Indiana is known for a few things: beautiful landscapes, intriguing history, and some of the best food in the Midwest all come to mind. The be-all, end-all food of choice for Hoosiers is obvious: for dessert, they’ve gotta have one of those delectable sugar cream pies, and for dinner, it’s all about that juicy breaded tenderloin served up on a bun. Nick’s Kitchen is the home of the all-original Indiana tenderloin. That original breaded tenderloin is something of a legend, and if you haven’t tried it, you haven’t tried tenderloin at all.

Nick's Kitchen is a staple of downtown Huntington, Indiana, and it has been since 1908.
Nick's Kitchen/Facebook
In 1904, 28-year-old Nick Freienstein opened a little food stand selling hamburgers to hungry Hoosiers once the sun went down.
His stand was a hit, and before long he had his very own restaurant, where to this day you can come and get the best comfort food in all of the Midwest.
Nick's Kitchen/Facebook
Today, it's a family-friendly diner nestled in the heart of Huntington, still serving up delectable, dreamy dishes just like always.
The most famous item on the menu has become a Midwestern must-have: the breaded and fried tenderloin is hot, juicy, and filled with flavor.
Nick's Kitchen/Facebook
It's too bad they're so big because you're going to want more as soon as you finish the first one.

Related Stories

It's Official: You Can Get The Best Breaded Tenderloin In Indiana At These 7 Restaurants

It's Official: You Can Get The Best Breaded Tenderloin In Indiana At These 7 Restaurants

 These 7 Indiana Seafood Restaurants Are Worth A Visit From Any Part Of The State

These 7 Indiana Seafood Restaurants Are Worth A Visit From Any Part Of The State

 This Classic Waterfront Bistro In Indiana Has Legendary Steaks

This Classic Waterfront Bistro In Indiana Has Legendary Steaks
Nick's Kitchen isn't just about that traditional breaded tenderloin; one can also pick up some of the best pies in Indiana there, too.
Nick's Kitchen/Facebook
Of course the diner serves the all-American Indiana favorite: sugar cream pie. And yes, it's incredible. But you'll also want to try the array of delightful and creative flavors Nick's has got going at any given time.
The portions are generous, and the atmosphere is always very friendly.
Nick's Kitchen/Facebook
The driving factor behind Nick's Kitchen's success is no secret: it's the perfect combination of a family-oriented atmosphere and food so good you might just want to move in.
It's the perfect spot for lunch, dinner, and even a laid-back dinner date or get-together.
Nick's Kitchen/Facebook
Best of all: every recipe used at Nick's is the original. It's quite literally been serving up the exact same incredible items for over 100 years.
After all, you know what they say: if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Nick's Kitchen/Facebook

…and Nick’s never needed to.

At the time of this writing, Nick’s Kitchen is open Mondays and Tuesdays from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., and from Wednesday through Saturday from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. On Sundays, it’s open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

For the complete, most up-to-date hours and menu (plus a little more history), check out the official Nick’s Kitchen website.

What’s your favorite Hoosier State restaurant? Tell us all about it using this form and you might see your pick featured someday!

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Related Articles

Explore Indiana

Featured Addresses
Nick's Kitchen, 506 N Jefferson St, Huntington, IN 46750, USA