I have driven by this place to get to Target and Marshalls so many times, but it always seemed so packed I never really wanted to bother to stop. I did see they allow you to make reservations on Open Table, so I booked it for a weekday to try it out. It wasn't nearly as busy as the parking lot looked, there was plenty of seating. It was a nice day so they had the windows open and they also had someone playing live music so it was a tad loud but, not overly loud where you can't hear your conversation. The menu is not your typical menu, it's very crafty if that's a word. The service was very good, and she explained the menu well and we took her up on her recommendations. Turkey pastrami which I had never had before. It tastes really fresh and felt healthy. The salad comes in a little small bowl but full of goodness. It's a really nice place for a girls night out, or a family dinner. Wouldn't consider it a good place for date night as it is pretty loud. read more

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Our server this evening was Ferdinand - super nice, made us feel welcome, charismatic, and knowledgeable on the menu. He made our date night feel so special! I liked the added touch of the date night plaque at our table when we arrived. We started with the Evil Jungle Princess (10/10 tiki drink) and the paper bag beer + blind shot pick (gross but kind of fun if you like beer, I think we got a PBR lol). For apps we got the Wagyu pigs in a blanket and the broccoli cheddar soup to share. The piggies were so savory and delicious. For entrees we got the fish and chips and rainbow roll. The fish was perfectly battered and tasted great. The rainbow roll had good flavor but really fell apart immediately. I felt like the presentation could have been improved. They also did not bring out soy sauce with the roll and didn't come even after asking our server for it. Still good flavor to the fish. We finished off the night with the monkey bread (100/10). So sweet and delicious! It came out hot and fresh with a side of ice cream. Definitely sugar overload but totally worth it. And our nightcaps were the Espresso Martini (HAVE to get) and the Campfire Vibes. Both great drinks. Highly recommend this spot for any special night out. read more

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We were up this way for another Yelp event and decided to give them a try. Wow why haven't we been here sooner. I really wish they had a location on the south side. Upon entering I noticed how cute the decor was and how open it was. The kitchen is even behind glass so you can see most of it from your table. This place would be awesome for groups. The servers wear whatever makes them comfortable and fits their style which is a nice touch to the theme. But where the home runs were was the food. We had a hard time deciding on an appetizer as they all sounded so good. We went with the wagyu pigs in a blanket. They are cooked perfectly and seasoned well and juicy. I got the chicken katsu sandwich on Japanese milk bread and o my gosh it was so flavorful and I like anything else you can find around. The breading is light and not overly crunchy. I still think about that sandwich. Hubby ordered the short ribs and he said they were flavorful and tender and juicy. I can't express how amazing the food is here. You just have to give it a try. It's worth it. read more

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I dropped in for an early solo lunch and the service was amazing. I had a nice quiet seat on the patio and my server was so delightful. I had the BBQ Pork Belly Nachos and an overly priced mocktail but it was delicious. The nachos were wonderful! The bbq sauce on the pork was perfect and had a little sweetness to it. read more

Culinary Dropout - BBQ Pork Belly Nachos - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

On the way back from a wedding in Joliet and stopped here for a meal. The food was really good, however, my wife's sandwich had to be remade because the sauces were on it after requesting no sauces. Service was fine, but I would say it's a bit pricey for what you get, but what isn't these days? I'd try again next time in the area. read more

WOW FACTOR? Delightful outdoor seating. HAVE AGAIN: Fantastic bacon wrapped shrimp. Delicious. I almost ordered another trio. Steak frites was very good. read more

Drinks were all pretty good food was cooked to the perfect crispy texture but some of the seasoning missed the mark by a bit or wasn't what I expected Soup of the day was tomato and it very sharp tomato which i liked (I think the server split a bowl into small cups for all of us bc we all wanted to try which was super nice) 9.5/10 Appetizers were decent, we all had diff favs. My order: popcorn shrimp brussel sprouts Wagyu pigs in a blanket truffle deviled eggs truffle fries My groups fav was the pigs in the blanket My Caesar salad was more savory and lemony almost like a lemon vinaigrette dressing Katsu sandwich 7.5/10 They said they make their milk bread in house, and the bread and chicken was so crispy, I would like a bit more sauce on this The spicy rigatoni was not spicy for me but the truffle was there. Pasta texture was al dente chewy 6.5/10 Fish had crispy batter 8/10 Coleslaw and tartar sauce were solid Apple Monkey bread -/10 I don't really like apple pie so biased Mud pie 7.5/10 Banana bar 7/10 very creamy and almost fudgey but more peanut butter than banana read more

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Counter service restaurant with so many options to pick from. From sushi, to sandwiches, soup to salads they have a very extensive menu. I got a vegetarian wrap, and was very pleased with the flavor. Service was good, and it's very bright and welcoming inside. I'm curious to try some different entrees. Every thing I saw come out looked yummy. read more

Culinary Dropout - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I came when it first opened so my opinion may be bias. I didn't care for the fried chicken. The wings were solid, but the fried chicken meal was pretty bland. I hear great things about this place so it may have just been an off day. I would still recommend trying it out, very nice menu. read more

Stopped in here last week and had an overall good experience! The strawberry lemonade mocktail was delicious. The sushi roll we had was surprisingly solid. The Brussels sprouts were good - a little kick to them, so if you're sensitive to spice, be careful. The burger was good, and the service (can't remember her name) was perfect and she was attentive. The mud pie was the only disappointing part of the meal. I'd skip that next time. The vibe was cool - not too loud, so we could actually hear each other. read more

Culinary Dropout - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I've heard so many great reviews about this spot so I wanted to give it a try with my family. We ordered the following: Kids meal Mac and cheese with fries: nice size bowl of Mac and fries Kids meal cheeseburger: burger was a nice size, had to order another side of fries because they were eaten quickly Fish and chips: a lot more batter than fish. Fish was on the dry side. Fries had a good cook and a hint of sweetness. Tempura Shrimp sushi: one the smaller side of for $17 Charred Brussel sprouts: I'd compare them to buffalo Brussels because they were served in a hot sauce which was a different experience as I've only had Brussels in balsamic glazes and such. They were also topped with mint which I'd ask to be left off of visiting again. read more

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Came here with friends and got the soft pretzels and burger. Burger was nothing special, but the pretzels and cheese sauce were delicious and worth getting. Inside was very modern and unique, server was nice and helpful read more

Culinary Dropout - Soft Pretzels & Provolone Fondue - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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I cant say enough great things about this place. First, I love love LOVE the personal style expression of staff. Btw thanks to everyone for the outfit inspos! And speaking of the staff... coolest group of individuals that let their personalities shine while providing the most exceptional service. Today the manager James came by to say hi and check that everything was good...and no it was Great! He was super nice and that was greatly appreciated. The atmosphere is always a vibe! Lighting? Yass!! **insert snaps** Music? live and amazing cover of classics! Another star of the show ..THE FOOD!! Today I had the Roasted Salmon and no words for the fiesta happening in my mouth (thats what she said). Yall today I had water because I'm unbig backing in early 2026. But you cant go wrong with any of their signature or classic cocktails and mocktails. Supremely divine! If you're looking for a quick bite at the bar, brunch with the homies and homettes or a date night. Make a reservation and thank me later. read more

Culinary Dropout - Roasted Salmon* - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Culinary Dropout is intriguing just by the name itself. The first time I was here was sometime last year but returned this past week. They make a mean espresso martini that left a lovely lasting impression. Since it's NEW year I've been on a health kick and had a craving for a kale salad after working out. Naturally, I pulled up Yelp to see what was available at 9:30 PM on a Monday evening nearby. Culinary Dropout was the first result to appear. The hostess, Kaylee who took my order was super sweet and helpful. She was able to answer all my questions and seemed very thoughtful and thorough. She even told me about the gorgeous custom chandeliers that were designed just for the restaurant when she saw me admiring them. I liked that the salad consists of shredded kale as opposed to BIG leafy greens that are heard to eat gracefully and with dignity lol The butternut squash and dates are a nice touch too. Bartlett pears, ancient grains, pistachios, toasted mulberry, white cheddar, maple tahini vinaigrette all help the restaurant live up to its name with the unexpected pairing combinations. Yum! The white truffle deviled eggs are delicious as well. They are made with crispy prosciutto and chives. We waited at the bar for a bit chatting up the bartender who is also a native to Southern California. He was very sweet and genuine and didn't seem to mind me taking photos. I'm planning to return for their lunch specials soon! read more

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It was a good sunny day when we came here in Feb but they have no outdoor seating during warm weather, but they have really big windows that I'm assuming, will open on good weather days. Started with crispy popcorn shrimp and soft pretzels with provolone fondue. The former was very enjoyable, the batter was flavored. The latter was good but it was the provolone that made it enjoyable. Normally pretzels buns on their own will hold up but not this one, it was very plain in taste. Main courses were their Famous Fried Chicken and The Pub burger. Boy, the former was crispy. The breast was tender and flavored. The latter was also very good, the burger meat was tender with hint of crunchiness. Overall, it was a good lunch experience. Service was great and unintrusive. read more

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A few of my friends and I made a reservation for Culinary Dropout on a Wednesday night and had a great experience. We were seated promptly and our server was very friendly! We ordered the pretzels and fondue cheese beforehand and I ordered the steak frites--both were delicious! Apparently the pretzels are made in house. Pretzels were much bigger than we expected and you get 12. However, the inside of the pretzels were kinda dry. It helps that the cheese is VERY delicious! Food was above average in price, I'd say above average in taste, but it still felt like we could've had more for the price. Not sure what was missing, but it just needed something more. Not a bad option for dinner, but if you're taking your family out, it can get pricey! read more

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Great food, great drinks in a great setting! Been there a couple of times and the service was friendly & efficient, warm and inviting each time! And we were there for New Year's Eve and my birthday on one of them. The menu is eclectic but grounded in the Midwest. Preparation is uniquely well-done and the flavors are really good. I highly recommend! A little expensive but worth it. We will be back! read more

Culinary Dropout - NYEve & 58th Birthday?!! Gracefully handled! My 22 YO daughter was impressed! #NuffSaid - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I made reservations for my mom's birthday dinner - it was a total of 10 of us. We went on Super Bowl Sunday at 2pm ...... there were only 2 or 3 other tables full in the entire restaurant. Although our server was nice, he needed help!!! For this restaurant to call themselves culinary dropout, I'm not sure what I was expecting but popcorn shrimp on the appetizer menu was the only good thing! *mindblown* I wanted to love this restaurant so bad & was so excited for my mom to try as she had been mentioning it for awhile. Once all orders had been placed we sat for 1hr for our food to come to the table - my uncle complained to our server after about 30 min but he seemed very unsure about the ETA. Almost as if the kitchen doesn't communicate well with the wait staff. Food finally came and we all (outside of my granny) were underwhelmed I want to give it another try but I'll need to be sure I go not starving because the wait could be pretty long. I'll attach pictures - the food LOOKS amazing but lacked flavor. I will say the decor and space planning was gorgeous! read more

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Culinary Dropout is just like. Super cool. I felt cool being there. Immaculate ambiance, with all the wood paneling, chandeliers, and other wall hangings. Good news, there's mocktails! I got the Sicilian lemonade stand, which is like an elevated strawberry lemonade. I approve! Our service was super fast. We were in and out in 45 minutes, our appetizer was served within 15 minutes. Speaking of which! We got the wagyu pigs in a blanket, which has wagyu beef franks with poppy seed adorned over the encapsulating pastry. These were absolutely delicious and very much worth it. For dinner, we split the 36 hour ribs. This rather piqued my interest based on the name. They were definitely tender. Something that threw me was that the sauce wasn't really reminiscent of a traditional BBQ, which is my preference. Maybe that's what makes it unique. I don't know the story of Culinary Dropout, but my impression is that they try and do things a little differently. read more

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The Asian Crunch salad was TO DIE FOR! The combination of flavors was so perfect. I added grilled chicken to mine.- an excellent protein topper. Veggies so fresh and delicious with small mango slices, avocado slices, cashews, sesame and Thai dressing making the most heavenly combo of savory, salty, sweet and acid. The last time I had Asian salad this good was at the now defunct Chin Chin on Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles back in the day...ahh the memories! Service was swift with a knowledgeable and friendly waitress. Inside decorated in eclectic fashion with grand, beautiful pink tinged chandeliers. Looking forward to trying other menu items! read more

Love the ambiance here! The decor is modern with big chandeliers and low lights. My type of spot! The people that work here are super friendly (and equally give off cool artsy vibes). We ordered the pretzels with cheese to start and unfortunately we were not a fan. The pretzel bites didn't really have too much of a pretzel taste. It tasted more like a roll with a little salt. The cheese wasn't really a standout either. I went with the beer battered fish and chips for my main and I enjoyed it! It comes with coleslaw + fries. Nothing too special about the fries, but it worked with the meal. I'd order it again! read more

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One of the best fried chicken in the city! I wish you could get all dark meat without the upcharge (which they won't tell you if you sub). I'd eat here again and again! Don't let the dark biscuit fool you, it was delicious! read more

Culinary Dropout - Deviled eggs - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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I had the Spicy Vegan Curry. Delish!! Service was excellent, polished, training was evident. Our group was slow to order as people arrived but the server was a pro. Loved lots of natural light inside dining- the next best thing to sitting outdoors since my group chose not to. read more

Last Friday was my 2nd visit to Culinary Dropout and I enjoyed it as much as my first visit. It was late on Friday so there were plenty of open seats. My server was awesome even with it being towards the end of the night. She gave us drink suggestions based on what we like. Her suggestions all were a hit. I got the Brussel spouts appetizer and steak frites entree. Everything was so good! The steak was well cooked and seasoned perfectly. For an appetizer the spouts were a good sized serving and I ended up taking most of them home after opting to eat the frites that came with the entree. read more

Culinary Dropout - Steak Frites* - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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We had a great experience and dinner at Culinary Dropout in Nora! The food and drinks were fantastic, but the service from DJ was truly exemplary. DJ shared his favorite menu items with us, which ultimately guided our order--and what great choices they were! His suggestions for "specializing" our selections made everything even more delicious. If you're headed to Culinary Dropout, ask for DJ! He's funny, incredibly service-oriented, and will help you make some great menu selections. read more

Stopped into Culinary Dropout and tried the Soft Pretzels with Provolone Fondue, Shrimp Tempura Crunch, Mongolian Short Rib, and Chicken Cacio e Pepe. The food was good and everything came out well, but for the price, nothing really blew me away. The atmosphere was the highlight with cool lighting and style, and the staff was friendly and helpful with suggestions. Overall, it's a fun spot to hang out and worth checking out if you're looking for good service and a laid-back place to grab a meal. read more

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I had been to the location in Tempe Arizona, I guess that's what I expected here but it is a little different. Menu is kind of small, but everything was delicious. We were seated by the manager. He was very pleasant, but not a single one of the other workers had a smile on their face. I had the pub burger. It was delicious. My daughter had the turkey pastrami, she really liked it. And my wife had the Asian crunch salad with chicken, and she said it was OK. Service was prompt, and the atmosphere is very relaxed. Good for large groups or small. read more

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Food was okay, service was excellent. Although the servers do blend in here with everyone. Would try again. Definitely recommend making reservations. They have live music, free entertainment. Parking lot fills up quickly. read more

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We only stopped in for a quick drink while my sister's EV was charging at the Supercharger nearby. They have a large selection of beers and cocktails. read more

Culinary Dropout - Double Blind - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I was excited to give this new restaurant in our neighborhood a try! The space is pretty large with lots of seating and what I would call modern glam decor. We were greeted at the host stand and seated quickly and our server came over immediately to take drink orders. I tried the Crispy Chicken Katsu sandwich. The chicken was cooked perfectly and was very crispy. The bread was toasted but soft and the sandwich overall was very good. The fish and chips was beer battered and also fried perfectly. The French fries were good, but nothing spectacular. I would certainly come back, but have to admit that given the menu's price point I was expecting a little bit more. I feel I could get similar quality dishes at other local restaurants at a slightly lower price. That said, I have no complaints about the overall experience or the food, so I think they deserve 5 stars. read more

Culinary Dropout - Crispy Chicken Katsu - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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fun and enjoyable new spot in town! have had great service in person and have also tried take out! i've tried a few entrees and apps as well as a speciality cocktail and all were 100percent yummy! read more

Culinary Dropout - Mongolian Short Rib* - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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We absolutely enjoyed our time at Culinary Dropout. We decided to try something different while we were in the Nora area, and it was a great choice. The service was fantastic and the food was very good. We had the nachos as an appetizer and shared the beef au jus sandwich, which was flavorful and satisfying. Overall, I would give it four out of five stars and definitely recommend giving this place a try if you are in the area. read more

Culinary Dropout - BBQ Pork Belly Nachos - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Stopped in for drinks in the late afternoon while we were waiting for the car to charge and it ended up being a great little pit stop. Service was quick and friendly right from the start, which was appreciated since we were just popping in for a short visit. They have a nice selection of beers, and we decided to try a local craft beer along with the "paper bag special." I learned this was a PBR-esque beer in a paper bag paired with your choice of a mini airplane bottle of liquor. Honestly a great deal and kind of a fun, cheeky drink option. While we were there the place started filling up quickly as the dinner rush kicked in, which seemed like a good sign. The menu looked pretty solid with a lot of comfort food options that sounded appealing. Would definitely consider coming back to actually try the food next time. read more

We stumbled on this great little gem in the heart of Indy's trendy Nora neighborhood on our way to shop at Whole Foods and West Elm. Could have split the breakfast burrito which came with a fondue. Very cool. We were also pleasantly surprised to hear some very good live music coming from a very chill latin acoustic duo whose repertoire spanned from mashing up Ben King's "Stand By Me" with U2 as well as Bessame Mucho! The staff is so friendly and everything is scratch made from the sushi to the charcuterie to the Mississippi Mud Pie. Next time we come back we are filling up the roomy high top tables with more couples. Cheers! Thank you, Abigail, for your amazing service! read more

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I've been wrestling most of this afternoon with how to rate Culinary Dropout, a relatively new entry to the Indy Market that set up shop in Nora alongside sister establishment Flower Child. I've driven by Culinary Dropout several times. The parking lot seems a little wonky to me and it's pretty much been packing them in since it's arrival. However, today I was driving by right after the start of lunch hour and noticed that the parking lot was pretty reasonable. So, I decided to go for it. Culinary Dropout has two accessible parking spots - one offers driver's side access (I'm a wheelchair using driver) and I was able to snag it. You enter and a hosting station is to the right. I didn't get a great sense of the layout, however, there's a lovely area right by the window and I was pleased to snag a two-top there. I'm not usually a fan of two-tops, however, this one worked fine. I inadvertently arrived during their weekend brunch period (11am-3pm on weekends). I'd planned on a more traditional meal, however, after eyeing the brunch menu I opted to eat off that menu. I ordered my usual unsweetened iced tea. I ordered a "Ham & Egg Grilled Cheese," though I requested no egg due to allergy issues. It came with breakfast potatoes. The sandwich came with tavern ham, white cheddar, avocado, and ciabatta. My server mentioned something about getting a side protein, but I didn't see a reference to that on the menu and I'm not into cost surprises. So, I declined. I was very pleased that the server mentioned the sandwich also has tomato - not mentioned on the menu for some reason. The sandwich arrived as ordered. It was very good. The ciabatta, in particular, was just a delightful complement to the toppings. I'm not completely sold on the avocado, though overall I was still pleased. I loved the breakfast potatoes. The iced tea - I have no idea where they get their iced tea, but it's a delight. It has a lightness to it that I really loved. The atmosphere? A winner. Warm and yet festive with a quiet elegance. If you really want to go to a restaurant where the servers remind you how fashionable you're not, this is it. The servers are fashionable yet in a professional way. I really loved it. The only slight, and it's truly slight, downside is that I found my area very loud - part of that was acoustics and part was one particular table. It happens. Culinary Dropout has an Ebites (sign up for e-mail) option that comes with some benefits including a $10 off perk once you sign up (NOTE: This is a little confusing - at one place it says $10 off next $20 order; another place, it says "online order."). Okay, server. Nelly. Impeccably attentive, friendly, and encouraged me to linger and enjoy my iced tea. She had no idea I'd been working on estate stuff - and I really appreciated the friendliness and encouragement to enjoy my meal at a leisurely pace. Oh, and so fashionable. Gee whiz (NOTE: Gee whiz alone tells you I'm older). This is definitely not discount dining, however, if you're in the mood for a better meal, better atmosphere, and much better service, this is where to go. I will admit I pondered a 4-star, however, the service wins me over. 5 stars it is. read more

Culinary Dropout - Corner of window facing area. - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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We came here to celebrate a friend's birthday and we had an absolutely wonderful experience. They atmosphere is super fun and lively. They have all kinds of yummy drink options. There is food for everyone, too! You can sign up for the ebites club and get $10 off your next visit. They also let you get a free dessert for your birthday. I had the chopped chicken salad, and it was huge and fantastic tasting. Highly recommend coming here! read more

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So very much recommend!! From start to finish, exceptional service and food was amazing!!! Drinks are craft and delicious! Everyone greeted us and checked in frequently, above and beyond! We will be back!!! Shoutout to Lexi at the bar and Amaya (sp.?) manager!!!! read more

Culinary Dropout - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I recently tried this out for a girls dinner. Had to try the espresso martini and have to say it did not disappoint. We are app girlies so naturally we tried the whipped feta and tahini dip and that was so flavorful. I could order just that and eat it all myself. The atmosphere was great, I liked that the servers kinda wore whatever. They were able to express their style. Excited to go back. read more

Culinary Dropout - Espresso martini - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Culinary Dropout is a great spot any time of day, but I absolutely love their brunch on the weekends! Their brunch cocktails are some of the best in the city. I'm forever a fan of the espresso martini. They offered to make it with vanilla vodka one time, and it was so decadent! The food is off the charts amazing! Whether I'm trying to make a healthier choice by grazing on their brussels sprouts, or recklessly feeding my emotions by eating my weight in banana bread french toast, I know I'll be leaving there satisfied. Oh, and they offer such charming musical entertainment in the bar area on the weekends. There was a gentleman singing and playing the guitar during our most recent visit. He was so lovely to chat with! Oh, and shout out to my favorite server Sky! He is a true master of his craft, and we request him anytime we dine in. read more

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I visited here with my sister tonight. The staff were very friendly and quick to help. The restaurant was clean with a cool view of the kitchen and live music. I ordered the pub burger with a side salad. The burger was so delicious, filling, and reasonably priced. read more

Culinary Dropout - The Pub Burger - New American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana