10 Indiana Buffets That Locals Swear Haven’t Changed Since The ’80s
Remember when buffets felt like the ultimate family outing? The excitement began the moment you walked in, grabbing a plastic tray and eyeing the endless steam tables piled high with comfort food favorites.
There was always that magical dessert corner too, stacked with pies, puddings, and soft-serve ice cream that made every kid’s eyes widen. In Indiana, a handful of these classic buffets still exist, serving as living time capsules.
With wood-paneled walls, red vinyl booths, and recipes that haven’t changed since the Reagan era, they’re dishing up more than food—they’re serving nostalgia. And their crispy fried chicken still reigns supreme.
1. Gasthof Amish Village (Montgomery)
Stepping through the doors of Gasthof feels like traveling back in time! The handcrafted oak tables haven’t been replaced since 1986, and neither has the cheerful waitstaff in their traditional Amish attire.
My grandmother first brought me here when I was just seven, and I swear the massive lazy Susan centerpieces loaded with homemade bread and apple butter remain identical. The fried chicken recipe—crispy outside, juicy inside—hasn’t changed one bit.
Locals joke that even the pies in the display case might be from the ’80s, but one taste of their still-warm peach cobbler proves otherwise. This place ignores food trends with stubborn Amish determination.
2. Stoll’s Lakeview Restaurant (Loogootee)
Good luck finding a menu change at Stoll’s since the Berlin Wall fell! The lakeside view might be timeless, but so is their commitment to preserving their original recipes.
Last summer, I reconnected with my high school sweetheart here, both of us laughing when we realized they still serve those iconic blue plastic water glasses. The pan-fried chicken with its secret seasoning blend tastes identical to when we had our first date in 1988.
Regulars swear the wood-paneled walls, carpeted dining room, and those curiously comfortable orange vinyl chairs haven’t seen an update in decades. The staff still calls everyone “honey” and remembers your usual order.
3. His Place Eatery (Indianapolis)
Soul food heaven exists in Indianapolis, and it’s frozen in 1989! His Place Eatery’s buffet line gleams under the same fluorescent lighting that’s illuminated three decades of satisfied diners.
My uncle Derrick introduced me to this gem when I was just a kid. The mac and cheese recipe hasn’t changed—still that perfect crispy top layer with creamy goodness underneath. Their sweet tea remains served in those nostalgic plastic cups with the swirly pattern.
The walls showcase faded photographs of local celebrities who’ve visited since opening day. Even the cash-only policy feels charmingly outdated, but regulars wouldn’t have it any other way. The smothered pork chops alone are worth the trip back in time.
4. Das Dutchman Essenhaus (Middlebury)
Massive portions served family-style remain the hallmark of this Amish country landmark! The moment you walk in, the aroma of freshly baked bread transports you straight back to 1983.
My first visit happened during a childhood road trip, and returning last month felt like stepping into a time machine. The waitresses still wear those distinctive blue dresses with white aprons, and yes, they continue serving those gigantic cinnamon rolls on the same blue willow plates.
The dining room’s original dark wood beams, quilted wall hangings, and those squeaky wooden floors haven’t changed in nearly four decades. Neither has their famous chicken and noodles recipe that locals claim cures everything from homesickness to the common cold.
5. Blue Gate Restaurant & Bakery (Shipshewana)
Forget modern dining trends—Blue Gate proudly maintains its 1986 glory! The moment I walked in last Christmas, I nudged my sister and whispered, “Even the fake plants are the same ones from our childhood visits.”
Amish families still arrive by horse and buggy for the legendary fried chicken and ham buffet. The servers continue wearing those charming bonnets and aprons while carrying trays loaded with comfort food that defies contemporary culinary fads.
Local farmers gather at the same corner tables they’ve claimed for decades. The peanut butter spread for the homemade bread remains in those little paper cups, and they still refuse to serve alcohol—some traditions are simply non-negotiable in Amish country.
6. Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre (Indianapolis)
Broadway meets buffet in this gloriously unchanged dinner theater! The red carpet entrance still has that distinctive ’80s sheen, and I swear they’re using the same spotlights from when I saw my first show here in 1985.
The pre-show buffet remains arranged in that familiar horseshoe shape with carving stations that haven’t been updated since “Cats” was the hot new musical. Servers in bow ties continue balancing trays of those famous dinner rolls that my mother still talks about.
Last month’s visit confirmed my suspicions—they’ve preserved everything from the burgundy tablecloths to the cheese-laden potato casserole recipe. Even the dessert cart with its rotating selection of cheesecakes looks frozen in time, much like the lobby photographs of long-ago performances.
7. Back 40 Junction (Decatur)
Railroad memorabilia covers every inch of wall space in this converted train depot that refuses to acknowledge the 21st century has arrived! The model trains still chug along tracks suspended from the ceiling, delighting kids today just as they did when I first visited with my grandfather in 1982.
The all-you-can-eat country buffet features those legendary biscuits and gravy that locals set their watches by. Waitresses wearing conductor-inspired uniforms continue delivering those massive cinnamon rolls that remain approximately the size of a child’s head.
Even the bathroom signs—”Bulls” and “Heifers”—haven’t changed in forty years. The salad bar still features that curious green gelatin salad that nobody can identify but everyone takes a scoop of, purely out of tradition.
8. Mug-n-Bun (Speedway)
Car hops still roller-skate to your vehicle at this drive-in wonder near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway! The menu board features the same neon lettering that flickered when I celebrated passing my driving test here in 1988.
While not technically a traditional buffet, their “all-you-can-eat” special lets you order unlimited amounts of their famous breaded tenderloin sandwiches and homemade root beer. The food arrives on those metal trays that hook onto partially rolled-down car windows—a technique that younger servers have inherited from veterans who’ve worked here since the Carter administration.
The picnic tables under the outdoor pavilion maintain their original chipped green paint. Racing memorabilia from the ’70s and ’80s decorates every available surface, creating a museum-like quality that race fans adore.
9. Heritage House (Noblesville)
Grandmothers throughout central Indiana still compare their cooking to Heritage House standards! The floral wallpaper, slightly faded from decades of steam table service, remains exactly as it was during my childhood birthday celebrations.
Family-style platters continue arriving at tables with seemingly endless refills of fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and green beans cooked with ham. The breadbasket still features those famous angel biscuits that my dad talks about with reverent tones.
Servers—many who’ve worked here since opening day—know regular customers by name and remember their preferred seating. The dessert table maintains its legendary status with cobblers served in those distinctive amber glass dishes that haven’t been manufactured since 1979. Time stands deliciously still within these walls.
10. Duff’s Smorgasbord (Richmond)
Mention “Duff’s” to any Indiana resident over 40 and watch their eyes light up with buffet nostalgia! Though many locations closed, this Richmond outpost stubbornly maintains the original rotating buffet format that captured my imagination during childhood road trips.
The salad bar still features that iconic sneeze guard that’s just slightly too high for children to reach comfortably. Those memorable sectioned plates—designed to prevent food touching—remain stacked at the beginning of the buffet line.
The dessert station continues offering those square slices of sheet cake with impossibly thick frosting and rainbow sprinkles. Even the ice cream machine occasionally malfunctions in exactly the same way it did during the Reagan administration, creating a rite of passage for disappointed kids and amused parents alike.