Ralph’s Great Divide
Service: Food was exceptionally quick even for a slow, rainy weekday lunch. Our server was great and very friendly.
Booze: Full bar!
Food:
Hot Pot Pig | cream of potato soup with bacon & hot pepper cheese $ 2.99
German Potato Salad | $ 2.24
Halfwich + Soup Combo | chicken salad sandwich with lettuce and tomato on wheat bread and broccoli cheese soup $ 6.24
Cheeseburger Deluxe | 1/3 pound hamburger with american cheese with lettuce, tomato, mayo, pickles and red onion on grilled wheat $ 7.49
Coconut cream pie | $ 4.99
I know a thing or two about good soup and RGD has damn good soup. While I’d love a few larger pieces of broccoli in the broccoli cheese, the taste was phenomenal. The sweet relish chicken salad wasn’t quite up my alley; I prefer more of a grape, celery and walnut route. There was almost no texture contrast in the sandwich. The burger however, served on grilled bread vs. the typical bun, was juicy, well-dressed and well-seasoned. Nothing fancy, just a simple, delicious burger. AND: They have warm German potato salad! Mm. For dessert, a mountain of thick, creamy custard and toasted coconut bits resting upon thin, flaky crust was the perfect (slightly overindulgent) ending.
Kudos: Family owned and operated since ’83. { Also note: It’s 21+ only and closed on the weekends. }
Overall: It’s a dive bar with deli food and baked goods. BOOZE AND PIE, PEOPLE. PIE AND BOOZE!
ralphsgreatdivide.com
743 East New York Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202
The Gyro Stop
Service: The young man running the joint is one of the most genuinely nice human beings I have ever acquainted with. He welcomes us every time with a huge smile as if we’re family. Like. He is seriously so fucking NICE.
Food:
Traditional lamb gyro | lamb gyro, lettuce, tomatoes, onions, cucumber sauce on pita $ 5.95, add feta $ .75
Lebanese greek combo | three falafel, hummus, spanakopita, rice, pita $ 7.99
I drive by this place twice a day, five days a week and see the same one car sitting in front every time and that depresses me. The food is good and the menu is quite vast. Never before had I thought to put hot sauce on a gyro, but their red pepper concoction is amazing! We use almost half a bottle between the two of us. For future visits, I’ll skip the hummus—not nearly enough garlic for my palate—and get extra falafel. And extra, extra tzatziki. (Not the best I’ve ever had, but it’s better than most.)
Kudos: They have all kinds of tea! A small selection of tazo tea bags and an iced tea dispenser with black, green and raspberry tea from Gold Peak. I love tea.
Overall: This isn’t life changing Mediterranean cuisine by any means, but it’s quick and dirt cheap and tasty and the service is exceptional.
www.gyrostop.net
5438 W 86th St
Indianapolis, IN 46268
The Ball & Biscuit
Service: Very nice bartender, amazing vibe.
Booze: That’s what it’s all about. They have a long list of wonderful cocktails made with unique craft spirits and a nice beer selection, including one of my favorites, Kentucky bourbon barrel ale. They also carry my favorite bourbon, Bulleit AND the 10 year, which I had never seen prior to this. Soo yum.
Food: Booze is food.
Smoking Flower | high west campfire whiskey, st. germain, dry vermouth & savory & james sherry $ 11
El Comediante | caliche rum infused with red bell pepper, wilks & wilson ginger simple syrup, gosling’s ginger beer, lime & a float of red wine $ 11
Hummus plate | $ 10
Mac ‘n cheese dog | $ 10
Smoking Goose butcher plate | $ 15
The cocktails were delicious and strong. The food was very tasty, too. I was particularly fond of the hummus and tzatziki with the delightfully crispy breads, and Jaybird loved the sweet pickles, olives and Smoking Goose’s fireball sausage. And of course, how can one go wrong with mac on a dog? Straight comfort food, son! They offer a very basic menu of small plates, but it’s done right with quality local cheeses, meats and breads.
Kudos: Atmosphere, atmosphere, atmosphere. The Biscuit had it. Everywhere you look, there’s something of interest. My blues man especially enjoyed the harmonica mic wall decor by his “new favorite chair.”
Overall: It’s easy to get carried away, but overall the prices are reasonable and the lounge experience is worth it. I was drunk, fat and happy for around $100, so it isn’t an every day bar, but perfect for an occasional date night.
331 Massachusetts Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Petite Chou
Service: Good. Our server accidentally poured congac instead of scotch on the first drink round, but fortunately that resulted in mama bird discovering a new appreciation for congac, so she wasn’t too upset. But typically when paying $10 for a drink, I like to receive what I’ve ordered.
Booze: Decent selection of unique spirits, nice wine list, and local craft beers. I sipped on an Old Fashioned that was quite tasty, not overpowered by bitters.
Food:
Chicken palliard | seared indiana chicken breast, lemon or mustard sauce, arugula, parmesan. served with choice of side dish $ 16.95
Brussels sprouts crisps | shaved brussels sprouts fried in duck fat
Pan seared trout | braised kale, fennel, red onion, jowl bacon, white wine, herb roasted potatoes $ 24
Delicious French bread with sea salt butter and a bed of mixed greens with simple vinaigrette started the meal. Honestly, it was my favorite part. My chicken was… meh. Not bad by any means, but let’s just say I had higher expectations. It was swimming in sauce. Good flavor, but a bit too much even for me; a little goes a long way with mustard. Salty, crispy, duck-fatty brussels sprouts—my choice of side dish—made up for it. Topped with a mix of braised kale, onion, fennel and BACON, the trout was also divine. “The best dish I have had in a long time.”
Kudos: Fresh, local foods. They have a beautiful covered patio, with very warm heaters included for cooler days! Dog friendly.
Overall: Another great Patachou restaurant… I’ve never had a BAD dish. Some items are a little pricey, but there are reasonable options. While Napolese remains my favorite, I’m excited to return to Petite Chou to further explore the menu.
petitechoubistro.com
823 E Westfield Blvd
Indianapolis, IN 46220
The Loft @ Trader’s Point Creamery
Service: Very friendly and quick. I was surprised by how fast our food arrived, and the kitchen divided the salad onto separate plates for easier sharing.
Booze: Sustainable wines, local and organic beers.
Food:
Beet salad | roasted organic beets, baby spinach, fromage blanc, candied walnuts & house balsamic vinaigrette $ 12
Grilled cheese | blend of raw milk cheeses grilled on Amelia’s city loaf with one topping {avocado, bacon, mushrooms, spinach, grilled onions or bell peppers} and choice of side $ 9
Quinoa cakes | quinoa, sweet potato, spinach, sun-dried tomato, quark cheese, pan fried and drizzled with roasted red and yellow bell pepper sauce and choice of side $ 14
Spicy mac n’ cheese | $ 4 substitution charge
A balance of earthy roasted beets and spinach with sweet, creamy cheese and candied walnuts and homemade balsamic vinaigrette provided a delightful awakening for the palate. {Of course I sampled the mouth-orgasmic homemade ranch as well. Drool.} Melted between two slices of crunchy bread, the raw milk cheese had a subtle nuttiness that was complimented by avocado like a match made in food heaven. And have you ever seen such picture perfect specimens of asparagus?! MM. They’ve also perfected the art of quinoa patties… nicely pan fried with soft but firm, not crumbly, insides. Pepperjack mac was a wicked companion to the cakes’ red and yellow pepper sauce, and the serving was HUGE. I would honestly prefer half the amount for half the up-charge; we shared and still required a to-go box. For a side? That shit cray.
Kudos: Farm-to-table and organic seasonal menu with fresh produce grown, grass-fed livestock raised, and artisan cheeses aged on site.
Overall: Love love love. The food is a bit pricey, but you have to appreciate that you’re eating food from the land you stand on. If you do, it’s worth all the pennies! If $9 is too steep for a gourmet grilled cheese with ripe avocado and plump, tender asparagus, stay home and melt some kraft singles on wonder bread.
tpforganics.com
9101 Moore Road
Zionsville, Indiana 46077
Montgomery Steakhouse
Service: Mediocre. Two different servers introduced themselves, somewhere in the confusion we were never offered bread, and the second server couldn’t tell us the soup of the day OR any bourbons on hand without two separate trips to the bar.
Booze: Full bar… if you consider a bar with zero rye whiskies and top-self bourbons limited to Makers and Knob Creek to be full. Gross.
Food
House Wedge Salad | cheese, red onion, tomato and croutons, included with meal
Chicken with White & Wild Rice | enhanced with carrots, celery and onions in a creamy seasoned base $ 4.99
Sirloin | 8oz signature steak $ 14.49
House-cut Ribeye | 12oz top cut $ 19.49
The soup was thick and creamy and full of flavor. Wedge salads are far from my favorite; however, the delicious, milky ranch dressing made it quite worthwhile. It’s all about the ranch. Both steaks, seasoned beautifully, were cooked to perfect medium rare temperatures as ordered. My only complaint would be the incredibly pathetic, overcooked asparagus spears. At that wimpy size, I expect a more generous serving to compensate. GET REAL.
Kudos: Stage for live music in the bar, not sure how often they use it.
Overall: It’s definitely worth the stop if you’re driving by. Although the steaks were some of the best I’ve had for the price, it didn’t WOW me enough to make it a final destination.
montgomeryssteakhouse.com
5800 Indiana
3 Spiceland, IN 47385
Papa Roux
Service: Hectic, with a lot of busy staff and a lot of hungry guests in a very cramped space. Names are called out constantly and repetitively during peak hours and fighting for a seat or a hot sauce bottle can be cut throat. And… it’s worth it. Once you have a table, unlimited free side dishes are delivered almost instantly. Good thing as they DO take their time perfecting your po-boy.
Booze: N/A, but they serve some mean cane sugar craft sodas.
Food:
AYCE sides | red beans, tomato creole, mushroom étouffée, corn bread, bread pudding, coleslaw, applesauce, french bread and MORE all free for dine-in
Muffuletta | Sicilian-style sandwich with cold-cut sausages, provolone, and olive salad $ 8
Hand-breaded Catfish po-boy | with slaw and vouxdoux mayo on crunchy French bread $ 9.50
Smoked Sausage po-boy | with slaw and vouxdoux mayo on crunchy French bread $ 9.50
The sides—more like appetizers—were all pretty good. Sweet corn bread, spicy red beans and even spicier tomato creole.
I skipped on sampling the muffuletta due to my hatred of olives, but my man says, he says, “It was really good. It was done right. But it was small.” He is big. However, I have to agree that it was quite skimpy in comparison. My po-boy, dressed with house-made coleslaw, “vouxdoux” mayonnaise and a pan-fried catfish filet was… Fucking Righteous. Intentions of sharing half went straight out the window at first bite; I devoured the entire drippy, glorious mess like a boss. Don’t even care. It’s okay, that just meant Jay had to go for round-two: SAUSAGE. Sinful, hot, fatty, deliciously smoked sausage.
Kudos: Wicked hot sauce, gluten-free options and vegan friendly.
Overall: Yeah… Uh… I’m addicted.
paparouxindy.com
8950 E 10th St
Indianapolis, IN 46219
Chicago Hot Dog Co.
Service: Order at the counter… nothing spectacular, but they were nice and fast.
Food:
Chicago Dog | with mustard, relish, diced tomatoes, chopped onions, pickle spear, sport peppers and a dash of celery salt on a poppy seed bun $ 2.99
Maxwell St. Polish Char Grilled | with mustard, grilled onions and sport peppers on a poppy seed bun $ 3.99
Combo Sausage & Italian Beef | with sweet or hot peppers on french bread $ 4.99
Italian Sausage Char Grilled | with sweet or hot peppers on french bread $ 3.99
Fries | small order, krinkle-cut with cheese $ 2.29
I really enjoyed the vibe here and the food was reeeeal tasty. Fries were crunchy, dogs juicy, buns soft, and toppings plentiful. Jay spent the entire drive home just raving about the size and crispness of the pickle on his Chicago dog. I believe the words were, “sometimes they’re tiny, limp pickles, but that was one fucking thick ass awesome fucking crunchy kosher dill covered in celery salt.” Pardon his French.
Kudos: Blues! Gluten-free options. And I noticed two homemade dressings available, but I wasn’t exactly in the salad eating mood after reading the menu. I should have ordered some for the fries…
Overall: Cheap, quick, satisfying. I don’t often crave sausages or hot dogs, but now that I know where the goods are, I bet I will.
chdcompany.com
8320 N Michigan
Indianapolis, IN
Canal Bistro Mediterranean Grille
Service: No complaints, I’ve always received fast and friendly service. Not sure if the man I speak of is the owner or just the manager, but he is always there to greet his guests.
Booze: Full bar.
Food:
Pita | served with spices and oil, complementary.
House Salad | romaine lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions & house vinaigrette, included with entree.
Stuffed Dolmathes | grape leaves stuffed with rice, chick peas, tomatoes, parsley, olive oil and lemon juice $ 8
Moussaka | roasted eggplant with ground beef and onions baked wth a creamy béchamel sauce $ 15
Grilled Fresh Fish | your choice of salmon or tilapia marinated and grilled over an open fire $ 17
I passed on the pita bread with bland olive oil—despite the appearance of delicious spices—but the salad was quite refreshing and enjoyable considering its simplicity. Flavorful and moist, but not greasy, the grape leaves were some of the best I have had in this town; unfortunately the accompanying tzatziki sauce left a lot to be desired. Not the worst, not the best. My salmon, wonderfully marinated and charred without being dry, was complemented with crisp tomato, cucumber, lemon and a lightly seasoned rice. A new dish for me, moussaka, tasted… like… meat… PIE. It was so heavy and rich and savory that between the two of us we could only finish half. The best part: yummy burnt bits of béchamel sauce.
Kudos: On certain pleasant afternoons, there is tasteful live music on the patio.
Overall: A little pricy on certain items, but I have eaten here several times without much disappointment (the fries with garlic and feta are absolutely phenomenal) and definitely will return come the warmer season.
www.canal-bistro.com
6349 Guilford Ave.
Indianapolis, IN, 46220
Grange Hall Burger Bar | Chicago
Service: Attractive, witty, pleasant staff that clearly enjoys being there.
Booze: Caramel. Bourbon. Malt. ‘NUFF SAID?! But… they also have some greatly interesting craft beers and specialty cocktails. We were sippin’ on Sarsaparilla Rye { Koval rye whisky, faygo root beer, cherry } and Michigan Maple {W.R. Welter Whisky, maple syrup, sweet vermout, lemon. }
Food:
Rueben Dog | grass-fed beef hot dog, cider-beer sauerkraut, housemade 1000 island & swiss cheese. served with baked fennel northern beans $ 10
Grange Burger | 6oz beef burger with avocado, grilled onions and swiss $ 9.25 add bacon $ 1
Mac n’ Cheese | radiatori, three cheeses and potato chip crumbs $ 7
Onion Rings | thick-cut and beer-battered $ 3.50
Bourbon Caramel Malt | rowan’s creek kentucky bourbon, caramel, malt, house-spun vanilla ice cream $ 10
Grange Hall is a farm-to-table Chicago restaurant serving up fresh, healthy, humble burgers: grass-fed beef, free-range turkey, and wild rice veggie on home-made buns.
Perfectly cooked, hormone-free beef paired with simple, fresh toppings made for a wonderful burger experience. Grass-fed animals just taste… meatier. Juicier. Genuinely more flavorful. The rueben dog was uniquely delicious, but they should consider a special-made rye hot dog bun; it was difficult to eat and I left behind half the bread. A hint of spiciness in the accompanying baked beans was fantastic. As far as mac n’ cheese goes, this didn’t blow me away; however, the crunch of potato chips gave the dish character. The beer-battered onion rings were spot on with absolutely no complaints from me! On top of it all, the homemade sweet pickles, mayo, BBQ sauce and dilltastic ranch dressing really won me over.
Kudos: Grass-fed beef… fresh-churned ice cream, handmade pies, jellies and sauces… the list goes on. They also have gluten free buns!
Overall: I truly enjoyed the entire experience… food, drinks, atmosphere, staff. This spot was the most down to earth of the entire block, but I was glad we chose simplicity over trendy.
www.grangehallburgerbar.com
844 West Randolph Street
Chicago, IL 60607
