The Banana Cream Pie At This Indiana Diner Might Be The Best You’ll Ever Taste
I’ve driven past dozens of diners that promise the best pie in the state, but South Side Soda Shop in Goshen actually delivers on that claim.
This tiny storefront with its vintage soda fountain and rotating pie case has built a reputation that stretches far beyond northern Indiana. It is an understatement that the banana cream pie here is good.
Actually, it’s the kind of dessert that makes you rethink every slice you’ve ever eaten before.
A retro diner where pie still matters
South Side Soda Shop in Goshen feels like a time capsule: pressed-tin ceiling, chrome stools, a pie case that stops conversations, and a soda fountain humming through lunch.
Family-run since the 1980s, it’s very much alive and serving today, with posted hours and updates straight from the owners.
Walking through the door, you’ll notice the original details that most modern restaurants toss during renovations. The Boyd family kept everything authentic, right down to the counter where three generations have perched.
This isn’t a themed restaurant trying to look old. It’s the real deal, complete with regulars who remember when these fixtures were brand new.
Meet the Boyd family behind the counter
Nick and Charity Boyd turned a century-old storefront into a beloved Hoosier diner, then raised a crew that still steers the room with warmth. Regulars know the faces, first-timers notice the care.
I watched Charity refill coffee cups while chatting about pie flavors like she was catching up with old friends. The Boyds don’t just own this place; they live it every single day, greeting diners by name and remembering orders from weeks ago.
It’s a true mom-and-pop in a small Midwestern town. You can taste the difference when people actually care about what leaves the kitchen, and that pride shows in every slice they serve.
Banana cream that makes detours worth it
Slices rotate daily, yet cream pies remain the calling card. Ask for banana cream when it hits the case: velvety custard, real banana layers, lofty whipped topping, flaky crust.
The kitchen bakes dozens of styles and even builds custom pie bars, so banana cream shows up often during peak dessert runs and holiday weeks. I’ve tried banana cream pies from bakeries that charge triple the price, and none match the balance here.
Real bananas, not artificial flavoring, make all the difference. The custard holds its shape without turning gummy, and that crust shatters under your fork in the best possible way.
What to eat before dessert
Philly cheesesteaks, chili that earned TV praise, and diner staples stack the menu. Savory plates land fast, portions land generous, and that last forkful conveniently leads to pie.
Guy Fieri’s crew spotlighted the shop for exactly this mix of old-school flavor and small-town charm. The chili alone could be its own destination, thick with beans and seasoned just right, but somehow people still save room for dessert.
I ordered the cheesesteak on my first visit and nearly forgot about pie until I saw someone else’s slice. Smart diners pace themselves, but the food makes that nearly impossible.
Soda fountain magic, Green Rivers included
Phosphate sodas, malts, sundaes, and the emerald-green classic draw as many smiles as the pie. Kids lean on the counter, old-timers trade stories, and the fountain crew works like clockwork.
It’s dessert theater in miniature. Watching them build a proper malt with the old mixing cups brings back memories I didn’t know I had, even though I grew up decades after soda fountains faded.
The Green River soda, a Midwest staple, glows like liquid nostalgia in its glass. Pair it with pie, and you’ve got the full 1950s experience without needing a time machine.
When to go, how to score a slice
Hours run mid-week through Saturday with a lunch-to-dinner rhythm. Pie selections change daily, so a quick call before you roll helps, especially for banana cream or whole-pie orders.
Holiday seasons bring extra varieties and special orders. I learned the hard way that showing up on a whim might mean your favorite flavor sold out an hour earlier, so now I always phone ahead.
The staff will hold a slice if you ask nicely, and they’re happy to box up whole pies for the road. Planning beats disappointment every single time, especially when banana cream is involved.
Proof in the pedigree
National TV features keep introducing travelers to Goshen, while steady local coverage confirms the shop’s ongoing buzz. Fresh press in 2025 even teased a return to Food Network screens, a neat nod for a true neighborhood diner.
Guy Fieri’s visit put South Side Soda Shop on the map for food tourists, but locals knew about it long before the cameras rolled.
The media attention hasn’t changed the quality or the prices, which speaks volumes about the Boyd family’s priorities.
Recognition feels earned here, not manufactured. This place doesn’t need gimmicks when the pie does all the talking.
Essential details for your visit
Find South Side Soda Shop at 1122 S Main St, Goshen, with parking right along the strip and side streets. Come hungry, leave with a whole pie for the road, and plan a riverfront stroll to walk off that last creamy bite.
Goshen offers more than just the diner; the downtown area invites wandering, and the nearby river trails provide the perfect excuse to justify a second slice. I always budget extra time to explore after eating.
Bring cash if you can, though they do take cards. The pie travels well, so ordering extras for home makes perfect sense.