While there, I learned that the Triple XXX dates from 1929 and is Indiana's oldest drive-in. It's the last of a chain of over 100 Triple XXX Thirst Stations and the root beer is the original 1895 thirst quenching recipe. Stopping at the nine year old Route 66 Diner today makes sense since I'm on a Route 66 trip but I obviously need to come back for the Triple XXX. I also need to come back for a 'burger or, as they're referred to here, a chopped steak sandwich. Pork tenderloins are an Indiana specialty so ordering one wasn't exactly wrong but the chopped steak would have been better and here's why.

Last night a friend was telling me about a USA Today list of 51 (each state plus DC) great burger joints. He mentioned it because one of the places was on Sixty-Six. I made some guesses but he couldn't quite remember the name so we looked up the article. The place was Hank's Hamburgers in Tulsa. I have eaten a 'burger there and I can't argue with USA Today's choice. Indiana's representative? You guessed it, Triple XXX/Route 66. I should have read more of the list last night. Zip's Cafe in Cincinnati was the pick for Ohio. Another friend and I ate there last Sunday so at least I'm doing something right. The full list is here.