TL;DR: Give it a try, but get there early if you didn't pre-order…read more Food: Best traditional BBQ we've found in the area so far. Service: Service here has always been great, Ben is super friendly and usually comes out to talk with everyone in line. Cost: Average price for BBQ in this area. Overall: Good bbq, only open Fri-Sun and they tend to sell out quickly on nice days so best bet is to pre-order if you know you want bbq ahead of time or be like me and just show up like 15 minutes before they open and hope they still have what you want when you get to the front.

MAN!!! Ben's ROCKS. We arrived on Saturday at 11:50, got in line, and waited. They sold out before…read morewe got to the window and gave us a pie and some sides to take home. We went back Sunday and was able to get 1/2 lb of pulled pork and 1/2 lb of brisket...it was worth the wait. Ben is the friendliest, nicest guy you could meet. You can tell he really cares about his customers and the food. The pulled pork is seasoned so well, so tender, not too fatty and the sauce is very flavorful. The beans and slaw are killer. All around, a fantastic experience. The building itself tells you all you need to know- small business that closes when they sell out. No frills, just dang good BBQ.

Rackx is an awesome locally owned bbq restaurant in Carmel! It's the kind of place that has a…read morefollowing and the clerks know the regulars by name. The menu is a mix of bbq, soul and Southern style cooking. Cornbread, green beans, peach cobbler, etc., included. I had the bbq loaded baked potato with bbq beef brisket. The brisket is amazingly tender and moist. The potato was smothered in cheese, onions, jalapeños and bacon. Yum. The bbq sauces are very tasty. I had the tangy sauce which had a kick to it. My husband had the pork tenderloin sandwich. The pork was hand prepped and breaded and very good. The Sidewinder fries are the BEST in Indy area - hands down and the portion is generous. Everyone was stealing his fries. My granddaughter had the Kid's pork bbq slider with Mac and cheese. She also devoured a corn muffin. She loved her meal. Others had the Pork Bbq sandwich combo with backed beans. The beans are freshly prepared and crave worthy. Pork sandwiches had a generous amount of moist pulled pork. We ordered at the counter and food is prepared fresh so there's a bit of a wait during dinner hour. About half people get their food to go. Prices are reasonable - especially desserts. The dining area is small - maybe five tables. Seating is tight. The patio area outside is nice if the Indiana weather cooperates. I love this place.

My visit to Rackz BBQ was an accident. I'd been scheduled to meet a small group of people at the…read morenearby Pizzology for lunch. However, in planning the meal it had inadvertently been overlooked that Pizzology didn't open until 4pm. So, making a quick change of plans meant that we stopped in at Rackz almost directly in front of the Pizzology building. In case it's not obvious, this is a BBQ joint. There's accessible parking, an appropriate curb-cut, and the entryway is a pretty easy to maneuver one-sided glass door that is level to the ground. I found the interior to be a pretty good layout. There's also outside dining that's available when the weather is appropriate. The menu is consistent with most BBQ joints. Rackz offers both dinners (two sides and drink plus meat) or sandwich combos (only one side). The price range is generally in the $10-20 range, though they also offer some family-style options that go higher. So, we're talking BBQ, pulled pork, pulled chicken, brisket, ribs, and there's even a breaded tenderloin sandwich. They also have a "veggie BBQ dinner." Don't ask me, but it's on the menu. Sides are creative ranging from sidewinder fries to potato salad, mac n' cheese, baked beans, glazed carrots (which I got the chance to try from a fellow diner - I really did like these), and a few other items. I was honestly very impressed with the menu. They also have kids meals and a couple of different Wick's Pies (the classic sugar cream and pecan). I opted for pulled chicken sandwich with sidewinder fries. As we know, I always get iced tea. I really wanted to go for the breaded tenderloin, but I had a full afternoon and that's a splurge for me. However, I was super happy with this meal and would easily order it again. Employees are friendly. The atmosphere is casual and comfortable. Rackz also offers catering and they do have a rewards program. While this is a bit out of my way, I'd easily return when in the area.

We came to city BBQ, which we do a lot! We like coming on Mondays and Tuesdays. On Mondays, you get…read moredouble points in the reward program. On Tuesdays, you get a discount on ribs. Today was neither day. But we have always wanted to try their chili so we thought we would give it a go. It sounded good on a cold day. Unfortunately, we would not recommend it. For a bowl, which was a small bowl in our opinion, it was almost $10. If you got a side and a drink with it, the price is around $15. A bit expensive in our opinion. For the price, at least, the chili was made with brisket rather than ground beef. It was OK. We went to the ice sculptures in downtown Carmel a while ago. The various caramel fire stations were having a chili cookoff. Thank you fireman for your service! You are also very good cooks! One fireman had a brisket chili which was fabulous! In fact, in our opinion, it was much better than City BBQs. As mentioned, we love City BBQ. However, go for the ribs, brisket, and pulled pork. Not the chili. And for a discount, remember to go on a Monday or a Tuesday.

Wonderful hospitality from Fatima (sorry if I spelled that wrong) and Bobbi Brown, very sweet…read moreladies. If you get the blessing of meeting Bobbi Brown, she'll take of you like her own. Don't need to hype up the food too much since it's always on point and tasting amazing!

Stopped by yesterday afternoon and sat at the bar. I ordered a flight of beer as I had not had any…read moreof their beers before. I also tried the Wings, not what I expected. It said they were jumbo smoked wings. I did taste a little smoke in the wings, but it also appeared like they flash fried them before serving. The wings I got were not jumbo. In the middle of the afternoon, it was not busy. I'm not a coffee drinker but I like the concept of the brewery and a coffee bar. They have several TV's and video games, as well as a foosball table and pool table. I also like the outdoor stage area. The staff were friendly.

Immaculate beer selection. And all of their beers are brewed in house. I got a flight and…read moreeverything was GREAT. I also ordered two pizzas with two friends. Both of those are AMAZING. The service was quick. I love the vibe inside. It feels like sports bar meets log cabin. Also I LOVE the massive amount of bike parking. This is a MUST STOP on the Monon trail. If you are in Westfield you need to stop by.

We ordered takeout for lunch and my coworker put me on to Aloha Hawaiian BBQ, so of course I had to…read moresee what the hype was about! Being fairly new to the Fishers area, I did a quick review scroll (as a yelper does lol) and went in with high hopes... and let me tell you, they did NOT disappoint! First off, the menu? Solid. So many options it almost stressed me out, in the best way! I finally landed on the Aloha Special Plate with Hawaiian BBQ Chicken + Chicken Katsu, upgraded my rice to fried rice, and it also came with the mac salad and veggies. Now when I opened that container... BABY. The portions?! Generous is an understatement. They did not come to play! The BBQ chicken was sweet, savory, and full of flavor. The chicken katsu? Crispy, golden perfection. Like... exactly what you want it to be. The macaroni salad was also hitting... creamy, flavorful, no complaints there. Only thing that fell a little flat for me was the rice, it just needed a bit more flavor. But honestly, everything else made up for it. I can't speak on the service or vibe since we did takeout, but based on this meal alone? Yeah... I'll absolutely be back. I've already got my eye on a few more things on the menu!

The mac is the only thing I would get again. The spam musubi was good, but lacked some flavor. The…read morebarbecue chicken also lacked a lot of flavor. The sauces definitely helped, but I was hoping it would have more of that Hawaiian BBQ flavor. The chicken was also a little chewy. I would have liked a larger portion of rice, but that is more of a personal preference. We ordered pick up, so experience inside is limited. From what we saw, it was very reminiscent of island decor. The order was actually ready at the time it said it was going to be, which is always a plus.

5 stars. I entered…read morethis dive bar dressed to the 9's after attending a fundraiser for Prevail. I proceeded to have a seat at the bar as the patron to my left commented that I was grossly overdressed for this establishment. He wasn't wrong, but a girl needed some food! I ordered the smoked wings and a side of fries. I chose water to drink because I wasn't in the mood for anything else. BEST WINGS ANS FRIES!!! TWO THUMBS UP! The wings and fries are perfection. No sauce necessary. I tried the teriyaki but it wasn't to my liking and the wings don't require anything extra. They are perfection straight outta the kitchen as served on butcher paper. The fries are probably the best fries I have ever eaten. Seriously. I'm a fry connoisseur - I know my way around a fried potato! Best part: the price! They are priced appropriately. Portions size is great. Hearty wings, not lil wing dings. I only did 6 wings, but next time I'll do the full 12 and take some home. Better than Ale Emporium - argue with ya mamma, not me! I said what I said. Go Bears....Blackhawks...Bulls...Sky... it's a Chicago themed bar, so I'm sure you can find fans enjoying the games here. I'll be back! See you there!

I've driven past the place many times and never stopped because the exterior is underwhelming…read more Boy, have I been missing out. I came here for the first time to watch a Purdue game with boiler buds. We got a high top that seats 8 and it's perfect for watching sports. The food is large, hearty, and excellent bar food. Be prepared to leave full and with leftovers.

This locally owned bbq spot has scaled back the menu a bit since my last visit. I see a greater…read morefocus on their great barbecue and less sides and beverages. The menu features more carryout and party options. I ordered the barbecued brisket sandwich with tater tots. They have a small number of tables inside where you can eat and watch Pat McAfee on their big screen tv. The food came out fairly quickly. My sandwich was heaping with moist, brisket on a fresh soft roll. Their bbq sauce is fabulous - sweet with a tinge of heat and lots of spices. The tots were crispy. The owners are friendly. We chatted about local sports for a bit. Their hours vary. They close early if they sell out of bbq, which happens frequently. But you can special order for pick up. The shop is located in an old house with two steps at the entrance. I didn't see wheel chair accessibility. The parking is tight, but there are additional spots in back.

You don't come here on a date... because the BBQ might steal your girl. I came for lunch, service…read morewas quick, brisket was solid... moist smoked and perfect texture. The owner confirmed if I wanted sliced or pulled,,, then fatty or lean. Sliced is most difficult to get right IMHO. I was pleased with each bite. Side of potato salad was spot on. This used to be eastern deli with BBQ. The deli is gone and owners are slowly updating house it appears. Priority is the meat. It's clean now... I found it humble yet clean.

I am in the area for work and decided to give this place a try for dinner. Very glad I did…read more I got right in and grabbed a seat at the bar. I had a couple local beers and ordered the Indiana Pork Tenderloin Sandwich with Fries. They were both delicious. The pork tenderloin was piping hot, lightly breaded and had a good crunch on the outside and tender meat inside. The fries were perfectly seasoned. It was very lively for a Monday night and all the TV's had sports on. I enjoyed the food and the atmosphere and got to try 2 local beers that I had not had before.

It was 5 pm on a Friday, and we were doing our best to get ahead of the Mother's Day weekend rush…read more My mother-in-law (my bonus mom) was with us, and Grindstone on the Monon did not disappoint on ambiance. Beautiful space. Warm feel. Exactly what the evening called for. Our server Jill M was the real story. She greeted us warmly, asked if we had questions about the menu, and when we mentioned my wife has Celiac Disease, she didn't flinch. She walked us through every option carefully and honestly. That kind of attentiveness is rare, and it mattered. Here's the honest part: the kitchen uses a shared fryer, which limits options significantly for anyone with gluten sensitivity or food allergies. My wife made it work, but the choices were thin. For a restaurant at this level, I'd love to see that change. Food allergies aren't going away, and guests who want to celebrate special occasions deserve more than a gluten-free bun as their only path forward. The food was genuinely delicious. Drinks never ran dry. Jill was never far. We all left saying it was a great meal. Four stars, and I mean it. Jill earns five on her own. I'd go back without hesitation. I'd just hope the kitchen catches up to what the front of house already delivers.

TLDR: I basically tried the whole menu at this point and every is super yummy. I would say the…read morestandouts are the short rib, spicy chicken wings, cold noodles, and squid stir fry. Small cozy space but feels pretty homey. All the banchan you could ever want and more (we got 13 today!) Super flavorful, a little salty on its own so perfect with rice Garlic beans, potato, cucumber, and acorn jelly stood out to me Galbi so flavorful and thick and juicy and a little smoky 9.5/10 Spicy chicken wings - sweet honey, savory and spicy all balanced 9/10 Chicken is a little small but the sauce makes up for it Bibim nengmyeon - first time having this, didn't think any noodles could be chewier than boba; it was good contrasting with the galbi 8/10 Soondubu 8/10 - very flavorful and cozy homemade tasting with the veggies Vibes: just food, no music owners were super thoughtful with all the gloves, scissors, and utensils

I was amazed how great the food is here. And I was pleasantly surprised that you get 25 appetizers…read morewith your meal. Half of the appetizers were known to me and were wonderful, while the other half was a food adventure. I ordered the spicy chicken sauté and my wife got the mild version of the same. You get a good size portion and it was absolutely amazing and very tasty. You have the option of having the restaurant chef cooking your meal, or you can have them bring the ingredients to you and you can cook it yourself on the in-table cook top. The service was very friendly and attentive. The restaurant is new and the dining area was very clean. Parking in front is very small and challenging. I recommend you park in the rear of the restaurant. This restaurant was a great experience and I know we will come back again.

This is a hidden gem!!! Such an adorable outside venue!! Our server was so funny and friendly!…read more And, the food is ABSOLUTELY DELICIOUS!! Super delicious! We had a soft pretzel and fries as starters, then double bacon cheeseburgers and those great chicken wings! We WILL be back here!!! YUMMMMMM!!!

Tried this place again and had an improved experience:…read more PROS: +appreciate the repurposed school building and their chosen decor that is focused on the highlighting the building's history +our server, Bradley, was very pleasant and hardworking +like the Baked White Bean Hummus ($14), which is served warm with hot pita bread triangles +really enjoyed the Greek Goddess Salad ($17), especially the fried olives and crispy checkpeas +love the fries ($3.50), which were a generous portion size and tasted awesome with their natural cut and however they prepare them +the Belgiumnasium 18 Mo Boubon Barrel-Aged Quadrupel ($1 / oz) is dangerously good and one of the best beers I have had CONS: -awkward, tight table spacing placed my wife and I in a table tucked somewhat inside a brick cove of the small room in the northwest part of the building with our neighboring table perpendicularly against our own (and they were tight on their other side to the next table and so forth) -no buffer on the exterior northwest door meant cold air shot through each time someone entered via that door and made things chilly -wife asked for mustard for our fries and then noticed we were charged $1 for the sauce container they provided -they were out of the 1st beer I was interested in (bit it worked out since I loved the 2nd choice I went with) -price point seems a little high for a decent bit of their food options OVERALL We are pescetarian, so that limits our menu options. However, each of the items we ordered had excellent flavor. I would come back again purely for the fries and beer. Might need to scout the table options in order to identify where we would prefer to be seated for a more comfortable dining experience.