Shoyu Shop at Strange Bird is a ramen restaurant in Irvington, Indianapolis.
Shoyu Shop at Strange Bird in Irvington, Indianapolis pours deep shoyu broths and runs tantanmen, with a tiki cocktail program from the host bar.
Signature dishes: Tantanmen, Shoyu ramen
Must order: A bowl of shoyu ramen and a Tantanmen to share, plus a tiki classic.
Tip: Closed Monday. Strange Bird's bar runs late on weekend nights.
Address: 128 S Audubon Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46219
The Eagle Mass Ave in Indianapolis fries half-chickens brined in-house and runs Southern sides on Mass Avenue's busiest corner. The line moves fast.
Signature: Fried chicken, Spoonbread
Order: Half a chicken with spoonbread and the kale salad.
Tip: No reservations. Get on the standby list at 5:30 for a 6:30 weekend table.
The Rathskeller in the Athenaeum, Indianapolis has poured pilsner and served schnitzel in the cellar since 1894. The biergarten is one of the best.
Signature: Schnitzel, Bratwurst, Pretzel
Order: Wiener schnitzel, a Sun King on draft, the soft pretzel with beer cheese.
Tip: The biergarten opens late spring through fall. Weekend live music in the Kellerbar.
Bakersfield Mass Ave in Indianapolis runs Mexican street tacos with over 100 tequilas and an American whiskey list on Mass Avenue. A trusted stop in the city.
Signature: Street tacos, Queso, Mezcal
Order: Three street tacos, the queso, a mezcal flight.
Tip: Late-night kitchen Friday and Saturday until midnight. Walk-ins only.
Shapiro's Deli in Indianapolis opened in 1905. The Reuben, the corned beef on rye and the matzo ball soup have run the same counter for a century.
Signature: Reuben, Corned beef on rye, Matzo ball soup
Order: The Reuben with a side of macaroni salad and a slice of sugar cream pie.
Tip: Order at the counter, find a table. Weekend breakfast 9 to noon.
Workingman's Friend in Haughville, Indianapolis is a 1918 lunch counter. The thin-patty smash double cheeseburger is the West Side standard.
Signature: Smash double cheeseburger
Order: The smash double cheeseburger with mustard, onion and pickle.
Tip: Cash only. Lunch counter; in and out. Closed Sunday.
Yats Broad Ripple in Indianapolis runs Cajun-Creole on North College for over two decades. Bowls of jambalaya, etouffee and drunken chicken.
Signature: Chili cheese etouffee, Jambalaya
Order: The chili cheese etouffee with crawfish, the cornbread.
Tip: Order at the counter. Hot sauce on the table.
