I had the meatloaf dinner. It was great. Tasted like Mom use to make. I had the chocolate German cake for dessert. It was excellent. Very moist and tasty. We will definitely be back. read more

Dawson's is one of my favorite restaurants. I have never been dissatisfied by anything that I've ordered. I don't eat red meat so I can't personally vouch for it, but my husband loves their steaks and pot roast. I've had their salmon, chicken, and salads, all of which are delicious. A few of my favorites are Alaskan Salmon, Tony's Favorite Chicken, and Chuck's Apple Harvest Grilled Chicken Salad. The service is always great. It gets busy at times and you may need to wait awhile, but it's with the wait!! I would highly recommend reservations, especially at dinner time. No matter how busy it is, the staff always keep their attitudes up and the atmosphere fun. You can't go wrong by choosing Dawson's. read more

A great hidden gem! Maybe not so hidden if you are local, but Speedway Main Street is not somewhere you normally would stumble into. We had a great dinner here and a few good local beers. Highly recommended. read more

Had dinner there for the first time last week. The food and service were outstanding. The clientele were a mix of locals and those who came to the destination. A great restaurant in the revitalized Main Street in Speedway. read more

Avoid the Beef Stroganoff. Wife loved the scallops and the Ribeye my nephew had was amazing. They should take it off the menu.

Lots of variety from salads to sandwiches, fish tacos, something for everyone! I got the blackened fish tacos which have cilantro rice, and mango salsa. They were good but I needed a sauce so I got the spicy ranch and it was the perfect touch! Great for dipping my fries in too! Loved that they had lots of outdoor seating and inside seating too if you prefer. Our waiter Jeremy was great and I'd definitely go back! read more

Dawsons On Main - Blackened fish tacos - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

The service and food was amazing. Highly recommend if you're passing by! All the workers were super nice and the place was very clean. Their decor is also really nice. I love that this restaurant feels home-y in a way. 10/10! read more

See all

We went as part of a large party. We had a separate room that was cozy but enough space to accommodate everyone comfortably. We ordered from a fixed price menu intended for groups with lots of meal options. Food was really good. I had the pot roast with mashed potatoes and lots of vegetables. Portions were hearty. Service was great! read more

An unexpected health crisis took me over to Indy's westside on the first day of my vacation and the first day of the Labor Day weekend. Fortunately, I was able to resolve the crisis and on my way home began looking for options for a quality meal and a Yelp review given my desire to hit my 500th review by the end of my vacation next weekend. Dawson's on Main is, as several people have described it, pretty much the definition of a Hoosier establishment, a smalltown restaurant that, in this case, sits in that small town known as Speedway, Indiana and smack dab on Speedway's growing Main Street area. Dawson's has been around since 2006, a time frame that has seen much in the way of renovation and improvement in Speedway including the comprehensive development of Main Street. This area is quite beautiful and very wheelchair friendly with the exception of a handful of pre-existing businesses that haven't quite embraced the "We should welcome everyone" theme. Dawson's is known for top notch service, a quality hand-breaded tenderloin, local brews, and their proximity to the nearby Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Parking in the area is on the street with accessible spots available in just about every block. Parking is free with a 3-hour time limit, though if it happens to be during a race weekend the street is pretty much shut down to public parking. I arrived during the lunch hour on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend. Businesses on Main Street were mostly open, though traffic was fairly modest. I had zero difficulty finding a close by spot. Dawson's offers both indoor/outdoor seating. I was seated at an indoor 4-top. My server, Ashley, greeted me quickly and took my drink order - the usual unsweetened iced tea. They have lunch/dinner menus with a wide range of products including appetizers, soups, salads, sandwiches, meals, and a full wine menu. Most of their sandwiches come with fries as a side, though they do offer some upgrade options. As the hand-breaded tenderloin on a brioche bun is considered a specialty, I opted to try it and stayed with the fries. The bun was lightly toasted, a tad too lightly, and the fries are a notch or two above shoestring but along that same lines. The tenderloin exists somewhere between good-to-very good range. It's not the best I've had in Central Indiana, though I enjoyed it and definitely would order it again. It's a solid 4/5. The french fries were good, though they paled somewhat in comparison to the sandwich. The serving sizes were solid - a couple reviews have mentioned Dawson's being a tad overpriced. I have to admit that I modestly agree. I paid just over $13 for a tenderloin sandwich, fries and an iced tea. It's not outrageous, but it's a tad high. That said, I'd easily go there again. My server? Ashley was top notch. She was friendly, attentive and kind. I got multiple iced tea refills AND one to go. I was especially impressed with the one to go since I'd already paid my bill. I really, really like it when service continues even after the bill is paid. The atmosphere is warm and welcoming. As Britt S. noted, it feels very Hoosier with its brick wall interior and Americana-tinged interior decor. I instantly felt very comfortable there and the people only enhanced that feeling. The tenderloin was a 4. The french fries probably a 3.5. The service? A 5. Overall, I'm going with a 4-star rating. I won't hesitate to return when I'm in the area and this is very nearly a destination spot. In fact, I find myself wondering why it took me so long to discover the place. They also have a sister restaurant - Dawson's Too, in Brownsburg. read more

Dawsons On Main - Hand-breaded tenderloin with fries! - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Hair on my plate that just got ignored @ checkout. We weren't looking for "free", but a discount could have been offered @ the least. I'm out of town and I'm sad to say that I won't be back. We've never experienced a hair on a plate that got ignored. Just saying... read more

Overpriced Texas Roadhouse. I heard good things about this place and got told it was nice but there was nothing spectacular about it. My server was wearing sweats and very rarely came to the table besides for food. The steak was not seasoned and sides were very very small. I got the Mac and cheese and there was absolutely no flavor to it. Highly recommend going somewhere else. read more

My only complaint was that we tried to sit outside, but someone was smoking. We moved inside. Service was great. I ordered the special, salmon diablo. It was very good and they were very generous with the green bean side. I subbed a baked potato. It was late in the evening, so I'm guessing it wasn't the freshest. Hubby enjoyed his tenderloin. Prices were very reasonable given the amount of food. I will certainly be back when on that side of town. read more

Dawsons On Main - Hand - breaded Tenderloin Sandwich - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

See all

This place had really good reviews, so I figured I would give it a try. There aren't really a lot of places I like in the area, so I was hoping to find a new go to spot. I ordered the calamari steak and spinach artichoke dip appetizers. They were both solid. Not really spectacular in themselves. My main course was the seafood trio. It was tasty, but not that great either. We also ordered the beef tips, which were tender and tasty. The staff was kind. The decor was a little rustic. The price weren't bad. My only complaint was that the sea scallops were gritty. I will probably be back. read more

Dawsons On Main - Seafood Trio - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Stopped in for a weekday lunch with my wife, plenty of outdoor seating and people watching right on Main St in cozy Speedway. The pork tenderloin sandwich was tasty and a good portion. Wifey had the crab cakes as her entree and would probably ask for a bun next time as it was a little small for that purpose: Overall a fun, enjoyable experience and we'll probably be back. read more

Got takeout from Dawsons and it was delicious!! Got a cup of signature soup, Caesar salad with a piece of grilled salmon to put it on. Absolutely delicious, will definitely be back! read more

Excellent salads and sandwiches at very reasonable prices. My group did a pick up order, and everyone was happy with the freshness and flavors from the Buffalo to the raspberry vinegarette to the nicely toasted sourdough bread. Thanks to the kitchen and staff for fitting us in on a day where you were super busy in person with antiquing bus tours. read more

This is one of the classier restaurants on Main St in Speedway. They have a lot of stanfard Hoosier fare: burgers, tenderloin sandwiches, fried fish, fries, onion rings, etc. The French onion soup is pretty good too. read more

Dawsons On Main - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

See all

Love this place. I've been here a few times and I haven't had anything I didn't like. The menu is full of options and I somehow always get Chad as my server lol but he's the best. Pictured is the Blackened Chicken Caesar Wrap and the Honey Sriracha Chicken Sandwich. read more

Dawsons On Main - Blackened Chicken Caesar Wrap Honey Sriracha Chicken Sandwich - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Good food, great atmosphere, but super busy all the time...I guess that's a good problem to have. I really enjoyed myself here and I would recommend it to anybody. read more

Staff is super friendly and the food was great portions. They have a great selection of cocktails and they have an extensive menu even on there Sunday menu. Good food. Great staff. read more

Dawsons On Main - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

We are a customer that have been coming at least once a month since you opened. Fist I feel in the last 6 months the food quality has slipped. Also last night we sat at a 4 top in the middle section. No exaggeration we had over 20 people apologize to us for having to slide past us to either get to the restroom or for the help to get to and from the kitchen. At one point a gentleman had to lift a baby stroller over his head and our table. Please eliminate one table so there is a path from one side of the restaurant to the other. read more

We visited Dawson's on a Friday night in august and had a really excellent meal. We shared a tenderloin (obviously), the meatloaf, and a piece of lemon cake for dessert. Everything we had was EXCELLENT. I'm not much of a meatloaf lover but this special recipe was so tasty I almost licked the plate. It's made with sausage and bell peppers. The cake was also delicious. I'm more of a chocolate fan and also found myself excited and thrilled to finish a great meal with this dish. Desserts are all homemade too! I now understand why this is a speedway staple! read more

Dawsons On Main - Meatloaf - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

An average meal... I was expecting so much more. The service was average and the food wasn't anything to wow about. I ordered a cider and a ribeye with the famous French onion soup and Caesar. The salad was fresh and authentic. The soup was adorned with an unmelted pile of cheese that I couldn't stomach. It was a harsh Parmesan that just was too much for me. I scraped it off and the soup got better. The steak was cooked as I ordered it but wasn't the most prized ribeye I have eaten in that it want the same thickness across the steak and I wrestled with cutting it to eat. The place was busy with several large groups on the Wednesday evening I was there- I just wasn't impressed and wouldn't go out of my way to return. read more

Great food, attentive service, enjoyed the whole experience. Ideal setting in Speedway entertainment district. Will be back.

Great food!! Perfect location. Friendly staff!! Daily drink specials. Large room for parties or work groups. read more

A great neighborhood restaurant serving excellent burgers, and the best breaded tenderloin around! Friendly, attentive staff without being overbearing. Fresh brewed unsweetened iced tea, yum. The menu has a wide variety of options including a couple of vegetarian-type dishes. The bar is perfect for watching sports and hang out with your friends. read more

Food was good service was horrible. Visited on 18-Jul-2023. We were seated in a booth which they were hesitant to put us at. People around us were getting their food before us even though we were seated first. We felt the slow service was intentional, or our waitress (dreadlocks) was just not a good waitress. She seemed to tend to everyone but us. We asked for the bill and it took her 10 minutes to bring it to us. Even after I gave her my credit card immediately, it too her an additional 10 minutes to bring back to me. We waited 45 minutes for our food. In total, the 3 of us were there for 1 hour 45 minutes. It will be a long time before I return. read more

We walked in at 4:40 pm on a Friday night as a party of 2 and a high chair. The restaurant was over half empty but I heard them talking about reservations. It took a while to be seated. When the lady seated us ( I believe she may have been a manager or owner) she stated that there was a reservation coming in at 6:30 and we would have to be gone by then. I told her no problem cause I didn't wanna be there that long. I have a 19 month old son and I don't wanna sit at any restaurant for almost 2 hours. The more I sat and thought about it the more I wish we would have just walked out when she said it. We living near Speedway and I have grown up going to Dawson's on Main. We order the same thing every time we go. My husband gets the meatloaf and I get the pot roast. Both entrees comes with mashed potatoes and mixed vegetables. That was fine with me but my husband wanted broccoli instead of the mixed veg. Well went the food came out every thing looked great but the favor was not there. My post roasted was dry and extremely stringy. And the meatloaf was more like Salisbury steak with a mushroom gravy. I hate it say this will be our final visit to Dawson on Main. Between the hostess being rude and the food quality being poor. read more

As much as I like new restaurants that push the envelope of tastes with new combinations, I have to admit that simple food done well still makes for an enjoyable meal. Such is the case at Dawson's which was packed even on a Thursday lunch. To avoid a wait, I was able to sit at the bar where the bartender did a great job. Not only did he manage the folks seated around the counter (it quickly filled), but he took care of all the folks in the room including a large party of 12 that wanted individual checks! That's is efficiency and impressive. He let me know all the daily specials and soon had my order in. I went with a lunch special of the Chicken Salad Sandwich that came with a small side of fresh fruit. I also ordered a cup of French Onion Soup. Being so packed, I expected some delay in getting my order, but was a little disappointed that the soup didn't come out first. Instead, it was served at the same time as my sandwich. The folks who ordered salads as their sides got them ahead of time, so I was hoping the soup would come so I could occupy some of my wait time. The soup did taste wonderful and the cheese was soft and stretchy, the kind where you can separate it with just the spoon, but almost always need your fingers to break those few strands that cling to the cup. Nice flavor with just the right amount of saltiness. The side of fruit was disappointing. Some of the fruit was chilled, some looked a little 'soft'. Some rind was still on the cantelope, but not much. This could have been much better. The sandwich came on my choice of wheat bread which was thick and had a chewy crust that was okay, but not great. There was a large dollop of chicken salad, probably about a cup, in the center of the sandwich like it had been placed by an ice cream scoop. Would have taken much time to spread it evenly? I remedied the distribution, but it just made the restaurant seem like it was taking shortcuts. The flavor of the salad was okay, but I did like that there was lots of chicken and they had sliced grapes which I always appreciate in my salad. Overall, just an okay sandwich. So, I would give a 5 for the service, a 4 for the soup, and a 3 for the sandwich & fruit. They obviously have a good value for the quality of food since the place was packed, so if you want something affordable, then definitely stop by. Review #1974 read more

See all

What a find! Our flight got cancelled so we had a bonus night in Indy. I had never seen the speedway in person so when I found Dawsons within walking distance, it was a no brainer. We made a reservation but with off and on rain, the crowd seemed lighter. We were seated on the patio and it was the perfect vibe. Our waitress Kiely greeted us promptly and gave us plenty of time to decide. She encouraged our "foodie" thoughts to try two different dishes and sides so we did. The tenderloin medallions with Cabernet sauce and mushrooms with green beans and mashed potatoes were perfect. I loved the garlic and skins in the homemade mashed potatoes. My partner had the seafood trip with homemade onion rings and corn and it was super fresh and yummy. We both had a drink from the bar and perfect service the entire meal. Kiely grew up in the area so she was the perfect impromptu "tour guide" for some history of the speedway. We were so well attended to. We even walked down for an up close look at the track and a few pictures before heading back to or car. Thank you Kiely and Dawsons for the extra fun night in Indy. It was perfect! read more

Finally made it to Dawson's and I am so glad I did. I had the special of the day-pot roast. Apparently they have it on their evening menu but not on Sundays. At least that is what the waiter said. If so, they should definitely have it on the menu every day. It was delicious. The pot roast was very tasty and just fell apart. It was served with mashed potatoes and fresh vegetables. First, it was a large portion and it was hot. The mashed potatoes were great but the vegetables were the star- after the pot roast of course. The vegetables included mushrooms zucchini onion green beans and summer squash. They were clearly fresh and cooked perfectly. We also had a delicious light roll that was served warm. The meal was $15. Service was excellent. I will definitely be returning and I will be checking out that pot roast. Mmmm As an update, we went to Dawson's yesterday and we all had the tenderloin. It was hand pounded but appeared thicker than what you typically see. It was hand breaded and so moist that it literally melted in my mouth. I typically don't eat tenderloin sandwiches but I will make an exception for this place. It was just delicious. Their barbecue sauce which is served on the side was also quite good. And again, excellent cheerful service. read more

Dawsons on Main is a Speedway staple and always feels homey and inviting. Service is friendly and I always love the shirts that say, " a drinking town with a racing problem". Tonight I went off my usual (fish and chips) and ordered the salmon and my dad got the horseradish encrusted steak. His was delicious, but I'm going back to the famous fish and chips the next time I go! read more

Dawson's on Main is Indiana in restaurant form. Seriously. When you decide to check out Dawson's after reading this review, please tell me later that I'm right. The breaded tenderloin on the menu, the brick walls on the interior, no-nonsense waitresses and comfortable feeling that reminds you of your one stoplight hometown. I need to spend more time exploring Speedway. Dawson's on Main is a perfect example of this. I recently hopped in for a snack (loaded potato soup, to be exact - don't kid yourselves and call this "healthy soup" - we're talking shredded cheese and bacon bits). The sidewalk seating is fun for a glass of wine and watch pedestrians pass on Main Street. The breaded tenderloin is tasty, by the way. read more

I absolutely adore Dawson's. The staff are so friendly and make you feel like you've come there for years. My favorite day to go is Thursdays because that's when they have half price martini's. I recommend the Nuts 'n Berries or Orange Dream martinis. read more

Dawson's is a gem along the Main Street drag in Speedway. I was shocked that at noon on a Tuesday, it was PACKED for lunch. By the time we left, every table was taken and people had to wait or sit at the bar area. What is this madness? It makes sense, though, because there really aren't many other options on the street. Speedway is trying hard to revitalize (and it looks great with the new streetscape) but the businesses just aren't hoppin' quite like Broad Ripple or downtown. I indulged in a double cheeseburger with fries and it was good! A word of warning: you get bang for your buck here. All of the dishes are huge, including the salads! Maybe share your food if you're not that hungry? read more

Dawsons On Main - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

See all

We had an awesome night on the patio with Jeremy as our server! He made great recommendations and never acted like we were a bother - he knows what it means to serve!! We realized tonight we don't come here enough. Will definitely be back sooner than later! read more

Food is always good. Wait staff is friendly and attentive. Great tenderloin sandwich. Had the beef stroganoff last time and it was delish.

We sat at a table outside on the sidewalk under the canopy. Nice atmosphere. The firecracker shrimp was excellent and the portion was good for the price. I had the chicken parmesan and liked it. My wife had the fish and chips and felt it was ok, But it had a slight fishy taste. Service was very good. We will definitely try this place again in the future the next time we are in the area. We recommend you give them a try. read more

stopped here for lunch. my son got the rueben and i got the beef stroganoff. the stroganoff was good butvthe noodles were over cooked. not terrible but certainly not al dente. the fries however were delicious. read more

Dawsons On Main - beef stroganoff - American Near Me - Indianapolis, Indiana

Good service, excellent food. Many options to please all diets or preferences. Large portions.