Aaron Rodgers gives shout-out to Indian restaurant in former Hooters in Ashwaubenon on Aubrey Marcus podcast
Much has been mined from Aaron Rodgers' 95-minute appearance on Wednesday's "Aubrey Marcus Podcast," but for all the national headlines about his darkness retreat, current state of mind and football future, there was also a nice shout-out to a local restaurant.
The Green Bay Packers quarterback touted not butter burgers and cheese curds, which often come up as signature Green Bay fare, but the authentic Indian food at India Bhavan in Ashwaubenon.
Rodgers was talking about how his 18 years in Green Bay has allowed him to get to know the city inside and out and develop favorite places, when Marcus said, "Amazing Indian food in Green Bay, by the way. Surprising. Shout-out to India Bhavan."
"Thank you, guys. Incredible, man. Unbelievable," Rodgers said. "For those of you who don't know where it is, it's where the Hooters used to be, which hasn't been there for a long time, and I have to admit I only was there one time in 2006."
India Bhavan is "definitely an upgrade" from Hooters, Rodgers said. "It's phenomenal. I miss that place."
Rodgers said he would often go every Friday or Saturday and especially anytime Marcus, a holistic health entrepreneur who is a close friend, came to visit.
Rodgers is a frequent customer for takeout orders during the Packers season, said Damodhar Shankar, who opened India Bhavan at 2611 Holmgren Way in 2015 with his wife Priya Shankar. Rodgers has taken photos with some of the staff when he's been in the restaurant, he said.
"I'm really happy he likes our food," Damodhar said. "Whenever he orders, he makes very big orders. Any big order that comes in, we always look forward if it is from Aaron Rodgers."
India Bhavan's menu offers vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes with a variety of spices, including turmeric, a key ingredient in many Indian and Southeast Asian dishes. Specialties include naan (traditional handmade flat bread baked in a tandoor oven), chicken tikka masala and masala dosa (a fermented crepe filled with spiced, smashed potatoes).
The restaurant's many curries are frequently a part of Rodgers' orders, Damodhar said.
The building formerly housed Hooters, which opened in 1998 on the same day as a Packers "Monday Night Football" game and closed in 2013.
Kendra Meinert is an entertainment and feature writer at the Green Bay Press-Gazette. Contact her at 920-431-8347 or kmeinert@greenbay.gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KendraMeinert.
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This article originally appeared on Green Bay Press-Gazette: Aaron Rodgers gives a shout-out to Ashwaubenon restaurant India Bhavan
