Great Places For Food In Anderson, Indiana
The county seat of Madison County, Anderson, Indiana isn’t far from the state capital of Indianapolis. The historic city dates back to 1827, when it was first settled and was named after an Indian chief who also had Swedish blood. Here’s our guide to the best places to eat if you’re traveling through or visiting.
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Lemon Drop
It may be small, but Lemon Drop is recongnised as the best place to eat in the whole of Anderson. It has a real classic Americana feel to it and has been serving up food to Anderson locals for over 60 years now. Mike Lemon set up shop here in 1954 before Lemon Drop was bought by Bill Pitts, who still runs things. It’s a tough place to miss, with its old-style neon sign and bright yellow exterior. The menu is full of classics too, with plenty of milkshakes available, and dishes like toasted cheeseburgers, onion burgers and pork tenderloins.
Becky’s Happy Mule Café is the place to head for a great breakfast or lunchtime feed. Open from five in the morning till three in the afternoon, the Happy Mule Café has been nominated for awards in the Best of Madison County rundown of local newspaper the Herald Bulletin. The Café isn’t far from the Hoosier Park Racetrack and Casino and Mounds State Park in east Anderson. On the menu are dishes like breaded pork tenderloin, beef and cheese burgers, and tempting homemade pies to follow, including blackberry, strawberry with rhubarb, butterscotch, and peach.
Bonge’s Tavern
Bonge’s Tavern has been an Indiana institution since 1934 and serves quality food and drink. You’ll find the Tavern just outside Anderson at the small community of Perkinsville if you follow W 8th Street out of the city. It’s the ideal stop-off to sample some classic American fare. On the menu are things like Perkinsville Pork, New York strip, beer-braised brisket, and Applewood smoked prime rib. The Tavern has also been featured in local publications like Indianapolis Monthly and Dine Magazine, and chef Tony Huelster had his recipes included in the Indiana Cooks! cookbook.
Pittt BBQ and Grill
One of the best barbecue restaurants in Anderson, the Pittt BBQ and Grill sits on Martin Luther King Boulevard and is open from Thursdays through to Sundays, making it perfect for a weekend meal. The menu is a classic Alabama style BBQ with slabs of ribs, rib tips, half or quarter chickens, pulled pork, and Angus beef brisket available. There are, of course, sides of baked beans, mac n’cheese, slaw, French fries and onion rings to keep everyone happy.
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