Perhaps you’re going to Indianapolis for the Indy 500 festivities in May, the Brickyard 400 in July, or one of the many business meetings and conventions held in the city throughout the year. You’re in the Midwest, so you’re looking for a simple but delicious meat-and-potatoes classic for dinner. Sure, you could get a great meal at one of the national chains – Morton’s or Ruth’s Chris or Sullivan’s or Shula’s – there’s one of each in town. But why not check out the locally-owned establishments? Here are six steakhouses that the locals say are the best.
St. Elmo Steak House – 127 S. Illinois St
This is the place visiting conventioneers choose to eat – on the company’s dime, of course. It’s also where you’re likely to run into celebrities in from out of town. The wood-paneled walls and rooms with tin ceilings give you the feeling of an old-fashioned men’s club. There’s nothing nouveau about the menu – colossal shrimp cocktail, prime rib, thick filet mignon are the staples – just honest-to -goodness steakhouse classics.
Mo’s A Place for Steaks – 47 S. Pennsylvania St.
A little less clubby, but no less upscale, Mo’s décor is marked by gold metallic walls and broad storefront windows. Located downtown near the Circle Center Mall, the menu features a variety of cuts from a petite filet to a hefty 24-ounce ribeye.
Dunaway’s Palazzo Ossigeno – 351 S. East St.
Right by Conseco Fieldhouse, in a landmark historic building moved to its location so as to avoid the wrecking ball 15 years ago, Dunaway’s offers aged prime steaks as part of Mediterranean-flavored menu. The wine list has 120 varieties to chose from, with a perfect match for every item on the menu.
Broad Ripple Steak House – 929 E. Wesfield Blvd.
A little bit away from the heart of downtown in the Broad Ripple neighborhood to the northeast, this aptly-named steakhouse features the standard cuts – ribeyes, strips, filets – and a rather wide selection of seafood as well. The place also differentiates itself from more traditional steakhouses by its late-night martini-bar, The Upper Room – located, of course, upstairs.
Bynum’s Steakhouse – 3850 S. Meridian St.
If you are hoping to run into Indy car or NASCAR crews during racing season, head about four miles south of downtown to Bynum’s. There’s a second generation running this family-owned restaurant these days, but it’s just as good as ever. Their specialty is a juicy, 32-ounce prime rib that is unmatched anywhere in the city. It’ll be tough, but see if you can save some room for their homemade desserts, too.
Peterson’s Restaurant – 7690 East 96th Street, Fishers, IN
Technically, Peterson’s isn’t in Indianapolis itself. But it’s location, hard by the Indy airport, is close enough to qualify and it just flat deserves to be on the list. For ten years, owner Joe Peterson has been living up to his goal of providing fine dining in a great atmosphere. Sure, there’s fresh seafood on the menu, but the steaks are the stars – ribeyes, porterhouses, and the signature double filet.
