Fremont might not be the first place you think of when planning a food adventure, but this small Indiana town hides something special. Clay’s Family Restaurant sits right on Old 27, drawing folks from all over Steuben County and beyond with one simple promise: honest food made with care.
The pies alone have earned the kind of reputation that spreads through word of mouth, filling tables on weekends and turning first-time visitors into regulars. Owners Jack and Marilyn have returned to run the place after years of building its legacy, and you can feel the difference the moment you walk through the door.
The menu reads like a greatest hits of Midwestern comfort food, from crispy perch to towering pork tenderloins. But it’s those homemade pies sitting in the display case that steal the show every single time.
Whether you’re coming off the lake or just passing through on a Sunday drive, Clay’s offers the kind of meal that reminds you why family restaurants matter.
Homemade Pies That Define The Menu
Walk into Clay’s and your eyes go straight to the pie case. It’s not subtle, and it’s not supposed to be.
From Dutch apple to rhubarb strawberry, coconut cream to berry varieties, these pies are the reason people drive out of their way. Jack’s mom’s recipes still guide the kitchen, and you can taste the history in every slice.
The crust is made from scratch, flaky and buttery in all the right ways. Fillings are generous, not skimpy like some places that stretch ingredients too thin.
Regulars have their favorites, but newcomers often can’t decide and end up ordering two slices to compare.
One reviewer couldn’t stop raving about the bread pudding either, which sits alongside the pies as a dessert worth the trip alone. Another mentioned the rhubarb strawberry pie with genuine excitement, planning to eat it with a spoon.
That’s the kind of enthusiasm Clay’s inspires.
If you’re the type who saves room for dessert, you’ll want to arrive hungry. The pies aren’t just an afterthought here.
They’re a centerpiece, a conversation starter, and often the reason families return season after season. Expect to leave with a full stomach and maybe a whole pie to take home.
Warm Welcome From Jack And Marilyn
Some restaurants feel transactional. Clay’s doesn’t.
Jack and Marilyn, the owners, greet guests like they’re welcoming neighbors into their living room. It’s not an act or a corporate training module.
It’s genuine Midwestern hospitality, the kind that makes you relax the second you sit down.
After a rough patch with previous management, Jack and Marilyn took the reins back, and regulars noticed immediately. The atmosphere shifted.
Service improved. The food tasted like it used to, maybe even better.
Reviews mention feeling right at home, and that’s not something you can fake.
Family-owned restaurants live or die on relationships, and Clay’s thrives because the people running it actually care. You’re not just another ticket in the kitchen.
You’re a guest, and that distinction makes all the difference when you’re deciding where to spend your Saturday morning.
Salad Bar That Brings Back Memories
Salad bars have become rare. Most chain restaurants ditched them years ago, citing health codes or cost concerns.
Clay’s still has one, and it’s stocked fresh with all the classics you remember from childhood dinners out with your parents.
Crisp lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, shredded cheese, croutons, and a variety of dressings line the bar. It’s not fancy, but it’s done right.
Everything looks fresh, nothing wilted or sitting too long under heat lamps. Multiple reviews specifically mention how well-maintained and fully stocked the salad bar stays throughout service.
For some diners, the salad bar alone justifies the visit. It pairs perfectly with the hearty entrees, offering a lighter option before diving into fried perch or a loaded BLT.
Others appreciate the variety it adds to the meal, especially when dining with kids who might prefer building their own plate.
There’s something nostalgic about walking up to a salad bar, plate in hand, choosing exactly what you want. It feels interactive, personal, and a little bit old-fashioned in the best possible way.
Clay’s keeps that tradition alive, and locals appreciate it more than you might expect.
Breakfast Buffet Worth Waking Up For
Saturday and Sunday mornings bring out the breakfast buffet, and it’s a spread that draws families from across the region. Eggs, bacon, sausage, french toast, pancakes with Jack’s mom’s berry syrup, biscuits, quiche, and more cover the tables.
It’s the kind of variety that ensures everyone leaves happy, even picky eaters.
One guest couldn’t stop talking about the sausage gravy, calling it some of the best they’d tried at any restaurant. That’s high praise in a part of Indiana where people take their gravy seriously.
The pancakes get similar love, especially when topped with that homemade berry syrup that’s been in the family for generations.
The buffet runs from 8 AM to close on weekends, giving you a comfortable window to arrive without rushing. It’s popular, though, so expect a crowd if you show up late morning.
Families with kids appreciate the all-you-can-eat setup, which takes the pressure off ordering and keeps everyone fed without fuss.
Breakfast buffets have a way of setting the tone for the whole day. When it’s done well, like at Clay’s, you leave feeling satisfied and ready to tackle whatever’s next, whether that’s a trip to the lake or a lazy Sunday at home.
BLT And Onion Rings That Surprise You
A BLT sounds simple. Bacon, lettuce, tomato, bread.
How special could it be? At Clay’s, the bacon makes all the difference.
Thick-cut, crispy, and flavorful, it transforms a basic sandwich into something people rave about in reviews. One guest said the bacon made the “BANG for the buck,” and that’s not an exaggeration.
The onion rings deserve their own paragraph. Homemade, hand-battered, and fried to golden perfection, they’re increasingly hard to find.
Most restaurants serve frozen rings from a bag, but Clay’s takes the time to make them fresh. The difference is obvious from the first bite.
Several reviews mention stopping at Clay’s after swimming at Clear Lake, just a short drive away. The BLT and onion rings combo makes for a perfect post-lake lunch, filling without being too heavy.
It’s comfort food that doesn’t weigh you down, which is exactly what you want on a summer afternoon.
Sometimes the simplest menu items reveal the most about a restaurant’s commitment to quality. When a place takes pride in making onion rings from scratch and uses thick-cut bacon on a BLT, you know they’re not cutting corners anywhere else either.
Fresh Perch And Generous Portions
Friday night fish fries are a Midwestern tradition, and Clay’s takes it seriously. The perch comes fresh, not frozen, and it’s buttery and full of flavor according to one first-time visitor who’d never tried perch before.
That’s a strong endorsement, especially from someone with no nostalgia bias.
The six-piece perch plate comes with your choice of sides, and portions are generous across the board. Baked potatoes, green beans, fries, or whatever you’re craving.
Nothing arrives skimpy or underwhelming. Clay’s believes in feeding people properly, and it shows in every plate that leaves the kitchen.
All-you-can-eat fish is available too, which one reviewer called excellent after pairing it with the salad bar and combo appetizer loaded with bacon. That’s a meal that sticks with you, the kind you remember fondly when deciding where to eat next Friday.
Fremont sits near lakes and waterways, so fresh fish isn’t just a menu gimmick. It’s part of the local culture.
Clay’s taps into that tradition while adding their own touch, making sure every piece of perch lives up to the hype. If you’ve never tried perch, this is a great place to start.
Perfect Stop After Exploring Steuben County
Fremont sits in the heart of Steuben County, an area known for its chain of lakes and outdoor recreation. After a day at Pokagon State Park, located at 450 Lane 100 Lake James, Angola, IN 46703, or swimming at Clear Lake, Clay’s makes for an ideal dinner stop.
It’s close enough to be convenient but far enough off the main drag to feel like a real discovery.
Angola, just a few miles north, offers additional attractions like Trine University’s campus and the Steuben County Courthouse square. But when hunger strikes, locals know to head south to Clay’s rather than settling for highway chains.
The drive takes minutes, and the payoff is worth it.
The restaurant’s location on Old 27 means you’re likely passing it if you’re exploring the area anyway. It’s not hidden, but it’s easy to overlook if you don’t know what you’re looking for.
That’s part of its charm. It rewards those who seek it out or trust the recommendations of locals who know better.
Good food tastes even better after a day spent outdoors. Whether you’ve been hiking, boating, or just driving through Indiana’s lake country, Clay’s offers the kind of meal that caps off the day perfectly.
Comfortable, satisfying, and memorable in all the right ways.
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