Another one of my favorite places growing up in Indiana was Ponderosa Steakhouse. When I was younger I would go to their breakfast buffet after drinking all night, and I always though their steaks were great for lunch or dinner. Sad to say, they have rapidly gone downhill. My last visit three years ago they were still fine. If you look at the positive reviews, it seems like many are dated from that period. Now, everything is different. The steaks just don't taste the same for one thing. Either our cook did not know how to follow the instructions or they have actually changed the recipe. My steak, which I ordered medium well, was well on one half and rare on the other. I'm not sure how they managed to do that. My potato looked like it was several months old....all wrinkly and hard on the outside. The buffet was lame. It is maybe half of its former size, if that. I skipped it, but most of the comments from the others in my party were fairly negative. Also, now they want at least $4 extra for the buffet with a meal--I think it used to be around $2. On the other hand, service was pretty good. The place was still clean. I like to think we caught them on a bad night. I'll give them one more shot if they are still in business the next time I am in town.
(2)
CK A.
Very few Ponderosa's still open these days, so when they had a two for one special I decided to drive on over. We both got the steak and buffet. They of course will not let you take anything home from the buffet, but I did notice they will wrap up your steak for you. They kept the buffet well stocked and temperatures seemed appropriate to keep the foods safe.
(3)
Brady L.
Ponderosa is a classic buffet that never seems to disappoint. The food is always fresh and the staff is friendly. The restaurant is large enough to not feel crowded, even when up near the buffet. Just remember, when you order the buffet and they ask you what you want for your drink, it's usually an extra charge, even though they make it sound like it's included in the price of the buffet. Overall, a very good place to eat and inexpensive for the quality of food.
(4)
John H.
Nothing like the Ponderosa of years past. Good value and a decent steak. For two Ribeye dinners with soda total was around $46. Which for the $$ quality is way overpriced and in $ neighborhood of Outback, Logan's or Roadhouse but not same quality or cut of steak. Seems like prices have skyrocketed at Ponderosa and quality plummeted.
(2)
MaryLou D.
Sometimes things just go better than you ever imagined and it kind of makes up for some of life's disappointments. This was one of those experiences. I was driving past it and thought, man I'm in the mood for a steak! I haven't had one for ages and I've been eating pretty cheap this trip, sometimes just having or only paying for one meal a day, so since it's after 5pm and I haven't eaten at all yet today, I'm gonna splurge. I should've known something was up besides popularity when I saw all the cars and line of people waiting to get in. However, they were so organized, it was my turn to order and pay in 5 minutes. I started to order a special I'd seen on a poster when the cashier suggested one on a paper on the counter. I hesitated and asked, which one is the better deal, and she said the one on the counter. Then I noticed the flier said Senior Day, Wednesday Specials. So I just had good timing! I paid and was seated and the waitress came by and took my drink order (included) and told me,"You go ahead and get your BUFFay, honey." I said, you mean the steak dinner includes the buffet, too? and she said, Sure! Well, the buffet was more than just a salad bar. There were three kinds of soups--I got a cup of some of the best bean with bacon I'd ever had. Also salads (passed), mac and cheese, meatloaf, fried chicken, fried fish, corn (got some), broccoli (yes), cooked cabbage (yumma peas and ham salad that was delicious, desserts (later), spaghetti, some sort of meat and onions in gravy, I heard talk of "white gravy", wonderful garlic bread, and heaven knows what else. By the time I ate my plate of food and soup, I felt like I'd had a meal and my steak and potato hadn't even arrived yet! All for $8! The steak was so good I ate the whole thing and about half the baked potato, then forced myself to go back for one bite each of 4 desserts (there were several more). All were great. And I'm not a drink person, but the cherry lemonade was so good I didn't leave till I'd drunk the whole large glass. I was in a food coma by the time I left there. No wonder they drew such a crowd! I probably won't be here long enough to go back another Wednesday, but even the senior price on the buffet without steak was well worth it based on what I saw today so I will try to get back there! 9/3 Well, I'm still in town so I just had to go back since it's Wednesday again. Same deal, steak and potato (I switched to fries, figuring they wouldn't be good so I wouldn't eat as much but of course they were good ones), the beef with onions turned out too be really good liver and onions, corn, sauerkraut, peas salad again, excellent mac and cheese, chicken noodles, just a small portion of each so I could try several items. Then the steak and drink and desserts. Yum.
(5)
Bryce R.
Always a good place to eat, awesome wings usually the only thing I ever go for
(5)
julie c.
I like this place a lot and the buffet is great. Be aware, tho' that the drink is not included in the buffet price but they present it to you as if it is.
(4)
Gary B.
It has been years since I have had the opportunity to dine at Ponderosa. So long that on a recent trip to Cincinnati, I went out of my way to stop at this one. The place is quite large and was fairly busy. While I miss the grab a tray and move down the line of yester year, they have updated the ordering process and it moves quite smoothly. There are many different options for you to choose from on the buffet; to include other entree items. After downing a steak and baked potato and several buffet items, I strolled over to the Bakers Nook for a cookie. The people were very nice to include the lady who was waiting on us. Not over bearing but attentive enough that if we needed anything she was right there. Only suggestion is that they invest in a large cattle mover...it will make it easier for me to get my stuffed fat a*** back to the car. Thanks Ponderosa!!
(5)
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Address :2006 S Scatterfield Rd
Anderson, IN, 46016
Takes Reservations : No Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Parking : Private Lot Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : No Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : No Has TV : No Dogs Allowed : No Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Frank P.
Another one of my favorite places growing up in Indiana was Ponderosa Steakhouse. When I was younger I would go to their breakfast buffet after drinking all night, and I always though their steaks were great for lunch or dinner. Sad to say, they have rapidly gone downhill. My last visit three years ago they were still fine. If you look at the positive reviews, it seems like many are dated from that period. Now, everything is different. The steaks just don't taste the same for one thing. Either our cook did not know how to follow the instructions or they have actually changed the recipe. My steak, which I ordered medium well, was well on one half and rare on the other. I'm not sure how they managed to do that. My potato looked like it was several months old....all wrinkly and hard on the outside. The buffet was lame. It is maybe half of its former size, if that. I skipped it, but most of the comments from the others in my party were fairly negative. Also, now they want at least $4 extra for the buffet with a meal--I think it used to be around $2. On the other hand, service was pretty good. The place was still clean. I like to think we caught them on a bad night. I'll give them one more shot if they are still in business the next time I am in town.
(2)CK A.
Very few Ponderosa's still open these days, so when they had a two for one special I decided to drive on over. We both got the steak and buffet. They of course will not let you take anything home from the buffet, but I did notice they will wrap up your steak for you. They kept the buffet well stocked and temperatures seemed appropriate to keep the foods safe.
(3)Brady L.
Ponderosa is a classic buffet that never seems to disappoint. The food is always fresh and the staff is friendly. The restaurant is large enough to not feel crowded, even when up near the buffet. Just remember, when you order the buffet and they ask you what you want for your drink, it's usually an extra charge, even though they make it sound like it's included in the price of the buffet. Overall, a very good place to eat and inexpensive for the quality of food.
(4)John H.
Nothing like the Ponderosa of years past. Good value and a decent steak. For two Ribeye dinners with soda total was around $46. Which for the $$ quality is way overpriced and in $ neighborhood of Outback, Logan's or Roadhouse but not same quality or cut of steak. Seems like prices have skyrocketed at Ponderosa and quality plummeted.
(2)MaryLou D.
Sometimes things just go better than you ever imagined and it kind of makes up for some of life's disappointments. This was one of those experiences. I was driving past it and thought, man I'm in the mood for a steak! I haven't had one for ages and I've been eating pretty cheap this trip, sometimes just having or only paying for one meal a day, so since it's after 5pm and I haven't eaten at all yet today, I'm gonna splurge. I should've known something was up besides popularity when I saw all the cars and line of people waiting to get in. However, they were so organized, it was my turn to order and pay in 5 minutes. I started to order a special I'd seen on a poster when the cashier suggested one on a paper on the counter. I hesitated and asked, which one is the better deal, and she said the one on the counter. Then I noticed the flier said Senior Day, Wednesday Specials. So I just had good timing! I paid and was seated and the waitress came by and took my drink order (included) and told me,"You go ahead and get your BUFFay, honey." I said, you mean the steak dinner includes the buffet, too? and she said, Sure! Well, the buffet was more than just a salad bar. There were three kinds of soups--I got a cup of some of the best bean with bacon I'd ever had. Also salads (passed), mac and cheese, meatloaf, fried chicken, fried fish, corn (got some), broccoli (yes), cooked cabbage (yumma peas and ham salad that was delicious, desserts (later), spaghetti, some sort of meat and onions in gravy, I heard talk of "white gravy", wonderful garlic bread, and heaven knows what else. By the time I ate my plate of food and soup, I felt like I'd had a meal and my steak and potato hadn't even arrived yet! All for $8! The steak was so good I ate the whole thing and about half the baked potato, then forced myself to go back for one bite each of 4 desserts (there were several more). All were great. And I'm not a drink person, but the cherry lemonade was so good I didn't leave till I'd drunk the whole large glass. I was in a food coma by the time I left there. No wonder they drew such a crowd! I probably won't be here long enough to go back another Wednesday, but even the senior price on the buffet without steak was well worth it based on what I saw today so I will try to get back there! 9/3 Well, I'm still in town so I just had to go back since it's Wednesday again. Same deal, steak and potato (I switched to fries, figuring they wouldn't be good so I wouldn't eat as much but of course they were good ones), the beef with onions turned out too be really good liver and onions, corn, sauerkraut, peas salad again, excellent mac and cheese, chicken noodles, just a small portion of each so I could try several items. Then the steak and drink and desserts. Yum.
(5)Bryce R.
Always a good place to eat, awesome wings usually the only thing I ever go for
(5)julie c.
I like this place a lot and the buffet is great. Be aware, tho' that the drink is not included in the buffet price but they present it to you as if it is.
(4)Gary B.
It has been years since I have had the opportunity to dine at Ponderosa. So long that on a recent trip to Cincinnati, I went out of my way to stop at this one. The place is quite large and was fairly busy. While I miss the grab a tray and move down the line of yester year, they have updated the ordering process and it moves quite smoothly. There are many different options for you to choose from on the buffet; to include other entree items. After downing a steak and baked potato and several buffet items, I strolled over to the Bakers Nook for a cookie. The people were very nice to include the lady who was waiting on us. Not over bearing but attentive enough that if we needed anything she was right there. Only suggestion is that they invest in a large cattle mover...it will make it easier for me to get my stuffed fat a*** back to the car. Thanks Ponderosa!!
(5)