The sides available at Pa and Ma’s are always changing, from mac and cheese to green beans to hot water cornbread. | Photo by @amandainindy
In any American city, good barbecue is a rite of passage — and as the Crossroads of America, Indianapolis is fortunate to have its fair share of delicious restaurants to choose from. Here are just a few standout spots around town.
Pa and Ma’s Backyard BBQ, 3469 N. College Ave. | You’ll wonder if you’re in the right place when you walk into this nondescript building, but the delicious aromas should quickly dissolve any doubts. This joint has a strictly “visual” menu that changes daily, so every time you visit you’ll probably get to taste something new.
Half Liter BBQ, 5301 Winthrop Ave., Ste. B | If you’re a fan of Texas-style barbecue, then you’re already familiar with Half Liter. Alongside standard barbecue offerings, it also offers housemade beers, which you can enjoy in the spacious beer garden when the weather’s nice.
King Ribs BBQ, 3145 W. 16th St. | Who said barbecue has to be slow? King Ribs opened one of the first drive-thru barbecue restaurants in Indiana in 1990. It boasts award-winning sauces alongside its fresh charcoal-grilled meats.
His Place Eatery, 6916 E. 30th St. | His Place is much more than just barbecue. With everything from chicken and waffles to in-house smoked meatloaf to sweet potato cheesecake, you’re gonna have to loosen your belt a bit here.
Smokin’ Barrel Barbeque, 2316 S. German Church Rd. | Smokin’ Barrel had a humble start as a backyard competition and has since expanded into its own brick and mortar restaurant, plus mobile catering. Pro tip: All the dry rubs Smokin’ Barrel uses are keto-friendly.
Bar-B-Q Heaven, Multiple locations | Owner Ronald Jones got his start selling barbecue on his childhood street at the age of 11. Now, more than 70 years later, Bar-B-Q Heaven is still going strong, with meats and sauces so delicious you can purchase by the gallon.
Poetry & More Open Mic Night | Wednesday, April 10 | 6 p.m. | Indy Reads, 1066 Virginia Ave., Indianapolis | Free | Attend this open mic night where all performance styles are welcome — including music, poetry, theater, dance, and comedy.
Thursday, April 11
Johnny Folsom 4 - Tribute to Johnny Cash | Thursday, April 11 | 7:30-9 p.m. | Feinstein’s at Hotel Carmichael, 1 Carmichael Square, Carmel | $45-$65 | Enjoy Cash’s classic songs with this honest + entertaining performance for fans of all ages.
Friday, April 12
Sit. Stay. Chill. | Friday, April 12 | 4:30-5:15 p.m. | Carmel Clay Public Library, 425 E. Main St., Carmel | Free | Give your teens a break from homework to hang out with a registered therapy dog.
Saturday, April 13
Indy Classic Computer and Video Game Expo | Saturday, April 13 | 10 a.m.-10 p.m. | Crown Plaza, 123 W. Louisiana St., Indianapolis | $5 | This expo offers an interactive journey through gaming and computing history for tech enthusiasts of all ages.
2024 Indiana Brewery Running Series | Saturday, April 13 | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Taxman CityWay, 310 S. Delaware St., Indianapolis | $35-$50 | Run, walk, or jog this 5K before celebrating with a locally-made craft beverage at the finish line.
Sunday, April 14
Deep Sky 2D | Sunday, April 14 | 11:15 a.m. | Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis | $7-$10 | The awe-inspiring images captured by NASA’s Webb Telescope will take audiences on a journey to never-before-seen cosmic landscapes and exoplanets.
Black Circle Brewing Co. is expanding once again. The former American Legion Post 465 building at 3317 E. 10th St. will soon become Black Circle Audio, an event venue + recording studio. The owner plans to open its doors by August. (IBJ)
Concert
Maroon 5 is coming to Ruoff Music Center on Saturday, June 22. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 12. This love has taken its toll on... our wallets. (WRTV)
Outdoors
The 70-acre, $30 million Geist Waterfront Park debuted last spring — with a hefty $50 parking fee for nonresidents. Now it’s hoping to cut that fee in half. The Fishers City Council is expected to vote on the decision on Monday, April 15. (IBJ)
Eat
Camby residents, you’re no longer living in a guac desert. The neighborhood’s first Chipotle opens today at 8052 Upland Bend. It’s still hiring around 30 workers, with attractive debt-free college and mental healthcare programs. (WTHR)
Plan Ahead
June will be here before we know it, and along with it, the 2024 Indy Pride Festival. Tickets are now on sale for $10, with an official performer lineup to be confirmed soon.
Holiday
Happy Eid. It’sEid al-Fitr,marking the end of Ramadan. Also called the Sweet Eid or Sugar Feast, those fasting during this past month will enjoy a meal + plenty of sweets. Grab yourself some baklava from MOTW Coffee or The Bosphorous Istanbul Cafe.
Correction
In the Monday, April 8 newsletter we mentioned IMPD implementing a downtown curfew for minors. We should clarify: The curfew already existed and is now being enforced. We apologize for any confusion.
Sports
UConn narrowly defeated Purdue to nab its second straight NCAA title. Find out how they did it and what’s next for the Boilermakers with Locked On.
Jobs
If you’re looking to soak up the sun this summer while making some cash, check out part-time, seasonal roles with Indy Parks and Recreation. On the hunt for a full-time position?Permanent careers are available, too.*
Finance
Cue drum roll. 2024 is here, and the personal finance experts at The Ascent have sorted through hundreds of credit cards to do the work for you. Presenting: These four credit cards, among the best bonus cards the experts have ever seen.*
Don’t let tax season be a stressor — these resources can help. | Photo via Unsplash
Hey Indy — are you sitting down? Because we have an important reminder for you: This Monday, April 15 is Tax Day. If that sentence immediately filled you with panic, we’ve got your back with free resources you can use basically up until the last second.
If you’d rather pay a small fee to not have to leave the house, we feel you on that. You can file online with H&R Block’s four different filing options, from free to Premium. Or, file with a tax pro’s help.
This under-cabinet pots and pans organizer. We love how it actually utilizes the vertical space in kitchen cupboards and (bonus) can be turned on its side to use as a lid organizer.
When I first moved to Indy, I lived just a couple blocks from Pa and Ma’s and would get takeout at least once a week. I highly recommend the rib tips, and if they have German chocolate cake when you go, don’t leave without it.
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