Mug 'n Bun

See how this all started here: http://bkatranch.blogspot.com/2012/01/bc-and-kathies-excellent-adventure-to.html

It is official Kathie and I are off track with our schedule to complete all 46 sandwiches in a year but fear not, we are determined to complete this task on schedule even if it means we have to eat delicious sandwiches every night during the week!

Number 14 is Mug N Bun for their breaded tenderloin. Mug N Bun is a place that used to be a standard stop for Kathie and I because we lived in the area. Had the sandwich been for the burger, I probably could do a review from memory.

Mug – N – Bun advertises as “Indy’s oldest and finest drive in”. I did some research and found that Mug N Bun started as Frostop in 1942. It was renamed to Mug – N – Bun in 1962. That first 20 years would be quite an accomplishment in the restaurant business alone, but to be doing basically the same thing 70 years later is amazing. Mug – N – Bun still features car hops although not on roller skates.

Kathie and I decide to relive our youth and order from the patio which is what we did 15 years ago. Man, that is hard to think! Kathie ordered the double cheeseburger (she is small but mighty!) and I ordered the tenderloin and onion rings.

The list mentions the Mug N Bun tenderloin as such: If there's a starter tenderloin for visitors to the Hoosier state, this thin, crispy tenderloin that extends modestly beyond the bun would have to be the leading candidate, especially in a basket with giant batter-dipped onion rings. I agree, except remove “starter”. This is what Hoosier tenderloin is supposed to be! Thin, battered, and HUGE! Tenderloin should be about twice the size of the bun and it doesn’t matter what size bun you use – if you decide to use buns that are the size of dinner plates then the tenderloin better be the size of a pizza pan!

When our food arrived I was not disappointed! The tenderloin was the proper thickness, size and breaded properly. With some pickles, ketchup and mustard it was a GREAT tenderloin and by far the best on the list so far but I think we have only done one other tenderloin so far. The onion rings were perfect. I am amazed at how many places have no clue on onion rings. First, when you bite into an onion ring you should be able to do just that, take a bite. You should not end up pulling the onion out from the breading. When you hold the onion ring firmly, the breading should not fall off. One of the most important things is cooking time. I don’t know the proper amount of cooking time for an onion ring and either does most people WHO MAKE THEM. I am glad that Mug – N – Bun knows how to make a good ring. And peanut butter shake. And burger. And pretty much everything.