What I'm Eating: 3 Sisters' Cafe (Broad Ripple)

There is an overabundance of awesome city gems sprinkled, and sometimes hidden, around Indiana.  It's always a great thing when they get their due-acknowledgements from the locals but it's even more of an honor when the likes of Guy Fieri and Diners, Drive-ins and Dives shows up at your restaurant.  This was the case recently when he and his camera crew made their way to one of Broad Ripple's pretty well known favorites: 3 Sisters Cafe.  This restaurant serving breakfast (all day) and lunch is fashioned inside an old, historical Victorian house a little off the beaten path of the BR strip, just over the rainbow colored bridge.  The weather yesterday was so pleasant and screaming for outside dining.  I invited Fefe* along because I knew that their menu is very Vegan-friendly. 

The parking situation was a bit sticky, as is most areas in BR.  Signs made it very clear where there was designated parking or not.  The lot directly next door is only for those businesses and I got the idea that they are very tow-happy.  After all of the press revolving around the snaky tow companies, we didn't want to press our luck.  We ended up finding street parking close by; this after Fefe had an unsuccessful, yet quite hilarious, attempt at parallel parking ;) (She's probably going to kill me for that). 

Parking disaster averted, we snagged the last outside table right as the previous diners were leaving.  I took a second to sneak inside and take a peek at the decor.  The inside decor is retro fitted to match the essence of the Victorian house and was cozy; like Grandma's house!  Our table was wiped down and we were quickly sat with waters to start with. Always love that because I was thirsty.  We both ordered the Ginger Peach Tea which was super yummy, kept me hydrated and provided a punch of flavor; perfect for the Summer time. 

Fefe mentioned that although they are very Vegan friendly, they do not prepare their Vegan entrees on separate grills or areas.  This, apparently, is not true Vegan preparation and there is a high probability that the food would be contaminated with meats, oils or dairy.  Luckily she has not embraced that strict of a Vegan lifestyle.  She opted to go with the Grilled Veggie Sandwich with mixed fruit.  There was a sticky situation where the menu read "No changes or substitutions" at the bottom which was initially very disappointing for Fefe who hates mushrooms and red onions.  Luckily after some clarification from our server, we learned it only applied to certain dishes which were starred on the menu. Menu crisis averted, I went non-Vegan.  I went back and forth between Kyle's Grilled Cheese, BBQ Grains and the D'Nai (one of the sandwiches featured on DDD) but at the last minute I went with the Fish Tacos with homemade applesauce.

They were pretty crowded, even at 1pm on a weekday when the lunch crowd is usually dying down.  Our server was very attentive though and kept our drinks filled.  The food took a little longer than I would expect for lunchtime service, especially if I was on a lunch break but Fefe and I had nowhere to be so I don't think it was much of a problem.  Also, the national exposure associated with DDD probably has, and will for a while, overwhelmed the staff.  I could tell they were in the weeds so no harm, no foul.

When our food arrived, I was blown away by my meal.  I mean, check it out:


Guac + green chili sauce + chipotle mayo = the most delightful sauce menage trois

Love CORN tortillas!

I love that it was assemble-yourself because I (being a control freak) like managing the ratio of sauce to fish to veg toppings.  I'm not sure what type of fish is used but it was a large, white flaky fish that was grilled, slightly over cooked but not a deal breaker.  I'm a saucy girl so I ended up using all 3 sauces on each of my tacos: the guacamole was fresh; the chile sauce had a hint of heat; and the chipotle mayo had a smoky heat.  I was only able to eat 2 before I was pretty stuffed. 

Fefe's Grilled Veggie Sandwich looked a little bland.  All the veggies were mounded on the bread and were overcooked with very muted coloring.  There was too much minced garlic for her liking and she only ate about 1/3 of the sandwich.  The fruit cup helped to curb her appetite.

Not the prettiest plating

All in all the experience went well.  I can see why it drew the attention of Guy and look forward to trying some more dishes in the future.  Maybe next time I will take a stab at the D'Nai sandwich that made my mouth water when I watched the DDD episode.

 

 

The Verdict: Out of 5 stars

Location/Atmosphere: ****  Nestled a few blocks from the main strip in Broad Ripple.  Limited parking. 

Service: ***1/2 Our server was nice and helpful but kept referring to us as "loves" or "sweeties" which seemed a bit weird

Food: ***1/2 My meal was a featured dish and delivered! Fefe was not as satisfied

Will I eat there again: Yes

6360 Guilford Ave
Indianapolis, Indiana 46220
(317) 257-5556

What I'm Eating: Acapulco Joe's (No offense, but...)

I'm going to preface this post with the fact that I am by no means a professional food critic or a culinary chef.  I'm just a girl that worked in the service industry for over 10 years in multiple genres of food and have eaten a variety of cuisines.  So when I feel compelled to share an experience, good or bad, I have the knowledge to back it up so it is nothing personal. 

Saturday was a fairly nice day.  There were ominous storm clouds lingering around in the distance but the temperature was nice and perfect for patio dining.  There are so many places to choose from in downtown Indy including several I've never made it around to trying.  We were originally going to go somewhere around Mass Ave. but I suggested Acapulco Joe's.  It is nearby and we are almost always down for Mexican.  It has been around for forever and I drive by it frequently.  I went to Google it and look at the menu but to my dismay, they don't have a website. Strange. Even La Hacienda has a well run website.  No worries, it's Mexican.  I'm sure it has everything I'm used to....

So we drove over there.  When we walked in, it was pretty dead.  The decor is very colorful with large murals throughout but pretty dated and in need of lots of renovations.  The bartender got on the loud speaker and shouted: "Corona!" (this happened a couple over times during our time there).  I assumed he had just gotten a tip which is sometimes used as gimmicky flair in lively, fun casual dining places but seemed odd since it was practically a ghost town inside.  A server greeted us and when we said we'd like to sit on the covered patio, she just handed us 2 menus and told us to seat ourselves.  There was a large party already outside as well as several other tables of 2 or 3 people.  The location is great; right on the corner of Illinois and Vermont and their covered patio is very large.  We were greeted by 3 different servers at 3 different times who all asked for a drink order (communication lapse?).  I decided to refresh myself with iced tea (tasted old even though it was only lunch time) while D got a house margarita.  Someone brought us a basket of tortilla chips.  Hey, wait! Where's the fresh house salsa?  I looked around and saw no one else had salsa either.  The chips were cold and slightly stale.  There were 2 squirt bottles with different sauces on each table that I guess we were supposed to use instead of salsa.  One was roasted and spicy, the other was smoother and sweet.  Nothing to be excited over.  D refused to try them and questioned the last time the bottles had been rinsed out and refilled.  Good question.  We went ahead and quickly ordered food since we were both starving.  D went with his usual Chimichanga and I selected the chicken fajitas.  Because of the dismal chips and lack of salsa, we contemplated cancelling our order and just going somewhere else but I was too hungry to do so and I wanted to see this visit to the end.  Our food came up quickly.  The fajita skillet was sizzling hot which is always fun to watch but also brought attention to how much excessive oil the mixture was saturated in. 

Still sizzling and popping

Plenty of fresh toppings

I was excited about the large mound of shredded cheese that came on the side with lettuce, tomato, sour cream and guacamole.  I thought it also came with rice and beans but our server explained it came with either the toppings OR rice and beans.  Um, ok....moving on.  I used my usual method of fajita assembly (see here) minus the refried beans I usually use.  At this point, I was just hoping that Acapulco Joe's entrees would deliver and sadly, they repeated the muted tone of just, plain bad.  D's chimichanga was just alright. 

He's not impressed

He went with the chicken enchilada that is topped with a red, chili sauce ("like the topping put on a chili dog" and a liquidy, nacho cheese.  He ended up eating most of it.  My chicken fajitas were nothing special; drenched in oil, under-seasoned. and mostly lifeless once the sizzle died down.  The guac had absolutely no salt.  I ate 1 assembled fajita to quiet my rumbling stomach.  I asked for a box to take the chicken back to Little Miss B which she ate later with no reservation.

I immediately voiced my opinion of the food and experience to D.  My frustration with Acapulco Joe's covers many different angles: 1) They have a great location and large space however they are in major need of a makeover; 2) They charge just as much money as any other Tex-Mexican restaurant around yet they don't serve salsa with their chips (which were gross anyways), they don't serve rice and beans (a very low cost side) with their fajitas, AND the food is bad 3) The staff was pretty unprofessional and unfriendly.  They basically came in wearing street clothes except for Acapulco Joe's t-shirts.  There was no semblance of uniformity.  They were also allowed to smoke on the patio while on duty or at least while wearing their work shirt.

While we were waiting around for our check, we were approached by a bum trying to solicit money or a cigarette but his plan was foiled by a gentleman sitting with the large party who came over and quickly identified himself as the owner, telling the guy to keep on moving.  I appreciated that he stepped up and handled that situation professionally.  I also realized that he or someone in his party probably overheard me complaining about the meal.  If he wasn't with his family or friends, I would've have introduced myself and told him face to face what I thought about his restaurant.  If ever there was a restaurant that needed to be on Kitchen Nightmares or Restaurant: Impossible, it's Acapulco Joe's.  I can just hear Gordon Ramsey now ripping the place a new one and going berserk with who's in charge.  There is such potential there being that it's the only casual Mexican restaurant directly downtown.  I don't know if they've just given up or what but I can't imagine that place staying open much longer.  What I think was missing most were Mexicans themselves.  The staff was a mix of everything but Mexican and maybe that's why there was little influence on the food or pride in the Mexican heritage splashed all over the walls.  The whole place is a corny, even a tad bit offensive, Americanized interpretation of Mexican food.  I can say that I've checked it off my list and will never eat there again unless they make some drastic changes.

The Verdict: Out of 5 stars

Location/Atmosphere: ***1/2  Located downtown at the corner of Illinois and Vermont.  Needs a face lift.  Lots of outdoor (covered) patio seating.

Service: *1/2 Our waitress was ok but most of the staff was under dressed and some took smoking breaks out in the open

Food: 1/2 Probably the worst Mexican-ish food ever; complimentary chips but no salsa

Will I eat there again: No way, Jose!





Acapulco Joe's


365 North Illinois Street Indianapolis, IN 46204
317-637-5160

What I’m Eating: Adobo Grill (downtown)

Not many places that I eat at create a special, nostalgic moment from the minute I step inside but Adobo Grill did just that.  Yesterday was one of my favorite days of the year: CINCO DE MAYO!  I’m not going to pretend I know the history of the Mexican holiday.  To me, it’s just a great reason to meet up with friends to enjoy Mexican food and of course, margaritas!

From August 2005 to May 2007, I lived in Atlanta, Georgia and had the privilege of working at Sala: Sabor de Mexico (sadly, no longer open); an upscale, regional Mexican eatery nestled in the wonderful Virginia-Highland area.  I shared some of the best memories of my life with my coworkers and I learned so much about Mexican food and drinks.  I observed attention to detail and the importance of sourcing the freshest, most in-season, regional ingredients.  It truly was an enriching experience.
But in Indiana, I very rarely come across equal craftsmanship of Mexican food.  I dined at El Torito which is no longer in business, a few years back, but was not impressed.  I had always known Adobo Grill existed, I just had not made my way there; always electing to go for the cheaper, greasier Americanized, Mexican fare at Cancun or La Hacienda.  But my buddy Kelly (a fellow downtowner) suggested it and I jumped at the opportunity. 

We got there about 40 minutes before our 8:15pm reservation hoping to grab a drink at the bar and perhaps get seated early but were weren’t thinking very clearly because it was jam packed (duh!).  No big deal, we ran across the street to Fogo de Chao for a cocktail.  I ordered a Caipirinha on the bartender’s recommendation.  He sold it as being a Mexican cocktail, in lieu of Cinco de Mayo, but I knew better.  It’s actually a traditional Brazilian drink made with Cachaça run, muddled limes and cane sugar.  Very tart and zesty!  D and Kelly went with a margarita on the rocks.  We had to basically chug them once we got them because before we knew it, it was 8:15.
Adobo Grill is a fairly large, two-story restaurant with a long main dining area and several other dining rooms that splintered off from the center.  The decor is festive, bright and traditional.  The environment just screams fiesta!  In honor of Cinco de Mayo, a mariachi band was rounding the restaurant.  It was pretty loud when they were nearby but I enjoyed the entertainment.

Very animated Mariachi ban

We were instantly greeted with a basket of warm tortilla chips and salsa.  The salsa was fantastic.  It is not the typical fresh salsa that most people’s palettes are used to.  Theirs has smoky, roasted chipotle flavors.  Its heat comes on more slowly and kinda creeps up on you.  We quickly ordered a round of house margaritas and guacamole.  The server placed our margarita glasses on the table (I prefer my margs up/D and Kelly went on-the-rocks) and aggressively mixed the ingredients in a large shaker then poured.  Kudos on the service detail.  This is something that Sala did and really enhances the diners’ food adventure.  The menu and website said that it is made tableside but unfortunately they prepared it around the corner and out of sight.  I attributed this to how crowded the place was and the staff seemed a bit overwhelmed.  No worries though because the guacamole was out of this world.  A tad bit salty but the avocado was perfectly ripe and hand muddled with garlic, jalapeno peppers, onion, tomato, cilantro and a squirt from a lime wedge.  We basically licked the lava rock bowl it was served in clean.

Maybe the best guacamole in Indy

Found the tableside cart around the corner

The menu offers lots of wonderful choices that are prepared very traditionally like Oaxacan black mole and ceviches.  They use lots of regionally specific ingredients like huitlacoche and pasilla chilis.  I went with the Enchiladas de Marsicos (Seafood).  D went with the chicken enchiladas in a salsa verde.  Kelly chose the Tilapia a la Talla.  Our entrees came out in a timely fashion which was good because even after chips, salsa and guac, I was starving.  My (4) enchiladas were everything I was hoping for: cheesy, creamy, smoky.  The shrimp and tilapia was smothered in a corn and chipotle cream sauce and slices of grilled green peppers and onions then rolled in corn tortillas.  Melted cheese, guac, crema and pico de gallo were also sprinkled on top.  The corn in the sauce sweetened it but was balanced by the earthy roasted heat of the chipotle.  It reminded me of the seafood enchiladas that Sala served.  It also came with Mexican rice and black beans.  I was too focused on the entree to really analyze the sides. 

Mariscos Enchiladas = delicioso!

Kelly enjoyed her dish.  It was a filet of tilapia marinated in adobo chili and simmered in a guajillo broth and served with escabeche (pickled veggies).  As I sort of suspected, D’s chicken enchiladas were a bit mediocre which I think is pretty typical of dishes in a salsa verde.  He said it was good but no fireworks.  The shredded chicken was in a tomato and chili sauce that was very mild and lacked seasoning.  I ended up asking for a to-go box and took my 2 leftover enchiladas with me. 

I was sad that I didn’t leave any room for dessert but this just gives me a reason to return.  I am glad I got to dine here before we move away from Downtown later this summer.  I am definitely going to miss the urban environment.  Adobo Grill es muy beuno!

Mi amor & mi amiga!

The Verdict: Out of 5 stars
Location/Atmosphere: ***1/2 The decor and building is unique and beautiful but the lack of parking is a challenge.
Service: ***1/2 (our server was really just an order taker but it was the busiest day of the year so I won’t hold that against them.  Loved the margaritas shaken tableside and the Mariachi band)
Food: ****1/2 (2 out 3 people loved their entrees, guac was a star)
Will I eat there again: Si!


ADOBO GRILL
110 E Washington St.
Indianapolis, IN
ph: 317-822-9990

What I'm Eating: MEXICAN!!

This is an argument that really has no right or wrong.  Just like the heated   Where can you find the best [Americanized, tex-mex version of] "authentic" Mexican?  El Rodeo? La Hacienda? Cancun? To me the line is so minuscule that it, depending on the visit, could be any of the 3, on any given day.  Some keys factors that I usually look for are the salsa, the margaritas and the fajitas. 

I've been going to Mexican restaurants with my friends since high school days and every time I go, I feel a bit of nostalgia.  Back then, we would go to La Hacienda in the Marsh shopping center at 116th and Allisonville Rd (no longer there but has recently been replaced with a new Mexican joint).  The Bride and I, at one time, would go there at least once a week.  We would order and split the exact same thing every time: chicken and steak fajitas with an extra order of tortillas and toppings (lettuce, pico, sour cream, guac) plus an order of white queso dip.  It also came with refried beans.  It was always the perfect amount for 2 and left us almost comatose and lethargic.

Over the weekend, D and I spent our Easter Sunday at La Hacienda off Binford and Graham Rd.  I decided to skip the margarita on such a holy day.  Instead I stuck with my oh-so-familiar order of chicken fajitas and, of course, filled up on chips and salsa.  Their salsa is sometimes different in taste, texture and heat level.  It was chunkier than usual and a bit milder than I was hoping for.  D selected his go-to chicken chimichanga.  Our food came out freaky fast, as always.  I could hear the sizzling fajita skillet even as it was coming out of the kitchen.  I am always fearful that I'm going to get burnt.  I spread out all of my plate and used the same fajita preparation that I did ten years ago. 

1. Grab a warm, soft flour tortilla and lay out flat
2. Spread a small dollop of sour cream in the middle of the tortilla 
3. Do the same with the guacamole
4. Spread some refried beans next to the sour cream and guac
5. Top with a generous amount of chicken/pepper/onion/tomato mix
6. Sprinkle with shredded lettuce and a spoonful of pico de gallo
7. Drizzle with a bit of queso
8. Roll up and devour!  Repeat steps 1-7, if necessary.

I ate 2 assembled tacos without feeling the debilitating food crash I usually experience after eating Mexican food.  I also had a lot of leftovers that I could just reheat at a later time.  D ended up heating up his doggie bag a couple hours later.  Sunday's visit was exactly what I expected: no-frills service, fast food prep, flavorful food and a full stomach.  It was my major splurge of the week and I didn't feel the least bit guilty.

The Verdict: Out of 5 stars
Location/Atmosphere: ***1/2 (Binford Blvd & Graham Rd. Festive decor and plenty of seating)
Service: ***1/2 (fast service)
Food: ***1/2 (nothing that wowed but nothing that disappointed)
Will I eat there again: Yup. Here's to another 10 years

LA HACIENDA

6825 Graham Rd.

Indianapolis, IN

ph: 317-577-2689