Every summer, several of my friends come from all over the country to Indianapolis for a work convention. A handful of us join them, which makes for a big friend reunion.

Of course, food was a big part of the trip, and pizza was our first choice. Our regular pizza place is Pasquale’s. Having a real pizza parlor vibe, Pasquale’s is the perfect place to eat and simply hang with friends. The pizza is delicious, but I would honestly return just for the bread. The garlic bread, cheese bread and bread sticks are served fresh and warm with a delightfully crispy crust and a soft center.

El Rodeo is our Mexican restaurant of choice. Authentic Mexican dishes are served in large, flavorful portions. As usual we shared plates, enjoying several choices. The group favorite was the fish tacos. Ordinarily I would get a refreshing frozen margarita, but the Coke is too good to pass up.

While sightseeing downtown, we enjoyed lunch at Shapiro’s Deli. It’s unusual for a deli to leave such a big impression, but Shapiro’s has been an institution in Indianapolis for more than 100 years. On football game days, the line is literally around the block. On this Saturday, the line was still pretty long, but it moved quickly and was well worth the wait. The sandwiches are piled high with fresh ingredients.

As much fun as the weekend was, the best part occurred on my way home. I stopped in Joe’s Cafe in Crown Point to visit an old grade-school friend I had not seen in about 35 years. The years melted away quickly as Ninette and I enjoyed a huge, warm hug. It won’t be 35 years before our next visit! An added bonus was the hearty diner food!

It’s times like these that reinforce how important travel is in having fun times with friends. The distance and the activities don’t matter when you are surrounded by loved ones.

— John Wroblewski, online writer