Just a short 15-minute drive from Dupont in the heart of downtown Garrett lies one of the best-kept dining secrets of northeast Indiana.

Shorty’s Steakhouse boasts a menu featuring mouthwatering wet aged steaks, fresh seafood, prime rib (available on Fridays and Saturdays) and a handful of unique main dishes. For northsiders, Shorty’s should be added to your regular dining out rotation, especially when you realize you live closer to downtown Garrett than downtown Fort Wayne!

The ambiance is cozy and reminds me of Henry’s or Calhoun Street Soups Salads & Spirts in Fort Wayne. Shorty’s small space features an ornate antique bar and a tin ceiling, providing a sort of time warp to earlier days. We occupied a corner booth near the back and enjoyed a quiet and romantic dinner. We are looking forward to our return visit when we will likely belly up to the bar – it simply looked like a fun and relaxing place to enjoy a cocktail and dinner.

Here are some highlights from the menu.

Crab Mac ‘n Cheese, $16 – My favorite from the appetizers menu, this dish is large enough to share at the table and rich enough that you’ll want to. It is made with Monterey cheddar, Parmesan crust, green chili salsa and crab. It has a bit of a kick, making it unique and interesting. I will definitely get it again.

6 oz. Filet Mignon, $24 – I typically don’t order steaks when I am dining out because we have perfected the craft of grilling the perfect steak at home and I am often disappointed at restaurants. Not so with this filet. I ordered mine medium rare, and it was cooked just right. I opted for the garlic mashed potatoes as my side, which turned out to be the perfect complement to the steak. I savored each bite of the wet-aged, delicious filet and can’t wait to go back for another.

Shrimp ‘N Grits, $20 – I love shrimp ‘n grits. There’s a place in Florida that I visit with my parents several times a year, and they have the best shrimp ‘n grits I’ve ever had – until now. Shorty’s dish is delectable and is made with creamy Cajun shrimp and sausage, roasted red pepper and asiago grits. Like the Crab Mac ‘n Cheese, there is a kick to this dish, but it is complemented well by the savory, cheesy grits and roasted red pepper flavor.

Shorty’s also features daily specials. When we visited, it was a pepper-crusted porterhouse, which we ordered and enjoyed immensely. The pepper wasn’t too overpowering, but rather added a nice flavor to the meat. It was also cooked to our specific temperature.

The dessert menu changes frequently, as well. We ordered a lovely chocolate torte on our visit and loved every bite. It was served with some crystallized sugar and fresh strawberries, making it a decadent end to a fantastic meal.

Be sure to check out the drink menu too. There is a nice selection of specialty drinks and cocktails, including Shorty’s Old Fashioned, which rates very high in my book. It is made with Old 55 Bourbon, Aperol, Luxardo & bitters barrel aged.

If you’re in the area during lunch time, Shorty’s has a tasty burger menu with some interesting options like the Jalapeno Bacon Stuffed Burger and the Jamaican Me Crazy, made with jalapenos, Jamaican relish and pepperjack. The lunch menu also features a large selection of wraps and sandwiches.