Deans Barbecue and Restaurant — Restaurant in Indiana

Tucked into a strip of generic eateries which include Pizza Hut and Beef O' Brady's is a small island of culinary magnificence. I had to prod my significant other into going there because he thought it was your usual barbecue joint. I am new to the area and found it on a whim through a Google search. The reviews were very good and so I thought that it would be worth a try. I don't often go out to eat as I am a chef in my own right but, after eating here I know I'm only on the level of SpongeBob in comparison to the excellence that has been achieved at Dean's. The chef who developed these recipes has taken normal country food and turned it into an intoxicating flavor tornado. Each bite was a delight of flavor explosion! From the delicate and delightful soup and the crispy, yet cakey savoriness of the cornbread/pulled pork/slaw appetizer! My love got the pulled pork sandwich and I had the burnt ends both had the best French fries we have ever tasted. The ketchup provided could have been thrown from the table in my opinion because I would have never let it's inferior quality of ordinary to have come in contact with the thin, crispy, perfectly flavored potato delights that mere mortals call French fries. The burnt ends were so tender and juicy they practically melted in my mouth. The sandwich my love had was hearty, delicate, robust and juicy beyond belief. We got a to go order of the pulled pork Mac and cheese and even though we were stuffed to the absolute bursting point we each had to delight in a bite of the creaminess, richest, most decadent pasta excellence either of us had ever tasted. The unique and flavorful cocktails were both imaginative and delicious while simultaneously being well infused with a generous amount of alcohol. Out waitress, Jentry with a J 😉 was so welcoming, sweet, enthusiastic and efficient. The tiny place was packed full house and with excellent reason and yet the well trained staff seemed at ease and in their element. I feel like I've been to see Led Zeppelin in a small venue before they were famous! I'm excited to see what heights and creations the chef who developed these fine recipes will do in the future! Using care, excellent ingredients and a staff that are on point have made this place head and shoulders above it's peers and I am in awe and feel privileged to have gotten to experience what true passion looks and tastes like. A standing ovation from my humble self because I am soon envious of that level...

Found Dean's on TripAdvisor and thought I'd try it. Smaller place but a lot of people. I wasn't sure if you ordered at the counter or table service, and I finally asked at the bar. I sat near the door, and the server came to take the drink order for ice tea. Being my first time here, I wanted to try several things. I ordered the smoked quest dip with chicken under the shareable. It came with homemade chips. This stuff is to die for. I could have eaten this as a meal. I also ordered the pulled pork and fries. After I ordered, the place filled up. Another server brought my dip. No plates were brought, and no one came back, so I ate just off the appetizer plate. Again, this was wonderful. Spicy tortilla chips with almost like a rub on them. The dip was thick with shredded chicken.

They brought huge plate of small shoestring like fries, not super crispy, which is my preference and not dripping with grease. There was no ketchup on the table.

The pulled pork was tender and good but without any sauce. The original server came back as I was almost done. I asked for BBQ sauce, ketchup, and sweetener for my tea. She brought a small container of sauce and an unmarked bottle of ketchup, which I guess is also homemade. It was the consistency of applesauce. She also brought another glass of iced tea and apologized that she had gotten busy with other guests. I asked for to-go containers and the check. She brought 2 brown cardbard containers that needed to be folded. Nothing for the dip. I again asked for a container, specifically for the dip, which she brought a round plastic container.

Prices: dip $10, hand cut fries $6, 1/2# of pulled pork $8, tea $2.25. With tip, it was just over $31. Granted, I made another meal from the leftover, and it was surely good. I will return and know to request ketchup and sauce...

What a great little place. Didn't order an alcoholic drink but they have a full bar. We were greeted upon entering. The sign instructed us to seat ourselves. The waiter came over as we got settled, dropped menus and silverware, informed us of the specials on the wall and left. Came back a couple minutes later and took our drink and food order. Length of the wait for our food seemed appropriate. I had the Pulled Pork and Parmesan Mac n cheese. The cheese was creamy and shredded Parmesan was sprinkled over top. The pulled pork was moist and juicy and the sauce was on the sweeter side but was tasted excellent with the Parmesan cheese. My husband had the burnt ends with french fries. The ends were smoky, tender and with just the right marbleization. They were covered in caramelized sauce with a hint of brown sugar sweetness. When requesting ketchup, my husband was handed a bottle of house made ketchup. Their thick ketchup was delicious and blended well with their perfectly cooked skinny cut fries. He said he probably should have asked for a cup of it to go. Waiter was great. Answered our questions, explained how they get some of their tastes. Noticed we seemed chilled so he adjusted the air conditioner above our heads. Blues/folk music played and was at a good volume level. We stumbled across Dean's on our way home to Wisconsin. We will definitely be adding Dean's to our regular stops on our way through next time! Until then Thanks Dean's it was a great meal, see...