Published: January 30, 2006 11:01 am            

Ray's Drive-in

Standing the test of time

When it comes to fast food, in my mind, you've got two choices: food from a mass production food chain or Ray's Drive-In, "home of Indiana's largest tenderloin." (MAP)

I grew up at Ray's Drive-In. My parents grew up at Ray's.

Everyone knows about a place like Ray's. Regulars eat there at the same time every day.

When I first went to Ray's as a little girl, my mom ordered a tenderloin sandwich for both of us to share. The sandwich was bigger that my head, and there were still leftovers.

Years later, as I recently sat in my car at the carhop, I realized not much had changed. I was still going home with a lot more than I had eaten.

Ray's is fast food at its best. Not only are their giant tenderloins delicious, but so are their giant cheeseburgers. Definitely try their fritters, which are the same great tenderloin cut into french fry-like portions, perfect for dipping or just munching plain. They also serve that good ol' homemade stuff such as beef and noodles and potato wedges.

Their food is not the only thing going for them -- for years they've been known as the best bag of ice in town. Just getting a coke there is a little bit of heaven.

Walking into the dining area I got a very friendly feeling. With maybe a dozen tables, the restaurant is small and quaint.

It's a place where regulars meet and most of the patrons have known each other for years. Waiters talk to the regulars, and people who walked in and waved to each other.

Ray's was established in the 1940s and was the place to be for teens growing up in those days. On the wall by the register there is pictures from the 1950s of all the cars lined up around the place.

It was the hang out spot for everyone. Ask anyone who lived on the north end of Kokomo -- They've either worked there or know someone who did.

Just like every gem, there are regulars here who feel the same way I do, people who would not trade that good hometown feeling for anything, except maybe some good beef and noodles. But at Ray's you do not have to, you get the best of both worlds.

The restaurant's sign tells the story:

"It pays to eat at Ray's."

        

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