Grab a tray, pick a pie, and point at what you want. That simple routine has fed Hoosier families for generations, and it is still alive at MCL Restaurant & Bakery locations around central Indiana.
The chain dates back to 1950, and its cafeterias keep serving scratch-style comfort food like chicken and noodles, carved roast beef, Beef Manhattan, and a lineup of pies that often steals the show. This list covers five spots in Indianapolis, Avon, and Carmel where the serving line is still the main event.
Each one has its own angle, from a Thursday liver and onions special to a breakfast option on the west side. Prices usually land between 10 and 20 dollars a person, parking is easy, and nobody needs a reservation.
If you miss the days of choosing dinner one dish at a time, these are the places to go.
1. MCL Restaurant & Bakery Township Line, Indianapolis, IN
Chicken and noodles is the dish that sums up this north side stop. It is pure Hoosier comfort, and here it comes off a cafeteria line that has not changed its basic idea in decades.
The restaurant sits at 2370 W 86th St, close to the Township Line Road area. You slide your tray past the hot entrees, add a side or two, and then face the hardest choice of the visit at the dessert case.
Pecan pie and strawberry shortcake are standouts, and they make a strong finish after a plate of noodles. Coconut cream, pumpkin, and lemon meringue pies are also part of the lineup.
I like this location for solo lunches because it runs casual and quiet. There is also a salad bar, vegetable soup, and full vegan and vegetarian menus, which is more variety than many expect from an old-school cafeteria.
Hours run 11 AM to 8:30 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 8 PM on Sunday. Thursday and Sunday afternoons get busy, so a weekday late morning is the calmer bet.
2. MCL Restaurant & Bakery Avon, Avon, IN
West side folks get one perk the other stops on this list do not advertise: breakfast. The Avon location at 121 Avon Village Pkwy is popular for morning meals as well as lunch and dinner.
Later in the day, the carved roast beef is the line favorite. Portions are generous, and macaroni and cheese makes an easy partner on the tray.
The smaller items are half the fun here. Deviled eggs and jello with fruit sit right alongside cherry, pecan, pumpkin, and coconut cream pies, which feels like a church potluck that someone organized properly.
The staff behind the counter have a reputation for being warm and welcoming, which matters when you are deciding between three sides with a line behind you. The dining room is clean and peaceful, and free wi-fi makes it handy for a working lunch.
Hours are 11 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 7:30 PM Sunday. Sunday afternoon is the rush.
3. MCL Restaurant & Bakery Castleton, Indianapolis, IN
Liver and onions on a Thursday is not a menu choice you see much anymore. At Castleton, it shows up as a Blue Plate Special with two sides and bread, and it has a loyal following.
Pair it with rice, cranberry salad, and a slice of apple pie for the full throwback experience. That combo alone explains why some people call the cafeteria model a lost art.
If liver is not your thing, the regular lineup covers plenty of ground. Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, green beans, fried chicken, Beef Manhattan, lima beans, and cornbread all fit the home-cooked theme.
The dessert case leans classic with cherry, coconut cream, lemon meringue, and pecan pies. Vegan and vegetarian menus are available too.
Find it at 5520 Castleton Corner Ln, open 11 AM to 8:30 PM Monday through Saturday and until 8 PM on Sunday. Weekday afternoons tend to stay quiet, which makes this a relaxed stop for families with kids.
4. MCL Restaurant & Bakery Southside, Indianapolis, IN
Parents on the south side, take note. This location at 3630 S East St has offered free kids meals with adult entrees on certain days, so it is smart to call ahead at 317-783-2416 and ask which days apply.
The food covers both ends of the comfort spectrum. Baked fish, poultry, vegetables, and fruit sit on the same line as heartier home-style plates.
Everything leans scratch-made, and the bakery side handles fresh pies, cakes, and dinner rolls. Those rolls are a small detail that turns a simple plate into a real meal.
Prices stay affordable, and the menu is large enough that picky eaters usually find something. High chairs and a kids’ menu help too.
Hours run 11 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 7:30 PM Sunday. Wednesday midday is often one of the quieter windows.
5. MCL Restaurant & Bakery Carmel, Carmel, IN
Some diners here have been coming since they sat in high chairs. That kind of loyalty says a lot about a cafeteria in a city better known for roundabouts and new development.
The Carmel stop at 1390 Keystone Wy keeps things simple. Fried chicken and coconut pie are the pairing to know, and Beef Manhattan is a menu highlight for anyone who likes gravy doing the heavy lifting.
Service moves fast, the selection is wide, and prices stay reasonable for Hamilton County. The dining room is clean and bright, with a casual and quiet pace.
I would save this one for a weeknight when cooking sounds like too much work. Just know that Wednesday evenings and Thursday afternoons get busy, along with Sunday through midday.
Hours are 11 AM to 8 PM Monday through Saturday and 11 AM to 7:30 PM Sunday. Takeout and catering are available if you want the pie at home.
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