Richards Restaurant

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.  

Prices are VERY  reasonable across the board.  A number of specials were offered
on the table placemats.  They were around $5 each.  

Overall, a very good value in a clean environment with pleasant service.  Located right on Hwy 31.  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."  (Had had a very positive experience elsewhere at this small regional chain.)  

This restaurant has the "standard" menu for a Richard's, which happens to be very diverse and moderately priced (considering what you get.)  We were not disappointed on the food, it was pretty good fare, nothing exotic, but good ol' down-home cuisine.  It was all fresh, hot, and seasoned mildly (easier to add to than to take a away from in the case of spices.)  The "salad bar" was pretty meek in its offerings, but the entrees and sides made up for it.  If you are interested in a salad, go for the side salad, my wife liked hers a lot (though they omitted tomatoes from it?)  

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.)  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.  Children should like the place as well as they do happen to have lots of "child-friendly" offerings.