Driving thru Kokomo and hoping for a decent tenderloin sandwich on Labor Day.  My GPS found a few non-chain American restaurants in town.  I rolled the dice with Richards.  Exterior of the place is a little scruffy.  I verified that they have a home-made tenderloin before sitting down.  Salad bar for $1.29 extra is worth $1.29.  It offered a number of choices up thru and including pudding and jello.  As noted by first reviewer, no tomatoes on the salad bar either; this at the height of tomato season in this area..??  Ah, well..  The tenderloin sandwich was above average but not excellent; well cooked and seasoned  but just sort of average.  Surprisingly excellent home-made soup.  My wife had the broasted chicken, green beans, and home-made cole slaw.  Chicken pieces looked to be on the small side and maybe a little overcooked.  Very good slaw and beans.  We asked about pie; after all, this is Indiana.  Two were homemade; two outside products.   We passed as the portions were generous.  Pleasant efficient service. Â
Prices are VERY Â reasonable across the board. Â A number of specials were offered
on the table placemats. Â They were around $5 each. Â
Overall, a very good value in a clean environment with pleasant service. Â Located right on Hwy 31. Â Nothing fancy but good old American food and a great value.
Was driving home the other day through Kokomo and wanted to stop somewhere to eat, not fast food, but a place that had a varied menu and as we were all hungry, when we saw Richard's thought to myself "this has to be the place." Â (Had had a very positive experience elsewhere at this small regional chain.) Â
This restaurant has the "standard" menu for a Richard's, which happens to be very diverse and moderately priced (considering what you get.) Â We were not disappointed on the food, it was pretty good fare, nothing exotic, but good ol' down-home cuisine. Â It was all fresh, hot, and seasoned mildly (easier to add to than to take a away from in the case of spices.) Â The "salad bar" was pretty meek in its offerings, but the entrees and sides made up for it. Â If you are interested in a salad, go for the side salad, my wife liked hers a lot (though they omitted tomatoes from it?) Â
The table service was just OK, not bad, but nothing to write home about, either (and they were not particularly busy or anything when we were there.) Â The food arrived in a reasonable amount of time and was glad that it turned out to be as tasty as it was.
Overall, I would say this place is a safe choice for a family to visit or a couple when you don't want Mexican, Italian, etc. (specialty foods) and you will be quite happy with your meal. Â Children should like the place as well as they do happen to have lots of "child-friendly" offerings.