BY ANGIE FENTON | PHOTOS BY CHRISTIAN WATSON
There are plenty of reasons to include Joe Huber’s Family Farm & Restaurant on your list of must-visit places this fall, but my favorite is the food, all of which is made from scratch and reminiscent of the long-ago leisurely family dinners at my grandparents’ home when I was growing up.
The spacious dining room overlooks the flower gardens, lake and mini farm/playground, which only adds to the ambiance, but I have to be honest: Once it’s served, it’s hard to look anywhere but at the food. Country Fried Chicken. Huber Honey Ham. Chicken and Dumplings. Fried Biscuits with Apple Butter. Fresh Vegetables. And all of it is served family style. If you leave Joe Huber’s hungry, you did it wrong. 
If you aren’t interested in the dining experience, you can order your favorites to go. I won’t name names, but I once did a live TV remote at Joe Huber’s with a photographer friend and after ordering to-go, we didn’t even make it out of the parking lot but, instead, greedily – and without shame, mind you – feasted on the fried chicken while sitting in the news truck, giggling like little kids.
In addition to the fabulous food, you’ll find activities for all ages at Huber’s Family Farm, including pony rides, a corn maze, wagon rides, paintball, and more (these activities cost money) along with complimentary fun that includes tether ball, a 40-foot tunnel slide, swings, a hammock and my daughter’s favorite, the Tiny Tot’s Play Set.
The pumpkin patch has been open since Sept. 9 and a portion of all U-pick sales benefit the WHAS Crusade for Children. The Market and Gift Shop also offer fresh gift ideas, locally grown food, preserves, jams, jellies, fudge and wonderful caramel apples (I’ll take mine with nuts, please!).
Every weekend, Joe Huber’s features live music with local musicians, craft beer, wine and cocktails, too.
But about that food…
JOE HUBER’S F AMILY FARM & RESTAURANT
2421 Engle Road | Starlight
812.923.5255
On a recent visit with friends and our little ones, we enjoyed the Fall Harvest Pumpkin Tour ($7 per child), a guided walking (toddling for some of us) tour of the grounds during which the guide shared information about the 550-acre farm. As an added bonus, the kiddos picked pumpkins, were delighted to get an apple to take home and received free admission to the Family Farm Park. The park features pedal karts, mountain slides, several mazes and playgrounds and the Huber Gran Train. Admission is free with any tour or only $5 per person. Trust me, the money is worth it. We saved the park for last, which meant most of us experienced a quiet ride home while our tots slept soundly.
Huber’s also offers tours of the Starlight Distillery, which is newly expanded. On a return trip with several adult couples, we chose the Production and More Tour ($20 plus tax per person), which is about an hour experience featuring an in-depth look at the distillery process and samplings in a Starlight Distillery souvenir glass. Be sure to RSVP in advance if you opt for this memorable way to spend the day.