13 Hole-In-The-Wall Indiana Restaurants That Locals Say Are Worth The Detour
Indiana hides some amazing food treasures in the most unassuming places. From historic diners to family-run spots that have stood for generations, these humble eateries serve up dishes that keep locals coming back for decades.
Ready for a mouthwatering adventure across the Hoosier State? These 13 hole-in-the-wall restaurants prove that sometimes the best meals come from the most unexpected places.
1. Nick’s Kitchen – Pork Tenderloin Paradise
Located in Huntington, Nick’s Kitchen isn’t just a restaurant but a piece of Indiana culinary history. The birthplace of Indiana’s famous breaded pork tenderloin sandwich deserves every bit of its legendary status.
The hand-breaded tenderloin extends well beyond the bun, crispy on the outside and tender within. Save room for their sugar cream pie, another Hoosier classic that melts in your mouth.
Breakfast and lunch only, so plan your detour accordingly.
2. Workingman’s Friend – Burger Bliss in Indianapolis
Hidden near Indianapolis’ Haughville neighborhood, this unassuming tavern serves what many consider the perfect smashburger.
The griddle magic creates impossibly thin, lacy-edged patties with a satisfying crunch that burger aficionados dream about.
Bring cash and your ID – this 21+ establishment doesn’t mess with cards or kids. The no-frills atmosphere adds to its charm, with wood-paneled walls that have witnessed decades of satisfied diners.
Lunch-only hours make this spot a special midday treat worth planning around.
3. Powers Hamburgers – Slider Heaven in Fort Wayne
Time stands still at this tiny downtown Fort Wayne counter diner. Since the mid-20th century, Powers has been pressing onion-infused sliders on a well-seasoned grill while customers perch on swivel stools watching the magic happen.
I still remember my first visit; the intoxicating aroma hit me before I even opened the door. Five sliders and a Coke later, I understood why locals have been loyal for generations.
The sliders come wrapped in wax paper, onions caramelized right into the beef patty – simple perfection that needs no fancy toppings.
4. Fort Wayne’s Famous Coney Island – Century-Old Hot Dog Haven
Step through the doors of this downtown Fort Wayne institution and travel back to 1914. The narrow room with its counter seating has barely changed in over a century, serving the same delicious coney dogs that made it famous.
The signature coney arrives with a steamed bun, snappy wiener, secret-recipe chili, mustard, and onions. Locals order them by the handful – two is just the starting point for most regulars.
Open daily with consistent hours, this spot offers a taste of living history that’s worth every minute of your detour.
5. Triple XXX Family Restaurant – Root Beer and Burgers in Boilermaker Country
Orange and black colors welcome you to this West Lafayette landmark, where house-brewed root beer flows freely.
Purdue students and alumni make pilgrimages back to this round building for their famous Duane Purvis burger, featuring peanut butter as a secret weapon.
The creamy, house-made root beer arrives in frosted mugs that keep it ice-cold to the last sip. Breakfast served all day means you can tackle their massive omelets regardless of when your road trip brings you through.
Just remember they’re closed Tuesdays, a planning detail worth noting for your Boilermaker country adventure.
6. The Port Drive-In – Nostalgic Car-Hop Service
Summer evenings in Chesterton wouldn’t be complete without a visit to The Port Drive-In. Car-side service transports you straight back to the 1950s, with servers bringing trays that attach right to your car window.
The homemade root beer recipe hasn’t changed in decades – creamy, sweet, and perfect alongside their famous chili dogs. I’ve been coming here since my dad first drove me over in his Chevy when I was eight.
Operate seasonally from spring through fall, making this spot near the Indiana Dunes a perfect warm-weather pilgrimage for both beach-goers and food enthusiasts.
7. Carlson’s Drive-In – Time Capsule
Michigan City’s beloved Carlson’s has been serving car-side satisfaction since long before fast food chains dotted the landscape. The fresh-brewed root beer comes in frosty mugs that develop a layer of creamy ice, the hallmark of authentic drive-in quality.
Bring an appetite for their perfectly grilled burgers and hot dogs, topped just the way you like. The no-frills menu focuses on doing the classics right rather than reinventing them.
Seasonal hours make this a special treat, with extended summer availability when the nearby lake beaches draw crowds seeking refreshment.
8. Miner-Dunn Hamburgers – ‘Real Hamburgers’ Since 1932
The neon sign proudly proclaiming “Real Hamburgers” at Highland’s Miner-Dunn isn’t lying. Since 1932, this Northwest Indiana institution has been serving thin, crispy-edged burgers that define the Region’s distinctive burger style.
Slide into a booth surrounded by vintage decor that hasn’t changed much in decades. Their hand-dipped shakes come in metal mixing cups with enough extra to refill your glass – a touch of old-school generosity that’s increasingly rare.
Open seven days a week, this throwback diner offers consistency that’s comforting in our ever-changing restaurant landscape.
9. The Lemon Drop – 50s Counter Charm
Anderson’s beloved Lemon Drop looks like it was plucked straight from a 1950s postcard. The yellow-and-white striped awning welcomes hungry visitors to a time when counter service and paper-wrapped burgers were the height of casual dining.
Their legendary onion burger arrives with the onions grilled right into the patty, creating a sweet-savory combination that’s impossible to forget. The breaded tenderloin sandwich rivals any in the state – high praise in tenderloin-obsessed Indiana.
Regulars have been occupying the same counter stools for decades, a testament to food that never disappoints.
10. Mug-n-Bun Drive-In – Racing District Classic
Just a stone’s throw from Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Mug-n-Bun has been fueling hungry racing fans since the days when A.J. Foyt was winning at the Brickyard. The hand-dipped onion rings arrive in a massive golden pile that puts chain restaurants to shame.
Racing memorabilia decorates the indoor seating area, but most regulars prefer the authentic drive-in experience with window service. The house-made root beer comes in frosted mugs that sweat in the summer heat.
Unlike many drive-ins, Mug-n-Bun operates year-round, making it a reliable pit stop regardless of when your travels take you through Speedway.
11. The Chicken House – Fried Chicken Perfection
Sellersburg locals guard The Chicken House like a secret family recipe. This unassuming building with its simple sign belies the culinary treasure inside – fried chicken that achieves the perfect balance of crispy coating and juicy meat.
Every dinner comes with hearty sides made from scratch daily. The creamy mashed potatoes and pepper-flecked gravy could stand alone as a meal, but they’re just supporting players to the star chicken.
Back in college, my friends and I would drive 40 minutes each way just for Sunday dinner here, calculating the trip around their operating hours to ensure we’d never miss out.
12. Indy’s Historic Steer-In – East Side Institution
The vintage neon sign of Indy’s Historic Steer-In has guided hungry travelers along East 10th Street since the 1950s. Featured on food TV shows, this diner somehow maintains its neighborhood feel despite the fame.
Their tenderloin sandwich has won city-wide awards, but don’t overlook the homestyle meatloaf that tastes like grandma made it.
Breakfast served all day means you can satisfy your craving for their fluffy pancakes regardless of when you arrive.
The vintage photos lining the walls tell the story of an Indianapolis that’s changed dramatically while this beloved spot has remained deliciously consistent.
13. Marvin’s – Garlic Burger Legend
College town classics don’t get better than Marvin’s in Greencastle. This DePauw University adjacent hangout has turned the humble garlic cheeseburger into a cult phenomenon known simply as the GCB.
The intense garlic aroma hits you before your order even arrives at the table. One bite of the garlicky, cheesy masterpiece explains why alumni return decades after graduation just to taste it again.
The late-night hours cater to the college crowd, but locals of all ages brave the packed dining room for a taste of what might be Indiana’s most aromatic burger experience.