Carson Whiteman

July 23, 2025

5 Must-Visit Root Beer Stands in Indiana This Summer

Discover five classic Indiana root beer stands you need to try. From Speedway to Anderson, these retro drive-ins serve up house-made root beer, chili dogs, and vintage charm all summer long.

Hidden Gems
Food
5 Must-Visit Root Beer Stands in Indiana This Summer
5 Must-Visit Root Beer Stands in Indiana This Summer
5 Must-Visit Root Beer Stands in Indiana This Summer

Five Must-Visit Root Beer Stands in Indiana

On these warm Indiana summer days, nothing helps take the heat off more than an ice-cold root beer. Whether you’re enjoying a beautiful evening cruise with the windows down or looking for a nice classic treat, these old-school root beer stands located across Indiana are sure to hit the spot.

Dog N Suds – Lafayette (Open Seasonally Spring – Fall)

With two locations across Tippecanoe County in both West Lafayette & Lafayette, Dog N Suds is a wonderful remnant of the classic 1950s drive-ins, featuring car-hop service and its own signature root beer floats in an ice-cold frosted mug. If you’re up for a bit more, add one of its iconic chili dogs or burgers to your order! And if you can’t get enough of its root beer, bottled 12-packs are available for purchase!

Dog-n-Suds West Lafayette (Seasonal)

Mug-n-Bun – Speedway

A West-Indianapolis legend since 1960, Mug-n-Bun is credited as the oldest surviving drive-in located in Marion County. There’s a reason for its longevity, serving up crispy onion rings, indulgent pork tenderloins, and rich, creamy, house made root beer. Whether you enjoy it in your car or grab a seat at one of their picnic tables, Mug-n-Bun is an essential stop when visiting the racetrack or finding yourself in the West-Indianapolis area.

The Port Drive-In – Chesterton (Open Seasonally Spring – Fall)

Nestled in the beautiful town of Chesterton just off Lake Michigan, The Port Drive-In has been delivering friendly service and nostalgic vibes since 1957. With both an indoor and outdoor dining area, there’s plenty of space to bring the family and enjoy one of its trademark root beers & Chicago dogs. Just a 10-minute drive from the beach, it’s a perfect pitstop when planning a lake day!

The Port Drive-In

The Original Root Beer Stand – Culver (Open Seasonally Spring – Fall)

Offering beautiful views just off Lake Maxinkuckee, The Original Root Beer Stand is well worth the detour if you’re in the Culver area; with its vintage neon signage and first-class root beer & ice cream, it features an outstanding Midwestern atmosphere and lovely outdoor seating. They only accept cash – the tell-tale sign of good food and old-school vibes.

ORIGINAL ROOT BEER STAND, Culver - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone  Number - Tripadvisor

Gene’s Root Beer and Hot Dogs – Anderson (Open Seasonally Spring – Fall)

Gene’s Root Beer and Hot Dogs has been serving up timeless traditions for years, making it a beloved gem in the Anderson community. Highlighting the menu is its rich and frothy root beer that locals swear is the best in the state. Add in flaky pork tenderloins, footlong coney dogs, crispy fries, and juicy burgers, and the fact that it’s a cash-only spot, and you’ve got a recipe for a quick pit stop that puts you into a time capsule you never want to leave.

Gene's Root Beer, Anderson, Indiana – Tenderloins and Foodie Adventures

Whether you’re chasing nostalgia or just simply a good root beer and bite to eat, these five root beer stands consistently deliver both flavor and tradition. Small and locally owned, they all capture the retro vibe and friendly customer service that feeds nostalgia. So, don’t wait – grab your keys and cash, and enjoy a taste of Hoosier history.

Five Must-Visit Root Beer Stands in Indiana

On these warm Indiana summer days, nothing helps take the heat off more than an ice-cold root beer. Whether you’re enjoying a beautiful evening cruise with the windows down or looking for a nice classic treat, these old-school root beer stands located across Indiana are sure to hit the spot.

Dog N Suds – Lafayette (Open Seasonally Spring – Fall)

With two locations across Tippecanoe County in both West Lafayette & Lafayette, Dog N Suds is a wonderful remnant of the classic 1950s drive-ins, featuring car-hop service and its own signature root beer floats in an ice-cold frosted mug. If you’re up for a bit more, add one of its iconic chili dogs or burgers to your order! And if you can’t get enough of its root beer, bottled 12-packs are available for purchase!

Dog-n-Suds West Lafayette (Seasonal)

Mug-n-Bun – Speedway

A West-Indianapolis legend since 1960, Mug-n-Bun is credited as the oldest surviving drive-in located in Marion County. There’s a reason for its longevity, serving up crispy onion rings, indulgent pork tenderloins, and rich, creamy, house made root beer. Whether you enjoy it in your car or grab a seat at one of their picnic tables, Mug-n-Bun is an essential stop when visiting the racetrack or finding yourself in the West-Indianapolis area.

The Port Drive-In – Chesterton (Open Seasonally Spring – Fall)

Nestled in the beautiful town of Chesterton just off Lake Michigan, The Port Drive-In has been delivering friendly service and nostalgic vibes since 1957. With both an indoor and outdoor dining area, there’s plenty of space to bring the family and enjoy one of its trademark root beers & Chicago dogs. Just a 10-minute drive from the beach, it’s a perfect pitstop when planning a lake day!

The Port Drive-In

The Original Root Beer Stand – Culver (Open Seasonally Spring – Fall)

Offering beautiful views just off Lake Maxinkuckee, The Original Root Beer Stand is well worth the detour if you’re in the Culver area; with its vintage neon signage and first-class root beer & ice cream, it features an outstanding Midwestern atmosphere and lovely outdoor seating. They only accept cash – the tell-tale sign of good food and old-school vibes.

ORIGINAL ROOT BEER STAND, Culver - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone  Number - Tripadvisor

Gene’s Root Beer and Hot Dogs – Anderson (Open Seasonally Spring – Fall)

Gene’s Root Beer and Hot Dogs has been serving up timeless traditions for years, making it a beloved gem in the Anderson community. Highlighting the menu is its rich and frothy root beer that locals swear is the best in the state. Add in flaky pork tenderloins, footlong coney dogs, crispy fries, and juicy burgers, and the fact that it’s a cash-only spot, and you’ve got a recipe for a quick pit stop that puts you into a time capsule you never want to leave.

Gene's Root Beer, Anderson, Indiana – Tenderloins and Foodie Adventures

Whether you’re chasing nostalgia or just simply a good root beer and bite to eat, these five root beer stands consistently deliver both flavor and tradition. Small and locally owned, they all capture the retro vibe and friendly customer service that feeds nostalgia. So, don’t wait – grab your keys and cash, and enjoy a taste of Hoosier history.

Five Must-Visit Root Beer Stands in Indiana

On these warm Indiana summer days, nothing helps take the heat off more than an ice-cold root beer. Whether you’re enjoying a beautiful evening cruise with the windows down or looking for a nice classic treat, these old-school root beer stands located across Indiana are sure to hit the spot.

Dog N Suds – Lafayette (Open Seasonally Spring – Fall)

With two locations across Tippecanoe County in both West Lafayette & Lafayette, Dog N Suds is a wonderful remnant of the classic 1950s drive-ins, featuring car-hop service and its own signature root beer floats in an ice-cold frosted mug. If you’re up for a bit more, add one of its iconic chili dogs or burgers to your order! And if you can’t get enough of its root beer, bottled 12-packs are available for purchase!

Dog-n-Suds West Lafayette (Seasonal)

Mug-n-Bun – Speedway

A West-Indianapolis legend since 1960, Mug-n-Bun is credited as the oldest surviving drive-in located in Marion County. There’s a reason for its longevity, serving up crispy onion rings, indulgent pork tenderloins, and rich, creamy, house made root beer. Whether you enjoy it in your car or grab a seat at one of their picnic tables, Mug-n-Bun is an essential stop when visiting the racetrack or finding yourself in the West-Indianapolis area.

The Port Drive-In – Chesterton (Open Seasonally Spring – Fall)

Nestled in the beautiful town of Chesterton just off Lake Michigan, The Port Drive-In has been delivering friendly service and nostalgic vibes since 1957. With both an indoor and outdoor dining area, there’s plenty of space to bring the family and enjoy one of its trademark root beers & Chicago dogs. Just a 10-minute drive from the beach, it’s a perfect pitstop when planning a lake day!

The Port Drive-In

The Original Root Beer Stand – Culver (Open Seasonally Spring – Fall)

Offering beautiful views just off Lake Maxinkuckee, The Original Root Beer Stand is well worth the detour if you’re in the Culver area; with its vintage neon signage and first-class root beer & ice cream, it features an outstanding Midwestern atmosphere and lovely outdoor seating. They only accept cash – the tell-tale sign of good food and old-school vibes.

ORIGINAL ROOT BEER STAND, Culver - Restaurant Reviews, Photos & Phone  Number - Tripadvisor

Gene’s Root Beer and Hot Dogs – Anderson (Open Seasonally Spring – Fall)

Gene’s Root Beer and Hot Dogs has been serving up timeless traditions for years, making it a beloved gem in the Anderson community. Highlighting the menu is its rich and frothy root beer that locals swear is the best in the state. Add in flaky pork tenderloins, footlong coney dogs, crispy fries, and juicy burgers, and the fact that it’s a cash-only spot, and you’ve got a recipe for a quick pit stop that puts you into a time capsule you never want to leave.

Gene's Root Beer, Anderson, Indiana – Tenderloins and Foodie Adventures

Whether you’re chasing nostalgia or just simply a good root beer and bite to eat, these five root beer stands consistently deliver both flavor and tradition. Small and locally owned, they all capture the retro vibe and friendly customer service that feeds nostalgia. So, don’t wait – grab your keys and cash, and enjoy a taste of Hoosier history.

Written By:

Carson Whiteman

Written By:

Carson Whiteman

Carson Whiteman

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Explore Indiana effortlessly with Get Indiana, your trusted resource for all things Hoosier. Join us on a journey through the diverse and vibrant life of Indiana, delivering a rich and dynamic reading experience.

Discover the heart of the Hoosier State with Get Indiana, your go-to source for everything Indiana. Dive into a wide range of topics, from local events and hidden gems to business, travel, food, and more. At Get Indiana, we bring you reliable, comprehensive, and engaging articles that keep you connected to the pulse of our state. Enjoy fresh perspectives on community stories, insightful features, and in-depth guides, all crafted with a commitment to accuracy and local pride.

Explore Indiana effortlessly with Get Indiana, your trusted resource for all things Hoosier. Join us on a journey through the diverse and vibrant life of Indiana, delivering a rich and dynamic reading experience.

Discover the heart of the Hoosier State with Get Indiana, your go-to source for everything Indiana. Dive into a wide range of topics, from local events and hidden gems to business, travel, food, and more. At Get Indiana, we bring you reliable, comprehensive, and engaging articles that keep you connected to the pulse of our state. Enjoy fresh perspectives on community stories, insightful features, and in-depth guides, all crafted with a commitment to accuracy and local pride.

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