Best Food in the Midwest - King Arthur had his quest for the Holy Grail. Christians flock to the Holy Land. Muslims pilgrimage to Mecca. Ahab had the white whale. Khan even had his "dish that was best served cold". But for those who love food, there is only one obsession: The Back 40 Junction in Decatur, Indiana. It is a step back in time with antiques and reminders of the good ol' day. A time when food was food and no one counted the calories. For the past 15 years, I have driven 1-2 hours each way just for the opportunity to feast upon the buffet offered up by the Back 40. Anytime I stop there you can count numerous cars from Ohio and even Michigan. It is worth the drive. Their rolls are so delicious with homemade cinnamon butter and turkey is so moist and so tender it literally melts in you mouth. Yeah, that's right, turkey that melts in your mouth. Salad bar, fresh fruit, a desert table that comes in 3 parts, a cheese table with the best smoked Gouda this side of Amish country, a meat buffet with prime rib, shrimp, meatballs, fish, fried chicken, brisket and BBQ ribs! You heard correct, a table entirely devoted to cheese. There is no end. Make no mistake. This is a buffet. If you're looking for a fancy, city type of restaurant that offers barely enough food for a small appetite for the price of an arm and a leg - this isn't it. But as for quality and quantity, it doesn't get any better. I have taken several groups of hungry high school students to the Back 40 as part of a field trip, and they rave continually. (They ate so much shrimp it should have been illegal!) The Back 40 is about $17 plus drink except on Fridays when it is a couple dollars more because they have unlimited crab legs. The price is totally worth it. This isn't some Golden Corral or Ryan's or Old Home Buffet, this is better quality in a great setting. Friday night is great for crab-legs but expect a long wait. Sunday afternoon is best - no wait and no congestion. Enough food to last for several meals. read more

A delicious legend was born when the Back 40 Junction was built. People travel long and far just to satisfy their craving for hard to find good food. I have to travel about 2 hours to get to The Back 40 Junction, and let me tell you it is well worth the drive. This is truly the best restaurant in the whole nation. The servers treat you like family, they were so nice and checked up on me every 5 minutes to make sure I did not suffocate on all the food I was shoving in my face. They even will help roll you out of the restaurant when you had eaten too much food. (Trust me, you will need someone to help you get up after you have stuffed your face with their tasty endless food). And don't worry about taking too much food, because their buffet is enough to feed a whole army of hungry rabid High School students. The food there is definitely something to brag about. The BBQ ribs were divine and unlike other places I have been to, the turkey was not still gobbling when I put it on my plate. The mash potatoes were so creamy that it melted inside my mouth. The cheese bar was so unique and the green beans tasted just like my grandma used to make them. Ahfoidfibhfdo .......Sorry, remembering their mouthwatering meals made me a little hungry and I subconsciously started eating my own hand. There is a variety of endless meals from all of the food groups. At the Back 40 Junction, you truly do have it your way and umm umm I am lovin' it. Not only does the Back 40 Junction have wonderful food, but they also have antique decorations inside and outside of the restaurant. The walls are covered with antique posters and paintings that make you feel like you are taking a step back into the past. Yall should check the outside as well. They have a red phone booth, a railroad with part of a train on it, and a blump cow to reassure you that their meat is fresh. All in all, this is the best restaurant I have ever been to; like most traditions this dine-in should never fade away. read more

This place used to be phenominal, however we recently stopped in for lunch and this is why we wont be back. We walked into an empty restaurant and were seated immediately. We made our drink orders and proceeded to start our meals with a salad and a few appetizers. After we got back to our table we first noticed that someone else must have come in for lunch and they seated her right next to us, A completely empty restaurant and they crowded us together, so we made polite conversation with this very nice older lady and began eating together. When the waitress brought our drinks we were told that todays lunch buffet was 27$ a person and would that be ok?- Well, No! Thats not OK we all replied. Why wasnt this on a sign or on a menu or werent we told this before we began eating? So, she goes away and we all finish our meals. When she comes back with our checks, the single lady next to us had a lunch bill for 32$ and ours was over 70$ (2 adults+1 child) So my fiance asks to speak with the manager- After the manager came out, she proceeded to ignore our complaints for nearly a half hour while she talked with her wait staff... After argueing relentlesly over the price of our lunch she stated very proudly that "she didnt need our business, she has people who come from out of state to eat here." Since the Ohio state line is about 3 miles away Id imagine she did ) It seems to me as though her policy of seating customers blindly as to the exorbinate price of the buffet is just plain wrong and poor business practice, and for an empty restaurant I would have liked a little room for privacy. She doesnt need or want our business?.....OK, I can live with that. read more

For years I've heard the legends. I've been blessed to see the treasure maps. The food at this buffet is what dreams, hopes and aspirations are made of. The first thing you'll notice when you walk through the door is the intoxicating aroma. It is too much for words to properly describe. Next you'll probably notice the decor. It's as if an interior decorator dedicated their life to make you feel welcome and at home there. Finally you'll get the chance to advance to the buffet tables. Just a word of warning, go straight to the good stuff. I mean the meat and potatoes of the Back 40...literally. Don't waste your time filling up on salad. Life's far too short to eat rabbit food. After your first few plates you're going to want to take notice of the bread and cheese bar. That's right, a whole buffet table dedicated only to bread and cheese. The last thing is to head to the dessert bar; while not the largest, easily the best. They have pies, cake, ice cream sundaes, and the list goes on. Every day is something new to discover. I would highly recommend this restaurant to the masses. The coldest of hearts will be melted and the tightest of belts will need to be loosened. If you've never experienced The Back 40 Junction...go. You'll laugh. You'll cry. It will truly move you. read more

I just read Joe F's review and I could not agree more. The Back 40 is a little slice of heaven and it is well worth the hour drive. I would honestly drive day and night just for a slice of their turkey that like Joe said so beautifully "Melts in your mouth." What he failed to mention is the ambiance of the restaurant it quite devine. The staff makes you feel as if they are your mother making your favorite foods just for you. The decor of the restaurant is quite lovely as well. Its as if you are taking a step back to a much simpler time. When all you had to do was work all day and then come home to a feast prepared just for you. When men ran rails across the country with just their bare hands and determination. I would have to say that by far this is the best restaurant I have ever eaten at and would live there if I could. If you have never eaten there you will never truly know what I am speaking of. When you eat there for the first time it is almost as if you have been born again. read more

I feel that when when I'm eating at the Back 40 Junction it is like eating in Heaven. The food there is so good. Just thinking about the food will make your mouth water. The decor of the building is beautiful. Although the Back 40 is not my favorite place to eat it is in my top 10. read more

Could have been better unfortunately. The food was reasonably priced but did not taste the best. Service was okay but could have been a bit better. Most of the items just seemed like they had sat around all day. Not sure if we would be back again. read more

Great food and service!............................................................................................................................................... .. read more

They are closed for good. The owner is ill and he cannot find anyone to purchase the restaurant.

Alway a great place to eat.... great atmosphere... food is awesome, always an A++ from us

i waited 4 hours before my food and it was freezing cold and taste like dog shit