Steer-In — Restaurant in Indianapolis

I want to start off by saying that I have been a patron of the steer in for overmost of my life since I was a small child. I've never had a bad experience until tonight. I took my fiance for Valentine's day and I do recognize that they were very busy and they were doing a Valentine's day special. It was a great deal describable only as a train wreck. Now the biggest problem we had was our waitress. She was horrible she did not care and she was a very big problem to the whole evening. Contributing to the ruining of our date night out for Valentine's day. We sat at table 26 and ordered off the special menu. I had ordered my steak medium and instead of vegetables I'd ask for cottage cheese I also asked for a cup of blue cheese crumbles. My steak came out and it was rare and I had none of the rest of my order as I had requested. Now I do believe the problem was she put the order in wrong because the steak was obviously cooked to perfection if you like rare. I ate it anyway because it took an hour for the steak to get to our table i did not want to wait. My fiance's meal seemed to come out okay but she didn't deviate from the standard order. Also we were sitting in a cool draft caused by some sort of ventilation unit behind us I asked our waitress to shut it off she said she couldn't although the couple behind us who were also affected as to their waitress to shut it off and she said she'd be more than happy to she got the manager and had it shut off right away I did bring it up to the manager she kind of acted as it was the first time I mention it. At the end of the evening I turned around and called the manager and told her of our experience the food was good and the cook should be commended the steak was cooked great even though it was not the way I ordered it. He was still cooked as though it have been prepared at a very nice steakhouse. I think he did a wonderful job. The waitress I just believed she was lazy I saw her twice during evening and that was it she did manage to get my glass refilled. I've never had her wait on me before all the times I've been in there and she did not look familiar I don't know if this was extra help. I normally tip very well usually 25% or better although because of the terrible service I had I chose not to tip I based my tipping upon the level of service I had since I had virtually no waitress service I wasn't about to tip she made it a point to yell across the restaurant as we were leaving thanks so much for the tip have a good evening. Which added to the fact of a bad evening. To begin with the manager obviously never spoke to her about this. I will return to Steer-In as I had before but I will not allow this woman to wait on us. Obviously if she's still there it tells me Management's not doing their job. This is a great little local restaurant and it's certainly has most of its clientele based on the local community and I can't believe how rude this waitress was. The manager did come over and hear our complaints she apologized but did nothing more. On a brite note I do want to compliment not only the cook but the to busboys who were extremely extremely on it and kept tables clean and did a fantastic job. I'm still debating on whether or not to call the owner on Monday and let them know about how poorly I was treated by this waitress I was sitting at table 26 and I looked at my receipt but did not see name. If you choose to patronize this year and make sure to ask the waitress if...

Steer-In: A Neighborhood Spot with Timeless Charm

Tucked away just east of the corner of 10th Street and Emerson Ave, Steer-In has been a beloved neighborhood gem since it first opened its doors in 1960. Originally a curbside service diner, it quickly became a favorite among locals. While curbside service is no longer available, stepping inside feels like stepping back in time—and that’s part of its appeal. The retro decor, though dated, is immaculately maintained, preserving its distinct character and charm. The moment you pull into the free parking lot, you’re welcomed by a cozy, nostalgic atmosphere. Inside, the diner offers a variety of seating options: from comfortable booths and tables to counter seating. Steer-In opens daily at 7 AM, and with its reputation for good food, friendly service, and fair prices, it’s no wonder the place fills up early, especially for breakfast. The Steer-In prides itself on serving no-frills comfort food. The menu covers all the classics—breakfast, lunch, and dinner—with generous portions and hearty flavors. Over the years, I’ve dined here numerous times, always impressed by the consistent quality of both the food and service. On my most recent visit, I stopped by at noon with my brother, and as usual, the diner was buzzing with activity. My brother went with the “Manhandler Breakfast,” a huge platter that never disappoints—definitely bring an appetite for that one! I opted for the fish and chips, but unfortunately, it wasn’t to my liking this time. It’s rare for me to leave here unsatisfied, but it just wasn’t for me. These and other past meals featured below.

My Recommendations If you’re new to Steer-In or looking for something tried and true, I highly recommend the breaded tenderloin or their crispy onion rings—both are local favorites. Every bite reminds you why this diner has been a staple in the community for so long.

For a hearty, affordable meal in a place brimming with history and local charm, Steer-In is a must-visit. Whether you’re a longtime regular or a first-time guest, this diner is bound to leave an impression with its...

Traveling through Indianapolis, and wanted to try the oversized pork tenderloin sandwiches the area is famous for. When googling for the best place to stop, the Steer-In kept coming up, so we decided to give it a go.

Wow. Everything about this place is an A+.

They get you on the drive up. Extremely nostalgic classic drive in diner exterior. Just weathered enough to let you know it's been there a long time. This is no modern "take" on a concept. This is the genuine article. The first steps inside reinforce the feeling. Old school diner: a soda fountain, simple tables, a few booths, walls littered with paraphernalia from local high school sports teams, and a sign that tells you to sit where you'd like.

We arrived at 530pm for dinner and it was mostly empty. By the time we left it was packed full of locals. I absolutely love this kind of place.

Our waitress was extremely friendly and attentive, and treated us like we belonged there. She was especially good with our kids. The menu is staggering in its breadth, yet you somehow get the sense that everything on offer is great.

One kid got an omelette with a side pancake, and the other lasagna. My wife and I each ordered the pork tenderloin sandwich. The kids' food was great, with the pancake especially impressing. The pork tenderloins, though. Damn. Take this with the requisite grain of salt, as it comes from an outsider. But this sandwich is a knockout. It's so, so good. It's so juicy and tender, and the breading is so crispy. One of the most satisfying sandwiches I've had in quite a while. It's a big one, and it was very cheap for what you get, and I was honestly tempted to order a second one as idiotic as that would have been for my gastrointestinal well-being.

It's not that often the combo of atmosphere, service, and food are all at this level at one place. Fine dining this is not. But it is absolutely Americana at it's finest. And it's very delicious.

Easy 5 stars. You have...