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Checkered Flag Tavern

4.2 (194 reviews)
InexpensivePubs, American, Barbeque
Closed • 11:00 am - 1:00 AM (Next day)
Updated 2 months ago

CHECKERED FLAG TAVERN · YELP ASSISTANT

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CHECKERED FLAG TAVERN ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Moderate noise
Divey
Casual
Juke Box

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Recommended Reviews - Checkered Flag Tavern

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The New Yorker
Bonnie L.

I would have NEVER stopped in here to eat. I pass it several times a week as my office is not to far from this location. I was treating a friend to lunch and he suggested Checkered Flag Tavern. I paused. Looked at my Google maps and then asked him, "Are you sure?!?!?" Ugh!" To my surprise, the food was DELICIOUS! The atmosphere was a good clutter. The staff busy but attentive . I had the New Yorker and besides the loud music, I had a very nice lunch and will return. Thank you very much! As it goes, "never judge a book by its cover!"

Stu F.

Last visit was a fluke. Tonight's wings were on point. The ranch was killer. Service was excellent! My faith has been restored

Outdoor patio
Katherine A.

This is a fun, divey bar with a racing vibe, true to its Indy heritage. The walls are covered with interesting race car images and beer signs. Regulars were sitting at the bar and watching the Price is Right on the tv monitors during lunch hour. The bar is dark inside with a mix of tables surrounding a large bar. The menu says the bar has been operating since 1947. We were greeted and told to sit anywhere. The smell of Budweiser filled the air. The menu is a mix of barbecue/smoked sandwiches and wings, hamburgers, salads and more. Our server, Shawna, was bubbly and fun. She was the greeter, bartender and server for the entire bar. She was attentive and a 5-star awesome server. My husband had the special Steak Burrito which came with chips and salsa. The burrito was huge, filled with lots of steak, jalapeños, onions, tomatoes, lettuce and sour cream. The chips were ok. I had the Bbq Loaded Spud. The giant potato is smoked. The toppings had a lot going on. There was a generous serving of pulled pork, coleslaw, and pimiento cheese covered with bbq sauce and green onions. The pulled pork was very good (except for several bites of fat). The potato was filling. Certain nights, they host live musiThere is parking in the rear with a rear entrance through the outdoor patio. They charge a premium for credit cards (so bring some cash!). Checkered Flag is a great stop (less than a block off 465) for a sandwich and beer. And a must visit for a race fans.

A walleye Friday fish special that was horrible! Fish cooked hard couldn't even eat it!!

Old Greasey fish and fries. The fish was cooked so hard in the old grease, biting into old grease hard crunchy batter on the fish! Terrible 1st impression is a lasting one. I couldn't eat it. I was going to call back and share my experience, but I just won't ever go back . ... wasted $15 yukkkkky

Chicken Sandwich and Beer Battered Onion Rings
Dionne V.

Pleasantly surprised they use fresh food. The entrance wasn't obvious but there are two one off the parking in the back and on the side. We were greeted and told we could seat ourselves. This is a neighborhood spot with apparent regulars. The bar and tap are adequate. the decor a hodgepodge of Indiana racing memorabilia and race reference bumper stickers. The prices are good but they do charge for using a credit card. The service was good and the food came out in a reasonable amount of time. We all enjoyed our food. The negative was the cooks without hair nets and long hair and beards. I think it is a good local option for a laid back super casual bite and beer.

Onion rings
Debra G.

Fun Indy 500 decor. We were there for an early lunch. Only 2 other patrons in the tavern. We had excellent service. We ordered a sandwich special that came with fries. The sandwich was on Texas toast, pulled barbecue chicken, American cheese, bacon and candied jalapeños. It was delicious! Also ordered a side of onion rings. Very tasty, not too greasy with a sauce on the side. We've lived on Indy's west side for 30 years and never stopped in until today. Glad we did!

The Texas Jalapeno Spud
Karen O.

A pleasant surprise at the bar/restaurant. Don't let the outside and the area fool you, inside it's decorated in racing decor. This would be a great stop for racers! The menu has a large variety to choose from. I enjoyed the brisket on the Southern brisket melt and more brisket on the Texas Jalapeño spud. Another party had the double cheeseburger. We all enjoyed our food! Our waitress Shelly took good care of us and did a great job

Fried banana peppers  Pulled Pork Sandwich and slaw
Laurie G.

Great neighborhood bar. Not fancy, but plenty of fun race themed decor. Bar tender was attentive and noticed when it was time for another drink. Food was quite tasty bar fare.

Double smash hatch burger
PJ S.

There's always an "interesting" crowd to be found at the Checkered Flag. Bikers, truckers, and local working folk are the regulars. And they are all very nice people....as are the staff. The menu is elevated bar food that goes beyond what you get at your typical neighborhood watering hole. And they have a BBQ pit that serves up some legit smoked goodies. I went with a burger topped with New Mexico hatch chilies. Pretty damn good. I like they provide malt vinegar in the little condiment caddy for the fries. Keep an eye out for drink specials. I got a big burger, fries and tall boy can of beer for $15. How many places can you get away with that in today's economy. Good place.

Jared F.

Stopped by to check out the bbq and food. The bartenders (crystal and Jessica) were fantastic, the food was amazing and the people were great. Had a wonderful time. Truly and 5 star dive bar!

Women's bathroom
Sally E.

Cute place, My brisket sandwich was like dried wood chips. sent it back.Hubby liked his burger that he ordered PLAIN....(but had to scape mayo off and take all the fixing off) .there was only a bartender so service was slow, if you are looking for a "good ole boy spot" then you definitely found it...

Herrmanns
Sheila W.

Some friends and I are doing a tour of neighborhood taverns. This time we visited The AVG, Checkered Flag Tavern and Herrman Brethers Bierwerks. The AVG is definitely a neighborhood tavern. It's cozy and very laid back with high top tables. I ordered an Old Fashioned but mixed drinks weren't really on offer unless it was something like rum and coke. I had a beer. It was fine. We were there for about an hour and a half. I would definitely return. The vibes were slow paced. We moved on to The Checkered Flag. Wowza!! It was a Thursday night but the place was hopping. We were joined by another friend with plans to have a bite to eat. The menu is unbelievable. So much to choose from. We were kind of boring because 3 of us chose the same thing and the other two chose the same item. Two had the pork tenderloin. Both agreed it was excellent. Three of us had the BBQ Pork spud. It's a giant baked potato with butter, a good spread of pimento cheese, moist pulled pork, BBQ sauce, coleslaw and green onions. It was fantastic. Normally the pork can become a bit dry. This was not the case. Cooked perfectly. I was able to order the Old Fashioned. They apologized because they were out of oranges but I was fine. It was a very good drink. There happened to be two musicians performing. I was quite impressed. This tavern was very very impressive. We all agreed to return Our final stop was Herrmann. It's a small brewery tucked away off a quiet street. We were offered several tastings of the beers on offer. We were all able to find something to our liking. I had a porter. There are tables for four spread around the seating area. It's comfortable and definitely a neighborhood haunt. All three places were definitely neighborhood taverns. The Checkered Flag was hands down the best! Indy has so much to offer!

Patio fire Pit
Jeff H.

Good times good people! Food and drinks are even better, it's always a good time with the Checkerd Flag!

Outside

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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1 year ago

Chrystal was the most amazing server/bartender ever for our big group of 16 on Bloody Mary bar. She's a keeper! Food was excellent

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3 years ago

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1 year ago

Tori provided great service for food and drinks. Really a great personality. We will return to the Checkered Flag Tavern.

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

Great little hole in the wall place with great food and good service. Prices are very cheap considering the quality of food

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2 years ago

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2 years ago

Great food prices and beer prices. Always a great experience and take care of the locals. Classic Indy 500 decorations

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1 year ago

Was in town for Brickyard 400 and tried this place. Was excellent. My wife had the Greek salad and I had the hatch double smash burger

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1 year ago

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7 years ago

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1 year ago

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5 years ago

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3 years ago

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3 years ago

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6 years ago

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3 years ago

Great spot for lunch and their wing day when their wings are on discounted. Parking can be tricky but worth it.

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

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4 years ago

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2 years ago

Great bar! Wings are great and the staff are really attentive and ensure you never need anything.

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4 years ago

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3 years ago

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2 years ago

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7 years ago

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9 years ago

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6 years ago

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4 years ago

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4 years ago

Great local place with delicious food! We had the blackened chicken salad, ribeye sandwich! The spicy mozzarella stick things were A+!

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9 years ago

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Page 2 of 5

Ask the Community - Checkered Flag Tavern

Is it only for the over 21 crowd?

As far as I know it is 21 and older due to Indiana alcohol laws. Since it is basically a bar. Please correct me if I am wrong.

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