We''ve been eating here over 25 years. Tonight went off track from chili dogs & fries. Catfish dinner terrible. Overcooked, horrible breading greasy and tasted like fried in very old oil. Fries greasy and no seasonings at all. Second order of fries didn't make it in our to go bag with other food. Returning to chili dogs in future.
Review Source:Two words: root beer. That's all there is to it. You MUST get the root beer. Amazing. The breaded tenderloin is the best. Do note everything is a la carte, even the sauces. The sweet potato fries are amazing. The jalapeno poppers are what my deep fried dreams are made of.
Food: 5/5
Location: 3/5
Service: 2/5
I will preface this review by saying that I am from California and was just in search of this local grub called Tenderloin so that I could eat like the Hoosiers do. Â I am not used to eating this way (although I do enjoy greasy fried foods from time to time), so you can take this review with a grain of salt. Â We ate in the dine-in section and the walls were colorfully decorated with different vintage pop signs.
Here are some things about this tenderloin:
1. It's gigantic. Â Apparently overhang of the tenderloin over the bun is a good, expected thing. Â You want overhang. Â It was so big I only ate half of it.
2. Ordering a tenderloin is just ordering tenderloin between two buns. Â You have to pay extra for the lettuce, tomato, mayo and cheese. Â I thought that was strange. Â I had mine with lettuce and tomato.
3. It's greasy. Â Don't mistake the juiciness of the tenderloin for actual meat juice. Â It's grease.
Of all the deep fried foods you can put between buns, this tenderloin is my least favorite. Â Dominated by the deep-fried batter, the pork had little flavor to it.
I also ordered the onion rings. Â The first two rings were amazingly delicious! Â The rest made me feel sick. Â They were really greasy. I don't suggest trying to eat more than two with your meal. Â
Root beer was the best part of the meal. Â DEFINITELY get this. Â It had the right amount of spicy root flavor and it wasn't too sweet.
So I've lived on the West-side of Indy since 2004 and have yet to go to the Legendary Mug'N Bun. I have this aversion to places that I don't understand/get how it works. Â It's a drive-in, but no ordering boxes, and confusing parking. What does 'lights in for service' mean? How do I get my freaking food? Yes I'm a moron, but these little questions freak me out! I sucked it up and went with my patents from out of town. Â Fortunately they have some outdoor seating with buzzer boxes which ushers a waitress out to take your order.
I ordered a burger. I think it was like the Mug'N Bun Special and it was a giant greasy-spoon version of a Big Mac, which made me extremely happy because I LOVE Big Macs. Â The fries are great! Crinkle-cut fries.. Yummmmmy. Â Everything was brought out very hot, and it was nice and greasy (just like you'd expect for a place like this). Â My husband got the tenderloin sandwich and was content with his selection.
The food was priced reasonably. There were four adults and we all ordered drinks and it came up to a little less than $40 total, which for the quantity of food is a deal. Â My burger was a delicious monster of bacon, grease, cheese, and cow!
I saw an order of onion rings come out to a table next to us and I was immediately jealous and regretful that I didn't order them! They were HUGE and appeared to be the Cadillac of onion rings... *sigh* next time. Â
The place looks sketchy, it's a drive-in, and old as heck, but it is rather charming due to these combinations. Â I want to go back (onion rings ... my precious), and I would suggest anyone from or visiting Indianapolis go to this gem of Speedway.
You get a free bumper sticker too if ya ask! Free stuff is always a plus.
I wanted a quick burger for lunch so I stopped in on the corner at my local place to grab one only to find the place unattended and a staff screaming match happening out of sight in the back. Â Okay, I'll just come back another time then.
I remembered I saw a Mr. Dans had just opened not too far away in Speedway so I decided to make the drive down there only to find that it's not actually open yet. Â Strike two.
And then I remembered the Mug 'n' Bun. Â I had never been there so I was a bit awkward in my ordering (I walked up to the menu because I couldn't read it from my car) but the server was kind and patient with me just the same. Â I didn't sit in my car but waited a a picnic table for my order. Â I didn't see any signs saying that they accepted credit cards so I made the assumption that they did not (wrong) and limited my order based on the amount of cash I had on me. Â When she arrived with my order (a super burger and small fries that actually turned out to be quite massive) and told me that they did accept ccs, I added a large house made root beer as well. Â Root beer has never really been my thing but I wanted to try theirs and I was glad I did.
I really liked this place and hope to return soon with the boyfriend in tow when its a little cooler out so we can order and eat in the car they way that they intend you to. Â There were so many other things on the menu I want to try and my expectations are high because the food was so good. Â The only thing that is annoying is that they can't except gratuity on cc payments. Â It was fine because I had some cash on hand and now I know, but I would have been really upset if I didn't have.
Quart O' Root Beer
Family Size Hot Pepper Cheese Balls
Single Size Wedges
Tenderloin or Chili Cheese Foot long.
Whatever Jon Gets.
What you just read is my typical order at this amazing place. Sometimes it varies, but very rarely. The root beer is different every time you go. Sometimes it caramel-y, sometimes it's spicy, every time it's delicious. This isn't your "everything made by hand" type of place. But the things that count, such as the onion rings, are definitely made with love. Be careful ordering the family size of something if you're unsure you'll like it. It's definitely family-size.
Grease and Root Beer should be the name. The root beer is made on the premises and it and the slaw are the only decent items on the vast menu. Everyone in our party declared the food lousy. A chili cheese dog was cold when it arrived, despite the 80 degree day, another had fish and the favor was that of old grease. The 2 who had burgers gave them a "2". French fries are those insipid, fat, crinkly kind that require swimming in salt and ketchup to choke down.
Review Source:If you love a good pork tenderloin, fried onion rings, and homemade root beer this is the place to go!! I've been going here for the past ten years and have enjoyed it every time. I like the fact it's a drive-in, dine-in, eat in your car, eat on the patio type place.
My fav thing on the menu is definitely the onion rings. They are soooo delicious, deep fried and just crispy to the right degree. Put that with a mug of root beer and I'll be in a good mood for a week. I love coming to this place in May, it's always packed with Indy Car fans and on one occasion my family and I happened to spot Helio hanging out at this joint with some of his crew.
Definitely come with a hearty appetite and you won't be disappointed. They do allow cards now, it used to be cash only. I would suggest planning on when you're going because this place is packed during the races. I will continue coming here for my annual grease-down of amazing onion rings and some hearty root beer!
Mug 'N' Bun is pretty awesome. Â They, are, of course, an old-fashioned drive-in, but also have an indoor dining area. Â The restaurant is busy - at least at the lunch hour. Â However, my friends and I were able to be in and out within 30 minutes. Â The service was slow at the beginning and became more and more acceptable as the meal progressed.
The food was excellent and exactly as I would have expected it. Â I had the grilled pork tenderloin and a chef's salad. Â I am impressed by the tenderloin, and plan to get the fried version next time I eat at Mug N Bun (yes, I plan to return). Â The menu is huge and should have something for everyone.
I was a little put off that they charge extra for lettuce and tomatoes on their sandwiches. Â They also charge for drink refills. Â They have a soda fountain (and signature root beer) and this is unacceptable. Â Other than these minor issues, my dining experience was positive!
Love root beer out of a frosty mug? Â Love eating in your car while enjoying the summer sun? Â Enjoy eating on a patio in wonderful Speedway, IN? Â This is the place for you! Â It's a great dive with wonderful griddle burgers and frosty mugs of home brewed vanilla heavy Root Beer! Â
I prefer to get a single with cheese and either an order of onion rings or sweet potato fries. Â I also usually get the 32 ounce drinks so that I can have a nifty Mug & Bun to-go cup! Â They have a "Dine In" area that can be rented out for large groups or is a hit when the weather is bad. Â
I love that the carhops are dog friendly so we can bring our pups and eat in the car!
Today, we had lunch at the famous Mug N Bun - one of Indianapolis' drive-ins. Â We rolled in just after opening. Â Having had a terrible breakfast at our hotel and ending up eating just an apple, I was starved.
We went to the "Dine In" portion of the restaurant. Â It was pouring down rain and there was lightning, so we were relieved to find that there was a place to eat inside. Â We were greeted by a really sweet girl, and we had a pick of the tables.
Husband ordered the classic tenderloin - a breaded, flattened tenderloin that is deep fried and served on a sesame seed bun with mayonnaise. Â He also had lettuce and tomato added to the sandwich - ridiculously, these are "extras." Â He also ordered the onion rings. Â The tenderloin was delicious - moist on the inside and crisp on the outside. Â The lettuce and tomato was an excellent addition. Â We also added a little bit of mustard. Â The onion rings were AMAZING. Â Very, very fresh - the waitress told us that they are never frozen. Â You can tell - the onion rings had little extra strands of batter. Â It makes for delicious crispy edges. Â Oy vey. Â Some of the best onion rings that I have ever had.
I ordered the hot dog with Coney sauce and the fried cauliflower. Â The hot dog was not so good - it was gray on the outside. Â It was served on a warm, steamed bun, and I had diced onions on top. Â I should have just ordered Coney sauce with onions - that was a delicious combination. Â The fried cauliflower was tasty. Â Having made this at home, I know it could have been better. Â It had a different batter than the onion rings. Â They should use the same batter. Â It would work on both veggies.
Husband ordered the root beer with his lunch - he highly recommends it. Â I don't drink pop, so I can't tell you. Â I was on water duty.
The girl who works there is such a sweetheart. Â Definitely improved the experience. Â The tenderloin and onion rings are five star. Â The Coney dog is 2 star (just for the sauce), and the cauliflower is 3 star. Â Stick with the 5 star stuff.
So, this is a drive in, a dive of sorts. I am giving it four stars for that type of food. The service was fast, friendly and efficient and the food was, well, crispy, fried, hot and greasy.
The fries and onion rings were standouts as was the root beer. Order the root beer, it's fantastic. Â I wasn't a huge fan of the tenderloin, it's not the best one I've tried. Maybe next time I would try a burger. The kids had a hot dog and a corn dog, and really, what can you say about those??
A drive in is a great experience for friends and family and there aren't many left. We had a good time!
I think it's great that this is a drive in open year round, with moth in and outdoor seating, but there are still a few issues that need to be addressed. Â It seems the service is always slow or non-existent, thought never rude, even when it's not crowded. Â Getting a waitress in outside seating is painful outside, and infuriating out.
The food is good, and the root beer is divine, but all is a little pricy. Â Think Arby's prices here. Â Also, $.40 for a slice of lettuce or tomato.
Skip it if your in a hurry, but stop if you're craving good root beer.
The last time I was in Indy I asked people where I should go if I want something with local flavor and no one could really generate an answer. Â Well, thanks to my love of TV food porn I discovered the tenderloin sandwich. Â Maybe the Hoosiers have become complacent or forgot about this unusual sandwich. Â A local whom I trust suggested I go here instead of Eddie's so I drove about 20 minutes out of the way to grab a taste of Indy on my way home.
It's kind of decadent to take a pork tenderloin, pound it flat, deep fry it and put it on a bun but this is America and if cheap cuts are good fried, why not gild the lily and fry the expensive ones too? Â I asked the carhop to give me one dressed how it's most commonly ordered and got one with lettuce, tomato and mayo, chili fries and a root beer. Â The sandwich was pretty good. Â It didn't change my life but I would definitely get it again. Â I might try it with some mustard. Â The chili fries didn't really do it for me but the chili would definitely be good on a dog. Â In hindsight I should have got some onion rings. Â Oh well. Â The root beer good. Â It was very sweet and a smaller portion would have suited me but then I wouldn't have a plastic cup to add to my food trophy room.
Overall, the sandwich and the throw back drive in really made the meal.
Old fashion drive-in restaurants rock. Â
Order the root beer, the tenderloin and the onion rings! Â The root beer was so good we purchased a gallon to take home with us. The onion rings had this fantastic light beer battered flavor, and the tenderloin wasn't dry or overcooked like you might expect. Â Plus you get to pick your condiments, a definite plus.
They take debit cards!
You have three choices for dining:
(1) Drive up in your car. Â Keep your lights on. Â Someone will walk out to your car, you order. Then turn off your lights. Then they bring your food on a tray that hangs over your window which should be only slightly rolled up. Â Then you pay. Â When you are done (or if you want something else) turn your lights back on. Â They will come back out and take everything away. Â Go home happy!
(2) Park your car in the lot. Â Walk around to the picnic table area with the rainbow colored umbrellas. Â Someone will come out to the tables.
(3) Park your car in the lot. Walk into the white building that says Dine In. Â Rumor has it they give you mini-mugs of root beer which are laced with crack to get you addicted. Clever clever.
One comment about the location... if you're near the Speedway you MUST drive here. Â It's completely worth it and easy to get to. Â If you're in Downtown Indianapolis and your GPS tells you to take 10th street the entire way don't listen. Â No disrespect to those that live along this row, but as an out of towner wuss, I was a little nervous. But still TOTALLY worth it and I would do it again in a heartbeat! Buy the rootbeer!
Fantastic find. On my first Indy 500 trip, my father/brother in laws took me here for some great grub. It has all outdoor seating which can bit of a drag depending if seats are filled and you are left with one in the sun. Service as well can be a hinderance or a benefit depending on your timing. On the day before the Indy 500, it wasn't slammed but the tables were all filled which meant we didn't get lots of attention from the under manned staff. Not a problem for us as we weren't in a hurry. Still a friendly wait staff.
The food was delicious. I got the fried tenderloin sandwich and a medium root beer. If you enjoy plenty of beverage like I do, get a quart size of their root beer. Homemade and delicious. Frys are standard. Nothing to shine. Wish I had known the onion rings were the standout for this joint before. All in all, a nice place to grab some grub and get on with your day on a full stomach.
THIS PLACE IS AMAZING. BETTER THAN ANY DRIVE IN I'VE EVER BEEN TOO.
I WISH THIS PLACE WAS OVER IN THE EAST COAST SO I COULD EAT THERE ON A REGULAR BASIS.
Obviously the state food of Indianapolis is the Pork Tenderloin sandwich, which is a fried pork tenderloin fried and placed on a bun. As I was there You actually get to pick ANY TOPPINGS YOU WANT! So I got lettuce, tomato and mayo on it. I really enjoyed it and I wanted to eat more and more. Also the fried cheeseballs were really really good.
AND HOW COULD I FORGET THEIR ROOT BEER. They make their own root beer on premise and damn is it good. I mean being from Pennsylvania and we have birch beer but this root beer was pretty fantastic
When I heard the words "Drive In" associated with food, I pictured a giant flashing retro sign, car hops on roller skates and parfait glasses with two straws. Maybe even couples necking in the back seat ... I won't say positively.
What I should have pictured: Â A concession stand at the local swimming pool. Â Overweight patrons, disgusting-sized burgers, way too much grease, & sweet soda.
To be fair, there WAS an old-fashioned sign, and there were car hops. Â And the car hops were sweet and quick. But the entire place was in desperate need of a revamp, or at least a scrub; the signage was ad hoc & confusing; and the FOOD! Â Think SWIMMING POOL. Â
The root beer that everyone here raves about would thrill your 13-year-old, and anyone else who can eat raw sugar with a spoon. Â The onion rings were gargantuan in number and in size -- I couldn't find the onion in the first one I ate. Â My fish was frozen finger food which left me with no need for moisturizer this week. Â
Then there was the issue getting back on the freeway... the construction has left the nearest two entrances closed.
The tenderloin is melt in your mouth delicious and the root beer is real, made on site, frosty mug and all-- good. Â
The menu selection is huge-- though we did not deviate far from the breaded tenderloin. Â How could we?
There is this homey, classic, old fashion feel at this drive in. Â It's such a shame the service was subpar. Â Maybe our server didn't know how to smile?
Wow this place is fantastic. Â Their home made root beer is amazing and you can't beat the price on the food. Â It's all mostly what you expect, but that's a good thing. Â Their onion rings are made of greasy goodness and the location is a lot of fun.
Also just a note, this place is CASH ONLY, so don't show up without it.
Real, homegrown, dare I say, "salt of the earth"? Â These types of drive-in places are hard to find these days, which is why I would try to make the trek out to Speedway from downtown when the weather was right for a coney dog, fried mushroom, rootbeer float lunch fest as often as possible when I lived in Indy.
The service is interesting if you're not in your car. Â All picnic tables are equipped with a mysterious button box, which you push when you are ready to order. Â Within minutes a waitress is there to take your order. Â I do believe they only take cash, too, so stop by the ATM at one of the gas stations down the street before you go.
Mug 'n Bun usually kicks butt. I wish I didn't live a few moons away from here ... or I would be there every day. Well ... maybe it's a good thing I DO NOT live near it ... my heart thanks me.
I'm a sucker for a good hot dog. I don't get it. I know what it is and it's nasty, but they taste so darn good sometimes! I agree the root beer is one of the best things about it. It's also fun to people-watch here!
Not much to say for this place, other than the fact that I was wildly disappointed. Â For a Sunday afternoon, it was fairly slow. Â Five tables came in after us and were served their root beer first, with the root beer being the only reason for any stars. Â Though our tenderloin, hot dog, sweet potato fries, and fried zucchini showed potential, all of it was served cold, which added to the let down. Â We didn't seem like the only irritated patrons in the place, either. Â
Next time, I'll pass on the nostalgia and settle in with a frosty mug of Virgil's root beer.
My mom worked here when she was in High School! Â This has quickly become one of my son's favorite hotdog spots... and it remains one of my favorite places to get a great mug of rootbeer and some good drive-in food.
If you have never been there, what are you still doing reading this review... get down there and at least order a rootbeer to sip in the comfort of your car.
This is an old fashioned drive in type place. I had the grilled Pork Tenderloin which was great, but the best part was the drinks.
This place has the best root beer EVER!. I am not normally a fan of Root Beer, but I wanted to take some back to California in a gallon of milk container. If you are for some reason stuck in Indiana, stop here. It's only a few miles from the Airport.
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