Dave & Buster's
8350 Castleton Corner Dr
Indianapolis, IN 46250
317.572.2706



One of the hottest places around the Indianapolis restaurant circuit this summer would be Dave & Buster's.  Of all the Indianapolis new restaurants opening up this summer this establishment definitely sets itself apart.  Although they market themselves as a restaurant/arcade, let me assure you that this is not just another Chuck E. Cheese with a few kids games and mediocre pizza... this place is legit.

Randomly enough, I ended up at two separate Dave & Buster's over the course of five days, one in Cincinnati and the newest location just next to Castleton Square Mall in Indianapolis.  The biggest surprise to me was the menu!  The menu came complete with options to fit anyone's food cravings.  They offer everything from burgers, to salads, to chicken dishes, and quite a tempting dessert menu.

The food was also very high quality and hearty portions.  Every member of the group I was with thought the food was solid, with good flavor and generous portions.  They also have a lengthy drink menu for those who prefer to just have a drink while trying to play "whack-a-mole" and "skee-ball."

The only issue we had with the Indianapolis restaurant was the crowd.  It was easy to see that this is the "hot spot" in Indianapolis right now.  It took about 45 minutes for us to get seated and about 30 minutes for our food to come out. 

My suggestion would be to go when they have their "Eat & Play Special" (which consists of a meal & $10 game card for $15.99)  Times vary, so be sure to check the website.  Also, make sure to leave plenty of time for the games.  They have games that would fit anyone's preferences and you will definitely want to check those out!

If you're looking for a fun place to show off your competitive skills with friends, I would highly recommend checking out this restaurant in Indianapolis soon!

Bourbon Street Distillery
361 Indiana Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204
(317) 636-3316



The Bourbon Street Distillery put up quite a fight today to be considered one of the best Indianapolis restaurants.

With quick service, a fun atmosphere, and a wide selection on the menu, this Indianapolis restaurant left myself and all of the members of the Compendium marketing team very satisfied. 

The menu had a wide range of selections, with everything from spicy Cajun seafood dishes to club sandwiches eight inches tall and then finish it all off with cheesecake for dessert.

Overall, we agreed the atmosphere and service were both very favorable qualities.  The wait staff was fun and there was plenty of seating, both indoor and outside.  The restaurant is prime for a quick lunch break or an after work drink.

All five of us were in shock as our food came out not even ten minutes after we put our orders in!  I, personally, have never seen service so fast. And, in the words of Megan, the quick service makes it perfect for a speedy business lunch.

Mikey and Megan went the seafood route and were both very satisfied with their spicy dishes, Mikey had the craw fish etoufee and Megan tried the tilapia salad.

Meghan, Chandra, and I went the route of American cuisine... with Chandra ordering a HUGE club sandwich, Meghan having the Bourbon Burger (we're talking massive here folks) and I went with the old fashioned country fried steak with gravy.  We were all very happy with our selections.

Megan pointed out one of the only flaws we could find in this fine Indianapolis restaurant: The lack of a website or menu online.  I don't believe this was a breaking point for any of us, but with so many "blog-minded" individuals, we could easily see how the world of blogging could really help this restaurant.  

This being my first Indianapolis restaurant review, I'm feeling pretty generous in giving this restaurant such a high score, but I must say... I'd give Bourbon Street Distillery a 9/10.

And Bourbon Street (yes I'm talking to you)... if you want that last point to get a perfect score, contact Compendium today and we'll help you get better connected to the Indianapolis community.

Scotty's Brewhouse in Downtown Indianapolis boasts the largest restaurant menu in Indianapolis.  If you are looking at Indianapolis New Restaurants take a trip to Scotties.



As an aside, I used to wait tables at the Original Scotties in Muncie, IN and if I can vouch for nothing less it is easily the cleanest restaurant in the entire universe. 

As for the management, Scott Wise is the caliber of restaurant owner that I wish I could be!  He's a risk taking, innovative, marketing machine.  If that weren't enough, his restaurant delivers on all his promises. 




The experience is incredibly consistent for the volume of customers that Scotty's serves everyday.  Scotty's will compete and win business away from other Downtown Indianapolis Restaurants because he is willing to earn you away.  That cannot be underestimated for a restaurantuer. (Did I spell that right?)

Another homerun from a marketer that all Indianpolis restaurant owner's should take notes from. 

This past weekend on Valentine's Day, I had the pleasure of enjoying a wonderful dinner at an amazing locally owned restaurant on the north side of Indianapolis, Peterson's.
Locally owned and operated, Peterson's restaurant is a dream come true for successful business owner Joe Peterson and his family. Joe's desire is to provide an unmatchable ambiance serving only the best to patrons.

While on the pricey side, it was an amazing dinner and worth every penny.  As an appetizer, we had stuffed shrimp, had a lobster bisque soup and then for our meals, we enjoyed a New York Strip and Lamb.  Everything was to die for.  Our server was very knowledgeable and attentive, which only added to the experience!

Without a doubt, I would recommend Peterson's both for special evening or just a great dinner!

We have talked about 96th Street Steakburgers as one of the best hamburgers Indianapolis, but did you know you could get them at the new Indianapolis International Airport?   I'm a little concerned because the restaurant is after security and it's best to eat while you wait for your flight according to the Indianapolis Star...they don't hold up well on a long flight.

I like to get to the airport at the last minute on my way out, but I do arrive back in Indy late most of the time, so I'm hoping they stay open until at least midnight.

At that time, my quest of the best burger in Indy is at it's peak.   I'll miss the double cheeseburgers of the old airport McDonalds, but....well look at this picture!  This is a great Hamburger.

This blog is about Indianapolis restaruant reviews, and perhaps my "Best Hamburger" obsesson isnt' all that appropriate, but  business travelers (you know who you are), you come home from a long two flight trip from the west, or the nightmare of LaGuardia and you just want to grab some big time junk, Hamburgers Indianapolis, 96th Street Steakburgers at the airport at certain times makes my list of the best Fast Food Indianapolis list.

Ok, so I delayed blogging about last Friday's lunch. I have good reason... I got distracted. Anyway, last week the Marketing Team here at Compendium chose a place to eat downtown Indianapolis called South Bend Chocolate Cafe. Along with the usual marketing team we took newcomer, Chandra.

So for our lunch dinning experience, I believe that all of us agreed that it was a great place to go. Megan first spoke up and said that her food was excellent. She had ordered the Chicken Fajita Panini with pepperjack cheese with a Tomato Bisque soup and pretzles (or chips) and pickle that came with her meal (which no one saw coming). Megan also mentioned that it was a good place to grab a sandwich and soup. Meghan and I both ordered the Ham and Cheese Panini along with Chedder and Broccoli soup. Meghan felt that it was good food and while you are there, you can see the many desserts they have to offer. She said that "you'll be eating your lunch and craving your dessert". I would recommend it for a great restaurant in Indianapolis, if you just want a place to sit down from walking around the circle on cold winter day or a during the summer. Chantelle ordered the Grilled Cheese with Ruffles Crinkle Potato chips (which I guess is the kind of chips they use... I didn't really notice). She ordered off of the kids menu and said that the kid's meal has a lot of food for the value. Chantelle also mentioned that the next time she goes, she wants to try the "Fondue for Four". (We aren't completely sure what it is, but it sounds like a lot of fun!). Mikey ordered the "Hot Ham and Cheese with Tomatoes, Blue Cheese and it was really good!" He also ordered the Chicken and Dumpling soup. Mikey mentioned that it is a harty meal for a cold day (and it really was a cold day). Our newcomer, Chandra (who is our new Business Manager) ordered the Ham and Cheese with garden vegetable soup. She said it was very hot and "Yumo" (and I think that means it was good, or tasty, or any exclamation you might use for a appetizing food meal).

After our meal, we decided that the Southbend Chocolate Cafe was overall very good, and the service was very friendly. Also, if you want extras on the sandwiches on the menu, you can ask for extras and they won't charge you for them. The atmosphere was amazing. You could smell the chocolate and candies in the air. Meghan also pointed out that you could purchase bags of carmel corn, chocolate covered pretzles, etc, to buy and eat for a good afternoon snack. Also, if you want to visit during the summer, there is outside seating so that you may enjoy the day as well as your delicious sandwich. However, after you leave you may find that you smell like the restaurant for the rest of the day. So if you get a free lunch break in downtown Indianapolis, check out the Southbend Chocolate Factory Cafe, located right on the circle, at 20 North Meridian(There is also a satillite location in the new Indianapolis International Airport.)

Bub's
210 W Main St
Carmel IN 46032
(317) 706-2827
website    

Located in the Art's&Design District of Carmel Indiana (about 8 miles from downtown Indianapolis) and just of the Monon Trail might just be a restaurant with the Best Hamburger in Indy.

Handpattied from fresh ground beef, these hamburgers are so special that the owners Matt & Rachel Frey need to have special buns supplied locally from one of our great Indianapolis Bakeries.   Although Bub's (Big Ugly Burger) is most famous for it's hamburgers, several people tell me that they compete well as a seafood restaurant Indianapolis with a Mahi Mahi filet.  Bub's is also a popular stop of Ice Cream in the summer for those traveling the Monon Trail.  

In my quest for the Best Burger in Indy I've had the chance to write a lot for this Indianapolis Menu Guide.  Mostly I focus on Downtown Indianapolis Restaurants, but Bub's Burgers now gives me a new reason to visit Carmel.

Five Guys
2902 W 86th St
Indianapolis IN 46268
(317) 876-0811

Any credible blog seeking the best restaurant Indianapolis has to have a special place for the best hamburger in Indy right?   I love burgers and am constantly soliciting recommendations.   Well this one: Five Guys is a great new addition to my Indianapolis menu guide.

Now keep in mind, Five Guys is a chain but it's also a really good burger, not your usual fast food Indianapolis joint.  The menu has only three things Hamburgers, Hot Dogs and Fries.   In those catagories Five Guys streaches a little including Kosher Style, Bacon, Cheese for the Dogs,  Five Guys Style or Cajun for the fries (cooked in pure peanut oil)  The claim to fame on the hamburgers is the choice of any or all 15 toppings...all no extra charge.

If your date is a vegitarian, they do have an option of a veggie sandwich using any of the burger toppings and a grilled cheese sandwich...hmmm  Maybe I'll start a quest fo the best Grilled Cheese in Indianpolis next....

If you want to put in a restaurant review indianpolis post, just hit me with an email.  chris@compendiumblogware.com

Another great Nicki Laycoax's Indianapolis Restaurant Reviews.   I'm sure Nicki is working on client business with Squish Designs while she's eating all these meals...or maybe she is talking to the owners about using Squish to help them grow their business.  Who am I to not take advantage of a great reviewer...thank you Nicki!

___________________________________________________________________

Dick's Bodacious BBQ
http://www.dicksbbq.com
50 N. Pennsylvania St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone:(317)916-9600
Fax:  (317)916-9605


What a fun title. On Monday, November 3, 2008 my partner and
I ate at Dick's Bodacious BBQ. I was really excited to eat
at the Downtown Indianapolis restaurant  location because I had eaten it before at
the Verizon Wireless Center in Noblesville, and it was SOOOO
delicious.

I didn't realize, until I started writing this blog post, that
Dicks' is not a nationwide chain, but rather a local restaurant!
They used to have locations open in Avon and at the Verizon
Wireless Center in Noblesville, but the only location that remains open is the one
at the corner of Market and Pennsylvania Streets in Downtown Indy.

The staff was so amazingly helpful, and made the decision making process almost like fast food for new patrons of the restaurant. Of course everything
sounded good, but I was encouraged to try the special of the day-Smoked
Salmon. It was the best salmon that I have had! We also had wings,
a Pulled Pork BBQ sandwich, green beans, sweet potatoes, and a
large drink. All of it was delicious!

Price for 2 meals with sides was approximately $23.

Do I recommend as part of my Indianapolis dining guide? You betcha!

Unique thing at the restaurant? BBQ sauce served in motor oil looking
bottles to top your BBQ that is served sans sauce, for your saucing
preference!

Buggs Temple
337 W 11th Street
Indianapolis, Indiana 46202
317.955.2389

So how do I evaluate a downtown Indianapolis restaurant? Especially for Lunch?  Ambiance, convenience and food.   To me, to get a designation as one of the best lunch restaurants in Indianapolis you have to start with how it feels.   Most of the time you want a place you can have a conversation, a restaurant that’s attractive and friendly….a place that’s cool so you glow in how cool it is to your guest.

Buggs Temple at the north end of the Downtown Indy Canal meets that criteria.  I never even heard of Buggs Temple before 11am this morning, but Kyle Saylers of Clarian Health Ventures treated me today and it was fantastic.  It’s a great old church located right on the tip of the Canal.  It was a little bit of a hike from my office on the downtown Indianapolis Circle and I saw there was plenty of parking. Inside were huge windows looking over the canal…it was a little chilly for the outside deck, but it looked beautiful.  The waiters were fantastic, fun, knew the menu and were wearing June Cleaver aprons,  Our guy knew the menu, was friendly and attentive while giving us plenty of space to have our conversation.

I've not been to this Indianapolis downtown restaurant  at night, but imagine it's a great place for a date.   Supposedly there is an upstairs that has terrific views and is one of the top spots for Indianapolis fine dining.  The menu did include Steak and Seafood along with great grilled sandwiches.  I had a Cuban, which came with a fresh mixed salad.  I'm not sure about breakfast, and their website is one of the worst I've ever seen.

This week Meghan (with an “H”) was in charge of making the decision for the weekly Compendium Blogware Marketing team lunch. If you want to check out Compendium and what we do you can Click Here.

This week Meghan chose a place that is just around the corner from our office called King David Dogs. It is a small place on Pennsylvania Street in the heart of Indianapolis. When you walk in you will see the menu posted right there on the wall. They have a full menu with foods ranging from a corn dog to a New York Dog with sauerkraut, mustard, and a New York style Onion Relish. They serve quarter pound hot dogs on a poppy seed bun (or if you want a pretzel bun) topped with almost anything you want. After leaving the restaurant Megan said she was “thoroughly stuff and did not anticipate being that way.” So when you go make sure you are hungry because the meals are larger than you might expect. She and Meghan ordered the Chicago Dog which had mustard, tomato, a sliced pickle, sweet relish, and onions. Both of them thought it was delicious. To add on, Megan said that it was a “fork and knife” meal and you’re definitely going to need napkins when you get your food, so stock up when you get your drink because it is kind of messy. Meghan also said that it was good for a cold day because all the food is “warm food”. Mikey ordered the New York Dog along with a cup of chili. He also requested some chili on his dog, but the hot dog guru behind the counter advised against it because it would be like a double chili bomb and he might regret it in his future. Mikey said he was glad that he took the guru’s advice. I decided to be adventurous and try the Pretzel dog. It was the same hot dog, but on a pretzel bun. I didn’t know what to put on top of it, so again I took the guru’s advice and put some chili and cheese on top and I did not regret it. However, it is very filling because the pretzel bun is a little larger than the normal bun and I had to take some of it home. As for the price, I think Meghan put it best when she said that it was very reasonably priced for all the food you get (your dog and fries or tater tots). It made the price even better when you order a drink, you get a nice souvenir cup with the King David Dogs logo on it to take back to work for a water cup. Also if you are a ice eater, the ice is light and fluffy, kind of like snow but when it is packed together a little (that is as well as I can describe it so just go get the ice).

The atmosphere was awesome because it gives you that hole-in-the-wall feeling when you walk in. It might not be good for a business meeting because the food might end up on your suit. However, it would be good if you are wanted to step out of your comfort zone and try someplace different. It would also be good for a date, but be sure to bring your gum because those onions will mess with your breath. It would be a great place to grab some lunch in downtown Indianapolis. So if you are looking for a place you can get a hot dog with pretty much whatever you want on it check out King David Dogs located at 15 North Pennsylvania.

This week, we put trust in Mikey to choose where the Marketing Team here at Compendium went to lunch. You can check out Compendium Blogware’s website by Clicking Here.


A small Cuban restaurant on Market Street, next to the Capital building is where we spent our lunchtime today. The place is called Tata’s Cuban Cafe. If you are in the mood for some authentic Cuban, this is the place to go. The menu isn’t too confusing, with 12 dishes (6 sandwiches and 6 entrees), you won’t feel overwhelmed while looking through it. Megan and I both got the Sandwich Cubano El Quaso, which has some pork, ham, Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickles all in a conglomeration, joined by being hot pressed on a Cuban bun. Megan and I both agree that is was very good, but could have used more condiments. She said it was “perfectly pressed” and she would defiantly go back to get the same sandwich, but would also like to try the Shrimp Varadero. The other Meghan ordered the Pan con Bistec Santa Palabra which is a thin grilled top sirloin that is marinated in citrus juice along with an abundance of grilled onions, all on pressed bread. She thought it was a lot of food for a great price. She also said it was very good and it “Satisfied my Cuban craving.” However, it was a messy sandwich, with lots of onions but be prepared to use lots of napkins. Meghan also mentioned that the service was great, very nice and accommodating. Also, the sandwiches are much larger than you expect so come hungry, or be prepared to take some home with you for left-overs. Mickey however decided to get an entrée. He ordered the Arroz Amarillo cienfuego. It consisted of yellow rice, with some herbs and corn along with grilled chicken and sweet plantains. He said that he really liked it and it “whisked me away to another place.” Mickey also mentioned that “the rice tasted really good... and so did the chicken.” So apparently he enjoyed it. He also mentioned something about wanting to go there for his next birthday party. So interpret that as you wish.

About the atmosphere, Megan felt it was a quaint place to grab lunch but defiantly allow yourself an hour if you can. If you can’t they also do carry-out, so that might be another option if you are limited on time. They have a patio outside with a few tables and chairs that is a great place to enjoy the day and eat some Cuban food. I must warn you that if you want to sit and eat, you better get there a little before noon because once 12:15 hits, it will fill up quick and you might find yourself without a table. Also, if you like the aroma of Cuban food, that is great because you will be sporting a new scent of Cuban cuisine for the rest of the day. So if you want to check out Tata’s Cuban Café it is located at 137 West Market Street here in Indianapolis. If you want to check out their website Click Here.

Goodfella's Old World Brick Oven Pizza
Location:
9641 Olio Road
McCordsville, Indiana
317-336-6666
http://goodfellas.com/

My husband and I are from a small town Northeast of Indianapolis.  Our town has very few good restaurants. What our town does have are 1,000 pizza restaurants to choose from and they just keep on coming. (Seriously we can get any kind of pizza within a 15 mile radius. Ok, maybe not 1,000, but at least 15.)
One of the best restaurants of Indianapolis is Goodfella’s Restaurant Old World Brick Oven Pizza.  It has become our favorite Italian restaurant. It just opened last year and it is absolutely wonderful! I just crave the wonderful Italian cuisine.
It was voted World’s Best Pizza Restaurant in 2007. Goodfella's is real NEW YORK ITALIAN!!

My husband and I start off with their chopped salad and house balsamic vinaigrette dressing, which we split. Then on to the main course, the pizza. We order the Old World Brick Oven Pizza, which is a thin crust type of pizza.   We order the works with pepperoni, sausage, extra cheese, meatballs and prosciutto. YUMMO!
Check out the menu guide to see all the wonderful choices they have to offer.
Oh, I almost forgot to mention the hot Italian bread with dipping sauce is scrumptious, but be careful not to fill-up on the bread. Side note: they do not serve bread before 5:00.
They also have wonderful pasta. My kids love their spaghetti and meatballs. The sauce on the pizza and spaghetti is so fresh. It is like eating fresh squeezed tomatoes.
The service is wonderful. The waitresses and waiters are always friendly and helpful in ordering. They also have full bar and their Cosmos are my fave!  I would highly recommend this wonderful Northeast Indianapolis Italian restaurant!

As I stated before, by no means am I the expert in restaurant critiquing.  But I must say that my new favorite place to go is Indianapolis' very own Alculpolco Joe's.  Staying true to its name, it is everything the name makes it out to be.  If you like Mexican food, you will like this place.
   
There is so much to try here, your mouth will be watering once you take a look at their extensive menu.  We started off with the chicken avocado soup.  This soup is perfect for chilly winter weather when you just want to curl up next to a fireplace with a comforting, warm meal. Each bite holds a variety of textures and flavors such as chewy, shredded chicken and smooth chunks of avocado. Additional tastes of garlic and onion add flavor to this delicious soup.
   
They have green chile rellenos have a wonderful warm flavor when roasted, which is perfect for a chilly evening. They are stuffed with cheese, dipped in an egg batter and fried.  The flavors and textures blend perfectly together. Queso fresco (fresh Mexican cheese) is a traditional choice for this wonderful dish.
   
I ended the evening with the sopapillas.  It's a classic Mexican snack made with a little sugar to sweeten it. Usually "sopes" as they are sometimes called are topped with meats and veggies, but these sweet versions are topped with fruit.
   
Another fine Indianapolis Menu Guide find.  This wonderful little downtown Indianapolis restaurant is the cat's meow!
   
This commercial for Best Tex Mex says it all:

Stefano’s Ristorante and Pizzeria   
11680 Commercial Dr
Fishers, IN  46038  (across from Super Target)
317-577-9800
Map

Ok, I know I talked about Bazbeaux because of it’s Seafood and other new age Pizza’s.  I like the neighborhood vibe of the restaurants etc….

But y’know…sometimes (most of the time) you just long for an old fashioned taste of Brooklyn.   Now I’m on a mission to find that pizzia here in Indianapolis, and we have a contender with STEFANO’S Ristorante.

To begin, Stefano’s is owned by a guy actually named Stefano,  so there is some legitimate street cred right from the start.  Indy Men’s Magazine named Cio’s Indianapolis’ Best Pizza in 2003 and Stefano’s has that recepie.  The focus is on the traditional toppings including a terrific Italian Sausage and all the Pizza’s are available by the slice…as a true pizzeria should do.  Stefano’s also offers excellent Itialian fare including Spaghetti, Lasagna, Ravioli and a restaurant favorite Baked Ziti.

Carmella…How’s that sound?

Throughout some of my posts I will identify a new Sushi restuarant for each week.

For those of you who have never tried sushi, I will try here to tempt your palate into craving some great sushi.  For those of you who have, I will try and give you a broad range of various sushi restaurants  in the Indianapolis area serving up some great sushi.

Sushi in Japanese Cuisine is a food made of rice and is usually combined with other ingredients such as Fish. There are various types of sushi: makizushi, nigirizushi, inarizushi, chirashi-zushi.

The first restaurant in the Indy area that I tried was SAKURA. After being seating shortly after I was there at the sushi bar, I took in the decor. It was a bit outdated and the paper dividers of the rooms were starting to fall apart and fairly flimsy. But over all a good atmosphere. There were alot of people there at the 7:00pm dining hours. 

I ordered from the bar and had California rolls, spicy tuna rolls,  and some warm sake.  I watched as the chef behind the counter hand rolled my suhi and it was great. The sushi was magnificently rolled to perfection.  And the service was wonderful.

The prices were average and well worth it for the great tasting food. I definatly recommend this sushi restaurant to other.

The Japanese Sakura Restuarant is located at 7201 N. Keystone Avenue. 317.259.4171

 

5 Guys is a new restaurant that opened in Indy right off of 86th street a little east of Michigan.  It specializes in hamburgers but their hot dogs and fries are also delicious.  It makes me feel at home because 5 Guys started back in the Washington D.C. metro area (I am from Northern Virginia).  Before moving to Indy for college, 5 Guys was my favorite restaurant to grab a burger.  Also, their burgers are lean beef and their fries are made with peanut oil so you do not have to feel so guilty when enjoying your meal.  Give 5 Guys a chance, I promise you will see why the Washingtonian Magizine named their burgers the "best burger in Washington" six years in a row.  I bet it won't be long before they have the best burger in Indy!