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 thechickenpot 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 thechickenpot 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..chickentikki 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.

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 thechickentikka 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 thechickenpicotta. 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 onchickentika 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!!!

had another decent meal here. had the scotch eggs and they were still the best we've tasted! the patty melt was pretty good. have had slightly better at another pub we frequent. the mac & cheese was good and a large serving but felt it was way over priced for what it was. pics included. enjoy! 20160429

----- 26 dec, 2015 ----
scotch eggs here were some of best i've had! the cheese sticks were humongous and a little too much cheese, we ended sending back. the meatloaf sandwich was extremely flavorful and plenty. thechicken& chips was juicy and breading was good. chips (fries) were a little soggy and slightly flavorful. we'll definitely be back. pics included. enjoy! 20151226

one of my new favorite places. i must admit, i wasn't really eager to go to red lion when i looked at the menu online, but my husband insisted that it was good. he was right. i have visited three times in the last four weeks. the service was exceptional each time, which always surprises me these days. i was surprised to see other reviews stating that they had poor service. they work as a team, so it isn't always your server picking up plates or bringing you more water. i have really loved all of the following foods at red lion - meatloaf,chickentikka masala,chickenpot pie, chips and curry, bangers and mash and of course the elephant ear. i would highly recommend trying the red lion.

disappointed. we have just retuned from the red lion and i must say that we were sadly disappointed. it started out great, our server was attentive (i stated this was out first visit). we ordered the scotch egg which was very good (beware the picture shows 6 pieces, its only 4). i ordered the piccadilly drink which tasted great (very little alcohol) and my fiancé ordered the preachers daughter beer which was alright. this is where it started going downhill. first we ordered the picattochickensandwich with french fries and the special (steak, mashed potatoes, green beans). after our order was placed our server was rarely seen. we had to get her attention just to get ketchup for the fries. the fries were burnt and cold. our server brought out another order of fries which were also burnt, but piping hot! the sandwich tasted...interesting and had so much sauce the bun was soggy. the steak was good, as well as, the mashed potatoes and green beans. i ordered another drink, red lion grog, which according to the server was to be sweet, it definitely was not. it was very bitter. overall, the experience wasn't too bad, but bad enough that we will not return. i am a server of over 3 years so i am greatly familiar with how things run in a restaurant. we may have just been the recipients off a bad experience as the reviews of this establishment are primarily good. i hope this helps others and thank you for reading.

great spot in one of indy's only original places!. ate with my wife on a sunday a little after noon. place was about 3/4ths full, not bad considering fountain square is a fri/sat type of place.

wife and i started with the scotch eggs and fried pickle chips . can't vouch for their other pub food (shepherd's pie, bangers and mash, etc), but they've got fried food down to a science! pickle chips were perfect, pickley flavor shown through the fried flavor and the fresh dill dipping sauce was delicious! first time having the scotch eggs in my life, absolutely delicious as well. eggs perfectly cooked, outer coating of sausage and filler very flavorful.

for our entrees, we had the buffalochickensandwich and the fish and chips, both of us had fries as the side. sandwich was huge, hand breaded, and fried to perfection. wife is addicted to buffalo flavored anything, and she absolutely loved it. fish and chips were the best i've ever had... two massive fillets of cod or haddock, hand battered, along with what looked like homemade cole slaw, and homemade fries. everything was cooked about as perfect as you could get it. both of us couldn't finish our meals, but we left incredibly happy. :)

also had a sun king wee mac and a triton railsplitter ipa... both delicious, locally brewed beers that topped off a great lunch at a great spot. didn't eat a thing the rest of the day!

nothing bad.....just not great. went with a group for lunch today. service was friendly and prompt. i had the spicy currychickensandwich with chips. thechickenwas marinated in curry as advertised and grilled, though not very spicy. i would have liked more than a thin slice of half ripe tomato on the sandwich and the roll could have been grilled or toasted. chips were nice with malt vinegar. others had 2 of the burgers and fish and chips. again, fine....but nothing to get excited about. would i go back? yes if thats where everyone else wanted to go, but it wouldn't be my first choice.

i've become addicted to red lion as of late. great burgers,chickensandwiches, fish and chips. decent enough beer selection and great music.

beware thechickentikka masala. if you order thechickentikka masala make sure they don't serve you thechickenpot pie filling with curry sauce thrown in. if restaurants are out of a menu item the server should offer you a chance to order another item, not bring you something you did not order.chickentikka masala is reddish in hue, and does not have carrots and potatoes in it.

delicious food. went here for lunch today with my mom and hubby. we had scotch eggs as an appetizer, served with chili aioli, which with me being so sensitive to spiciness, i was surprised i liked it. hubs had the bangers in mash which were adorned with 3 hand battered onion rings. and he sure did love their batter. i had the fish sandwich, battered in the same as the onion rings...simply amazing!! their french onion soup was so delicious, i asked if they made it fresh everyday. and as i suspected, they do! one of the chef's heard me ask and he came out and he showed me the huge stock pot of cut up onions that were part of the next batch of soup!! fabulous french onion! momma had thechickenpicotta sandwich, pretty tasty, something different.

all three of us had different beers which we liked. overall we had a nice experience and enjoyed our food and conversation. it def has a warm and cozy feel with dim lighting which is nice! took dark for pictures though lol!

hard to find but worth it.. my co-workers and myself went in there for lunch this past friday after a recommendation from a friend and found the restaurant to be more than expected. it was hard to find the place with no sign (it's in the old gc murphy building next to the pnc bank for anyone trying to find it) but once we found it we walked in to a nearly full crowd. we found our seats and decided to start off with the fried pickles and chips and curry as appetizers. the curry sauce was absolutely amazing and the pickle chips were perfect. i wish i wasn't on lunch or i would have had a beer to wash them down, they have 3 different sun king beers on tap to choose from as well as 5 other taps. we decided to share our lunch family style so that we could sample everything. we chose the fish and chips, stuffed portobella mushrooms, a reuben sandwich, andchickenpot pie. i might be a little biased seeing that i've lived in england for 6 years but the fish was the best i've had since i've left. the mushrooms had a slight balsamic flavor to them that was accompanied by a roasted red pepper and blue cheese cream sauce that made me only want to eat that but i did have to share. my boss claimed the reuben for herself once she saw it. it was art, mounds of corned beef, swiss cheese, sour kraut topped with 1000 island dressing on marbled rye. the pot pie was also delicious, it was too hot out to truly enjoy something it but i can definitely see myself coming back in the fall to enjoy this comfort food.
we will be back to try the elephant ear for dessert next time.

picky eater.. i drive by the red lion nearly every day and finaly decided to check it out. i'm so glad that i did, the restaurant was clean and inviting as i walked in the door. i ordered the fried pickle chips as an appetizer thechickenpiccatta sandwich as a meal and neither disapointed. i love the uniforms that the girls wear, something different than your polo shirts and khakis. i was there during my lunch break so i didn't get to enjoy a beer however i will be back to try one of their 3 sun king choices. good job to whomever opened this joint, it was great!

awesome food. i've eaten at red lion grog house several times - the food is great! i've had the salads, soups, andchickentenders. all of it was awesome. can't wait to go back again!