If you grew up in southern Indiana, persimmon pudding probably needs no introduction. If you did not, picture a dense, spiced, cake-like dessert made from the soft orange pulp of wild persimmons that drop from trees around here each fall.
It is one of the most Hoosier desserts there is, and it still shows up on menus at small-town restaurants across the region. The five spots below serve it alongside tenderloins, barbecue, fried chicken, and other comfort food, so you can make a full meal out of the hunt.
Save this list for your next fall road trip, and maybe call ahead, because the pudding has a habit of selling out.
1. Railroad Cafe Lounge, Mitchell, IN
Train fans and dessert fans can share a table in Mitchell. Railroad Cafe Lounge sits at 505 W Main St, and the inside is packed with fun train decor that gives the whole place a playful, small-town personality.
The menu leans hearty. Breaded tenderloins are the signature, and they come big, with a kids-size version for smaller appetites.
Fried pickles, onion rings, and a side of gravy round out the comfort-food lineup.
Desserts are a real part of the draw here, from brownies and cake to pie and a cotton candy cheesecake. When persimmon pudding is on the board, it goes fast, so I would grab a slice to go before it disappears.
Hours run long, starting at 7 AM daily and stretching to 2 AM on Fridays and Saturdays. Saturday afternoon is the busiest stretch, and parking is free and easy to find.
2. Porkys BBQ of Paoli, Paoli, IN
Brisket first, pudding second. That is the smart order of operations at Porkys BBQ of Paoli, a barbecue joint on West Main Street in Orange County.
Smoked ribs and brisket are the headliners, with pulled pork platters, brisket sandwiches, mac and cheese, and potato salad filling out the plates. The walls are covered in nostalgic memorabilia, so there is plenty to look at while you wait.
Persimmon pudding is the classic finish here, and it turns a smoky lunch into a very Indiana meal. Few barbecue spots pair the two this naturally.
Porkys opens at 11 AM every day and stays open until 10 PM on Fridays and Saturdays. Outdoor seating is available, and dogs are welcome outside.
3. Hilltop Family Restaurant, Spencer, IN
Some places sneak persimmon pudding onto the dessert list now and then. At Hilltop Family Restaurant, it is printed right on the menu.
This long-standing spot along US-231 in Spencer serves meals family style. Expect fried chicken, smoked pork chops, turkey and stuffing with turkey gravy, fresh sides, and homemade yeast rolls that are reason enough to show up hungry.
The dessert selection is large, and the setting comes with pretty Owen County scenery and a fireplace inside. It has a quiet, old-fashioned pace that suits a slow Sunday dinner.
Plan carefully, because hours are limited. Hilltop is closed Monday and Tuesday, open 4 to 8 PM Wednesday through Friday, 3 to 8 PM Saturday, and 11 AM to 6 PM Sunday.
Reservations are accepted.
4. Mammas & Pappas, Bedford, IN
Persimmon season is officially in the fall, but Mammas & Pappas in Bedford has been known to serve the pudding as late as July. That makes it a handy stop for anyone craving it off-season.
The diner sits on Mitchell Road and keeps things homestyle. Fried chicken is a favorite, and the extensive salad bar sets it apart from other spots on this list.
Snack-friendly sides include onion rings, sweet potato fries, and cheese curds. Takeout, delivery, and even a drive-through are options when you want to eat on the road.
The pudding does sell out, so asking early is a good idea. Hours are 11 AM to 9 PM most days, with an extra half hour on Fridays and Saturdays.
5. Brownie’s Bean Blossom Family Restaurant, Morgantown, IN
A fall drive through Brown County pairs nicely with a pie stop. Brownie’s Bean Blossom Family Restaurant sits on State Road 135 in the rural Bean Blossom community, right on a popular route for leaf-peeping trips.
Homemade pies are the calling card, including coconut cream. In autumn, the dessert case can include both persimmon pudding and persimmon bread pudding, which gives you two ways to try the fruit.
The rest of the menu is classic country cooking: fried chicken, pot roast, okra, catfish dinners, breaded tenderloins, and a sausage gravy omelet for breakfast.
Brownie’s is open 7 AM to 8 PM every day. Sunday afternoon and Friday evening get busy, so a weekday visit is easier.
Five towns, five menus, one very Hoosier dessert. Pick a route, bring an appetite, and take a slice home for later.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.