Some burger joints hide in a strip mall. Flippin’ Cow sits right on the shore of Simonton Lake, and that alone makes it one of a kind.
This mom-and-pop burger spot in Elkhart has built its name on hand-crafted patties, house-made milkshakes, and a waterfront setting nobody else in town can match.
How Flippin’ Cow won Elkhart’s hearts
Flippin’ Cow took over the former Lakeshore Grill location and turned it into what locals now call Elkhart’s only lakefront restaurant, a detail that instantly set it apart from every other burger spot in the area. 🌊
Guests can arrive by boat or by car, and either way, they end up on a patio overlooking the water with a stone fireplace nearby for cooler nights.
That setting alone would be reason enough to visit, but it’s the food that turned first-timers into regulars.
The heart of the menu is the hand-crafted burger program, built around specialty smash burgers rather than anything mass-produced.
One food writer covering the Elkhart dining scene described the restaurant’s focus squarely on burgers and beer, noting that fish, salads, wraps, and mac and cheese round out the rest of the menu.
That singular focus on doing burgers well, rather than trying to be everything to everyone, is exactly the kind of specialization that builds loyal local followings. 🍔
Add in the restaurant’s own Fat Hop Craft Beer brewed in-house, and Flippin’ Cow has built a menu locals keep coming back to try, one lakeside patio visit at a time. 🍺
Food Highlights
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The Stella Moo – Smoked brisket and bacon piled with onion straws, pepper jack, and sweet BBQ sauce on a toasted brioche bun.
- Maui Wowie Burger – A tropical-leaning patty topped with island-inspired flavors that has become a repeat customer favorite.
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Hunka Hunka Burger – A bold mix of smoked bacon, peanut butter, jalapeno jelly, and pepper jack on a toasted pretzel bun.
- ‘Merica Burger – Lettuce, tomato, onion, pickle, and Velveeta cheese on a toasted potato bun for a classic build.
- Miss Mollymoo Burger – A loaded patty topped with smoked bacon, melted cheese, and smoked brisket for a hearty, double-meat bite.
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The Bonnie – Garlic mushrooms, bacon-cheddar dip, and the house-made “flippin’ awesome sauce” on a toasted brioche bun.
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Flippin’ Melt Hamburger – A patty melt-style burger grilled with cheese and onions for a diner-classic twist.
- The Hangover – Applewood smoked bacon, Velveeta, and a fried egg stacked with fries on a toasted potato bun.
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Bacon Cheddar Dip – Smoked bacon blended into creamy cheddar cheese, served warm with cow chips for dipping.
Atmosphere
Flippin’ Cow leans casual and lively, with an outdoor patio right on Simonton Lake that makes it feel more like a lake house hangout than a typical burger joint. 🔥
A stone fireplace keeps the outdoor seating cozy during cooler evenings, while big-screen TVs inside cover every game for sports fans.
The vibe is no-frills and family-friendly, the kind of spot where boaters dock up, and locals settle in for the long haul. It’s relaxed, welcoming, and unmistakably lakeside.
Bottom Line
Visit for hand-crafted smash burgers loaded with bold ingredient combos, a lakefront patio you won’t find anywhere else in Elkhart, and house-brewed Fat Hop craft beer. Add hand-dipped milkshakes and boat-accessible dining, and it’s easy to see why Flippin’ Cow has become a true local favorite.
Address:
51330 State Road 19, Elkhart, IN 46514
📞 (574) 266-0606
🕔 Mon–Thu 11 AM–9 PM, Fri–Sat 11 AM–10 PM, Sun 11 AM–8 PM