Huntingburg is a cute little town about an hour to our northeast, where shoppers browse for antiques and gifts on historic Fourth Street. Also on Fourth Street, locals and visitors alike flock to Mama T’s Italian Steakhouse for a dinner of pasta, lasagna, meat and seafood specials from the grill, homemade desserts and more. Chef and owner Brandon Acles grew up down the road in Holland, Indiana, but has a lifetime of experience with good Italian food.

The Mama T. memorialized in the name is his mother, Theresa Jerger, who can trace her family and their food-based businesses back to the Sicily of her great-great grandparents. She acts as front of the house manager and more juggling reservations, baking the cheesecake, welcoming people and making them feel at home. She might take orders or explain specials or bring food or play with the kids, whatever needs doing. She’s the Mama.