checkered flag tavern

food for the soul. i've been going to this bar for a few years. the new owners are doing a great job! but the real story is about the artist in the kitchen!!! i've i watch diners drive-ins and dives since it started and preyed to fine a place as great as see on the show here in indy. little did i know it would come to my favorite bar the flag!!!! it's a must try. bestfoodin the state for the money in my opinion

great friendly, knowledgeable staff.  thefoodis perfect!  if you are on the west side of indianapolis, this is the spot!! the brisket burger! fried mushrooms! walleye fridays!  so amazing, check these guys out you won't regret it.

what a great transformation!. haven't been here since 2011 (reference 2011 pics) and wow! they did a great job remodeling this place! very clean, fresh, and open looking compared to before! we started with the "hotzzarella jalapeño cheese stix" and they are good and just as hot as the name leads you to believe! we each ordered an item and split them. the "big pig" was just as it sounds. a big sandwich with pulled pork, thick cut bacon, and smoked ham. fairly impossible for us to eat, but all the meats were great tasting as we ate them with a fork. the accompanying bbq sauce is pretty good too! the "cheeseburger w/bacon" was very good. charbroiled tasted with some of the good bacon they offer. the service was spot on too! we will be back. pics included. enjoy!


-----04 nov, 2011-----

old time establishment with new dressing and menu!. back in my older days this place was considered a lesser than desired type bar to visit. aaaahhh many years ago. it's fallen under newer ownership and they've spruced the place up. wife and i recently tried this place to measure it up.

we seated ourselves at a booth. the bartender was our server and did a superb job of ensuring ourfoodand drink orders were fulfilled.

the "loaded fries" were pretty good. while i didn't partake with an entree, my wife had the "cheeseburger with bacon accompanied with slaw" and raved it was very good!

not to take away from the tasty burger, but as a note, some may know that slaw can in vary in taste throughout the year based on season and location. a very common complaint i have due to my many years of travel. however, this place has nailed the slaw factor at least this snapshot in time. ;)

we will be back to try other items. this establishment hangs their hat on the bbq, but we hadn't tried it yet. look forward to this on our next visit!

what a turnaround!. this bar was once a place i avoided at night because i didn't want to get stabbed - to a place i love to eat at whenever i get a chance. the owner has turned this place around not only in the decor andfoodbut also its image and (slowly) the clientele. the burgers are great but i especially love the off-menu specials they feature every week. the shrimp and grits special was amazing as well as the weekly walleye special on fridays. they have more taps with great craft brew, so basically, my kind of place. with a phasing of new customers investing in this place, i see no limit in potential with this place.

well ladies and gentlemen, this is a bar. a bar that dates back to the 1940’s. a bar that was redone about a year ago. a spacious bar with pool tables, about a dozen beers on tap and a grand out-door seating area with a fire pit. it also is a bar with some of the best tavernfoodi have had. they offer blackened catfish and frog leg appetizers, as well as real deal smoked pork sandwiches. we ordered some breaded mushrooms to start. fresh breaded ‘shrums are always a bonus and they offered theirs for $5.50, with a horseradish sauce. nothing prepared us for the monsters we were given. we received 5 mushrooms that were in excess of 3 inches in diameter. each one was impeccably breaded in a thin breading reminiscent of a cornmeal breading usually reserved for catfish. the horse-radish dip that came with the mushrooms matched well; as did the one buck pints of pabst blue ribbon. as for our “entre” pat and i were both conflicted. pat for the “big ass bacon burger” and the “big pig”. me for t

o my goodness. big steaks, greatfoodin general. when you see the photos in the menu thefoodlooks the same when it comes on your plate. definitely will recommend this place to a friend.

simply one of the best hidden treasures when it comes to smoked barbecue you will find in indianapolis! not only was the place clean and the staff was courteous but thefoodwas unbelievable and the price, well i'm just not so sure how i can get away with such greatfoodat such a reasonable price. we will definitely come back to this place every time we visit indy.

pleasant surpise find. found this place via urbanspoon and took note of the positive feedback. i am happy to report that the critiques’ we right one the money. greatfoodalong with friendly staff may our visit a pleasant experience. it’s been some time since i walked into any food/bar/pub and felt as if i long standing customer. the lady at the bar was most delightful to talk to as was thefoodto eat. i will defiantly make a return visit if i find myself back in the area.

been coming here for about 20yrs. love the updates at the old place,foodand longtime friends and new friends.

best food!. since the bar has new owners, it has most certainly stepped up their game! checkered flag tavern has the bestfoodever!! their prime rib is to die for, and cheesecake is like heaven! if you are looking for a place to grab a beer, relax after a hard day at work, and enjoy some fantastic food, this is certainly the place to go! i live in ohio, but i will definitely be making my way back just to visit this place!

two for two!. i've been twice, and i'm going back today! this is a "small-ish" kind of local tavern; but thefoodisn't "small-ish' nor "tavern-esque" by any means! the "word" is there's a new chef, not cook; chef; and it shows in the food! and just as good ,is the service. i'll always come back to a place, if the service is right! greatfoodwill not always bring me back; but good service will!

food that you remember - now if you are looking for a new hip bar this is not for you. if you are looking for a dive bar on the upswing withfoodthat will blow your doors off the checkered flag tavern is your bar. since this place changed management the place has become a cajun infusedfoodstaple. the wings are the best that you can get on the westside of indianapolis. the wings are smoked then tossed in homemade hot sauce, yes you heard me homemade. if wings are not your thing you should try any of the daily specials, the chef likes to try new thing and if there good it becomes a special for the day. i have never had a special that was bad; everything ranging from cajun shrimp to bacon raped smoked quale. try anything and i guaranty you will love it!!!

simple but amazing. when you walk in the door you know your in the presence of everyday hardworking individuals. the people in this bar wont only remember your face but your name as well. it doesn't matter if you have been there once or fifty times. thefoodis something you will need to experience over and over again. i myself i stick to the steak dinner. i will never pay for a over priced steak again. the steak dinner at the flag is amazing and affordable. the next time anyone decides to eat out you must try this place. the bartenders and the cooks will take great care of you. you wont only have a wonderful meal at this place you will have added some great friends in your life as well.