10 To Try

Grab a hungry friend and explore these walkable downtown Indy restaurant destinations that fit all tastes and budgets.

The Pumper & Cleaner Environmental Expo International does some-thing to attendees and exhibitors ... it makes them hungry! Fortunately, there are numerous lunch and dinner options in Indianapolis within walking distance of the Indiana Convention Center and downtown hotels.

So check out the varied menus of these popular nearby eateries — featuring ethnic and popular local fare — then enter an address in your smartphone GPS and point your walking shoes down the street.

(Take note that price ranges are a per person estimate not including tax, tip or beverage.)

The Eagle's Nest at Hyatt Regency

1 S. Capitol Ave.

317/632-1234

www.indianapolis.hyatt.com

The Eagle's Nest, perched high atop the Hyatt Regency, slowly revolves, giving diners stunning views of the skyline. The menu, which changes seasonally, provides elegant and creative takes on classic American continental cuisine.

Hours: 5-10 p.m. daily

Price range: $40-$80

Menu sampling: Dry-aged, peppercorn-crusted, bone-in New York strip steak; pan-seared halibut with Parmesan potato gratin; lobster corn chowder; strawberry crème brulee.

Giorgio's Pizza

9 E. Market St.

317/687-9869

www.giorgiosindy.com

If you're in a hurry, you can grab pizza by the slice. If you've got more time, settle in for a whole pie in thin or thick crust style, some pasta or a calzone. And if you're too tired to go out, Giorgio's delivers for free with a $10 minimum order.

Hours: Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Saturday: 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Price range: Slices range from $3-$4; whole pies from $10.95 for a 14" thin crust cheese to $22.95 for a stuffed 16" large. Pasta dishes are $6.45.

Menu sampling: Meatball Parmigianino hot sub; baked lasagna; pepperoni-filled bread sticks; Giorgio's chef salad with black olives and extra cheese; Sicilian cannoli.

Slippery Noodle Inn

372 S. Meridian St.

317/631-6974

www.slipperynoodle.com

Established in 1850, the Slippery Noodle is the oldest bar in Indiana, and has been called one of the nation's top blues bars by Rolling Stone magazine. The Noodle serves up a full menu as well as live blues seven days a week.

Hours: Full menu available till 11 p.m. nightly; late night menu offered. Opens daily at 11 a.m.

Price range: $8-$20

Menu sampling: Shooter of shrimp; BBQ chicken quesadillas; whiskey pepper cheeseburger; filet mignon; Southern-style pork barbeque; chicken and broccoli Alfredo; toasted turkey sub.

Scotty's Brewhouse Downtown

1 Virginia Ave.

317/571-0808

www.scottysbrewhouse.com

Scotty's is perfect if you're dining with a group that can't make up its collective mind about where to go. This huge casual restaurant and bar has an enormous menu, more than 70 beers and countless sports-playing TVs. For those with special dietary needs, there's a gluten-free menu and a low-calorie menu. For those less-restricted folks, there's the "big ass brewhouse burger," which comes with a T-shirt for $36.

Hours: Sunday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday: 11 a.m. to midnight

Price range: $7.50-$20

Menu sampling: Dill chips (fried pickles); Brewhouse Buffalo wings; "Macho Nachos"; spicy sirloin steak sandwich; barbeque ribs; the "Shewman Special" half-pound burger with peanut butter, jalapenos, cheddar cheese and bacon; homemade soup of the day; mile-high grilled cheese; sweet chicken club wrap; homemade German chocolate cake.

Shapiro's Delicatessen

808 S. Meridian St.

317/631-4041

www.shapiros.com

Named one of the Top 10 delis in the country by USA Today, Shapiro's is a must for corned beef fans. Quick cafeteria-style service means more time to savor your sandwich, contemplate dessert from their full-service bakery or simply get back to the Expo!

Hours: 6:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. daily

Price range: $5-$14

Menu sampling: Sandwiches including Reuben, pastrami, and smoked turkey; matzo ball soup; cabbage borscht; Shapiro's bagels; stuffed cabbage; short ribs; stuffed peppers; potato pancakes; sour cream egg noodles; hot German potato salad.

Shula's Steak House at the Westin

50 S. Capitol Ave.

317/231-3900

www.donshula.com/shulas-steak-house-indianapolis

Shula's combines steak and football in elegant, fine dining style. The restaurant is themed after the 1972 Miami Dolphins' "Perfect Season." The menus are even hand painted on an official NFL game football.

Hours: Open daily, 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5 to 10:30 p.m.

Price range: $60-$80

Menu sampling: French onion soup; jumbo lump crabcakes; prime rib; 22-ounce ribeye; roasted corn with bacon and shallots; truffle fries; molten lava chocolate cake.

Maxine's Chicken & Waffles

132 N. East St.

317/423-3300

www.maxineschicken.com

Home cooking is always on the menu at Maxine's, where their slogan is "A taste of love in every bite." This is a menu full of made-from-scratch comfort food.

Hours: Tuesday: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.; Wednesday through Friday: 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Saturday: 9 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; Sunday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Price range: $5-$15

Menu sampling: Jumbo fried chicken wings and waffle topped with peach butter; omelets with house potatoes; smothered chicken; catfish or tilapia with grits; half-pound burgers; fried green tomatoes; candied yams; black-eyed peas; seasonal cobbler.

Fast Burrito Mexican Grill

111 Monument Circle

317/917-8090

www.fastburritomexicangrill.com

If you need lunch in a hurry, but want something a bit healthier than a fast food burger, Fast Burrito offers fresh cuisine prepared using authentic Mexican recipes. Four salsas from mild to extra hot will add just the right kick.

Hours: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily

Price range: Under $10

Menu sampling: Burrito with choice of fillings; burrito bowl; grilled quesadilla; tacos; nachos; salad with chipotle ranch dressing. Fillings include marinated chicken, skirt steak, barbacoa (marinated beef brisket), ground sirloin, or sautéed peppers and onions.

Loughmiller's Pub & Eatery

301 W. Washington St.

317/638-7380

www.loughmillerspub.com

A patriotic décor welcomes diners to this casual, independently owned pub serving up an array of burgers, sandwiches and other traditional American favorites. Choose one of their 35 beers to wash down the hearty pub grub.

Hours: 11 a.m. to midnight every day

Price range: $8-$15

Menu sampling: Bacon and cheese fries; Southwest nachos; homemade chili; Indiana Cobb salad; Loughmiller's Little Cuban sandwich; pulled pork sandwich; English beef sandwich with cheddar and horseradish.

McCormick & Schmick Seafood Restaurant

110 N. Illinois St.

317/631-9500

www.mccormickandschmicks.com

Despite Indiana's distinct lack of ocean coastline, McCormick & Schmick provides 30 seafood choices daily in 80 different preparations, and staff members who can help you wade through the choices.

Hours: Monday through Thursday: 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday: 11 a.m. to midnight; Saturday: noon to midnight; Sunday: noon to 11 p.m.

Price range: $15-$25

Menu sampling: Lump crab tower; buttermilk-fried oysters; lobster bisque; Romano chicken chop salad; horseradish-crusted steelhead; fish & chips; shrimp and Andouille mac and cheese; filet mignon; Kobe burger; pan-roasted wild mushrooms; tiramisu torte.



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