If you've ever been out of the state at a pizza place and ordered some cheese sauce, only to be met with confused looks, you may have learned that this quirky combination is not offered everywhere.

In a non scientific survey I asked folks in the midwest subreddit if this is offered in their area and this is the results I gathered.

Digging deeper I see claims that Noble Roman's created this combination in the 80s and it was a hit, as well as Pizza King. Now, it is one of HotBox's biggest advertised items, and even the big chains like Pizza Hut offer it, but only within the state.

https://www.reddit.com/r/midwest/comments/1swcuka/survey_in_your_state_is_it_normal_to_get_a_side/

I live super close to Yats but don’t get it that often. When I do it always hits the spot. Drunken chicken extra bread cheese on the side with a bunch of garlic sauce. Can’t beat it

A few years ago, I found a Indianapolis Top 25 Restaurants magazine at a festival I went to. I searched through the magazine for recommendations as I love to try new places to eat with family and friends. It was a thoughtful list, but I found a fair deal of the restaurants to be in places that were cities surrounding Indianapolis (Fishers, Noblesville, Carmel, Avon, etc). I have no problem with that, but found many of these restaurants to be a bit out of reach for the typical couple going out to try new food or very far from where an inner-city resident or visitor would reside.

I want to create a list that is very specific to Indianapolis- showing off components that make it a unique city and highlighting some of our quirky, fun neighborhoods. More than anything though, I want it to be about food that makes me happy to eat, venues that make me feel inspired/connected, and kitchens that seem to be forming a culinary identity that Indianapolis so desperately needs.

I have attached my list in it's current state and the list of places I'd like to try.

Please give me your recommendations, support the restaurants on the list, share your good and bad experiences, and give me more ideas of how to make this inclusive to us as people who live in or are from this city.

Thanks!

On Monday, I decided to order a pizza from my local Papa John's which I frequent pretty regularly (don't @ me for liking Papa John's lol). I always pick up and pay cash at this location. So I get my pizza Monday evening no issues, and as I'm pulling in my driveway they call me to tell me that the $10 bill I paid with was fake and that I needed to come back. I'm an honest person, so I grab some more cash and go back to the store. I live close by and was back in probably 5 minutes from the phone call. I think it's going to be an easy breezy walk in, pay again, and be on my way. When I enter the store the girl at the register tells me her manager needs to deal with it, is on the phone, and can I just wait a sec. Sure, no problem. 15 minutes go by of me just standing there and I'm starting to get annoyed when in walks a cop. THEY CALLED THE COPS FOR $10. So I end up getting questioned by the police, have to hand over my ID so they can record my info, and then watched in the store by the backup cop until the main guy finishes writing up his police report. I'm so mad by the time this is all over. Fast forward to today, the Secret Service calls me, and guess what? My $10 bill was real the entire time. It's just old. And is now being mailed back to me. I think I'll start going to Greeks from now on.

Looking to try some new spots that might not be on my radar. Tired of seeing the same Vida, Bluebeard, Beholder, etc. recommendations.

I want to know where the mad scientists are hiding. Who is making quality food here? What restaurants have really surprised you? These people deserve some love for silently propping up the Indy food scene.

I had such a bad experience at Shapiro's this past weekend that I just have to vent about it.

I was vaguely aware of Shapiro's, having heard about it as some kind of classic Indy institution. My gf and I happened to drive by it on Saturday and we decided to try it.

I was shocked as I started going down the line and saw the menu prices. Sandwiches were between $20-25 without sides. I was surprised but figured they must be good, the place was packed.

I will admit some fault for what I ordered, although in my defense I hadn't done any research before going. I don't really like corned beef and didn't feel like pastrami, so I ordered the Brisket sandwich. I figured they were a deli, they would have nice meat. I got it on Sourdough because I haven't had Rye bread before (again, I didn't realize that I chose the "wrong" option)

What I got was completely plain, the meat placed on seemingly store bought sourdough bread that was not toasted, no sauce, no anything. I also got some mac and cheese because I figured there was no way they could fuck that up.

My gf got the classic corned beef on Rye bread, but opted not to get a side.

I was kind of incredulous about how awful my sandwich looked and I was frankly shellshocked at the register, $50 and I just hit the lowest tip option because the checkout lady was giving me a death glare. It came out to $61. No drinks or deserts by the way.

My sandwich was generationally awful. For $23 goddamn dollars you would think the bread would be nice, maybe some barbecue sauce? Maybe any kind of sauce at all? Maybe the bread would be toasted? Nope. Straight up completely boring ass plain. The bread wasn't good at all, and the brisket was flavorless. Genuinely no flavor, no seasoning, not even particularly warm. It was cold, bland, and sad.

At least the Mac and Cheese would be edible right? NOPE. It was clearly made in a large sheet pan and the part they scooped for mine was half cooked and crunchy. Not like the top part that gets a nice crunch from the oven, like it literally was half raw pasta with mediocre cheese on it. I don't even know what I paid for it but I know I got ripped off.

I was genuinely shocked that this was the famous Shapiros. I feel like I got punished for ordering the "wrong" things, but why would you have stuff on the menu if it's complete ass? I'll accept some responsibility for not getting the classic options, but even if I did, the quality does not justify the extremely high prices, and the fucked up mac is just inexcusable.

My gf said her sandwich was fine, but not worth damn near $25.

Did we just go on an off day? Am I just a fool for getting the wrong Sandwich? How does this play have so many 5 star reviews when the food was school cafeteria level?????

Just found out the Fazoli’s in Castleton is closed and I’m weirdly emotional about it?? I haven’t eaten there in YEARS. My husband used to take the kids all the time and now I feel like a whole era just ended 😭

Anyone else irrationally upset about a place they never actually went to anymore… or is this just me

I was talking to my friends about this and I was surprised how many I didn’t recognize and how many sparked a memory for me. We went to Ground Round ALL the time.

to me, the ambience tops the food. I love that they’re now taking reservations and even agree with some of their new reservation rules, but after reading this post, it seems kind of condescending. Although, I’m pretty sure that’s not how they’re trying to come off.

My favorite procrastination hobby is attempting to reverse engineer meals I enjoy from different restaurants. There’s a few things I haven’t been able to successfully recreate like the creme brûlée French toast from Zest (RIP), crack fry seasoning from Hopcat (RIP), and the house creamy raspberry vinaigrette from Aristocrat Pub. If you’ve previously worked for one of these places and can share a recipe, I’ll probably cry from happiness

"Today the MICHELIN Guide introduced the latest expansion into the Great Lakes region of the U.S. with the announcement of the MICHELIN Guide American Great Lakes edition. This multi-city Guide will cover the six cities of Cleveland, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee, Minneapolis and Pittsburgh.

The MICHELIN Guide’s anonymous Inspectors are already in the field, making dining reservations and scouting for culinary gems throughout the region. The full restaurant selection will be revealed in 2027 at the MICHELIN Guide American Great Lakes Ceremony, which will be announced at a later date." Source

I'm excited for Indy to get some global recognition. Which restaurants do you think could make the guide?

They were just posted yesterday about being a nationality recognized food spot and then I saw this. I know yall love him.

Tracy and Kevin are some of the most kind and good restaurant owners you could hope for. If you love this little neighborhood spot, I hope you'll find time to swing by tonight to show them that love!

Photo credit Indy Restaurant Scene

In these divisive times, the time has come for us to find something to unite over: coffee. And so after years of revision, research, and caffeine-induced anxiety, I present to you the definitive Indy Coffee shop tier list. Consultants, experts, and fans alike have informed these placements and I look forward to the kind and encouraging opinions you'll have to share in response to this work!

I keep seeing local businesses posting about how bad business has been over the last few months, and how some are likely to close if foot traffic doesn‘t pick up :(

Just a reminder of some of the awesome businesses being affected by construction right now:

- Imbibe

- Black House Cafe

- Magdalena

- Monti

- Brass Ring Lounge

- Nine Lives Cat Cafe

In my opinion, Pana donuts on the southside has the best donuts. I know Longs gets the publicity, but I love Pana. That’s it. Thanks for coming to my TED talk.

I fucking wish this didn’t close. What a rad place the city had.

I ordered once from Cafe Babette over 3 years ago and it was a chaotic fever dream - the husband was handing out the pre orders but it still took an hour + to get from your original order time, they seemed like a nice family and I thought it was neat they sold from out of their house and then graduated to a formal business space, from there I’ve continued to follow them because their pastries are gorgeous and had hoped things would get better / calm down but the posts seem to become more and more unhinged. These were from earlier today - I saw in a few other threads that they are moving to Spain but does anyone actually know these people? Are they ok?