tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post143953495284223852..comments2024-03-01T11:09:22.394-05:00Comments on Indianapolis Restaurant Scene: Mug n BunErin in Indyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06236924407558284371noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-47232437232621669672013-04-28T10:05:51.894-04:002013-04-28T10:05:51.894-04:00Went to Mug-n-Bun yesterday for the first time wit...Went to Mug-n-Bun yesterday for the first time with a friend who grew up in Indy. I ordered a cheeseburger ($2.40), she ordered a corn dog ($2-ish), we split an order of onion rings ($3-ish), and we both got root beer (not on the menu I could see, but the whole meal was $14-ish). The onion rings and the root beer were OBVIOUSLY the best parts of the meal, which was good because those are what I had pinned my expectations on. I expected the burger to be of the purchased frozen variety (and it was) but it was still acceptable. I can't speak for Rachael's corn dog but she seemed to like it.<br /><br />We contemplated aloud getting a family-size order of onion rings to split and the waitress said, "No, the regular will be big enough for you to share." This was solid advice. Our order was hot and delicious, although they cooled fast and I could see how it could be easy to get one that was already lukewarm. I thought the breading was good—flavorful and crispy—and in the right amount.<br /><br />I got a medium root beer (24 oz.) and Rachael got a large (32 oz.). She told me that she and her grandmother would come when she was younger and buy ½-gallon or gallon jugs of it to make floats at home. She described the flavor as caramel-y with a hint of vanilla and she was right. Yes it was very sweet but I really enjoyed it. I am a sucker for in-house root beer and this didn't disappoint. I think if I mixed it with high quality vanilla ice cream my eyes might roll back in my head with pleasure.<br /><br />I didn't grow up here nor did I have a childhood experience anywhere else with a drive-in restaurant (although I did eat at one a few years ago in New Jersey, almost identical to this place), so nostalgia isn't a draw. I went in with reasonable expectations and had a good experience. It was fun indulging in the car with a friend and that certainly added to the memory.Sacha Bradyhttp://twitter.com/ziggednoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-70339601827201078562011-11-22T17:50:03.506-05:002011-11-22T17:50:03.506-05:00Hey everyone, thanks for all your comments. I appr...Hey everyone, thanks for all your comments. I appreciate the dialogue and the suggestions for tenderloins.<br /><br />I wanted to respond to you particularly though AJ, really, "we real Hoosiers like to have a good gut buster every now and then?" Not sure I agree that this is what should define a "real Hoosier..." Also, if I am going to partake in a "gut buster," I would like it to be something worthy of busting my gut, and this food wasn't it.Erin in Indyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06236924407558284371noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-88289732589051506962011-11-18T13:11:11.360-05:002011-11-18T13:11:11.360-05:00NPR's Sandwich Monday did a review of Bourbon ...NPR's Sandwich Monday did a review of Bourbon Street Distillery's tenderloin a few weeks ago. I've never had BSD's version, but it looked okay in the pictures.<br /><br />http://www.npr.org/blogs/waitwait/2011/10/31/141865632/sandwich-monday-the-famous-pork-tenderloin-of-indianapolisLauranoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-67677139539561678482011-11-18T12:07:29.725-05:002011-11-18T12:07:29.725-05:00Agreed that the food is nothing special. but for ...Agreed that the food is nothing special. but for what it is it's not terrible. i really enjoy the root beer, but i believe the atmosphere and nostalgic feel is the big draw here.keithnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-44670798573836146802011-11-18T08:16:26.857-05:002011-11-18T08:16:26.857-05:00Tom McCollister - Indianapolis
I've only been...Tom McCollister - Indianapolis<br /><br><br />I've only been to Mug N Bun a couple of times, but it's great food! A great place to stop when you're in the area and worth a special trip now and then.<br /><br><br />Tom McCollister <br />Keller Williams<br />http://tommccollister.kwrealty.com/Tom McCollisterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09142807237980995281noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-73938652118711672011-11-17T22:31:45.649-05:002011-11-17T22:31:45.649-05:00I have a couple spots for tenderloins that I would...I have a couple spots for tenderloins that I would recommend.<br />One is Sahms on 65th- the actual tenderloin is really good. Thicker, not pounded quite so thin and juicy. However as a sandwich I do not enjoy the bun it is served on. Too soft for me. I just pull the tenderloin off and eat it in pieces. Also, I doubt anyone would expect this but Kincaid's in Carmel has an awesome tenderloin on the lunch menu. Some people may take issue with it because it isnt massive- it is an appropriate serving for lunch. The breading is very tasty and moist and it comes with a chipotle sauce that really isnt spicy, just flavor. Good combo.Lindsaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-91508295605270837932011-11-17T14:10:49.878-05:002011-11-17T14:10:49.878-05:00Long time reader, first time commenter. I agree th...Long time reader, first time commenter. I agree their food is nothing special. It's more for a nostalgia thing for me. Every year, on the day we got out of school for the summer (which was always a half day), my mom would take us to Mug-n-Bun to kick off the summer. We really only went once or twice a year since the food is not exactly healthy. The reason I go back today, is not for the food, but for the malts. They make outstanding malts (we always ask for double-malt). Delicious.Lakernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-10252801511102812342011-11-17T14:02:56.582-05:002011-11-17T14:02:56.582-05:00I'm actually surprised you didn't mention ...I'm actually surprised you didn't mention the sweetness of the root beer. I am definitely a root beer drinker, so when I was at the Mug n Bun, I was slightly taken aback at how much sweeter their root beer is than other places. Not undrinkable, but one mug was definitely enough for me. <br />Happy to say I can now cross this one off my Indy list; the setting/atmosphere was fun, but the food wasn't anything special.beffuhhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05685152612447399576noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-1042555908504731942011-11-17T13:09:53.961-05:002011-11-17T13:09:53.961-05:00I was really disappointed with this place. I had ...I was really disappointed with this place. I had heard so much about the tenderloin I thought it was going to be really special. It's really no different than Culver's...not bad but definitely frozen.Gern Blanstennoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-24994865489250361482011-11-17T12:37:38.415-05:002011-11-17T12:37:38.415-05:00http://www.travelchannel.com/tv-shows/man-v-food/p...http://www.travelchannel.com/tv-shows/man-v-food/photos/indianapolis-photos<br />Picture of the tenderloin being prepared at Edwards.Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05040416772190103045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-48324388470826063002011-11-17T12:14:47.018-05:002011-11-17T12:14:47.018-05:00The reason Mug n Bun doesn't make a lot of the...The reason Mug n Bun doesn't make a lot of their food "in house" is because they use a local food service distributer named McFarling Foods. McFarling delivers a lot of the pre-made "drive-in" type food not only to Mug, but to Edwards, Working Man's Friend and many restaurants you probably dine in here in Indy (you would be surprised). So, not sure why you would think Edwards' food was any better than Mug? This type of food is popular in Indy for nostalgic reasons and because we real Hoosiers like to have a good gut buster every now and then.<br /><br />On another note, the best tenderloins in the city are from Bourbon Street and GG's (@71st and Binford) aptly named "The Big Pig"...you won't find better breaded tenderloins than those here in Indy.AJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-12527762573405867432011-11-17T09:53:30.086-05:002011-11-17T09:53:30.086-05:00My (current) favorite breaded tenderloin in town i...My (current) favorite breaded tenderloin in town is served at the Chatham Tap in Fishers. Their menu, in general, is pretty solid and thoughtful - maybe not quite to "gastropub" level, but it is a step or two above the normal. Grindstone Charley's actually puts out a decent on... Dooley Otooles in Carmel... I know many people who swear by the one at the Pawn Shop off Keystone.<br /><br />I would be remiss if I didn't mention the local blog 'all tenderloins, all the time'Tom Hhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05707908109402031352noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-91964057428640815042011-11-17T08:20:52.373-05:002011-11-17T08:20:52.373-05:00My husband and I ate in the "annex" a fe...My husband and I ate in the "annex" a few weeks ago and there was a crew from England there who were in town doing a documentary about the track. We wanted to take them aside and apologize for the fact that Mug n Bun is on the list of tourist stops that people must experience when they visit Speedway for the first time. The food is so disappointing! A far better example of drive-in style dining is Edwards in Beech Grove. Even the root beer is far superior to that at Mug n Bun. I'm not a big fan of the tenderloin at Edwards either. I prefer the tenderloin to be a little thicker than the thinly pounded cracker that is offered at the drive-in but, at least, it is house made! I feel sorry for all the first time visitors who take away the Mug n Bun experience thinking that this is the best that Indy has to offer!Kathyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05040416772190103045noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-6777207144640816992011-11-17T08:05:23.399-05:002011-11-17T08:05:23.399-05:00Erin,
I appreciate the honesty in your reviews an...Erin,<br /><br />I appreciate the honesty in your reviews and you are correct on this one. Along with tasting experience as Jeff said, they are mainly enjoying the taste of memories of years gone by, often many, many years gone by. Often the best ______ that a person can remember having is based solely on the who, what and where events of that specific day many moons ago.Southside Jaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-14740001845175884942011-11-17T07:47:19.111-05:002011-11-17T07:47:19.111-05:00It's not the food. It's the experience. ...It's not the food. It's the experience. Next time go in a 1959 Cadillac convertible or on an old Harley shovelhead. It changes everything. lolJeff Downer Indianapolishttp://jeffdownerbailbonds.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7700721558717637465.post-90649406644414367952011-11-17T06:48:43.514-05:002011-11-17T06:48:43.514-05:00For a first time tenderloin, I'd go to The Loc...For a first time tenderloin, I'd go to The Local Eatery and Pub. I believe a tenderloin should be pan fried, not deep fried. And I believe theirs is pan fried. If not, it convinced me.Nicolehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06818688791803252869noreply@blogger.com