I’ve been driving past cornfields and small-town storefronts my whole life, but nothing quite prepared me for the magic waiting at Ivanhoe’s Drive-In in Upland. This place isn’t just another roadside stop.
It’s where generations of Indiana families have gathered to celebrate everything from Little League victories to college graduations, all while drowning their taste buds in some of the most creative ice cream combinations you’ll ever encounter. The moment you pull into the parking lot on South Main Street, you’ll notice something special in the air.
Maybe it’s the sweet smell of fresh waffle cones or the sound of laughter spilling out from the packed dining room, but Ivanhoe’s has that rare quality that makes you feel like you’ve discovered a secret the rest of the world hasn’t caught onto yet.
With a menu boasting over 100 different shake and sundae flavors, this hidden gem delivers way more than just dessert.
The Legendary 100-Flavor Ice Cream Menu That Defies Imagination
Walk up to the counter and prepare to have your mind blown. Ivanhoe’s doesn’t mess around when they claim 100 different sundae recipes and 100 shake options.
Every single combination has been carefully crafted and numbered, making ordering both exciting and slightly overwhelming in the best possible way. From classic hot fudge to wild creations like Cracker Jack sundaes and German Chocolate Cake shakes, the variety here puts every chain ice cream shop to shame.
Regulars know to check out the laminated menu beforehand or scan the QR codes posted around the restaurant. First-timers often stand there for ten minutes just trying to narrow down their choices.
The genius behind this massive selection is that each recipe combines specific ice cream flavors with particular toppings, sauces, and mix-ins. You’re not just picking vanilla with hot fudge.
You might be ordering a Butternut, which features hand-dipped butter pecan ice cream loaded with pecans and butterscotch topping, or diving into a Birthday Cake sundae that tastes exactly like childhood celebrations.
What makes this menu truly special is how it’s become a rite of passage for Indiana families. Parents bring their kids to try the same numbered favorites they ordered decades ago.
College students from nearby Taylor University make it their mission to work through as many flavors as possible before graduation.
Portions So Generous You’ll Want To Share Everything
Size matters at Ivanhoe’s, and I’m not talking about the building. The portions here are absolutely legendary.
Order a regular sundae and you’ll receive what most places would consider a meal for two. The mini size, which sounds adorable and manageable, still arrives looking like a mountain of frozen deliciousness that could satisfy most adult appetites.
Couples quickly learn that sharing is not just romantic but practically necessary unless you want to waddle out the door. The strawberry shortcake, a customer favorite during berry season, comes piled so high with fresh strawberries, cake, ice cream, and whipped cream that multiple reviewers admit they can barely finish one between two people.
Even the shakes arrive in tall glasses filled to the brim, often with extra left over in the metal mixing cup. Your server will leave that cup right on your table so you can pour yourself a refill.
This generous approach to serving sizes reflects the old-school diner mentality where value meant giving customers more than they expected. Nobody leaves Ivanhoe’s feeling shortchanged or still hungry.
Smart visitors learn to pace themselves and maybe skip lunch if they’re planning an afternoon ice cream run. The staff won’t judge if you ask for extra spoons or cups to divvy up your order among friends.
Classic American Comfort Food That Hits Every Time
Ivanhoe’s might be famous for ice cream, but sleeping on their food menu would be a serious mistake. The kitchen cranks out classic American comfort food that keeps people coming back even when they’re not craving dessert.
Their breaded tenderloins have earned a devoted following, arriving hot and crispy with that perfect crunch that makes Indiana tenderloins legendary statewide. The Big One Chicken and Harvest Chicken sandwiches get rave reviews for being flavorful, fresh, and satisfying without any pretentious fuss.
But here’s something unexpected: the chicken salad is ridiculously good. Multiple regulars specifically mention it in glowing terms, praising how it’s served on toasted wheat bread and packed with flavor.
The burgers deliver exactly what you want from a diner burger, juicy and cooked right with all the fixings. Onion rings come out golden and crispy, perfect for sharing while you wait for your main course.
Even the salads earn praise for being generous and fresh, with one customer calling out the fruit bowl as a family favorite. Everything arrives quickly despite how busy the place gets, and the prices remain surprisingly reasonable for the quality and quantity you receive.
This isn’t fancy farm-to-table cuisine trying to impress food critics. It’s honest, delicious comfort food made well and served with a smile.
Small-Town Atmosphere Where Everyone Feels Welcome
Something magical happens when you step inside Ivanhoe’s. The atmosphere wraps around you like a warm hug from an old friend.
This isn’t some sterile corporate chain with identical locations in every state. Ivanhoe’s feels authentically local, the kind of place where staff remembers regular customers and newcomers immediately feel like part of the community.
The dining room buzzes with conversation and laughter, families filling booths while college students crowd around tables comparing sundae choices. You’ll see multiple generations sharing meals together, grandparents treating grandkids to the same flavors they enjoyed decades ago.
Despite getting incredibly busy, especially on summer Friday nights and Sunday afternoons, the service stays friendly and efficient. Staff members hustle to keep orders moving while maintaining that small-town warmth that makes you want to come back.
Church groups make Ivanhoe’s a tradition after services. Youth camps stop here on their way home, filling the place with excited teenagers who somehow manage to pick from 100 flavors in record time.
The layout separates food ordering from ice cream ordering at different counters, which can confuse first-timers but quickly becomes second nature. Pickup areas are clearly marked once you know where to look.
What really sets the atmosphere apart is how Ivanhoe’s has become woven into the fabric of local life, marking celebrations and creating memories that span generations.
Unbeatable Value That Doesn’t Break The Bank
In an era where everything seems to cost twice what it should, Ivanhoe’s stands out as a genuine bargain. The prices here remain shockingly reasonable, especially considering the massive portions and quality you receive.
Multiple customers specifically comment on how fair the pricing feels. You can feed your entire family without taking out a second mortgage, which matters when you’re trying to create special memories on a regular budget.
The dollar sign rating indicates inexpensive pricing, and that assessment holds true across both the food and ice cream menus. A massive sundae that could easily satisfy two people costs less than what you’d pay for a single scoop at some trendy ice cream parlors.
Even the full meals, including sandwiches, sides, and drinks, come in at prices that feel like throwbacks to an earlier decade. The chicken salad sandwich that earns stellar reviews won’t empty your wallet.
Those famous tenderloins and burgers cost what diner food should cost, not inflated tourist-trap prices.
The value equation gets even better when you factor in portion sizes. That mini sundae that still looks huge costs significantly less than a regular, making it perfect for solo diners or kids.
Families appreciate being able to treat everyone to both dinner and dessert without financial stress. College students on tight budgets can still afford to make Ivanhoe’s a regular hangout.
Fresh Strawberry Shortcake That Defines Summer In Indiana
When strawberry season hits Indiana, Ivanhoe’s strawberry shortcake becomes the stuff of legends. This isn’t some sad little dessert with a few berries sprinkled on top.
We’re talking about a towering masterpiece loaded with fresh strawberries throughout, not just on top as decoration. The berries are actually fresh and ripe, tasting like real fruit instead of the sad, flavorless imposters you find at chain restaurants.
Customers consistently rave about this particular item, with multiple reviews specifically calling it out as a must-try. One person claimed it was the best strawberry shortcake they’d ever had, and based on the size and freshness, that’s completely believable.
The genius here is the customization options. You can add soft serve ice cream, whipped cream, or both, depending on how decadent you’re feeling.
Some purists skip the add-ons to let the strawberries shine, while others go all-in for maximum indulgence.
The portions are so generous that couples routinely split one shortcake and still struggle to finish it. The combination of sweet cake, tart-sweet berries, cold ice cream, and fluffy whipped cream creates that perfect summer dessert experience.
Families make special trips during strawberry season just for this item. It’s become a tradition, something people look forward to all year and talk about long after summer fades into fall.
A True Indiana Tradition Spanning Generations
Some restaurants serve food. Ivanhoe’s serves memories.
Located at 8231 South Main Street, Upland, Indiana 46989, this place has embedded itself so deeply into Indiana culture that it’s become part of countless family traditions.
People talk about being introduced to Ivanhoe’s decades ago and still making regular pilgrimages. Parents bring their children to experience the same flavors they loved growing up, creating an unbroken chain of sweet memories across generations.
What starts as a simple stop for ice cream often turns into a ritual that quietly anchors entire families to one small-town address.
Church groups have made Sunday evening trips here a regular ritual. Summer camps consider stopping on the way home an essential part of the experience, with teens and counselors alike getting excited as they approach Upland.
The anticipation builds long before anyone even steps through the doors.
Taylor University students adopt Ivanhoe’s as their unofficial campus hangout, weaving it into their college experience. Graduation celebrations, birthday parties, team wins, and casual Friday nights all find their way to that familiar spot on South Main Street, where the menu feels as dependable as an old friend.
Families often describe it simply as “our tradition.” For some, it’s an annual Mother’s Day outing. For others, it’s the first stop when relatives come into town.
These aren’t just customers stopping by for dessert; they’re regulars who associate milestones, reunions, and everyday joys with the same booths and counter.
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