Café Borgia

Café Borgia is one of the longest-running independent restaurants in Northwest Indiana, open on Calumet Avenue in Munster since December 24, 1986. Chef-owner Mike Jesso cooks regional Italian food, and his wife Karen runs the business side; the restaurant celebrated 30 years in 2016 and is closing in on 40. The kitchen’s polenta torte with goat cheese sauce and veal gorgonzola with sweet-and-sour red cabbage both ran as recipes in Bon Appétit, and Zagat reviewers over the years singled out the wine list. The dining room at 10018 Calumet Ave has private rooms for parties, and the restaurant does catering and carry-out.

What to know

• The restaurant opened December 24, 1986, under chef-owner Mike Jesso and his wife Karen.
• The cooking is regional Italian, with a wine list Zagat reviewers have praised.
• Bon Appétit published the kitchen’s polenta torte and veal gorgonzola recipes.
• Private rooms are available for parties, and the restaurant caters.
• The address is 10018 Calumet Ave, at the south end of Munster near Dyer.