The breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, a true Hoosier obsession, may trace its roots to one small diner counter that opened in 1908. That same counter still serves it today.
I love that nobody ever tried to make it fancy.
Indiana hides a surprising amount of food history in plain sight. One deli began with a pushcart selling flour and sugar.
A log cabin dinner spot once welcomed Abraham Lincoln. An ice cream parlor has poured sodas under stained glass since 1900.
None of these places needed a gimmick to last a century. They needed solid cooking, loyal neighbors, and recipes worth repeating for generations.
That kind of staying power makes me hungry and curious at the same time.
I can’t think of a better way to plan a road trip than by appetite. So which stop wins first, the old root beer stand or the counter with 100 milkshakes?
1. Nick’s Kitchen
Few sandwiches in America have a hometown, but the Hoosier tenderloin might have one right here. Nick’s Kitchen has been cooking in downtown Huntington since 1908, and it’s widely celebrated as the birthplace of the breaded pork tenderloin.
That means you’re not just eating lunch. You’re eating a piece of Indiana food history that still comes out of the kitchen hot.
The tenderloin itself is the star, with light, crispy breading around juicy pork. It’s the kind of sandwich that makes the bun look a little underdressed.
Pair it with onion rings and you’ve got a classic combo. Save room, though, because the homemade pies are a big part of the reason people keep coming back.
Breakfast deserves your attention too. The pancakes here are famously huge, and the Kitchen Sink Omelet is a hearty vegetarian pick.
Want your tenderloin before noon? Go for the Tenderloin Biscuit, which turns a lunch legend into a morning meal.
The menu also covers comfort standbys like chicken pot pie, a meatloaf sandwich with fries, and a Cobb salad. Kids get their own options, including mac and cheese with applesauce.
Timing matters at this small-town cafe. Hours run from 7 AM to 2 PM daily, so a late dinner plan won’t work here.
Saturdays tend to fill up fast, and parking nearby can be tricky. A weekday morning gives you a calmer seat and a better shot at pie.
Address: 506 N Jefferson St, Huntington, IN 46750
2. Triple XXX Family Restaurant
Root beer has been flowing at this corner since 1929, which makes it older than most of the Purdue buildings nearby. Triple XXX Family Restaurant holds the title of Indiana’s oldest drive-in.
The name comes from its signature XXX root beer. Order a frosty glass and you’re tasting the drink that started it.
Burgers here are made from real chopped sirloin. They’re simple, juicy, and exactly what a soda fountain burger should be.
Breakfast is served all day, which is great news for anyone who wakes up late on a Saturday. The buttermilk biscuits with sausage gravy are a must for first-timers.
Other breakfast favorites include corned beef hash and plenty of strong coffee. For lunch, a grilled tenderloin or a thick milkshake keeps things classic.
Seating leans toward the counter, and it can get snug. Think of it as a chance to make friends with your elbow neighbor.
College students, families, and Purdue alumni all keep this spot busy. Weekend afternoons and evenings are the busiest stretch, so plan around them if you can.
You won’t need a reservation, because the restaurant doesn’t take them. Just show up, grab a stool, and order a root beer while you decide.
One scheduling quirk trips people up. Triple XXX is closed on Tuesdays, so circle another day on your calendar.
Hours otherwise run from 7 AM to 10 PM. That leaves plenty of time for a late burger after a game.
Address: 2 N Salisbury St, West Lafayette, IN 47906
3. Fort Wayne’s Famous Coney Island
Hot dogs have been the main event on West Main Street since 1914. That’s more than 110 years of steamed buns and coney sauce in downtown Fort Wayne.
The place keeps it simple, and that’s the charm. You come here for a coney, and you leave wondering why you didn’t order three.
Get the Coney Island Hot Dog with everything for the full experience. The chili sauce recipe dates back more than a century.
Burgers hold their own on the menu too. A chili cheeseburger deluxe or a cheeseburger with extra pickles makes a solid second order.
Sides stay old-school, with oven-baked beans leading the way. Wash it down with a Coke in a glass bottle for maximum nostalgia.
Dessert is a slice of pie. No towering milkshake menu, no fuss, just pie.
Meals here are easy on your wallet, which helps explain the crowds. It’s one of the most affordable lunches you’ll find in Indiana.
The space is small and full of history. Nostalgic decor fills the room, and counter service keeps the line moving quickly.
Weekends and Friday evenings get busy. A weekday morning is your best bet for a quiet seat, since doors open at 9 AM.
Parking downtown can take a few laps around the block. Trust us, the coney waiting inside makes the hunt worth it.
Address: 131 W Main St, Fort Wayne, IN 46802
4. The Beef House | Restaurant & Dinner Theatre
Plenty of steakhouses brag about their steaks, but this one put its rolls right in the web address. At The Beef House, the bread basket is practically a celebrity.
Those homemade rolls arrive with apple butter. Tear one open and you’ll understand why they get top billing.
Steaks are still the main attraction, of course. The signature ribeye is cooked the way you order it, and the 12-ounce New York strip is another favorite.
Zucchini fries make a fun side that’s a little lighter than the usual potato. Ask for the chunky bleu cheese dressing if you like a bold salad.
Speaking of salad, the fresh salad bar is a big part of the meal. Load up, but pace yourself for dessert.
Lemon Italian cream cake is one sweet way to finish. Not a steak fan?
Burgers, seafood, and a pork tenderloin are on the menu too.
The restaurant sits in rural western Indiana near the Wabash River. That country setting makes the drive part of the fun.
True to its name, it also hosts dinner theatre. Pairing a show with steak and rolls is a pretty great night out.
Sunday brunch is another draw, and reservations are accepted. A fireplace adds a pleasant touch on chilly days.
Plan around Mondays, when the doors stay closed. Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons tend to be the busiest.
Address: 16501 IN-63, Covington, IN 47932
5. Das Dutchman Essenhaus
Bring a big group, because Indiana’s largest restaurant is built for passing platters. Das Dutchman Essenhaus serves homestyle Amish and Mennonite recipes in Elkhart County farm country.
The family-style meal is the classic way to go. Bowls and platters land on the table, and everyone shares.
Broasted chicken is a headliner, and it’s easy to see why. Homemade egg noodles and beef Manhattan round out the comfort food lineup.
Prefer to pick your own plate? The menu offers plenty of choices, and the hot buffet adds even more variety.
Pie is where this place really shows off. The selection is long enough to make choosing one a real challenge.
Custard pie is a traditional pick, and Amish peanut butter spread is worth a taste. Grabbing a whole pie to go is never a bad idea.
Breakfast starts early, at 6:30 AM Monday through Saturday. An omelet and coffee make a fine start before a day exploring the area.
Vegetarians aren’t left out here. A full vegetarian menu and a salad bar are part of the offerings.
Families will find high chairs, changing tables, and a kids’ menu. Private dining rooms help larger gatherings feel more relaxed.
One big thing to remember is Sunday. The restaurant is closed that day, so plan your pie mission for another time.
Address: 240 US-20, Middlebury, IN 46540
6. Ivanhoes
Indecisive eaters, consider yourselves warned. Ivanhoes offers 100 shakes and 100 sundaes, each on a numbered menu.
That’s 200 sweet choices in one small Grant County college town. You could visit weekly for years and still find something new.
The shop has been locally owned and operated since 1965. Generations of families and college students have made it a regular stop.
Classics like the banana split and hot fudge deluxe are easy wins. Strawberry shortcake is another popular pick worth trying.
Before dessert, the savory menu deserves a look. Breaded tenderloins, burgers, and the Cowabunga Burger lead the way.
Sides keep things fun, with onion rings and tater tots on hand. A taco salad gives you a lighter choice if you’re saving room.
Ordering happens at the counter, not at your table. Food comes out fast, which helps when the line gets long.
And the line often does get long. Weekend afternoons and evenings are the busiest, and waits are common.
Outdoor seating is available when the weather cooperates. Kids’ birthdays are a natural fit here, since a sundae menu basically counts as a party.
Hours stretch late most nights, until 10 or 11 PM. Sunday opens later, at 2 PM, so skip the post-church brunch idea.
Address: 979 S Main St, Upland, IN 46989
7. Shapiro’s Delicatessen
A pushcart full of flour and sugar launched one of the oldest delis in the country. Shapiro’s Delicatessen started in 1905 and calls itself America’s oldest single-family deli.
The family moved into its current South Meridian Street home in 1912. By the mid-1930s, the business had grown into a restaurant with sandwiches and hot entrees.
Today, a fourth generation runs the show. That’s a long time to keep pastrami this good.
Corned beef, pastrami, and brisket are the big three. The meats are slow-cooked in-house and carved to order, then piled high.
Want a smaller sandwich? Order The Rebecca, which comes with half the meat and still plenty of flavor.
The house-made rye bread holds it all together. You can also pick up a loaf to take home.
Beyond sandwiches, you’ll find matzo ball soup, potato latkes, and chopped liver. A Nova lox platter and a pastrami Reuben are other strong choices.
The bakery case might be the hardest part. Cheesecakes, carrot cake, poppy seed cake, and black and white cookies all compete for your attention.
Service is cafeteria-style, so grab a tray and point at what you want. It’s quick, casual, and fun to watch the carving.
Free parking makes a downtown visit easier. Weekend mornings bring breakfast, with doors opening at 9 AM Saturday and Sunday.
Address: 808 S Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN 46225
8. The Log Inn
Abraham Lincoln once stopped here, and the fried chicken still gives you a reason to follow his lead. The Log Inn dates to 1825 and began as a stagecoach stop.
Today, it’s a family-style restaurant set in a real log cabin. Few dinners in Indiana come with this much history baked into the walls.
The menu sticks to traditional Hoosier comfort food. Skillet-fried chicken and country ham are the stars of the show.
Mashed potatoes and gravy come along for the ride. Peas and other sides fill out the table family-style.
Not in a chicken mood? A seafood platter offers a different direction.
The rustic setting adds plenty of charm. A fireplace makes winter visits especially appealing.
Families have long gathered here for celebrations and big dinners. Private dining rooms help with larger groups.
Plan ahead, because this is a dinner-only spot. Doors open at 4 PM Tuesday through Saturday.
Sundays and Mondays are closed. That catches some people by surprise, so double-check your day.
Reservations are accepted and recommended for dinner. Saturdays get busy, and waits are common without one.
The drive takes you into rural southwestern Indiana. It’s a pleasant trip, and a plate of fried chicken at the end is a fine reward.
Address: 12491 County Rd 200 E, Haubstadt, IN 47639
9. Oasis Diner
Chocolate cola sounds like a dare, but at Oasis Diner it’s on the drink list. The handcrafted sodas here include flavors like butterscotch root beer too.
The building has its own story. Mountain View Diners manufactured it in 1954, and it was later relocated and restored in Plainfield.
It sits along the historic National Road, also known as US 40. Retro decor gives the whole place a throwback feel.
Breakfast is a big deal here, served from 7 AM daily. The country fried breakfast and loaded biscuits and gravy are hearty ways to start.
Got a sweet tooth in the morning? Stuffed French toast or a cinnamon roll will handle that nicely.
Lunch and dinner bring classic diner fare. Thick-cut breaded pork tenderloins, the Oasis Burger, and a catfish basket are menu favorites.
Breads, buns, and pies are made in-house. The dessert selection rotates, so the case might look different each visit.
Gluten-free diners have options too, thanks to a dedicated menu. Shakes and malts round out the sweet side.
Weekend mornings tend to be the busiest stretch. No reservations are taken, so arrive early if you’re hungry.
Sunday hours end at 3 PM. On other days, the diner stays open into the evening.
Address: 405 W Main St, Plainfield, IN 46168
10. Zaharakos
Carved oak, stained glass, and a soda fountain make Zaharakos look like a time machine with a menu. The ice cream parlor has served Washington Street in Columbus since 1900.
There’s even a museum on site. You can enjoy a sundae and a history lesson in the same visit.
The local specialty is the Gom sandwich. It’s a grilled, spiced take on a sloppy joe, and you won’t find it just anywhere.
Tenderloin fans have choices too. The Hometown Tenderloin and the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich with fries both make the menu.
Then comes the fun part. Old-fashioned sodas, root beer floats, milkshakes, and malts flow from the fountain.
A banana split is a classic finish. Or keep it simple with a single scoop sundae and one sauce.
Seating includes tables and a lunch counter. Larger spaces work well for parties and birthdays.
Music machines add some extra charm, so bring quarters. Kids get their own menu, which keeps little appetites happy.
Doors stay closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. Wednesday through Sunday, service starts at 11 AM.
Street parking downtown can take some patience. Saturday afternoons and evenings are busiest, and reservations aren’t accepted.
Columbus is famous for its architecture, so a stroll after dessert is a smart move. It’s a sweet way to wrap up an Indiana food road trip.
Address: 329 Washington St, Columbus, IN 47201