Breakfast, barbecue and old-school candies: Speedway places to eat during Indy 500 weekend
Whether you’re hungry for pizza, cocktails or sweets, Speedway restaurants are ready to appease with menus on the weekend of the Indianapolis 500.
Sate your appetite with barbecue and nostalgic treats, and even an opportunity to have money from your bill go toward community causes.
A few are not open that Sunday but are still worth the visit for those in the area that weekend.
For ice cream: Fundae's Ice Cream & Sweets
1515 Main St.; 317-941-7185; visitfundaes.com
Partake in a hand-dipped ice cream sundae at Fundae’s Ice Cream & Sweets.
The store emphasizes accessibility with artwork that includes images of American Sign Language for shop- and race-themed words and phrases. And there's stepstools ready to help little ones select their flavors and watch them being scooped.
The Neapolitan is next level with a dark, rich Zanzibar chocolate ice cream swirled with old-fashioned vanilla and strawberry. But the signature flavor is the "This $&@! Just Got Serious," salted caramel ice cream with sea salt fudge and cashews.
There are non-dairy soy; no sugar added; non-fat Greek yogurt; Italian ice and even caffeinated selections. There's also plenty of seating indoors and out to relax.
Look for the Fundae’s ice cream truck near the track, as well.
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For fried food — to benefit veterans: American Legion Post 500
926 Georgetown Road; 317-244-9625; speedwaylegionpost500.com
Typically closed on Sunday, the American Legion Post 500 is open to all for breakfast and lunch on race day. Stop in for pizza (8- and 12-inch), burgers, fries and chicken fingers and of course, tenderloins, and pull up to the full bar.
The organization looks out for military veterans, their families and communities. All profits go to a charitable cause, such as the Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundation of Indiana, the Legacy Foundation and Speedway Animal Rescue. The American Legion also pays for veterans to go on Honor Flights to see memorials of wars in which they fought.
There’s seating for 180 inside and tables outside the facility.
For a racing museum experience: Union Jack Pub - Speedway
6225 W. 25th St.; 317-243-3300; unionjackpubspeedway.com
Union Jack Pub - Speedway has a lot going with rooms full of racing memorabilia — an entire car is in one of the showcases, much of it contributed by actual racing team owner, crew and driver buddies of founder Rick Rising-Moore.
It also has a lot to offer on the menu between the Chicago-style pizza, build-your-own mac and cheese bowls and huge tenderloins. For fun, a cheeseburger salad brings all the fixings of a great burger (hamburger, onions, tomatoes, shredded cheese, pickles, avocado, bacon and special sauce) to the plate.
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For margaritas: Tacos and Tequila on Main
1502 Main St.; 317-672-4619; tacosandtequilaonmain.com
The giant lime margaritas and tacos with shrimp, mangos, red cabbage and aioli sauce at Tacos and Tequila on Main is a match that is hard to beat. Select from about 20 flavors in 16- and 20-ounce glasses. If you're feeling extra festive, there are 60-ounce pitchers.
For the spiciest burger: Mike’s Speedway Lounge
3701 W. 16th St.; 317-631-8807
This local mainstay is under new management, but the massive Spanish burger is still around. It’s not for the weak. There’s spicy; and then there’s this saucy signature double-thick burger with jalapenos and onions. Smooth out the experience by pairing it with Mike’s perfect sweet potato tots. Or beer.
For a milder dish, opt for the giant breaded tenderloin — so big, it must be served in a pizza box.
A live band performs on Friday.
For commemorative race bottles: Dawson's On Main
1464 N. Main St.; 317-247-7000; dawsonsonmain.com
You say you want to mimic the champion driver chug from a milk bottle? Dawson’s on Main has got you. Even if you're lactose intolerant. Especially if you're lactose intolerant. The commemorative 32-ounce Indy 500 milk bottles come filled with beer and cost $12 each.
Enjoy it on the front patio with the new retractable awning.
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For New York-style pizza: Brozinni Pizzeria at Speedway
1067 N. Main St.; 317-744-2826; brozinni.com
The Big Apple-themed Brozinni Pizzeria boasts pies that start at 16 inches, along with garlic knuckles, dough twisted, baked and dipped in garlic butter sauce. Still, you shouldn't don't miss the huge, moist house-made fudge brownies loaded with chocolate chips. For entertainment, get in some bowling, arcade action or go-kart racing on the property.
For race-themed eats: Big Woods Speedway
1002 N. Main St.; 317-757-3250; bigwoodsrestaurants.com/speedway
Check out the race-themed menu that includes breaded pickle fries topped with beer cheese, chopped bacon, red onion, and a ranch dressing drizzle and Wick’s sugar cream pie drizzled with whiskey caramel sauce. The cocktail of the month is the Hoosier Driver, the restaurant's version of the screwdriver made with Hard Truth original and cinnamon vodkas, lemonade, orange juice and triple sec.
For an old-school breakfast: Charlie Browns Pancake & Steak House
1038 N. Main St.; 317-243-2502
You’re guaranteed to leave Charlie Browns Pancake & Steak House full. The portions are hefty, particularly those of the standout pancakes, made with a malt-based flour since the place opened in 1975.
There's plenty to take in sight-wise as well, with racing decor and memorabilia on every wall and shelf.
For nostalgic sweets: The Famous Soda & Candy Co.
1538 N. Main St.; 317-981-5871; thefamoustomato.com
Goo Goo Clusters. Teaberry chewing gum. Moon Pies. And pretty much any brand or flavor of soda you can imagine. Get to The Famous Soda & Candy Co. for all of that and more. And some you'd rather not (ranch dressing- or bug barf-flavored soda) partake in, but there's something for everyone.
A late-night meal: The AVG Pub
3520 W. 16th St.; 317-916-2814; theavgpub.com
You can get your sausage gravy early, with biscuits, as the pub opens at 7:30 a.m. to serve biscuits on the weekend; or have it later, up until the 3 a.m. when it comes as part of the poutine with fresh-cut parmesan cheese potatoes. In addition to the full menu, co-owner Tito Gomez is serving up his mom's corn rice parmesan alongside chicken in a basil cream.
For scratch-baked desserts: MCL Restaurant & Bakery
6002 Crawfordsville Road; 317-241-9497; Mclhomemade.com
The restaurant is closed on race day, but is open Friday and Saturday for those who want to pick up fried chicken and scratch-made desserts, including pies, cakes and cookies, to take with them to the track.
For affordable family meals: Mug-n-Bun Drive-in
5211 W. 10th St.; 317- 244-5669; mug-n-bun.com
This is another spot that is closed on the actual day of the race, but on Friday and Saturday it offers loads of items for a few bucks each. Tenderloin ($4), hand-dipped onion rings ($3.30); a double cheeseburger ($3.50) and kids meals that start at $4.20 can be ordered from your parked car, at its large outdoor picnic area or in the dining room. The root beer is made inhouse.
Contact IndyStar reporter Cheryl V. Jackson at cheryl.jackson@indystar.com or 317-444-6264. Follow her on Twitter: @cherylvjackson.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis 500 weekend food: What to eat in Speedway, around IMS
