What once was an old, gray factory has now turned into a great millennium hangout in just one year. Filled to the brim with people and rustic indoor decor, The Garage in Indianapolis has become the new “it” restaurant.
Looking at its history, this antique building has gone through several renovations throughout the years. Originally owned by Lee E. and James S. Yuncker, the building was used as a Coca-Cola bottling factory. Soon after in 1969, the building was sold to Indianapolis Public Schools. The Garage opened its doors to the public on January 5, 2021. However, this wasn’t like any other restaurant.
This new facility offers 18 food vendors, with three more soon to come. Think of the place like a mall, but instead of clothing, it’s food— culturally-inclusive food.
With dishes from nearly all over the world, there is something for everyone. From La Chinita Poblana, which offers traditional Mexican food infused with Asian flavors, to Gaucho’s Fire, a tasty Brazilian restaurant. If you are feeling more traditional, Clancy’s sells hamburgers that are bound to fill your tummy.
Apart from the many food choices that this place has to offer, The Garage offers communal seating, which provides for a chance to mingle and meet new people throughout the experience. From two-person seating to very large groups of about 10 people, a table is bound to be found.
Another unique aspect of The Garage is the fact that locally-owned businesses are featured. For example, Pumkinfish is a retail store that offers unique gift items from all over the world, like game boards, candles, and cookbooks. However, if you are looking for clothes and more personal items, check out Becker Supply Co. They offer everything from t-shirts, hats, and even soaps. Everything is done with creativity in mind, and they plant a tree for every purchase that is made.
Even though The Garage has only been open for a year, it definitely has made an impact. I had heard from several friends about it, so I made the trip down to Indianapolis to see what this new food strip had to offer.
When I first walked in, the ambiance was slightly overwhelming with people everywhere. More specifically, the age range for this restaurant was very millennial. I hardly saw 18-23-year-olds. Instead, I saw a lot of people ranging from 25-35 years old. So, I definitely was caught off guard by the lack of people around my age, nonetheless, it is worth noting that The Garage is kid-friendly and of all ages.
Then came the hard part of this whole trip: trying to pick a vendor. I had a wide range of options, so I definitely was indecisive. But with much consideration, I decided to try Gaucho’s Fire, a vendor that sold Brazilian food. I had ordered their steak sandwich with fries. The sandwich included grilled onions, mayonnaise, provolone cheese, vinaigrette sauce, and steak all stacked on a French bread.
At first sight, I knew that I was going to enjoy this sandwich. It is worth mentioning that I am not a big fan of onions, but for some reason, even the onions looked appetizing to me. Overall the meal was a complete 10/10. The meat was tender and soft, not too greasy, and the mix of sauces and vegetables balanced the whole sandwich out.
Overall my experience at The Garage was great. I had a great time with friends, and we could all share and try foods from different cultures and countries, which to me was the most notable part.
It’s important to have these types of facilities that introduce audiences to cultural foods, broaden their understanding of different dishes, and most importantly have culturally-inclusive food.
If you want to make the trip to The Garage, their hours are Sunday through Thursday from 10:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Friday through Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Sources: Bottleworks District, Bottleworks District, Facebook, The Garage, The Garage, The Garage, Gauchos Fire, The Garage
Featured Image: Jake Bennett
