Indianapolis Eateries To Someone Who Is Not An Indiana Native (Carmel: live, restaurants)

[RxMarcus]

I feel your pain dusty, most of the food in Indy is pretty sub-par and there are WAY too many chains. Plus, most people swear that Mama Carolla's and Beazbeaux are the absolute tops in the city. But honestly, there are many other places that are much better. (And I agree, Barelona Tapas is not very good.) Here are a few places I like a lot:

Elements - Downtown Indy on Mass Ave. Contemporary cuisine, fairly expensive. Always changing menu. ELEMENTS

R. Bistro - Downtown Indy on Mass Ave. Contemporary cuisine as well, but a little less expensive than Elements. Always changing menu. R Bistro

The Barking Dog Cafe - 49th and Penn, a touch south of Broad Ripple. Serves very fresh New England food such as Lobster and Shrimp rolls and potato frites. Really good local food.

Saigon Restaurant - Lafayette Rd, 1 mile north of 38th st. Out of the way, but very good Vietnamese/Thai food. Its a cute place with a huge menu and excellent soft spring rolls that every should try.

Istanbul Cafe - W 86th st and Ditch Rd. It may be the best Turkish/Middle Eastern food in the city. A gem of a place. (Btw, this area of W. 86th st is a mecca for ethnic food in Indy.)

Cafe Luxor - Downtown at Fountain Square. Since you are looking downtown, this is the best Middle Eastern downtown (its a mix of Egyptian and Mediterranean). The tabouleh and fatoush are to die for, and the tazakai is wonderful too. Pretty good gyros.

India Garden - Downtown and Broad Ripple. The best Indian food in the city. They are re-opening the downtown location (right next to Tapas on Delaware) after moving. Also have a very inexpensive lunch buffet.

Btw, IMO there are no good mexican places downtown, Acapulco Joe's on Illinois is junk. My favorite classic (a la carte) Mexican is La Piedad in Broad Ripple and Puetro Vallarta at Lafayette and 56th st. I also like Adobo Grill in Castleton (one of the few reason I venture near Castleton), it is a fresh take on mexican and a bit pricier than type a la carte fare.

Hope this helps. Let me know if you like any of these places.

Cheers

[cma47940]

take it from this fat girl..i know food!

If you want good food you might have to drive out of indianapolis to get it.

lebanon has great mexican food at el japaros off of 39 behind long johns

frankfort has great chinese food at everything ok buffet with a mongolian grill

Crawfordsville has 2 notable ...

chinese shop in old walmart plaza off 231 even serves squid, oysters, crab, etc (name eludes me)

Rancho bravo (mexican) st rd 32 in crawfordsville is really good and usually has the owner present to make sure it stays good.

sorry i couldnt tell you any from indy itself..... i havent found any worth noting there yet.

[sweetana3]

For an odd little take home place, try the Tamale Shop one block east of the intersection of Rockville and I465. On the north side of the street. You have to get their early for the best selection. As they sell out that is it for the day. Yummy. You can see into the kitchen as it is all open and watch them being made. Sometimes 12 or more varieties.

When we were there, there was a long line of customers and some were buying in bulk to freeze or party.

[kindafedup]

Ok I'm not a native of Indy. I'm in Louisiana. Southern taste budds lol.

My fave downtown restaurant is RockBottom. I've had the Cobb salad and it is DELICIOUS. Good spot and very friendly staff.

[PeterCincottiFan]

My husband and I traveled to Indianapolis years ago.......probably 6-7 years ago. While we were downtown for a conference we went to this delicious place to eat that had several different flavors of chili.......it was wonderful!!!! We are going there again next weekend (11/2/07) and would love to go back, anyone have an idea what the name of that place would be???

Thank you,
Kimberly

[RxMarcus]

Originally Posted by PeterCincottiFan

My husband and I traveled to Indianapolis years ago.......probably 6-7 years ago. While we were downtown for a conference we went to this delicious place to eat that had several different flavors of chili.......it was wonderful!!!! We are going there again next weekend (11/2/07) and would love to go back, anyone have an idea what the name of that place would be???

Thank you,
Kimberly

Was it right downtown, by the mall and such? Or just a few blocks outside? Do you remember?

[PhillyIndy]

Broad Ripple Brew Pub.

[Naptowner]

Originally Posted by PeterCincottiFan

My husband and I traveled to Indianapolis years ago.......probably 6-7 years ago. While we were downtown for a conference we went to this delicious place to eat that had several different flavors of chili.......it was wonderful!!!! We are going there again next weekend (11/2/07) and would love to go back, anyone have an idea what the name of that place would be???

Thank you,
Kimberly

Sounds like Charlie and Barnie's, perhaps.

[PeterCincottiFan]

Originally Posted by RxMarcus

Was it right downtown, by the mall and such? Or just a few blocks outside? Do you remember?

It was right downtown!!! Thank you everyone for your response, we ended up not finding it, we did end up at St. Elmos Steak house, which was just AWESOME and INCREDIBLE!!!!!! I certainly will be going back there again!!!! And I will keep my eye out next time for both of those places mentioned by everyone, thank you!!!!

--Kimberly

P.S. What do you guys know about "The Ram" which was across the street from St. Elmos, we were trying to decide between the two and ended at Elmos, just curious if the Ram is any good?

[domergurl]

Ram is a chain and I thought the food was horrible. The best meal I've ever had, and I've had many ... was at St. Elmos.