Editor’s Note: These listings are not ranked. They reflect a collection of the best offerings in town.
1. Mrs. Curl
259 S. Meridian St., Greenwood, 317-882-1031, mrscurl.com
A squat red-white-and-blue structure hugging one of Greenwood’s main thruways has a creekside gazebo, plenty of picnic tables, and Saturday-night karaoke.
2. Frosty Boy Drive-In
40 W. Main St., New Palestine, 317-861-5433
A peninsula overhang, a vestige of the spot’s car-hop past, juts out into the parking lot, providing sweet shelter for patrons downing peanut-butter malts and crinkle-cut fries.
3. Twin Kiss Drive Inn
700 S. White Ave., Sheridan, 317-758-5485
Soft-serve cones are handed out of the window of this tiny hut painted a cheerful yellow. Tenderloins, elephant ears, and other State Fair grub headline the menu.
4. The Chocolate Moose
401 S. Walnut St., Bloomington, 812-333-0475, chocolatemoosebloomington.com
Homemade flavors concocted daily at this college-town fave range from rich Moose Chocolate to the sweet-tart Lemon Custard. The ingredients veer toward local, and there are vegan options. On weekend nights, movies are projected onto the building next door.
5. Jimmie’s Dairy Bar
7065 S. State Rd. 67, Pendleton, 765-778-3800
Tangerine ice cream and root-beer milkshakes provide the perfect foil for saucy old-school barbecue sandwiches.
This article appeared in the June 2013 issue.
