A few days ago I got together with some old friends of mine for lunch and they had suggested going to John’s Famous Stew in the near SW side of town near downtown and Eli Lilly’s. We live in three different corners of the Indy area so a near downtown location is a happy medium for us. I honestly couldn’t remember the last time I had been there. Many years. As a matter of fact I think that it moved and is now in a different location since the last time I saw it?…and for some reason I remember it being called John’s Hot Stew? I’m not sure, but if so, obviously that was before they became more famous!
Now this place doesn’t look like much from the outside…which is kind of an understatement. But after the first peek inside the front door you know you have arrived at a real restaurant with real people and real food. Of course they serve stew, but they have a large menu with quite a variety. Since the stew is famous though, I figure you have to order that. The stew comes in three varieties…mild, medium or hot. Guess which one I chose? The place was was almost filled to capacity at 11:00 when we got there and was jam packed, overflowing soon. One way, maybe the best way, to tell if someplace is a good restaurant is if it is full of people.
Don’t come here if you want to schmooze with the in-crowd or have a power lunch surrounded by high-rollers in Armani suits. Blue collar is the correct fashion statement and just good ‘ol All-American cuisine. John’s Famous Stew is located at 1146 Kentucky Avenue.
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