Champps Americana
49 W Maryland St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317.951.0033




Recently my lovely girlfriend Melissa and I had a nice little date night.  After searching through the perfect selections of Indianapolis date restaurants, I landed on Champps, located in Circle Center Mall downtown.  We were both very happy with this downtown Indianapolis restaurant. 

Surprisingly, we were seated immediately at 7:30 on a Saturday evening and had very good service.  The wait staff was on top of things, and very friendly.

We were also surprised by the wide variety of selections on their menu.  This is definitely not just another restaurant in Indianapolis, Champps has pastas, burgers, wraps, ribs, pork chops and so much more!

I went with the Chicken Parmesan and could not believe how big the entree was!  I only finished less than half of it and took the rest home.  Melissa landed on the Fresca burger and was very happy with her selection as well. (Coincidentally, she asked the question "Do you put ketchup on this" which was the same question she asked on our last date night to Red Robin)

All in all, we had nothing bad to say about Champps... It was a very solid choice and definitely on the the best restaurants Indianapolis!

O'Reilly's Irish Bar and Restaurant
36 S. Pennsylvania St.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317.974.0674




For our marketing team lunch last week, we make the quick trek down Pennsylvania Street to O'Reilly's Irish Bar and Restaurant.  This was Abby's first restaurant selection since joining  the Compendium team, and she definitely pulled through when the pressure was on!

O'Reilly's fits in well with other Indianapolis pubs, but definitely has it's own feel.  It does a great job of combining the atmosphere of an old fashioned pub, with the modern day set-up that sports fanatics and business workers would be looking for. 

The menu at this downtown Indianapolis restaurant is also one of their great selling points.  They have many different variations of burgers, salads and wraps to choose from, as well as Irish specialties and a group of meals the offer as $5 lunch specials everyday. 

For the most part, the portions were generous.  Some of the salads were even overflowing off of the plates and I couldn't keep my BBQ sandwich intact because it was so big.

Most of us agreed that the biggest draw-back of the restaurant was the very smokey atmosphere.  Also, what seemed to be a refreshing, chilly environment upon first walking into the restaurant turned into an ice-box feeling as we could hardly use our utensils because our hands were shivering due to the frigid temperature.  

All in all, if you're looking for Indianapolis lunch restaurants, O'Reilly's possesses plenty favorable characteristics that make it the perfect location, be prepared to wait for a table if you want to eat outside, and bring a jacket if you're not a fan of the cold!

Front Page Sports Bar & Grill
310 Massachusetts Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317.631.6682





Apparently we loved the hike to Mass Ave enough last week to return there this week. Friday's destination: Front Page Sports Bar & Grill.  One of the better known sports bars Indianapolis, Front Page provided all of the necessary features to create a very enjoyable lunch atmosphere.

Front Page has seating both indoors and outdoors, which makes it perfect on a warm afternoon.  You better get there early on a nice day, or else the outdoor seating will quickly fill up.

The menu at this Indianapolis restaurant was fairly typical for a sports bar & grill.  A cheeseburger and fries was the popular choice, with Mikey & Meghan getting the Blue Bella Burger (which Mikey describes simply as "heavenly") while I went for the classic BBQ Bacon Cheeseburger.

Chandra thoroughly enjoyed the GIANT tenderloin, and Megan opted for a delicious seafood entree.  Abby, the newest addition to Compendium's marketing team, landed on the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich.  She thought the portion sizes were favorable and the sandwich had good flavor.

Like most of the places we've stumbled up in the past few weeks, the atmosphere makes this downtown Indianapolis restaurant an enjoyable place to eat.  The wait staff was very helpful, the outdoor seating was perfect for a sunny day, and the multiple big screen televisions inside make it a perfect place to watch a game with friends!

MacNiven's
339 Massachusetts Ave
Indianapolis, IN 46204
317.632.7268






For the Friday lunch, Meghan landed on MacNiven's Restaurant and Bar as the selection.  MacNiven's has the feel of a Scottish pub, with the menu and atmosphere to match.   It had a similar feel to other Indianapolis pubs, with quality food and fun service.

We all agreed that the atmosphere and wait staff gives MacNiven's a very "fun" feel, especially on a beautiful afternoon when they open up the windows.  We were able to sit at a table facing Mass Ave while enjoying the fine Scottish cuisine.

Chandra and Meghan both ordered the Angus burger, which is a cheeseburger prepared in a very unusual way.  They flatten out the patty until it is very thin and the size of the plate! Both of the ladies thought the burgers were top-notch.

Megan's grilled cheese was, quite possible, the "best grilled cheese ever," and Mikey claimed that his fish & chips was golden delicious. I went for the chicken curry with fried rice and was very pleased with the great flavor!

Although the menu was varied in its selections, it still seemed fairly limited.  If you're not willing to get outside of the "norm" with food selections, this might not be your perfect fit.  However, for a quick lunch break on a nice day, or an after work drink with friends (it is known to have an ample beer selection) MacNiven's should be the perfect downtown Indianapolis restaurant for you!

 

 

Red Robin
(multiple Indianapolis locations)
13215 Harrell Parkway
Noblesville, IN 46060
(317) 773-8150

After a few hours of trying to decide which Indianapolis restaurant my lovely girlfriend, Melissa, and I should have our date night at on Monday, I landed on Red Robin.  And I don't mean to brag, but it was a solid choice.

Red Robin is known for their gourmet burgers, and they do not disappoint.  Their menu is almost overwhelming at first glance and you have to ask yourself, "How can they actually make this many variations of the cheeseburger!?" 

The atmosphere is fun and very family oriented (for example, at 9:00pm on a Monday night, Nickelodeon was on half of the TV's, ESPN on the others).  If you want to bring the whole family, they have plenty of seating for you, as well as a bar area if you're trying to avoid the occasional screaming 2-year-old.

The food itself would easily compare with some of the best restaurants Indianapolis.  For myself, I went with the Whiskey River BBQ Burger, a massive burger topped with BBQ sauce and onion fries (and if you need your bacon fix like me, you add that too). It was a very... very good burger.

Melissa had the Banzai Burger, marinated in teriyaki and topped with grilled pineapple and cheese.  She thoroughly enjoyed it and was very happy with her choice.  The Banzai Burger did leave us both stumped at the question: "Do you put ketchup on a burger with pineapple on it?" (she decided not to...)

All in all, Red Robin was great.  There's no denying that it is a little pricey as far as burger's go, but when you're paying for a gourmet burger, they provide gourmet quality.  (Also, the waitress told me that adding bacon was an additional $.99 and threw a curve ball at me when it was actually $1.29!) But besides the bacon incident, I have no problem claiming that Red Robin will provide some of the best hamburgers Indianapolis. 

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.

Steakhouse Indianapolis Indiana is a great blog for information about various steak restaurants in the Indianapolis area.  Steak House in Indianapolis is another good

So there is this place located in the heart of downtown that serves what I would like to call home cookin'. Maxine's Chicken and Waffles is a great place if you want have a little time to kill during your lunch hour. So when it was Mikey's turn to choose where we went, he made the executive decision to check out Maxine's, which turned out to be a great restaurant in Indianapolis.

I personally never thought that chicken and waffles would ever be appetizing together, but turns out... it's not that bad. I ordered the Dusty's Waffle and since I wanted the full experience, I ordered a Jumbo Chicken Wing. I wasn't disappointed in the waffle, which had this sweet spread and even better syrup to put on top. It also came with two eggs and two pieces of sausage. When I ordered the Jumbo Chicken wing, I was a little worried because I didn't know if I was going to be able to eat it all. However, upon it's arrival I realized I wasn't intimidated and Jumbo doesn't really mean anything related to it's size (I'm still trying to figure that one out...)

Megan ordered the Veggie Omlet with an extra side. However, she was kind of dissapointed because they came back with the wrong kind of bread. She was brutally honest with me when I asked her what she thought of our choice. She said that the service wasn't up to par because it slow and she thought other people got there after us and they were served before us.

Meghan also had the Dusty's Waffle with the sides of eggs and turkey sausage. She thought her food was very good, yet filling so make sure you go on an EMPTY stomach. She also said the staff was very friendly but to make sure you get there a little early because the tables fill up quick!

When I asked Mikey what he thought of his choice his response....... "Dude...peach butter... wow." He also said that he felt a "taste of love in each bite, no exaggeration." So I am going to take a stab in the dark and say that he liked his choice a lot. 

So all-in-all it was a pretty good choice. We got out of the office for a while and visit a different side of town that we weren't exposed to regularly. It was a good time! If you only have credit, lukily for you they accept those too. So if you are ever around town, check out Maxine's Chicken and Waffles, located at 132 North East Street in Indianapolis. Maxine will probably even seat you!

A few weeks ago before I left for my spring break, we decided to grab lunch at this little place just north of the circle on Pennsylvania. Elbow room is a great Indianapolis restaurant that everyone needs to stop by at some point.

When the marketing team here at Compendium went, we all happen to order something different, which was good to give us some insight on their expansive menu.

Mikey ordered a veggie burger. When I asked him what he thought about it he did the "Raise the Roof" motion. He said that it was good and his burger had a lot of flavor. Also he really liked the bar and thought it might be a good place to check out. Maybe for a game? or just to have a couple drinks with friends?

Meghan ordered the strawberry chicken salad and was very impressed with the fact that they had Fat Free dressings for a healthier alternative. She said that her food was very flavorful, even with it being a more health conscious meal.

Megan had the Turkey Bourbon sandwich and found it to be very good. She mentioned that it was a bit crowded, but if you are going to grab lunch with co-workers, you have to commit and make sure that you have enough time.

Chandra at the cob salad with chicken and found it to be tasty as well. She said the staff were very friendly and very efficient. However, she said that the place was small, "hense the name 'Elbow Room'" Also she mentioned something about her dressing being soupy... so watch out and be prepared!

As for me, I ordered the American Burger. It was a harty meal consisting of a burger, with American cheese, red onions, lettuce, and bacon. And to go along with it, I ordered the fries... oh how i love fries.

I think we all would agree that it was a great downtown Indianapolis restaurant. However, the rush comes around noon, so if you are going there for lunch, just get there a little early.

So if you are looking for a good downtown Indianapolis restaurant, you should think about going to Elbow room, located at 605 N. Pennsylvania. You can check out their website and their menu online!

Recently there is a newer establishments in Broad Ripple. It is probably one of my favorite places to go when I need to get away from my roommates, or just campus in general, Brothers.

Brothers is a chain of restaurants located at almost every large college or university in Indiana, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Illinois. It is a great place to grab a bit to eat or a couple of drinks when you need to get away. It is probably one of my favorite restaurants in Broad Ripple, just because of the atmosphere. They have several TV's around so if you want to grab the big game of your Alma Mater, or just to watch any game... it's the place to be.

One of my favorite things about Brothers is that througout the week, they have tons of specials. Tuesday nights, they have 2 dollar drafts!


So if you are looking for a great sports bar in Indianapolis, I would recommend Brothers.

*Also, it is non-smoking... so that is another perk that I love!

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!

If you are finding this post because you typed steakhouse indianapolis into a search engine, let me tell you about Mo's.   Suprisingly, (to some) we have a lot of great steak restaurants in Indianapolis. 

Anyone looking for a steakhouse in Indianapolis can choose from lots of national chains like Ruth's Chris or Sullivans Steakhouse, or even local favorite St. Elmo's Steakhouse.  

Mo's however offers a different steak indianapolis experience.  As steakhouses in Indianapolis go, Mo's is my favorite environment.  Even full it never feels crowded, the food is great and includes some terrific seafood options.  The service is first class and the bar is terrific.

If you really want to satisfy your search for the best steakhouses in Indianapolis, try Mo's located at 47 South Pennsylvania Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204

So today I was talking to Mikey again today about restaurants (funny, I didn't realize Mikey is a restaurant connoisseur). He mentioned a place that we all went a few months ago for our Marketing team celebration for meeting our goal the month, Adobo (but I missed it because of finals week.. ugh).

Anyway... So I went around to everyone else that went to get their take on this place because I have never been.

• Meghan thought that the food was delicious and the had the best margaritas ever. It was a cool atmopsphere and the food was made right in front of you (kinda like a hibachi).
• Megan said her marg was not too sweet and was a good mixture of booze and mixer. It was a "good place to go for after work drinks and snack." When I asked her about it, she also said that you couldn't go without getting the Guacamole and if you don't like margaritas, you need to try at least one.
• Mikey, the all knowing of local restaurants, said that the food was fresh. He had a cumcumber shot chaser that was made right there by the "awesome bartender" from Guadalajara who taught Mikey about the good places to visit in Mexico.

So if you are looking for a place for drinks after work, I might meet you there sometime. Adobo is located at 110 E. Washington Street across the street from Fogo De Chao. Also, if you are concerned about whether you can use cash or stop by the ATM.... don't worry about it.. they accept both.

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.)

During the holiday season we are always running late in making our group reservations for department or company parties.   Usually all the best Restaurants in Indianapolis are sold out months in advance.   So I really was pleased to get this email today from McCormick&Schmick's Seafood Restaurant Downtown Indianapolis today.  Located just one block off the circle in Indy there is a ton of great parking all within a few steps to their front door.   

M & S's isn't just for Seafood but also is a great steak restaurant and the bar has one of the best great happy hours,   complete with a huge Hamburger for about a dollar.

 According to this ad, they still have room for holiday reservations...not bad for one of the Best Restaurant Indianapolis.

Today I would like to discuss Weber Grill in my Indianapolis Restaurant Review.  Weber Grill, a great restaurant in Downtown Indianapolis Restaurant features some of my favorite foods including burgers and ribs.  The video below shows some of the Weber Grill creations and how you can use their seasonings and cooking styles to create delicious meals.  If you are looking for a great dining option and steakhouse in Indianapolis I highly recommend Weber Grill!

I have always been a steak guy. Some people dowse their steak with ketchup (which always makes me cringe just thinking about) or even with a little steak sauce.. which is a little better, but for me... I have always have liked my steak plain with all its juices... cooked medium rare (is your mouth watering yet?)

Well if you are into steaks there is a great place here in Indy to try out. Moe's... A Place for Steaks is one of the best steak restaurants in Indy. It is kind of an upscale restaurant with a vast wine selection along with a lounge to enjoy a cigar and a glass of scotch (or wine and a cigar... whatever you please). If you go I would recommend the Shrimp Cocktail or the Bruschetta as your appetizer. As for the entree, you really can't go wrong with any of the steaks there. They also have alternatives such as chicken and lobster if you or anyone you are with are not a steak person. Also, make sure you save room for dessert because they have a small but delicious dessert menu that you need to check when you go!

As for the atmosphere... perfect. You can go there for almost any occasion. If you want to go out on a romantic date or a business meeting. They also have private dining available for banquets and private parties.

So if you are looking for a great steak restaurant in Indianapolis, you should check out Moe's... A Place for Steaks. It is located at 47 South Pennsylvania Street.

Workingman's Friend
234 N Belmont Ave
Indianapolis IN 46222
(317) 636-2067

DO NOT FEAR Workingman's Friend.   This is a classic Indianapolis Lunch Restaurant that in spite of it's appearance serves one of the best burgers in Indy.  Close to Downtown Indianapolis Workingman's friend is full of the white collar types as well and a lot of physicians for some reason...probably because it's close to IUPUI and the Med Center.

Workingman's Friend is an old fashioned Indianapolis Pub and nothing more.  The kind of place your dad would go after the 3 to 11 shift at the plant.   Take my advice, great burger, great bar and great people is why this makes the cut in my Indianapolis Menu Guide.