Just south of Indianapolis sits a rustic smoke house that has been feeding families for decades, and folks keep driving out of their way to get there. Its sign makes a bold claim about being the best barbecue in the state, and the brisket and pulled pork have kept regulars coming back since childhood.
Some grew up eating here with their parents and now bring their own kids after baseball games. The place has racked up awards over the years and even bottles its own sauces.
Curious where this Hoosier smoke spot is and what keeps the parking lot full? Read on, because this small-town joint has a big reputation, plenty of history, and a menu that stretches well beyond the usual smoked meats.
A Smoke House Just South Of Indianapolis
Squealers Barbeque Grill sits at 390 E High St in Mooresville, Indiana, only a few miles and minutes south of Indianapolis. That short drive is part of the appeal, since it feels tucked away from the city rush yet close enough for a quick trip.
The place bills itself as a rustic smoked-meat specialist, and its sign carries a bold claim about serving Indiana’s best barbecue. Making a promise like that puts pressure on the kitchen, and regulars keep showing up to hold them to it.
Beyond the smoked meats, this is a full-service casual joint. Burgers, steaks, and all the usual barbecue fixings round out the menu, so a group with mixed cravings can still find common ground.
People come from beyond Mooresville too, including families who moved to towns like Terre Haute and still make the trip. That kind of loyalty says a lot about a spot in a small Indiana town.
Getting there is easy for anyone already near the metro area, and the location has become a comfortable landmark for locals looking to satisfy a barbecue craving.
Two Decades Of Loyal Regulars
Some restaurants earn a following, and this one has earned generations of it. Guests who dined here as children twenty years ago now bring their own kids in after ball games, and the food still hits the same note it did back then.
Longtime patrons describe the barbecue as consistently top notch, the kind of place that has stayed steady while other spots come and go. That reliability is exactly what turns a first visit into a lifelong habit.
The staff has a reputation for being kind and welcoming, which helps families feel comfortable settling in for a relaxed meal. Parents mention how easy it is to bring the whole crew.
Even people who compete in barbecue and hail from the South have handed out high praise here, calling it the best they have found since relocating to Indiana. Coming from that crowd, the compliment carries weight.
Stories of first-timers becoming repeat customers show up again and again. Once someone gives Squealers a shot, they tend to plan a return trip before they even leave the parking lot.
Brisket And Pulled Pork That Steal The Show
Ask around about the star of the menu, and two answers dominate the conversation. Brisket earns well over a hundred mentions from happy diners, and pulled pork trails right behind it as a crowd favorite.
The Texas-style beef brisket comes out sliced yet so tender it falls apart with a fork. That balance of a clean slice and easy pull is what pit masters chase, and this kitchen delivers it on a good day.
Pulled pork holds its own reputation for tenderness and a strong smoke flavor. Regulars often name it their personal favorite, whether piled on a sandwich or served on a dinner platter.
Both meats show up across the menu in samplers, platters, and combos, so there is no need to pick just one. Many guests order extra to take home, sometimes by the pound.
The smokiness gets called out often, and it is the backbone of what makes these two meats the anchors of the whole operation. When people say Squealers, they usually mean brisket and pork.
House Sauces You Can Take Home
Barbecue lives and dies by its sauce, and this kitchen takes that seriously enough to bottle its own. Guests can buy the sauces onsite, which means the flavor from your dinner can travel back to your kitchen.
The mixed sauce blends sweet, smoky, and spicy notes into one option that many order over the plain hot sauce. Fans of extra heat sometimes reach for the hot alone, though the mixed tends to win on overall flavor.
A very sweet sauce also draws attention, and servers have been known to bring out a small taste so newcomers can decide before committing. That little touch helps first-timers land on the right choice.
Some prefer their sauce on the meat, while others ask for it on the side to control just how much lands on each bite. Both approaches work, and the staff will accommodate either.
Grabbing a bottle on the way out has become a small tradition for regulars. It is a simple way to keep the Squealers taste stocked at home between visits.
Ribs, Nachos, And Beyond
Meats beyond brisket and pork give the menu real range. Baby back ribs earn glowing praise, with fans calling them perfect and awarding them full marks without hesitation.
Rib tips, smoked turkey, and pulled chicken widen the lineup, and the fried ribs appetizer has become a favorite way to start a meal. Diners can even swap ribs into the pick-three combo for a small upcharge that many say is worth it.
Then there are the nachos, mentioned dozens of times by name. The Super Pork nachos load smoked meat onto a shareable pile that works well for a table splitting a first course.
Onion straws make another popular starter, especially paired with a dipping sauce. They give the table something to nibble while the smoked plates make their way out of the kitchen.
Pit samplers let indecisive eaters mix ribs, sausage, and more onto a single platter. With so many options, the toughest part of the meal might be narrowing down the order.
Sides, Biscuits, And Sweet Tea
The supporting cast pulls its weight around here. Barbecue baked beans, homestyle green beans, creamy Amish-style coleslaw, and a thick, rich macaroni and cheese all round out a plate nicely.
Fried biscuits paired with apple butter get so much love that they nearly count as a dessert instead of a side. Apple butter alone earns dozens of mentions, and the biscuits give you something to scoop it with.
Cinnamon biscuits show up on some dinners too, adding a sweet finish to a savory meal. Many guests treat these little extras as the highlight of the platter.
Sweet tea has a steady reputation for being reliably good, a small detail that fans appreciate on every visit. It is the drink of choice for plenty of regulars.
French fries make a handy addition, especially for sopping up beans that overflow the bowl. Together, these sides turn a plate of smoked meat into a full, satisfying spread that keeps people ordering seconds.
A Laid-Back Spot For The Whole Crew
Comfort defines the mood inside. The atmosphere reads as laid back and easygoing, the sort of place where nobody feels out of place after a long day or a kids’ baseball game.
Families lean on the flexible menu, since there is a kids menu for the young ones and a seniors menu for guests over sixty. The senior portions run a touch smaller and a little cheaper, yet regulars say they are plenty filling.
Servers get repeated shout-outs for being attentive, engaging, and happy to guide newcomers through the choices. A good server here will suggest the popular picks and even offer a taste before you order.
The room can get lively, and conversations tend to carry when the place fills up. A single switch controls the overhead fans, so a seat directly beneath one can feel breezy.
Groups celebrating a family dinner find it an easy fit, and first-timers often leave already planning the next visit. For a relaxed, crowd-pleasing meal, the vibe here suits just about everyone.
Hours, Location, And Planning Your Visit
Timing your trip is simple once you know the schedule. The kitchen serves from 11 AM to 9 PM Wednesday and Thursday, stays open until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday, and runs 11 AM to 8 PM on Sunday.
Tuesday keeps the same 11 AM to 9 PM window, while Monday is the one day the doors stay closed. Planning around that closure saves a wasted drive.
The address is 390 E High St, Mooresville, IN 46158, an easy hop south of Indianapolis. Takeout is available, and to-go orders are often ready right when you arrive.
A full bar rounds out the offerings for those who want a proper sit-down meal. With ratings averaging 4.3 stars across more than two thousand diners, expectations run high, and busy evenings can move fast.
Popular meats occasionally run out later in the night, so arriving earlier improves your odds of getting exactly what you came for. All told, Squealers has earned its steady following, and a smoked-meat lover in central Indiana will find the short drive to Mooresville well worth it.
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