Location: Elwood
Top Restaurants in Elwood
Top 10 restaurants in Elwood, United States
Elwood is a city in Madison and Tipton counties in the U.S. state of Indiana. The Madison County portion, which includes most of the city, is part of the Anderson, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area, while the small portion in Tipton County is part of the Kokomo, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 8,614 at the 2010 census.
Things to do in Elwood
1. The Tin Plate
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 32 reviews
Reviewed By 124douglash - Carmel
I am going to give this restaurant a "Very Good", but it comes close to an "Excellent". Arrived on a Friday night with a 6:30 reservation for seven. We were immediately seated. Not many places of this sort take reservations, so that was a plus.
It is really a bar with a family dining room attached, so jeans and a T-shirt fit right in. The wait staff was pleasant, attentive, and efficient. Our waitress (Molly) was a gem. The crowd included old-timers, several families, and couples and singles of all ages.
As a sidebar, the staff were all wearing Tin Plate t-shirts that contained on the back a tribute to our military, including our fallen heroes and POWs/MIAs. As a veteran, I appreciated that, and even bought a Tin Plate T-shirt that I did not need.
The menu was surprisingly extensive and varied, from beef and chicken to shrimp, with ribbon fries, fried cheese curds, sampler baskets, and much, much more. Two of my group ordered a prime rib sandwich that they thoroughly enjoyed. I tried (stole) one of my wife's fried shrimp, which I enjoyed with the kicked-up cocktail sauce that accompanied it. All in all, the locals must really like this place. It was wall-to-wall with a small waiting line to boot. It was also not seedy, sticky, or so loud that you could not talk to or hear others at your table.
So why the "Very Good" rating? With the exception of my wife's shrimp, everything that I tasted that was fried (cheese curds, onion rings, ribbon fries, chicken strips) had a greasy taste/after-taste to them that I could not ignore. Too long in the deep fryer/old cooking oil/not blotting off the excess oil, I don't know, but it made the fried food less than delicious, at least to me. Also, for what it is worth, it took just over an hour to get our food, although the wait staff was hustling. That was about 15 minutes longer than I normally consider acceptable.
Bottom line: This place is worth a half hour drive to try, if only to experience the genuinely pleasant atmosphere and staff. It is obviously a local favorite, and 5/7 of my group liked the food as well. I will be back, but will stay away from the fried selections, except for the shrimp. I might try a week night, when things are probably not so busy.
2. Dairy Queen
Overall Ratings
1.5 based on 2 reviews
Reviewed By Brianmcgs - Orlando, Florida
I have never rated a restaurant this low but this dump deserves it. The floor was disgusting. You could see gunk build up where the floor and wall meet. They obviously don't know how to mop. Wallpaper is peeling off the wall and the white woodwork should be scrubbed. The bathroom is not accessible at all and was equAlly dirty with used paper towels on the floor. When I went to the counter, I couldn't get waited on.
The young people running the restaurant were more interested in talking to each other. Of course they gave me no spoon with my order either.
3. Bernie's Bar
Overall Ratings
4 based on 7 reviews
Reviewed By JM_De_Be - Berlin, Germany
The tile of this review is the headliner of a newspaper review which hangs behind the counter and it does says it all.
The burgers are great at a bargain price.
The atmosphere invites everybody to feel right at home and have a good time.
Service is friendly, fast and is happy to refill your cup.
all and all a great eating or drinking experience!
4. Curve Inn
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 24 reviews
Reviewed By Craig J
This place is a staple in Alexandria. Off of highway nine it has a nice bar and some great great food. Chicken, tenderloin, and other selections but this place will nit disappoint in the food department at all. Fish is outstanding as well. A place to definitely go to eat if you are around for sure.
5. Bonge's Tavern
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 110 reviews
Reviewed By gold-vintner - Indianapolis, Indiana
Several of us had the prime rib....the flavor was good but the meat was NOT tender.
The potatoes served with it were tasty....the broccoli could have been cooked just a little more.
Several in the group had the lake trout.....it was good. However, was it lake trout??? Much flakier than any I have caught.
One person who had scallops reported that they could have been cooked a little more.
In the past, there were rotating selections of wild game available....not so...just duck in its' place.
When the checks were handed out, at least 3 of them were to the wrong person.
Perhaps, if Trip Advisor would allow, this rating should have been more like 3 1/2.
Have always enjoyed this restaurant.....hoping that it is not going downhill!!!!!
6. Mr Happy Burger
Overall Ratings
4 based on 6 reviews
Reviewed By Chad T
I thought it was a drive in..it's not..we ordered the big tenderloin & they hand bread it..The loin itself was tasty & not dry but the breading I didn't care for..a lot of sandwich for the money though & the breaded cauliflower was good so we're the breaded mushrooms. I may give it another try again....shame it's not a drive in thou....
7. Lincoln Square Family Restaurant
Overall Ratings
4 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By Lancer65 - S Wales
Best farmers omelet I have ever had, good coffee great service friendly family run establishment. It was my first experience of good American style food, previous experience left me wondering if their was any place that served good food other than the usual fast food veriaty. Would recommend this place to everyone.
8. Opera House Pub
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By hawkedd - Richmond, IN
Attended a lunch meeting at Opera House Pub. The place is full of the history of Elwood and the Opera House. A person could literally spend an afternoon reading the different posters, articles and viewing the pictures. It has an old time welcoming feel. Although I could not imbibe in any of the brews listed the list itself was impressive with a variety on smaller brewery fare.
I got a breaded tenderloin, an Indiana favorite. It was good, probably not the best one I have ever had but still very good. I also had something called sweet potato waffle fries and they were very good.
The service was excellent as our group that was supposed to be 15 ended up being over 20. The server got everyone their order and even managed to not trip over the obstacles in the way. She was very friendly and helpful.
The cost for the menu items I looked at was reasonable and fair.
I saw bread pudding on the menu and would like to go back sometime and try it.
9. Friendly’s
Overall Ratings
4 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Raenay75 - Elwood, Indiana
This place is always packed and usually cant find a place to sit but it is DIIIRTY!!!! The stools are broke at the bar, the counter tops are rotted and bowing from water damage and it is all around enough to make you lose your appetite. Nothing special about the food, biscuits and gravy are pretty good.
10. Tillies Icon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 5 reviews
Reviewed By Majabulu
Not a fancy place but nice people and attentive service. The best breaded tenderloin sandwiches around! It is good that I don't live in Alexandria or I would eat one every day.
