Monday, June 20, 2011

Restaurants A Go Go















THE LEMON DROP





Anderson, Indiana



This is THE Greasy Spoon if there ever was one. The Lemon Drop is an Anderson institution that has been around since the 1950's from what I understand. The outside is electric yellow and full of neon lights that welcome the hungry traveller. The inside doesn't look like it has changed much since the 1950's. Inside the milkshake machine, flat top grill, prep station, etc... ALL vintage. Also, on the inside they have this really cool toy train & track that goes around the entire restaurant as you eat. My son loves that aspect of the joint. They have a counter that sits right up on where all of the action happens. It can seat about 10 people. You can watch the owner and the waitresses work their magic on your food as you wait. You can even listen to the jukebox while you watch the folks move around like busy bees getting your food ready. The rest of the place has a few booths in the nooks and crannies. It is NOT big at all maybe it can hold about 30 people if that. Usually you have to wait to sit down which is a testament to how good the food is here. Talking about the food they have hamburgers, cheese burgers, breaded tenderloin, chicken strips/breast, onion rings, French fries, etc....However, they are most famous for their "Onion Burgers"!!! To wash all of that down you have the choice of Vanilla & Cherry Coke. For dessert they have handmade milk shakes!!! When you get ready to pay you are encouraged to take a lemon drop from the basket that is waiting for you at the register. How clever I must say. I don't know much about The Lemon Drop's history, but I have talked to people who have said they have been going to this restaurant since they were kids and they are now in their 50's & 60's. The owner now I know is also the cook. He is always happy and very personable. The waitresses remember every aspect of your order without writing it down and yells it to the cook verbatim as you told them. I have no idea if it was/is a family business or if the menu has changed over time. What I do know is if you are from the Indianapolis area or if you are driving through you MUST stop in at The Lemon Drop. You will be glad that you did.