I’m pretty enamored with drive-in restaurants. Authentic ones. The car hop, hang a tray on your window, been around for fifty years variety, and I’ll go out of my way to visit one when I have the chance. I think I admire them so much because they are so rare and they offer a distinctive glimpse into decades past. Mug ‘N Bun in Indianapolis is one of these great car culture survivors.
As far as drive-ins go, it’s a pretty standard affair. It begins with a killer sign that alerts you to the location before you see the building. Once you drive onto the property, you have the choice of either bays for your car or some limited outside seating. Mug N Bun’s bays are not the menu placard and intercom variety. Instead, menu boards are in front of you, displayed on the building’s side and paper menus are available from the servers. A car hop will come to your car to take your order (simply flash your lights for service), so feel free to discuss menu options with them.
Mug N Bun’s menu is typical drive-in fare — hamburgers, fries, hot dogs, sodas, and shakes; but, that’s the point…it’s drive-in food! There’s also a midwest icon known as a pork tenderloin sandwhich — kind of a deep fried boneless pork chop on a bun. Mug N Bun is noted for their’s; they’re well worth trying — and huge — so either bring your appetite or consider sharing one. Don’t forget root beer, either. Mug N Bun’s name kind of implies that root beer plays a role there. Their’s is handcrafted and homemade, so it’s an item not to miss. Get it in a frosted mug for the full effect. The root beer can also be purchased in gallon jugs to take home.
Mug N Bun is yet another dining establishment offering up a dining challenge similar to those on the Travel Channel’s Man vs Food. In this case, finishing a deluxe triple tenderloin, family-size order of fries, and a 32 oz root beer within 30 minutes earns the adventurer the meal free of charge, a notation on the wall of fame, and a free T-shirt. Those who can’t complete the “Monster Meal” have to ante up the $15 cost — still not a bad price compared to what $15 will get you in most restaurants today.
Mug N Bun can trace their history of serving the community in west Indianapolis to 1960, and has received fanfare in a bunch of places — Road Food, Trip Advisor, and Urban Spoon, among others. The thing that impresses me most about them is that they are not trying to be a 21st century James Dean & Marilyn Monroe bedecked rendition of the real thing; instead, they remain true to their history and are the real thing!
If you are in Indianapolis and are looking for an old school drive-in experience, this is the place to add to your itinerary.
Mug N Bun
5211 West 10th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46224
