Tippecanoe Place Restaurant, South Bend

Don't waste your time going here for dinner. When I made reservations the woman on the phone was really rude, but I didn't want to judge the whole place on her. When I arrived, I figured it was her behind the front desk because she was ignoring everyone. The wait was not long maybe 10 minutes to get our table, of course we were sitted by the kitchen, but it took another 25 minutes for a server to come over and then he said our waiter was too busy to wait on us. The server was nice enough young man so we ordered. We waited another long time for the food to come and it was not worth the wait. I ordered the Pasta Primavera with Chicken. It was suppose to be Fettuccini noodles, trim broccoli and zucchini, sautéed with garlic sauce and served with parmesan cheese and what I received was some plain pasta noodles with an old piece of chicken about 2 -3 ounces worth. There was no parmesan cheese and the chicken and noodles had some cooking wine on them. I didnt taste any garlic but the noodles did have a strong taste of basil. There was no zucchini and I could not even stick a fork into the broccoli because it was so over cooked and mushy. I was quickly given a check and not even offered dessert. My 80 yr old mother could not get back up the steps when we went to leave. We tried to ask two staff members where the elevator was at and they just looked at us and kept walking. It took a long time to get up to the door. Its a beautiful place but I would think with the prices they charge they could hire a professional chef and train the staff to at least smile when they ignore the customers.

Me and my husband try to go here at least twice a year. We have never had a bad experience yet. This is the first fine dining restaurant we have had ever been to, so i will always hold this place dear to my heart. Would recommend it to anyone that wants a nice quite evening out with a loved one...

I'd like to comment to the folks you were unhappy with the dinner in April. I do hope you will give the restaurant one more chance. I have never eaten dinner there, but the Sunday Brunch is absolutely outstanding. The food and service are terrific. If there are any problems, it's the line at the omlette bar. Great to watch them being made to order and delicious too. I wish I could visit there for Brunch more often than I do. The waffles melt in your mouth and the choice of toppings, well....you just can't try them all, just gives you another excuse to have Brunch again. Please try the Brunch, I think you will be pleasantly surprised and leave a contented customer. Too many other goodies to mention, you just need to experience it!

My wife and I went for our anniversary this year. The building was special, filled with history of the Studebaker era, but the food was just normal. Looks like there was a day when this was a very nice fine dining experience. Now I would not consider it fine dining. I am not upset that we went but we will not go back.

I hate to write a bad review for this place but I owe it to future customers. The building is great and taking a tour is wonderful. As a museum - wow! As for food and service, I couldn't be more disappointed. We took our family Sat, April 11, 2009 for my daughter's birthday. The food was marginally good, the steaks were not correctly cooked and the Giant Tiger shrimp were very small and the quality poor. The service was terrible and the waitress lied to us. Our food was served over an hour after we ordered. The waitress blamed it on my daughter's steak taking too long because she wanted well-done. Then she blamed it on a large group that was ahead of us. I thought both reasons were plausible until I saw 2 tables, the same size as us, come in AFTER us and get their food BEFORE us. Then when my daughter's steak finally came - it was way underdone. I stated all of this to the manager and asked him for a reason. He could not provide a reason. When I stated we were leaving without our food, he offered free desserts. We packed them up and left. We have been there about 4 times and in the past I thought they were ok except a bit overpriced. This trip will be our last because I simply cannot stand being lied to. If they had just said - "we burned your steaks" or something plausible I would have overlooked it. They were not being truthful. I think everyone should try to take a tour so go for a sandwich and see the museum. But to go for a big night out with the family for an expensive meal? Never again.

Well, if you have never been to the Sunday Bruch, you are missing out on a part of life! Let me tell you, there is no better place to eat Brunch then at Tippecanoe. Reservations are required, but well worth the planning. For about 13.00 per person, you get the best, all you can eat brunch available in South Bend--the atmosphereis awesome, and the service is petty great, too. Dress in your church clothes or business casual, and prepare to be marveled by the fresh, made-to order-in-front-of-you omlettes, the fresh baked waffles, and the prime rib. This place is truly awesome. The only bad thing I can say is that I have been disappointed when I have called and there have been no reservations available (usually on ND home games). Try it for yourself...this place is grrrrrrrrreat!!!

The service is excellent but the food is way overpriced, was cold and bland. The place has gotten shabby over the years, needs new carpet and some polishing up. We went with a group that picked the place, it wouldn't have been our first Choice. In South Bend Steak and Ale beats them by a long shot.

Wife and I flew in from AZ. Took my grandmother out for Thanksgiving. What a wonderful experience. The food and staff were awesome. Everything was perfect. I honestly cannot say anything bad. I highly recommend the Tippecanoe. Very reasonably priced.

Even though the atmosphere and ambiance would seem to dictate a less casual dress code, Tippecanoe is in a football town and very much a part of the Notre Dame experience. We have had dinner or cocktails there several times after a game and are always relieved that we do not have to go to the hotel and change clothes after the game. My denims and Reeboks don't deny me enjoying a fine martini and fine dining with fine wines. It can help take the edge off a losing game!!!

My fiance and I like to get dressed up to go out, and this is one place in South Bend where we do not feel out of place in our vintage duds. The food was so delicious, the bartender knew what a Gibson was and how to make it, and I could never get bored staring at the paintings and decor. Take yourself on a tour of the mansion after dinner. And save some room for dessert! Truly a classy place. The service was attentive but not needy (ie, he wasn't trying to impress us with his personality, a personal peeve of mine). I highly recommend the Ahi tuna steak (rare was delicious!) with fresh pesto sauce. My one complaint: the green beans had no flavor - the chef should consider local vegetables that are in season (squash would be nice this time of year, which is November). Caution: prices are appropriate.