Fresh-cut fries tossed in duck fat and finished with sea salt and cracked pepper are luring people deep into an industrial park. Yes, an industrial park.
Right near an airport runway.
The restaurant started as a tent at a fall festival in 2022. Then came a food truck.
Then came a real building, plus jalapeno cornbread with spicy apple butter and free arcade games.
I like how this place grew one hungry step at a time. I believe that kind of growth only happens when people keep coming back for more.
Southern Indiana clearly noticed.
The menu mixes Latin flavors, Southern comfort, and brunch favorites. Fried green tomatoes share space with flautas and pimento cheese chicken sandwiches.
So what makes a spot near warehouses worth a long drive across our state?
Your Map Will Lead You Past Warehouses, And That’s Totally Fine
Finding great food near a runway sounds like a riddle. Still, that is exactly where this kitchen lives in southern Indiana.
The restaurant sits at 820 A Ave E, Seymour, IN 47274. The area is an industrial park near the Freeman Municipal Airport side of town.
Warehouses and factory buildings line the route. The building itself is a small, older diner-style spot that doesn’t shout for attention.
That modest look is part of the fun. You turn a corner, double-check your phone, and then there it is.
My tip is to trust the directions. The road may feel strange, but your destination is real.
The airport nearby also gives the area a unique flavor. A Tuskegee Airmen museum sits out that way too, which makes a nice add-on for curious travelers.
Plan your visit with the hours in mind. The restaurant is closed on Mondays, and Sundays end early at 3 PM.
Tuesday through Thursday, it stays open until 8:30 PM. Friday and Saturday stretch to 9 PM.
So set the GPS, grab your crew, and enjoy the slightly odd drive. The reward waits behind that plain front door.
These Duck Fat Fries Are The Reason Your GPS Looks Confused
Potatoes rarely get headline treatment, yet Lola’s Modern Kitchen built a reputation on them. The house calls them Lola’s Famous Duck Fat Fries, and the name fits.
They start as skin-on potatoes, fried fresh in the kitchen. Then they get tossed in duck fat and seasoned with sea salt and fresh cracked pepper.
Duck fat is a classic trick in fancy kitchens. It adds a rich, savory flavor that plain oil just can’t match.
The fries show up as a side with many plates. Specials like Fish and Chips or a NY Strip have paired with them before.
I like that they keep the seasoning simple. Salt and pepper let the duck fat do the bragging.
Skin-on fries also give you a little more potato flavor in every bite. It’s a small detail, but small details add up fast.
So when someone says they drove a long way for fries, it suddenly sounds reasonable. Honestly, it sounds like a solid plan.
My advice is simple. Order them alongside your main dish, even if another side is calling your name.
You can always share. Or, you know, not share.
A Festival Tent Grew Into Something Much Bigger
September 2022 marked the humble start. Owners Seth and Tonya Pacey set up a tent at the Downtown Fall Festival in Seymour.
People liked what they tasted. Demand grew, so the couple stepped up to a food truck that rolled out in March 2023.
The truck kept the momentum going. Then the brick-and-mortar restaurant held its soft opening on February 17, 2024.
That’s a quick climb from folding table to full dining room. I can’t imagine how busy those first months must have been.
The name has a sweet backstory too. Lola is the Paceys’ daughter, and the restaurant carries her name proudly.
The word modern matters as well. The owners wanted to blend classic recipes with fresh ideas, giving themselves room to get creative.
That freedom shows up all over the menu. Comfort food appears, but it often arrives with a twist.
The food truck and catering side are still part of the business. So the place you visit is only one piece of the story.
Fun fact for your next dinner chat. A restaurant famous for fries began under a tent, surrounded by autumn crowds.
Start With Cornbread That Brings Its Own Kick
Spicy apple butter. Those two words alone deserve a moment of respect.
The Jalapeno Cornbread at Lola’s Modern Kitchen comes with that sweet and fiery spread. It’s one of the starters people mention most often.
Cornbread is a Southern classic. Adding jalapeno gives it a bit of heat, while the apple butter rounds things out.
Other appetizers compete hard for your attention. Fried Cheese Skewers arrive drizzled with smoked honey, which sounds like a dare in the best way.
Then come the Fried Green Tomatoes. They’re topped with charred corn salsa and habanero crema, so expect a little spark.
Chips and Dips round out the lineup. Options have included poblano white queso and a house-made French onion dip.
Here’s my practical advice. Bring at least one friend so you can order more than one starter.
Appetizers are the easiest way to taste the kitchen’s style. Sweet, smoky, spicy, and crunchy all show up early.
Just pace yourself a little. Your main course still needs a spot, and those fries are coming too.
The Tenderloin Might Steal The Spotlight From The Fries
Indiana takes its pork tenderloin seriously. So any kitchen that gets attention for one is doing something right.
Lola’s Modern Kitchen serves hand-breaded pork tenderloins. The tenderloin is the most talked-about dish tied to this restaurant online.
Several versions have appeared on the menu. The LMK tenderloin adds corn salsa and a special sauce, putting a modern spin on a Hoosier staple.
If you prefer the classic route, plainer versions exist too. Either way, the breading is done by hand.
Burgers share this part of the menu. The Lola burger and Lola’s melt are two names to look for.
Chicken sandwiches bring their own flair. The Deep South stacks fried chicken with pimento cheese, bacon, and smoked honey.
That combo sounds like a Southern family reunion on a bun. Sweet, salty, and creamy all at once.
Gluten-free buns have been available as well. That’s handy if someone in your group needs a different option.
My suggestion is easy. Pair your sandwich with the duck fat fries for the full experience.
Crispy meets crispy. Nobody complains.
Craving Tacos? The Latin Side Of The Menu Has You Covered
Latin Fusion sits right next to Southern comfort here, and the pairing works. It gives the menu a wide range without feeling random.
Tacos are a big part of the lineup. Steak tacos get frequent mentions, and chicken versions are available too.
Burritos are on the menu as well. Some are known for being seriously large, so maybe skip a heavy breakfast.
Chicken flautas show up as another favorite. They come with their own unique toppings that set them apart.
Nachos join the party too. The Mexicano Chicken Nachos are one option worth a look.
Fresh guacamole and salsa round out the Latin side nicely. Tortilla chips often come along for the ride.
I like this mix because it solves a common group problem. One person wants a burger, another wants tacos, and everyone wins.
Families with picky eaters can relax here. The menu covers enough ground that almost everyone finds something.
Vegan diners have options as well. A vegan burger appears on the menu, which is a welcome surprise.
So go ahead and order something unexpected. That’s kind of the point of this kitchen.
Free Arcade Games And A Skateboard On The Wall Set The Mood
Old-school arcade machines inside a restaurant? That’s an instant win for kids and grown-ups alike.
The dining room at Lola’s Modern Kitchen includes arcade games, and they’re free to play. Classic titles keep little hands busy while the food cooks.
The decor tells a personal story. Seth Pacey’s childhood mementos hang around the space, including an old skateboard.
His first electric guitar is on display too. It feels like peeking into someone’s teenage bedroom, minus the messy laundry.
A dark accent wall anchors the room. Inspirational quotes fill the walls, adding a cheerful touch.
There’s even a quirky space nicknamed Lovers Lane. It’s a former storage room turned into a cozy getaway corner.
The overall vibe lands somewhere between diner, hangout, and fun museum. Some even feel a little space-themed energy in the details.
I believe decor like this makes a meal more memorable. You remember the guitar as much as the fries.
Here’s a tip for parents. Bring the kids, let them play a round, and enjoy a few quiet bites.
Everyone leaves happy, and nobody needs quarters.
Save Room, Because Weekly Specials Keep Things Unpredictable
Cheesecake wrapped and fried into a chimichanga. Yes, that’s a real dessert here.
Cheesecake chimichangas are among the sweet treats people look for. They can even come a la mode, which feels like extra credit.
The kitchen also rolls out weekly specials. Rotating cheesecake flavors are part of that tradition.
One special even featured a vegan blackberry cheesecake. Mint julep cupcakes have popped up too, minus anything grown-up in them for this story.
Savory specials appear as well. Fish and Chips and a NY Strip steak have both made the weekly list.
The specials change, so each visit can feel brand new. That’s a great reason to follow the restaurant online before heading over.
Many ingredients come from farms across southern Indiana. Local sourcing helps keep the menu fresh and seasonal.
I like knowing a dessert might never come back. It adds a fun little urgency to ordering.
My advice is to ask about specials right away. Then decide whether dessert should come first.
No judgment here. Life is short, and cheesecake chimichangas exist.
Order Ahead, Book Catering, And Help Feed Kids While You Eat
Sometimes the drive just isn’t possible that day. Luckily, this kitchen offers more than sit-down meals.
Online ordering makes takeout simple. Delivery is available as well, so the fries can come to you.
A loyalty program rewards frequent visits. If you live nearby, that perk adds up quickly.
Catering is another big part of the business. The team handles events of many kinds, from work gatherings to celebrations.
The food truck still serves as part of the operation. Keep an eye out for it around southern Indiana.
Larger groups have found the dining room works well too. Planning an after-work outing could be easier than you think.
There’s also a bigger mission behind the menu. Lola’s Modern Kitchen is committed to ending childhood hunger in its local communities.
I love when a restaurant cares about more than the next order. It makes every basket of fries feel a little more meaningful.
So whether you dine in, order out, or book a party, you’re supporting something good. A family-run spot with heart deserves that.
Honestly, the long drive suddenly feels short.
