Kopper Kettle - Morristown, IN

For anyone who experienced the joys of Gray's Cafeteria or Hollyhock Hill in the Indianapolis area, I have to recommend the Kopper Kettle in Morristown. I went there last weekend with my family and was really impressed with the good Hoosier homecooking.

http://www.kopperkettle.com/

jtk wrote:For anyone who experienced the joys of Gray's Cafeteria or Hollyhock Hill in the Indianapolis area, I have to recommend the Kopper Kettle in Morristown. I went there last weekend with my family and was really impressed with the good Hoosier homecooking.

http://www.kopperkettle.com/

That's high praise, indeed! I'll admit never having heard of the place, but it sounds and looks wonderful. Can you describe some of what you ate? Does the fried chicken compare favorably to Hollyhock or Gray's?

Absolutely, Jim. Much like Hollyhock Hill, Kopper Kettle is one of those traditional, family-style Indiana restaurants where basically everyone orders fried chicken. I proudly admit my bias toward Gray’s fried chicken (is any Hoosier not addicted to it?) but I rate Kopper Kettle’s up there, too. It is, perhaps, a bit heavier than Gray’s – I would guess that it’s pan fried whereas Gray’s is deep fried. They serve lunch as well, but I really enjoyed the dinner experience. As an appetizer, there’s a choice between soup (French onion or vegetable, I believe) or tomato juice, followed by a salad course. Everyone seemed enthusiastic about the poppy seed dressing on the salad, which I didn’t have. For the main course, chicken and side dishes (mashed potatoes and yes, the obligatory green beans with bacon) served family-style, which they will refill if your table gets low. I didn’t have any dessert but it looked like they had a fantastic pie selection, as well.

It's really a hidden gem in the Indiana dining scene -- just far enough away from Indianapolis that it has avoided the urban sprawl and continues to retain its early-to-mid-twentieth century feel. I remember going there as a child with my grandparents, both of whom had been going there since the 1930’s. And at 15 bucks for great chicken, side dishes, and a wonderful atmosphere, it’s a heck of a deal.