If you're looking for a place to fill your belly, look no further than Rico's Filling Station located behind the Notre Dame campus along State Road 23 in South Bend.

Owner Jim Herter opened this new location in November and it’s a transplant from his former location south of town.

When you walk in, a mixture of cultures and colors greats guests. The paintings depict Cajun life in the Big Easy and the Aztec feel of the Southwest. Bright colors are "peppered" through out and the menu is just as colorful. It's described as a blend of Cajun, Caribbean, and Southwestern.

“We focus on anything that touches on the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea so we're not just any of those things because people mix and match all of our items.”

Jim's son Nick certainly knows his way around a kitchen. Try the andouille sandwich with sausage and the fixings, Cajun rice bowls, the Southwest’s own black bean salad, and big 'o steak burrito are all good choices.

Hands down, the number one item is the Cuban sandwich. It's so popular that it alone is responsible for about 25% of Rico's business.

For dessert don't forget the strawberry or Bavarian cream churros.

Also, if you're on a budget this place is for you. Most items are between $5-$8 allowing for Rico's to quickly catch on with the nearby Notre Dame students.

“I been in the business for 35 years and people say I didn't know you were here this is great and we'll be coming back. We have a lot of repeat business.”

So if you want to try something made locally with a diverse taste that spans the Americas, Rico's Filling Station wants your service.

Rico’s Filling Station
1841 South Bend Ave. (S.R. 23)
South Bend, IN 46637
574-246-1400