While I adore the character of local restaurants, I also get excited when new chain eateries introduce themselves to the city. When I spotted the sign for a new restaurant called Yard House opening next to Circle Centre Mall, I was instantly curious.
For weeks while driving around downtown, I’d wondered what Yard House would be like, when it would open and what would differentiate it from other big chains. Learning it would open only a few weeks before the NCAA Final Four Tournament, I decided to check it out about a week after basketball fans made their departure.
First, I noticed the restaurant’s size. I found that while the Yard House storefront seemed normal, the inside was extremely large. The furniture was comprised of sleek, dark wood while multiple large flat screen TVs were on display.
The menu also matched the restaurant’s size, very large with lots of variety. I honestly did not know where to start. It seemed as if the menu creators combined all of my favorite meals into one menu. First I wanted chicken wings, then pizza, then chicken tortilla soup, then tacos. The waitress had to visit me three times before I was ready to order.
The Snacks menu included items such as Street Tacos and Deviled Eggs with spicy tomato sauce, sweet chili sauce and minced chives, while the appetizers menu offered Jerk Wings, Chicken Garlic Noodles and Chicken Nachos.
The menu was also comprised of six styles of pizza, 10 different burgers, nine tacos and 11 sandwiches. Again, with the huge variety, I couldn’t choose. I thought it was convenient that Yard House offered another section of the menu called Gardein which offers customers chicken or beef substitute made from soy, wheat, pea proteins, vegetables and ancient grains. A great deal of American chain restaurants do not consider those who may be vegetarian or vegan.
Several Gardein menu items offered vegan versions of traditional menu offerings including the buffalo wings, Grilled Chicken & Avocado Sandwich and Spicy Thai Chicken Pizza.
Just when I thought I knew what I wanted to order, I spotted a lunch menu that runs daily from 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. with a sandwich, pizza, soup or salad combination.
About 20 minutes after walking through the door, I finally ordered from the lunch menu, half pepperoni pizza and a cup of chicken tortilla soup. I was also intrigued by the Vampire Taco, so I ordered one ala carte as well. The waitress described the Vampire Taco as a cheese crusted tortilla with carnitas, bacon chorizo, chipotle salsa, roasted garlic, cumin crema, guacamole and cilantro. After ordering all the food, I knew I’d have plenty to take home, including that taco, or so I thought.
All of my items arrived at the same time, but I couldn’t take my eyes off of the taco. It just looked different from any other taco I’d had before — and it was the best I’d ever had. The carnitas were full of flavor and juice and the taco shell was baked with cheese to provide a hint of saltiness.
The chicken tortilla soup was spicy and cheesy while the tortilla strips resting on top added just enough crunch. While I only ate one slice of the pizza, about the size of a personal pan, because I was stuffed, it was also pretty tasty and fresh out of the oven.
If you are looking to try a new restaurant while roaming downtown, I highly recommend Yard House. It truly has something for everyone.
Yard House
15 W. Maryland St.
Indianapolis, Ind. 46204
(317) 917-4408
Hours:
Sunday – Thursday: 11-12:30 a.m.
Friday & Saturday: 11 – 1 a.m.
