Lemon Drop Drive-in
Anderson, IN Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
TheLemon Drop Drive-in has been a favorite in Anderson since 1954, but it's the eye-catching roadside sign that first grabbed my attention. With its green and yellow colors and distinctive shape, it almost looks like an old Holiday Inn marquee. It's the kind of sign that's hard to drive past without taking a closer look.
The Lemon Drop began as a classic drive-in with curb service before switching to indoor dining in the mid-1960s. While the restaurant is tiny, seating fewer than 30 people, it has managed to keep much of its 1950s charm. Inside you'll find a vintage jukebox, an old Coca-Cola dispenser, and even a model train making laps overhead.
The menu has earned a loyal following over the years, especially for its Onionburger, where thinly sliced onions are grilled right into the beef patties, along with its breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches. True to the restaurant's name, every customer still receives a complimentary lemon drop candy before they leave.
As much as the food draws people in, the sign remains one of the best reasons to slow down. Along with the towering marquee, a giant lemon drop sits atop the building, making this one of Anderson's most recognizable roadside restaurants.
UPDATE: The Lemon Drop Drive-In remains open and continues serving customers more than 70 years after opening. Both the vintage roadside sign and rooftop lemon drop still survive. 06-26
Daly Drive-in
Livonia, MI Photo courtesy Mike Engle
Daly Drive-In is a terrific example of the futuristic styling that made so many drive-ins memorable during the 1950s and '60s. The wavy roofline is classic, but it's the giant boomerang marquee that really catches your eye. It almost seems to point you right into the parking lot.
The Livonia location opened in 1959 and eventually became the last remaining Daly Drive-In. At one time there were nearly 20 locations around the Detroit area, but this is the one that carried on the tradition. Customers kept coming back for favorites like the Dalyburger, Daly Dogs, and the restaurant's famous "E-Sauce."
The building still has the look and feel of a true drive-in, with its distinctive roofline and one of the coolest roadside signs around. It's the kind of place that reminds you just how much personality these restaurants once had.
Sadly, its days are numbered. After more than 65 years in business, the owners announced that the restaurant will close following the 2026 summer season, with the property expected to be redeveloped.
UPDATE: Daly Drive-In remains open through its final season in 2026. The building and its iconic boomerang marquee still survive, but both are expected to disappear once the property is redeveloped. 06-26
Ray's Drive-in
Kokomo, IN Photo courtesy Emily Steele
Ray's Drive-In has been a Kokomo favorite since 1947, but it's the classic roadside marquee that first catches your eye. The sign proudly reminds customers that "It Pays to Eat at Ray's!" and has been inviting hungry locals and travelers in for generations.
The drive-in was founded by Clyde Ray, who converted one of two log cabins he had built into a restaurant. After the original building was destroyed by fire in 1965, it was rebuilt and continued serving customers without missing a beat. The Waddell family has owned Ray's since 1987, helping preserve one of Kokomo's longtime dining traditions.
Ray's is especially well known for its hand-breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches, an Indiana favorite that's earned the restaurant a loyal following over the years. While many drive-ins have disappeared, Ray's still offers the classic experience with carhop service, making it feel like stepping back to an earlier era.
The building may have changed since its log cabin beginnings, but the vintage sign is still doing exactly what it was designed to do—pulling people off the road for a good meal.
UPDATE: Ray's Drive-In remains open in Kokomo and continues serving customers with its classic drive-in service. The historic roadside marquee still survives and remains one of the restaurant's best-known features. 06-26
Michael's Goody Boy Columbus, OH Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
Michael's Goody Boy Drive-In has been turning heads in Columbus since 1947, and it's easy to see why. The towering neon sign is one of the city's best-known roadside landmarks, making it just as memorable as the burgers served inside. Located just south of Ohio State University, it's long been a favorite stop for students, locals, and anyone cruising High Street.
Founded by Michael Pappas, Goody Boy built its reputation on simple diner fare, including burgers, homemade soups, and hearty basket meals. Over the years, the restaurant changed hands several times and even went through a brief period when it looked like the historic diner might disappear for good.
Fortunately, that didn't happen. A new owner stepped in during 2023, restored the restaurant to its classic Goody Boy identity, and helped preserve one of Columbus' longtime neighborhood favorites. The famous roadside sign also received a careful restoration, allowing its neon to continue welcoming customers just as it has for decades.
For me, though, the sign is the real attraction. It's one of those classic neon marquees that immediately catches your eye and makes you wonder how many people have pulled in after spotting it from down the street.
UPDATE: Michael's Goody Boy Drive-In remains open in Columbus after being revived under new ownership in 2023. The restaurant continues serving customers, and its beautifully restored neon sign still lights the way. 06-26
Fender's
Drive-in (Gone)
Mishawaka, IN Photo and info courtesy Steve Lehman
Fender's Drive-In was one of those classic summertime stops that seemed to take you back to the 1950s. Originally opened as an A&W Root Beer stand in 1952, it was the oldest surviving drive-in in the Mishawaka area and welcomed customers each year from April through September.
The restaurant kept the traditional drive-in experience alive for decades with burgers, root beer, and curb service that made it a favorite with locals. Longtime owners Steve and Gail Lehman helped preserve that nostalgic atmosphere, making Fender's a place families returned to year after year.
After closing in 2012, the restaurant briefly came back to life as Korbellie's Drive-In in 2016. While the new owners kept the drive-in theme alive for a short time, the revival didn't last, and the property eventually found a new use.
Like so many neighborhood drive-ins, Fender's was never about fancy food. It was simply a fun place to grab a burger, enjoy a frosty root beer, and soak in a little bit of Americana before heading back out on the road.
UPDATE: Fender's Drive-In closed permanently in 2012. A brief revival as Korbellie's Drive-In followed in 2016, but that restaurant has also closed. The building has been repurposed for commercial automotive use, and the classic roadside sign is gone. 06-26
Kunkel's Drive-in
Connersville, IN Photo and info courtesy Doug Harvey
Kunkel's Drive-in Restaurant has been serving hungry customers in Connersville since 1954, and it's one of those places that still feels like a true American drive-in. The vintage neon sign out front is enough to get your attention, but it's the food and classic curb service that keep people coming back. 09-06
The restaurant has stayed true to its roots for more than 70 years. Pull into one of the parking spaces, order from the speaker, and before long a carhop delivers your meal right to your window. It's a simple experience that's becoming harder to find these days.
Kunkel's is best known for its famous Kunkel Burgers, hand-breaded pork tenderloins, homemade onion rings, and seasonal pies. If you happen to stop by when strawberry pie is on the menu, you're in for a treat.
The drive-in is also a popular gathering place for local cruise nights and classic car shows, making it a natural setting for vintage cars and a neon sign that looks right at home.
UPDATE: Kunkel's Drive-In remains open and continues serving customers using its classic drive-in and carhop service. The vintage roadside sign still survives and continues welcoming visitors to this longtime Connersville favorite. 06-26
Southside Drive-in (Gone)
Rushville, IN Photo and info courtesy Doug Harvey
Southside Drive-In was one of those hometown drive-ins that seemed to be part of everyday life in Rushville. The restaurant served generations of local families, although longtime residents may remember it by its original name, Miller's Drive-In. 09-06
The drive-in was opened by World War II veteran Richard Miller and his wife, Lillian, who operated the business for nearly 50 years. During that time it became a popular place to stop for burgers, roasted chicken, and other drive-in favorites. Somewhere along the way the name changed to Southside Drive-In, but it remained a familiar sight on South Main Street.
Like many classic drive-ins, Southside eventually gave way to changing times. The Miller family later opened Miller's Family Restaurant, bringing an end to the drive-in after an impressive run. While the food and neon are gone, the building itself managed to survive.
UPDATE: Southside Drive-In is gone, and the historic neon sign has been removed. The building still stands, having been repurposed as Gettinger Family Custom Meats. 06-26
Daly Drive-in
Ray's Drive-in
Michael's Goody Boy
Fender's
Drive-in (Gone)
Southside Drive-in (Gone)
