Before we left Indianapolis, we couldn’t resist eating at the Mayberry Café in downtown Danville. The small diner is a showcase for all things Mayberry — except for the food. We found that odd. We knew the restaurant showed a continuous loop of Andy Griffith Show re-runs, so we expected a menu full of Aunt Bee’s cooking: pot roast, mashed potatoes, meatloaf, pork chops, etc. They did offer those items, but didn’t stop there. We found a menu several pages thick with dishes like flatbread pizza with spinach, mozzarella and Alfredo sauce. Sweet & Sour chicken. Cajun chicken sandwich. Fried Shrimp. Things I don’t associate with “home-cooking.”
So un-Mayberry-ish!
But so delicious.
We were actually a little relieved that it wasn’t all meat, potatoes and gravy. We’d gone for the kitsch of the place and perused the Andy Griffith Show memorabilia, but when it came time to order, we went for the food that we really wanted. Not the down-home cooking that we’d expected.
If you’re an Andy Griffith/Mayberry fan, this is a place you have to go. I was never a big fan of the show, but found it a fun stop on our way out of town. It wouldn’t be our sole destination. I reserve that distinction for an I Love Lucy diner.
What tv-show theme would draw you in?
Browsing The Atlas 
Gosh, the Andy Griffith show. Now I haven’t heard that in a long time. But I’m with you on I Love Lucy !
What I find odd is that the diner is in Indiana. But I guess the owners were big fans and happened to live there instead if North Carolina.
Omg, even the police car! I loved Mayberry RFD! This place looks sooo cool! ♥♥♥;^)
It was fun. A little more modern inside than I expected, but fun.
How cute, I like the police car too! I would eat there too even if I’m not that familiar with the show. It would be fun to eat at a Happy Days themed restaurant too.
Oh my gosh. A Happy Day’s Arnold’s Diner would be too fun! Great idea!
Never heard of Andy Griffith but I bet it’s a draw for his fans. In Orlando with the family years ago we went to a sports-themed bar. The kids couldn’t stop giggling at Shaq O’Neal’s basketball shorts – mind he is 7ft 1in (2.16m).
Haha. I’ll bet his shorts were as long as my regular pants!
I was a big fan of the Andy Griffith Show when I was a kid. The cafe sounds like a fun place. Thanks for writing about it.
Fans would love it.
Yeah, I was just about to ask – was that filmed in Danville? How random, otherwise!
I think it was just random. Fun all the same.
I second the I Love Lucy diner! I’d be all over that. We can squish grapes together finally!
I promise not to knock you down. Though the grape vat fight did look fun. 😉
There’s a museum here in LA where they exhibit TV show set and props. I get to sit on a couch of a coffee house that “Friends” used to sit on. They also have Seinfeld. It was cool.
Sorry I never really watch Andy Griffith Show.
Oh my gosh. As soon as my daughter hears this, we’re going to have to plan a trip to LA. She’s become a ‘Friends’ junkie.
This really looks like fun – I’d definitely stop there for a meal!
I love The Andy Griffith show and I love eating here this is one of my favorite restaurants!!!!