Indiana takes two things very seriously, and those are breaded pork tenderloins and a good pie, whether it comes out of a pizza oven or a pie tin. Across the state you can find pizza joints that also fry up plate-sized tenderloins, a diner serving the official state pie, cabin-style dining rooms where guests sign the walls, and wood-fired pies born from a food truck.
This list covers seven real spots, from a small-town counter in Wanamaker to a campus favorite in Bloomington and a trailside patio in Carmel, each one with a menu that could only feel this at home in the Hoosier State. Save it for your next road trip, send it to the friend who always argues about crust, and plan on arriving hungry.
1. New Bethel Ordinary, Wanamaker, IN
Pizza or pork tenderloin is the classic Indiana dinner debate, and New Bethel Ordinary settles it by serving both. The restaurant sits at 8838 Southeastern Ave in Wanamaker, a small historic community on the southeast side of Marion County.
The menu leans hard into pizza, with a wide lineup of pies plus salads and burgers. Right beside them, the breaded tenderloin holds its own as one of the most ordered items in the building.
Tenderloin fans can go the full sandwich route or pick up the Tenderloin Strips, which make sharing a lot easier. A tenderloin with coleslaw next to a pizza is a very normal order here, and that pairing is exactly why this spot kicks off the list.
Other menu picks include Traditional Bone in Wings, Loaded Fries, New Bethel Nachos, Breadsticks, Potato Salad, and a 7-Inch Cheese Pizza for smaller appetites. Save room for the Bread Pudding if you like ending on something sweet.
Plan for a crowd on Friday evenings and Saturdays. The kitchen runs from 11 AM daily, closing at 9 PM most nights and 10 PM on Friday and Saturday.
Reservations are not accepted, and parking can take a minute to sort out. Families will find a kids’ menu, high chairs, and an outdoor patio, with most meals landing in the $10 to $20 per person range.
2. Mrs. Wick’s Restaurant & Pie Shop, Winchester, IN
Not every pie on this list comes with pepperoni. In Winchester, the star is sugar cream pie, which Indiana named its official state pie, and Mrs. Wick’s is one of the most recognized names attached to it.
The restaurant and pie shop at 100 N Cherry St is a friendly, small-town diner in the heart of Winchester. Pies are made from scratch, and the case covers far more than one flavor.
Beyond Sugar Cream Pie, the menu lists Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie, Butterscotch Pie, Strawberry Rhubarb, and a pie simply called State Pie. For something savory, Chicken Pot Pie keeps the theme going at lunch.
The diner side matters too. Breakfast is a big draw, cheeseburgers show up on plenty of tables, and the hand-breaded tenderloin with coleslaw proves this place speaks fluent Hoosier comfort food.
Timing is the key tip. Mrs. Wick’s opens at 6 AM Tuesday through Saturday, closes at 5 PM on weekdays and 2 PM on Saturday, and stays closed Sunday and Monday.
Saturday mornings get busy, and reservations are accepted if you are bringing a group. Parking is usually easy, which helps when you are carrying a whole pie or three out to the car.
3. Big Woods Pizza – Nashville, Nashville, IN
Brown County visitors know the feeling of finishing an afternoon of shopping in Nashville only to find many kitchens closing around 4 or 5. Big Woods Pizza keeps its doors open until 9 PM most nights and 10 PM on Friday and Saturday, which makes it a reliable dinner plan in this artsy little town.
You will find it at 44 N Van Buren St, right in the walkable center of Nashville. The building leans rustic, with a striking layout inside and outdoor seating when the weather cooperates.
Crust choices include thin and hand tossed, and the dough comes out on the fluffy side. Veggie pies get plenty of attention, and the menu offers full vegan and vegetarian options, so mixed groups have an easy time ordering.
Pork fans should look at the Signature Pulled Pork Nachos, which bring a little barbecue energy to a pizza night. Brewer’s Wings, Cheesy Bread, Breadsticks, and a House Salad round out the starters.
Finish with the Skillet Cookie. It is the kind of dessert that gets passed around the table.
Saturday afternoon into evening is the busiest stretch, and parking in downtown Nashville can be tricky. Reservations are accepted, curbside pickup is available, and occasional live music adds to the weekend buzz.
4. The Rolling Stonebaker, Valparaiso, IN
Plenty of restaurants dream of starting a food truck. The Rolling Stonebaker went the other direction, turning a popular mobile pizza operation into a rustic brick-and-mortar spot at 54 Lafayette St in downtown Valparaiso.
Wood-fired pizza is the whole focus. The crust gets a good char, and some pies swap out standard red sauce for a ricotta-based sauce.
The menu names are half the fun. The Purple Pig, The Joker, and Sticky Fingers sit alongside a classic Sausage Pizza, and the Tomato Pie is a favorite for anyone who wants the sauce to take center stage.
Many diners in Porter and Lake counties point to this kitchen as having the most unusual pizza combinations in the region. Starters include jalapeño poppers and meatballs in a well-loved sauce, while the Stonebaker Salad keeps things lighter.
Gluten-free diners are handled without fuss, and the menu includes full vegan and vegetarian options. A walk-up window makes quick orders simple, and a fireplace keeps the space comfortable on cold northwest Indiana days.
The restaurant is closed Monday. Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM Tuesday through Thursday, until 9:30 PM on Friday and Saturday, and until 8:30 PM on Sunday, with weekends drawing the biggest crowds.
5. Mother Bear’s Pizza Campus, Bloomington, IN
Bring a marker. At Mother Bear’s, guests have a long tradition of writing their names on the walls, and the cabin-style dining room near Indiana University has become a Bloomington landmark because of it.
The restaurant sits at 1428 E 3rd St, close to campus. Generations of students, visiting parents, and game-day crowds have filed through for deep-dish and pan pizza.
The crust is thick but light, crisp on the outside and soft inside, with a buttery edge. Detroit-style fans will find plenty to like here too.
Specialty pies are where things get creative. The Paulie Pine Nuts Pesto Pie, The Cosmo, The Divine Swine, and the vegan Champignon a La Bear show the kitchen likes a little personality with its toppings.
On the side, look for Breaded Portabella Mushrooms, Lasagna, a House Salad, and Bread Stix with two dipping sauces. Deep dish arrives in about 15 minutes, which is quicker than many people expect.
Mother Bear’s is open every day from 11 AM to 10 PM. Reservations are not taken, so Friday and Saturday evenings can mean a wait, while summer break and early weekday dinners tend to be calmer.
6. Bazbeaux Pizza, Carmel, IN
Here is a practical tip for Carmel pizza nights: grab a window seat. The Bazbeaux location at 111 W Main St looks out toward the Monon Trail, so walkers and cyclists become part of the view.
Bazbeaux has long been known in central Indiana for pizza with toppings that go beyond the usual. Guests can pick a thin or thick crust, and the thin version rolls out crisp with a chewy bite.
Two pies come up again and again. The Mediterranean is a regular order, and the Colossus is the pick for anyone who wants a loaded pizza.
The Antipasto Salad pairs nicely with either. Garlic Bread is an easy add for the table, and the sauce leans sweet and tart.
Gluten-free crust is available, though pizza sizes here can run a bit smaller than at other Bazbeaux locations. The menu also covers full vegan and vegetarian options.
Seating is generous both inside and on the patio. Free parking, delivery, and no-contact delivery make this one flexible, and hours run 11 AM to 9 PM most days, with a 10 PM close on Friday and Saturday.
7. Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza, Indianapolis, IN
Thai Peanut Sauce on a pizza sounds like a dare, yet at Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza it is simply part of the menu. This east side Indianapolis favorite at 5646 E Washington St has built a following around pies that wander far from plain pepperoni.
The crust is thin and cracker-crisp, and the sauce is flavorful without being sweet. Toppings go on generously, which matters when the combinations get adventurous.
The Luau is a regular order, especially with the add-chicken option. The Jockamo Special and pies finished with a balsamic reduction show off the creative side, while a Margharita keeps things classic.
Plant-based diners have more choices than usual, with vegan cheese, full vegan and vegetarian menus, and gluten-free crusts. The Parmesan dipping sauce has its own fan base, so order extra for the crusts.
Beyond pizza, look for a Meatball Sub, Artichoke Spinach Cheese Bread, and a salad bar. A private dining room helps with bigger gatherings, and there is outdoor seating too.
Hours run 11 AM to 9 PM most days and until 10 PM on Friday and Saturday. Parking is usually plentiful, reservations are not taken, and weekday afternoons tend to be the calmest time to stop in.
Enjoyed this story?
Add Fast Food Club as a preferred source to see more of our reporting on Google.