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Indy's Best 50 Restaurants Request
Friends of Smaller Indiana and Fellow Gormandizers,
I'm currently compiling a list of what YOU think is Indy's Best restaurants. I realize Best is subjective and there are many categories (Fine, Casual, Fast Casual, etc...). It's all up to you and your vote counts. You can elect to give me one choice, your top three, ten, or fifty. You can even give me your top fare in all categories if you wish. Also, an explanation why these are your faves are welcome too.
Essentially, this is what I'm looking for:
1. Provide your favorite restaurant(s). Dives. Diners, Drive-ins, Local or Chains. It all counts.
2. Why should I eat there? What should I eat there?
3. Geography Consideration: Greater Indianapolis Area (Marion and all connecting surrounding counties only).
4. Please give your unbiased opinion. In other words, I'd rather you be a genuine customer than an owner/investor.
For your participation, I'm going to throw a Happy Hour Party (on my dime!) at one of these fine establishments. Yes, you read that correctly -- my dime! The results will be posted on Smaller Indiana and on my company site by the end of next month. I'll choose the SI Happy Hour location, date, time and availability at the same time I post the results.
Thanks again fellow Gormandizers and Bon Appetit, Cheers, LeChayim, Salut, and so on....
I'm currently compiling a list of what YOU think is Indy's Best restaurants. I realize Best is subjective and there are many categories (Fine, Casual, Fast Casual, etc...). It's all up to you and your vote counts. You can elect to give me one choice, your top three, ten, or fifty. You can even give me your top fare in all categories if you wish. Also, an explanation why these are your faves are welcome too.
Essentially, this is what I'm looking for:
1. Provide your favorite restaurant(s). Dives. Diners, Drive-ins, Local or Chains. It all counts.
2. Why should I eat there? What should I eat there?
3. Geography Consideration: Greater Indianapolis Area (Marion and all connecting surrounding counties only).
4. Please give your unbiased opinion. In other words, I'd rather you be a genuine customer than an owner/investor.
For your participation, I'm going to throw a Happy Hour Party (on my dime!) at one of these fine establishments. Yes, you read that correctly -- my dime! The results will be posted on Smaller Indiana and on my company site by the end of next month. I'll choose the SI Happy Hour location, date, time and availability at the same time I post the results.
Thanks again fellow Gormandizers and Bon Appetit, Cheers, LeChayim, Salut, and so on....
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Nicki Laycoax on -
You might check out Compendium's Indy Restaurant blog for some ideas if you don't get 50 here.
http://indyrestaurant.compendiumsoftware.com/blog/indianapolis-rest...
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Permalink Reply by Lynette V. Deever on -
Awesome site. I'm adding it to my favorites. Thanks for sharing!
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Permalink Reply by Polina Osherov on -
Indy keeps getting better and better in the restaurant department I think.Thank God!!
Thai: Sawasdee on 86th and Ditch (Tofu Pad Thai) and Thai Papaya (Shrimp Green Curry) on 96th and Michigan (west side)
Italian: Maggiano's - linguini with red clam sauce, mushroom ravioli, tiramisu, love the Frank Sinatra tunes!
Sushi: Ocean World (86th and Ditch) and Sansui (Main Street, Carmel)
Red Robin: Bottomless fries and Choc Malt Shakes
Best salad bar: Fogo de Chao
Cajun: Yats!! Gumbo rocks, the etouffees are great too
Now I'm hungry. Dang it!
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Permalink Reply by Linda Broadfoot on -
Number One is ZING, hand's down. I often struggle to figure out what gets me back to a restaurant, and usually, I can never really say it's the food, especially as a vegetarian. But ZING is FANTASTIC. I love the polenta and the orzo dishes the most. Service is great. Sharing is fun. And even my meat-n-potatoes parents thought the food was fabulous this past weekend. I can't get enough!!
The other place I can't get enough of is Siam Square in Fountain Square. I used to have a fear of Thai food, but Siam Square is spot on. They tailor the spice to your liking. Kapao with tofu is my standby. LOVE it!
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Permalink Reply by Cissi Sherlock on -
Great, great, great!!!!
Come to my meetup on the 10th!
Would you believe the I used to play at the building that Zing is located in in the '60's and was a guest dj at the nightclub that was there in the 90's. I knew the owner of the record store that was located there for 30 years. I am actually proud to be reacquainted witht he building!
Wow! I feel like and Indianapolis historian!
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Permalink Reply by NealTaflinger on -
I produced several dining and nightlife guides for the Indianapolis Star so I will definitely weigh in on this later.
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Permalink Reply by David Mark on -
You da man Neal!
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Permalink Reply by Lori Lowe on -
For Northsiders looking for a decent Chinese lunch (or dinner) try King Chef near I-69 and 96th St. It's not fancy, but it's clean and I have been there dozens of times and never had bad service. They are family friendly but also handle a business crowd at lunch. Their Sesame Chicken is the BEST. My 5 and 7 year olds can't get enough of that or their wonton soup. Prices are great, especially for lunch specials. Cheers!
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Permalink Reply by Emily Myers on -
Best Greek Food- Santorini's in Fountain Square. Not only is the food outstanding, the portions generous and very reasonably priced, the servers and owners are quick, responsive and extremely friendly. And if you aren't much of a fan of ethnic foods- they have good options so you can join your friends/family who do like it. Get the Combination Platter to try a little (a lot!) of all of it!
Up and Coming- and probably not as well known yet- Jockamo's Upper Crust Pizza in Irvington. Great beer selection, really wonderful pizza (and not just the classic variety). Try the slaughterhouse five pizza and the greek salad.
A nice greasy spoon on the eastside- the historic Steer In Restaurant is a great one for breakfast. They have a great mickey mouse pancake for the kids- budget friendly and portion generous. The 10th St skillet is a great hangover remedy.
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Permalink Reply by Linda Broadfoot on
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Emily~
Love it! Those are pics I would like too! (You must live on the E side?)
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Permalink Reply by Raquel Richardson on -
My new favorite place (I change favorites often) is Mitchell's - but you have to sit in the bar. The restaurant atmosphere isn't exactly great.
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Permalink Reply by NealTaflinger on
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Compiling this actually reminded me of how many places I need to try. My taste is lowbrow, so keep that in mind. Sorry for writing a novel.
Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza
5646 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, IN, 46219
(317) 356-6612 | www.jockamopizza.com
It’s in my neighborhood but I’d drive for the top-shelf pies and casual vibe.
Papa Roux
8950 E. 10th St., Indianapolis, IN, 46219
(317) 603-YUM1 | www.paparouxindy.com
Cajun/creole but not like Yats. Different but equal, and the owner’s son is the best server in Marion County.
Rock-Cola 50s Cafe
5730 Brookville Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46219
(317) 357-2233 | www.rockcolacafe.com
One sandwich, two people. Awesome lunch spot.
Giorgio's Pizza
9 E. Market St., Indianapolis, IN, 46204
(317) 687-9869 | www.giorgiosindy.com
My pick for pizza by the slice.
Goose the Market
2503 N. Delaware Ave., Indianapolis, IN, 46205
(317) 924-4944
Small business, big flavor. Kudos for using good, local foods.
King David Dogs
15 N. Pennsylvania St., Indianapolis, IN, 46204
(317) 632-DOGS | www.kingdaviddogs.com
When I stopped being vegan I couldn’t do normal hot dogs. I could do 100% beef franks, and will do King David Dogs.
Yats
659 Massachusetts Ave., Indianapolis, IN, 46204
(317) 686-6380 | www.yatscajuncreole.com
Cheap, delicious, quirky. Perfection.
La Piedad Mexican Restaurant
6524 Cornell Ave., Indianapolis, IN, 46220
(317) 475-0988
Best Mexican on the north side.
Broad Ripple Brewpub
842 E. 65th St., Indianapolis, IN, 46220
(317) 253-2739 | www.broadripplebrewpub.com
The menu is cool but the beer is a meal by itself.
India Garden
830 Broad Ripple Ave., Indianapolis, IN, 46220
(317) 253-6060 | www.indiagardenindy.com
The Garden sets the bar for Indian food in central Indiana.
Northside News Cafe
5406 N. College Ave., Indianapolis, IN, 46220
(317) 254-8110 | www.myspace.com/northsidenews
Great melty sandwiches.
Ripple Bagel & Deli
850 Broad Ripple Ave., Indianapolis, IN, 46220
(317) 257-8326 | ww.ripplebageldeli.com
Tonya Harding Club and Nasty Nassar, thank you please.
Taste Cafe and Marketplace
5164 N. College Ave., Indianapolis, IN, 46220
(317) 925-2233 | www.tastecafeandmarketplace.com
Café Patachou is the traditional morning choice. I buck tradition.
Taza Cafe
825 Broad Ripple Ave., Indianapolis, IN, 46220
(317) 255-8835
The best gyros, shawarma and falafel in Indy comes out of this walk-in closet.
Food King
1472 E. 86th St., Indianapolis, IN, 46240
(317) 843-1066
The King is the best fast food Chinese in town.
Jasmine Thai Restaurant
4825 E. 96th St., Indianapolis, IN, 46240
(317) 848-8950
Ask for it “spicy Thai hot.”
Sakura Japanese Restaurant
7201 N. Keystone Ave., Indianapolis, IN, 46240
(317) 259-4171
Sushi without peer.
Mexico City Grill
8028 S. Emerson Ave., Indianapolis, IN, 46237
(317) 884-4901
The Mexico City Quesedilla is life changing.
Thai Spice
2316 E. County Line Road, Indianapolis, IN, 0
(317) 881-2243
This carryout is still good after a 20-minute drive home.
Judge's Tip of the Rib Barbeque
2104 W. Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN, 46222
(317) 631-0340 | www.judgesbbq.com
A jewel of Haughville.
Major Restaurant
1150 S. Mickley Ave., Indianapolis, IN, 46241
(317) 240-2700
One of only two places I will recommend on reputation alone. Indy’s newest Ethiopian joint.
Mug-N-Bun Drive-In
5211 W. 10th St., Speedway, IN, 46224
(317) 244-5669
They make their own root beer. That rules.
Udupi Cafe
4225 Lafayette Road, Indianapolis, IN, 46254
(317) 299-2127
Indian, vegetarian, delicious.
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1. Please use your real name (first and last) when you sign up, or we cannot open your account
2. Please do not use logos or commercial images for your profile photo
3. Events should be posted in the events calendar
4. You can post pretty much anything you want on your own personal page (self promotion, etc), and you can change the style of your personal profile page to reflect your corporate identification if you so choose.
5. Please keep all comments civil and polite. It's OK to feel strongly about a subject, and it's OK to be critical of ideas, but please refrain from personal attacks of any kind.
If you witness or experience any issues, please contact admin@smallerindiana.com and we will look into the matter.
6. Smaller Indiana is supported by its members, and by corporate sponsors. If you're interested in learning more about sponsorship, please call Pat Coyle at 317 332 7878.
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