The Gen Con Thread (Indianapolis, IN)

[ascendance]

In about 30 hours, I'll be on a plane to Indianapolis, for Gen Con. From my experiences last year, I know I can look forward to 4 days of Steak n' Shake and Chik n Fila. Does any Chowhounders have any better suggestions? Especially in the dt area?

BBQ and Chicken Fried Steak suggestions would be well appreciated.

[Danimal]

The Slippery Noodle does chicken fried steak. Its typical bar quality, but about $7 and its downtown There are a lot of BBQ places in Indy, but i haven't been to any. Boston butts are $1.18 this weekend, and I have just about collected everything for a homemade smoker. If there is a breeze out of the north, you might catch a whiff.

I second the Workingman's Friend for burgers. They are good, though it gets hyped in Indy. Its a little better than steak and shake, but if steak and shake wasn't a chain then everyone on chowhound would rave about and tell people to drive 200 miles to eat there. Steak and shake even toasts their bun, which WMF does not do. Yeah, its fundamental. Don't get the tenderloin, you will find better in an indiana high school cafeteria.

[jaymor]

if you get this in time, i woud like you to try a place called skyline chili....there are a few in the indy area.......try the hot dog chili or the regular chili ......you wont believe what you will experience.......i am from los angeles and when i visit there, i never miss having my fix.......i usually ask for xtra cheese.....enjoy

[napolean]

For southern soul food try The Country Kitchen or for burgers try The Working Man's Friend. Both are independents and you'll have to be a bit adventurous to venture out to these places. They are both less than 2 miles from the circle.

[porkanista]

There are so many good places to eat downtown, I can't imagine just having comfort food...and I enjoy my share of comfort food. Car or no? If not try Mass Ave, R Bistro is tasty, but there are several good dining places to choose from there.I like Barcelona, Rathskellar, and hanging out at Nicky Blaine's, among other things. 38th and Lafayette road area has a great selection of ethnic restaurants, if you have transportation. Anyway,I think the closest place to downtown with decent chicken is the Iron Skillet. If you have a car, go to Hollyhock Hill in Broad Ripple. I don't eat fried steak, so I don't know where to go.

[IndyGirl]

Yats is on Mass Ave and has great cajun food. I could go for a plate of it right now.
Lots and lots of places north of DT that are ethnic cuisine--if you'll have access to a car or other transport let me know.

In the downtown mall (circle center) there's a good Italian place that I can never remember the name of. It's downstairs and kind of near the food court that has a sushi place. They have good pizzas and caesar salads. I think it is a chain but a very limited chain--there are only I think 2 or 3 locations. I think it is right by one of the entrances to Parisian--opposite end of the mall from Nordstrom.

Oceannaire seafood room is good but pricey. Also a very limited chain, IIRC.

There are some other places downtown---Elements is one that has very elegant local fare. Expensive. People also talk about RBistro but I've never been there.

There are lots of great places. Indy is way more than chains. Let us know if you'll have transportation and the options will increase from there.

[Cookiefiend]

Gen Con is in the Convention Center - I think. Maryland and Capital. All kinds of places around there - many are chains but I think there are places besides just Steak n Shake and Chic Fil A.

IndyGirl is talking about Bertolini - it's in Circle Center Mall (east 1 block from the convention center) at the north end - right by PF Chang, Champps and Ruth Chris's. A bit down Illinois from there is Palomino, a bit further south is St Elmo's. Just a bit down the street on Maryland is 14 West. Washington St. has several sandwich/bar type places. Meridian Street also has several places - you could google Meridian Street restaurants
( http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&... ) and find a few - and there are several bar type places and a comedy club around Union Station.

The Mass Ave area has several different restaurants - Yats, Agio, Elements, R Bistro, Scholars Inn (just had a make over) and a few small fun places - not to mention the great shops and art. It's a bit of a walk from the convention center.

I can't think of a barbeque place or a chicken fried steak place in downtown - you'd have to venture out a bit for that.