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| Justin and Ben Risinger |
It's come a long way since the 1960's, and not just the name has changed. If you've visited the bar before, it's transformation into the pinnacle sports bar on the Ave. over the last few years makes it a must visit for any sporting event, any time of year. They have 19-40" High Def. Televisions, with every possible sports package available, and the largest outdoor seating area in the Mass. Ave District, as well as adding some much needed windows and doubling their floor space inside the restaurant. Its conveniently located only a few blocks from major sports venues like Banker's Life Fieldhouse and Lucas Oil Stadium. It's a sports fans dream.
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| Jumbo Chicken Wings |
Devin and I sat down with Ben Risinger, PR Guy for the Page and Creator of Doitindy, to talk shop and eat some great food. Now, before our visit, I jumped on the Front Page website to scope out the menu, so I would at least have an idea of what I'd like to try out. When we sat down and I took a look at the menu, everything was different. Ben let us know that the main focus of his work with the bar was to eliminate some of the typical bar food items that you could get at any bar, and put good LOCAL food on the menu. Ben along with the owner (also Ben, Ben Knapp) and the restaurant chef, have put together a new menu that shows off their culinary chops. They make nearly everything on the menu from fresh local ingredients, hand-cut and bread things like their fish (Fish and Chips), Jumbo Chicken Wings and Chicken Fingers. This creates a quality on the menu that you will not find at any other sports bar in the Downtown area, and Front Page really takes pride in creating this quality all the while supporting local food and businesses.
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| Black and Bleu |
Now when it came time to order, there was a bevvy of different tings to choose. Ben suggested we try a little of everything, so Devin and I started with the restaurant's Jumbo Chicken Wings and some celery. These weren't your everyday BW3-esque wings. Because they cut and bread their own wings, the wings have a bigger size/better taste.
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| Philly Cheesesteak |
After eating our delicious appetizer, it was on to the main course. The three of us ordered a ton of food, including the Black and Bleu Burger, The Smothered Burger, Fish and Chips, and a Philly Cheese Steak, with sides of fries, onion rings, and slaw. The food was delicious, and the burgers were cooked to near-perfection, as they just sort of melted in my mouth. My favorite was probably the Philly, because the beef is marinated in-house to give it a signature taste. Even the bread adds to the dish, as it too is also purchased from local merchants.
The food did not disappoint, and neither will the bar. It's got nearly every alcohol/beer/mixer you can imagine. The bar has also seen improvements not only in their selection, but in just buying better quality mixers, and tapping into the local beer market and supporting brands like Sun King, 312, and Bell's.
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| Behind the bar at Front Page |
After finishing up our meal and as the lunch rush winded down, owner Ben Knapp came out from his post in the kitchen (runs lunch everyday as owner/operator) to give Devin and I tour of the restaurant, and the upstairs, which back in the early 60's was raided for an illegal speakeasy operation (seriously), and has been unoccupied ever since.
Be on the lookout for great things still to come from Front Page. Again, if you've not a chance to check this place out, get to 310 Mass. Ave., Indianapolis, IN 46204, and check it out. You can also check out their new web page shortly after the New Year. Tell them the guys from @ Mealightenment sent you...
As always, Eat On my fellow foodies,
-JG
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