If there’s ever been a spot that embodies the essence of “the path less traveled,” it’s The Green Frog at 820 Spring St. 

While not a hidden secret, this neighborhood favorite at the corner of Spring Street and Sherman Boulevard just north of downtown blends the cozy charm of a local hangout with the spirited energy of a sports bar — without the hype, sizzle, and the baggage of other sports-themed establishments. 

I had been holding off on sharing my recent visit, but with March Madness upon us, it’s the perfect time to highlight this off-the-path gem.

During my visit, I tried the Frog Wrap at the urging of the bartender. I will not say what burger it compares to, but imagine a big one — you know the song. This one, however, is wrapped in a tortilla, not a sesame-seed bun, but it still has a special sauce and crisp lettuce. 

The food at the bar matches its friendly vibe. It reminds us of a time when neighbors were close and knew each other’s names.

The welcoming vibe, vintage decor, and local sports items make The Green Frog a place to check out. Highlights include a Joe Montana Notre Dame jersey and a Fort Wayne Pistons jersey. 

The Green Frog perfectly balances its love for local history and sports fandom, creating a space where everyone can belong. 

The NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament begins Thursday, March 20, with consecutive games through Sunday, March 23, and later rounds leading up to the National Championship on Monday, April 7. 

The Green Frog might be a place you want to camp out at for a game or two … or the whole day. 

Smoked meat on menu in Woodburn

Char’s Grill and Smokehouse, 22301 Main St. in Woodburn, is now open, replacing Willie’s Café II, which closed last summer. 

The space previously housed Bob’s Restaurant, a beloved local favorite that served East Allen County for decades before closing in 2022. 

Marty and Melanie Shanks want to honor Bob’s legacy while bringing in some new ideas. They offer a menu with Midwest diner classics, smoked meats like brisket and pulled pork, and individual-sized pies that Bob was famous for. 

Char’s is open 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday.

Kuehnert brings back the milkman

The milkman has made his return! 

Kuehnert Dairy Farm, 6532 Cook Road, has launched its milk and dairy delivery service for northeast Indiana from Auburn to Huntington to South Whitley and places in between. 

Customers can choose a subscription that includes weekly delivery and a cooler with no delivery fees. Alternatively, they can select a pay-per-delivery option. The pay-per-delivery choice requires buying the cooler.

The service uses reusable glass bottles to reduce single-use plastics and offers more than just traditional white milk with flavors like cotton candy and coffee milk. They also provide other dairy products, including ice cream. 

Pricing starts at $375 annually. For more details, go to kuehnertdairy.com.

Gracey’s Goodies celebrates five years

Gracey’s Goodies at 10526 Walnut St. in Leo-Cedarville is celebrating five years of serving the community.

To help celebrate, swing by for their expanded bakery and a new seating area for guests to relax and enjoy a treat. 

Learn more at graceysgoodies.com.

Sassie Cakes settles back into Broadway

Sassie Cakes, 1014 Broadway, has returned to its original location. 

After moving retail operations to Illinois Road for a few years and keeping the Broadway shop as a kitchen, they’ve fully returned to where it all began. 

Sassie Cakes offers custom baked goods. 

The store is open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday. 

For more information, go to sassiecakes.com.

Off the Eaten Path is the Whatzup weekly column that covers Northeast Indiana’s restaurant and food news. Send your news items to info@whatzup.com.