For those who know Indy know of the racial divisions when it comes to the neighborhoods, beyond the 38th street change. Areas within the city where there are food desserts- no large grocery stores or even mini markets that can provide that neighborhood with a sense of being in the forefront of that grocery store's thinking. Cleo's Bodega is in near NW/Riverside, just off MLK drive. Like the the bodega's in NYC, it's both a market and a restaurant. With an array of vegan smoothies and trap sandwiches (which seem to be maybe just grilled cheese), Cleo's offers something for plant-based folks. I got the Beginner's Luck and Avocado Twist smoothies. The ambiance inside is one of community but also affirmation of Black pride, pride in creating in something unique in an area that frankly is pretty bleak. The smoothies were fresh and tasted decent (7.5/10). There is offstreet parking, and while I didn't check out the grocery store part- I'll try to next time I decide to get a smoothie. Cleo's Bodega- a nice thing for Riverside. read more

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At Cleo's Bodega you will not find more fresh produce, better prices, and super healthy options anywhere! The smoothies are the best I've had, and they are less than half the price you will pay anywhere else. Fresh & best, for EVERYONE. read more

Cleo’s Bodega & Cafe - Cleo's Bodega & Cafe...this is the Café Side. The Helly Berry smoothie is VERY good. - Grocery Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

I have been meaning to check this place out, and now that I work close I popped over for lunch. Very friendly staff, and I had a delicious smoothie the avocado twist, and a sweet Thai chilli grilled cheese. There is also a grocery store attached to the bodega that has a great selection! Don't forget to check out all of the art, inside and out! read more

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What a gem! This place combines corner store with neighborhood café effortlessly. The staff is super friendly and patient, making you feel welcome. The food is affordablypriced and tastes great. The smoothie was a favorite! When you finish enjoying your goodies, head over to the grocery side and grab some fresh produce. Nothing like enjoying yourself, cooking your belly and grabbing healthy sides for home cooking, all while giving back to the local neighborhood. read more

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My mother and I needed some fuel before we ran some errands and Cleo's bodega was on our route. We've been here before and like always the cafe was clean, bright, and playing nonstop bangers. My mom got coffee and I got a surprisingly delicious smoothie. The cashier was friendly and speedy when it can to retrieving our order. Before we left we decided to get a bean pie which was amazing! One day I'll have to try their hot meals. read more

Cleo’s Bodega & Cafe - Grocery Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

We loved that it's a community grocer selling fresh produce and other necessities that are needed. The cafe has a great vibe and it had a very diverse clientele. Very clean and warm environment. The staff was friendly and the coffee was really good! If you're in the area definitely support Cleo's! They also have a lot of FREE community resources that you can check out. read more

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Love Cleo's, food selection is healthy. It's a wonderful gathering place. It's critical to our neighborhood.

Mr. Daevon Mann The creator of The One and Done Hoop Dream Sandwich at Cleo's Bodega Cafe!!! Very YummyLiciously YummyLicious!!! read more

Cleo’s Bodega & Cafe - Grocery Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

First time here and I am upset that I am so late. I have been missing out! Energy here was amazing, everyone that helped me with my order was nice. I even had a conversation with some other customers which is cool. It felt so authentic like a true neighborhood bodega! I had raspberry hibiscus tea and this sandwich called the Island Curry. I don't think I've tasted anything like it. It was small but that was ok. Let me say, it reminded me of a sandwich I would make myself after I got home from school. So because it was on the smaller side I just ordered another one. It was chipotle pepper sauce, cilantro Chef Oya's trap butter and Turkey. Man! I can not wait try another sandwich and get a smoothie next time. read more

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Every time I come into Cleo's bodega and Café, I have a time! Between the customer service, the energy, the culture, the artwork on the walls it's all just amazing! Also, the food is really good, seasoned well in the smoothies are Yum. Yum! The manager D is doing some great things in the community, and I love the live music that comes out on Fridays for lunchtime! This is the perfect place to come and work and listen to some music because if the live music is not happening, they have the radio on and the songs are perfect! I would write this five stars if the building was a little warmer, but other than that, it's a happy place to be! Pros Energy Culture Dee Food Smoothies Cons Cold- bring a jacket read more

Do I recommend this place? Yes, yes, and YES. I had an event this morning in their restaurant area which was closed at the time. By the time we wrapped up the workshop, they were opening. They offer vegan cheese and bread. I'm not sure if you heard me. They offer vegan cheese and bread. I just had the best grilled cheese that I've had in a long time. I also ordered a Cleos Frappuccino. Chef's kiss. While waiting, I explored the grocery store and found some chips and candy from my childhood. I totally lost control. Both the store and restaurant were clean. Great customer service. My food and beverage were made to order. I cant wait to go back. They open at 7:30a for breakfast. If you're in the area, make sure to stop by. read more

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Perfect crisp to the grilled cheese. super friendly staff. amazing prices! Going to stop by to try all of the other grilled cheese options. hopefully they get some tomato soup soon! read more

Amazing coffee selections with cool names to go with them. Any sandwich or salad is perfect for lunch!

I'm a little hesitant to post this because it's one of my go to spots and I'm not sure I want to share, but they do to go orders Whether I need a change of scenery to work or am meeting friends for lunch, Cleo's is always at the top of the list. The vibes are great and you're bound to make a new friend. Choose from a signature Trap Grilled Cheese made with Trap Buttah from Chef Oya. My personal favorite is That Other Sandwich (it has sundried tomatoes!) but all of them are delicious. You also have to get a fresh smoothie since you're there. You can also choose from the intentionally crafted blends or create your own. I recommend Higher Vibration or Feel Good Sunrise add spinach. Finally, there's a robust coffee menu: hot, cold, basic, fancy. Or tea. Whatever you like there are options. Parking is plentiful and you can stop at the bodega that's connected to the cafe to pick up groceries before you head home. read more

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Nice little Cafe just west of downtown. Friendly, down to earth folks. A nice variety of Smoothies ( I got the Halle Berry, delicious), desserts, snacks, and sandwiches. Enjoyed the conversation and watching them plan on things they can change/ improve upon to provide the best possible experience for visitors. It's also a nice small event space for poetry, music shows. I'll be back often. read more

Cleo’s Bodega & Cafe - Grocery Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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Cleo's is two things. On one side of the building is a bodega (a mini grocery store). On the other side of the building is a cafe and restaurant. Both are an extension of Flanner House, an Indianapolis non-profit that seeks to lift up the community by providing resources, job opportunities, early childhood education, nutritious food and a lot more to Indy. Cleo's Bodega & Cafe is an extension of this organization, so your dollars spent here turn around and make a direct difference in the community. Pretty neat. This part of Indy is a bit of a food desert, so Cleo's is here to help with that. When you first walk into the bodega, you see lots of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as canned goods, cereal, dairy products -- basically, many things that you would find at a grocery store. There are also laundry products, cleaning products and sundry goods that you need as a person living in this world. What's neat is that Flanner House has a community garden several hundred steps away, and many of the fruits and vegetables that are grown in the garden end up on the produce shelves of the bodega during the spring, summer and fall seasons. We didn't stay very long in the bodega during our visit, because we were actually there to visit the cafe restaurant part. (Pro tip: When you pull into the parking lot, the bodega is on the right, and the cafe is on the left.) Cleo's cafe serves lots of different kinds of smoothies, as well as local baked goods like cookies, muffins and sweet breads. Many of the baked good are vegan, especially the cookies, so you'll find vegan carob chip cookies and vegan snickerdoodles. They also sell sandwiches that feature Chef Oya's garlic butter. I asked the person behind the counter what their most popular sandwich was (because I like to jump on bandwagons), and she said the most popular was the Good Morning, Trapper. It's a croissant brushed with Chef Oya's OG Trap Buttah filled with egg and cheddar cheese. You can get meat for an additional fee, but I went with the way they make it. This sandwich, which is hefty and definitely filling, is $3! Only $3! Can you even believe it's only $3? I hardly could. Looking over their menu, almost all of their sandwiches are $3, and the most expensive is $4.50, which is That Other Sandwich, which my husband got. It's like a grilled cheese brushed with more OG Trap Buttah, then filled with provolone, basil, pesto, sun-dried tomatoes and Italian seasoning. You won't win any award for having the freshest breath, but it's tasty and a good meal for under $5. Cleo's also has salads, soups, chowder and a full coffee menu that includes house specialty drinks. You can get milk alternatives, too, like coconut milk, almond milk and soy milk. There are lots of table to eat at or even work at, as Cleo's offers free wifi. There are also some games and books that you can use while you're there, if you decide to eat there. read more

I'd been meaning to stop by here since I pass it sometimes while I'm driving around for work. I didn't stop into the grocery side but I did grab some food items for my lunch. Everything was delicious and the service was very friendly and helpful. There was ample room to sit and enjoy your food there if you preferred. This space was also very friendly for those with disabilities and for those wanting to sit and work. Not sure if they had wifi, but it was quiet and that can be hard to find sometimes. If you're in the area I'd highly recommend stopping in, even just for a coffee! read more

This cute cafe and bodega is operated by the Flanner House, a local organization which supports food justice, economic development, the community and more. They give people seeking their services jobs at this cafe and they are so lovely. The entire staff - the owner, the person behind the counter and the man operating the bodega were all super friendly. You'll know you're here when you see a big, beautiful mural painting on the exterior wall. We kicked off the outing with co-working in the cafe. I already loved this spot because (a) it's located in a food desert and was much needed and (b) there's a "pay it forward" sign at the counter for you to donate and pay for someone's coffee later in the day. So wonderful! I only ordered a hot tea this time around, but it turned out to be my new favorite flavor - lemon ginger. They have several baked goods and snack items as well. There were several tables and lots of windows, so there was a ton of natural light. I loved how diverse the customers were as well - all different ages, backgrounds and purposes of visiting. The bodega in the back is on the smaller side, but offers a range of packaged food products for super cheap. I snagged some tomato sauce for my dinner that night and was grateful for the affordability. I'll be back for sure! read more

I've been meaning to go since they opened in 2019 but I'm not in the area a lot and then the pandemic hit...anyways I finally went this week! The hype is well-deserved. Step inside the cafe and it's so cute - nice layout with a good amount of seating but feels spacious. Excellent art adorns the walls. Free WiFi. Even better? A great patio that has a lot of tables. Folks are friendly and the food is good. I loved my "the other sandwich" which is a pesto grilled cheese. It was smaller than I expected (I don't get grilled cheese often but at Lincoln Square and they use giant candy thick bread). This is just two regular bread slices. But it tastes great! I just want to share so folks aren't surprised. Honestly I was full after my sandwich and 1/2 the smoothie. Speaking of the smoothie, I got the Westside. It was good! Preparation only took like 5-7 min, so quick service. Chill vibes. I will definitely return! They also have coffee and lots of baked goods, so many options! read more

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Great community spot! I got a smoothie and then read outside for an hour and it was really nice. Check it out!

Good people, smooth vibe, and tasty food. A great place to patronize locally. I just wish they had a bigger menu.

How is this a bodega and does not serve a chop cheese. They don't even know what axel grease is either. Not a bodega. Please stop calling yourself that. I can also get a loosie at a Bodega. read more

Now listen!! I came back in town and was excited to try! The whole vibe I LOVED! The menu and smoothies.. I LOVED! And y'all.. we got to eat and enjoy some live music. It was so relaxing! Now i had got that shredded beef sandwich .. yes Lord! The bun was soo soft! and i got the "West side" smoothie oh double yes Lord!! i most definitely would recommend! And they had people out there selling FRESH veggies! I LOVED IT ALL! The customer service was amazing and it's black owned! Yes I'd recommend!! I'll be back whenever i am back home read more

Cleo’s Bodega & Cafe - Lunching at Cleo's super excited to try!! - Grocery Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

First thing I noticed is that the employees aren't wearing mask or that the mask is under the chin. I ordered the grilled cheese combo and a smoothie. There is really no organization to getting your food. You have to pay attention or you may never get your food. The sandwich was actually pretty good. Prices are affordable. I was disappointed with the smoothie and they were out of trap chowder. I had really high hopes for this spot. I've seen lots of support for this on facebook. Sadly this spot isn't something I'm putting in rotation. read more

Cleo’s Bodega & Cafe - OG garlic grilled cheese. - Grocery Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

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I go here pretty often and I can say that I really do love the establishment, from how fresh and clean they are to how the employees make you feel it's amazing honestly. Feels like I'm back home having simple convo with a couple cousins like family and when they have events it makes it even better, I think it's great for the community and the simple things they do that helps make someone's day is shaping the community, it's how they interact with people you can tell they really love their job. read more

Finally made it into to Cleo's Bodega today. The cafe is great for quick and easy breakfast / lunch options - sandwiches / salads / smoothies / pastry. The team were incredibly friendly and helpful. Big Momma answered all my questions - and even let me know about the garden out back they get produce from. Nikki rang me up and was very pleasant. The space temporarily has patio seating only and if you can't find a spot there there is a nearby park. It's perfectly adjacent to downtown hospitals / IUPUI / ETC.... Their menu is vegetarian also but you wont miss the meat with the stacked veggies and cheeses. read more

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This is a cool low key spot! They have sandwiches and drinks on the affordable side. The staff were friendly and greeted me as I came in. There's local art on the walls and a wall with flyers/business cards for local small businesses too, loving the community support. Food came out quick and was deliciousss! Being from The Bay Area it's been a challenge to find similar foods out here. I will definitely be back for that Island Curry grilled cheese read more

The place is absolutely Amazing! From the music the people and the food!! I had the morning tap and it was so good!! I had the carrot T op and it was more of a treat than a smoothie!! Love this place wish it was open on Sundays to come after church!! read more

Cleo’s Bodega & Cafe - The carrot top is absolutely amazing!! - Grocery Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

This is the new go-to spot for my kindergartner and I on the days I pick him up from school. We love it, and here's why... In the cafe we've experienced: -Incredibly friendly staff who make you want to come back. How? You ask? They remember us, smile, and when they accidentally make a smoothie thats way too big they give us the whole extra cup to take home. :) -Great selection of 5-6 smoothies made with whole fruits and veggies and other healthy add ins like chia, hemp, nut milks, etc. (priced at $4.50). -A pay-it-forward option to assist another customer with payment for a future order. The way it works is you add a dollar amount to your bill and they use it for a future customer via a ticket that they can pay with. -Quiet, clean atmosphere with plenty of seating. -Lots of sunlight coming in through the windows. -Local art (for sale) and some empowering messages. -Clean restrooms (critical when you've got a kiddo tagging along who loves to touch all of the surfaces in restrooms!). In the store we've experienced: -Friendly staff who welcome us in. -Plenty of carts to use. -A treasure-hunt atmosphere, meaning that there are some treasures to behold if you take the time to browse. Example: I got a Costco-sized box full of Clorex toilet wands for $4, and I'm guessing it would have normally been $10-12 at the store. We paid the same price for a case of Stacey's pita chips in individual bags perfect for school lunches. -If you don't want to bother checking expiration dates and/or don't like a treasure hunt, you may want to shop elsewhere. -The selection varies from plentiful to sparse, but they're working to change that ASAP, and I've already seen improvements in the last few weeks. Also, if you're curious where the name Cleo's Bodega came from, I encourage you to check out the murals on the outside of the building (which are beautiful) and google search the names you find there -- and you'll have your answer -- and probably be pretty inspired in the process. read more

I am a big fan of this place. There are so many positive stories behind the scene of how this place came to be and the service it provides the community. But ultimately, it will need to succeed on its own merits and quality to be sustainable. When you drive along MLK Jr, there is a small parking lot on the north side of the building. Just look for the giant mural featuring photo real images of key individuals in the history of food production and Flanner House to our city. On the east end of the building is the cafe. On the west end is the grocery; Same building, but different entrances. My wife and I only visited the cafe which is bright and clean and looked like something you would expect at a coffee shop with lots of folks working on their computers. There are a couple pastry display cases next to the order counter where we were greeted by a pleasant woman. My wife wanted to try a strawberry croissant while I was in the mood to try one of their smoothies. They even heated the croissant since we were dining in. While I waited on my smoothie, I stepped outside to check out the pergola covered patio deck and the new Flanner House Orchard Greenspace to the south. Great view to have an orchard and garden growing next to the patio. By the time I stepped back in, my Banana Berry Smoothie was ready. It was a little bit tart, and definitely cold, so I advise drinking it slowly at first. Because of all the fresh berries, there are a lot of tiny seeds, so be aware of that if you aren't a fan of those. You can also build your own with up to five ingredients. My wife thought the croissant was good, but said that most of the filling was on one end. So, if they could just be sure to fill them a bit more evenly, then she would have given it higher marks. So glad to see the neighborhood have a place for stopping in to get groceries and a light snack/pastry/beverage. It was cool to see all the kids in the neighborhood working on the garden/greenspace next door. With this much involvement, it looks like Cleo's is on the right path. Review #2732 read more

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This is a new lunchtime spot for me. There is plenty of parking and I was impressed to see so many friendly young adults working on the grocery side & the cafe. They were actively cleaning while I was there. The cafe is small and intimate. They have local artists for your listening pleasure on Fridays. The menu items are healthy, simple and very reasonably priced. I ate the best grilled cheese sandwich I've ever had. My recommendation is to order "The Westside" smoothie. It was delicious! The produce looks colorful, fresh and makes it worth the trip. It certainly was better than what I've purchased at the chain grocery stores. If they extended the hours and added more live music, I would definitely patronize them more often. What a great addition to the community! read more

It would be nearly impossible, potentially heartless, to not resonate with the mission behind Cleo's Bodega & Cafe, a lovely little joint associated with the nearby Flanner House that serves to address the food desert issue that has long plagued this Near-Northwestside neighborhood along with providing employment through its connection to Flanner House and a pretty awesome cafe that may not be the best little cafe you've ever been into but it's the kind of cafe you fall in love with and want to support. Accessible area parking is toward the back with an appropriate curb cut. The double-sided glass door entry is fairly manageable; the interior is fairly wide and open with aisles in the bodega, or small neighborhood grocery, wide enough for a wheelchair. Knowing the folks at Flanner House, I have zero doubt this was intentional. The bodega is filled with produce from Flanner House, Urban Farmers, and Brandywine Creek farms organic farming initiatives. In other words, by supporting Cleo's you're also supporting local farmers. There's event space to rent for the cafe! Cleo's Bodega & Cafe was initially funded when Flanner House became the first recipient of an Indianapolis program called the Healthy Food Access Grant. The micro-grocery sells fresh meats, vegetables, and packaged foods. It's definitely a small enterprise, that's what a bodega really is, but it's an incredible option for the neighborhood that also provided paid positions within that first grant. They also offer discounted food due to an arrangement they have with Under the Sun. This whole place is simply a "win-win" situation. While it's true that a business still has to deliver; a good mission alone won't keep a business alive, so far I'm super impressed with Cleo's. The products are quality; my smoothie was awesome, the employees are super friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere is simple yet clean and pleasant. I tried the "Higher Vibration" smoothie and just fell in love with it. Cleo's also has a variety of other options and a beautiful view of the new Flanner House Orchard Greenspace. In short, I'm not only inspired by the creative solution to a serious concern in this neighborhood, but I'm super impressed by the finished product - a bodega and cafe that feels inviting and makes you want to be there. The folks at Flanner House have always been extraordinary, but this is over-the-top wonderful. I definitely recommend a visit! read more

Cleo's Bodega & Cafe is just what the neighborhood ordered! Cleo's was created out of both need and as a labor of love. The MLK corridor has been plagued by businesses closing over the past few years, and the exodus of the neighborhood grocery store was an especially hard blow to the local residents. Cleo's was placed right in the middle of this former food desert, and serves as a beacon of light for the community. The staff are friendly and helpful, and the cafe and bodega are well-lit, clean, and welcoming. The bodega offers a great remote work-space, and has free wifi for customers. The smoothies and snacks are deliciously prepared, and the space is accessible for differently-abled guests. I can't wait to go back to try another of their signature smoothies! read more

I am so excited about the potential that Cleo's offers this area! Not only will it provide employment through Flanner House, it's a much needed grocery store for the area, as well as a meeting space with free WiFi and a great place to connect with others. There's a large outdoor patio area with seating that abuts a large grassy area with some raised beds that may be part of the community garden. The cafe in front has smoothies, Tinker House coffee and teas, as well as pastries and snacks. The back is the grocery part, with parking spots available on the side of the building as well as the street. This is such a valuable resource for this food desert of Indianapolis, and I hope we can all support it and see it flourish and provide for this at risk area for years to come! read more

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Update: Still amazing. Have nothing to complain about. Still have yet to find a rude or disrespectful person. Everyone is amazing! read more

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Cleo's makes a great one stop shop, and I can totally see myself stopping for a coffee in the morning, doing some work on my laptop (free WiFi!), then grabbing some dinner ingredients before heading home. Indy (and especially this neighborhood) is lucky that Cleo's offers so much. The staff on both the bodega and cafe side were all smiles...love that!! read more

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Love the concept and the space. I was looking for a coffee shop to post up for work for a couple hours and my friend recommended this black owned spot! Healthy food, wifi, good music. It was worth the my drive from the Northside! It's actually more than coffee shop and great for the community! For food I kept it simple but everything on the menu and what my friends ordered looked and smelled good. Had a smoothie and salad which were delicious. Not many places have smoothies that are clean, without extra sugars and such so I appreciated being able to customize mine. I also grabbed the chicken salad to go. I think it was curry chicken salad actually. Unique flavor, also delicious. I did eventually get coffee. They offer different varieties with chocolate, vanilla, carmel, etc. I usually just do black coffee with a little cream but opted to try one of specialty menu options. A little sweet for my taste but overall pretty yummy. I would probably get one less vanilla pump next time. Parking was easy. Easily accessible location. Highly recommend. Great alternative to the larger chain coffee shops! read more

I had the Thai chili sandwich and it was delightful. The beginners luck smoothie was perfect-not too sweet. But the star of the show was the pasta salad. Highly recommend this place. Very clean and rich with culture. The Bodega next door had lots of fresh fruit and veggies. read more

This is a hidden Indy treasure. I love shopping here because it is a one stop shop that also supports both a local business and urban farmers. I started juicing a few months ago and the price of fruits and veggies has posed a budget issue for me. When I discovered Cleo's that issue is no longer present. They have incredible sales and every day prices on produce. I went and got supplies for three different juice blends for $11. They also have a cafe on the other side of the store that sells sandwiches, smoothies and Mrs. Murray's vegan products. I picked up a grilled cheese from the cafe. Then, I picked up a Mrs. Murray's vegan pot pie and pineapple upside down cake for dessert. The grilled cheese was tasty and they use Chef Oya's trap buttah to add loads of flavor. The pot pie and cake were so great! Pot pie had the best crust and was very hearty. The cake was so flavorful, I am still thinking about it. Come check this place out! read more

Cleo’s Bodega & Cafe - Vegan pineapple upside down cake - Grocery Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

This is a very people friendly restaurant. The menu not so wide in choices but the few choices available are good if you're a Jamaican/Cuban based food fan. I settled on the beef dog only to find out after the fact that they have plant based got dogs which would have been my first choice. My only problem is that three cashier's when taking your order doesn't tell you these facts, c"we also have plant based got dogs" or "or chicken salad is made with curry". Not a fan but my meal was replaced without complications. The staff is very warm and friendly otherwise. Glad we stopped in to support this business. They're becoming, when I first dropped in when they first opened thru were only serving drinks, so hats off the Cleo's, keep pushing read more

Cleo’s Bodega & Cafe - My sister Barbara and be hanging out trying something new at Cleo's Bodega - Grocery Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana