These 7 Indiana Drive-In Restaurants Still Bring Burgers And Root Beer Right To Your Car

There is something wonderfully old-school about pulling into a parking spot, ordering through a speaker, and watching a tray of food get carried right up to your window. In Indiana, a handful of classic drive-ins still keep that tradition going, serving burgers, fries, and frosty root beer without asking you to leave your seat.

These are the places where car hop service, homemade root beer, and simple comfort food never went out of style. If you grew up on this kind of dining, or you just want to show the kids how it used to be done, this list is for you.

Here are seven Indiana drive-ins where the carhop still comes to you.

1. Dog n Suds, Lafayette, Indiana

Root beer fans have a soft spot for Dog n Suds, a chain that once had hundreds of locations across the Midwest. The Lafayette spot is one of the few still keeping the tradition alive in Indiana.

The name says it all. Hot dogs and house-made root beer are the stars here, with the root beer poured into frosty mugs when you order it that way.

Coney dogs, burgers, and creamy root beer floats round out a menu that has barely changed over the decades. Carhop service means you can stay parked while your food comes to the window.

I like this stop for anyone chasing a real slice of drive-in history, since surviving Dog n Suds locations are getting harder to find. It is a seasonal operation, so warmer months are the safe bet for a visit.

2. Edwards Drive-In, Indianapolis, Indiana

Since 1957, Edwards Drive-In has been an Indianapolis staple on South Sherman Drive, and it still runs the classic carhop setup that made it famous.

The tenderloin sandwich and burgers pull in loyal crowds, but the onion rings have their own dedicated following. Pair any of it with a shake or a root beer and you have the full experience.

You can park, flash your lights, and have a carhop bring your order straight to the car window, just like generations of Indy families have done.

What makes this one stand out is how firmly it has stayed rooted in one neighborhood for decades. It is a good choice when you want tradition and comfort food in equal measure without leaving the driver’s seat.

3. Mug n Bun Drive-In, Indianapolis, Indiana

Homemade root beer is the whole point at Mug n Bun, an Indianapolis institution serving the West side since 1960. The recipe is made in house and poured into cold mugs.

Located near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, it draws race fans and regulars alike. Burgers, tenderloins, and coney dogs anchor the food menu.

Carhop service keeps things classic, with orders delivered right to your window while you stay parked under the canopy. There is also an outdoor seating area if you want to stretch your legs.

The root beer float here is the move if you cannot decide between the drink and dessert. I would save this one for a warm afternoon when you want something simple, nostalgic, and easy to enjoy from the car.

4. Zesto Drive-In, Indianapolis, Indiana

Craving something frozen? Zesto built its reputation on soft serve and creamy treats, and the Indianapolis location has been a seasonal favorite for decades.

Beyond the ice cream, the menu covers burgers, tenderloins, and other drive-in classics, so it works for a full meal and not just dessert.

The shakes, sundaes, and cones keep people coming back once the weather warms up, since Zesto operates on a seasonal schedule.

What sets this stop apart is the balance of savory and sweet in one visit. Grab a burger, then finish with a thick shake without ever changing locations.

It is an easy pick when the whole car cannot agree on food or ice cream and wants both.

5. Triple XXX Family Restaurant, West Lafayette, Indiana

Opened in 1929, Triple XXX is Indiana’s oldest drive-in restaurant and a beloved landmark near Purdue University in West Lafayette.

The bright orange building is hard to miss, and the menu leans into hearty fare like the famous Duane Purvis All American burger topped with peanut butter.

Root beer is a signature here too, tied to the Triple XXX root beer brand the place is named after. Breakfast is served all day, adding chili and hash browns to the burger lineup.

While it has grown into more of a sit-down diner over the years, its drive-in roots and root beer heritage earn it a spot on this list. It is a great stop for anyone visiting the Purdue campus or chasing a true piece of Indiana food history.

6. Parkette Drive-In, Angola, Indiana

Up in the northeast corner of the state, the small town of Angola holds onto a drive-in that keeps the carhop tradition warm through the summer season.

Burgers, fries, and frosty treats fill out a menu built for casual, park-and-eat dining near Indiana’s lake country.

The seasonal schedule makes it a summer ritual for locals and folks passing through on their way to nearby lakes and state parks.

I like this one as a road trip pit stop, since Angola sits close to some of Indiana’s most popular vacation spots. Grab a bite from the car and get back on the road toward the water.

7. B and K Root Beer, Various Indiana Towns

Few names are as tied to Indiana root beer as B and K, a small drive-in chain with roots going back to the 1950s. Several independently run stands still operate across the state.

Homemade root beer served in cold mugs is the calling card, alongside sandwiches, sundaes, and other drive-in standards.

Because each location runs on its own, the exact menu and hours can vary from town to town, and most operate on a seasonal spring-to-fall schedule.

The scattered nature of these stands is exactly why they are worth seeking out. Finding a working B and K in an Indiana small town feels like discovering a piece of the state’s food past still pouring root beer the old way.