way to make sure you enjoy your experience!
(5)Rod C.
We found this place by accident but were quite impressed. We were going to Upland to visit Ivanhoe's. We stopped at the Upland exit and thought about seeing if The Taste of Texas was still around. Alas, it had closed. At this exit , there is a bustling Cracker Barrel, a pizza place and a Chinese food place. Ho hum. As we are getting ready to turn around and just go eat at Ivanhoe's, my wife spots a sign a little further back. "EATS". Hmmmm. What's this? We saw a sign that said "organic salads". My wife indicated that this looked interesting. Okay, I was hesitant. This is a smaller establishment further back from the main area. Against my better judgment, I decided to try it. We walked in and were met with soft classical music which set a nice stage. We were instructed to sit at a table and given a menu. When the waiter came we asked to sit outside. They have a nice patio that was shaded and comfy on this beautiful day. Our appetizer arrived (hummus and pita bread). Delicious. My wife had a Greek salad and I had a pulled pork sandwich on toasted French Bread. Very, very tasty. My only gripe is that my first order was for the steak burger and I was informed they were out. The hipster kitchen staff was friendly and efficient. It looks like they have a pretty cool custard dessert selection but we didn't try it. We were saving dessert for Ivanhoe's. Also, from there menu, it appears they serve breakfast all day. I highly recommend this place for destination dining. It's tiny, personal, savory, and an all around good choice.
(4)Steve B.
I have traveled to almost every part of this country and take pride in finding local gems and this is one of them no doubt. The service was a little slow, but it is worth the wait. The club sandwich was huge and so good and then I went back for dinner and had the pulled pork wrap which was very good as well. I will be eating all three meals there tomorrow as I have a day off for my last day in the area. I think this is the type of place that every dish is probably good.
(4)Steve S.
This is by far one of my favorite little places in the area. The food is absolutely amazing. The soups are to die for, the sandwiches are tasty (and the right size...no giant globs of goo on bread here), and my wife said the fish pie was the best she has ever had (and she's British, so that's saying something!) The staff is always super friendly and on top of it. We try to drive up to Gas City to go here every month or so and it is always worth it. Actually, it is hard to drive north on 69 and pass the exit without stopping. Bravo to Payne's!
(5)Danny S.
Ok, where to begin... Let's start with the service or should I say the lack thereof. We heard good things about this place so we went out of our way. Unfortunately the staff did not. If I had to make an educated guess ; the owner/owners got money from family to launch this pretentious hipster wannabe gastropunn because mom and dad were tired of junior switching majors just six months from graduating because junior didn't want the party to end. Now I say pretentious because as a classically trained certified executive chef that has lived and worked all over the world the food is just that...pretentious, pretend, fake, wannabe, not real! There's nothing more insulting to the customer than to assume they won't know better and market dishes as "Bourgionne Style" then charge $18 for $1.00 worth of cheap stewed beef. Just because you add red wine to the pot and throw some fresh herbs in the mix doesn't make it the real deal. And how about that tomato soup...any praise needs to be directed to Campbell's for this one. Alas...the grilled cheese...hmmm, was this supposed to be a sandwich or a floating brick of bread four inches thick? The 80s and the age of excess are over. There was a time when plate height was fashionable. But four inches of bread filled with tasteless cheese is not impressive. People in this neck of the woods deserve quality over quantity. Seriously, there's an epidemic of obesity in central Indiana and this place isn't helping. Kettle chips from a bag served on a huge bed of fresh spinach? Really? Doesn't anyone else see the irony here? What I'm getting at is it looks like someone decided to take generic food, doctor it up with a little wine and toss greens on under around and in everything to appear to be a healthy wholesome experience. Don't be fooled...anyone can put perfume on a pig. Speaking of pigs...the pulled pork sandwich (any guesses on how thick the bread for this winner was...insert sarcastic expression here) if this is your cup of tea then call Gordon Food Service because I guarantee it wasn't made in house from a raw slow smoked roasted pork butt. And if it was then the cook (hard to use the word chef) deserves an award for most authentic recreation of commercially pre cooked processed food. In closing, if you are a fan of this pretentious wannabe hipster establishment with clueless waitstaff then you need to get out of Indiana! Go see the world! Live! Payne's success is mind boggling.
(1)David C.
Best restaurant around these parts. Unassuming from the outside, very nice atmosphere on the inside. Fun menus, unique mugs, cozy booths. Nice selection of coffee drinks, and now a selection of Indiana wines and beers (and a few on tap - Three Floyd FTW!). Some of these other reviewers must have been here on a bad day, as I have always had very friendly and knowledgeable servers. The food here is top-notch. The portions are just right and each dish is unique, fresh, and tasty. Some of my favorites include the everything oatmeal, the omelets, and the goat cheese/turkey/bacon wrap. Great soups, beef stew, and other comfort food. I've only heard good things about the fish pie, and I'll try that next time. All the desserts are scrumptious. It's surprising to find a hidden place like this out here - it seems that it is the type of restaurant you would find in a big city or culture-rich college town. I know people who drive 45 minutes just to come here. If you live in the area, you should be coming here regularly. If you're traveling and want a change from the same old Cracker Barrel (which is next door), fast food, or Dennys, check out Paynes - you won't be disappointed!
(5)Lorri M.
Experienced yet another FANTASTIC meal at Payne's Custard & Coffee Shop yesterday for lunch. My b/f had the Fish Pie (i know right, sounds like something you would NEVER order in theory lol) HOWEVER, it was INCREDIBLE! A generous portion of quality cod, mixed into a wonderful pot-pie type gravy with veggies, and served up with the mouthwatering, homemade garlic mashed potatoes (they seem to be made with yukon gold potatoes, but not confirmed on this). The combination is wickedly good! I opted for the oversized club sandwich served on quality panini style bread, fresh spinach leaves, generous portions of healthy turkey, and a special spread that you could eat with a spoon! I only got the 1/2 order and it was more than enough. the BEST part of the meal, which is always why you have a meal, is to get to the dessert! Oh, yeah, baby ... the dessert ... (my mouth is watering just thinking about it!) The STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING! Omg ... served up with their homemade vanilla frozen custard ... it's to die for and I'm not kidding. It comes in a generous, but not overwhelming portion, you aren't sure whether to dive in with a spoon or fork, by the end of it you've used both I assure you. :) Service was AWESOME! Very friendly from the time we entered the door, and continued until we left. I just can't say enough great things about Payne's ... this place is on our continual "eats" jaunt and will remain there until we've had everything on the menu. The Brits do it right!
(4)Alice N.
Can't go wrong at Payne's. Nummy good healthy choice items with some sinful options. I would definitely eat here again.
(5)Lisa I.
Great food. Warm, friendly service in a spotless dining room. Flavors and quality well above any locally available fast food or chain restaurant. Locally sourced fresh ingredients make a tremendous difference. On site coffee roasting, too. The food and drink menu is clever, professionally presented, and delicious. What a treat to find a restaurant that doesn't compromise quality for quantity. Affordable.
(5)Rachel S.
Service can be a bit lackluster. Menus are confusing and stuck in the middle of random hard back books. Free wifi is what brought me in, the food choices will keep me going back. I'm impressed Gas City. Coffee could be better. I'm not a fufu coffee drinker. I drink it to taste it.
(4)Michele K.
Whenever I return to rural Indiana to visit family, a trip (or 2 or 5..) to Payne's is a must. In a land of bad chain restaurants and greasy spoons, Payne's is like a breath of fresh air. Their coffee rivals the best I've had in Seattle, and their food is quality, creative, and delish. Payne's deserves infinite stars for what they do, and where they do it!
(5)L G.
Stopped at Cracker Barrel next door to use the restroom. Saw the frozen custard sign. Absolutely the best chocolate ice cream I have ever eaten. And reasonably priced. Chatted with the manager--very nice and informative. We live an hour away but will be back for dinner. What we saw other diners eating looked amazing.
(5)Elaine M.
We returned to Payne's on a recent Sunday evening for our fourth visit. I ordered the bangers and mash and my husband ordered the chicken curry. We both ordered $7 glasses of a red wine. By the time the wine was delivered, we were both finishing our salads. We would have enjoyed having the wine with the complimentary pate that was served before the salads. Our waitress was too busy sitting at a table with friends. When our wine finally arrived, we were shocked. Each glass held no more than 2 and 1/2 ounces of wine. We asked the waitress what the wine pour measure was and she said that she did not know. We told her that the glasses were tiny and she said, "well, would you like me to get you some more?" Duh, yeah. She brought back two wine glasses with about one ounce of wine in each one. We have ordered wine at Payne's before and had acceptable pours. Come on Payne's. Train your wait staff! The industry standard for good wine is a six ounce pour. Stingy restaurants pour 5 ounces to get more glasses per bottle. Two and one-half ounces for $7 is absurd. Please don't embarrass your customers by forcing them to ask for more wine.
(2)Taylor F.
I'll add this to the Paleo List gladly. However, why only 3 you might ask? Well...I do expect my servers-although very nice and friendly-to know their menu. It's important form all aspects from preventing food allergy reactions to advising on a lunch selection. Fun coffee menu...very hipster!
(3)Caroline C.
I love this restaurant. It's a favorite for students attending Taylor University. Great selection of food and inexpensive. Their desserts are fantastic. The atmosphere is very chill and relaxed. Students often hang out here or study. The waitresses are all very friendly and helpful. However, don't go here if you're in a rush. This place is definitely not a fast food restaurant and service is slow.
(4)J K.
What a great surprise! After having stopped at Gas City for several years now, as it is a half way mark to meet family from Ft Wayne, I finally decided to see if there was some real place to stop and have a meal. ( that wasn't a chain). I'm so glad I found Payne's! Don't let the run down sign and eclectic outside turn you off. It's part of what makes it so great. The mix match seating and and look are the beginning of the experience. The menus come in old children's books. I think the fact that its called a coffee and custard shop does it a disservice. The menu has many great sounding items. From the soup and grilled cheese choices to tempting salads and great entree listed. I had the spicy pepperoni BBQ item. It was a great surprise. What a creative dish with great taste and the perfect size. The Quake shake was the perfect pick me up. My companions soup and grilled cheese was delicious. And their coffee/custard drink was tastee . The staff was genuinely happy that we were there and thank us for trying them. I wish it was warmer so we could have sat outside on their porch area. I love custard, so I'm looking forward to getting back and really trying more. I'm so glad we stopped in. We now we will look forward to stopping in Gas City. Stop there! You'll be glad you did.
(5)Laura And Kyle D.
The food alright, but the portions are very small. The small portions make the food very overpriced. The custard is good, but again overpriced. It is a good place to go once or twice, but the more we went the less we liked it.
(2)Rod C.
We found this place by accident but were quite impressed. We were going to Upland to visit Ivanhoe's. We stopped at the Upland exit and thought about seeing if The Taste of Texas was still around. Alas, it had closed. At this exit , there is a bustling Cracker Barrel, a pizza place and a Chinese food place. Ho hum. As we are getting ready to turn around and just go eat at Ivanhoe's, my wife spots a sign a little further back. "EATS". Hmmmm. What's this? We saw a sign that said "organic salads". My wife indicated that this looked interesting. Okay, I was hesitant. This is a smaller establishment further back from the main area. Against my better judgment, I decided to try it. We walked in and were met with soft classical music which set a nice stage. We were instructed to sit at a table and given a menu. When the waiter came we asked to sit outside. They have a nice patio that was shaded and comfy on this beautiful day. Our appetizer arrived (hummus and pita bread). Delicious. My wife had a Greek salad and I had a pulled pork sandwich on toasted French Bread. Very, very tasty. My only gripe is that my first order was for the steak burger and I was informed they were out. The hipster kitchen staff was friendly and efficient. It looks like they have a pretty cool custard dessert selection but we didn't try it. We were saving dessert for Ivanhoe's. Also, from there menu, it appears they serve breakfast all day. I highly recommend this place for destination dining. It's tiny, personal, savory, and an all around good choice.
(4)Steve B.
I have traveled to almost every part of this country and take pride in finding local gems and this is one of them no doubt. The service was a little slow, but it is worth the wait. The club sandwich was huge and so good and then I went back for dinner and had the pulled pork wrap which was very good as well. I will be eating all three meals there tomorrow as I have a day off for my last day in the area. I think this is the type of place that every dish is probably good.
(4)Jasen S.
A surprisingly fantastic find in the middle of a corn field right off the highway. I had the tomato black bean soup with the pepper jack grilled cheese baguette. Fun(ky) interior with friendly staff. One of those places you stumble upon on a road trip and tell your friends about when you get home.
(5)Jeff K.
Had the turkey burger - it was quite good. Very moist and flavorful. Definately will be back Interested to see what they do with the herb garden
(4)Dan K.
Had the Scottish lentil soup in Muncie for a Sustainability/art show and it was so good! I'll be driving to Gas City sometime soon for more!
(5)Kristine T.
Great little restaurant! I found Payne's by accident, while I was in Gas City. We wanted to stop for a bite, while meeting some family, and came across them. Their decor is friendly and welcoming; the atmosphere is casual; and the food is exceptional! If you are in the area, this a definitely a restaurant you want to go to. I will definitely being going back!
(5)Amy G.
Absobluminlutely charming. Stopped in for a late dessert of coffee, custard, and smoothies. Coffee was a rich roast and excellent. Not over roasted (take notes, Starbucks). The custard was fantastic. The mango smoothies were excellent. The menus nestled into "vintage" books was clever. The ambiance was warm and artistic. I regret not being able to try more items on the menu. Yet another two thumbs up for a locally owned place in an unexpected location.
(5)Steve S.
This is by far one of my favorite little places in the area. The food is absolutely amazing. The soups are to die for, the sandwiches are tasty (and the right size...no giant globs of goo on bread here), and my wife said the fish pie was the best she has ever had (and she's British, so that's saying something!) The staff is always super friendly and on top of it. We try to drive up to Gas City to go here every month or so and it is always worth it. Actually, it is hard to drive north on 69 and pass the exit without stopping. Bravo to Payne's!
(5)Chad C.
What a pleasant surprise yo find this little joint off of I-69 on my drive from Indy back to Michigan. If this place were in the city, it would get 2 or 3 stars. But because it's in Gas City, Indiana where you normally would stop only to get gas, it is a solid 4! The Puccini tastes something in between iced coffee and a milkshake. Worth a try.
(4)Rusty M.
Inventive soups, creative grilled cheese sandwiches, beautiful presentation, great coffee, homemade art. Also the only place I have ever taken a picture of my food to show someone else. If you are ever in the middle of nowhere, take the time to stop. Not cheap, but worth every penny.
(4)Leisa D.
Stopped here on a Monday morning about 103:30 after court in Muncie because I heard on NPR that they were serving breakfast all day. I had some kind of French omelette / French bread combination, with ham and Gouda, which was really delicious and at the same time unique. You will have to try it to see why this was different than any omelette I've ever seen, but really good. Excellent coffee as well and really friendly prompt service. Highly recommended.
(5)Carolyn K.
Yum. Stopped here while traveling and was not disappointed. My companion had the pork chop and mashed potatoes and I had sweet potatoes soup. Both were delicious. I also ordered the appetizer mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts. I went expecting to have dessert, but was too full to order any custard. Next time... Location is great for the traveler, easy on/off the highway.
(4)Bob H.
This place is doing a great job! Still non-descript from a distance, but the parking lot was jam packed. We had suffered a fail on a destination lunch to Huntington and, on return, elected to salvage the day by stopping at Payne's for dessert. So, so thankful we did. Place was hopping at 6:00p on a Sunday. Complimentary appetizer of fantastic pate and toasts. (yummm) Our party of 3 ordered the sticky toffee puddings and custard ($6 each). My God - fantastic again. Quick food service, but chaotic. Fellow at next table ordered the fish & chips. He was raving about it and was a huge entree. I don't know if I can return and NOT get the sticky toffee pudding but that fish might do it - there's just no way I could have room afterwards for dessert. Only downer - we had to wait for a long time for the check and couldn't gain eye contact with any of the staff. Other than that - it's a we-be-backer.
(5)Kelly H.
We met at Payne's for a family get together. We had a group of nine and though Payne's is small inside they do have quite a bit of patio seating. The menu is unique and leans toward the British theme of the restaurant. Our group tried the fattoush and hummus appetizers and loved them both. Two of us had fish and chips and raved about the crispy batter. Others in our group had some of the diverse soups and sandwiches and one had pork chops. Our server tried to keep up, but we were often waiting on drink refills. We would definitely return if in the area again.
(4)Liz R.
Great service and great ambiance! Found this on Yelp and was delighted to find this place! Outdoor seating, and outdoor booths make a date magical! I love their creativity with the menus! The beer was great!
(5)Lesley M.
Great place off 69 for excellent coffee/espresso and comfy food! The decor is adorable and you will love the staff! I'll be back!
(4)Daniel D.
While driving through Indiana, hunger started to kick in so we stopped for gas, in gas city... And then we see this little restaurant called Payne's so we decided to check it out, and man was it worth it. Since you get there its a very unique experience, the place is not very fancy, but it has this homy awkward feeling. Even the menus are something you wouldn't expect, the outside is just a book, but the inside is filled with delicious options, and we did try many of them. Everything we tried, from appetizers to entrees were very good, and portions are HUGE... didnt get a chance to try the desserts but that will be for the next trip. Overall, if you find yourself traveling in indiana, this restaurant should be your refueling point, I would even recommend to travel an hour just to eat there. AWESOME
(5)Cheryl C.
Paymes is an unexpected gem located in Gas City at the I-69 exit. The restaurant had been highly recommended to us, and we have been eager to give it a try after perusing their menu online. We had a delightful meal on their lovely patio. Although it was mid -morning we ordered off the lunch/ dinner menu, and they were happy to accommodate. I had the chicken curry with fattoush and my daughter had bangers and mash with the soup of the day. The food was delicious , the decor was charming. (Love the use of cookbooks as menu covers) and their commitment to fresh, local ingredients was a plus. We had a sit-down meal, but this would be an excellent pit stop for coffee to go when traveling. We often stop in Gas City for a cup of coffee on our way to Fort Wayne. From now on we will be stopping at Paynes.
(5)Angelus K.
Paynes is about as quirky as it gets for rural East Central Indiana. That's a good thing. British food, Midwestern frozen custard, apparent inventions (the "french omelette), and menus in National Geographic magazines. I've been here several times, for breakfast and for dinner, and the food and service have always been top notch. The breakfast has something called a "french omelette" which is an omelette cooked into a bread bowl. It was good. I also tried the "Payne's reaction," an expresso poured into a glass of frozen custard. Also very good. For dinner, I'm a huge fan of the "cock-a-leeky" soup. It has a nice balance of sweetness and savory and the leeks actually become very tender. The fish and chips are also very nice. Not greasy at all (well for something deep fried) and the crust was very crunchy an airy. Additionally props for serving 3 Floyds beer. I'll leave one star aspiration---if Payne can come up with an Anglicized Hoosier Pork Tenderloin or biscuits and gravy, then five stars for sure.
(4)Dennis R.
I can't rave enough about this place AND NOW authentic fish and chips!!! This is a MUST destination! Tonight we dined like British Royalty! I enjoyed authentic fish and chips. BUT I started with an amazing bowl of black bean and tomato soup. It was tremendous! My wife enjoyed a fresh salmon burger. Her dessert was a grilled zucchini, mozzarella and arugula salad. Service was spectacular, thank you Hannah!! If you haven't been to Payne's you're not eating right!!
(5)Macy T.
Awesome breakfast with the strawberry and custard french toast or the bagel sandwich. For lunch or dinner the pepper-jack grilled cheese is amazing.
(4)Nicholas R.
Driving down I69.. Heading back to Michigan. This place was our stomachs hero. We pull up and loved the fact that they grow there own herbs and vegetables. Garden is in the parking lot. Walk into a friendly staff and greatly decorated small restaurant. Menus are inside netgeo mags from the 1970s. Every table is different. Very pleasant atmosphere. Menu was simple and everything looked great. It looked like everyone was eating soup.. The lady next to us told the server she thought about licking the bowl... Stuff must be good...! Butttttt my girlfriend and I ordered brunch. She ordered the French Gouda cheese and ham omelette.. Never had anything like it. It was a tunnel of love... An omelette baked into a hollowed out French bread. (Mind officially blown). I ordered.. Wait no.. My girlfriend enforced the French toast with strawberries and custard for me to eat.. (I am a French toast freak) I could live in a house made out of French toast.. The French toast was good! Wasn't expecting frozen custard, and My mouth loved it. Very happy with our brunch stop. Definitely a hidden gem!
(4)Anna O.
The mates make their own custard, they roast their own coffee and even stuff the sausages for Bangers and Mash. And they seek out local organic ingredients. Local brews on tap. Would fit just fine on Mass Ave in Indy... Espresso poured over custard - the taste of childhood. Instead of a staple salad - fatoush with its tangy yogurt marinating tomatoes and cucumbers. Bangers and mash also come with roasted swede (similar to very mild sweet potato) - a fine compliment of sweetness to spicy sausages. Shakes are worth the indulgence. Fellow Yelpers traveling on I-69 - this is a fine local find. It will save you from Cracker Barrel at the same exit.
(5)Lizzie J.
Adding our voices to the chorus praising Payne's... We were on our way home to Michigan after visiting family in Illinois and found this place on Yelp. What a great find! Actually, the name on Yelp is misleading. Payne's is a full service restaurant, not just a coffee/dessert shop. Easy access off I-69. Vegetable garden in front of the parking lot. Patio with lots of nice flowers. Creative decor. Interesting menu with lots of choices. Very limited wine selection, but what we had (the red) was very good, as was the hard apple cider. Enjoyed the complimentary pate served before our meal. Because of the way our waitperson described it, most of us got the sweet potato/ginger soup with the pepper jack grilled cheese. YUM. The one person in our party who dared to be somewhat different ordered the same soup with half of a "Clubhouse" sandwich, which was a grilled sandwich with bacon, brie, spinach, turkey, and tomato. The "half" was as big as many full sized sandwiches I've had in other places, and it was really good. After the soup and sandwiches we got the dessert sampler. All of the desserts were good, but the sticky toffee pudding was declared the winner. All of the delicious food was brought to us by friendly, knowledgable waitstaff. Do yourself a favor and skip the Cracker Barrel and try this wonderful local independent place instead for something unique and tasty. Thanks, Payne's, and thanks, Yelp!
(5)Thibaut L.
Certainly the best place around to have lunch or dinner. Good prices and nice team. I will come back
(5)Lori F.
Holy Foodie Delight! Bring your food snob friends, the ones that want farm fresh greens, hell they grow ingredients out front.. you actually see them picking it while you eat... top that hipster wanna be spots... oh you want in house roasted coffee? Want vegan and gluten free options with out feeling like "that guy" .. Boom. DONE. .drops Mic.
(5)Heather F.
Oh Payne's, why do you not hire competent employees? I've been a patron of this awesome establishment since it opened. I recommend it to anyone. But the last THREE times I've been here, the wait staff is horrendous. I mean: rude, inattentive, unable to problem solve, and quite frankly an embarrassment to this place. I DO NOT RECOMMEND this for large parties or for anyone trying to impress anyone else with a cool place. The food is always worth the trip for me, and it is reasonably priced for all the fresh and unique things they offer. I really wish they'd stop changing the interior and spend more time on training their staff. Why do the bussers have no bus tub or tray? They have to make a ridiculous amount of trips to clear one table, let alone a long table from a large party of diners. It is laughable and it is wasteful. Why are we told to please wait to be seated, when the majority of the time customers are left awkwardly piled in the entryway, ignored? And it isn't just when the restaurant is busy. It is sadly not uncommon to wait for 5-10 minutes, neglected, only to get an attitude from whomever decides to grace us with her presence? (I hate to say it, but the attitude problems that I experience here only come from a certain couple ladies, never any men.) Owners of Payne's: PLEASE stop trying so hard to be different. You have been delightfully different since you opened your doors. PLEASE stop rearranging everything. There is no space! Just work with what you have! It is a great place, so just give it a rest. PLEASE better train your waitresses. The reviews on here saying service was bad are not exaggerating. It seems that every time your place has a few tables full, your staff just says "Screw it," and has the worst work ethic for the entire time I'm there. Perhaps spend some money on an actual seating hostess. Someone who can smile and talk to patrons without disdain, and who can politely say, "I'm so sorry, it will be at least a 15 (or whatever) minute wait, we are pretty busy today!" Or something. Jeez. Anything would be better than your current set up. And lastly, PLEASE figure out to whom you want to cater. You cannot have a family style/college hangout/European cafe/quirky hippy sit-down restaurant with the space you have provided. You can't have half the tables marked "reserved" and then allow one person to sit with her laptop at a booth for two hours whilst people are waiting to be seated. Figure it out. Your food is incredible, the vibe is always cool, but your front-of-house and daily execution need to be addressed. Thank you!! PS. Please also consider getting "normal" menus that can be wiped off. Paper inside of a dirty book or Nat Geo is gross.
(3)Todd B.
I used to frequent this place some years back in high school, because I always liked their coffee, the brie and apricot sandwich, and the people. So I find myself in the neighborhood about seven years later and decide to check it out. Right away, I get the rude treatment. There's a sign indicating that one should wait to be seated, so I waited. After a couple minutes of getting no one's attention, a server asks me what I'm waiting on, and I tell her that I guess I'm waiting to be seated (as I glance none-too-subtly at the sign). Then she tells me that I can sit wherever. Okay, I pick a table, she follows me, gives me some silverware, and walks away. Hm. Maybe five minutes later, my server brings me a water and says she'll be back for my order. Closer to ten more minutes later, another server comes and asks for my order; not "What would you like to drink?" to start, just my general order. I order a beer and ask for a recommendation on a sandwich (not an entrée - I'll get to why later), and settle on the "goat cheese wrap," which the menu failed to describe. Between the time my second server took my order and my first server came back to ask for my order again, another table was seated and served both drinks and food. Then I got my wrap. THEN I got my drink. Hm. I took my time with my meal, yet not until my food and beer were both gone and I'd stared forlornly out the window for some ten minutes did I get another visit from server number one, who asked if I needed my check. I said I'd like some sticky toffee pudding to go first, then I'd like my check. Another ten minutes for the pudding to come out, then yet another ten minutes to get my card back with my receipt, and I'm finally set to leave. Hm. Long story short, service was pretty bad. My wrap was above average though, with some pretty swanky bacon, really fresh greens, and "meh" honey mustard sauce with goat cheese somewhere in it. But it was $10. For a wrap and some old kettle chips from a bag. It was either that or bangers and mash for $16 - SIXTEEN DOLLARS for bangers and mash from a little Indiana Interstate café. Those bangers better be made with endangered species for that price. Everything else aside, the sticky toffee pudding was delicious. I just meant to taste it before leaving, but I actually sat in my car and ate half of it with the engine running. Moral of the story: come here for dessert and coffee to go and you won't be disappointed.
(2)Jason W.
What a great little place! A very welcome change from highway exit chains. Payne's has a great cozy atmosphere and I loved the menus built into old copies of National Geographic magazines. Really good coffee and their "Famous Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese" is famous for a reason, it's friggin' delicious. The grilled cheese came served in the soup. Can't wait to be back in the area.
(5)Derek H.
Always fantastic food and service. With a dedication to local craft beers, how could you not love Payne's? The club is always a favorite, the floating grilled cheese is great, and you can never go wrong with their bangers and mash! Stop by and check them out! Maybe they will even have FFF's Zombie Dust
(5)Dale B.
This is an eccentric place in the middle of no-where!! Who would think that you would find a British style food restaurant in Gas City? If you love finding interesting places to eat....then you have to try Payne's. Payne's is different! They have garden boxes out by the parking lot to grow their own organic produce. The menu's are affixed inside National Geographic magazines. The place is small and has an interesting mix of décor. The place places classical music. Beyond that....the service was excellent!! The menu is small and is focused on British food. I had the tomato soup which was excellent. The bread and pate was very good!! I had the pepperoni & BBQ brioche. It's small but tasty. The homemade chips were good too! My wife had a walnut-apple and goat cheese sandwich. She said it was good but the goat cheese was a bit over powering. We didn't stay for dessert which I hear is a must try!!!
(4)Ashley N.
My favorite place to hang out with friends and enjoy a meal! The staff is always nice and go out of their way to make sure you enjoy your experience!
(5)Sam K.
I really want to love Payne's. I currently attend the nearby Taylor University, and many of my fellow students frequent it. However, I have stopped in upwards of 6 or 7 times, and have never had a purely positive experience. For starters, I will say that the food is fantastic. I have nothing bad to say about it, aside from the fact that I'm never really full afterwards, despite spending 12 or more dollars. It's very high quality, perfectly seasoned, and there are many organic options, some of which are grown outside. That said, the service is typically atrocious. For starters, waiting for someone to take your order can take a very long time. The shortest time I have had to wait is probably about 5 minutes, but I have had to wait for up to half an hour. Compared to how long it can take to get your food though, this is nothing. I have left multiple times while waiting for my food. Once my group ordered an appetizer and meals, and after an hour and ten minutes, not even the appetizer had arrived. Granted, it was a somewhat busy day, but we ordered hummus and pita for the appetizer. Just put it on a plate and bring it out! It doesn't take much effort, and after specifically asking two times for them to bring it, we gave up. Each time that I have left, I have gone to the Mexican place next door (Casa Grande) and had a very positive experience.
(2)Thomas B.
staff was polite, food came quickly. Bangers and mash was excellent, pita and hummus too. Goat cheese turkey bacon wrap!
(4)Thomas C.
After the experience today we won't be ordering again. Our staff ordered lunch for carry out. We sent someone down to pick it up. And when she gets there they inform us they went ahead and added 18% gratuity. Really for what, doing what your in business to do make food. We order from other restaurants in the area all the time and none of them ever tell us we have to give them more money for the pleasure of there food. So after we tell them you can keep the order. They drop the extra 18% we get it all divided up back at work and stuff is missing. The food didn't have any flavor and the way they put in to the to go containers made some of it look awful at first glance. Now I see why you wanted that extra 18% you need it.
(1)Zach G.
Was my favorite restaurant in Marion/ Gas City area.. they have the best food around, healthy and tasty, though they were a bit pricey... Then recently I came with a friend to do hw while we ate and drank coffee, and they told us to leave when we were done.. which was annoying but we dealt with it, then even more recently they raised the prices even more.. the food is still good, but at this point, it is way over-priced. I suggest trying it once, but I won't be returning.
(3)David T.
The decor is adorable, the food was FANTASTIC, the service was TERRIBLE. As a 20 yr. veteran of the restaurant biz (most of which was spent as a server) I understand when a place gets slammed that there may be some rough patches. My family has been here several times and raved about it. We had the male server and he was disappointing from the start. I only gave it 3 stars because of the service it would have gotten 5 if I'd have just been reviewing the food.
(3)Sara G.
Delicious soups! Three of us went (including my 11-year old son). We all had soups--black bean/tomato, pea/mint and butternut squash. All excellent and fresh. Could taste all the ingredients yet they meshed so well. They were served with their take on grilled cheese--on French bread with Gouda or pepper jack. Yum. We were off to a food festival so didn't get a chance to try dessert or anything else. We will be back! We went at an off-time so can't speak to service when busy. However, Jenny Payne waited on us and was super friendly and helpful. Had fun checking out the patio seating and the garden too. Really cute atmosphere.
(5)MD D.
Stumbled upon this place when i stopped off to go to Cracker Barrel. Not a fan of traditional British food, which is usally bland as ______. But the sign said sandwiches, organic salds, and they had a garden out front. Ordered the veggie burger. It was super tasty. Homemade patties from black beans and quinoa. Tasty coleslaw, sprouts, avacado, tomato on top of wjole grain bread. Had 'em put the egg on top. Had to eat it with a fork eventually, but that didn't take away from the experience. Also ordered the sticky toffe dessert. I rarely order dessert, but this one was on point. The custard that came with it was rich, creamy, tasty!!!! Glad i found this spot!!
(5)M C.
I absolutely adore Payne's! Since moving to Grant County from the suburbs of Chicago two years ago, I have brought every visiting friend and family member here, as well as sent numerous locals for their first time. From the atmosphere to the friendly staff to the amazing menu (that tomato soup is out of this world!), I always leave Payne's satisfied and happier than when I arrived. Lately they have revamped their menu and decor, only furthering their awesomeness and providing a truly special atmosphere for everything from breakfast with friends to a lovely date night. No matter the occasion, Payne's will suit it. My family begs to return every time they are in town! Very grateful to have found such a special place in our time here.
(5)Joyce R.
Stopped here on a trip north of Indy a couple of nights ago. We were delighted to discover a non fast food joint so close to the interstate and a perfect fit for a break from highway driving. Payne's offer a fun, eclectic mix of vintage furnishings with simple satisfying food choices and a very pleasant surprise so close to I-69. My Cauliflower Bisque was delicious with a very pleasant spiciness. Our shared desert was bread pudding chocked full of dried fruits, cherries, apricot, raisins and nuts and was served warm with homemade vanilla custard. YUM! Prices were quite reasonable. On the downside, the exterior lighting is dim and service was a bit slow but, we arrived just after a group of six and just as a group of 8 were checking out with each having separate checks. I will go again next trip on that highway. BTW,we wouldn't have found this place without YELP or Google maps. It's worth a stop when in Central Indiana.
(4)Serenity N.
Arrived @ 9:20 on Saturday morning. Not open, no employees in site. Frustrating.
(1)Erin A.
This is a wonderful little cafe with an eclectic feel (but not in an applebee's kind of way). The bathroom has a real changing table and a stool so kids can reach the sink. A rare breath of fresh air when traveling with children! And the food was great too! Don't let the "sandwich shop" description turn you off. They have all sorts of food. And their grilled cheese sandwich is incredible!
(5)Zach S.
Good food, good coffee, great atmosphere, but the staff seemed very snooty.
(3)Tim E.
Always interesting menu
(5)Johnny M.
Stop here for something really different and very good. The atmosphere alone is worth stop. Great coffee and sweets but its healthy and different. Seriously novel!
(5)Ryan K.
Chai latte was best ever, ambience is quaint and tranquil. Food was exquisite!
(5)Chad C.
What a pleasant surprise yo find this little joint off of I-69 on my drive from Indy back to Michigan. If this place were in the city, it would get 2 or 3 stars. But because it's in Gas City, Indiana where you normally would stop only to get gas, it is a solid 4! The Puccini tastes something in between iced coffee and a milkshake. Worth a try.
(4)Rusty M.
Inventive soups, creative grilled cheese sandwiches, beautiful presentation, great coffee, homemade art. Also the only place I have ever taken a picture of my food to show someone else. If you are ever in the middle of nowhere, take the time to stop. Not cheap, but worth every penny.
(4)Anna O.
The mates make their own custard, they roast their own coffee and even stuff the sausages for Bangers and Mash. And they seek out local organic ingredients. Local brews on tap. Would fit just fine on Mass Ave in Indy... Espresso poured over custard - the taste of childhood. Instead of a staple salad - fatoush with its tangy yogurt marinating tomatoes and cucumbers. Bangers and mash also come with roasted swede (similar to very mild sweet potato) - a fine compliment of sweetness to spicy sausages. Shakes are worth the indulgence. Fellow Yelpers traveling on I-69 - this is a fine local find. It will save you from Cracker Barrel at the same exit.
(5)Bob H.
This place is doing a great job! Still non-descript from a distance, but the parking lot was jam packed. We had suffered a fail on a destination lunch to Huntington and, on return, elected to salvage the day by stopping at Payne's for dessert. So, so thankful we did. Place was hopping at 6:00p on a Sunday. Complimentary appetizer of fantastic pate and toasts. (yummm) Our party of 3 ordered the sticky toffee puddings and custard ($6 each). My God - fantastic again. Quick food service, but chaotic. Fellow at next table ordered the fish & chips. He was raving about it and was a huge entree. I don't know if I can return and NOT get the sticky toffee pudding but that fish might do it - there's just no way I could have room afterwards for dessert. Only downer - we had to wait for a long time for the check and couldn't gain eye contact with any of the staff. Other than that - it's a we-be-backer.
(5)Kelly H.
We met at Payne's for a family get together. We had a group of nine and though Payne's is small inside they do have quite a bit of patio seating. The menu is unique and leans toward the British theme of the restaurant. Our group tried the fattoush and hummus appetizers and loved them both. Two of us had fish and chips and raved about the crispy batter. Others in our group had some of the diverse soups and sandwiches and one had pork chops. Our server tried to keep up, but we were often waiting on drink refills. We would definitely return if in the area again.
(4)Daniel D.
While driving through Indiana, hunger started to kick in so we stopped for gas, in gas city... And then we see this little restaurant called Payne's so we decided to check it out, and man was it worth it. Since you get there its a very unique experience, the place is not very fancy, but it has this homy awkward feeling. Even the menus are something you wouldn't expect, the outside is just a book, but the inside is filled with delicious options, and we did try many of them. Everything we tried, from appetizers to entrees were very good, and portions are HUGE... didnt get a chance to try the desserts but that will be for the next trip. Overall, if you find yourself traveling in indiana, this restaurant should be your refueling point, I would even recommend to travel an hour just to eat there. AWESOME
(5)Cheryl C.
Paymes is an unexpected gem located in Gas City at the I-69 exit. The restaurant had been highly recommended to us, and we have been eager to give it a try after perusing their menu online. We had a delightful meal on their lovely patio. Although it was mid -morning we ordered off the lunch/ dinner menu, and they were happy to accommodate. I had the chicken curry with fattoush and my daughter had bangers and mash with the soup of the day. The food was delicious , the decor was charming. (Love the use of cookbooks as menu covers) and their commitment to fresh, local ingredients was a plus. We had a sit-down meal, but this would be an excellent pit stop for coffee to go when traveling. We often stop in Gas City for a cup of coffee on our way to Fort Wayne. From now on we will be stopping at Paynes.
(5)Angelus K.
Paynes is about as quirky as it gets for rural East Central Indiana. That's a good thing. British food, Midwestern frozen custard, apparent inventions (the "french omelette), and menus in National Geographic magazines. I've been here several times, for breakfast and for dinner, and the food and service have always been top notch. The breakfast has something called a "french omelette" which is an omelette cooked into a bread bowl. It was good. I also tried the "Payne's reaction," an expresso poured into a glass of frozen custard. Also very good. For dinner, I'm a huge fan of the "cock-a-leeky" soup. It has a nice balance of sweetness and savory and the leeks actually become very tender. The fish and chips are also very nice. Not greasy at all (well for something deep fried) and the crust was very crunchy an airy. Additionally props for serving 3 Floyds beer. I'll leave one star aspiration---if Payne can come up with an Anglicized Hoosier Pork Tenderloin or biscuits and gravy, then five stars for sure.
(4)Dennis R.
I can't rave enough about this place AND NOW authentic fish and chips!!! This is a MUST destination! Tonight we dined like British Royalty! I enjoyed authentic fish and chips. BUT I started with an amazing bowl of black bean and tomato soup. It was tremendous! My wife enjoyed a fresh salmon burger. Her dessert was a grilled zucchini, mozzarella and arugula salad. Service was spectacular, thank you Hannah!! If you haven't been to Payne's you're not eating right!!
(5)Macy T.
Awesome breakfast with the strawberry and custard french toast or the bagel sandwich. For lunch or dinner the pepper-jack grilled cheese is amazing.
(4)Liz R.
Great service and great ambiance! Found this on Yelp and was delighted to find this place! Outdoor seating, and outdoor booths make a date magical! I love their creativity with the menus! The beer was great!
(5)Lesley M.
Great place off 69 for excellent coffee/espresso and comfy food! The decor is adorable and you will love the staff! I'll be back!
(4)Nicholas R.
Driving down I69.. Heading back to Michigan. This place was our stomachs hero. We pull up and loved the fact that they grow there own herbs and vegetables. Garden is in the parking lot. Walk into a friendly staff and greatly decorated small restaurant. Menus are inside netgeo mags from the 1970s. Every table is different. Very pleasant atmosphere. Menu was simple and everything looked great. It looked like everyone was eating soup.. The lady next to us told the server she thought about licking the bowl... Stuff must be good...! Butttttt my girlfriend and I ordered brunch. She ordered the French Gouda cheese and ham omelette.. Never had anything like it. It was a tunnel of love... An omelette baked into a hollowed out French bread. (Mind officially blown). I ordered.. Wait no.. My girlfriend enforced the French toast with strawberries and custard for me to eat.. (I am a French toast freak) I could live in a house made out of French toast.. The French toast was good! Wasn't expecting frozen custard, and My mouth loved it. Very happy with our brunch stop. Definitely a hidden gem!
(4)Lizzie J.
Adding our voices to the chorus praising Payne's... We were on our way home to Michigan after visiting family in Illinois and found this place on Yelp. What a great find! Actually, the name on Yelp is misleading. Payne's is a full service restaurant, not just a coffee/dessert shop. Easy access off I-69. Vegetable garden in front of the parking lot. Patio with lots of nice flowers. Creative decor. Interesting menu with lots of choices. Very limited wine selection, but what we had (the red) was very good, as was the hard apple cider. Enjoyed the complimentary pate served before our meal. Because of the way our waitperson described it, most of us got the sweet potato/ginger soup with the pepper jack grilled cheese. YUM. The one person in our party who dared to be somewhat different ordered the same soup with half of a "Clubhouse" sandwich, which was a grilled sandwich with bacon, brie, spinach, turkey, and tomato. The "half" was as big as many full sized sandwiches I've had in other places, and it was really good. After the soup and sandwiches we got the dessert sampler. All of the desserts were good, but the sticky toffee pudding was declared the winner. All of the delicious food was brought to us by friendly, knowledgable waitstaff. Do yourself a favor and skip the Cracker Barrel and try this wonderful local independent place instead for something unique and tasty. Thanks, Payne's, and thanks, Yelp!
(5)Leisa D.
Stopped here on a Monday morning about 103:30 after court in Muncie because I heard on NPR that they were serving breakfast all day. I had some kind of French omelette / French bread combination, with ham and Gouda, which was really delicious and at the same time unique. You will have to try it to see why this was different than any omelette I've ever seen, but really good. Excellent coffee as well and really friendly prompt service. Highly recommended.
(5)Carolyn K.
Yum. Stopped here while traveling and was not disappointed. My companion had the pork chop and mashed potatoes and I had sweet potatoes soup. Both were delicious. I also ordered the appetizer mashed potatoes and brussel sprouts. I went expecting to have dessert, but was too full to order any custard. Next time... Location is great for the traveler, easy on/off the highway.
(4)Thibaut L.
Certainly the best place around to have lunch or dinner. Good prices and nice team. I will come back
(5)Carlos C.
I give this wonderful place 4 1/2 stars. The food was great; all of us (4) where every happy with our dishes. I got a great hummus (home made for sure). It came with fresh and warm pitta bread triangles and it had some virgin olive oil on a bed of fresh baby spinach leaves. I also had a delicious potato, leek and lemon grass soup; it was really good. Never had his combination before; it was very, very good. Desert was a treat; not too much into dessert, but the sticky toffee pudding is fantastic as is the bread pudding a la mode. In short, wish we live closer (reside in South Carolina), if we were this would be a frequent place for us to eat. Met the owner; you can tell that they are passionate about serving good quality food that is several steps above any chain around the area at very reasonable prices - Highly recommended
(4)Charlie Isabel H.
Stopped in for breakfast after night in lackluster Gas City Holiday Inn Express. What a treat. Delicious hearty oatmeal and decadent "French" omelette. Fancy teas and coffee drinks, and good beer on draft. Eclectic design, and warm and inviting ambience. A pleasant surprise and unexpected for a highway roadside cafe. Can't wait to go back to try the soup.
(4)Sam H.
Awesome little place. Would have to say it was my favorite place to take family and friends when they visited TU! A little pricy, but the food is really great. Awesome combinations and the portions are worth the price. Never left hungry! Also they love organic stuff. Good custard. And a wide variety of beverage choices (including wine & beer).
(5)Laura B.
I have been patronizing Paynes for years, in fact since they opened during my brief period as a Grant County resident. One thing I've noticed since the beginning is a forward thinking drive to always outdo themselves. As far as competition goes, nothing in the area holds a candle to what they have going on. They definitely hold their own in the entire Midwest and will always have a special place in my heart. If it's your first time, just follow the quant "EAT" sign in the Northeast corner of the 69/18 intersection. They have a drive through if you want to grab a quick cup of coffee, but I'd recommend coming here with some time to explore the menu and enjoy the ambiance. It's a great place to study and get work done. I love sitting at the tall booths because you feel like you're in your own cozy world of wi-fi and bottomless coffee. The interior is always smartly done, well lit, and the music is appropriate. Plus they have a beautiful patio where you can enjoy the warmer days. Everything I've had here, from espresso to soup to a salmon burger, is good. It's several steps above every restaurant in the area so come expecting quality instead of quantity. In my opinion the servings are all very reasonable and usually an appropriate amount to fill you up without needing to share or ask for a takeout box, which I appreciate. Save room for custard- I recommend the option with espresso and raspberries. Down with Starbucks. Spend your money at the most interesting local business around, conveniently located right off the interstate.
(5)C M.
stayed at the best western and strolled here for a late dinner served with great style.
(4)Craig S.
Came in on Fathers Day on our way back to Indy. Looked like a great surprise right off the interstate. Was impressed with the menu and three types of Three Floyd's beers. There were two large parties ahead of us. The pâté' was very good. The smoothies satisfied our 11 and 9 year olds. We ordered sandwiches and an hour later we still had no food. They apologized however it was apparent they were stressed the whole time we were there. When we were told it was going to be yet another 15 min. we chose to leave as we were now late getting back to pick up our dog at the kennel. Our beer and two smoothies were on the house and I have to say the owner was mortified and apologetic. However, they clearly appeared as if they could not handle a large crowd and the place is not that big. Great potential. Horrible experience.
(1)Jasen S.
A surprisingly fantastic find in the middle of a corn field right off the highway. I had the tomato black bean soup with the pepper jack grilled cheese baguette. Fun(ky) interior with friendly staff. One of those places you stumble upon on a road trip and tell your friends about when you get home.
(5)Jeff K.
Had the turkey burger - it was quite good. Very moist and flavorful. Definately will be back Interested to see what they do with the herb garden
(4)Dan K.
Had the Scottish lentil soup in Muncie for a Sustainability/art show and it was so good! I'll be driving to Gas City sometime soon for more!
(5)Kristine T.
Great little restaurant! I found Payne's by accident, while I was in Gas City. We wanted to stop for a bite, while meeting some family, and came across them. Their decor is friendly and welcoming; the atmosphere is casual; and the food is exceptional! If you are in the area, this a definitely a restaurant you want to go to. I will definitely being going back!
(5)Amy G.
Absobluminlutely charming. Stopped in for a late dessert of coffee, custard, and smoothies. Coffee was a rich roast and excellent. Not over roasted (take notes, Starbucks). The custard was fantastic. The mango smoothies were excellent. The menus nestled into "vintage" books was clever. The ambiance was warm and artistic. I regret not being able to try more items on the menu. Yet another two thumbs up for a locally owned place in an unexpected location.
(5)Lori F.
Holy Foodie Delight! Bring your food snob friends, the ones that want farm fresh greens, hell they grow ingredients out front.. you actually see them picking it while you eat... top that hipster wanna be spots... oh you want in house roasted coffee? Want vegan and gluten free options with out feeling like "that guy" .. Boom. DONE. .drops Mic.
(5)Heather F.
Oh Payne's, why do you not hire competent employees? I've been a patron of this awesome establishment since it opened. I recommend it to anyone. But the last THREE times I've been here, the wait staff is horrendous. I mean: rude, inattentive, unable to problem solve, and quite frankly an embarrassment to this place. I DO NOT RECOMMEND this for large parties or for anyone trying to impress anyone else with a cool place. The food is always worth the trip for me, and it is reasonably priced for all the fresh and unique things they offer. I really wish they'd stop changing the interior and spend more time on training their staff. Why do the bussers have no bus tub or tray? They have to make a ridiculous amount of trips to clear one table, let alone a long table from a large party of diners. It is laughable and it is wasteful. Why are we told to please wait to be seated, when the majority of the time customers are left awkwardly piled in the entryway, ignored? And it isn't just when the restaurant is busy. It is sadly not uncommon to wait for 5-10 minutes, neglected, only to get an attitude from whomever decides to grace us with her presence? (I hate to say it, but the attitude problems that I experience here only come from a certain couple ladies, never any men.) Owners of Payne's: PLEASE stop trying so hard to be different. You have been delightfully different since you opened your doors. PLEASE stop rearranging everything. There is no space! Just work with what you have! It is a great place, so just give it a rest. PLEASE better train your waitresses. The reviews on here saying service was bad are not exaggerating. It seems that every time your place has a few tables full, your staff just says "Screw it," and has the worst work ethic for the entire time I'm there. Perhaps spend some money on an actual seating hostess. Someone who can smile and talk to patrons without disdain, and who can politely say, "I'm so sorry, it will be at least a 15 (or whatever) minute wait, we are pretty busy today!" Or something. Jeez. Anything would be better than your current set up. And lastly, PLEASE figure out to whom you want to cater. You cannot have a family style/college hangout/European cafe/quirky hippy sit-down restaurant with the space you have provided. You can't have half the tables marked "reserved" and then allow one person to sit with her laptop at a booth for two hours whilst people are waiting to be seated. Figure it out. Your food is incredible, the vibe is always cool, but your front-of-house and daily execution need to be addressed. Thank you!! PS. Please also consider getting "normal" menus that can be wiped off. Paper inside of a dirty book or Nat Geo is gross.
(3)Todd B.
I used to frequent this place some years back in high school, because I always liked their coffee, the brie and apricot sandwich, and the people. So I find myself in the neighborhood about seven years later and decide to check it out. Right away, I get the rude treatment. There's a sign indicating that one should wait to be seated, so I waited. After a couple minutes of getting no one's attention, a server asks me what I'm waiting on, and I tell her that I guess I'm waiting to be seated (as I glance none-too-subtly at the sign). Then she tells me that I can sit wherever. Okay, I pick a table, she follows me, gives me some silverware, and walks away. Hm. Maybe five minutes later, my server brings me a water and says she'll be back for my order. Closer to ten more minutes later, another server comes and asks for my order; not "What would you like to drink?" to start, just my general order. I order a beer and ask for a recommendation on a sandwich (not an entrée - I'll get to why later), and settle on the "goat cheese wrap," which the menu failed to describe. Between the time my second server took my order and my first server came back to ask for my order again, another table was seated and served both drinks and food. Then I got my wrap. THEN I got my drink. Hm. I took my time with my meal, yet not until my food and beer were both gone and I'd stared forlornly out the window for some ten minutes did I get another visit from server number one, who asked if I needed my check. I said I'd like some sticky toffee pudding to go first, then I'd like my check. Another ten minutes for the pudding to come out, then yet another ten minutes to get my card back with my receipt, and I'm finally set to leave. Hm. Long story short, service was pretty bad. My wrap was above average though, with some pretty swanky bacon, really fresh greens, and "meh" honey mustard sauce with goat cheese somewhere in it. But it was $10. For a wrap and some old kettle chips from a bag. It was either that or bangers and mash for $16 - SIXTEEN DOLLARS for bangers and mash from a little Indiana Interstate café. Those bangers better be made with endangered species for that price. Everything else aside, the sticky toffee pudding was delicious. I just meant to taste it before leaving, but I actually sat in my car and ate half of it with the engine running. Moral of the story: come here for dessert and coffee to go and you won't be disappointed.
(2)Jason W.
What a great little place! A very welcome change from highway exit chains. Payne's has a great cozy atmosphere and I loved the menus built into old copies of National Geographic magazines. Really good coffee and their "Famous Tomato Soup and Grilled Cheese" is famous for a reason, it's friggin' delicious. The grilled cheese came served in the soup. Can't wait to be back in the area.
(5)Derek H.
Always fantastic food and service. With a dedication to local craft beers, how could you not love Payne's? The club is always a favorite, the floating grilled cheese is great, and you can never go wrong with their bangers and mash! Stop by and check them out! Maybe they will even have FFF's Zombie Dust
(5)Dale B.
This is an eccentric place in the middle of no-where!! Who would think that you would find a British style food restaurant in Gas City? If you love finding interesting places to eat....then you have to try Payne's. Payne's is different! They have garden boxes out by the parking lot to grow their own organic produce. The menu's are affixed inside National Geographic magazines. The place is small and has an interesting mix of décor. The place places classical music. Beyond that....the service was excellent!! The menu is small and is focused on British food. I had the tomato soup which was excellent. The bread and pate was very good!! I had the pepperoni & BBQ brioche. It's small but tasty. The homemade chips were good too! My wife had a walnut-apple and goat cheese sandwich. She said it was good but the goat cheese was a bit over powering. We didn't stay for dessert which I hear is a must try!!!
(4)Ashley N.
My favorite place to hang out with friends and enjoy a meal! The staff is always nice and go out of their way to make sure you enjoy your experience!
(5)Sam K.
I really want to love Payne's. I currently attend the nearby Taylor University, and many of my fellow students frequent it. However, I have stopped in upwards of 6 or 7 times, and have never had a purely positive experience. For starters, I will say that the food is fantastic. I have nothing bad to say about it, aside from the fact that I'm never really full afterwards, despite spending 12 or more dollars. It's very high quality, perfectly seasoned, and there are many organic options, some of which are grown outside. That said, the service is typically atrocious. For starters, waiting for someone to take your order can take a very long time. The shortest time I have had to wait is probably about 5 minutes, but I have had to wait for up to half an hour. Compared to how long it can take to get your food though, this is nothing. I have left multiple times while waiting for my food. Once my group ordered an appetizer and meals, and after an hour and ten minutes, not even the appetizer had arrived. Granted, it was a somewhat busy day, but we ordered hummus and pita for the appetizer. Just put it on a plate and bring it out! It doesn't take much effort, and after specifically asking two times for them to bring it, we gave up. Each time that I have left, I have gone to the Mexican place next door (Casa Grande) and had a very positive experience.
(2)Thomas B.
staff was polite, food came quickly. Bangers and mash was excellent, pita and hummus too. Goat cheese turkey bacon wrap!
(4)Thomas C.
After the experience today we won't be ordering again. Our staff ordered lunch for carry out. We sent someone down to pick it up. And when she gets there they inform us they went ahead and added 18% gratuity. Really for what, doing what your in business to do make food. We order from other restaurants in the area all the time and none of them ever tell us we have to give them more money for the pleasure of there food. So after we tell them you can keep the order. They drop the extra 18% we get it all divided up back at work and stuff is missing. The food didn't have any flavor and the way they put in to the to go containers made some of it look awful at first glance. Now I see why you wanted that extra 18% you need it.
(1)Zach G.
Was my favorite restaurant in Marion/ Gas City area.. they have the best food around, healthy and tasty, though they were a bit pricey... Then recently I came with a friend to do hw while we ate and drank coffee, and they told us to leave when we were done.. which was annoying but we dealt with it, then even more recently they raised the prices even more.. the food is still good, but at this point, it is way over-priced. I suggest trying it once, but I won't be returning.
(3)David T.
The decor is adorable, the food was FANTASTIC, the service was TERRIBLE. As a 20 yr. veteran of the restaurant biz (most of which was spent as a server) I understand when a place gets slammed that there may be some rough patches. My family has been here several times and raved about it. We had the male server and he was disappointing from the start. I only gave it 3 stars because of the service it would have gotten 5 if I'd have just been reviewing the food.
(3)Sara G.
Delicious soups! Three of us went (including my 11-year old son). We all had soups--black bean/tomato, pea/mint and butternut squash. All excellent and fresh. Could taste all the ingredients yet they meshed so well. They were served with their take on grilled cheese--on French bread with Gouda or pepper jack. Yum. We were off to a food festival so didn't get a chance to try dessert or anything else. We will be back! We went at an off-time so can't speak to service when busy. However, Jenny Payne waited on us and was super friendly and helpful. Had fun checking out the patio seating and the garden too. Really cute atmosphere.
(5)Carlos C.
I give this wonderful place 4 1/2 stars. The food was great; all of us (4) where every happy with our dishes. I got a great hummus (home made for sure). It came with fresh and warm pitta bread triangles and it had some virgin olive oil on a bed of fresh baby spinach leaves. I also had a delicious potato, leek and lemon grass soup; it was really good. Never had his combination before; it was very, very good. Desert was a treat; not too much into dessert, but the sticky toffee pudding is fantastic as is the bread pudding a la mode. In short, wish we live closer (reside in South Carolina), if we were this would be a frequent place for us to eat. Met the owner; you can tell that they are passionate about serving good quality food that is several steps above any chain around the area at very reasonable prices - Highly recommended
(4)Charlie Isabel H.
Stopped in for breakfast after night in lackluster Gas City Holiday Inn Express. What a treat. Delicious hearty oatmeal and decadent "French" omelette. Fancy teas and coffee drinks, and good beer on draft. Eclectic design, and warm and inviting ambience. A pleasant surprise and unexpected for a highway roadside cafe. Can't wait to go back to try the soup.
(4)Sam H.
Awesome little place. Would have to say it was my favorite place to take family and friends when they visited TU! A little pricy, but the food is really great. Awesome combinations and the portions are worth the price. Never left hungry! Also they love organic stuff. Good custard. And a wide variety of beverage choices (including wine & beer).
(5)Laura B.
I have been patronizing Paynes for years, in fact since they opened during my brief period as a Grant County resident. One thing I've noticed since the beginning is a forward thinking drive to always outdo themselves. As far as competition goes, nothing in the area holds a candle to what they have going on. They definitely hold their own in the entire Midwest and will always have a special place in my heart. If it's your first time, just follow the quant "EAT" sign in the Northeast corner of the 69/18 intersection. They have a drive through if you want to grab a quick cup of coffee, but I'd recommend coming here with some time to explore the menu and enjoy the ambiance. It's a great place to study and get work done. I love sitting at the tall booths because you feel like you're in your own cozy world of wi-fi and bottomless coffee. The interior is always smartly done, well lit, and the music is appropriate. Plus they have a beautiful patio where you can enjoy the warmer days. Everything I've had here, from espresso to soup to a salmon burger, is good. It's several steps above every restaurant in the area so come expecting quality instead of quantity. In my opinion the servings are all very reasonable and usually an appropriate amount to fill you up without needing to share or ask for a takeout box, which I appreciate. Save room for custard- I recommend the option with espresso and raspberries. Down with Starbucks. Spend your money at the most interesting local business around, conveniently located right off the interstate.
(5)MD D.
Stumbled upon this place when i stopped off to go to Cracker Barrel. Not a fan of traditional British food, which is usally bland as ______. But the sign said sandwiches, organic salds, and they had a garden out front. Ordered the veggie burger. It was super tasty. Homemade patties from black beans and quinoa. Tasty coleslaw, sprouts, avacado, tomato on top of wjole grain bread. Had 'em put the egg on top. Had to eat it with a fork eventually, but that didn't take away from the experience. Also ordered the sticky toffe dessert. I rarely order dessert, but this one was on point. The custard that came with it was rich, creamy, tasty!!!! Glad i found this spot!!
(5)C M.
stayed at the best western and strolled here for a late dinner served with great style.
(4)Craig S.
Came in on Fathers Day on our way back to Indy. Looked like a great surprise right off the interstate. Was impressed with the menu and three types of Three Floyd's beers. There were two large parties ahead of us. The pâté' was very good. The smoothies satisfied our 11 and 9 year olds. We ordered sandwiches and an hour later we still had no food. They apologized however it was apparent they were stressed the whole time we were there. When we were told it was going to be yet another 15 min. we chose to leave as we were now late getting back to pick up our dog at the kennel. Our beer and two smoothies were on the house and I have to say the owner was mortified and apologetic. However, they clearly appeared as if they could not handle a large crowd and the place is not that big. Great potential. Horrible experience.
(1)Danny S.
Ok, where to begin... Let's start with the service or should I say the lack thereof. We heard good things about this place so we went out of our way. Unfortunately the staff did not. If I had to make an educated guess ; the owner/owners got money from family to launch this pretentious hipster wannabe gastropunn because mom and dad were tired of junior switching majors just six months from graduating because junior didn't want the party to end. Now I say pretentious because as a classically trained certified executive chef that has lived and worked all over the world the food is just that...pretentious, pretend, fake, wannabe, not real! There's nothing more insulting to the customer than to assume they won't know better and market dishes as "Bourgionne Style" then charge $18 for $1.00 worth of cheap stewed beef. Just because you add red wine to the pot and throw some fresh herbs in the mix doesn't make it the real deal. And how about that tomato soup...any praise needs to be directed to Campbell's for this one. Alas...the grilled cheese...hmmm, was this supposed to be a sandwich or a floating brick of bread four inches thick? The 80s and the age of excess are over. There was a time when plate height was fashionable. But four inches of bread filled with tasteless cheese is not impressive. People in this neck of the woods deserve quality over quantity. Seriously, there's an epidemic of obesity in central Indiana and this place isn't helping. Kettle chips from a bag served on a huge bed of fresh spinach? Really? Doesn't anyone else see the irony here? What I'm getting at is it looks like someone decided to take generic food, doctor it up with a little wine and toss greens on under around and in everything to appear to be a healthy wholesome experience. Don't be fooled...anyone can put perfume on a pig. Speaking of pigs...the pulled pork sandwich (any guesses on how thick the bread for this winner was...insert sarcastic expression here) if this is your cup of tea then call Gordon Food Service because I guarantee it wasn't made in house from a raw slow smoked roasted pork butt. And if it was then the cook (hard to use the word chef) deserves an award for most authentic recreation of commercially pre cooked processed food. In closing, if you are a fan of this pretentious wannabe hipster establishment with clueless waitstaff then you need to get out of Indiana! Go see the world! Live! Payne's success is mind boggling.
(1)David C.
Best restaurant around these parts. Unassuming from the outside, very nice atmosphere on the inside. Fun menus, unique mugs, cozy booths. Nice selection of coffee drinks, and now a selection of Indiana wines and beers (and a few on tap - Three Floyd FTW!). Some of these other reviewers must have been here on a bad day, as I have always had very friendly and knowledgeable servers. The food here is top-notch. The portions are just right and each dish is unique, fresh, and tasty. Some of my favorites include the everything oatmeal, the omelets, and the goat cheese/turkey/bacon wrap. Great soups, beef stew, and other comfort food. I've only heard good things about the fish pie, and I'll try that next time. All the desserts are scrumptious. It's surprising to find a hidden place like this out here - it seems that it is the type of restaurant you would find in a big city or culture-rich college town. I know people who drive 45 minutes just to come here. If you live in the area, you should be coming here regularly. If you're traveling and want a change from the same old Cracker Barrel (which is next door), fast food, or Dennys, check out Paynes - you won't be disappointed!
(5)Lorri M.
Experienced yet another FANTASTIC meal at Payne's Custard & Coffee Shop yesterday for lunch. My b/f had the Fish Pie (i know right, sounds like something you would NEVER order in theory lol) HOWEVER, it was INCREDIBLE! A generous portion of quality cod, mixed into a wonderful pot-pie type gravy with veggies, and served up with the mouthwatering, homemade garlic mashed potatoes (they seem to be made with yukon gold potatoes, but not confirmed on this). The combination is wickedly good! I opted for the oversized club sandwich served on quality panini style bread, fresh spinach leaves, generous portions of healthy turkey, and a special spread that you could eat with a spoon! I only got the 1/2 order and it was more than enough. the BEST part of the meal, which is always why you have a meal, is to get to the dessert! Oh, yeah, baby ... the dessert ... (my mouth is watering just thinking about it!) The STICKY TOFFEE PUDDING! Omg ... served up with their homemade vanilla frozen custard ... it's to die for and I'm not kidding. It comes in a generous, but not overwhelming portion, you aren't sure whether to dive in with a spoon or fork, by the end of it you've used both I assure you. :) Service was AWESOME! Very friendly from the time we entered the door, and continued until we left. I just can't say enough great things about Payne's ... this place is on our continual "eats" jaunt and will remain there until we've had everything on the menu. The Brits do it right!
(4)Alice N.
Can't go wrong at Payne's. Nummy good healthy choice items with some sinful options. I would definitely eat here again.
(5)Lisa I.
Great food. Warm, friendly service in a spotless dining room. Flavors and quality well above any locally available fast food or chain restaurant. Locally sourced fresh ingredients make a tremendous difference. On site coffee roasting, too. The food and drink menu is clever, professionally presented, and delicious. What a treat to find a restaurant that doesn't compromise quality for quantity. Affordable.
(5)Rachel S.
Service can be a bit lackluster. Menus are confusing and stuck in the middle of random hard back books. Free wifi is what brought me in, the food choices will keep me going back. I'm impressed Gas City. Coffee could be better. I'm not a fufu coffee drinker. I drink it to taste it.
(4)Michele K.
Whenever I return to rural Indiana to visit family, a trip (or 2 or 5..) to Payne's is a must. In a land of bad chain restaurants and greasy spoons, Payne's is like a breath of fresh air. Their coffee rivals the best I've had in Seattle, and their food is quality, creative, and delish. Payne's deserves infinite stars for what they do, and where they do it!
(5)L G.
Stopped at Cracker Barrel next door to use the restroom. Saw the frozen custard sign. Absolutely the best chocolate ice cream I have ever eaten. And reasonably priced. Chatted with the manager--very nice and informative. We live an hour away but will be back for dinner. What we saw other diners eating looked amazing.
(5)Elaine M.
We returned to Payne's on a recent Sunday evening for our fourth visit. I ordered the bangers and mash and my husband ordered the chicken curry. We both ordered $7 glasses of a red wine. By the time the wine was delivered, we were both finishing our salads. We would have enjoyed having the wine with the complimentary pate that was served before the salads. Our waitress was too busy sitting at a table with friends. When our wine finally arrived, we were shocked. Each glass held no more than 2 and 1/2 ounces of wine. We asked the waitress what the wine pour measure was and she said that she did not know. We told her that the glasses were tiny and she said, "well, would you like me to get you some more?" Duh, yeah. She brought back two wine glasses with about one ounce of wine in each one. We have ordered wine at Payne's before and had acceptable pours. Come on Payne's. Train your wait staff! The industry standard for good wine is a six ounce pour. Stingy restaurants pour 5 ounces to get more glasses per bottle. Two and one-half ounces for $7 is absurd. Please don't embarrass your customers by forcing them to ask for more wine.
(2)Taylor F.
I'll add this to the Paleo List gladly. However, why only 3 you might ask? Well...I do expect my servers-although very nice and friendly-to know their menu. It's important form all aspects from preventing food allergy reactions to advising on a lunch selection. Fun coffee menu...very hipster!
(3)Caroline C.
I love this restaurant. It's a favorite for students attending Taylor University. Great selection of food and inexpensive. Their desserts are fantastic. The atmosphere is very chill and relaxed. Students often hang out here or study. The waitresses are all very friendly and helpful. However, don't go here if you're in a rush. This place is definitely not a fast food restaurant and service is slow.
(4)J K.
What a great surprise! After having stopped at Gas City for several years now, as it is a half way mark to meet family from Ft Wayne, I finally decided to see if there was some real place to stop and have a meal. ( that wasn't a chain). I'm so glad I found Payne's! Don't let the run down sign and eclectic outside turn you off. It's part of what makes it so great. The mix match seating and and look are the beginning of the experience. The menus come in old children's books. I think the fact that its called a coffee and custard shop does it a disservice. The menu has many great sounding items. From the soup and grilled cheese choices to tempting salads and great entree listed. I had the spicy pepperoni BBQ item. It was a great surprise. What a creative dish with great taste and the perfect size. The Quake shake was the perfect pick me up. My companions soup and grilled cheese was delicious. And their coffee/custard drink was tastee . The staff was genuinely happy that we were there and thank us for trying them. I wish it was warmer so we could have sat outside on their porch area. I love custard, so I'm looking forward to getting back and really trying more. I'm so glad we stopped in. We now we will look forward to stopping in Gas City. Stop there! You'll be glad you did.
(5)M C.
I absolutely adore Payne's! Since moving to Grant County from the suburbs of Chicago two years ago, I have brought every visiting friend and family member here, as well as sent numerous locals for their first time. From the atmosphere to the friendly staff to the amazing menu (that tomato soup is out of this world!), I always leave Payne's satisfied and happier than when I arrived. Lately they have revamped their menu and decor, only furthering their awesomeness and providing a truly special atmosphere for everything from breakfast with friends to a lovely date night. No matter the occasion, Payne's will suit it. My family begs to return every time they are in town! Very grateful to have found such a special place in our time here.
(5)Joyce R.
Stopped here on a trip north of Indy a couple of nights ago. We were delighted to discover a non fast food joint so close to the interstate and a perfect fit for a break from highway driving. Payne's offer a fun, eclectic mix of vintage furnishings with simple satisfying food choices and a very pleasant surprise so close to I-69. My Cauliflower Bisque was delicious with a very pleasant spiciness. Our shared desert was bread pudding chocked full of dried fruits, cherries, apricot, raisins and nuts and was served warm with homemade vanilla custard. YUM! Prices were quite reasonable. On the downside, the exterior lighting is dim and service was a bit slow but, we arrived just after a group of six and just as a group of 8 were checking out with each having separate checks. I will go again next trip on that highway. BTW,we wouldn't have found this place without YELP or Google maps. It's worth a stop when in Central Indiana.
(4)Serenity N.
Arrived @ 9:20 on Saturday morning. Not open, no employees in site. Frustrating.
(1)Erin A.
This is a wonderful little cafe with an eclectic feel (but not in an applebee's kind of way). The bathroom has a real changing table and a stool so kids can reach the sink. A rare breath of fresh air when traveling with children! And the food was great too! Don't let the "sandwich shop" description turn you off. They have all sorts of food. And their grilled cheese sandwich is incredible!
(5)Zach S.
Good food, good coffee, great atmosphere, but the staff seemed very snooty.
(3)Tim E.
Always interesting menu
(5)Johnny M.
Stop here for something really different and very good. The atmosphere alone is worth stop. Great coffee and sweets but its healthy and different. Seriously novel!
(5)Ryan K.
Chai latte was best ever, ambience is quaint and tranquil. Food was exquisite!
(5)Laura And Kyle D.
The food alright, but the portions are very small. The small portions make the food very overpriced. The custard is good, but again overpriced. It is a good place to go once or twice, but the more we went the less we liked it.
(2)Rod C.
We found this place by accident but were quite impressed. We were going to Upland to visit Ivanhoe's. We stopped at the Upland exit and thought about seeing if The Taste of Texas was still around. Alas, it had closed. At this exit , there is a bustling Cracker Barrel, a pizza place and a Chinese food place. Ho hum. As we are getting ready to turn around and just go eat at Ivanhoe's, my wife spots a sign a little further back. "EATS". Hmmmm. What's this? We saw a sign that said "organic salads". My wife indicated that this looked interesting. Okay, I was hesitant. This is a smaller establishment further back from the main area. Against my better judgment, I decided to try it. We walked in and were met with soft classical music which set a nice stage. We were instructed to sit at a table and given a menu. When the waiter came we asked to sit outside. They have a nice patio that was shaded and comfy on this beautiful day. Our appetizer arrived (hummus and pita bread). Delicious. My wife had a Greek salad and I had a pulled pork sandwich on toasted French Bread. Very, very tasty. My only gripe is that my first order was for the steak burger and I was informed they were out. The hipster kitchen staff was friendly and efficient. It looks like they have a pretty cool custard dessert selection but we didn't try it. We were saving dessert for Ivanhoe's. Also, from there menu, it appears they serve breakfast all day. I highly recommend this place for destination dining. It's tiny, personal, savory, and an all around good choice.
(4)Steve B.
I have traveled to almost every part of this country and take pride in finding local gems and this is one of them no doubt. The service was a little slow, but it is worth the wait. The club sandwich was huge and so good and then I went back for dinner and had the pulled pork wrap which was very good as well. I will be eating all three meals there tomorrow as I have a day off for my last day in the area. I think this is the type of place that every dish is probably good.
(4)