red lion grog house

nothing to write home about. i came to the red lion with my english (london-born) husband hoping for some authentic english fare for lunch. we each had a strongbow cider (on tap) and he ordered the chicken pot pie - i selected toad in the hole (english bangers in yorkshire puddings). my husband also had a cup of the soup of the day, a red concoction with shredded cheese over the top.

the cider was pretty good (although i prefer blackthorne, it was not a big deal that they didn't offer it on tap). the soup of the day was good, although a bit on the sweet side. i didn't taste the chicken pot pie but according to my husband, it was nothing to rave about. the toad in the hole was pretty gross - it seemed overcooked and not fresh at all. the brown gravy was overpoweringly salty. i only ate about 2/3 of the dish and then passed the rest to my husband to finish. he said it tasted nothing like traditional english toad in the hole - and he would know, because his mother used to make it all the time. he said the pastry was too dense and overcooked, the brown gravy was too thick and way too salty, and the bangers seemed overcooked as well. the bill (with tip) came to over $31 and we didn't think that was very good value, considering the quality of the food.

unfortunately we won't be returning to this establishment anytime in the near future.

no thanks.. chicken tikki masala is no more "english fare" than a burger (arguably less, as i'm fairly sure burgers lie closer to english in origin than anything masala).

and if the namesake of your establishment includes an overt reference to alcohol, i can't help but see the irony in not having a liquor license. i can't fault the owners for opening regardless of the availability of a liquor license, i just think it's ironic...that's all. irony, folks. settle down.

"maybe next time you should opt to speak with the owner of a new business about the "ambiance", and deco, before coming to your own conclusion."
--oh, i'm sorry, i thought the point of having a restaurant review was to have your own conclusion.

what is wrong with you people? my criticism was not ill spirited, it was just that: my opinion. the fact people feel the need to point out a specific review (ie. mine) as being "too harsh" or "inaccurate" defeats the entire purpose of this website.

this website provides a service to people--if everyone just sang the same hum-drum chorus about how fantastic every restaurant is, what's the point?

i didn't write a bad review for the sake of writing a bad review; i wrote a bad review because i didn't like the restaurant. this is not your grandmother's house, and if you "can't say something nice," you can still say something.


-----17 apr, 2010-----

not impressed. past reviews have been way too generous. i'm all for supporting local business, but the rlgh was particularly underwhelming and will not receive my business again.
1.) decor was severely lacking. for a place that presents itself as an english-style pub, you'd expect more, well, actual english flair. the only thing "english" about the place is the pub sign. no decoration, no aesthetics that make you feel like you're in a "pub"...just 6 big flat screen tvs, all completely distracting, along the bar...otherwise completely bare walls. i'm not sure if they were just in a hurry to open the place or if the current ambiance is the goal…either way it's less than pleasant.
2.) seating arrangement was less than ideal. all tables are arranged along one wall with a large bench, with add'l seats at the bar, and a few tables in front by the window.
3.) food was adequate: my burger--like described in other reviews--was good...though the "english style baked beans" that i ordered in lieu of fries were, quite simply, bush's baked beans. weak.
additionally, my wife ordered the soup 'n salad, the soup being good (tomato basil) but the salad consisting of a few shreds of mixed greens, veggies, and a whopping slab of bad-tasting thick-sliced ham reminiscent of left-over easter dinner ham. very weak.
4.) beer selection is minimal.

if you want a pub with more authentic flair, you're better served going to chatham or mcnivens or the brbp.

visited during lunchtime on a weekday. very different experience from our first visit when red grog first opened. then, portions were ample, and the price was reasonable. today, however, the lunch portion was tiny -- a less than 2 ounce portion of battered fish (just one tiny piece) and a mound of fries for $7.99. the portion was small but enough to momentarily fill me. the price for this size portion was out of line. it should have been $5.99 rather than $7.99. i doubt that i'll be back. just too expensive for what you get. also no refill offered on soft drinks.

a new favorite!. my husband and i stepped in red lion once before, before they had their liquor license, and promised that we would return. well, we did and we couldn't have been happier with our experience.

the beer special included a upland dragonfly for $3 a pop - a great price and very tasty. i love me some bangers and mash, but quite frankly, i have been disappointed with some of the other versions around town. i asked a few questions first, and then gave it a shot. it was the best bangers and mash i ever ordered from a restaurant. it's a simple dish really, so what can i say other than that the sausage, potatoes and gravy were really good. the husband got another traditional dish, fish and chips, and there were no complaints in that department. i can assure that the fries were great because i took a number of them off his plate.

we both thought our server was awesome, and my only complaint is that she and i could not, for the life of us, figure out where we knew each other from. oh well, i guess she is just a friendly face on the streets of indianapolis. service was fantastic, our food came out quick, and our drinks were never empty. the price for two meals and four beers came out to $35, so it was a great deal too...

there was also some trivia going on that night. we only made it in time for the "guess that tune" round, but wound up in 3rd place after a personal defeat in the second place tie breaker. it was still a lot of fun.

we can't wait to go back, and i would recommend this restaurant to anyone.

fish and chips for lunch--awesome! elizabeth as my server--awesome! this continues to be a favorite location.


-----06 sep, 2011-----

stopped in for lunch. really liked the fish and chips! very good fries. cole slaw a little too creamy, but good.

very friendly staff and nice pub. i had bangers and mash which was good, and scoth eggs which were the best i've ever had. it's a little pricey it seems, but i will go back! a great addition to indy's destination for great eats, fountain square!

wasn't trying to be harsh.. woah, woah. settle down with the caps! i was just suggesting an idea, that's all, man. and, yes, everyone is entitled to their own opinion. i guess it's just that i like to speak to owners of new establishments to get info, background, etc. to help me understand the place a little more (restaurant, or not). and i was suggesting maybe you try that. sorry for trying to give an idea to help with the conclusion. truly am.


-----03 may, 2010-----

great, don't know what joe was talking about. first of all, who goes into an english pub and orders a burger?!? that is beyond me. i would think if one wants to experience english fare, they would order english fare. that is just me, though....? in any case, we have been there 4 times, and have not been disappointed. we have had the chicken tikka masala (which was delicious), the fish and chips were wonderful. the curry was perfect. love how the chips are cooked. even the chips and curry sauce (spicy) were wonderful! one night the special was a beef brisket dinner. we tried that, even, and were amazed at the tenderness, and amazing taste. fried pickle chips are grand, even the sauce they are served with. i have yet to try the scotch eggs, shepherd's pie, and blanket bangers. i have heard, however, that the burgers are great. i do want to try the chicken picotta. have heard great reviews on that one, as well. as far as the rlgh starting out without beer..... many places go through that. deal with it. all in all the rlgh is a great addition to fountain square, and i see them staying for quite some time. way to go, rlgh!!! so, my other review was deleted. it was just an afterthought about the "ambiance" and deco in rlgh. maybe it's not decorated because they are just starting out! joe, did you ever take the time to speak with one of the owners there?? i'm sure if you had taken the time to do that, they would have been more than happy to talk about their new beginnings. maybe next time you should opt to speak with the owner of a new business about the "ambiance", and deco, before coming to your own conclusion. just an idea.

i would like to add a side note on chicken tika masala not being english - it was invented in birmingham, england in the 1970s.


-----09 apr, 2010-----

the red lion grog house is finally serving beer!!!

quality of food is not as good as it was in the past when i used to go there. the scotch egg was cooked too long or perhaps the grease was old because the fries were too brown too. my grilled cheese was so hard that my mouth was sore after eating it. the cole slaw was tasteless. my husband said the breading on fish was too thick so he removed it. will not eat there again.

just eh. started off with the mac and cheese balls which were delicious, then it was downhill from there. i had a burger which are fried apparently that had blue cheese and buffalo sauce. the burger would have been great if it wasn't fried. the waiter was polite but did not check on us for refills etc. other things on the menu looke tasty but hesitant to go back after a mediocre meal/experience.

friendly faces. every visit to the grog house has exceeded expectations. this is where i go when i need excellent service and food. it is so nice knowing what to expect when everyone decides on this pub. all of my servers and bartenders have been friendly, inviting, and diligent. ben, and his gift to make you feel like an old friend having dinner in his home, is why i'm very comfortable visiting this pub even when i don't have anyone to go with. the tenderloin will blow you away.

always good tasty food. nice old school bar ambiance. the staff is always friendly and efficient. worth a visit if you’re in the fountain square area.

came with 7 other friends. i suggested red lion on it 4.2 rating. the food was edible but not good. the burgers are horrible. this is not a 4 plus place.

bad experience   ordered off the 9.99 lunch menu, but it should be called the 1/2 serving menu.
we got the ham n cheese and the fish.  the fish came out one tiny piece.  i told the waitress if i knew it was going
to be so small i wouldn't have ordered it.  she offered me another piece but the manager wouldn't go for that and
came out to talk with me.  he said i could get the full portion for 13.99 and get another piece.  and he told me the 
piece i had was 4 ounces.   woo hoo!   it looked smaller than that tho.  so you have a 9.99 lunch menu but it never mentions
on there that you will get smaller portions.  and when the customer is in shock from getting a tiny piece of fish, maybe you could take care of him one time and then next time he can decide whether he wants to pay for the full order.  or you could
be a bad manager, let your ego get involved, and win the argument and lose the war.   the ham n cheese was pretty
small too.  not much meat on that sandwich.   chatham tap here i come.  darn i should have taken a picture of that tiny piece of fish!    the waitress was nice

tenderloin with tater tots and curry sauce is on point. haven't had a really good tenderloin in indy since yesterday( i was partying yesterday at tappers down the road and i didn't have time to write the review last night) as a dude that grew up in madison and delaware county i kinda know a thing or two about this fine hoosier sandwich and this is the best one i had in years.