May I Suggest: Local Celebrity Lunches

Paparazzi, pay attention: You might bump into a local celebrity or two at one of these lunch spots. Indy’s movers and shakers dished on where they prefer to go for their midday meal.

Cassie Stockamp, president, The Athenaeum Foundation

“I love to go to Black Market, as they always have a vegetarian option that delights. Bru Burger has a wonderful quinoa burger that is so large that I can have leftovers the next day! When I’m near the Circle and need a quick lunch, I will often stop by Soupremacy for their Casablanca Harrira vegetarian soup. Just the right amount of spiciness. City Market and Three Carrots: fresh and yummy.

And when I’m in need of greens, I will drop into Marsh and graze from the salad bar: kale, spinach, peas, beets.”

Tully Bevilaqua, co-owner of Gym41 and former Fever guard

“The place I like to go for lunch is called The Midday Deli.

You can make your lunch as healthy as you want, or there are options should you wish to indulge, but the food is delicious and the employees are friendly and efficient. The Midday Deli, like our own Gym41, is a locally owned business, and we like to show our support to other locally owned businesses in the area as much as possible. It is also a business that serves everyone in the community.

One of my all-time favorite dishes is the chicken chili soup!”

Skip DuVall, co-owner, Chilly Water Brewing Co.

“How about La Margarita in Fountain Square. I think it is the best Mexican restaurant in town, and it has great specials. Like many Mexican restaurants, they bring out complimentary chips and salsa, but their salsa is by far the best.

The Burrito Azteca is my go-to, but overall there’s a great variety.  It’s quick and very friendly, with a great beer list too!”

George Hill, Pacers guard

“Benihana! The Benihana Trio is my favorite. They have good variety, and I also like their sushi. I never leave hungry.”

Karlee Macer, state representative, House District 92

“When it comes to professional business lunches, there’s no better place to eat than Barbecue and Bourbon on Main Street in Speedway. The attentive staff and delicious food show the best of the west side. If you’re looking to have a business lunch at a place with amazing food, a friendly staff, and great atmosphere, Barbecue and Bourbon on Main is the place to be.”

Barry Collier, director of athletics, Butler University

“Binkley’s has been a huge supporter of Butler Athletics for years. And it’s also one of our go-to spots to get ready for tonight’s game or to rehash last night’s win. You can’t go wrong with the Strawberry Chicken Salad with a cup-of-chili chaser.”

Clay Robinson, co-owner, Sun King Brewing Co.

“I have to go with Duos. Whether it’s their 29th Street location or the Eskenazi campus, Duos offers delicious, healthy options that rotate regularly and are served quickly. I like taking working meetings there because the cafeteria-style service allows for eating and then getting down to business without interruption. ”

Heather Carpenter, wife of IndyCar driver Ed Carpenter

“My favorite lunch place, whether with kids or for a business meeting, is Illinois Street Food Emporium. They have wonderful customer service, with friendly faces and great staff. There is a diverse menu, and you can’t go wrong with an iced-cookie dessert. Plus, they have many premade frozen entrees to give as gifts for family and friends.

My favorite lunch dessert place is to hit up Nicey Treat in Broad Ripple. They have every flavor of Popsicle-type treat that you can imagine. It’s definitely an entire-family favorite.”

Sheila Kennedy on Shoefly, “Inventive food, good atmosphere and easy parking–plus it’s quiet enough to carry on a conversation.”

Sheila Kennedy, professor and writer, SPEA at IUPUI

“A neighborhood meeting place I often patronize is Shoefly, on 22nd Street. Inventive food, good atmosphere and easy parking–plus it’s quiet enough to carry on a conversation.”

Tamika Catchings, Fever forward

“I love the Slippery Noodle and Binkley’s Bar & Restaurant. I enjoy eating! When I visit the Slippery Noodle, I order the grilled cheese: wheat with Swiss and cheddar cheese, and extra seasoning on the fries. Binkley’s has the best truffle fries ever! And, you can’t go wrong with anything else on the menu. While you’re over in Broad Ripple, during the summer months, you may as well visit the Sno Shack (snow cones) tucked away on the Monon Trail.”

Larry Bird, president of basketball operations, Pacers

“Iaria’s pizza is hard to beat.”

Jennifer Pope Baker, executive director, Women’s Fund of Central Indiana

“I like to support locally owned businesses, and Meridian is my first choice for a business lunch; the food is always fabulous, and the staff remember frequent fliers by name and menu favorites.  The dining room is always full of people you know, everyone says hello to each other on the way in and out, and it is also great for conversations once you are settled with your tablemates.  My two menu favorites are the spinach salad with salmon and the fish tacos.

The Garden Table is a new favorite when I am meeting my girlfriends for lunch; it is a great way to support a small, local, woman-owned business and have a fun and delicious meal. The menu is eclectic; each dish is presented beautifully, and the food is always yummy.  I love that the food is simple, healthy, and locally sourced. My favorites are the Garden Toast and the Kale Salad.”

Sage Karam, IndyCar driver

“I would go to Fogo de Chao. The food there is excellent.  If I’m taking a sponsor out or a crew member, it just gives a nice vibe, and it’s very professional. You can have good talks there because it’s quiet inside.“

Allison Melangton, senior vice president, Hulman Motorsports

Business lunch –  “I like Rolling in the Dough. It’s small and family owned. They have great food and a really friendly staff who can get you in and out quickly. I like to have any of the pasta dishes, and they have great chocolate-chip scones.”

Healthy lunch  –  “The salads at Lino’s are really good, and you can top it off with a really amazing Italian coffee. I get a vanilla latte. There is no coffee like it in the city.”

Fun lunch  –  “I go to Barbecue and Bourbon because it’s old country-style barbecue. The atmosphere is fun, and the people in there always seem really happy. I like to sit at the bar, and the bartender always remembers my name even though I don’t order any bourbon with my lunch.”

Rita Keith, member of Sister Threadgoode

“My favorite restaurant for lunch is Sizzling Wok on Lafayette Road. I discovered this restaurant over six years ago, and I love the food and the staff. I went there having never eaten Vietnamese, and Lucy, the owner, took the time to explain what I should get and showed me how to eat it as well. Since then, when my music takes me to different cities or I’m traveling for fun, I always try the local Vietnamese restaurants. I have yet to find better pho or lemongrass chicken anywhere. I brought my mom there once, and to this day, every time I’m there, Lucy asks about my mom. So there you have it: great food that’s actually healthy. Best food and service and affordable prices. I love this place for lunch and dinner!”

Michelle Janney, chief nurse executive and executive vice president, IU Health

“I love the convenience of Burgerhaus on the canal. Just steps from my office, it’s a great meeting spot for IU Health and IU School of Medicine colleagues, and the fresh air and exercise I get walking there are an added bonus.”

Donna Kreps, executive vice president, F.C. Tucker

“I love going where agents enjoy being, and I like trying new places. Taste in Broad Ripple is a favorite, and closer to my office, you’ll find me at Daddy Jack’s or Meridian, which offers an exceptional atmosphere. I believe in supporting local businesses and local community efforts. On Saturdays, I often have breakfast at the different farmers markets around the city.”

Angie Hicks, CMO and co-founder, Angie’s List

“I don’t have a particular restaurant to cite, but would simply say I’m thrilled with the resurgence of Fountain Square. There’s just a wonderful array of great, independent places. I’m very pro-local, so it’s my favorite area to shoot to for a great lunch. I’ve never had bad service in any of the half-dozen or so places I go to often. Parking is easy, the food is fabulous, and best of all, it’s affordable.”

» The Complete List of Indy’s Great Spots for Lunch
» Indy’s Food Fight: A Lunch Bracket Battle
» May I Suggest: Indy Movers and Shakers Recommend Lunch