The Mayberry Cafe

Aunt Bee’s Fried Chicken is always on the menu at The Mayberry Cafe, and a screen constantly plays episodes of one of America’s most beloved 1960s sitcoms, “The Andy Griffith Show.” Chef and owner Brad Born’s love of the heartwarming series inspired the restaurant’s Mayberry-themed menu, and he and wife, Christine, have transformed a building on Danville’s town square into a popular destination for comfort foods. 

Andy’s Tenderloin, a sheriff-sized pork sandwich, is so good it earned the cafe a spot on the Indiana Foodways Alliance’s statewide Tenderloin Lovers Trail. The Myers Lake Special Catfish (made with Born’s signature cornmeal breading) gives a nod to Andy and Opie’s favorite fishing hole. Aunt Bee’s Fried Pickles come with ranch dressing, and Barney’s Side Car offers an arresting selection of add-ons that include mac-n-cheese, onion rings and sweet potato fries. Otis’ Whiskey Burger features Born’s housemade barbecue sauce, but in keeping with the show’s fictional, small-town setting, his recipe uses whiskey flavoring instead of actual spirits.  

Although the cafe’s made-from-scratch dishes include everything from meatloaf and mashed potatoes to Alfredo sauce and soups, the Fried Biscuits & Apple Butter are one of the cafe’s bestsellers. Born originally created the biscuits as a snack for his employees, but now they are a permanent menu offering. 

With its homey decor, the cafe is as inviting as Aunt Bee’s kitchen, and throughout the restaurant, tasteful displays of show and cast memorabilia allow everyone to experience a little bit of Mayberry. It is also easy to find once you arrive in town. Just look for the Sheriff Taylor-style, black and white Ford Galaxie 500 squad car that’s always parked outside the restaurant. 78 W. Main St., Danville, Indiana 46122, 317/745-4067, mayberrycafe.com