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Lemon Drop Drive-in Anderson, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley The Lemon 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. 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   Lemon Drop Drive-in Anderson, IN Photo courtesy Mark Hackett Lemon Drop Drive-in Anderson, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley Lemon Drop Drive-in Anderson, IN Photo courtesy Alan Culley

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.

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

Daly Drive-in
Livonia, MI
Photo courtesy Mike Engle

The wavy roof and giant boomerang marquee at Daly Drive-In give this Livonia restaurant a convincing Space Age welcome.

Opened in 1959, it became the last survivor of a Detroit-area chain that once numbered nearly twenty locations. Dalyburgers, Daly Dogs and “E-Sauce” kept customers returning, while roadside fans had another reason to admire the entrance.

UPDATE: The owners announced plans to close after the 2026 summer season. As of this update, the building and boomerang sign survive, but redevelopment threatens both. 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.

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

Fender's Drive-in (Gone)
Mishawaka, IN
Photo 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. Many thanks to Steve Lehman for info.

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.

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 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. Many thanks to Doug Harvey for info. 09-06

Kunkel Burgers, breaded pork tenderloins, homemade onion rings and seasonal pies give visitors reasons to linger. Cruise nights and classic cars make a fitting match for the vintage surroundings.

UPDATE: Kunkel’s remains open with traditional carhop service. Its familiar roadside sign continues advertising a meal at this longtime local favorite. 06-26