Please pass the Persimmon Pudding…..say that three times and you must be eating at the Historic Broadway Tavern.

Just down the street from the Historic Broadway fountain in downtown Madison, Indiana is the Historic Broadway Tavern.  It is in the same location it was 175 years ago, which makes it Indiana’s true “Oldest Tavern”.  Now I am not looking to get in the middle of who really is, but I think I will side with the Broadway, after all, they are feeding me and also make some award winning ribs.

The Historic Broadway Tavern has a great old time, comfortable feel as soon as you walk in.  You can feel the history all around you and just wish the walls could talk; you would hear some amazing stories.  From the bar area with the carved antique three sided bar with plenty of TV’s for watching the game to the dinning section, broken into the different rooms to the outside patio which features live music during the season, you know you are at a place where friends gather and new friends are made over great food and drinks.  The menu is varied, offering everything from pasta to steaks to ribs; you will find something to please everyone in your group. 

Signature dishes include the award winning tender hickory smoked pork Baby Back Ribs with Larry’s homemade sweet BBQ Sauce and the Persimmon Pudding.  If John Wilkes Booth (who really did stay at the tavern) had dined on the Ribs he never would have left and found his way into history.

Now if Ribs aren’t your thing, the prime rib special on Friday and Saturday night or the Chicken Marcela will get the bases covered in a tasty way.  The Prime Rib is served with their homemade horseradish sauce and the Chicken Marcela, which is a house favorite, is served with fresh mushrooms and a creamy Marcela wine sauce. 

But do not miss the Persimmon Pudding!  The Persimmon Pudding, which echoes a bread pudding will surprise and delight you.  If this is the only time you ever eat a persimmon, you will be hooked.  The award winning, customer pleasing, Food Guru hooking dessert is more than a pudding.  It is an argument ending, happiness bringing square on a plate.  The pudding is owner Libby’s mom’s recipe which is made by Libby’s sister, Kathy at the tavern.  The pudding is award winning, and has won at the Mitchell Persimmon Festival, which has been held for over 60 years now so they know a good persimmon pudding when they judge one.

When you visit Madison, Indiana be sure to take a walk through history and enjoy a great meal at the Historic Broadway Tavern, you never know, you might run into the ghost who roams the halls looking for his lost love, but you do know you will enjoy some fine food in a great setting.