Are you in the mood for some of the most exotic food you’ve ever heard of? How about reading the most creative menu that you’ve probably ever come across in a brewery? Interested in the most delicious food you’ll have this side of anywhere? Then you might want to check out Two Bandits Brewing Co. in Hicksville, Ohio!
The name might throw you – but Hicksville should not be misthought of as a hick town. A quaint, and charming spot on the border with Fort Wayne, Indiana, this unique dining destination in northwest Ohio has Hicksville’s biggest attribute: Two Bandits Brewing Co.
The Story Behind Two Bandits Brewing Company
Owners Bob Garza and Mark Young, 50 years old respectively, opened Two Bandits Brewing Co. on March 3, 2017 – much to the delight of locals and neighboring townspeople from across the Ohio-Indiana border.
From Career Struggles to Brewing Success
According to Mark, when asked how they came up with the name,
“We originally wanted to call our Brewery Renegades Brewing Company. We found that there is a Renegade (Singular) Brewing Company in Colorado, so back to the drawing board we went. Two Brothers Brewing Company was spoken about (several of those out there), and all the while, Two Bandits Brewing Company kept coming back to us. As the marketer of our organization, Two Bandits has resonance… it sticks in the mind, if you will. People smile, and nod their head at the name. It’s fun, so Two Bandits Brewing Company was born!”
And the genesis of the brewery? Mark tells me that back in he and Bob’s early 40s, they were struggling with their careers – both unhappy in them. Speaking for himself, Mark says he always wanted to be a business owner. Bob worked with Mark’s wife, and they use to trade one another cookies for beer, so the story goes. Mark, having a degree in Business Management and Marketing, knew after surveying the scene for a while that a craft brewery in the Fort Wayne area would be a viable business. And voila! Just like that, the business was created.
But just hold the phone a minute. Not only do Mark and Bob own and operate their prized Hicksville Ohio brewery/restaurant, they also own a small detailing business specializing caring, and cleaning motorcycles. Having started the business 25 years ago, Mark is quite proud of his accomplishments – and who wouldn’t be.
Exotic Menu: Beyond Your Average Brewery Food
Savvy in business. Clever with names. What else is unique about these two bandits? Most definitely their menu.
“We knew right away to get noticed, we needed to be different. You can get a good Craft Beer and a cheeseburger anywhere. If that’s what you want, we have a delicious cheeseburger, however, we are the only destination that has a locally sourced Goldenrod honey infused IPA, an amazing kangaroo burger, flavored raspberry and blueberry wheat beers, with 20lbs. of real fruit puree, venison short rib tacos, a strawberry habanero ale, again with all real ingredients, duck kabobs with fresh locally sourced vegetables, a peanut butter stout with 10 lbs. of peanut butter per batching, and the list goes on. We believe that our competition is actually us, which encourages us to strive to be better,” says Mark.
Signature Dishes That Set Them Apart
And he would be correct on all fronts. It would be fantastic enough if it were just the tastes alone that make Two Bandits Brewing Co really stick out. But it’s the creativity and unique fantasies of the executive and sous chefs that really steal the show. I mean, a kangaroo burger? An elk sub sandwich? Where else have you seen those two things simultaneously on a menu at an exotic food restaurant in Ohio?
Why Hicksville? The Perfect Location Strategy
I also wanted to know, why Hicksville? Mark smiles graciously,
“Humbly, I think the better question is ‘Why not Hicksville?’ We are uniquely situated with the good fortune of having several main road arteries right at our front door. What this means is that we are roughly 18 minutes from Ft. Wayne, and Auburn Indiana, 1.5 hours from the northern suburbs of Indianapolis, and within a tick over an hour for most of northwest Ohio and southern Michigan including Toledo, Lima, Kalamazoo, and Lansing. We are exactly where we need to be.”
And once again, there’s nothing to deny this as all truth. They are perfectly situated on the map, allowing their followers to come at them from left, right and center. And some of us, eh hem, who make a special trip just to visit this unique restaurant in northwest Ohio.
The Culinary Experience
Now onto our favorite portion – the food. And boy, oh boy, what portions there were!
If you want to see it rather than read it, make sure to check out the video. Perhaps experiencing virtually what I did first-hand will give you a sneak preview into what you will taste when you are there for yourself.
Two Bandits Brewing Co’s signature dishes are their exotic options, of course. Kangaroo, Gator, Barramundi (which was my personal favorite), Camel, New Zealand Elk, Duck, Venison, etc.
And their most popular dish? Their pulled pork Mac n’ Cheese. This indeed was one of my favorites that evening too. There is no question I have had my fair share of deep fried foods over the years during my travels. And no debate about how many elegant dishes I’ve had either. But hands down, this was the most sophisticated tasting deep-fried anything I’ve ever had in my life. And most delicious I might add. What an absolutely pleasant surprise that mac n’ cheese ball of delight was.
Award-Winning Craft Beer Selection
Their signature drink? Mark is not shy about the answer,
“We are a Brewery first and foremost. The answer is our house Crafted Beer! 68 distinct varieties crafted since we started Two Bandits Brewing Company! Our most popular Craft Beer is the Killer Bee IPA. Locally sourced Goldenrod honey, helps make this an easy drinker, with notes of caramel and fresh orange tones. It is the IPA for people who hate IPA’s. Our signature dirty martini’s (for the non beer drinkers) I am told by our guests, are fantastic!”
What Makes Two Bandits Unique: A Brewery First Philosophy
There is certainly a lot to take in while at Two Bandits Brewing Co, but I wanted to know what, in Mark’s opinion, is the most unique thing about their restaurant. Politely, he corrects me,
“If I may, respectfully, we are not a restaurant…..nor are we a bar, or a tavern….we are a Brewery, that happens to sell award winning Craft beer and food. Our historical building is beautiful, with the interior featuring original brick, and acres of native hardwood on the floor, walls, and tables. We are a destination that emphasizes our three worded mantra, Craft. Passion. Quality. We strive to live by these words.”
And what a great attitude to have when owning a business such as this. And it most definitely shows. Not only in their customer base, but in their high quality of food, loyal staff and incredible menu.
Expansion Plans: Coming Soon to Coldwater, Michigan
But if Ohio is too far of a drive for you, perhaps Michigan would be better? Here’s some really exciting news. Mark and Bob are pleased to announce they are going to be opening a second brewery in Coldwater, MI. They are hoping to be open by mid-summer of 2021. And we’re hoping the same. I mean… what kind of exotic and incredible flavors will they come up with at their new location? I certainly can’t wait to see!
Recognition and Community Impact
Mark asks if he can add one final important note that’s close to his heart.
“We are a small dream-driven Brewery that has garnered from the Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette’s Readers Choice Awards, several accolades for Best Brewery (two years in a row), and Best Locally Owned Restaurant (which I have been told has never left the Ft. Wayne area before), and Best Wait Staff. Bob and I are proud of our staff, thankful to the thousands of smiling faces we see, and grateful for our wives, who helped insure our dream would happen!“
All words of inspiration to those looking to own and run their own business someday, and with a promise of never giving up hope. Not only did these two men make their dreams a reality, but they made their reality a really great dream. They are bandits who have indeed stolen our hearts – or at least our stomachs. They have spoiled our tastebuds for everywhere else we will go in the future.
This place was truly incredible, and it was my pleasure to visit recently. I can’t wait to go back in the future! Make sure that you stop in and get lost at this award-winning brewery the next time you’re in Hicksville. Just make sure that when you do stop in, you let them know Lisa sent you!
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