Calling all beatniks 🍔

Retro diners around Indianapolis, IN

You can find the Sanitary Diner at 99 Cruse St. | Photo by INDYtoday team

Put on your peepers and warm up the chariot because with one newly opened vintage eatery and one up for sale, we’re gabbing all about Indy’s retro diners. Ya dig?

The Sanitary Diner

You might not have ever noticed the “lunch car” style diner that is sitting quietly on the edge of the Holy Cross neighborhood, but back in January 2022 we reached out to our loyal Instagram followers about its status. The general consensus was that The Sanitary Diner was once owned by Angie’s List as an employee-only diner.

Well, now it could be yours. It just hit the market and we’re digging its floor plan. Check out the brochure from commercial real estate company Cushman & Wakefield.

What’s a “lunch car?”

The modular chrome “lunch car” became popular in the early 20th century but it actually started out as a “lunch wagon” back in the 19th century, when street carts would wheel around selling snacks to workers. Its polished look and iconic tiled floors can be credited to manufacturer Patrick Tierney. You don’t see many of them around Indy anymore — The Sanitary Diner is the one of the only ones left standing. What’s today’s version? Well that would have to be a food truck, if you ask us.

Map of diners in Indy — Can you visit them all? | Screenshot via Proxi Maps

Get your fix

Now that we’ve primed your taste buds for a vintage dining experience, might we suggest trying out The Knuckle Sandwich? If the name sounds familiar, that’s because it used to have a location off State Road 144 and State Road 37, but it was demolished as part of I-69 construction. The new location in Bargersville opened earlier this month.

Plus, you can’t go wrong with this list of central Indiana classics:

And we’d be remiss if we didn’t share some love for two recently closed businesses: Mug ‘n Bun and Edward’s Drive-In.

Okay, we can’t leave you without addressing the elephant in the room: what’s up with the name “Sanitary Diner?” Like we said last year, the decision to call it that was meant to advertise its cleanliness back in the 1930s, when tuberculosis was still prevalent.

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Friday, Feb. 24

That 70’s Estate Sale | Friday, Feb. 24-Saturday, Feb. 25 | Times vary | 6820 Cabernet Way, Indianapolis | Cost of purchase | Arrive early to find the best treasures from every era inside this estate.
Lviv National Philharmonic Orchestra of Ukraine | Friday, Feb. 24 | 8 p.m. | The Palladium, 1 Center Green, Carmel | $25 | Listen to Brahms, Grieg, and Dvořák performed by an acclaimed orchestra.

Saturday, Feb. 25

Indy Fuel vs. Cincinnati Cyclones | Saturday, Feb. 25 | 7 p.m. | Indiana Farmers Coliseum, 1202 E. 38th St., Indianapolis | $20-$48 | Roll the dice on this Game Night-themed event filled with your fave childhood games.

Sunday, Feb. 26

EFL Cup Final Watch Party | Sunday, Feb. 26 | 10 a.m. | Union Jack, 921 Broad Ripple Ave., Indianapolis | Cost of purchase | Watch Newcastle United play against Manchester United in their first English Football League Cup final since 1976.

Tuesday, Feb. 28

Oedipus | Tuesday, Feb. 28-Saturday, March 18 | 7:30 p.m. | Indiana Repertory Theatre, 140 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | $22-$41 | Watch the compelling story of fate, human nature, and secrets unfold live.

Wednesday, March 1

Gallery Forty-Two presents “MADNESS!” art exhibit | Wednesday, March 1-Friday, March 24 | Times vary | Gallery Forty-Two, 42 E. Washington St., Indianapolis | Free | Embark on a thought-provoking journey of visual complexity and modern madness featuring more than 25 world-renowned and emerging artists.

Thursday, March 2

NOBULL Run Club Community 5k powered by Garmin | Thursday, March 2 | 6-7 p.m. | NCAA Hall of Champions, 700 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | Free | Join the club for a run with multiple pace options and test out the latest Garmin smartwatches.

We have a calendar filled with events and activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

100+ MORE EVENTS

Weather

43º | Partly cloudy | 2% chance of rain

Development

A trail extension is in the works on the western edge of the White River in Carmel, which will run north and double in length. The Carmel parks department received a $4 million state grant to make the White River Greenway 5.4 miles and build a trailhead and overlook. 👟 (IndyStar)

Coming Soon

ICYMI: the owners of Sangrita Saloon sold their Broad Ripple location last month. They are now moving forward with plans to open a new concept: Nando’s Restaurant & Bar in the Fishers District. The spot will focus on locally-sourced ingredients and Mexican-Brazilian cuisine. 🌮

Open

The wait is over. City Nail Bar has opened its doors in Bates-Hendricks. At 1710 S. East St., the salon took over the 123-year-old building that was formerly Moore’s Market. Owner Jody Alexander chose the neighborhood partly due to the number of clients who reside there. 💅

Sports

After two years of discussions, Indianapolis Indians chairman Bruce Schumacher announced that the team will keep its name and partner with the Miami Nation of Indians of Indiana. Home games will start including recognition for Miami veterans during Native American Heritage Night, a scholarship program, educational opportunities, and land acknowledgement. ⚾ (IndyStar)

Plan Ahead

A family-friendly “all things pop culture” convention is returning to Indy for its tenth year on Aug. 25-27. Pop Con will host a number of celebrities (including Buffy the Vampire Slayer star James Marsters), fan panels, and cosplayers at the Indiana Convention Center. Get tickets. 💥

Jobs

Central Indiana’s second Raising Cane’s location is bringing 100 jobs to the area next month. Positions will start at $15-$16.50 for crew and more for management-level jobs. Check out open positions and apply. 🍗

Finance

This Princeton grad’s startup raised $161 million to help people plan for retirement — and its free tool can match you with up to three vetted financial advisors serving your area who can help you work towards financial freedom. Try it out for yourself.*

Number

55°. That’s the optimal temperature for storing wine. So unless you enjoy keeping your humble abode chilled year round, we recommend buying a wine fridge to foster favorable conditions for long-term aging. Our pick: this sleek wine fridge with touch-panel control and capacity for 24 bottles. Cheers. 🍷 *

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Get your fossils and fudge in one place 🦕

Joint chocolate factory and dinosaur museum coming to Indiana

Exterior of Monument Circle's South Bend Chocolate Company Cafe

Though the new project won’t be located downtown, it’ll just be a ~2.5-hour drive away. | Photo by INDYtoday team

Soon, Indiana will have a place where 300 million-year-old tortoises and chocolate turtles collide.

South Bend Chocolate Co. owner and paleontology enthusiast Mark Tarner is building an 18,000-sqft dinosaur museum that will include a 60,000-sqft chocolate factory in northwest South Bend. Mark already has plans to display dinosaur bones he found himself on a fossil dig.

The 90-acre complex will also feature a restaurant, farmers market, public house, and hiking trails. Tubing in the winter, a buffalo enclosure, and a lookout point are also planned for outside.

Construction is now underway on the $20 milion agritourism destination and it’s expected to create 144 full-time jobs. Follow along on Facebook for updates on the project, which set to be completed by early 2024.

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Anna.

Editor’s pick: Indiana probably isn’t the first state you’d look to if you’re craving fried chicken, which is why I was surprised to learn that Wagner’s Village Inn in Oldenburg recently received a James Beard Award in the America’s Classics category for its infamous fried chicken, which sizzles in cast-iron skillets. Who knew?

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? Check out the developments you’d finish first in Indy.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Anna Bowman, Nicole Hernandez, Josh Kranzberg, Emily Shea, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Dayten Rose, Sarah Leonhardt, Katie Smith | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Nicole Fancher | Advertise with us.

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