Indy’s signature dog goes well beyond your classic condiments. | Photo by dinnercraft via Creative Commons
We’ve got a burning question about hot dogs. No, not whether they are sandwiches, tacos, or neither, but rather — why doesn’t Indianapolis have its own signature frankfurter? Sure, we’ve got spots around town known for specialty dogs, but we’re looking for one that truly screams “Indy.”
So without further ado, INDYtoday presents our Indianapolis-style hot dog, aka “The Naptown Knockout.”
Ingredients
Pretzel bun
Pork hot dog, lightly fried
Beer cheese sauce
Sweet corn relish
Crispy fried onions
Barbecue sauce
Methodology
We start our hyperlocal hot dog with a freshly made pretzel bun in honor of Indy’s trendy food scene. Next, the lightly fried pork dog gives a nod to classic Americana and everyone’s favorite Midwest delicacy: the pork tenderloin sandwich.
But the real star of the show here? The toppings. Our Indy hot dog wouldn’t be complete without beer cheese sauce made with Daredevil ale, sweet corn relish to honor our lush fields of grain, and crispy fried onions + barbecue sauce as an ode to classic race day and state fair fare.
As for the name? Let’s just say you’ll want a nice, long nap after eating it.
Asked
Asked
Who has the best hot dog in Indy?
Don’t be afraid to shout out your fave — we may just highlight some top picks in a future newsletter.
Babyface | 7:30 p.m. | Indiana Farmers Coliseum | $14 | Head to the fair to hear a performance by Indy’s own 13-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist.
Thursday, Aug. 7
DCI World Championship Prelims | 11 a.m. | Lucas Oil Stadium | $47+ | Watch members of “Marching Music’s Major League” as they compete to earn a spot in the world championship finals.
Colts Trivia | 6-9 p.m. | Skyline Club | $20 | Kick off preseason with trivia hosted by Colts legend, Marlin Jackson, plus a silent auction supporting Fight for Life Foundation.
Melted Crayon Art Workshop | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Cain’s Creative Chaos | $34 | Some craft projects are worth melting for — learn to create your own crayon-inspired masterpiece in this guided class.
Friday, Aug. 8
Widespread Panic | Friday, Aug. 8-Saturday, Aug. 9 | 7 p.m. | Everwise Amphitheater | $65+ | Join in on one of these epic jam‑band’s performances in the park.
Mind Tripping Show | Friday, Aug. 8-Saturday, Aug. 9 | 8 p.m. | Hilton Indianapolis Hotel & Suites | $30+ | This show combines comedy, psychology, and illusions for an interactive experience that will leave you laughing, amazed, and mystified.
Saturday, Aug. 9
5K Beer Run x Chilly Water Brewing Co. | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Chilly Water Brewing Company | $42+ | Lace up your shoes to run this course around Fountain Square, then celebrate with a craft brew at the finish line.
White River State Park Walking Tour | 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | White River State Park Visitor Center | $12+ | Explore the cultural and historical significance of White River State Park with Indiana Landmarks.
Sunday, Aug. 10
Beats And Blockbusters | 3-6 p.m. | Alamo Drafthouse Cinema Indianapolis | Free | Dance to a live DJ set on the patio while the latest blockbuster films screen inside.
What does “Carmel’s Next Great Neighborhood” look like? It’s up to you. Residents can weigh in on three proposed plans through Monday, Aug. 11 online or at display stations around town. Feedback will assist city officials in determining the look of a more than 80-acre site east of US Highway 301.
Opening
Craft superfood chain Everbowl is bringing its scratch-made acai to Westfield. Register beforehand to stop by the new location on Jersey Street this Friday, Aug. 8 from 5 to 8 p.m. before it opens + get a free, regular-size bowl.
Drink
Speaking of new things coming to Westfield, The Spark Coffee is brewing up its third Indy-area location, this time on Jersey Street. Head to the grand opening this Friday, Aug. 8 to sample exclusive drinks to the Westfield store, plus the biz’s fan favorites from Speedway and Mooresville.
Number
50. That’s how many years Meal on Wheels of Hamilton County will have served the community this year, and to celebrate, the nonprofit is bringing back a local-favorite fundraiser, Dancing with Our Stars, on Thursday, Sept. 4 at Noblesville’s Embassy Suites. Get the scoop on how you can get involved. (WISH)
Kids
The Indianapolis Children’s Choir is launching its 40th season with a nod to the past and a look ahead, including a major performance on the world-famous Carnegie Hall stage. Get a taste of what to expect — and how kids can get involved — at a pay-what-you-can open house on Saturday, Aug. 16.
Plan Ahead
Tonic Ball will return to Fountain Square this November for a night of live tribute acts in support of Second Helpings’ hunger relief efforts. Spoiler alert: this year’s lineup will feature tributes to Britney Spears, Green Day, Marvin Gaye, and more. Snag your tickets. (Indianapolis Recorder)
Sports
The Pacers may be done in NBA free agency, but what else is in store for the offseason? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Indiana Pacerswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Try This
Looking for a happy hour that feels a little extra? Head to The Fountain Room. From Monday to Friday, 4–6 p.m., you’ll find tempting deals on shareable bites + sippable cocktails. We recently grabbed a group of friends and dove into a memorable evening — here’s a sneak peek of how it went.*
CarGurus can help you determine if you’re overpaying for your next car. Fact or fiction?Find out by browsing their real-time prices + deal ratings on over three million vehicles.*
Job
Are you the one we’re looking for? We’re on the hunt for a sales-driven leader to help us land significant brand partnerships at a national scale as a Sales Executive. From a competitive benefits package to 401k matching, we’re a pretty amazing company to work for. Join our team and apply today.
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City Guide
🍻 Hop to it
Besides its delicious brews, Kismetic is also known for its themed trivia nights, with recent installments including “Severance” and “Rogue One: A Star Wars Story.” | Photo by @kismeticbeerco
What pairs perfectly with a hot dog on a summer’s day? A locally brewed craft beer, of course.
Next time you’re looking for a local brew, check out one of these 20+ tap rooms.
St. Joseph Brewery | The historic church this microbrewery calls home was built in 1879. It pays cheeky homage to its unique history with brews like “St. Juicifer” and “Pew Buster.”
Kismetic Beer Company | Opened in 2022, this woman-owned, BYO food spot focuses on lower ABV and lager styles served in a chic, retro-future taproom.
Books & Brews | This brewery is perfect for those who like their literary-themed ale with a side of $3 used books. On Wednesdays and Sundays, kids eat free.
Broad Ripple Brew Pub | This English-style pub with a vintage feel hit the scene as Indy’s very first brew pub in 1990. On Wednesdays, its brews are $2 off from 4 to 8 p.m.
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The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
When I was younger, I had a total fascination with “weird laws” from various states — and this one from Indiana (specifically Beech Grove) really piqued my interest. Who knew watermelon rinds could be so pesky?
Know of any other out-of-the-box Indiana laws? Let us know.
^This content was created by our Client Success Team. Let’s work together — explore affordable advertising options at advertise.6amcity.com.
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