Today on Tasties: Let’s Get This Bread, Babe — The Callah Bread Co. Way
Hey TASTIES Tribe! Let’s talk about carbs, cuties.
You ever lock eyes with a loaf of bread and just know? Like, “Damn... I’m about to risk it all for this gluten”? Yeah. That’s what happens when you meet Callah Bread Co. from South Bend.
This isn’t your basic bakery. This is challah that flirts with you across the table, winks while rising in the oven, and whispers "you deserve something warm and golden today."
And babe? You do.
🥖 Braids, Buns & Big Main Character Energy
Meet the powerhouse behind Callah Bread Co.—a bold, brilliant bread witch who turned a little flour and a whole lotta heart into one of the most delicious movements South Bend has seen.
It started with a braid. A humble twist of dough. But what she created? Pure ritual. She didn’t just rise to the occasion—she double-proofed and served it hot.
Now, every single loaf she sells isn’t just bread—it’s a love letter. To tradition. To healing. To choosing joy. To standing tall when life tries to knock you down. This bread? It feels like courage.
💬 Challah Is the Moment
Let’s get one thing straight: this challah is not passive. It shows up. It makes an entrance. It says “I’ve been basted in egg wash and I demand attention.”
She posts videos on TikTok and IG like, “Here’s your morning dose of golden braids and good energy,” and suddenly you’re 12 reels deep wondering how fast you can get to South Bend.
But it’s not just for show. When hate tried to sneak in through the comments section? She didn’t shrink. She braided louder. She threw sugar on it and said, “You will not dull my shine.”
That’s radical hospitality, baby. That’s how you make a statement—with yeast and resilience.
🍞 Taste That Makes You Text Your Ex "I’m Doing Fine"
Let’s break it down.
The Classic Challah – Light, fluffy, impossibly glossy. It’s what your carb dreams are made of.
Stuffed Chocolate Babka – Imagine if a cinnamon roll and fudge brownie had a baby and raised it with values.
French Toast Challah – Yes, you’ll eat it for breakfast. Yes, you’ll eat it again for dinner. No, you won’t apologize.
Holiday Loaves – Glimmering, seasonal, and sweet enough to make your aunt jealous at brunch.
Whether you’re tearing into a loaf at Shabbat, brunching with your besties, or standing over the sink at midnight eating it by hand (no judgment), Callah Bread Co. shows up with warmth, soul, and just the right amount of sweet.
📍 Where’s This Magic Happening?
✨ The Portage Collective – That dreamy market space where you walk in for one loaf and leave with six.
✨ Pop-Ups in South Bend & Mishawaka – She’s serving braided brilliance wherever the community gathers. Keep your eyes peeled and your purse ready.
✨ Social Media Sorcery – TikTok & IG @southbendchallahcompany — where the dough rises and the vibes are immaculate.
And don't even get me started on her videos where she braids challah to lo-fi beats, drops Jewish wisdom in the captions, or shows how she’s feeding community through every oven batch. I’ve cried and craved cinnamon on the same scroll.
💖 Why We Stan So Hard
Let’s be real: anyone can make bread. But not everyone can make bread like this.
This bread holds intention. It carries stories. It wraps you in the kind of warmth that doesn’t just feed your body—it fills a little pocket of your soul that’s been craving safety, sweetness, and softness.
And the woman behind it all? She’s got the kind of fire that makes you want to cheer her on and ask her for seconds. She’s using her platform to fight hate, to build connection, and to celebrate identity—all while slinging the kind of loaves that make you weak in the knees.
Final Crumb, Babe:
Callah Bread Co. isn’t just baking bread. She’s braiding resistance. She’s whisking community. She’s serving up golden, glossy joy in a world that desperately needs it.
So the next time you need a pick-me-up, a little sweetness, or just something to munch on while you reclaim your power—remember this: you deserve challah that makes you feel seen. And baby, she’s got you.
Go ahead. Get that bread. Literally.
#TASTIES #ChallahQueen #SouthBendSnacks #BreadIsLove #BabkaBabe #CallahBackNow #FlourPower #RiseAndSlay
☕️ Today on Tasties: Quad Coffee Lab – South Bend’s Roasted Revival
It all begins with an idea.
May 28
Hey, Tasties tribe! It’s your friendly neighborhood caffeine scout, back with a brew so good it deserves its own parade. If you’re a coffee snob, a local-business lover, or just someone who likes your espresso with a little side of story, buckle up—we’re heading into the heart of South Bend to visit Quad Coffee Lab, a hidden treasure nestled in the industrial park off Sample Street.
🔍 From Courtroom to Coffeehouse
Quad Coffee Lab is the brainchild of John Kuehn, a Notre Dame labor and relations attorney, part-time professor, and full-time coffee enthusiast. John’s story is the kind of entrepreneurial pivot we love to hear: once an investor in another coffee venture that fell through due to the pandemic, he found himself craving more than just caffeine—he wanted to understand the craft. So, he took courses, traveled for training, and immersed himself in the bean-to-brew process.
The location he eventually chose? A half-built space originally intended to become a South Bend Chocolate Company shop. When the pandemic paused those plans, John saw opportunity in the half-finished walls and industrial bones. With just a few upgrades (electric, plumbing, and of course, premium coffee equipment), Quad Coffee Lab was born.
🌿 What Sets Quad Apart?
1. Roasting with Intention
John sources green beans from trusted importers like Cafe Imports in Minneapolis (where he trained) and Theodore’s Ridge near the South Bend airport. While much of the espresso is still roasted by Cafe Imports for now, John’s favorite part of the work is developing roast profiles himself—figuring out how to get the best flavor from each new bean.
2. Logan Center Partnership
Quad is collaborating with the Logan Center, an organization supporting individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Clients from the center now roast coffee at Quad as part of an official partnership, producing coffee for sale. It’s not just inclusive—it’s revolutionary.
3. Community-Centric Growth
Instead of jumping straight into franchising or opening multiple shops, John’s plan is slow, smart, and community-minded. He’s focusing on roasting, local delivery, and pop-ups for now, with hopes of expansion when the time is right. Quad already delivers to local institutions like Notre Dame, and they’re building relationships to hopefully become a campus staple.
🍽️ Coffee & Eats: What to Expect
Let’s talk food and drink. Quad isn’t just here to pour a quick cup. It’s an artisan experience.
Drinks:
Pour-overs using rotating single-origin beans
Chai lattes for the spice lovers
Cold brews (look out for maple brown sugar and butter pecan!)
A Minneapolis-roasted espresso that will absolutely keep you awake
Food:
Pastries from Ragamuffin Bakery and Bakesea
Pan dulce on weekends
Locally sourced baked goods curated to match the quality of their drinks
John is also a self-proclaimed foodie, so the sourcing is deliberate, local, and high-quality. The pastries? They’re not just good—they’re from some of the best small-batch bakers in the area.
🚩 A Soft Spot for Soldiers
John isn’t just community-minded—he’s military-friendly. With the Lyle J. Thompson Army Reserve Center just down the road ,I may have dropped a not-so-subtle hint that we’d love to pop in for drill weekend. His answer? "Give me your schedule."
It’s the kind of responsive, heart-forward attitude that makes Quad feel less like a business and more like a local hub.
🏢 The Space: Functional, Warm, Intentional
From the moment you step in, Quad balances minimalism with comfort. John picked out every chair, every table, every light. The furniture was sourced from Knox, Indiana – because if you’re building a local dream, why not keep it local?
Power outlets? Check.
Strong Wi-Fi? Yes.
Room for laptops, planners, and group study sessions? Absolutely.
This is a space that invites you to stay a while.
🔎 Local, Loyal, and Growing
John’s roots in South Bend go back to 1993. His wife Michelle, a South Bend native, has been instrumental in building the Quad dream—even connecting the dots that helped John recognize me (your Tasties guide) as the daughter of two local business owners.
Yes—South Bend is that small and that connected. And John wants to keep it that way.
He’s already helping two Notre Dame students launch their own roasting brand using Quad’s equipment. That’s what community growth looks like. One opportunity, one young entrepreneur at a time.
🚴 Who Will Love It Here?
College Students:
Whether you're pulling an all-nighter or recovering from one, this is your new HQ.
Freelancers & Remote Workers:
Quad offers everything a mobile office needs. Bonus points for the good vibes and great lattes.
Local Coffee Lovers:
You’ll find community roasters like Revenant and Embassy celebrated here, too. Collaboration, not competition.
Military Folks:
If you’re stationed nearby, John might just open early for you. Seriously.
South Bend Revivalists:
Anyone passionate about the city’s growth will find this place emblematic of what’s possible when you lead with vision and kindness.
🌟 Final Sip & Takeaway
Quad Coffee Lab is what happens when passion meets purpose. It’s a place where coffee lovers, entrepreneurs, students, veterans, and locals all find a home. It’s a thoughtfully built, lovingly run space that prioritizes quality, connection, and community.
Whether you're a chai devotee, espresso purist, or just someone looking for a quiet table with good Wi-Fi and even better vibes—Quad Coffee Lab is your new go-to.
Support local. Sip intentionally. And next time you're in South Bend, do yourself a favor: make Quad your first stop.
Tell them Tasties sent you—and maybe I’ll finally earn that free cookie. 😉
Cheers to caffeine, connection, and community. See you at Quad!
🍫 Today on Tasties: South Bend Chocolate Company – A Sweet Voyage
It all begins with an idea.
Hey there, Tasties crew! Today’s post is extra special to me, because we’re talking about a place that holds a nostalgic little corner of my heart—and maybe the origin story of my chocoholism: South Bend Chocolate Company.
🚌 Where It All Began (For Me, Anyway)
My very first school field trip—yep, ever—was to South Bend Chocolate Co. I still remember walking wide-eyed through those chocolate-scented halls, learning how candy was made, and getting my tiny hands on as many samples as I could. Let’s be honest: that’s probably the moment my love affair with chocolate truly began.
And years later, full-circle moment—I had the pleasure of meeting the man behind the magic himself, Mark Tarner, for a job interview right out of college. Talk about fascinating. Sitting across from him, I got a glimpse into the heart of the dream—straight from the visionary who turned a modest chocolate venture into a Midwest confectionery empire.
🍬 A Legacy Built on Passion (and Cocoa)
Founded in 1991, South Bend Chocolate Co. started under a Notre Dame license and quickly evolved into a regional powerhouse, producing more than 500 chocolate treats from truffles to turtles, malt balls to espresso beans. Now they’ve got stores across Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio, a 60,000 sq. ft. factory, and even a Chocolate Museum filled with ancient Mayan relics and cocoa history.
Seriously, the museum includes a 1,300-year-old Mayan chocolate pot. Who else is doing that?
☕️ The Downtown Café Vibe
If you’re in South Bend, make time for their flagship café downtown. Whether you’re a student on a study break, a traveler passing through, or a die-hard foodie like me, you’ll feel right at home. Go for the legendary hot chocolate, stay for the truffles, and leave with a sugar high and zero regrets.
Their café isn't just a coffee stop—it’s an experience. Cozy seating, old-school candy shop charm, and shelves stacked with everything from caramel corn to handmade fudge.
🦕 Chocolate, Dinosaurs, and Big Dreams
But it doesn’t stop at chocolate. Mark Tarner is a man of many interests, including paleontology (yep), which is why the new factory campus on Lincolnway West includes the Indiana Dinosaur Museum. It’s a one-stop shop for chocolate tours, science, snacks, and small-town wonder.
💬 Final Thoughts from a Lifelong Fan
Meeting Mr. Tarner and hearing about the South Bend Chocolate Co. dream straight from him made a lasting impression on me. This company isn’t just about sweets—it’s about story, community, and turning humble beginnings into something magical.
So if you haven’t been yet, go. Take the tour, eat the chocolate, embrace the sugar rush. And if you have been—go again. Some places are worth revisiting.
Stay curious, stay sweet—and maybe keep some emergency truffles in your bag (I won’t judge).