When we were first married, my husband and I lived in Broad Ripple and we often revisit the area to have lunch and remember the early days of our marriage. Broad Ripple is no longer the sleepy little village it once was and has turned into a very popular area of town. The Monon Trail has attracted a larger group of homeowners and others to the area.
Happily, there are still many places in Broad Ripple where you can find amazingly inexpensive dining options. Some of them are new and others have been there for years.
Here are our favorites:
1. Cheap Broad Ripple lunch option number one: Yats
This is a favorite with our adult offspring. It was our middle son who first introduced us to this Broad Ripple restaurant, raving about the huge portions and the low cost. He was absolutely right.
The dishes at this Broad Ripple lunch spot are distinctly Creole in flavor and most items are priced at $5.50 – $6.50. For that, you get a huge amount of food, including two large slices of bread. As you might expect, the dishes are somewhat spicy – but not overly so – and feature such entrees as rice and beans, etouffees and jambalayas.
If you like your food even hotter, there are Cajun seasonings and hot sauces available. Just ask.
Special features: Award-winning restaurant, getting the “best soul food” award from Nuvo magazine for 2006.
Location and contact info:
5463 N. College Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46220
317-253-8817
Hours: lunch starts at 11 am, seven days a week.
2. Cheap Broad Ripple lunch option two: Bazbeaux pizza
I’m going with a sentimental favorite here because this pizza joint has been around for years and we ate here before we had our first child. Calling it a “pizza joint” is a bit of a misnomer as this Broad Ripple dining spot has some pretty upscale choices when it comes to pizza. Try the Bazbeau Special which comes with fresh basil, garlic and sun-dried tomatoes or the Pizza Alla Quattro Formaggio which features five different cheeses as well as bacon and mushrooms. If your mouth isn’t watering yet, it should be!
Special feature: At lunch you can order individual pizza slices for $2.25 for a traditional slice or $2.95 if you want additional toppings. A bargain price for a great Broad Ripple meal. The place does get busy but if you work nearby you can arrange for a delivery.
Location and contact info:
811 E. Westfield Boulevard
Indianapolis, IN 46220
317- 255-5711
Hours: lunch is generally served between 11-2 and dinner delivery begins at 4:30 so don’t time your lunch too late.
3. Cheap Broad Ripple lunch option three: India Garden Restaurant
This is also a longtime favorite of ours and I’m happy to note that they have maintained a consistent quality for years now. When it comes to Indian food served in a pleasant atmosphere, you’ll be happy here. There are Indian stenciled designs on the wall and a great lunch menu or buffet. We like the Tandoori chicken but there are many other options. You won’t want to pass up the bread choices either. Expect to pay about $7.95 for the chicken and most dishes are under ten dollars. Call ahead about the buffet option as dishes change from day to day.
Special features: the manager will be happy to drop by your table and answer questions. Nice, intimate tables make this a great place for a date or family luncheon. The service is excellent. Rated Best Indian Restaurant in Indianapolis for three years running.
Location and contact info:
830 Broad Ripple Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46220
317-253-6060
Hours: 11 am – 2:30 pm daily.
4. Cheap Broad Ripple lunch option four: Boogie Burgers
Relatively new to the area, this is primarily for burger lovers although there is a garden burger and very nice garlic fries as well. If you feel particularly hungry try their huge Monster Burger.
Special features: they use Angus beef and make some of the best burgers around. The place is small so don’t count on lots of space.
Location and contact info:
927 E. Westfield Blvd.
Indianapolis, IN 46220
317-255-2450
Hours: call for new hours as the place is reopening after a brief vacation break on January 11th.
5. Cheap Broad Ripple lunch option five: Sams Gyros
This is a no frills Broad Ripple Greek restaurant with a bit of atmosphere, strictly casual. You can’t beat the prices and the food. Try the falafel, gyros and hummus. If you are familiar with Greek food, you’ll find the usual dishes you’d expect here and all for under ten dollars and often much less. You can get by for close to five dollars if you choose carefully.
Special features: if you enjoy watching cooks prepare your meal, you can often see into the kitchen and see exactly what they are doing.
Location and contact info:
Sam’s Gyros
5404 N. College Ave.
Indianapolis, In. 46220
317-251-8503
Hours: lunch starts at 11 am and the Broad Ripple location stays open till at least 8 pm so you can stay as late as you like.
6. Cheap Broad Ripple lunch option six: Qdoba Mexican Grill
With consistent quality across the nation, this is worthy of a mention here. All burritos include rice with a hint of lime. Try the Grilled Vegetable or Fajita Ranchero Burrito. Selections may vary on occasion but if you’ve eaten at one across the country, you can count on finding similar items at this Broad Ripple location. I like this spot when I have a hankering for Mexican food.
Their tortilla chips and three cheese Queso Dip are also excellent.
Special features: you can find a variety of vegetarian options and predictable quality. Their Broad Ripple location was ranked number one in the country!
Location and contact info:
6334 N. Guilford Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46220
317- 205-9660
Hours: generally open 24 hours, always open during lunch hours.
Whether you decide to go boating on the White River, take a quick jog on the Monon Trail or browse the quaint boutiques and art galleries in Broad Ripple, be sure to leave time to catch a nice and inexpensive lunch while you are in the area. You’ll find it a delight and if you ask nicely, odds are high that whatever Broad Ripple luncheon spot you choose will have some free bread or cracker crumbs for you to feed the ducks along the canal afterwards.
