April 10, 2024

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Today’s Forecast

🍖 A license to grill

INDYtoday: INDY_Pa and Ma's Backyard BBQ barbecue_APR24

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.

INDYtoday: INDY_Half Liter BBQ_APR24 — Even if you’re not a huge barbecue lover, Half Liter BBQ has something for everyone — including salads and the notably delicious gluten free and vegetarian kimchi tots.
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Photo by INDYtoday team

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.

Did we miss a spot you love? Let us know.

Asked

Which barbecue style is king?

A. Everything’s bigger in Texas
B. Give it to me Carolina style
C. I’m walkin’ in Memphis
D. Kansas City is chief

Now we're cookin'

Events

Wednesday, April 10

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.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Announced

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’s Eid 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.*

Plan Ahead

The taxman cometh

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.

Before we jump into those, check out the IRS’s list of up-to-date tax tips. It covers frequently asked questions like understanding business travel deductions and how military members and their families can receive help with their taxes at no cost.

Now the fun stuff. Indy is home to these free local tax resources:

Free tax prepping resources are available with the United Way of Central Indiana.
Receive free tax help at the John Boner Neighborhood Center.
The IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax assistance for those who qualify.

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.

The Buy

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.

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The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Shea

From the editor

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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