Loren’s Alcohol-Free Beverages is no more. The no-ABV bottle shop with two locations in Carmel is now called Orangily, its owners announced this week. In a press release, they say, “By adopting a name and visual identity that resonate with its forward-thinking customer base, the business aims to create a space where everyone feels welcome; not just those abstaining.” The business will sell the same products it always has, just under a new (arguably less descriptive) moniker, which its owners say better communicates the company’s broader interest in “wellness” (as opposed to just living booze-free).

The Turchetti’s Deli brand has also reached its end. The sit-down restaurant arm of Turchetti’s Salumeria at 1106 Prospect St. is now WildFyre Tap, it announced on Instagram. The business—an offshoot of cannabis shop Wildeye Lounge—promises “all your classic Turchetti’s favorites + an expanded menu.” That menu is on two saved stories on Instagram (here’s one and two), with a smashburger, salami pasta salad, and hearty mac and cheese on the current roster.

Niyyah Coffee’s latest location opens tomorrow. As noted back in July, the Fishers coffee shop at 8100 E. 106th St. (317-379-6038) announced an upcoming second location, and now the wait is over: Per Instagram, the doors at its new outpost at 6160 N. Rural St. will open at 10 a.m. Saturday. Expect the same specialty lattes and shaken sugary drinks Niyyah is known for, as well as matcha concoctions, milkshakes, and teas.

Turntable has taken over the old Crackers space in Broad Ripple. The new live music spot at 6281 N. College Ave. recently opened for business, the Star reports. It’s focused on live shows and bands, but with a full bar and robust mocktail menu, I consider it fair Feed territory. A look at its calendar also reveals brunch pop-ups and other tasty events.

Two upcoming Indy hotels promise fresh drinking and dining spots. People who collect IHG points eagerly await the advent of the InterContinental at 17 W. Market St., which the Star reports will open in January. It’ll be home to Astrea Rooftop Bar, which, at 11 stories up, will be the highest rooftop bar in town. A restaurant on the second floor, called Serliana Cafe & Lounge, will serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner—and the chef is Craig Baker, a well-known fixture in the local dining scene whom we profiled in 2021.

Then there’s 21C Museum Hotel Indianapolis, the luxury lodging that’s been planned for the old State Museum/City Hall building at 202 N. Alabama St. since last fall. A recent update from the hotel chain promises “three food and beverage destinations” that will “further provide immersive spaces that spark conversation and create a connection with a signature, locally-inspired, chef-driven restaurant, a lobby lounge and bar, and a rooftop bar.” And with that, I think I just filled my meaningless food and dining buzzword BINGO card—but since none of this will come to fruition until the venue’s planned 2028 opening, I’m sure we’ll be confronted with a whole new slate of restaurant marketing jargon by then.

Bar Ellis will soon open in downtown Noblesville. Current reports sisters Lisa Wampler and Chamron Baird are behind the effort to bring ladylike dining to 841 Conner St. “We felt like many places around here are just slightly more masculine. We wanted to focus more on the girls,” Wampler says. “Men will be here, too. We want couples to come, of course. But we were trying to focus a little more on what we like and what we thought was missing down here.” They hope to open by the end of the year.

CRG’s new Shin Dig is open for business. Indy’s ubiquitous Cunningham Restaurant Group is known for spots ranging from Bru Burger, to Livery, to Vida. Their latest bid for dining destination dominance is Shin Dig, a fun-focused and gently goofy (think cornhole, board games, and casual food such as pizza and wings) spot that feels intended as a breezy departure from the company’s 20 (and counting) other brands. The menu includes playful dish names like the Drove-Over Burger and location-specific nods like the Windsor Park Wedge. It’s kind of fascinating to see this 27-year-old company continue to experiment and iterate when they could just as easily rest on their laurels. Here’s hoping their spirit of inquiry continues. Shin Dig is located at 1351 Roosevelt Ave. in the North Mass area and can be reached at 317-907-6100.

The post The Feed: Turchetti’s Pivots, Turntable Debuts, Shin Dig Lands appeared first on Indianapolis Monthly.

A big change is in the works at Bluebeard. The lauded Fletcher Place restaurant has long been a first come, first served spot, with diners wandering the neighborhood until their table is ready. But this week, Bluebeard announced that it will start taking reservations for its dining room, via Toast’s online platform. But don’t worry if you’re opposed to advance planning: Seats in the bar room will remain walk-in only. 653 Virginia Ave., 317-686-1580

The Prewitt wants you to check out its igloos. A positive side effect of the pandemic was a wider embrace of outdoor dining, but when the weather turns chilly, restaurants that have grown to rely on those patio tabletops are left out in the cold. That issue prompted a proliferation of outdoor dining “igloos,” clear, heated dining domes that allow the outdoor experience even in winter. A few Indy-area restaurants rolled igloos out last year, and now vintage-movie-theater-turned-dining-destination The Prewitt has hopped on the trend. From November through February, diners can rent one of the spot’s heated rooftop igloos for two hours (price is $25 to rent, plus a $100 minimum food and beverage bill). The structures seat six and are stocked with blankets, Bluetooth speakers, and tabletop firepits. Reservations are open now. 121 W. Main St., Plainfield, 317-203-5240

Pots & Pans pies are now available all over. Clarissa Morley’s nearly 6-year-old Meridian-Kessler dessert shop just landed on food shipping company Goldbelly with a menu of the pie business’s most popular offerings. Orders placed today could arrive at their out-of-town destinations as soon as October 29, but be aware that Thanksgiving orders sell out fast and can take longer to fulfill. So make that plan to send a little taste of home now so you’re not scrambling in November. 4915 N. College Ave., 317-600-3475

Tinker Coffee Co. opens its latest location today. The rapidly growing local roaster snapped up the converted fire station last occupied by Chalet this spring after Chalet’s surprising closure. The new shop, which Tinker Coffee calls The Firehouse, will offer a full food menu (including breakfast), with beer, wine, and low-ABV cocktails at night. Starting on October 25, hours will be 6 a.m.–8 p.m., Monday–Friday, and 7 a.m.–8 p.m. on the weekend. 5555 N. Illinois St.

Pull out your dull knives. McCordsville custom blade maker Aric Geesaman will be at (Best Restaurants 2024 honoree) Nicole-Taylor’s Pasta + Market + Backroom Eatery on Friday, October 25, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., where he’ll be sharpening knives for walk-in customers. He’ll also bring his full inventory of available knives for purchase, which—I know it’s early, but—could be a special and amazing Christmas gift, just sayin’. (You can see his lineup online.) 1134 E. 54th St., 317-257-7374

West Fork Whiskey just traded Kennedy-King for Fountain Square. The Westfield-based distillery shuttered its 7-year-old tasting room last month but teased that a new downtown-area plan was in the works. And now the cat is out of the bag, with WTHR being the first to announce the company is plotting a cocktail bar at 1233 Shelby St. on the ground floor of the recently completed Union Square apartment building. The IBJ reports this is the first commercial tenant for the 70-unit building and will occupy a 1,700-square-foot space. According to the Star, that space will “feature an industrial chic design,” (so we’re still doing that, I guess) and—in addition to booze—will offer a “small snack and finger food menu.”

The post The Feed: Bluebeard Reservations, Igloo Dining, Pots & Pans Goes National appeared first on Indianapolis Monthly.

The Southern Dunes Golf Course has a new restaurant. You don’t have to hit a ball at the Gary Player–designed course to grab a bite at its Clubhouse Grill, which (per the Star) quietly opened last month. Daily specials include deals on apps, cocktails, and wings. The lunch and dinner menus rely on a selection of Midwestern classics like burgers, pork chops, and a respectable fish and chips. 8220 S. Tibbs Ave., 317-865-1800

King Dough’s new special pizza is foraged fungus fun. For a limited time, the wood-fired pizza spot from our Best Restaurants list is serving a pizza called the Super Shredder, made with three cheeses, chard, onion, basil, and lemon. But the star of the show is hen of the woods mushrooms foraged by Porch Pizza pop-up founder Eric Neylon. It’s reminiscent of a clam pie (oh, stop) but with a richer, earthier edge. Get it before the ’shrooms are gone. 452 N. Highland Ave., 317-602-7960; 12505 Old Meridian St., Carmel, 317-669-2201

IU Indy’s new cafe has a Fever connection. Tea’s Me Cafe, a loose leaf tea shop that also serves a solid breakfast and lunch, has been owned by Olympic gold medalist/Indiana Fever Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings since 2017; it’s since opened a couple additional locations in the city center. A fourth shop recently opened at IU Indy, the Star notes, at 420 University Blvd. (that’s the student affairs building). The opening is fresh enough that its menu isn’t online quite yet, but we’re told online ordering—which will allow you to skip the line, grab your purchase, and rush to class—might be coming soon.

Gather 22 is turning one this weekend. In its first year in the game, the chic restaurant at 22 E. 22nd St. (317-258-2222) was named on our Best Restaurants list and Eater’s Indy 38 and scored a glowing write-up in the Star. Not bad for a one-year-old business, right? It’s celebrating the landmark moment Saturday, October 19, with events running from 10 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., including costume contests for adults, children, and dogs; on-the-spot tattoos and piercings; and a gin tasting. 

Hey Now Pizza will now come to you. Low-key hipster pizza spot Hey Now Pizza landed in Beech Grove this summer and generated a following for its nostalgic but ambitious menu of pies, sandwiches, and sides. Delivery was available from an in-house staffer for diners in Beech Grove, while everyone had to make the trip to pick up their Palmerski, Home Run, or cheese bread. This week, the restaurant announced that it has hopped on the DoorDash train, which means even the laziest of us can get their Hey Now fix without leaving the couch. Check the app to make sure you’re in delivery range, and make sure to generously tip your driver.

Indy bars and restaurants are going Full Swift. There’s no way you haven’t heard that Taylor Swift will be in Indy in early November; I even got to write a story for our Circle City section on what her visit will bring to the city. One of the things I didn’t have room to cover was the multitude of Taylor Swift–themed drinks, dishes, and specials our local spots are rolling out in anticipation. Our pals at Axios took the task and ran with it, rounding up all the best Taylor treats you can find in Indy thus far. Now, if someone asks if you know about the Eras bake sale at 4 Birds Bakery or the Swiftie Mac Sampler at Filigree Bakery, you can respond, “Yes, all too well.”

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Irvington’s 25-year-old Dairy Queen has closed. Owner David Atherton announced on Facebook that he shuttered the 6245 E. Washington St. business, saying, “I am going to enjoy retirement.” The Star notes that it remains unclear if the business will be put on the market following the closure.

His Place Eatery is the latest local spot with a feature on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. The soul food restaurant (one of our best of the year) will appear on the Guy Fieri–hosted Food Network series at 9 p.m. on Friday, October 11, it announced on Instagram. This season, the show has also featured Argentinian restaurant Che Chori, Pa & Ma’s Backyard BBQ, and Mexican restaurant Tlaolli. You can see what all the His Place fuss is about at two locations: 6916 E. 30th St. (317-545-4890) and 1411 W. 86th St. (317-790-3406).

A weekend fire that scorched the Sunshine Breakfast House and Grill is being investigated as an arson. WTHR reports that the Indianapolis Fire Department has ruled that a series of October 6 and 7 blazes that damaged seven homes, as well as the restaurant at 5116 W. 38th St., were set intentionally. Via Facebook, Sunshine’s owners say the business is temperately closed, but patrons can visit the restaurant’s other location at 884 U.S. Highway 31 N in Greenwood.

Did you know that Indy was once a hot tamale hot spot? Mirror Indy dropped a super fun history of the turn-of-the-century sensation, during which over 300 local venues offered tamales on their menus. These weren’t the masa treats familiar to present-day fans of Latinx food—instead, these 1900s-era dishes were “made with a cornmeal dough, then filled with meat, wrapped in a corn husk and boiled in a spiced brine.” 

Stacey & Rick’s Soul Food is struggling to stay afloat. Rickey Allen Fowler, the owner of the 20-year-old comfort food destination at 3399 N. Sherman Dr. (317-541-1929) tells WRTV that pandemic-era losses have left him “overwhelmed in debt” and “paying out more on my lenders than what actually needs to go into my store.” He’s concerned that without a windfall, the business might be forced to close down and wonders, “What are my options? Who can I turn to?”

Seven people were injured when a driver slammed into Greensburg’s Carriage On the Square Smokehouse. According to a Facebook post by Greensburg police, officers responded to the popular spot on Tuesday after a driver—identified by Fox 59 as former Indiana State Representative Cleo Duncan—allegedly drove a Honda Passenger into the outdoor dining space of the business at 117 N. Broadway St. Two patrons were trapped under the vehicle and were transported to the hospital in critical condition. Carriage on the Square’s owners hope to reopen the restaurant by next week.

The “coming soon” news keeps coming this week. Here are the new Indianapolis restaurants to look forward to in the coming months:

· Fernando’s Mexican & Brazilian Cuisine, a standout on our annual Best Restaurants list, is opening a second location at 888 Massachusetts Ave. That’s the spot that last housed short-lived Mass & Belle Taphouse and, before that, Rooster’s Kitchen. Co-owner Cristiano Rodrigues tells the IBJ that the larger venue will allow them to take on more catering work but that the original location at 834 E. 64th St. (317-377-4779) will remain open. The new outpost’s opening date is TBA.

· Lone Pine, a spinoff of lauded 10th Street restaurant Beholder, will open in Carmel next month. The business, which is planned for 710 S. Rangeline Rd., promises “perfectly aged steaks that are sourced from the best ranches and cooked with intention.” It’s led by Beholder co-owner Josh Mazanowski (high-profile Beholder chef Jonathan Brooks has “no involvement in this new venture” but wishes “these guys nothing but the best,” he says) and is set to open in November.

· The opening date for the Cunningham Restaurant Group’s playfully intended Shin Dig is near, it announced on Instagram this week. The 1351 Roosevelt Ave. (317-907-6100) spot is a casual, family-focused venue that will serve lunch and dinner in a rehabbed warehouse space. Expect pizza, wings, and sandwiches.

· Brazilian steakhouse chain Terra Gaucha will open a Keystone at the Crossing outpost. The open flame grill company launched in Jacksonville in 2015 and aspires to “make its way into the hearts and minds of locals and tourists alike throughout the country.” Its location at 8487 Union Chapel Rd. will open the first week of December, a company rep told IM via email.

The post The Feed: Beholder Spinoff, Fernando’s Comes To Mass Ave, Stacey and Rick’s In Trouble appeared first on Indianapolis Monthly.

WHAT EXACTLY does 24-karat gold add to a plate of risotto? That was the question in the back of my mind as I approached the imposing four-story facade of Tre, which is on the broad plaza of the 1st on Main building in downtown Carmel. A towering wire figure sculpted by artist Jason Myers stands almost as sentinel beside deep blue and windowless doors, behind which is Chris Evans’ high-ceilinged third and unquestionably most ambitious Italian effort, following his two-location pasta spot, Sangiovese. And from the hard-to-snag reservations to the crowds of smiling guests, it’s clear that this is the Italian restaurant many Carmel residents have been awaiting. 

Indeed, a press release in early April made the bold claims that Evans’ 4,800-square-foot “passion project,” which he says is his final restaurant, would offer a “diverse menu” and “exquisite art” to make diners fall “in love with life all over again.” And risotto with edible gold, which most piqued my curiosity. I also wanted to see the polish three decades of running restaurants would bring to Evans’ latest.

Well after its first months of business, however, the menu (which the website warned was temporary) was riddled with typos, not just in obscure culinary terms but also in everyday words like “romaine” and even “gold.” A chef change that brought in former Prime 47 chef Oscar Perez meant the kitchen was still getting on its feet, as well. A promising fried squash blossom starter, while pretty on the plate, was so heavily battered it was limp, not crisp, with a tasty enough but runny red pepper filling.

A platter of fresh oysters came with no explanation of the types from our server. They were presented beautifully, with a brisk mignonette and horseradish-forward cocktail sauce, but the oysters’ adductor muscles weren’t detached, as is customary. That left us to wrestle the flesh out with our Lilliputian forks, not always successfully. A Cognac West from the ambitious cocktail menu was watery and lacked bite. We wondered if the interior design—which included a row of curved brass tubes behind the bar and chandeliers of offset blown glass discs—would be the tastiest part of the meal. 

Thankfully, salads and entrees showed more promise. A tidy mound of roasted red and golden beets, though missing promised watermelon radishes, had a lavish amount of creamy burrata and the right hit of reduced balsamic. Leaning on Evans’ Sangiovese playbook, a generous bowl of pappardelle with “Sunday sauce” was as satisfying as it sounds, especially owing to the short rib in the ragu. The one dish that lived up to the setting was a simply styled yet arresting pan-seared halibut with risotto, which our server steered us toward instead of the one with gold. Here, the gilt was on the crust of the halibut, which broke away in lush flakes above a pool of buttery marsala sauce and truffle-scented risotto with the perfect tooth and creaminess, some of the best I’ve ever had.  

Many of Tre’s early, somewhat puzzling missteps may have been emended by now, given the hard work of Evans’ general manager Francesco Settanni, a native of Puglia, Italy, who arrives early each day to advise the staff. Settanni came to Evans’ restaurants in 2021 after over two decades working at New York City standards, including one used by actor Stanley Tucci in his research for the classic dining film Big Night.

Settani recites regional Italian dishes by heart and waxes poetic about the staples of his home region. Given Settanni’s vast knowledge, as well as local diners’ growing awareness of regional dishes, Tre would be wise to reconsider its commitment to the trappings of luxury in favor of dishes that truly reflect their origins in Liguria, Campania, or Emilia-Romagna.

Instead, there’s a ubiquitous Caesar salad, which we tried on a return visit, perfectly serviceable but so lightly touched on the grill there was hardly any of the advertised char. There’s a delicious pork chop parmigiana, an eye-popping breaded, bone-in cut that’s swathed in house red sauce and bubbling with smoked mozzarella.

And, yes, there’s risotto with gold, which turned out to be a mashup of risotto Milanese and spaghetti carbonara. Visually, it’s stunning—more than answering my question. But with egg in the rice, as well as a raw yolk under the gold leaf, not to mention bits of pancetta and so much saffron the dish glowed, it was almost too rich to finish. I pined for what I’d had with the halibut.

Having tried the respectable tiramisu the first time, we asked what other desserts were made in-house. Our server brought us two scoops of lemon sorbetto the chef was testing, which proved to be bright, creamy, and lusciously true-tasting, a final bite showing a culinary artistry that one hopes, with time, will match the art on the walls.

The post Review: Tre appeared first on Indianapolis Monthly.

Photo by Tony Valainis

IF THERE’S a through line in the menu at Josh Kline and Zoë Taylor’s new restaurant, Borage, it’s “taking something that is super familiar and then putting a little bit of a different twist on it,” Kline says. For example, their Fried Cheesy Polenta Cake evokes cheese grits gone wild with a polenta patty served on a generous layer of house-made pimento cheese, topped by a sunny egg. Bread-and-butter pickles, fermented in-house, cut the richness. The dish’s components are sold at Borage’s attached market, making it “really easy” to recreate the meal at home, Kline notes. “Or you can let us do it, and do the dishes, too.”

Borage, 1609 N. Lynhurst Dr., 317-734-3958

The post Swoon: True Grits appeared first on Indianapolis Monthly.

Photo by Stacy Able

ALL THE BEST boys and girls deserve a little treat every now and then. Here are a few local spots where you can reward Fido for good behavior with a pup cup and pick up a little something for yourself while you’re at it.

Gordon’s Milkshake Bar
Celebrate birthdays, gotcha days, and obedience school graduations with a $3 “Doggie Sundae”—Greek yogurt ice cream, banana, and peanut butter with Milk-Bone sprinkles and a beef stick straw. 865 Massachusetts Ave., 317-453-1360

The Spark
Keep well-behaved four-legged friends occupied with a free cup of whipped cream garnished with local kibble. They’ll be thrilled, and you can sip your cold brew or amber latte in peace at this cute Speedway coffee spot. 1402 N. Main St., 317-771-1062

BRICS
Step off the Monon Trail in Broad Ripple with your pooch for a complimentary cup of whipped cream with peanut butter drizzle. The staff also sets fresh bowls of water out on the deck every morning to hydrate furry friends. 901 E. 64th St., 317-257-5757

Gallery Pastry Shop
On request, this local shop and its sibling, Gallery on 16th, will provide cups of whipped cream for your pet to enjoy on their pup-friendly patios. Multiple locations

The post Taste Test: Paw Patrol appeared first on Indianapolis Monthly.

There’s a significant chef shake-up in Greencastle. The Star reported this week that one of Indiana’s James Beard–recognized chefs has been fired. Sal Fernandez, who led the kitchen at lauded Bridges Craft Pizza & Wine Bar (19 N. Indiana St., Greencastle, 765-653-0021) was reportedly dismissed after “the restaurant owner objected to his social media and involvement with a provocative body art enterprise.” He plans on leaving Indiana within the next few weeks and is considering a move to Florida to “chase a Michelin star.” I’ve reached out to Fernandez and Bridges owner Joyce Green for comment but have not received a response as of publication time.

West Fork Whiskey has closed its downtown location. The distillery’s Kennedy-King tasting room has taken a backseat to its grander location in Westfield in recent years, so it wasn’t a complete surprise when the business announced the September 28 closure of its Bellefontaine Street venue. But don’t write the company off as purely suburban, as they urge fans to “stay tuned for an upcoming announcement that will mark the beginning of a fresh and exhilarating chapter in our Downtown Indy story.” 

Canal Creamery is shutting down for the season. The ice cream window at 6349 Guilford Ave. (behind Canal Bistro) is settling in for a long winter’s nap as of Sunday, October 6, they announced on Instagram, so get that baklava sundae while you can. They’ll return to slinging scoops, cones, and shakes in March 2025.

St. Elmo on a budget? Our friends at Axios tested out the happy hour at Indy institution St. Elmo Steakhouse (127 S. Illinois St., 317-635-0636) and say you can have the spot’s classic experience at a pretty affordable price point. Happy hour runs 4–6 p.m. Monday–Thursday and includes snacks and drinks that are priced at less than a Hamilton each.

The Food Network’s Indy run continues. It’s been a bit more than a month since George Nelson Sr., the owner of fried chicken standout Pa and Ma’s Backyard BBQ (621 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St.) was gunned down outside his business, which makes the news (per WRTV) that the restaurant will be featured on Diners, Drive-ins and Dives slightly bittersweet. The episode was filmed before Nelson’s slaying, so viewers will see host Guy Fieri speaking with the late restaurant owner when the episode airs on Friday, October 4, at 9 p.m. on the Food Network. “When I see the pictures of this episode, I’m just like, ‘Damn Daddy, you made your dream become a reality,’” daughter Brockelle Nelson says.

Some upcoming openings to look forward to:

· Niku Sushi.Kitchen.Bar (those periods aren’t a typo, I checked) is slated for a late 2026 opening at the Union at Fishers District (I-69 and East 116th Street), the IBJ reports. It’s from the owners of similarly punctuated Texas spot Hush Sushi.Kitchen.Bar and promises “sushi and other Japanese cuisine.”

· Garcia’s Hot Dogs, a food cart standby at 16th Street and Emerson Avenue, will be upgraded into a food truck by the end of the year, WRTV reports. The shift came after owner Abacuc Garcia ran into Health Department trouble over efforts to expand his menu.

· Songbird Social House will open on Saturday, October 5. The business, which is located at 7245 E. 146th St. in Carmel, bills itself as offering live music, a full bar, and wood-fired pizza fresh from their 6,000 lb. pizza oven. The opening day celebration runs from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., with music from 7 to 10 p.m. 

· Chapter Book Lounge will open on Wednesday, October 9. The bookstore/coffee shop/bar at 996 Conner St. in Noblesville is already plotting author events, writing workshops, and book club gatherings that’ll be lubricated with wine and craft cocktails.

The post The Feed: West Fork Closure, High-Profile Chef Shake-up appeared first on Indianapolis Monthly.

WITH A VIEW of Hamilton County’s iconic 1879 courthouse, the name for Noblesville’s new full-service restaurant and bar seems like a no-brainer. Making a choice from the CourtHouse Club’s wide-ranging menu might take a bit more mental energy, though. While sushi, sliders, and generously topped flatbreads beckon, pass those up for its substantial list of entrees, which includes a tender 8-ounce filet and a standout sweet potato packed with seasonal veggies and cheese. For dessert, go for the coconut cake or bread pudding. Diners can reserve or just walk in; either way, service is warm, friendly, and efficient, even during its bustling daily happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m.

110 N. 9th St., Noblesville, 463-777-5778

The post New in Town: CourtHouse Club appeared first on Indianapolis Monthly.

Photo by Tony Valainis

Everybody calm down, Jockamo is fine. Misinformation on the impact of infrastructure improvements in some older sections of Greenwood have roiled social media in recent months, with false claims that the city was forcing the closure of The Suds drive-in (350 Market Plaza, 463-444-6052) prompting a mayoral statement and city council confusion in May. Now neighboring restaurant Jockamo Upper Crust Pizza (401 Market Plaza, 317-883-8993), a Johnson County favorite for flavorful, affordable pies since 2010, is the latest to fall prey to Facebook/Nextdoor nonsense.

“We know there is a lot of misinformation out there and we want to clear up any confusion,” the business announced last week. “We are NOT closing, the building is NOT being sold, the city is NOT planning to tear down Walker Plaza, etc., etc.”

The latest round of false claims seems spurred by the closure of a nearby Dollar General location, which Jockamo management says was spurred by a business decision unrelated to street construction in the area. “We have loved being in Greenwood for the last 14 years, and we look forward to serving our loyal customers for many years to come,” the restaurant’s owners conclude. 

Milktooth is in its aluminum era. The influential Fletcher Place brunch and lunch destination will celebrate 10 years in business this October, it announced on Instagram this week. The restaurant at 534 Virginia Ave. is planning events throughout the month to mark the occasion including a parking lot market on October 5 and throwback menu items all month long. Keep an eye on its social media for additional nods to the milestone.

Amara has quietly shuttered. The lauded Indian restaurant and bar at 1454 W. 86th St. shut its doors without fanfare in recent days, about two years after owner Vinita Singh (Aroma) opened its doors. The inventive restaurant was known for its menu of unique specialties, but it appears it struggled to find an audience—tipsters tell me it was often empty even during prime dining hours. Attempts to reach Singh for comment on the closure were not successful as of publication time.

Taco Bell is adding some Hoosier spice. Did you know that Omar Apollo, the Hobart-raised pop star and actor (his debut turn in William S. Burroughs adaptation Queer made a stir at this year’s Venice Film Fest, I hear), is also a hot sauce magnate? It’s true: His recently released Disha Hot, made from a recipe passed down by his Guadalajara-born ancestors, is a respectable blend of roasted tomatillos, lime, and spices that’s been available in limited amounts via online preorder.

Now the condiment is going national at Taco Bell, which is offering packets of the sauce at locations across the country starting this Thursday. “I grew up always eating this sauce and dreamt of bringing it to the world,” Apollo says via statement. “If you love me please buy this because it actually is the best sauce that’s gunna touch ur tongue.”

Now here’s a true crime adaptation I’d like to see. The Netflix execs who greenlit yet another new-intel-free take on the Zodiac have a chance to redeem themselves in my eyes by considering an Indy-focused property that tackles the case of cold chicken. CBS4 has the tale: A patron at the KFC at 5890 Crawfordsville Rd. in Speedway discovered that his food was cold when he arrived to pick his order up last week and engaged in “a verbal argument” with a staffer.

The KFC staffer reportedly told the man the friend chicken had lost its luster because the patron arrived after his appointed pickup time, prompting the customer to allegedly make “threats about being in a gang from ‘South Central’” (Los Angeles, presumably) and to brandish “a black Glock handgun with a loaded magazine and one round in the chamber” in an effort to obtain either a refund or fresher food. The man has since been arrested and was booked on charges of intimidation and criminal recklessness, which if successfully prosecuted could result in a prison sentence of as many as six years.

The post The Feed: Jockamo Rumors, Milktooth’s Tin Anniversary, Amara Closes appeared first on Indianapolis Monthly.