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John's Famous Stew

1146 Kentucky Avenue, Indianapolis, IN - (317) 636-6212
John's stews come in mild, medium, and hot, made from a 19th-century recipe from the founders' Macedonian mother. A brimming bowl is filled with huge clods of beef and large chunks of vegetables. John's is a friendly tavern where you can down a mug or two of beer with your stew. All-in-all, a nice taste of old-time Indy.
100% Approval Rating (7 votes)

Scorecard

4 - Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Overall: One of the Best - Worth a Trip
Blackberry Cobbler
Giant Breaded Tenderloin
Medium Stew
Peach Cobbler
Hot Minced Pit
Hot Stew
Mild Stew
Beef Manhattan

Highlighted Reviews

rating
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle - Photos (1)
Roadfood.com Editor
"A little-discussed feature of Indy cuisine is the frequency with which stew is encountered on local menus. This homely dish is found in taverns and sandwich shops often enough for one to assume the local folks have a particular fondness for the stuff. One great place ..."   [Read More]
rating
Michael Stern - Photos (5)
Roadfood.com Editor
"It was my lucky day in Indianapolis. I arrived at John's Famous Stew mid-afternoon, when Pauline, who has been a waitress in this dark, adults-only tavern for a few score years, had some time to chat. She clued me in to the difference between stew and goulash (the ..."   [Read More]

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Map & Web Site

1146 Kentucky Avenue, Indianapolis, IN
(317) 636-6212

http://indysfamousstew.com/

Hours & Policies

Seasons:Open Year Round
Meals Served:Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Dessert
Operational Hours:Always Call Ahead!
Credit Cards Accepted:Yes
Alcohol Served:Yes
Outdoor Seating:No
Reservations Accepted:No
Delivery Available:No
Takeout Counters:No
John's famous stew here is augmented with a few extra vegetables and butter beans.
"John's famous stew here is augmented with a few extra vegetables and butter beans."
Michael Stern





A part of John's for decades, waitress and cook Pauline is a great conversationalist, especially when it comes to matters culinary.
"A part of John's for decades, waitress and cook Pauline is a great conversationalist, especially when it comes to matters culinary."
Michael Stern


A sign at each door warns that customers must be 21 to enter. John's is as much a place to drink as to dine.
"A sign at each door warns that customers must be 21 to enter. John's is as much a place to drink as to dine."
Michael Stern


From my perch on a barstool I saw Pauline (obscured on left) coach Phoebe about making the stew just-hot-enough.
"From my perch on a barstool I saw Pauline (obscured on left) coach Phoebe about making the stew just-hot-enough."
Michael Stern


While dining at the bar, you can watch TV. But conversing with Pauline was much better than the boob tube.
"While dining at the bar, you can watch TV. But conversing with Pauline was much better than the boob tube."
Michael Stern


We noticed a few places in Indy that serve stew. John's is one of the oldest.
"We noticed a few places in Indy that serve stew. John's is one of the oldest."
Bruce Bilmes and Susan Boyle



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