Good neighbors
Peter Griffin and his buddies escape to the Drunken Clam on Family Guy; for the Seinfeld gang, it was Monk’s Cafe. Urban sociologist Ray Oldenburg, in his book “The Great Good Place,” called these kinds of hangouts vital to the psychological and social health of people and their communities.
This year, the Metromix Dining Guide is dedicated to those kinds of places. They’re not “destination spots,” but the kind of place you hit, on the regular, on a Tuesday night or Saturday afternoon (like Workingman's Friend, shown here). You don’t have to check your outfit — or your bank balance. The owners don’t sit in a corporate office, popping in once in a while to put the fear into the wait staff. They’re often in the kitchen, or on the floor, greeting customers and taking orders.
This list — created with the help of people all over the city — spotlights 85 great neighborhood restaurants in Indy and the suburbs. If your favorite wasn’t included, send an email to indianapolis@metromix.com.
