Highway 38 Diner

Out of business for years!!!
Out of business for years!!!
Out of business for years!!!
Out of business for years!!!
Out of business for years!!!

It’s kind of pricey for a diner. The customer service is decent. Sometimes you catch them a bit crabby but oh well. The food is good. I’ve never gotten bad food here.

OK diner. I went with a party of 6 and all thought the food was ok but nothing impressive. My cheeseburger patty wasn’t that good but the trimmings made up for it. The vegetable soup was tasty and the french fries were crispy. Only 1 refill per soft drink.

This is the classic diner I’ve been searching for, and not just in New Castle. I’ve been to literally dozens of self-​proclaimed «diners» in the last few years but most are either too focused on décor while the food suffers, or the food is the greasy spoon fare you’d expect, but the atmosphere lacks authenticity.
Before I even decided to visit I noticed the parking lot always has cars parked in it, even while many restaurants sit virtually empty during the recession in hard-​hit rural Indiana. That tells you that people are happily willing to part with their cash for some good eatin’.
When we first parked and walked in, we immediately noticed a sign advertising their homemade pies. If you don’t make your own pies, you’re not a real diner. We were greeted by smiling friendly staff as well as customers… the vibe is just so happy and upbeat in here. The server knew most all of the patrons who came and went by first name and many exchanged personal stories and chatted like old friends. We, too, had some good laughs with the folks who engaged us, having never set eyes on us but treating us like regulars. One thing I can say is that I fully intend to become a regular here. Heck, I even loved the car-​themed décor being a gear head. Oh yeah, they have music playing which is something all restaurants need to do so people can talk freely without feeling like their conversations are being broadcast to all ears.
The prices were right, not insanely low but not high by any standard. The food quality was top notch across the board, I had the Cod Sandwich «platter» which meant I could choose two sides, waffle fries and potato salad were mine. My dining companion had the Cod Dinner with waffle fries and a side salad and we each had onion strings for an appetizer and Arnold Palmer’s to drink. The server had never heard of the beverage before but made what I consider one of the best I’ve had! The breads and rolls were soft and fresh, the cod was frozen but you would hardly have guessed being so crisp and yummy, the drinks flowed continuously without having to ask, the appetizers came out well before the food, really, I can’t find a fault of any sort. The menu is very large in terms of options and substitutions available, literally anyone could find a suitable meal here. I’m still full from the meal I had there 4−½ hours ago but already my tummy is begging me for a return visit. Breakfast perhaps?
All in all «Highway 38 Diner» is slightly off the beaten path for many because you have to know it exists to find it, being located just a short distance from the main streets in town but on a lesser traveled road, but then again, aren’t all the best things in life found on the road less traveled?