Burger Beast Loves Indiana’s Food

Burger Beast loves Indiana; I really do, and I’ve only dipped my toes in the state. Three of my road food trips have taken me through Indiana, which makes sense why it’s known as the Crossroads of America.

Welcome to Indiana Sign
Welcome to Indiana: Crossroads of America

The only spot I didn’t list was a late-night stop at Blaze Pizza (Carmel, Indiana) because we didn’t think very much of it.

Now I need your help; which must-stop restaurant in Indiana should I visit for comfort food?

Hilltop Drive-InCambridge City, Indiana

Hilltop Drive-In in Cambridge City, Indiana
Hilltop Drive-In in Cambridge City, Indiana

We dropped Marcela off at the Centerville Antique Mall while Fred and I ventured out to find somewhere to eat.

Menu from Hilltop Drive-In in Cambridge City, Indiana
Hilltop Drive-In Menu

Fred orders the double cheeseburger while he appears to be trying to make a love connection with a local. I’m not sure where he thought that was gonna go since we are leaving town sooner rather than later.

Double Cheeseburger from Hilltop Drive-In in Cambridge City, Indiana
Double Cheeseburger

This is where I met one of my current loves, the Pork Tenderloin Sandwich. This guy was massive, and the breading reminded me of the crustier-style breading used in South Florida at some Cuban restaurants.

Pork Tenderloin Sandwich with Fries from Hilltop Drive-In in Cambridge City, Indiana
Pork Tenderloin Sandwich with Seasoned Fries

The tenderloin sandwich has a couple of pickles, and that’s it. It did not need anything; it was perfect. The seasoned fries were great too.

Breaded Tenderloin from Hilltop Drive-In in Cambridge City, Indiana
Breaded Pork Tenderloin Sandwich

All I can say when looking back at this sandwich is…I miss you, babe!

Hilltop Drive-In
705 W Main Street
Cambridge City, IN
(765) 478-5880

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/hilltopcambridgecity

Monday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Tuesday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Wednesday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Thursday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Friday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm

Lumpy’s CafeCambridge City, Indiana

Lumpy's Cafe in Cambridge City, Indiana
The Super Busy Lumpy’s Cafe in Cambridge City, Indiana

Lumpy’s Cafe is another great local joint that serves a phenomenal breaded tenderloin sandwich.

The menu also includes a great patty melt and coney dog. You can read about my visit in the full Lumpy’s Cafe post.

Lumpy’s Cafe
20 N Foote Street
Cambridge City, IN
(765) 478-6510

Centerville Antique MallCenterville, Indiana

Centerville Antique Mall in Centerville, Indiana
Centerville Antique Mall in Centerville, Indiana

Here’s the massive Centerville Antique Mall, where Marcela managed to spend hours while Fred and I were out eating breaded tenderloin sandwiches.

Centerville Antique Mall
200 Union Street
Centerville, IN
(765) 855-5551

Jack’s DonutsCarmel, Indiana

Jack's Donuts in Carmel, Indiana
Carmel, Indiana’s Jack’s Donuts

Jack’s Donuts, founded in 1961, is an Indiana-based donut chain with one location in Bradenton, Florida. While Marcela was asleep, I drove over to Jack’s to grab a couple of donuts and coffee.

Sourcream Cake Donut from Jack's Donuts in Carmel, Indiana
Sour Cream Cake Donut

You must have the sour cream donut; it was phenomenal.

You can read a little more about my visit in a Jack’s Donuts post.

Jack’s Donuts
516 E Carmel Drive
Carmel, IN
(317) 993-3501

Magic WandChurubusco, Indiana

Patty Melt from Magic Wand's in Churubusco, Indiana
Patty Melt from Magic Wand

Who knew that a clown-themed burger restaurant existed? Not this guy! If you have an irrational fear of clowns (coulrophobia), Magic Wand is not for you. But if you love tasty burgers, then I have the spot for you.

Read about the full visit to Magic Wand Restaurant in Churusbusco.

Magic Wand
602 S Main Street
Churubusco, IN
(260) 693-3518

Brewha Coffee House – Columbia City

Brewha Coffee House Cup in Columbia City, Indiana
A Cup of Joe from Brew’ha

Before leaving Columbia City, Marcela needed a Java fix. Brew’ha came up, and we loved the gothic name. In Spanish, bruja means witch.

Read about the full visit to Brew’ha Coffee House

Brew’ha Coffee House
120 N Main Street
Columbia City, IN
(260) 248-4111

The Nook – Columbia City

Seating & Counter at The Nook in Columbia City, Indiana
The Counter at The Nook

I stopped in at The Nook specifically for a coney dog. But then I saw a breaded cheeseburger on the menu. A breaded cheeseburger?

Read about the full visit to The Nook in Columbia City

The Nook
223 W Van Buren Street
Columbia City, IN
(260) 248-8700

Azar’s Big BoyFort Wayne, Indiana

Azar's Big Boy Statue in Ft. Wayne, Indiana
Azar’s Big Boy Statue in Fort Wayne, Indiana

I’m a giant fan of the Big Boy brand, so when I found out the last Azar’s Boy Boy was in Fort Wayne, I knew I had to at least snap a couple of pictures. I figured I’d return another day to eat there, but that would never happen. A few months after taking this picture, Azar’s Big Boy in Fort Wayne, Indiana, permanently closed.

Don Hall’s TavernFort Wayne, Indiana

Don Hall's Tavern Menu at Coventry in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Don Hall’s Tavern Menu Cover

The night before our visit to Hall’s Original Drive-In, we were craving some stick-to-your-guts comfort food. Don Hall’s Tavern at Coventry‘s ice-cold beers and meatloaf fit the bill perfectly.

Meatloaf from Don Hall's Tavern at Coventry in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Meatloaf from Don Hall’s Tavern at Coventry in Fort Wayne, Indiana

When it comes to food, brown is the color of love. The meatloaf plate was filled with it, and to say I was excited when I saw it would be an understatement. It was exactly what I wanted, delicious.

Don Hall’s Tavern at Coventry
5745 Coventry Lane
Fort Wayne, IN
(260) 459-2893

Fort Wayne’s Famous Coney IslandFort Wayne, Indiana

Fort Wayne's Famous Coney Island in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne’s Famous Coney Island in Fort Wayne, Indiana

I was speaking to David Arbetter on the phone when he asked me to get him a t-shirt from Fort Wayne’s Famous Coney Island. The plan was to eat a coney, buy the shirt, and head back to the hotel. The plan went out the window when I saw a burger gracing their menu.

Read about the full visit to Fort Wayne’s Famous Coney Island

Fort Wayne’s Famous Coney Island
131 W Main Street
Fort Wayne, IN
(260) 424-2997

Halls Original Drive-InFort Wayne, Indiana

Counter Seating at Hall's Original in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Counter Seating at Hall’s Original Drive-In in Fort Wayne, Indiana

I don’t want to get your hopes up about visiting Hall’s Original Drive-In since they closed permanently in December 2021. Marcela and I loved the food, so it’s a good thing that its sister restaurant, Don Hall’s Hollywood Drive-In, carries on its legacy.

Read about the full visit to Halls Original Drive-In

Don Hall’s Hollywood Drive-In
4416 Lima Road
Fort Wayne, IN
(260) 482-1113

Lee’s Famous Recipe ChickenFort Wayne, Indiana

My wife Marcela enjoying her fried chicken
My wife Marcela enjoying her Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken

Lee’s uncle was Colonel Sanders, so you know that he learned from the best.

Read about the full visit to Lee’s Fried Chicken

Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken
404 W State Boulevard
Fort Wayne, IN
260-483-0972

Penguin PointFort Wayne, Indiana

Penguin Point's Counter in Fort Wayne, Indiana
The ORder Counter at Penguin Point

Penguin Point was a regional burger joint with nine locations in Indiana. All of the restaurant locations closed abruptly in November 2023.

Read about the full visit to Penguin Point

Powers HamburgersFort Wayne, Indiana

Powers Hamburgers Menu in Fort Wayne, Indiana
Powers Hamburgers Menu

George Motz insisted to me that Power’s Hamburgers was a must stop and he was right. Everything about this spot from the building, the counter seating with stools and food, was right on point. I wish I lived across the street so I could eat here every day, but alas, I don’t.

Read about the full visit to Powers Hamburgers

Powers Hamburgers
1402 S Harrison Street
Fort Wayne, IN
(260) 422-6620

ANTIQOLOGYHuntington, Indiana

Soda Fountain at ANTIQOLOGY in Huntington, Indiana
ANTIQOLOGY Soda Fountain in Huntington, Indiana

While on road food trips, while I’m searching for old-school burger joints, Marcela is antique shopping. Then we came across ANTIQOLOGY, which is an antique shop with a soda fountain nestled in the back. JACKPOT!

Read about the full visit to ANTIQOLOGY

Fast Food Chains in Terre Haute, Indiana

While Marcela was antiquing, Fred and I were driving around Terre Haute, Indiana.

Long John Silver's in Terre Haute, Indiana
Long John Silver’s

I was excited to see a Long John Silver’s since Miami no longer has one.

Long John Silver’s
3485 S US Hwy 41
Terre Haute, IN
(812) 235-7787

Rally’s was replaced in South Florida by Checkers more than twenty years ago, so it’s cool seeing that sign. It has since closed.

The one Steak ‘n Shake in Miami can be hit and miss. Since we’re in their home state, this one has to be on point.

Steak ‘n Shake
2900 S 3rd Street
Terre Haute, IN
(812) 235-0242

Then Fred mentions that he’s never eaten at a White Castle, and a change of plans happens.

White CastleTerre Haute, Indiana

White Castle in Terre Haute, Indiana
White Castle in Terre Haute, Indiana

We didn’t know how much time we had; a text from Marcela could happen at any moment. We chose the drive-thru experience.

The Original Slider from White Castle in Terre Haute, Indiana
The Original Slider
Crispy Chicken Breast Slider from White Castle in Terre Haute, Indiana
Crispy Chicken Breast Slider

Fred has eaten the White Castle sliders available in markets nationwide before. He felt that they were just a notch above the ones he’d eaten before, which is a fair assessment.

We liked the crispy chicken breast slider, but Krystal‘s version is much better.

Read about White Castle’s History

White Castle
4340 S US Hwy 41
Terre Haute, IN
(812) 235-5100

Westfield DinerWestfield, Indiana

Patty Melt from The Westfield Diner in Westfield, Indiana
The Patty Melt

Once we got back to the hotel, I only wanted to veg out and watch reality tv. Marcela and Fred were starving, so they headed out to the Westfield Diner.

They know me very well which is how I ended up with a patty melt. Westfield Diner‘s patty melt was perfectly executed

Westfield Diner
781 E Main Street
Westfield, IN
(317) 804-2007

Website – https://westfielddinerin.com

Monday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
Tuesday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
Wednesday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
Thursday 7:00 am – 8:00 pm
Friday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
Saturday 7:00 am – 9:00 pm
Sunday 7:00 am – 3:00 pm

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