Folks come from near and far for a seat at this Indianapolis diner

Stopping by the Historic Steer In as seen on "Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives," for an Indiana delicacy: a breaded tenderloin sandwich...

No trip to Indiana is complete without a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich, and we decided to make the Historic Steer In just outside downtown Indianapolis our diner of choice for said sandwich on our little guys’ weekend getaway. Good choice, if we say so ourselves. Judging by the steady stream of cars in and out of the Steer In, we’re not the only ones making the same choice.

The Historic Steer In’s popularity nationwide may have gone up when it was featured on the famed “Diners, Drive Ins and Dives,” a few years ago, but truthfully, it’s been an Indianapolis favorite since it first opened almost 6 decades ago.

Changing hands only 3 times since 1960, the Steer In is the kind of family-run diner we can’t help but love, especially with its current owners’ passion. After about 50 years of operating under the second owner, Harold Phillips, the Steer In was precariously close to shuttering its doors. That’s when the Kehrers, a mother and son duo and longtime lovers of the Steer In, came to the rescue.

In November of 2007, the Kehrers purchased the Steer In and added “Historic” to the name.

With the Kehrer family’s passion and love for the Steer In, the Irvington neighborhood establishment was once again blossoming- so much so it caught the eye of Guy Fieri and was featured on “Diners, Drive Ins, and Dives.”

These days, the tv cameras may be gone, but the remnants of the visit are everywhere, including a board showing how people have visited from all over the country (and world).

Whether you’re an out-of-towner like us or an everyday customer, owner Casey Kehrer and his staff make you feel like you’ve been there a thousand times. Their down-home, friendly attitude is exactly what you’d hope to find at a 50+ year old diner.

Stop in at the Historic Steer In and you'll find regulars chatting over coffee while servers buzz around the homey place, each wall decorated with local sports team swag or hand-drawn children's' pictures.

Of course, it’s not all about the people… It’s about the food, too. The Historic Steer In doesn’t fall short here, either. While we had a breaded pork tenderloin sandwich which was delicious, it’s hardly the only thing noteworthy on the menu.

From their original menu items like the Twin Steer burger to Kehrer family additions like beef & noodles and meatball sandwiches, the Historic Steer In is comfort food for all tastes.

The Historic Steer In

5130 E 10th St

Indianapolis, Indiana

(317) 356-0996

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