I hit up Red Lion Grog House early this year on a Tuesday evening after work with some friends. I think the place was recently opened. It's a little tough to find - if you aren't familiar with Fountain Square and paying attention. The outdoor signage is practically non-existant. I drove by it twice before I figured out that it was smack in the middle of a city block. There aren't many places that serve scotch eggs but Red Lion Grog House did them justice! So delicious. I really shouldn't have eaten the fish and chips, but they were too hard to pass up! I'm glad I did! They were fantastic. At the time, they were one of the few places serving Sun King (everyone is now it seems) so that was bonus points in my book. I'll be back!
(4)
Brenden H.
This place is awesome! If you're looking for beer with wicked cool names with a flavor and quality to match, this is the place for you. I'm a fan of just about anything on the menu, from their spicy curry chips to their fish n chips to their shepard's pie; however, my all-time favorite is their meatloaf. Their meatloaf comes one of two ways: as a sandwich or as MEATLOAF. In either case, it's fantastic, and it's hard for me to really order anything else. It's the perfect blend of salt and spice and meat. Not a fan of meat? No problem. This place has a variety of vegetarian options, like a true grog house should. They have everything from fried mushrooms to veggie burgers to a delicious giant stuffed portobella. Except the section marked "Chicken," there's at least one delicious veggie item that I'd place near the top of my list. If you're watching your sodium or oil intake, Red Lion might not be the place for you...but c'mon. You're going to a grog house.
(5)
Yvonne M.
My roommate brought me to this place when we were touring around Fountain Square and I loved what I ordered. We ordered a plate of handcut fries that went really well with the curry sauce that came with it and also the creamy garlic wings. I can only say I'm excited to be back for MORE!
(4)
Kjirsten K.
Just had the Spicy Curry Chicken Sandwich and it is AWESOME! Also, they now have an IPA on draught along with Sun King's Naptown Brown Ale. This place gets better every time I come here!!! Way to go, Red Lion!
(4)
Klaus W.
Went in for a weekday lunch. General ambiance, good Service VG Got the Black & Blue burger. It was Ok, the patty was cooked properly, the bacon was freshly fried, but there was only about a tablespoon of blue cheese, at most on it. The lettuce wasn't really fresh and the tomato and 1 onion were tiny. Seeing other great reviews I guess I expected more. The burger came with sweet potato fries, which are great. I did walk out full, so they score there with me. The restroom was 2am-divebar-esque. Urine-smelling, big hole punched in a wall, FILTHY.
(3)
Benjamin H.
I've tried something different (food wise) every time and everything has been excellent. I like their daily/monthly specials. yes! I'll be honest, the dress code for the servers is a little weird..
(4)
Erin Q.
So, my networking group and I decided to venture to RLGH last night and I'm not super familiar with the Fountain Square area... code for, I got lost! Even with GPS, getting to this little neighborhood is tricky for those of you that are directionally challenged like me! But, let me tell you, I would take on trying to find it again! The server-super friendly and knowledgeable! I couldn't bring myself to order the burger w/ jalapenos and peanut butter, but I did taste it and it was pretty darn good!! I ended up with the fish and chips and was pretty excited when I saw that they already had vinegar on the table... shouldn't make a girl ask for it! Loved my meal, the chips were phenomenal and I would come back for those alone. They do have parking behind the restaurant and there is a little lot off of Woodlawn that is free parking too.
(5)
Jonathan K.
This is the local gastropub with a wide variety of different types of food and excellent local beers. The cool part is you can take the kids here, too, and they're happy to be there and serve them there. They always have activities (I have yet to participate in the trivia or poker) but it sounds like a good way to spend an evening.
(5)
Andrew D.
Great place. They have a very good beer selection, tasty food and friendly staff. The drink specials are great and they are one of the few places that have Strongbow on tap (which makes the wife very happy). I've had the burger and tried the blanket bangers, both were very good. The fries are amazing and the curry sauce they serve with it even better. I haven't been for trivia night yet, but it looks like a lot of fun. All around great addition to Fountain Square.
(5)
Roxy R.
I had such a good time at the red lion. The staff is incredibly nice and helpful :) I ordered the veggie burger and fried pickles. First off, the pickles were awesome! Back in TX I've never ordered fried pickles that aren't sitting in their grease. These looked almost baked and were delish. The burger was just as great! It was large and filling and I had to save half. Along with a strongbow, the meal was perfect :)
(5)
Trent B.
I've been to Red Lion Grog House twice. The first time was for dinner with my wife on a Wednesday evening and the second on a Monday for lunch with some friends. Both times, the food was awesome. I had a burger and the fish sandwich which were both delicious. My wife had a veggie burger and raved about it. I was also impressed by their selection of beers on tap. The only complaint I have is the service was not great for lunch. They only had one waitress serving everyone and our food took about 30 minutes or more to get. She said they're going to start adding another waitress to help with the lunch rush, so hopefully this was just a one-time occurrence. Definitely will be back again soon.
(4)
Tim W.
I've been here several times now and have to down-grade my original review. I don't know why, but I'm always there on Thursdays, trivia night (LOUD trivia night) and I always regret it. I've even walked out on Thursdays when I stumble in not remembering my calendar. But I chose to stay this time. I love trivia. I love being able to find out stuff I don't know. (Which is a lot). But Red Lion appears to love trivia night to the exclusion of other guests. When I say trivia night is loud, I don't mean the patrons are loud. They're not. If you sit by the window, you won't even know the trivia fans are there.The DJ is loud. If you've been there, you know the size of the space is not mammoth. If you saw and heard the speakers during trivia night, you'd think you were at a much larger venue. There MAY have been 10 people there for trivia night and all of them knew to avoid the front three tables by the totally over-cranked (like me, I guess) speakers and the server wouldn't let me sit at the back table (reserved for the no-show trivia guests) and tried to get me to sit next to the loud (did I mention that?) speakers when I wasn't wanting to participate in trivia night. Finally got seated at one of the two tables in the window which are fine, except the server was so interested in the trivia that she wasn't too interested in traversing the apparent MILES between the trivia-l part of the restaurant to refill my drink or see if my meal was all right. I got the pot-roast served on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes, two of my favorite things in the world. The pot roast was really good, but the potatoes were like wallpaper paste. I, who never met a potato with garlic that I didn't like, couldn't get more than four bites of them down. Disappointing, to say the least. I love a lot of things about Red Lion. Not a big drinker (maybe I should be to get the stick out), but there's still lots to love here. The French onion soup, the chips with great sauces, the Shepherd's pie, the elephant ears, and usually the servers. I'll go back again for sure but it for sure won't be on a Thursday. Oh, and if you like big prizes for trivia, the pot was up to $15 last week.
(3)
Carey D.
I love the Red Lion. The owner, Wally, is usually around on weeknights when I've been in, and he is fantastic... really makes you feel good to support a local business when such a nice person is behind it! The chicken tikka masala- an English curry- is my favorite dish, and they also make a tasty homemade meatloaf. Have been there several times and never had anything I didn't like. You won't leave hungry. If you are a fan of blue cheese dressing, make sure you try it at Red Lion because it is homemade and divine. If you are curious to try out Red Lion, check out their Facebook page because they are always updating it with daily specials, etc: facebook.com/pages/India… Oh, and like any good grog house would, Red Lion has a nice beer selection.
(5)
Katie B.
Unfortunately, I have to downgrade my review of the Red Lion. The last two times I have been there, the food has been mediocre at best. The veggie burger I raved about previously now sticks to the roof of your mouth. My friends' fish and chips were soggy. Not good. Still a nice place to grab a pint and play trivia though.
(3)
Bre S.
A nice addition to Fountain Square. There are several things I like about this place. 1) Nice layout. I especially like the tables by the window for people watching on a busy day or sitting at the bar to watch multiple games on multiple tvs. 2) Service. Even when full, we've always gotten great service here. 3) PBR: 1.75 on Sundays. Enough said. 4) Tator tots as a side. Even better than No. 3. :) The food is good. I am a big fan of the fried mushrooms served with a chipotle ranch sauce. We usually go the RLGH on a Sunday evening to have some drinks and this is the app we always choose. I've heard rave reviews on the chips with curry, but the boyfriend refuses to try them. I may overrule him next time. I recently tried the meatloaf sandwich and was not disappointed, except for the bread....little small for the sandwich. All in all, a nice place to stop in, relax and fill up, especially when not wanting to travel far but dying to get out of the house. We plan on including this in our rotation of weekend outings.
(4)
Eric S.
Best burger in indy!
(5)
Jammy S.
Red Lion is my favorite pub for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is the food. Rob's creations are giant belly fulls of amazing. They have the best damn veggie burger I have ever eaten. Handmade patty with a texture similar to a soft falafel with lots of great flavor. It's big. *I just drooled.* Fish and chips are spot on for pub fish and chips, good batter to fish ratio, basic whitefish flavor, vinegar on the table and tartar sauce in a ramekin. A contender for the style. Chips (aka fries) are tasty and they have ....TATTER TOTS! I will tell you a secret, deep fried tatter tots dipped in curry sauce are absolutely heaven with a beer. Curry... oh yeah. You dip things in it. This is an English pub after all. You dip you fri... chips in it, you dip your tots in it, you dip your burger in it, you dip your Scotch Eggs in it, etc... The hot is not overpowering, it's just good. Sometimes they have 'Apple Curry', ask for it... it's amazing. The Reuben is a favorite of mine, you wouldn't necessarily expect it at a pub, but it's one of the best I've had. Really great, lots of flavor in the corned beef and a bit of zip in the sauce. My buddy comes into town and without fail gets the Steak and Chips, it's just what it sounds like, but the steak is damn good, it's cut into medallion sized pieces before cooking. It makes a hearty meal. Get the Bubble and Squeak, it's a culinary experience in English excess. If you HATE cabbage, get the Lancaster Hot Pot instead, almost the same dish. It's big, two average folks can share it. Beer is good, beer is food. They have plenty to offer. Local varieties on tap, at least one American macro brew, and several rotating national or international brews. The staff make this place special. Wally the owner is a stand up guy who obviously puts his heart in making the Lion all it can be, Rob makes the kitchen sizzle, and the bar staff actually like their jobs and are good people to chat with. They all keep me coming back even if I'm not hungry.
(5)
Theresa K.
I had been hearing all about Red Lion Grog House for quite awhile. Well, I finally made it there- I treated some friends for helping me move a futon. For appetizers, we had the scotch eggs, pickle chips and curry & chips. The scotch eggs were pretty good. They were a bit dry. When I think of scotch eggs, I think of the sausage and such making everything really moist. It was all pretty dry (maybe fried too long or something?)- still pretty good, though, and my tablemates liked them. The pickle chips were nice and thick- VERY greasy. We left a couple because nobody wanted to put that in their stomachs (although we DID order a lot of food). Oh ma gawd. The Curry chips were delicous. The curry wasn't really all *that* spicy, but it was so full of flavor. The chips were SO fresh and great even on their own- sprinkled in sea salt. I'm sad that I don't have any right now. For dinner, I had the Chicken Picotta with cottage cheese. To be quite honest, I didn't know what picotta was. I just ordered it anyway (because it was unique). I was happy to find capers. Mmmmm. It was a light brownish type of gravy- A bit salty like capers are. The chicken was very very moist. I was worried it might have been a bit pink, but I ated it all and turned out okay. I ate all the cottage cheese, too. I tried a bite of the fish and chips, and that cod was so thick with cod (you know how most places have more batter than fish?)- Oh, SO good. I started with an Upland Rad Red and finished with a Sun King Octoberfest. The pints were $3. Heck yeah!
(5)
Tiffany B.
Other than the odd/ awkward entry point (no host stand? No official 'hi, we've walked in the FRONT door of an eating establishment" type of clue...) I loved the space. The pub faire tasted authentic. I lived in England for a year, so I can be pretty picky, but the Shepherd's Pie here was AWESOME! I wish they would have served it with a small helping of chips like they do in England. Who doesn't want potatoes with their potatoes, I ask you? Not this kid. I could dip french fries (chips in this instance) into a baked potato smotherd in mashed potatoes with a raw potato appetizer. I guess that's the Irish in me. Love it. My fellow diners seemed equally impressed. Way to go! Oh, and they have Boddingtons. Now I am getting home sick for London. Thanks a lot, Red Lion Grog House! I'll have to be back soon.
(4)
Jillian H.
English & American comfort food. They serve everything from Shepherds Pie to burgers and salads. We had a BBQ bacon burger that was topped with onion rings and cooked to a perfect juicy medium and candied walnut strawberry salad that was fresh and tasty. They also have a pretty good beer list. Everything on the menu sounds wonderful. This is a great little spot to stop by before going to Radio Radio for a show.
(4)
Aaron S.
I love Red Lion Grog House. Such a great atmosphere. A perfect place to meet with friends. The staff is knowledgable and friendly and always have great suggestions. We had a fairly long wait on friday because it was first friday and people were just hanging out at their tables. The manager hooked us up with free chips and curry and was very apologetic even though there wasn't much they could do about it. Great bar fare. Highly recommend the hot shrimp and the Scotch eggs! Portobello meal is also amazing. This is one of the few places in indy you get a Bellhaven Scottish Ale. Poured fast into a cold glass, it's like a creamy milkshake!
(5)
Jason H.
Fountain Square has been booming over the past couple years, with all kinds of new restaurants and bars trying to make a go of it in that cool, little business/entertainment district that the local hip cats have always said is on the verge of something great. We've seen a few of these businesses come and go, for various reasons, while others exude an aroma of what smells like real staying power. Though it's rather early in the game to say this, I see Red Lion Grog House as a fine example. Ever since Rob & Jay's Chippie in South Broad Ripple closed about 5 years ago, I've been longing for another restaurant to spring up in Indy and serve more authentic British pub food. It's a simple, yet delicious, style of cooking, but it seems for a restaurant to get the flavors and textures right, there either needs to be a native of the UK in the kitchen or someone with some good recipes from a British relative. We'll just say I've had some mighty bland and boring plates of fish and chips around these parts. I was excited when I heard about Red Lion opening, and made a point to get over there as soon as possible. My excitement was sustained when I opened the door and smelled the aroma of steaks, steak sauce, curry and a deep fryer floating over wonderfully noisy crowd. My kind of place. I ordered the fish and chips, with a side of curry sauce for the chips. The fish was crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, with that perfect yeasty beer batter flavor. The chips were hand-cut, with the skins still on, and were mighty good. The curry sauce was great, too, with a little more spicy kick than most I've tried. I've been back twice since my initial visit and was probably even more impressed by their bangers and mash. Wow. What a good meal for this big corn-fed boy from Illinois! And, every time I've gone to Red Lion, the service has been great. You've got to love the server outfits, too.
Went for a morning World Cup match. Had the biscuits and gravy from the brunch menu, along with the Sunking cream ale (delish) Good atmosphere. Very friendly. Good service. Looking forward to going back to try out the chips and curry.
(4)
Mindy K.
Great local beer selection. Food was hot and ready very quickly.
(3)
Sarah G.
"Fish and Chips" were very fatty and I could taste the oil in the fish batter. If they want to do proper 'English' fish and chips then they need to do steak fries. The fries were very dark and looked like they could have been the end of a batch or been in the fryer for a while as they were not golden by any stretch of the imagination. My husband thought the fries were made with old potatoes due to their consistency. The Scotch Egg was alright but I have had better. The rice that came with the Chicken Tikka Masala was VERY sticky. Service was quick and relatively pleasant. We were there on a Saturday afternoon and there was only about 7 or 8 other people there. I am a British Expat living in Indy so maybe I had higher expectations after reading through a few reviews. I am doubtful I will try the food here again.
(1)
Marian K.
Went there with a group of eight (had a reservation) on a Saturday night. The service wasn't so good; the waitress kept forgetting to bring things, or would be gone for long periods of time. They were out of several types of beer, including one of the draught specials (after several of us ordered it, then we're told after a few minutes that they were out). We had a table in the window, somewhat away from other customers, but it was still difficult to have a conversation. I don't agree that the sound level was average. The food was reasonably good. All in all, I might go back during a slower/quieter time, but my experience was that it wasn't a great place to meet up with old friends you haven't seen for a while.
(3)
Tristan S.
Two things about Red Lion: it's LOUD. And it smells delicious. Went early on Friday night. The wait was an hour, so we came back a few hours later when it had died down. The first thing I noticed was the smell: it's simply amazing, the way a pub should smell. The noise was unfortunate, though, and it didn't sound like the crowd had died down - the dining area has no sound treatments that I could see and is extremely noisy, so much so that at the end of our meal, we debated staying for another drink but all agreed we couldn't stand the noise any longer. But perhaps, with such a tight, narrow dining area, they're eager to hustle people in & out, and keeping it loud is one way to do that. Food-wise, they have a typical Anglocentric pub menu with few vegetarian options but lots of good draft beers, including local fave Sun King. They had a portabella burger, but I'm not a fan of portabella. I ordered the veggie burger raved about on Yelp, but they were out of it. Disappointed, I settled for the fried pickle chips. It's an appetizer, but since I was trying not to eat meat, I didn't have many other options. The pickles were good: slightly crunchy, intensely flavored with garlic and salt. I'd share them with people again but as a veggie entree they don't cut it (but that's what I get for ordering an appetizer as a meal I guess). If I'm hungry the next time I'm in Fountain Square, I'll call ahead to see if they have veggie burgers. Otherwise, I'll stop in a for a beer and then jet. Unless it's crowded, in which case I'll head to a more relaxing spot.
(3)
Brad W.
I have only been here once, very early after they opened. I have friends who practically live here! At the time of my visit, they were still working out the kinks. The beer selection wasn't as strong as it is now, and I have heard the food (while I did enjoy it) has gotten even better. I look forward to getting another chance to eat there, and will be happy to update (upgrade) my rating at that time. Looking forward to it!
(3)
Libbie V.
Awesome apple curry chicken wings. I am a wing fanatic and these are wonderful! Perfectly cooked big & meaty wings with crispy skin and tender & moist inside and the sauce is just wonderful!
(5)
Katherine R.
Great food - great people.... The chips and (spicy) curry are fantastic. My favorite meal so far is the chicken and chips (as opposed to the fish and chips, which I have not tried yet). I haven't been in since the beer arrived - hopefull I'll be back this week. So glad Red Lion is in my neighborhood!
(5)
David C.
My new favorite place! It is great to see some amazing restaurants in Fountain Square, and this is an excellent addition. I have loved everything I have eaten there, from the mushroom swiss burger with just the right amount of brown gravy to the best fries in town. And be sure to get a side of spicy curry sauce to dip your fries. Good beer selection and trivia nights are the icing on this cake. Don't be put off by the street being torn up out front - there is plenty of parking behind.
(5)
Rob G.
Quite good for what it is. There are always new businesses popping up in Fountain Square and it is anybody's guess who will make it. I am certain and have hopes that Red Lion will stay around. As other reviewers mention, they certainly have a varied beer selection, including local, even if it doesn't necessarily include high end. It does seem completely appropriate for the type of place that it is, however. In the style of English Pub, they have great fish, chips, and curry. In fact, I recommend getting the chips and curry if you want an appetizer. The English style curry is certainly a bit different than what you might expect from an Indian restaurant, so be prepared. It is equally delicious. I have been to the Red Lion for a dinner for two, to drink beer with a friend, to play trivia, and to have fun with a large group. All experiences have been good. Service has been consistently friendly and reliable. As far as I can tell, Red Lion will remain a force in Fountain Square, even as some of it's neighbors may come and go.
(4)
Matt I.
I love this place! The fish and chips are excellent. The Waltimate (Burger with Bacon, Cheddar cheese, jalapenos, and peanut butter) is crazy good. I love the chips and curry for an appetizer. They have a great atmosphere, great food, huge beer selection, and great people.
(5)
Kenny Z.
I have lived in multiple cities and consistently traveling...honestly I didnt have too much faith in Indianapolis given the food quality and variety here...Stopped by this place for work lunch, and I was not disappointed at all. Mouth-watering burgers. HUGE (1/2 lb). The price is very reasonable:~$10 with a side. Now I attempted to to avoid this place because I always experienced food coma after I dined there (it's a good thing; dont take it wrong way lol). Yet I missed the flavors once in a while, so I couldnt help myself go there again....
(4)
Christopher R.
Our visit was a short one, but I'm quickly becoming a fan of Ft. Square and the new life it's breathing into the area. Red Lion was no exception, great cozy environment with an eclectic clientele and staff. They support the local breweries as a good local bar should. The scotch eggs were decent, but i've had better. I'm sure i'll be back and ready to try something else and enjoy an evening with friends
(4)
Daniel H.
Great food, beer, atmosphere and service.
(5)
Karl H.
Great beer selection and good food keep us coming back for more. The staff is friendly, the decor awesome, and keeping Fountain Square real after dark gets it a solid 4 stars!
(4)
Jon R.
Some of the best fries (chips) I've had. Nice and dark potatoes, with a creamy, divine spicy curry for dipping and the perfect amount of salt. Great beer list. Incredible staff and owner. Go here and find what pleases you. I like the chicken breast in curry sauce. A) because I can't get enough of their curry and B) because they know how to cook poultry (also try their chicken and chips). And of course, the fish and chips are stellar!
(5)
Kimmi M.
The Pimm's Cup is classic Brit. So tasty. Absolutely perfect for a blustery Sunday afternoon with a high of zero. Nothing says "warm yourself up" like British food. Yeah, it all looks pretty goopy and sloppy, but that's truly its charm. It might be bad for you, but it tastes so good. I am very impressed that Red Lion is able to have some very classic items on the menu and stay in business as most Americans don't like British food. The curry is excellent with chips, a very traditional chippy! I had the Bubble & Squeak, which when it came out looked like I had been jipped on my portion. Upon getting to the halfway point, I realized that they knew what they were doing and there was no way I would still be hungry upon completion. The Bloody Mary left a lot to be desired, and even for $4.5, I probably wouldn't order another one. Despite this, there are a wide variety of beautiful cocktails to choose from. In the words of my favorite Brit Tom Hiddleston, "It's good to be bad." Take a break from watching your weight and chow down here.
(4)
K B.
Awesome food, good service. Try the spicy shrimp with aioli sauce. You won't be disappointed. They have a great beer selection as well.
(3)
Todd M.
Great fish & chips. Scottish eggs, and a great yellow curry dipping sauce on request!
(5)
Benjamin G.
Whilst on the road towards Chicagoland, we were in need of a pitstop for gas, a quick stretch, and definitely lunch. We pulled up Red Lion Grog House on ye olde Yelp App and found a parking spot in the busy Fountain Square area. With proximity to the highway top of mind, we weren't too aware of just what we would be getting into with the US World Cup match beginning as soon as we walked in. The place was packed to the rafters and what an awesome spot for a game! It's a gnarly little English pub with all of the awesomely rib-sticking foods you could as for -- pies, curries, cold beers, and plenty of cozy seats to sling a large beer mug back and forth for team chants. We grabbed the only open table near the front and waited a bit for a server to come take our order. The servers were completely swamped, but still super friendly. They really were overtly nice to each guest, which was clearly a bit more difficult due to the tensions of "Because Futbol" was on the televisions. We ordered the chips and curry sauce to start. Quite a nice starter for up to maybe 4 folks with a really nice, deep curry dipping sauce. Definitely a lot of care taken with that glorious liquid. I went with old reliable -- Buffalo chicken sandwich with garlic mash. The sandwich was a little bland and definitely beckoned more buffalo sauce. Had the restaurant not been so busy, I would have asked for an extra side order. My wife had a portobello burger, which she enjoyed. The only downside to our visit was just how mobbed the place was and the absent servers -- due to being spread a little too thin. Where I can say lunch may not be the strongest time of day for a visit, I can definitely see where this spot would be awesome for a brew with friends or a great spot to catch a game.
(4)
Devin R.
I went here to meet up with some friends after a long day of business and it just made my day. It was $3 pint night (Monday) so we were able to sample a strong selection of beer without breaking the bank. Not only was it inexpensive beer but GOOD beer (Wee Mac from Sunking was on tap so I was thrilled). The wait staff was very helpful, attentive, and professional. It had the usual charm of a downtown place with tattooed staff, eclectic hangings, and very relaxed atmosphere. If you are in Fountain Square swing by- I will be again for SURE.
(4)
Daniel M.
Look...anyplace that has Strongbow on draft gets 5 stars. The food is great and the staff is friendly. Another great addition to the Fountain Square area. Had a burger tonight and it good, but the real star is the curry sauce for the fries - nice touch to a normal meal.
(5)
Ben L.
Delicious, awesome cheap food! Friendly staff too! The manager even sold me his spare iPhone charger!! It's super convenient off I-65. Totally worth the detour!!!
(5)
Jenny S.
The fries and curry sauce are great! The rest of the menu is also pretty good, with lots of options and choices for vegs and non-vegs alike. Although I have never been able to repeat my first visit winning glory, I thoroughly enjoy the Tues and Thurs trivia nights. It is a really fun way to spend an evening, while getting some good food. Oh and Strongbows are only $4 Tues night!
(4)
Jeff N.
My very first time visiting the Red Lion was also my very first experience with Yelp! I had never heard of either...and needless to say was blown away by both. I made one very big mistake that night though. I had just eaten dinner, when I was invited to go to the Grog House. Lesson learned....do not eat dinner until you are 100% sure something more awesome is not going to be coming along. Since my first mistake, I plan trips here accordingly and prepare for some fantastic food. On my most recent trip I tried the BBQ Bacon Burger. Probably one of the largest burgers I've ever had. Even now thinking about it, I'll admit...I'm drooling a little bit. 1/2 lb burger, bacon, onion rings, cheese.... I ask you, is there anything else that could possibly make a burger better?? And I answer, yes. Wonderfully crisp tater tots! Such a meal, that I couldn't even eat it all. But what an awesome midnight snack that half a burger made. Between the small restaurant vibe, the always super friendly staff (probably the best in town), and the delicious food (including some typical English Grog House favorites)....this is easily on my top 5 places in Indy list. Check it out!
(5)
Alyssa S.
What a fantastic addition to the Fountain Square area! As a lifelong connoisseur of the veggie burger, I can say that the the vegetarian burger at the Red Lion is among the best that I have EVER eaten! I'm told that the chef has created his own recipe (it has eggs, so is not vegan)-and it is fantastic. It's a little spicy, and all of the veggies are well blended (no chunks of peas or corn). I also enjoy the creamy tomato soup and mashed potatoes (skins mixed in, of course). But the best feature of the menu-the fried pickles. I know that other pubs around town have them, but these are definitely the best. I'm usually the only vegetarian in my dining party, and I have it on good authority that the fish and burgers are also great! The owners are kind, the servers are friendly. Definitely worth the trip into the neighborhood. It is in the Murphy building, so I usually go on First Fridays.
(5)
Aaron W.
Usually great food, consistently good service. Good focus on local beers (love the rotating taps of Fountain Square Brewing Company and Triton) A couple of complaints: As with any restaurant, the Red Lion kitchen will prepare stuff ahead and reheat it once ordered. The common problem here is the reheating part. I eat here a lot and more often than not the mashed potatoes are cold. I mean...really cold. A few others items I have had were lukewarm, most recently the chicken tikka masala. A good dish, if a bit bland, but it was not hot at all. The fries are consistently bad here, but they do have an excellent spicy curry dip to take away the soggy, burnt flavor of the fries. I would recommend going to a thicker fry and not keeping them up as long. They often taste like they have been reheated in the oil. Those complaints aside, they really do have good food and good recipes! Great atmosphere, very cozy and welcoming.
(4)
Chris M.
Each time I visit Red Lion, I like it more and more. I had yet to try the wings and the bleu cheese burger... the burger was hella cheesy and pretty much perfect. I did not expect much from the wings, but they were amazing.
(5)
Len L.
We stopped in here to finish off the night after the Tonic Ball. The Grog House has a good beer selection and a well chosen bar food menu. I think we all enjoyed are food , which included fish and chips, tater tots, and a tenderloin sandwich. Service was excellent, and the atmosphere nice and pubby.
(4)
Andrew F.
Excellent fish n chips, good beer selection. I liked the atmosphere, plenty of tv's on the wall. Only an indifferent waitress kept it from getting a five.
(4)
Richard B.
My rule. If there is meatloaf on the menu and it is good the other choices will be good too. The verdict, the meatloaf is great. So too, bangers and mash. And great beer selections as well. This was our second time. We will be back.
(5)
T. M. G.
If you are looking for a variety of excellent pub food the Red Lion is hard to beat. The portions are large, the burgers are monstrous, and even items- such as the chicken curry- that you won't expect to find at an English-style pub are great. There are plenty of vegetarian options, and if you get the fries be sure to get a side of the curry sauce. The beer list while larger than most lacks anything that really packs a punch. There really isn't anything on tap that will impress the unabashed beer snob. That aside, there are plenty of quality beers that anyone can enjoy, many of which are local and others- such as New Holland's Mad Hatter IPA- that you would have a hard time finding anywhere else. I have been here several times now, and the service gets better every time. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Drew N.
Visited this place 1/30/11 for a nice Sunday dinner with my dad and sis. Overall the food was wonderful. i had the shep. pie, dad went with the meatloaf and sis with the fish sandwhich. All portions where HUGE. We also tried the Scottish eggs and they were great as was their onion soup was on target. I had a Rest.com coupon so it made a $53 dollar meal a $26 meal for 3 people with drinks included. Overall a great experience, a wonderful little bar/rest in Fountain square and a place if you have not been you should get to NOW.
(4)
Bill S.
Talk about local. You can't get much more local. Service was excellent. I sat at the bar for less than 10 seconds before someone took my order. Great atmosphere and televisions everywhere to watch the game. Highly recommend!
(4)
Steffanie P.
Great French onion soup!!!!
(4)
Scott L.
Discovered this great place via friends in Ft. Square. A very cozy little pub with some great food and great local beers on tap. It's a bit on the pricy side, but it's well worth it in my opinion. I've not had a bad meal there and I'm a fan of local places with local beers. Very clean and a terrific staff there, so go check it out. They also are the only place I'm aware of that will show roller derby events on the tube upon request!! Bonus!!
(4)
Valerie S.
Red Lion feels like a real British pub, with it's long bar, great dark lighting, and soccer on TV all the time. They have great beers, wonderful food, and are never too loud. Perfect for a weekend lunch, or trivia on the weeknights!
(4)
Darren C.
The owner is rude. He clearly doesn't care if customers eat here at all. He was rude from the moment he approached the table after I complained about some confusion over a discount and after a friend posted about it on his facebook page he has continued to be rude. He has no desire to please customers.
(1)
Trevor N.
I visited this pub with a group. It has a nice atmosphere and the food was not bad. Their chicken pot pie dish is to die for! They put a delicious puffed pastry on top of a creamy chicken stew and call it a pot pie. If you get anything at this restaurant, it must be the pot pie! OK so my friends had the fish and chips. The chips are actually French fries. Why do they have French fries at an English pub? The fries did have a nice taste though. The Red Lion only sells beer so I was a little disappointed that they did not have mixed drinks. I suppose it is a nice place to go and have a few beers. I liked the atmosphere and highly recommend the pot pie.
(4)
John K.
I have to say my family enjoys going at least once a month. Great scotch eggs, burgers and fish & chips. The bangers & mash is OK, but for the money you can't go wrong. The beer selection is good and the staff are friendly.
(4)
Jordan S.
My girlfriend and I happened upon Red Lion on Friday evening and were quite happy we did. The fish and chips were beyond excellent. Perfectly cooked and not greasy like some places in town. The fish was oh so flaky and the fries were fresh cut and done just right. Bangers and mash were on point with lots of garlic in the mash. Fried pickles speak for themselves and are a legit pub snack.
(4)
Stephanie F.
Best Chips and Blue Cheese hamburger in the city! The wait staff is always personable and the owners work hard to provide an excellent selection of quality food and local beer on tap!
(5)
Brandy F.
It is really difficult to not talk like a pirate when hearing the word grog. Even if it isn't National Talk Like a Pirate Day, you should visit Red Lion Grog House. Good beer selection and food. Even when I'm not hungry, I have to eat the fries with spicy curry sauce....oh how I just love fries and curry, and these are an awesomely delicious must try!!
(4)
Beth F.
I want to love this place, but I can only give it 4 stars. We are frequent visitors- great beer list and on Friday nights they frequently play "How It's Made" on at least one of the TVs. The food always sounds amazing, but I can't honestly say I've had anything that I really can't live without. Like the atmosphere in general. The place has a lot of potential, hope it lives up to it eventually!
(4)
Matt U.
Just a quick review on Red Lion Grog House... GO THERE! The service was excellent, the drinks affordable and the food as close to amazing as one can get. Also, thanks to all the Yelp reviews on trying the curry for my chips. Good times.
(4)
P K.
Great atmosphere and the fish and chips were perfect.
(4)
Sarah K.
I absolutely LOVE this place! I know that I can always get a good beer or ale (or even CIDER! ON DRAFT!), catch the latest football (that's soccer for you Americans) match, and dig in to a ginormous pile of chicken and chips. Easily one of the best places in Indy for this.. you don't know what you're missing if you haven't been there!
(5)
Missy R.
I give this place a two only because the food is decent. What is wrong, first the parking sucks. Second my daughter and I went in on a Thursday night and they were having some kind of trivia contest. The DJ had the music so loud it gave me a pounding head ache and the music he played was Crappy 80's and the new stuff. Third, BEWARE OF THE BATHROOM. It is located in a covered hallway/alley that is 30 degrees colder than the restaurant. The bathroom hallway has a door that lets you in the back parking lot, way safe...Not. Then you walk into the bathroom you would not be surprised to see a dead heroin hooker is laying the floor. The bathroom was dirty, dark red/black and depressing. It makes me wonder how clean the kitchen is. If you want a good British Pub instead of this place........Go Asian.
(2)
Katie O.
Best veggie burger I've ever had in my life! When I lived in Indy, I used to frequent this spot once or twice a week just for the veg burger. I don't really enjoy the chips too much because they're not blanched, but I always just replaced them with the garlic mashed potatoes, which are fire! Also, I don't even like onions but somehow these guys have mastered the onion ring; Unfortunately they won't let you order onion rings though, only comes atop certain sandwiches. If you catch them at the right time they might let you get an order of onion rings, but otherwise they are oddly defensive of them. Lol.
(5)
Nic J.
I hadn't been here for awhile, and after purchasing a $50 for $25 deal, the wife and I stopped in. The fish and chips were always outstanding, and the chicken too, so we both got fish and chicken combos. Well, I was kinda let down. The batter wasn't fully cooked through, making it kinda gummy. The French onion soup was good, and service was great. I love the chips with spicy curry sauce. Hopefully next time my main meal is better.
(3)
Adam L.
I personally am very happy that my one off bad experience was just a fluke. Staffs on top of things tonight, knowledgable and well hell just doing a great job!
(4)
Vince K.
Great place to sit and hang out or bring the family. Arguably the best fish and chips in Indy, 12 beers on tap and nightly specials on drinks. They make some great speciality cocktails as well. The food is great, I particularly enjoy the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich that's unlike any I've had before and the Chicken Curry Sandwhich is awesome and unique. The curry with fries is a spicy change of pace. Add in bangers and mash and elephant ears for the kids, it's a great place to check out. With trivia, open mic, great food and drink and in the Murphy building swing by for a while.
(5)
Molly B.
After an evening of exploring Fountain Square with a few classmates, we happened upon Red Lion Grog House and decided to get a bite to eat there. It was a little later on a Tuesday night and Red Lion seemed to be one of the only restaurants left open. The atmosphere was similar to most bars/pubs however it did seem more family-friendly than most. Our server was great and everyone in our diverse group enjoyed the place. Although we did not partake, a game of trivia was in full swing and would be a great event to come back for another time. I ordered their cider on draught and was disappointed to find that it was all gone. However, our server made up for it by bringing me a sample of my second choice of drink. I also got the the chicken and chips and for the most part enjoyed them. They were pretty basic, nothing special. The menu has a lot of options and some great comfort food items. I know I could come back several times, get something new every time, and enjoy it. All together it was a good experience however a little over priced for what was very simple bar food.
(3)
Stephen V.
I live in the fountain square area and let me tell you that this is my go to for Great food. I've never been disappointed with a meal. The Burgers are great and I love that when I order it a specific way I get it cooked that way. My two favorites are the Roasted Red Pepper and the Buffalo Burger. DELICIOUS. Best appetizer: their wings. Huge and covered in sauce. Can't complain. My absolute favorite meal here is the Buffalo Chicken Wrap. Do yourself a favor and get it grilled, hot, with ranch. I get it with no onions and its absolutely amazing! If you're looking for a great beer selection this place definitely has it and it's more on the local side which I prefer. If you're in town try the Fountain Square rotating tap. It never fails. They also have a full bar now so if cocktails are more your style they've got you covered. $3 Pint night is Monday. I love their servers, always get great service when I come in there. \They have trivia and open mic nights through the week too.
(5)
Scott P.
So 9 out of 10 times in here I have a little man crush. Tried a few of the signature cocktails (grog) and they were pretty wicked. Not much of a mixed drink person, but these were pretty good. Scotch egg; incredible! Shepherds pie? Wonderful. A good place to enjoy lunch, dinner, a snack, or even a liquid dinner. Ill take all if the above, add breakfast. My only complaint is that I once told a server I was stepping out to smoke, and informed him both my buddy and I planned to smash atleast another beer, probably more. After 15+ minutes of watching him check on other tables, dick around behind the bar, state at the tv, trying to get his attention and what not; we decided to pay the bill and leave. Still have a special place in my heart for this place, but that definitely left a bad taste in my mouth.
(4)
Jen F.
Lunch at Red Lion today was delish. It was our first time in and, upon leaving, we were talking about what we wanted to try next time. I had Fish and Chips, the fish was so freakin' good. The batter was thick and crisp. The fish inside was moist, hot and flaky. Smothered in vinegar with an extra dash of salt is the way forward. They serve you two huge pieces. Their hand cut fries are soooo good, but they aren't proper chippy fries. Not that it matters because they're really good and their dipping sauces make it a french fry adventure! Mr. Jen F. had their version of sausage rolls. I can't remember what they were called. Sausages in puffed pastry and he really enjoyed it. We started w/ a scotch egg and fried pickles. I love fried pickles and have to get them if they are on the menu. Have to. The scotch egg was good, but I was surprised to find it cool inside. I'm still not sure if it was supposed to be cool inside, but Mr. Jen F. is British and he said that its fine, so its fine. They had a nice flavor, but maybe just a touch too much thyme. Next time, I think I might have to get a burger. The Waltimate has jalapeno and peanut butter. It's so intriguing!
(4)
Trena T.
Great service. Great asmosphere. Great food. This is a standard in our rotation of city favorites. Not for the faint of heart (but delicious): oversized mozzarella sticks. Worth the indulgence. This is a great place to watch the game, have a lunch or drink with friends. Trivia every week, too.
(5)
Joseph W.
Standard pub comfort food. Decent local beer selection (which has become a standard in the area). I went on a Thursday night and the place was packet for trivia night. A large portion of their menu contains food prepared in a deep fryer. I ordered bangers and mash. The sausage was room temperature by the time it was served. But in general, the meal tasted good. My friend had a fried fish sandwich, which he said was standard / good. I ordered a cup of coffee and bread pudding for desert. The coffee was absolutely disgusting, probably made that morning. The bread pudding was decent. The service overall was okay. Our server was very busy and forgot a few things. This restaurant is very small. It doesn't take many customers to give the place a crowded feel. Overall, a very average experience. I would go back. Don't expect amazing things and you'll be satisfied.
(3)
Cheryl A.
My husband and I were in town just for the night and we chose Red Lion Grog House based on its location and Yelp reviews. Well, thank you Yelp peeps - this one was a winner! My husband ordered the fish/chicken & chips and chose the apple curry dipping sauce at the recommendation of our server. AMAZING! Nearly as good as the fish & chips we had in Dublin. The apple curry sauce was great - sweet and spicy, and so different from anything else we had ever had. I chose the Scotch egg appetizer (crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside) and the walnut strawberry salad with added chicken. Everything in the salad was very fresh and crisp - it was absolutely delicious! Husband also tried a local beer - Preacher's Daughter - and enjoyed that very much as well. We ended up there on open mic night so it was a bit loud but we didn't mind. Open mic nights can be very hit or miss but most of the music that night was pretty good so the added entertainment turned out to be a nice bonus. Would absolutely recommend this place - so glad we went!!
(5)
Justin C.
In town on business. Yelp had some great reviews. The Indiana beers were great and the fish and chips were delicious. A great atmosphere too. I would recommend to anyone.
(4)
Apurva C.
Been here twice. Agree that fish and chips are amazing. Also had wings and scotch eggs both spot on. The second time, I got steak and chips, both of which were super disappointing. Couldn't finish the steak, it was hard and dry! The chips were not fresh either. Pretty disappointing. Don't know if thats just a one time thing or that one shouldn't go for their steak and chips in general. I have also tried the buffalo chicken sandwich which had some amazingly crispy chicken.
(3)
Jeff S.
Don't get me the wrong, the food was very good for pub food...but the atmosphere dropped this from a 4 star review to a 3 star. We are in town for a conference and based on the high reviews decided to check it out, but its got a weird tunnel layout and DJ positioned at one end was doing trivial pursuit over our ability to carry a dinner conversation. We tried to find a table at the other end of the bar, but the acoustics made this impossible...too bad we would have most likely returned the next night because the food was pretty good.
(3)
Brett R.
Came in on a Thursday afternoon and it wasn't busy. The bartender was very friendly and attentive. He suggest the bangers and mash would go food with my delicious beer. Oh, yes! He was right! Absolutely Delicious. The cook was also very nice. I will be back often.
(5)
Kyle B.
I had an excellent steak and a very good chocolate beer. Service (emily) was great as always. Along with the atmosphere of this place, Everything is always excellent. Highly recommended for anyone who likes good food and great service! See emily, she is just as awesome as the food!
(5)
Brian A.
This place has some of the best food you will ever find! Their fish & chips are great, their hot wings are terrific and their burgers are off the charts! They have a great selection of craft beers on draft and their very own Red Lion Grog House labeled wine!
(5)
Carenza A.
Excellent!! I can not say enough positive things about this place! The food, atmosphere and drinks are outstanding! ! Our server Andre was amazing! He was energetic, positive/great attitude and quickness should be a role model for all establishments!! Kudos and thank you!
(5)
Abbey B.
I love this spot. Coming to the Red Lion usually cleans out my wallet, but that's my problem for wanting EVERYTHING on the menu. I have always had great service, great food/drinks, and an overall wonderful experience every time I come. Try the white cheddar mac n' cheese or the Waltimate burger. Both are incredible.
(5)
Suzanne W.
This is a place we have frequented quite often since it opened. One of my favorite places to get fish and chips at lunch until the past 6 months. Last time we visited, our fries were practically raw. Soggy and greasy. We decided to give them another try, hoping that we just caught them on a bad day. Here's what went wrong: Fries - Soggy and greasy. Practically inedible. Menu - At one time you could get a lunch portion/half order of the fish and chips. That's been taken away. Ridiculous. No wonder they aren't crowded at lunch. Anyone that wants that type of portion or prices at lunch ($14) should pick a different restaurant. Go to Oceanaire...they are only $2 more and that's a really nice, fine dining establishment. Fish/Chicken & Chips - These used to be amazing. Now, much like the fries, they aren't crisp. Service - Is almost always slow. Lastly, after building up over 2 cards worth of "lunch punches" on the fish and chips and chicken and chips, now that we've maxed out our punches for a free lunch, you can't use it when you purchase those items. Unfortunately, for us, The Red Lion is all out of chances.
(1)
Rob G.
Great British style pub grub. Love the chips and curry, and the English style chicken curry. Comfort food classics like meatloaf and shepherd's pie. If you're in the mood for a burger get the one with bacon and blue cheese on it, can't remember the name, but it's delicious. Beer, wine, or a full bar to suit your choice of libation. My favorite is the MacHatten made with Bone Snapper and seasonal bitters. The seasonal bitters used to be apple, but they recently ran out so not sure what will be next. I do normally like to support business that source more of their food locally, however there is nothing pretentious or fancy about this place and that's what makes it a comfortable, fun, neighborhood hangout. And the twice a week trivia is a nice way to get a little competitive while learning some interesting facts!
(4)
Fahad N.
Why do more people not know about this place is beyond me. You would think after looking at their menu that their selection has nothing to do with American food, and then you would also think to yourself that they're going to screw this up drastically. WRONG. Food, better than expected... Presentation, exactly how british food is. Alcohol selection for alcohol lovers, better than many restaurants. The best part is, their portions are very reasonable for an adult. This isn't one of those weird restaurants that sell squid on their menu along with many other exotic species. Although it's possible they might do that as well, but I guarantee you they would do it very well! Food: 5 Service: 4.5 Price: 4.5
(5)
Betz N.
We chose this place due to reviews but we were very disappointed. We tried the shepherd's pie and it came with tons of cheese?! Seriously?! Actually it was a poor imitation of a bowl of chili. We also had a burger and it was almost burn. Staff very friendly and atmosphere is ok.
(1)
Mark V.
I found this place on yelp when a friend and I lunch options had changed. It seemed to get good reviews and a few not so good reviews, but we were hungry. We get there right at noon when the place opened a couple of Sundays back. I really am hoping that my experience was due to early shift issue, but I cannot give this place a higher rating at this time. The food I ate was designed to give me a heart attack. Before I cover the issues, we were compensated a portion of our check without the staff blinking an eye. Classy move that almost moved my rating to a two star. I can respect that; as mistakes do happen from time to time. Here is my experience. The waitress took our order! I had the fish, chicken and "chips" and my friend had the Ruben and fries. We get our order and my friends dish is a complete mess. The Ruben is way to greasy and the fries looked left over from last night. I thought the plate looked disgusting. My chicken was fine and I enjoyed it. However, the fish batter was not cooked all the way through and was greasy. Once I got the disgusting off my fish, it was pretty good. My fries also looked like they were left over from last night. We voiced our concern about the fries and received a discount, but really the entire meal was bad. The chicken was the best thing going and that wasn't all that good. I won't return but I would suggest under the right circumstances that this place is still better than most chain restaurants. If you are bored of chain restaurants and think for yourself and are not manipulated by millions of dollars in TV commercials to make yourself believe you have to eat average to below average overpriced food at some chain restaurant, I am one of you. Let's all keep supporting the true food scene in Indiana. I adjusted the rating due to the quick and professional response from the owner. I believe my experience is most likely not the norm and if I choose to go back in the future, I will update my review.
I love this place. The service is good. The food is fantastic. Two of the best things on the menu are the The Waltimate burger an the Fish and Chips. First, I never would have thought peanut butter on a burger would be good, but it SO is. Add the jalepenos and bacon and it makes quite the burger. Second, the Fish and Chips are some of the best I've had. I stopped at many a chipper across the pond and would still take Red Lion's over those I've had in Great Britian. Tuesday/Thursday trivia is just a bonus to this place!
(4)
Theresa F.
Had the bangers and mash and the pork tenderloin sandwich. Both were pretty decent. The Scottish Egg, however, was hard-boiled and the yolk was cold. Big no no. Drinks were decent. Probably would come back here again if the mood for heavy English food should strike again. (Doubt it will anytime soon)
(4)
Peter A.
We were only in Indianapolis 1 night and stumbled into this restaurant in Fountain Square. I had the fish and chicken and chips (with a curry dipping sauce based on waiter's suggestion) and a local brew called preacher's daughter Amber. I could not get enough of either one. A few years back I visited Dublin Ireland and had Fish and chips and compare all fish and chips to them... These fish and chips were almost (if not) equal to those I sampled in Ireland! It's a shame I am not in Indy another night to do a repeat visit.
(5)
Amanda F.
Excellent service, food, and ambiance! Our waitress was very attentive and patient. She had a cheery smile and accepted special orders without a blink! We both had a black bean burger and they were phenomenal! The curry sauce that you can get on the side for the tots or chips is really what takes the cake. Truly made a boring potato a star! Also, try their cocktails. I had a shandy gaff and it did not disappoint! Local beer with ginger beer and a shot of grand marnier or something of the like. Very tasty! The restaurant is dimly lit and has a couple tables up front by the huge windows to watch people along the street. Very English pub-esque. I will be back to sample some more!
(5)
James C.
Great service. Beer pairings or specials of the day were not offered to me but that's OK. I had the fish and chips, very very good. Tartar sauce was great. Coleslaw was very good too but only about a table spoon worth is served. I had the elephant ear as dessert, it was good but at $4.99 overpriced. All in all, I would highly recommend. Outside of Red Lion's control was the People's Brewery beer I tried, Farmers Daughter. It is a tap water blonde, that goes down smooth but that's due to having no flavor. It closes with an over-carbonated fizz and acidic overtones.
(5)
Jerry W.
Being from England I couldn't wait to eat here. I ordered fish and chips and chips with curry sauce. The fish was good but the chips were worse I have ever tasted. They were kind of burnt tasting and floppy , not crispy. The curry sauce was not good, it was cold and tasted like yogurt and curry powder mixed. No heat to it at all. Please don't think British food taste like this because it don't!!!
(2)
Hunter U.
Red Lion is decent establishment to grab drinks and some English-style fare in Fountain Square. Each time I have been, the service has always been good. The draft line-up is always impressive with a combination of local and distant craft breweries. They have strongbow on tap, so that definitely wins points for me. They lose 2 stars because of the food. It's always just been too greasy for me! It's really hard to find something on the menu that is not fried, which can be frustrating.
(3)
Brett G.
I come here for the fish and chips because they are excellent. Definitely worth the drive.
(4)
Richard H.
Had not been back for several years, and -- wow, have the prices gone up or what? Almost $13 for the chicken tikka masala (with no sides)? Almost $8 for a fried mushroom appetizer? An extra $3.49 to add a soup or salad to an entree? The table was wiped off, but it was still sticky. The service was seriously, seriously distracted. And how can a purported bar have no tonic water? Couldn't someone run down to Bud's? So it'll be another few years before I visit the place again, although I will say that the general atmosphere for trivia night was quite convivial.
(3)
Anna Z.
Really like this place! Great food, great atmosphere. The staff is really friendly and attentive. I usually get the veggie burger with fries. I'd definitely recommend a sauce with the burger since the patty is a little dry. Otherwise, perfection. :-)
(5)
Linda L.
Good food, great drinks. Fish and chips, sandwiches, even the curry is alright... But I really come back for the drinks. Along with all the craft beers etc..They have Moscow Mules, and my favorite---- Pimm's cup. It's a great, refreshing, not too sweet English drink. It typically comes with a cucumber, but I have gotten it with an orange.. Either way delicious!
(4)
Penny L.
I dream about the Waltimate... the best burger in the world. It has peanut butter, cheddar cheese, jalapeños, and bacon. I have gone here at least once a month for years because it is so amazing. I've tried it at Scotty's & Punch Burger but they don't come close! They also have a good beer selection & pretty consistently good service when I am there. This burger is so good I am never tempted to order anything else. Oh, and get cole slaw as your side!
(4)
Brian W.
In town for business so needed a good Local place for dinner. Decent craft beer list with some local and some Michigan on the list. Had the Bangers and Mash and would get it again
(4)
Jelly R.
We went here for trivia night, on the suggestion of a coworker who wanted to do trivia. Had the fish and chips, and a strawberry mint julep. I was excited about my order, until I actually got it. The fish (cod, I believe) was overcooked, and the fries were so overcooked that they were brown and crusty and even tasted burnt. Others at our table who came in later and ordered after me also received burnt fries, so I figured there was no point in trying to send my food back. I felt like I was eating the leftovers from a fryer basket. The strawberry mint julep contained strawberries and mint that were not properly muddled, so they didn't add anything in the way of taste. Overall a pretty disappointing experience.
(2)
Kristy K.
I don't know if they were having an off night or what... Well maybe it was because we were sat right smack dab next to the front door...yeah, the door that doesn't close on it's own, the same door that people just throw open and don't bother closing, that very door that one of the people in my party had to get up from his chair no less than 5 times to close himself during our dinner. This whole door thing really impacted our experience at the grog house. I realize you're busy, but just make that the waiting area so people don't have to be inconvenienced during their meal to get up and close the damn door. Because of these 2 tables, it's hard to find a spot to stand around and wait for your table without feeling like you're crowding people. The service was off, too. When we tried to order beers at the bar, it took forever and when we asked the bartender about a beer (that was listed on the menu, no less), she said they didn't have it and walked away. How about you lemme finish? And then one of our beers was incorrect. I had to ask for water 3 times. The beer selection is a good one. The variety of food is good, too. They have these monstrous burgers (8 oz!) and one is even deep fried. I'd like for them to offer a 4 or even 6 oz meat patty, cause damn, that was one big ass burger. The ambiance is like that of a neighborhood bar and the crowd was a typical FSQ crowd. It's a good option while in the area, but I'm not sure I'd make a special trip back. And fix the door, would ya?
(3)
Earl Edwin V.
Pros: Look and feel, friendly employees, Plenty of TVs Cons: Small venue I came here on Monday around 7pm to take advantage of a steak deal and a free pint glass. Thanks for the heads up Do317! The place wasn't too crowded. The waitress was very friendly and the bartender was nice and knowledgeable. I had the filet mignon with garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli. I ordered it medium but it tasted a little more done than what I was expecting. Other than that, the steak was pretty good. Overall, I enjoyed the place. This is a good place to eat or just have a drink after work. I'll be back. Questions? Leave a comment to my review and I'll get back to you.
(3)
Megan J.
First time here. Came with my family to just have dinner and a good beer. We ordered the crab Scottish eggs and they were really good! Everyone loved them! I ordered the soup and salad combo, which was good. Nothing special, but nothing to complain about. They had a good beer selection, but the menu didn't list prices on any of their drinks. Most were $6 or $7 a pint. Overall good experience. Our waitress was on the ball! Great service, food, and drink!
(4)
Alex W.
My dad and I came here with one of my Foodie Indy coupons which worked out in our favor (spend $30 min, get $10 off except alcohol). I'd been wanting to try one of the new Fountain Square places & my dad is always game for fresh fish & chips. I decided on that as well, was a tad bit disappointed in the serving for the price, but it definitely knocks LJS out the water by far. I was super excited when my dad gave me his (homemade mini cup o') slaw as I inhaled mine in about .5 seconds. We hoped to have the bread pudding for dessert but were informed by our waitress we were about 5 minutes too late ( :-/ ) so we opted for the elephant ear. Very random to just have 2 items on there, 1 which I didn't think really "belongs". Service was ok, we were advised free seating on a sign & had to wait 5-10 minutes before someone greeted us with a menu & water. A little weird since it wasn't super busy when we dined (post-Sunday-church meal time). I'll definitely come back, perhaps for a trivia night or beer specials.
(4)
Sonya A.
Great place for a bite and a beer. Sundays is wing night. We love the apple curry wings and a tall draft beer. Fish & Chips is one of my favorite dishes, their fish is great, their chips are not quite there. Service is alright. The place does get packed! Food: 4/5 Location: 5/5 (So weird seeing the coffeeshop of my childhood be a restaurant now) Service: 3/5
(4)
Alexa D.
bread pudding tho stop everything too good
(5)
Ben H.
My girlfriend and I had never tried British food, so we thought we would give this place a shot. While my girlfriend wasn't really impressed with any of the food being authentic British food, I also didn't really notice anything out of the ordinary from American food. However, I thought the food was good, the service was friendly, along with minimal wait times. The only downside is I see to this place are it can get a little loud sometimes just like a traditional British pub, and I wouldn't really say this is a kid friendly environment due to language sometimes. but overall not a bad place to grab some food and feel like you're overseas.
(3)
Burger Guide D.
The Red Lion Grog House is a popular bar featuring tasty beers in Indianapolis. They also feature some pretty tasty bar food in as well. The BBQ bacon burger is made up of 1/2 pound of 100% Angus beef grilled to order, BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, crisp bacon, onion crisps, lettuce, tomato, and served on a freshly baked egg bun. My first impression of the burger was that it was somewhat unmanageable. The onion rings were much too thick to be able to eat with both of them on the burger. I ate one of them and then eat the burger. The burger was a well-executed BBQ Bacon "Western Style" burger. The onion rings were flavorful, bacon was salty and crisp, and the BBQ sauce paired well with the burger. Compared to my favorite burgers the beef could have been a bit more juicy, but it did have a nice char. The egg bun was a good flavor pairing but could have been pillowy soft. Overall, the BBQ bacon burger is a solid offering to enjoy with some tasty beers at Red Lion Grog House.
(3)
Christine B.
this place is amazing. excellent service and possibly my favorite sports bar in the city. Chris the bartender is the man. he is awesome and is knowledge of beer and wines is truly astounding. the food... how is it possible for them to take such simple bar food and make it taste so good? they have tater tots, which is awesome. the mozzarella sticks and fried mushrooms are literally the best I've ever had. you can tell they're fresh, made by hand, and definitely aren't the generic crap that comes in frozen from a wholesaler. the mozz sticks are huge, breaded with tons of flavor, the mushrooms taste like they were sauteed in garlic before breaded and fried. Chris talked me into a Belgian barley wine last night that was raspberry flavored and dangerously delicious. my boyfriend and I love this place and we always sit at the bar. the only negative, their Tuesday night trivia guy sucks. you have to register super early, the format is weird, and the questions are entirely way too hard. I vote for a team trivia live person or bar bingo. that guy has gotta go.
(5)
Leslie L.
My husband and I had differing opinions about this restaurant... He liked it, I didn't. I had the Chicken Pot Pie and it just had no flavor and the pastry on top was just awkward to eat. My husband had the Black and Bleu burger and loved it. I would definitely this place again and maybe get the fish and chips next time but for now it's a 3 star rating (split the difference of opinions). Good atmosphere and enough seating for groups of 6 or less people. Good beer selection.
(3)
Olivia Z.
Great atmosphere and good food. I had the strawberry/candied walnut salad and it was out of sight. Didn't think I'd be wowed by a salad, but I was. Strawberries tasted fresh and the candied walnuts were delicious. Waitress gave me 20% off my order when she saw I didn't like my soup (Note: The soup I opted to get didn't compliment the strawberry salad). Can't wait to go back. Loved it!
(5)
Jared J.
Food is always good. Staff is friendly. Don't have any complaints about this place.
(5)
Telissa C.
I have been back to Red Lion a few more times recently and must say the service is always excellent. In the past I hadn't been impressed with the food. I think the kitchen must be on track now because things are better. The chips last 2 times weren't a greasy mess they were in the past. Oh so good! I LOVE the garlic aoli! Let's talk about drinks! Sunday's $4.50 Bloody Mary is a home run. The Hemingway is a real winner too! Oh and the Pimms cup? Spot on. Most know I am a lover of local beers and though I find the beer selection a bit limited they do keep a few local beers on tap and that is great!
(4)
Ronee B.
I really love this place. It is smaller, dark, cozy, and they have terrific food. The Scotch eggs and cheese sticks are terrific! These cheese sticks are HUGE, with the breading I think they use for the scotch eggs, and they aren't greasy with cheap cheese. They have lots of beer variety (which I'm not a beer person so that means little to me). If you are in Fountain Square you have to come here!
(4)
Ben J.
I regret that I haven't tried this place sooner. I had the red pepper burger, and it was amazing. The fries are awesome too. My only complaint is that the servers are inattentive once they drop off your order. Both my beer and water were empty well before my food was gone, but the guy never came back to check on any of it. 10/26/2014 - I bumped this up to 4 stars, because the manager actually emailed me, apologized for the service, and promised to use it as an opportunity to help his servers improve!
(4)
Sam W.
Sandwiches and beer selection were great. I loved the buffalo chicken, amazing! One of my favorite places in Ft Square.
(4)
Christina G.
There are so many wonderful food options here that I order through process of elimination. I have never been anything but completely satisfied by Red Lion! And that is not just with the food. The staff is friendly and helpful. I think I must stop my review here so that I don't start drooling on my keyboard from thinking about what I will order next time.
(4)
Rob C.
Just visited for trivia on Tuesday night. Service was great, beer list was OK, curry fries we quite yummy, trivia was a lot of fun. Seemed a bit pricey on the food and beverage front ($6 pints for local beer on a Tuesda night? C'mon!).
(3)
Bodie S.
We went to Red Lion for trivia night, which takes place every Thursday, starting at 7pm, and we had a really good time here. It was my first time being here and I was very impressed with everything. The atmosphere, the people, the food/drink, it was all wonderful. It was an interesting combination of younger people and older people, all enjoying the competition of trivia. The food was amazing. The portions were large and high in quality. I definitely want to try more of their menu. The fish and chips are delicious, as well as their chicken strips (and accompanying sauces that you get to pick). I'm dying to try their Scotch egg. I've been dreaming about it since I left there. Grant me my wish! Their drinks are around $5 for pints of craft beer. They also have $2.50 PBRs. They have local Indianapolis beers on tap, which I always find enjoyable. I had a Fountain Square Big Nugget and a few others. They have spirits as well and can whip you up a fine cocktail. They have a great beverage selection. The service was great. Our waitress was friendly, talkative, but not too talkative, and never neglected us. At any point in time our drinks were getting low, she'd appear out of nowhere to ask us if we'd like something else. Like a drinking genie! If you're in the Fountain Square area and are wanting to try something unique and delicious, I'd highly recommend giving Red Lion a try. It's easy to locate!
(5)
Cara S.
I've been a fan of Red Lion since they opened, and I know I'm not the only one because they're always busy. I'm a sucker for fries, and their chips and curry are good - it's hard to resist getting some each time I come. They also have a really good homemade vegetarian burger. I believe the burger itself is vegan (at least it was when they first opened and I asked about it), but they have changed the veggie burger toppings over the years, and the toppings are not always vegan. They serve nice local beers, and they have fun trivia on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are a wonderful addition to Fountain Square.
(4)
Jason O.
Big fan of the atmosphere, bar, and the appetizers! Great spot to hang drink and eat after work or on the weekends. Fast friendly staff! Big fan of the Curry Chips!
(4)
Howard L.
I really liked this pub. Overall, about 4.5 stars, with 5 stars for the English beer selection, and 4 stars for the food. You can get bottled Old Speckled Hen here for $4.75. Son also had a nice Upland Rad red wheat ale, much like an FFF Gumballhead. There were numerous other tempting selections like Boddington Ale, Smithwicks, and Young's Double Chocolate Stout. We had: Scotch egg Whole portabello cap with swiss cheese Meat loaf sandwich Fish and chips Wife and I enjoyed the food, but son didn't like his meat loaf sandwich as much (a bit flavorless). Comfortable and spacious pub dining, and friendly service also. Will be back!
(4)
Kasey L.
We had a very pleasant experience here tonight. We needed to spend $30 to get $10 off with a coupon, so (and I'm not proud of this) we ordered three entrees despite there only being two of us :) We turned the mac and cheese entree into an appetizer. I don't think I've ever tasted such a strong cheddar taste in a cheese sauce in my entire life. My dining partner was a little turned off by it, but I loved it. I had the BBQ bacon burger, and he had the black and bleu burger, and we both cleaned our plates! Both burgers were cooked perfectly. Previous reviewers were critical of the chips/fries, so we hedged our bets with him getting fries and me getting tater tots. We found the fries to be perfectly fine. We found the environment to be pretty laid back (lots of alcohol around but not too loud, etc.). One gentleman, who we think must have been the owner, was very attentive in terms of our wait, food, and comfort (we sat near the door and checked to make sure we weren't getting blown over by gusts of wind). The only reason it's not 5 stars is because it was lacking some type of wow factor--not even sure what that would be, but I'm pretty stingy with that fifth star and know it when I see it. We will happily come back here to try some of the other yummy things on the menu!
(4)
Brittany L.
This review is belated, I visited Red Lion Grog house in November. I've actually been twice, both times during lunch, and I'll definitely be going back soon. The first time I went, I ordered the stuffed portobello. It wasn't the best I've had, which is why this place didn't get five stars. My boyfriend ordered the meatloaf sandwich, which he really enjoyed. The servings are HUGE, plan on having leftovers. I made the right call on our second visit, the fish and chips were fantastic, so order this if you're looking for something that will always be a great bet. The coleslaw was out of this world. The best part of the restaurant is probably the bar selection (as it should be at a pub.) The first time I visited,I had the signature Grog, the Red Lion Grog. It is a cocktail made of beer and liquor and pop, and it is killer. I couldn't find the drink on their website, so I can't say what was in it with certainty. Drink it slowly, it will creep up on you! I stuck with beer the second round, and had a local offering from Fountain Square Brewery. I highly encourage every beer fan try whatever they have from FSB, I've yet to be disappointed. Lastly, when I visited the second time, it was cold outside, so I had an Irish coffee. The bartender made it stiff, and it definitely warmed me up. As important as the food and bar selection are to my review score, I have to say that the atmosphere is truly something unique and fun. It's in a great area (Fountain Square) and they've really done a wonderful job with the decor and the layout. The room long and narrow, and it feels cozy without being cramped. There is a short bar, maybe 6 or 7 seats, with tvs on the wall, and a row of booths. There are a couple of larger round top tables in the front, near the door. Of course, it was nearly empty when we were there, so I can imagine on a busy night or afternoon, it could get a little tight. The waitresses are nice and attentive, and not overbearing at all. Our bartender let us sample a couple of specialty drinks, to help us make a decision on our order. I wish I could remember her name, she's great. Even the cooks are friendly and greet you over the wall when you come in. The lighting is dark and a little gloomy, but it's perfect for a pub atmosphere. It gets you in the drinking mood. If you're looking for a casual place that offers something special here in Indianapolis, visit the Red Lion Grog House. You'll be glad that you did, and, if you're like me, it will move to the top of your list of places to frequent!
(4)
Nikol P.
if you like fried bar food it will be great. i just think you smell like grease when you come out and everything kinda tastes the same. the design of the long narrow room gets very congested as well.
(5)
Elijah S.
I have been here twice now. Once was after swing dancing when I found it will walking with a group of friends because it was the only thing open and a second time before heading down the Hoosier Dome for a concert. I had the Ruben the first time. Honestly it was a Ruben. I have had worst and I have had better. Second time was a burger. It was good. Atmosphere is packed on a weekend night(Which I like). Beer is a little on the steep side price wise and from what I remember not a huge selection. Service has been good both times. If you are in Fountain Square and don't feel like going to a dinner then yea check this place out. I will go again.
(4)
Colin G.
This isn't my favorite place in Indy. This isn't even my favorite place in Fountain Square. But, in the end, I really like Red Lion. They serve good food, have a good atmosphere and have good beer on tap. I like that they do the daily specials. The food specials are always a really good deal, but it's always just one item. For instance, one time it was two for one fish and chips. Great deal, but what if you're with someone who doesn't fish and chips? The drinks specials are better on the off-days, but I think that's the case everywhere. They tend to get some interesting beers. Triton and Fountain Square are listed on their beer menus, with the caveat that they rotate. This was also the place where I first tried Indiana City. One thing I really like here is the burger. They cook it well, and it's tasty. One of the few places in Indy I've been to where they actually cook it how you order it (i.e. - "medium" does not come out well-done). IIRC (but I could be wrong), they also have Heinz 57, which is just such a rarity, especially in the Midwest. You can't wrong with that condiment though. The fries (as in something to dip in the Heinz 57) are really good as well. They try to put spins on the burgers, and I just don't know if it's executed that well. For instance, the "roasted red pepper burger" was topped with red peppers that had been put on the grill for a minute or so, and something they called "blue cheese cream sauce" that was orange. It's still a good burger, but I would probably just build my own next time. Service is usually attentive and relatively friendly. They keep up. It almost looks like the girls are wearing kilts though (with pants underneath, as this isn't The [stupid] Tilted Kilt), which doesn't seem to jive with their "English pub" self description. Last time I was in here, there was a group with two women and what sounded like at least 20 kids. I don't know that this somewhat dark, beer-oriented, pub-style place is a great fit for kids. The high ceilings also mean that all of that sugar you gave them makes it all the more annoying for everyone else. They have an almost secret patio as well. It's in the back. You go through the doors to the hallway (where the bathrooms are) and out into the alley. Pretty strange, but at least it's a patio. And if you're one of those people who gets weird about dirty or weird bathrooms, then this is not your place, as they're shared with the art studios above. Free wifi too, for your work-and-drink late lunches. Street parking all over the place, so it's high time you learn to parallel that m'f'er.
(4)
Conni M.
Yum! Just so perfect for pub food! And the specialty cocktails were great too. Our table Collectively had chicken pot pie, Shepard pie, buffalo chicken sandwich and a scotch egg appetizer. I have never tried a scotch egg and it was delicious!! All food, drink, and service were above expectations. Thank you fellow Yelpers for for bringing me this great dinner night out!
(5)
Derek C.
Nice little place with fair prices. It's worth checking out. It's in a convenient location in Fountain Square with parking all around. The decor/ambience isn't quite British pub. By that, I mean that there's way more floor space and the ceilings are quite high. We got the fish and chips plus the shepherd's pie. The fish and pie were great. The chips left a little to be desired. The beer is as cheap as anywhere and they've got a decent selection of local brews and imports (obviously focused on the UK and Ireland).
(4)
Danny B.
Red Lion is a great place to hang-out over a beer and some chips. Not every bar has that type of atmosphere, but Red Lion has got it down. Homey feel, solid local beer selection, and friendly staff.
(4)
Rae Ann P.
Absolutely wonderful service and excellent food. Chicken pot pie was HUGE and full of meat, veg (very tasty). The shepherd's pie was exceptional. Great flavor and wholesome. Might not be as authentic as Londoner's expect/want/remember - but it's pretty darn good for what we had. Definitely going to be back for another taste!!
(5)
Amie L.
Love eating in Fountain Square. This is another great place to grab lunch. Their fish and chips are good. The curry dipping sauce steals the show though. Creamy ramekins of love to smother a crispy fry...yes please! The Shepherd's pie is also very good. Burgers are delicious. Easily one of the best burgers in town. Food is definitely of the comforting variety. Service has always been quick and friendly.
(4)
Rob A.
I really wanted to like Red Lion. I dragged my wife here one weekend recently for an early dinner and I was excited based on what I had seen in the yelp reviews. First of all, the service was painfully slow but I looked past it because it's a bar. We started with the fried pickle chips which were great -- good pickle to batter ratio and nice and crispy. For our meal we went the British route and ordered the shepherd's pie and the national dish of Britain, chicken tikka masala. The first thing we noticed was that the serving sizes for both meals were tiny for how much they cost, which was $12 and $13, respectively, and neither came with any sides. The shepherd's pie was decent but it didn't impress me. The chicken tikka masala was bland and unappetizing and my wife didn't take more than a a few bites before putting down her fork. I tried a bite and agreed. Our waitress could tell my wife wasn't satisfied and was nice enough to offer her another dish. Also of note was the men's restroom, which was filthy and barely functional with no working urinals and one disgusting toilet that was overflowing. The bathrooms seem to be shared between other establishments so maybe this isn't all Red Lion's fault. Based on the wealth of great reviews, I'm hoping that this particular visit was an anomaly. First impressions are powerful things though, and I don't think we'll be finding ourselves back at Red Lion anytime soon.
(2)
Ali G.
Good food, good atmosphere! We went here to celebrates my boyfriends brothers birthday, who loves a good beer. They have a huge selection of beers and drinks, and a good menu. We started with the fried pickles as an appetizer and they came out piping hot. The pickles were really good and so was the dijon sauce to dip them in. I had the chicken and chips. So good! I really don't have many complaints about the place. The chipotle dipping sauce for the chicken was amazing and I will definitely be back for more. The only downside was the English Garden I had to drink. It was vodka, sprite and lemonade, garnished with a cucumber. It tasted like pure cucumber, which I wasn't a fan of, but if you like cucumbers, this is your drink. The atmosphere is dark and laid back, but pretty loud. Overall, it was a good experience.
(4)
Nick J.
I've been going to Red Lion for a couple years. . Their new cocktail menu is great, especially the Pimm's Cup. For the last two years of undergrad, friends and I would go here regularly for trivia nights. It's definitely worth going as a group as long as you have someone on the team who knows 80s music and if you can handle somewhat "inventive" pronunciation of geographical locations. The beer selection is really good. They've got Weihenstephaner and usually have Sun King, Guinness, Strongbow, and a few other beers on tap. Their liquor selection is pretty small, but it's good stuff. The best items on the menu are: Bubble and Squeak (with fried egg) Lancashire Hot Pot The Waltimate Tikka Masala Spicy Curry Chips The food isn't amazing, but it's great for pub food and the service is outstanding. Chris and Liz need to be tipped well! Easily my favorite servers in Indy.
(4)
Adam D.
I've been here with business colleagues & I've been here with family. Both were great experiences. My dilemma is I can't get away from the fish & chips! With several other items on the menu I want to try, both times I've been sucked in by this traditional British platter. The fish is fried in an incredibly tasty batter with just enough grease to let you know you're alive! It's always smokin' hot when you bite into it, the way it should be. Only one complaint, the bathrooms are down right gross. They're shared with the other tenants in the old Murphy's building & it's pretty clear that nobody is taking ownership of them. That said, hit the restroom before arriving or after you leave & you can avoid the issue altogether. This joint will be on my regular visit list!
(5)
Caiti H.
I stopped in for lunch and it was pretty calm. I ordered a patty melt and it was ok. Nothing outstanding, because even now I'm trying to remember what was all on my plate. I also went all in for some bread pudding. The pudding was kinda dry, but satisfied my sweet tooth. I dropped my rating because of service. To say that it was lack luster would be a bit of an understatement. Seeing as there were two servers, and four tables (including myself) all of which were finished eating...I don't see there being an excuse for it. Took a good 5-10 minutes to get a menu. The food came out promptly. I asked for dessert, that also came out pretty promptly... and then I sat there for 20-30 minutes. My server just vanished. I figured it may have been a shift change...but the other server never checked on me until I flagged her down to ask for my check. This was not her fault, but lack of communication on my servers part. Nutshell: The food is not much to write home about and service was too underwhelming to recommend you make a stop or go out of your way to visit.
(2)
Sam B.
They never disappoint me! I love the mozzarella sticks so unique. Also the Big Ben is amazin! I have tried lots of menu items and nothing ever is disappointing !
(5)
William Aaron K.
Went here for the first time yesterday with a friend. We decided to go to the outdoor patio in the back. At first we weren't sure what we were getting ourselves into, but we ended up having a pretty good time! Some of their food looks a little pricey, however the appetizers are just as fulfilling as any entree would be. I got the BBQ wings with ranch and about had my heart melt from how great they were. My friend had the jerk chicken on the skewer and it looked pretty good. However, she dipping it in bleu cheese and that's just not my thing. However, she enjoyed it! I also had the Piccadilly Punch, but there's a secret recipe to it, but I believe it was Malibu. However, it was super refreshing on a warm evening on the 4th of July (kind of ironic going to a British themed on America's holiday, huh?) It's definitely a place I will probably go back to, however, I think I would probably prefer to go there when the weather is nicer outside, so I can go out to the patio. The inside of the building is cool, but it's kind of small and gets pretty loud. I think it's worth going and definitely way better than a lot of other places in Fountain Square.
(5)
Savannah W.
We were provided with excellent service, deliciously perfect food, and a small pub atmosphere. Our only complaint is that it was so hot inside the restaurant that I was anticipating leaving just to get to the cooler outside air, which is saying a lot for a late August summer.
(5)
Aaron B.
Had a great meal at the Red Lion. I ordered the Fish & Chips with a Guiness and my wife got the BBQ Burger and a grog. The food was really tasty, well prepared, and served piping hot. The waitstaff was very attentive and the experience was just a good one. Other reviews' complaints about parking are fairly valid. We found a spot just fine, and it won't be an issue if you're in Fountain Square already for a show or night out, etc. But if this is your destination, you might have a bit of a walk from your car to the restaurant. The restrooms, as mentioned, are shared. We lucked out though, because they're shared with the Hi-Fi concert venue next door and we were having a pre-show dinner. So by taking a restroom break, we wound up backstage of the concert we were going to go see. That was actually kind of awesome! However, they aren't the best restrooms if that is a concern. Overall, I recommend the Red Lion. Good food, neat atmosphere, and attentive waitstaff.
(4)
Joe T.
This is a great, cozy English pub with great food and drinks. We tried the Scotch egg for an appetizer. I'd recommend it. The sauce they serve with it is quite tasty. I had the hot pot. It was delicious. The beef was perfectly seasoned and tasted like it had been slow-cooked to perfection. The overall dish, though, could have been a little hotter, temperature-wise. Service was great. We had Sarah for a server. She gave excellent suggestions and was very friendly.
(4)
Jessie E.
Feels divey, but not uncomfortably so. Great food, consistent quality and priced reasonably. Must try: scotch eggs.
(5)
Phil B.
To quote from the web page. "Red Lion is not a sports bar - it's Indianapolis's only upscale English-style restaurant that exudes the sophistication and elegance of a five-star restaurant and excitement and entertainment." Hmm UPSCALE? and exudes ( oozes ) sophistication and elegance of a five star restaurant. Maybe Im missing the sarcasm? Dressed in business casual I felt way over dressed. First impression walking thru the door was not great. Entry needs a good scrubbing and a paint job. We waited about an hour to eat which was actually ok and understandable because of Dining Out For Life. Our server was very friendly and he did a wonderful job considering how busy they were. We ordered fish and chips and chicken and chips. Fish and chicken were really good chips were disappointing. For dessert we got an elephant ear. It was amazing. When I get a craving for this carnival staple and no carnival is in sight I know where to go. I would have given 2 stars had the dessert and service not been as great as they were. We may go back and try something diffrent but I will still get an elephant ear.
(4)
Jessica C.
Really great first experience! I got the portobello & Swiss sandwich, my friend got the fish and chips. The hand cut fries are crispy & flavorful. We came in on a Friday night around 11:30, the service was great. Food was prompt & DELICIOUS!
(4)
Jennifer F.
We entered the Red Lion Grog House and were greeted with soulful music, low lighting and the happy chatter of several different conversations going on between patrons at the tables and bar. The restaurant was clean, and definitely not the environment of the true Grog houses that tend to be dirty barrooms in seedy areas of town. However, I wouldn't classify it as upscale dining either, which is how the restaurant describes its dining experience, but it is casual. We sat ourselves and our server arrived to the table promptly to take our drink order. When he delivered those he satisfactorily answered all questions we had about the menu. My daughter decided to order the Roasted Red Pepper Burger and wanting to stay true to the English experience I ordered the Bangers and Mash. My daughter was pleased with her burger and they nailed her requested medium doneness, it was not too done or rare. My Bangers and Mash were topped with an herbed beef stock reduction. The garlic potatoes had a bold garlic flavor (unlike some I've had where the garlic was almost undetectable). I truly enjoyed the beef stock reduction as it was rich and aromatic, possessing a slight floral note. Additionally, the crisp onion rings added a nice variation in texture. So, the softness of the mash, the firmness of the sausage, and the crispness of the onion rings made for a dish of well rounded textures. The only issue I had with the meal is that it was lukewarm versus hot, which is why I rated the Red Lion Grog House four stars versus five. However, the prices are great and the food is good so I intend to come back. I also like the fact that one can access the restaurant from the front or back. The back entrance is conveniently accessible via the parking lot and a short hallway.
(4)
Alexis W.
This is a great eat! My boyfriend and I just got home from an amazing meal! We went there for our Valentine's Day and it was sooo good! I made reservations for 6:30 and we arrived 6:20 and were seated right away. The hostess was very polite and greeted us with open arms. Our waitress was the same way. Everything on their menu sounded so good, so we took a couple more minutes to decided what we wanted. My boyfriend made his own burger and I ordered the Grog House Chicken. Oh my lanta is was delicious!!! It took about 10-15 minutes to come out. I was happy with the way my meal tasted and so was my boyfriend. He loved it so much he inhaled his meal within 10 minutes. Our meals came out hot and fresh. I can't express how good it was! After we ate our meal, we decided to get a elephant ear. It was 4.99 so it we were sold. When it came out our jaws HIT the floor! IT WAS HUGE!!! It was bigger than the actual plate, but OH MY GOSH it was DELICIOUS! We thought we were full..haha. We ended up eating the entire thing. This is definitely a restaurant we will be visiting again!
(5)
Kristin M.
For my second time at Red Lion, I was really let down by the service. At 12:45 on a Saturday, they only had one waitress on staff. We told the waitress we had somewhere to be by 2p and she seemed annoyed and said that was plenty of time. She took 15 mins to come back to take our order and we didn't get our food for 30 minutes. Needless to say, we had to inhale our food, pay before we ate, and barely made it where we needed to be - 5 minutes away. Really disappointed and don't plan to return if I have anything to do afterward. Please fix it Red Lion!
(2)
Kristen S.
Went here for lunch today and as always it was great! I had the Ruben and my boyfriend had the grandmas meatloaf. The Ruben was served up quickly with hot fresh fries. The sandwich didn't last long and I enjoyed every buttery, rich and flavorful bite. The fries were done to perfection with a slightly crispy and salted exterior with a soft interior. The meatloaf was awesome...the seasoning they used was great with rosemary being the prevailing spice. Our waitress was extremely friendly and very knowledgeable about the beers on tap. I love that they have so many indiana beers featured on draft. I had the JMC christmas ale from Two Deep brewing company and my boyfriend had the Farmers Daughter from 450 north brewing company. It was an unexpected trip to the Grog House..especially at 1pm on a Tuesday but let me tell you...when you need a good mental health day come here. The atmosphere is great and the staff are awesome :) Oh and how can I forget he scotch eggs! They are epic and done to perfection. My first time trying the dish and I was surprised and very pleased. The fried meaty goodness of the exterior was a tastey contrast to cold smooth and rich interior of the egg. Not sure the exact ingredients in the sauce but u sensed some horseradish so I loved it.
(5)
Carie W.
Ever have one of those days when just nothing goes right? The kind of day that almost begs you to cry uncle and go back to bed? Husband and I had one of those yesterday. It almost had us. The day almost broke us. But it didn't. And I'm so glad because if it had, we may have missed out on the Red Lion Grog House. It may have been unfortunate events that led us to this wonderful establishment, but there was nothing unfortunate about this meeting. I'll skip the dramatics and start with walking in the front door. It was everything I think a really good bar should be. Comfortable and woody. Friendly, but not invasive. Good beer on tap and tasty cocktails on the menu. It was around noon on Sunday and only a few other tables were scattered about. We chose an out of the way table along the wall toward the back. I'll take a brief moment here to talk about the service because I definitely don't want it to get lost in my ravings about the food. If I had to pick one word - perfect. She was knowledgeable and honest. Available, without hovering. All around really cool and just turned our day around. Seriously. She was the perfect speed and we just couldn't have been happier on that front. Of course, we told her this in the tip rather than in person because nothing strikes fear in a server like being told what a great job she's doing. It's equivalent to stating, "please take my kind words in lieu of anything you could use to pay rent". I wouldn't scare my worst enemy with those terrifying words. On to the food. We started with the fried pickles. Without a doubt, the best fried pickles I've ever had. And we've had a lot of fried pickles. My husband is borderline obsessed with them. They were breaded and fried perfectly - light and crisp - keeping the pickle as the star of the show. The garlic-dijon aioli was the perfect accompaniment. All of it was just outstanding. My husband ordered the fish sandwich and I the apple-curry wings for our entrees. His sandwich was, again, perfectly fried. I find fish sandwiches somewhat frustrating as they tend to just disintegrate leaving me baffled as to why I even bothered with the whole sandwich setup. This one did nothing of the sort. It made for a very happy husband, which of course, equals a very happy me. Then I took a bite of the apple-curry wings. I'm pretty sure my eyes bulged out of my head as fireworks were set off in my brain by the explosion of happiness. They were a perfect balance of flavor, tender chicken, and instantly became one of those dishes I'll think/talk about for years to come. I don't want to get started on how often I'm going to crave these. I'm both sad and happy I'll have to drive a bit of a distance to get these again. And again. And again. Drinks. As I was behind the wheel for our day of adventure from the northside, I was not inclined to partake in any of the delightful adult beverages listed on the menu. I'm just dying to try the Pimm's cup, amongst others. Instead, I opted for a taste of the ginger beer and was very happy. My husband had a few rounds of the bloody mary and was even happier. Next time, we'll plan to spend a bit more time in the area so we can both indulge. And there will be a next time. Lots of them.
(5)
Kim K.
Holy mackerel, their fish n' chips are quite a catch! Perfectly battered to crispy perfection. I am a dipper; so I feel the need to also note that their tartar sauce was absolutely wonderful as well. The perfect compliment. Wait staff was incredible friendly and helpful as well.
(5)
Patrick M.
I don't write reviews very often, only when I feel strongly one way or another toward a particular business, and Red Lion is one of those businesses. I've become quite fond of this place. I live in Fountain Square, and if I want to eat close, Red Lion is definitely one of my top choices. In my experiences here the service has always been spectacular. I've never had to wait long to be greeted/have my order taken. On top of that, the kitchen staff is awesome, and I've never had to wait long for my food, even when the restaurant is packed. Everyone has always been friendly, and would frequently check up with me. I've visited this place many times, on different days of the week/times of day, and would have to say my favorite day is Sunday because they have a special on Bloody Marys. Four dollar Bloody Marys, can't beat that. Also, lately I've become fond of the build your own burger option of the menu. I've had a lot of fun coming up with new combinations.
(5)
Traci D.
I myself has been here once already before my boyfriend and I dined a fee months ago. We sat at the bar, bartender was awesome and very informative. My boyfriend is not too familiar with craft beers but the bartender gave us the 441! Their burgers are the best and their Mac & cheese is delightful!
(5)
Valerie B.
Just stopped in for a quick beer. Nice selection and great conversation with the staff. Will return to try their food out sometime.
(3)
Ron R.
An English Pub down in the fountain square area. Has all of the per-requisites for a great pub in my opinion. The wood decor, the old dart board, the fireplace (ok fine, it is electronic fire) and beer. It also manages to have pretty good food, which is rare for an English pub. My only complaint, and it is a small one, is that the prices seem a bit exaggerated for what it is. An example would be; my friend got the Macaroni and Cheese entree which is a large bowl with elbow macaroni tossed in a cheese blend and topped with Panko bread crumbs. This dish was $13.99 which is a bit mind blowing as it is just a bit of cheese and bread crumbs on elbow mac. That being said, wow was it good! Perhaps supply and demand drove this price up. We stayed here for about an hour and moved on to the next bar...but I highly recommend this place if you want a quick bite and/or beer on a bar hop event.
Good IPA on tap, good fish and chips (chips nowhere near flaccid enough to be the real English thing, though), football (as in soccer, not American) on TV, great staff, nice bar, decent people to talk to. Next time I'm in Indy, I'll be back.
(4)
Laura P.
I absolutely love this place!
(5)
Kelly K.
This is a wonderful addition to Fountain Square. My husband and I have gone here several times on a weekend night and usually sit at the bar. The staff and customer service are wonderful....as is the beer and food! (The pickle chips? Yes, please.) We went here for a lunch during the weekday recently and again, had a fabulous meal. They have beer specials, too, which is another huge bonus! We will continue to come back.
(5)
Melissa Y.
After having gone there my first time, and having read through the reviews here on Yelp!, I've decided to comment about my experience: below average. First and foremost the Chicken Tikka Masala is an incredibly salty dish, and wantonly tiny. I mean, maybe two cups of the dish sharing half of a bowl with sticky, gooey rice (allegedly Basmati). As well, I ordered the red velvet cake, which I think all can agree comes with a strict set of standards (read: multi-layered, red, almond/vanilla flavor cake w/ cream cheese or buttercream frosting)...NO, there, a square piece of reddish, chocolate cake, drizzled with sugar syrup and dotted with canned, whipped cream. Awful. Beer pints come with with lots of head, and only eight taps. Try again Indy.
(2)
Benson S.
I had lunch there just today;with a friend.The joint is the luncheon counter end of the G.C.Murphy that used to occupy the place.My 1st impression was it was a cute little joint that somehow avoided the "chi chi "element that is SO prevalent today.Our server;Katie was a delight.She told us from jump street that she had a hangover from celebrating a friend's birthday the night before.I retired from this biz so I know the feeling all too well.I pulled my camera out as soon as we set;and told her I would like to take her picture;since I always took pictures whenever we went out.She posed for the first shot.Let's cut to the chase.My friend had a B.T. with home cut fries;as a barometer of kitchen skills for him it passed.Me I had a meatloaf san with tater tots.Well the meatloaf was nicely made but had too much pepper;I could only eat 1/2 and took the rest home.The onion rings were slightly under battered and over fried and the toast could have been toastier.But the bottom line is I was told I could not take pictures of their place.I took shots of our beer;our food and the decor with no objection.When I stood up to get Katie's attention to pay I was standing up over the wall that separated our deuce from the kitchen and I took a shot.That is when I was told from a manager type chica that the boss man did not approve.Period.From that moment on the we were ignored;we paid and left.I WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN NOR WILL I EVER RECOMMEND THIS PLACE.
(2)
Charlotte A.
This place is awesome.great friendly service, nice atmosphere and amazing food.I recommend the toad in the hole, meatloaf sandwich and the most excellent fish and chips.
(5)
Greg R.
We love the Grog House. Staff is always attentive and fun, music on Saturdays nights is always good, the food is very good and a good value. Great beer selection. During spring and summer of 2011, Indianapolis is doing its best to destroy all the business in this area by a never ending road re-do in front of Red Lion - fight back and park around the back. I have had most of this menu and there is nothing that is not good. Earthy, funky, fun place.
(5)
D h.
probably 3.5 stars but i rounded down since they were out of some sun kings beers each time. good atmosphere, narrow place, but laid out well. walk in the front and there a table or two by the large front window, than a few booths on the left and eating tables along the right wall. the bar doesn't start until 1/2 or 2/3 the way in. it's a smaller bar with only 6-8 stools. a rail separates the bar from the row of tables behind it. bar feels like somewhat of an afterthought compared to dining (a place to wait for a table, but there is full menu). tons of beers, both macro and micro. a few hdtvs behind and above the bar. only been in daytime, so it's never been that busy. imagine the place would be darker during the night. good place to grab an early beer. great staff, super friendly and helpful.
(3)
JR W.
quiet pub, good service. kind of small portions. the french onion soup was REALLY salty. kind of a lazy mistake - if you're making a batch soup that's going to be kept warm for a few hours, you're essentially reducing the liquid and concentrating the flavors including the salt. either don't salt as much in the beginning or compensate by adding some water/unsalted broth throughout. it looked a lot better than it tasted. but overall, it's a good place to hang out and kick back a beer. they had several flat screens showing various sports games. not too loud.
(3)
Chad S.
I really enjoyed this place. The food was tasty and very economical. I had the chicken tikka masala, while my other half had the fish and chips. Mine was very tasty; he said his was just okay. I'm eager to try the shepherd's pie. They do need to get at least one or two desserts on the menu. We'll definitely go back.
(4)
Laura K.
I didn't really like this place very much. I wouldn't eat here again. I ordered french onion soup and a salad. WAY too much salt in the soup and way too much dressing on the salad. My boyfriend ordered a pot pie- it was ok. There are too many TVs in here. I don't like it when there are a lot of TVs in bars. I can watch TV at home. The only reason they get 2 stars instead of 1 is they had a decent beer selection and our server was very good. But, their beer bottle list didn't give prices or quantities, so after already having a beer, my boyfriend ordered a bottle from the list and it ended up being an $11, 22oz bottle of beer that had 10% alcohol content. It was a really tasty beer, but we had to rearrange the driving plans and $11 is doable, but it was a surprise. So ask before you order! But really, Red Lion should print helpful info like price, quantity, and alcohol content on the menu.
I'm looking forward to when Red Lion and I become (practically) neighbors this summer. My beer was delicious, my portobello (and mashed potatoes!) was delicious, and our waiter (Chris, I think) was friendly and very attentive. I'd like to see a bigger crowd for trivia, but perhaps that will happen this summer.
(4)
Danielle S.
They have the best Scott Eggs! Shepherd's pie is also a must-try! Very laid back atmosphere which is perfect for friends hang-out, even take your parents here and have a good chill family talk.
(5)
Megan O.
Whether you're trying to show off your random knowledge or you just want to grab a bite to eat, definitely give the Red Lion a try! Walk into Red Lion Grog House, and you're greeted by the savory smell of Shepards Pie and the sounds of 1980s Eddie Murphy trying to make it as a singer. What's going on, those two don't mix! In fact, it's trivia night, and people can request their favorite music videos all night long! This place is my go-to for trivia night! It's free to play every Tuesday and Thursday, and each team had three chances to win $20 for first place and $5 for second place. So order some local beer and good pub food, stash away your phone (no cheating!), and do your best to outguess the other teams. Questions tend to cover music, geography, history, movies, and books. In short, know everything about everything, or at least pretend you do! Now let's talk about the food. Brit lovers rejoice, this place has your Shepards pie, bangers and mash, and scotch eggs cravings covered. Why fly across the Atlantic when you drive to Fountain Square? Don't fret, you loyal Midwesterners, because that pork tenderloin is massive, and you can get all the beef burgers/veggie burgers/clubs/fries/Mac and cheese you have ever wanted. The menu variety is impressive, and all your picky friends will find something to rave about.
(4)
Brittany M.
I go there frequently with the larp friends for afters. The shepherd's pie and strawberry salad are to die for!
(5)
Trena R.
I had a few friends in from all over the country this weekend and decided to take them to the Red Lion because of the diverse menu - I was pretty sure there would be something for everyone. I got there a few minutes early with about half our group to beg for a large table (7 of us). We bellied up to the bar while other guests finished their dinner and the staff pulled a pair of tables together. Normally, we'd have been sent to the bar and forgotten about - not here. The server who'd originally greeted us kept us updated and entertained, as did the bartender (confession: we had beer. We were pretty happy hanging out as the rest of our group rolled in). We drank a variety of local beers that were on tap and enjoyed some people-watching. The table was ready in almost the exact time they predicted and we started eyeballing the menu - burgers, fish-and-chips, steak-and-chips, southwest mac and cheese, wraps... you name it, someone at our table had it. And it was all met with rave reviews (and some stolen bites across the table). One gal ordered the bread pudding and had the biggest smile on her face. Great service. Great food. I'm definitely going back!
(5)
Richard P.
I was more than a little stressed out when I ventured into Fountain Square's Red Lion Grog House, an establishment that has been in the G.C. Murphy building since 2009 and yet still feels like one of Indy's hidden gems. I spent my day hanging out at the Indiana Author's Corner of Art Squared, a delightful event organized by the Fountain Square Arts Council. I had a blast, but for a natural introvert the combination of being surrounded by people, loud music, and a next door neighbor teaching a 20-minute painting class just about every 45 minutes was enough to rattle my nerves and have me ready for a break when a friend who was volunteering for the event stopped by and offered to give me time to grab lunch. So, at their suggestion I entered the nearby Red Lion Grog House ready for a few minutes of relative quiet and a little sustenance to calm my body down. If you're aware of the classic Grogs, you're aware that they were seedy watering holes for the more unkempt. After a few hours out in the sun, I definitely qualified. However, Red Lion Grog House isn't seedy despite being smack dab in the middle of a wonderfully retro G.C. Murphy building that had been originally established in the late 19th century. It's definitely a weathered building, but as soon as you get inside Red Lion the warmth envelopes you. The decor definitely carries the 'Ole English vibe along with hints of a sports pub with seven widescreen televisions that broadcast all major sporting events. They also are known to have entertainment. While I'd contemplated getting a meal "to go," as soon as I entered the place I knew I wasn't going anywhere. While it wasn't necessarily quiet, it was definitely restful and warm and friendly with a wood decor and warm lighting that makes you feel like you have some space and time to yourself. I didn't really have that much time, but I went ahead and sat down at one of the end tables and was quickly greeted by Sarah, a personable server whose very presence made me feel better than when I'd entered the place. While I'm watching what I eat, I'd heard their burgers were good and a friend had recommended their tater tots. So, I figured I'd go with it as I was definitely in the space for comfort food. While I usually order my burger, well done, I'd been reading some feedback from friend Dick Davis over at the blog "Great Burger Quest" and decided to tone it down a bit and go for medium well and made it a cheeseburger with American cheese. I ordered some tater tots, which I thought was a side item but I later learned actually came with the burger. Of course, I had my usual iced tea. The cheeseburger was ordered as delivered. I can't quite give it a 5-star rating, because it lacked that certain "wow" factor that the greatest burgers have. The bun itself was also rather plain, though certainly not disappointing. The patty was meaty. Every bite of the sandwich was incredibly tasty to the point that I looked at that last bite and thought to myself "I don't want it to end." The tater tots were incredibly good, an unusual choice but a choice that made me incredibly happy. The iced tea had a nice full flavor it. Sarah was personable and attentive throughout the meal, but never hovered. She had a natural relaxed quality that made me smile and definitely had me relaxed enough that I was ready to return to my booth by meal's end. The only modest flaw, and it was a service issue, was not getting offered an iced tea refill. I was eating rather quickly and definitely not lingering, but for me when a meal hits the moderate range in pricing ($12+ for this meal) I do expect that little extra touch. That said, the issue was minor and I also didn't actually ask for a refill. I often forget just how closely I live to Fountain Square and, for whatever reason, I always have it in my mind that parking is an issue in what is a rather confined neighborhood. Having spent nearly all day in the area today, I can assure you that I won't soon forget that such an artsy, vibrant neighborhood is just a short drive and parking isn't nearly the issue I believed it to be. Red Lion Grog House ended up being an oasis of peace and calm and yet another perfect touch on a wonderful day spent in Fountain Square.
(4)
Elizabeth P.
Went in for lunch as we were looking to try something different, and it was A-ok! I opted for the black and blue burger and it was ok! I was not particularly a fan of the french fries, they were a little too "smooshy" for my liking, BUT it wasn't bad. Our server was very friendly, and made sure that we were taken care of even going so far as to bring me a water before I even had to ask when my ginger beer became a little too much :) All in all, I'd like to try this little gem out during the night time bar hours, because I think that's more of the vibe it gives off anyways!
(3)
JJ G.
We were passing through the area on a lengthy road trip and the Mr discovered this spot via Yelp. We were excited to try a spot boasting chips and curry (read: fries), with a few veggie friendly options on the menu. What we didn't initially realize was that we would be stopping in for a late lunch during the USA/Germany World Cup game, so the place was packed. Every table was claimed, and the bar was hopping.We snagged the first table that came available, and the harried staff hardly took notice. I think they were doing the best they could to serve the glut of sports-enthused patrons. After a bit, we were offered waters and we ordered quickly, since the Mr had also swiped some menus for us to study. Obviously, we selected the chips and curry...The Mr opted for the buffalo chicken sandwich (fried) and I went with the portobello burger. Everything was fine. Nothing was outstanding, save the curry dipping sauce for the fries. We were sans water a few times, but again, understandable given the circumstances. If I have a friend heading to Indy, I'll probably steer him/her to the Red Lion -- love the atmosphere and neighborhood feel of the Fountain Square area, and for that alone, it's worth a visit. Parking is available along the streets nearby.
(3)
Sam M.
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this bar!! Where do I even start this review?? The service was out of this world. My girlfriend and I showed up at the bar on a Tuesday evening for trivia night and were instantly greeted by a dapper bar tender who quickly presented us with samples of the brews on tap. After making our selections, he had chilled and filled glasses lined up for us within seconds and immediately asked if we would like to see the menu to order any food. We chose to order the "chips" or in America, french fries,and were later presented with a huge, steaming pile of fresh chips with an out of this world curry dipping sauce. Can you say absolute nirvana? Wether you choose to remain inside for the lively bar action, or opt for the quieter, outdoor seating in the back of the house, it is well worth a visit to the Red Lion. I will most definitely be returning and will be brining friends!!
(5)
Luisanna R.
I have been to the red lion so many times and I can't believe I still haven't written my review. I have tried their scotch eggs meat loaf the fish and chips the chicken picatta sandwich. I have to say I love this place. All the food is really great comfort food. The service is always very good, although it can get a little slow if it is a busy night. There is always a rotating beer on tap menu which I think is nice and the Pim's Cup is probably my favorite drink. If you go try a Scotch egg and maybe the fish and chips. Delicious.
(4)
Kevin C.
Reservations were made for a party of 7. Our server was very attentive to our needs and kept our glasses full. What a great find, I would love to come back to the restaurant if I am ever in Indianapolis again. When we opened the door and walked in there was an awesome smell of goodness that hit us which made us very hungry. I ordered the Waltimate burger which looked like a 1/2 pound burger and was topped with bacon, cheese, jalapeños, peanut butter, lettuce, tomato and onion.
(5)
Brittany C.
My group of 5 people order carry out from this place this past Saturday. They let us split it up into three orders which was nice. Two of us got the fish sandwich, two buffalo chicken wraps, and a roasted red pepper burger. Everyone was happy with their food. Service was great and good was hot and ready when we arrived. I got the fish sandwich and it was good but nothing stellar. The tarter sauce had something a bit off about it and the sandwich was a tad greasy. The fish sandwich at BRU burger has forever ruined all other fish sandwiches for me though so my expectations are ridiculously high. My friend and I are big fans of the buffalo chicken wrap at Scotty's Brewhouse and she said this one was comparable, maybe even better so I'll definitely have to try that out next time. It was a quick meal and we were starving so it served it's purpose. I'll be back to try out some of their other options.
(3)
Mary T.
Today I found myself in Fountain Square after a pleasant morning at the IMA with a friend. I have been wanting to try the Red Lion after passing by several times on my way to Pure, so today I decided was the day. Upon entering you see a "seat yourself sign" that gives off a casual vibe. After choosing a table by the window, I perused the menu which is fairly large, with plenty of options to choose from. I decided on the chicken and chips, partly because it's fun to say and partially because I'm a child at heart who was really craving chicken fingers. My lunch buddy went for the fish and chips, because after all when at a British restaurant, how can you not order a classic? I was impressed with the portion size which was so large, I ended up taking half of it home. I was even more impressed with the freshness and taste of the chicken and chips. I could tell the chicken was battered and fried in house. It was a beer battered chicken with a slightly crunchy texture with moist chicken. The chips - fries were also great. Is it possible that they are fried twice? There is nothing worse than a soggy chip and these were crispy, hot, slightly salty, and golden brown. To be honest, I've never eaten at a categorized British restaurant and I find myself asking why did I wait this long? If you're looking for fresh food made in house in a great part of town, mosey on down to Fountain Square and give the menu a gander for yourself, you won't be disappointed. My only complaint is that our server was fairly slow and the takeout container was chincy, but other than that I look forward to coming back and trying a host of local beers that they feature with a great meal. p.s. word on the street is that they have an elephant ear on the dessert menu!
(4)
Mark C.
Highly recommend! Quick service whether dining in or ordering takeout. I love their patty melt and the ranch is like nothing I've ever tasted...so good! Check it out and then walk around Fountain Square, it's located right next to everything (frozen yogurt right across the street!)
(5)
Shane M.
I work in the building so I eat here often. They make classic pub food and they do it well. My two favorites are the fish and chips and their chili. Although the night staff is good I have had not so great service with the lunch staff. And not just one time.
(3)
Simon M.
This was my third visit and I am not crazy about the atmosphere. It is a little too dark and shopworn for my tastes. They get good reviews, so maybe this is just not a good match for me. Anyway, our server, Wynnie, was attentive, polite and friendly. I had the veggie burger and slaw. The burger was just okay I thought it might be the same as Wuzzlers which I understand has some mutual ownership.) My wife had the fish sandwich with tater tots. She gave the fish a 6 out of 10. "Too much breading." The tater tots were very good, as they are at Wuzzler's. Something that is perhaps not under their control are the restroom facilities. They are shared with a couple of other establishments and are located in a back connecting hallway, which is pretty funky-nice. Anyway, there was no toilet paper to be seen, no paper towel or even a dispenser. Maybe this is a locals favorite and provides a nearby location for them. I don't hate it but I don't love it.
(3)
Jessica P.
Great beer selection and specials! such. good. pub. food. I love love love the chips and curry. I wish this was a thing everywhere. This is a great place to have a few beers and food with friends. We've also gone to trivia on several occasions and had an excellent time.
(5)
Chelsea W.
Red Lion was a perfect location to have one of our GNO dinners! We were initially worried we would not be able to get a table since it was the last weekend for Devour Downtown and Red Lion does not take reservations. However, we were promptly greeted and seated within 15 minutes! I went pretty much straight house specials in food and drink choices. I have a thing for drinks that mix beer and liquor, so the Traditional Grog was right up my alley. The Scotch Egg appetizer had a great taste and was the perfect app to split between two people. For my entree I had the Grog House Chicken. It comes served with garlic mashed potatoes and perfectly cooked whole green beans. The chicken itself was topped with bacon, onions, mushrooms (but not too many like some places do), a blend of cheeses and BBQ sauce. It was absolutely delicious! To end the meal we split the elephant ear among the six of us. It was a perfect sweet, sugary end to an amazing dinner. Not only was the food great, but the service was rockin! Our server Emily was not only quick and attentive, but extremely pleasant and patient. I am already planning when I can drag my hubby to FS to experience this place for himself!
(5)
Matt K.
My favorite restaurant in fountain square. In the 6 or 7 times i have been here, I haven't found anything on the menu that wasn't delicious. They serve very well prepared, exceptionally tasty pub food. The meatloaf, fish sandwich/fish and chips and the buffalo chicken sandwich are all favorites. Prices are more than reasonable for the quality ($10 for a meatloaf sandwich on rye with fries or tator tots) and the quantity is consistently more than I can finish (yea lunch the next day!). This is a popular joint and it will fill up on the weekends, possibly for trivia Tuesdays and other nights as well. They don't play loud music or sports, but it can still be quite loud during busy nights. The tables in the front by the door seem more quiet than the ones in the back. Finally, the staff are friendly and personable when appropriate. They chat when appropriate and leave us alone when we're engaged with each other. I love it when servers successfully read tables like that. Well done.
(5)
Nina J.
Finally got a chance to check out Fountain Square and Red Lion was a must-visit. We had an early Saturday dinner 5-6-ish and were able to snag one of the two window tables. Our server was very nice and prompt with drinks & refills. Select pints were only $4 that day and we really enjoyed the local brands we tried. I'm first generation American on my Brit side, so I chuckle at those who dissed the atmosphere here. It feels like a cozy, local pub - things are worn, but clean. US faux pubs usually don't honor the "worn" aspect. The restrooms are in the back hallway & cleaner than the public restroom at the Indy Embassy Suites. Check out the pinboard in back hallway for notice of local music events. We split the Candied Walnut Strawberry Salad and were provided ample plates for splitting with no complaint. Surprised to find such a fresh, mixed spring salad in a pub. I'd eat the candied walnuts from a bowl! Good vinaigrette dressing and awesome crumbled blue cheese. The fried mushrooms are crunchy - the dip has a touch of dill and a good, smoky edge that elevates this standard appetizer. Fish and chips had a crisp batter. Solid pieces of flaky whitefish. I recommend asking for the dip that comes with the mushrooms instead of tartar sauce - the fish tasted great with that dill. Fries are hand-cut with some peel and generous sea salt. They didn't look burnt, but did have a taste of being "over cooked". Maybe it's the oil they use, but I'd skip fries for other crunch options. Fun to split an elephant ear for dessert. The couple next to us ordered the chicken curry and it smelled divine - we'll be heading back for the beer and some curry.
(4)
Brittany L.
I love the curry chips (hand cut fries). I crave them in fact. The burger I had a few weeks ago was actually cooked medium, as I requested, and it was just GREAT. Fish and chips are also good, and I like the bangers and mash as well. Tasty comfort food. Really, the 2 things I haven't been TOTALLY impressed were was the chicken pot pie and a popover. Pie's taste was good, but it was packed with celery and onions, which I don't really like. Personal preference though. The popover was hard like a rock and cold. I've been to trivia night a couple times...definitely a fun thing on a weeknight. Always a good selection of local draft beers and friendly prompt service. No complaints...I just wish it was in Irvington!
(5)
Rene F.
Great food in a cozy atmosphere - seriously good burgers, shepherd's pie and Scotch eggs!
(5)
Kelly H.
This is a pub that not only is known for its drink selection, but actually has food to deliver too. I'm always wary of ordering fried fish since they usually end up being soggy or have too much breading, but I figured they have to be good at a British pub, right? So I ordered the combo chicken/fish and chips, and fortunately, the fish and chicken were perfectly cooked and crispy. And I loved the apple curry dipping sauce! Something different and a very subtle, sweet flavor. The tater tots here aren't special, but I highly recommend getting the fries. It had a great curry/cumin kick to them, which you don't come across often in Indy. The service was also equally impressive. We arrived around 7 pm on a Friday, and although the place was relatively lively, the two of us were seated right away. Our server was cheery, frequently refilled our glasses, and we were in and out under an hour. I definitely plan to return!
(4)
Kristan W.
BANGERS & MASH FTW! Okay... got that out of my system. I happened upon this place on accident and it was a pleasant surprise indeed. I've had a few items: deep fried macaroni balls, scotch eggs, B & M and the fish n chips (not as blown away by the F n C as I was hoping, maybe an off night). The seating can be a little on the cramped side especially with other tables, but the beer and cocktails help. It's dark and moody and smells like delicious fried food. If you haven't been it's most definitely worth checking out.
(5)
Matt W.
We got taken here while visiting Indy last weekend, and while I was really impressed by the beer menu and their curry wings, I had some other issues. We tried a few different appetizers - chips with curry sauce (really good, and the curry sauce was good enough that I added some wings with it as well), scotch eggs, and fried mushrooms. The wings and chips were served at the proper temperature, but the mushrooms were cold and the scotch egg was underdone. The server took them back and had new batches made and fried up properly, but that was disappointing. The decor is dark and comfortable, but getting to the bathrooms is kind of a pain. All things considered, I think I'd happily go here again if I'm back in town, but I'd keep an eye on how things are coming out of the kitchen.
(4)
Phil S.
The Scotch eggs, fried mac and cheese, and spicy curry chicken sandwich were delicious! Great atmosphere and beer selection. Service was top-notch. I will be returning again soon.
(5)
Catherine K.
Service is way too uneven here for me to recommend this restaurant. It's a shame, because the food is good. I stopped in for a late lunch with my husband and another couple; it took nearly an hour to get our appetizers. During that time, my friend's husband was the only one who received a drink refill. There appeared to be only 2 waitresses for the entire restaurant and it was a full house (although that might speak more to the speed of service than to the popularity of the restaurant). We've had mixed experiences here since the restaurant opened, so I expect that is just to be expected at this point.
(2)
Bethany S.
After my recent trip to the UK and English-pub visiting there with the natives, I was eager to check out Indy's version. Maybe I went on a bad night, but my friend and I were disappointed by the food here. I got a BBQ veggie burger, which was supposed to be amazing, but they forgot the BBQ sauce until I asked about it. The chips were some of the worst I've had, even after I added a little salt and malt vinegar - they seemed to be overcooked. The veggie burger itself is decent as far as veggie burgers in Indy go. The most interesting part was open mic night. I didn't realize this was going on until I got there and groaned inwardly, but the performers actually weren't too bad. Just a little annoying when you're trying to catch up with a friend you haven't seen in a while. I think beer people would like the Grog House more!
(2)
Molly G.
Love this place. Good local brews. Fish and chips are excellent. And their burgers are so good! Try the Waltimate. And don't forget to get the hot curry sauce to dip your chips in.
(4)
Stephanie D.
Anywhere that serves Strongbow on tap is a close friend of mine. Especially for $3 pint night on Monday. Then there's trivia on Tuesday and Thursday with amazing cash prizes which assist with paying the bill. Should I also mention my fascination with the chips and spicy curry sauce. This is definitely my go-to spot for a drink with the hubby, or hooking up with friends on trivia night. I appreciate the image Wally has for this place and love seeing some standard pub items (omg, Blanket Bangers are my favv.....excuse me while I drool). Ok but there's also fun items like the Waltimate a burger with jalapenos and peanut butter and for dessert elephant ears. Most of the time I hop in I see a familiar face which is lovely in our neck of the woods. I also appreciate the fact the servers remember us and are very helpful!!
(5)
Patrick R.
Was craving fish & chips after watching the Euro fútbol championship. Went and loved the meal! Was served two huge portions of fresh white flakey fish fried just enough. Not overly breaded or greasy. Chips were great too. Tasted fresh. Great decor and fun staff. Lots of beer options. Awesome little bar. I've heard the burgers are phenomenal so will be back to try those soon.
(4)
Kimberly U.
By far the best pub in Indy. The wait staff is excellent, entertaining, and friendly. Go on Tuesday and Thursday nights for trivia but, be prepared for the most difficult trivia in Indy. The portobello on Swiss is the most amazing sandwich I have ever had- a must order!
(5)
David F.
Good food, not much room. I always feel trapped in this place. I really wish for a different location. One long and narrow room does not a restaurant make. They could really a redesign/expansion. That having been said, I enjoy the burgers here and they have a decent beer selection. I generally have a bit slower service here, but I gotta believe it is due to the cramped quarters. There is a lot of time spent by the wait staff simply standing out of the way customers can get through. Not my first choice for food in Fountain Square, but I will definitely return.
(3)
Scotty Z.
Still some of Indy's best pub fare--for which I'm ecstatic. Still haven't really had a bad meal here. I've been rather fond of a simple grilled chicken sandwich as of late. But, while a little vanilla, it's steaming hot and served on a fresh bun with fresh veggie toppings. And the chips are as awesomely delicious as ever.
(4)
Aaron A.
Unique fountain square bar/eatery. Their food is great, their drinks are good. I've never had anything but friendly service from good people. I like stopping in for lunch or dinner and knowing there will be something else entertaining going on just steps away!
(4)
Tressa M.
Every time I go in, which is often, I step off Virginia Ave and into a tight British Pub. Add darts and it is just like a little place I went to off Piccadilly Square. The proprietor is on top of customer service. The place is often busy on a Friday or Saturday night. Pims Cup is my fave beverage and the Veggie burger is probably my favorite sandwich. My daughter swears that it is the best fish and chips anywhere. Join their facebook page to keep up with specials they might run.
(4)
Charles R R.
Great local pub. Fish and chips are my fav. Tara is a very attentive server everytime i've been here. Good beer list.
(5)
Dawn Z.
This place keeps getting better. Since they first opened, they have expanded their menu. They now have English-specific cocktails. They have their own homemade veggie burger. There is now a crab version of their Scotch eggs. Their fish and chips are still some of the best in town. I had a new dish, the mac and cheese - cavatappi pasta, white cheddar and topped with panko. Delish! You can also add regular or blackened chicken. It was busy but our server kept checking on us. We had the spicy curry to dip our fries in and it was really good (served cold). We will definitely come back to try some other English cocktails and more of their yummy menu!
(4)
Dale T.
Why do you ask does Dale change this to a 5 star?!?! I received an email after my post asking when the break in was and how they could help because they have cameras!!!! CLASS ACT RED LION!!! To be clear - the car was parked on a public street - so ADVICE!!!! Park in the Red Lions lot - get this... They have cameras and you can leave your car there over night if you've had to many! Much respect to this Lion in this crazy Jungle world!!! Solid service!!! Consider me changing my frequency to the king of the fountain square jungle from once a week to TWICE!!! First review - Love Tuesday night quiz night... Be prepared with 4 to 6 - they are smart ones. Advice - do not leave your car parked over night - consider it broken in to... Serious happened - gps gone:). True story.
(5)
Adam B.
We stopped in for dinner before a show at Radio Radio. Other than having to wait a while to get seated, we had no complaints. Very good and friendly service by our waiter and the house manager (when the waiter was busy). heidi ordered the fish and chips. She liked it but said she could have done with a half-order option since it was more food than she could finish. I had the pork tenderloin sandwich. It was also very good and, for the price, a nice sized portion as well. We finished the meal with dessert, an elephant ear. It was great, large enough for two, easily (and we finished it!) All around a great meal at a great local pub and at a reasonable price. We would certainly go again.
(4)
Beth B.
Have you tried a "Mary Reed"? Well, you must, immediately. I didn't eat but Mr. B did. If you join their text club you get a free order of chips and curry dip. Mr. said they were delish. He also had the special (corned beef hash topped with an over easy egg). Also, fantastic according to him. His plate was cleaned. But seriously, try the Mary Reed. They provided me with a very happy St. Patty's day.
(4)
Rachael W.
I think the next time I stop in at the Red Lion I am going to rush the kitchen and swipe the curry sauce then take off like a shot. I think I could really drink that stuff, I'm not kidding. Monday is a good day to pop in for lunch b/c it's double stamp day with their frequent lunch card, buy 6 and get the 7th free! What, what?! Everything I have had is delicious, Reuben, turkey Reuben, fish and chips, and burgers. On my most recent visit, I went all in and ordered the Waltimate. A bacon cheeseburger with jalapenos (a huge pile) and a healthy dollop of peanut butter. I threw caution to the wind and jumped in both feet. Yeah, I was scared. I said to myself, "You've done it now lady. One step too far. You'll never come back from this the same. I hope you are squared up with the man upstairs." It was a monster burger to start with, brimming with toppings and the peanut butter lurking under the sinister mountain of jalapenos. I don't understand it, but it was awesome! The peanut butter toned down the inferno of the 87 jalapenos. All I could do was stuff it in my mouth at a high rate of speed. I'm sure it was one of my more attractive times. I would like to give the Red Lion 4.5 stars only b/c I don't feel like I would want to go to hang out. I feel like it's a place where I eat and have a good beer then head out to a bar to hang out. I upped the rating to 5 stars b/c the food is excellent. So what if I don't want to eat dinner there and then hang with friends for the rest of the evening, just more chances for more check-ins.
(5)
Bob G.
Hey, Bob here. The Red Lion should be your next place to visit in the Fountain Square area. All six people in our party really enjoyed their dinner choices. meatloaf was very good, Fish and Chips were great. everything was very nice, we will be back soon to try other items and beverages. I would have given it five stars but the restrooms are in need of updates.
(4)
Erin L.
Ever since we moved to Ft Square about 2 years about Red Lion has been our go to place. Great local beer selection! I've had many things on the menu and they have never disappointed, so good! The best surprise, tater tots.
(5)
Jason B.
I have only been here once and got the stuffed portabella mushroom, garlic mashed potatoes dish. Words almost can't describe how good it is. My best effort would be to say it's honestly one of the best things I've ever eaten. Excellent beer selection. Good atmosphere. It's not loud so you can converse like civil people, not like barbarians that actually drink grog. Pro Tip: the bathrooms are located in an odd spot. You technically leave the grog house to get to them. Write this down: head to the back of the building and walk through the door that you instinctively feel you shouldn't walk through. It'll be OK. next, you'll want to turn left. Do so only if you want to make your trip to the bathroom last longer. Turn right and head down the hall. The first big opening on the left is an elevator. Please don't use that as a bathroom. On your right, across from the elevator are the bathrooms. You've reached the end of your journey. Seriously though, most of my memory of this fine establishment was my plate of food, just constantly looking down enjoying the crap out of it. Portion size is amazing as well.
(5)
Jennifer P.
Went here last night and had a good time! We were quoted at 30-45 minute wait for a table when we arrived but were able to put our name on a list and give our phone number so we could go across the street to grab a drink since even the bar was packed. I found this very nice. We were excited to see the selection of local beers on tap. Our waitress was able to describe these to us and offer suggestions. She even let me try something before ordering to see if I would like it. On the suggestion of other Yelpers, I tried the fish 'n' chips. I was not disappointed! The portion size was great and the fish was delicious. I opted for tater tots instead of chips/fries and they were quite tasty as well. Hubby got the crab scotch eggs as an appetizer. They were quite well received (I did not try). He also got the shepherd's pie, which I stole a bite of, and let me tell you, it was yummy! After all of that food we were too full for dessert, but I was pretty excited to see that they have elephant ears, as this is an Indiana staple, and bread pudding is always fun to try so I am looking forward to going back. Will probably try to go for team trivia night (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Who doesn't love a good game of trivia?
(4)
Angela G.
Do not buy this groupon unless you have the exact number of people dining as required in the fine print . I just went with a friend and tried to use my voucher only to be told that the $40 voucher was invalid for 2 people. The food is marginal
(2)
Christa F.
I don't get into Indy much when I come to visit, so we thought we would check this place out for something different. I'm glad we did! The French Onion Soup was really good! Fish and Chips were good though the fish was a little on the oily side. Nobody could keep their paws off my hand cut fries though! My dad got the Shepherd's Pie... First off, it was Cottage Pie. It had ground beef, not lamb. With that being said it was really good! This is the first pie I've had that they actually used fresh herbs on the top with the cheese before throwing it into the Salamander. I think that sent it over the edge for all of us! The waitress was friendly enough (not overly great enough to remember though - there were a few times she mentioned that she didn't understand why they were doing things a certain way). My biggest issue is that their website shows their daily drink specials. We went on Wednesday, so we all ordered cider since it should have been $4. Needless to say the manager / owner didn't bother to come out to tell us himself that those prices are subject to change. The waitress said that she wished they would changed that since it's pretty out of date. I'd probably try this place again if they were to update their website on a more regular basis.
(3)
Eddie C.
Great tap selection for beer. The Waltimate burger was pretty good, not mind blowing like I expected, but pretty good. Peanut butter on the burger was a little weird at first, especiallly with the spiciness of the jalapenos, but in a strange way it worked. Trivia night was fun with my friends. Service was fast, waiter was cool.
(4)
DeAnna P.
The food here is tasty and the beer selection is good (love a cold Strongbow Cider on tap!). But every time I come here, the "servers" don't seem to want to "serve." i.e. I have to go up to the bar to order, even though I'm seated at a table in plain view. Last night, I asked for a menu, and the server didn't come back for over 15 minutes to see what I wanted to order. Boo! Get better service, keep the yummy wings, and I'll upgrade to 5 stars. Definitely try the pickle chips, they are only a smidge less good than Scotty's, who has the best in town. The wings were meaty and properly sauced. Good blue cheese dressing and fresh celery. Fries were great. They tasted like they were cooked in peanut oil, but for you allergy sufferers out there, the owner corrected me that they are in fact cooked in vegetable oil. Fantastic! Love that the place is non-smoking!!!
(3)
Jon A.
"Rawwwwwwwwwr Grogggggggg!" Not only grog, but a house of grog! So the crazy Royal Navy created grog by mixing rum with weak beer. This is not happening here. Instead, beer, soy mucho y exceptional beer! I've been a few times now and I've ordered all over the menu and well, I'm a happy camper. Their cheap ($2 Sun King) beer on Mondays is a huge bonus. $3.75 Upland on Saturdays, too. If you're palate isn't up for really spicy curry... then this mild English curry is fit for you. If a turkey reuben is your rule, then I'd give this a shot... as it might have been one of the finer turkey versions in my time. If you're a savory pastry type (like me!) then the pot pie here is for you. It's not traditional as there isn't a lower crust, the pastry rests on top. The bar seats 6 so just know it's tough competition to have a stool! Plenty of table seating by the way! I prefer the back bench. There's a crazy amount of tvs goin' on here. I'm not necessarily sure why but it definitely has me thinking about a nice alternative to the major sports bars in town to catch a sporting event in a more low key place that is non-smoking!
(4)
Mat M.
The owner followed-up with a private message after my 3 star review. Seems like he wants to keep improving. I'll give them another shot for sure.
(4)
Patrick H.
Great scotch egg, bangers in a blanket, and the fish was awesome
(4)
Indy C.
The Mushroom Swiss Burger is one of my favorites. I eat it like an open face style. Their ranch dressing is made with dill and it the one of the best dressings I have had. When I am in the mood for a great burger and fries. This is my place of choice.
(5)
Lindsay L.
They have recently redone their pickle chips. They are waaaaaaaaay better! They are freshly breaded, the pickle is more crunchy, and the the dill flavor is outstanding. If you liked their pickle chips before, you'll be blown away by them down!
(5)
Lizz C.
On Independence day, my husband and I figured, what better way to celebrate than with fish and chips and a pint? After seeing Red Lion Grog House mentioned here, we figured we'd give it a try. They had 3 Sun King beers on tap - including 1 seasonal. The cook/manager was happy to let us try a sample of the Norwegian Blue. Great beer, complex, but not what we were looking for with food. They also had a couple of Upland on tap and a very good selection of British bottled beers. Other local/regional bottles on the list too. We weren't disappointed with the selection. Since it had just been 'too long', we both got a pint of Guinness. Hey, we just saw "Historic Pubs of Dublin" and were missing a nicely poured pint! We both have a thing for Scotch Eggs, basically we're trying to find the best in existence. We split an order of Scotch Eggs, and for my taste these are so far the winner. Nicely seasoned sausage, and some kind of dipping sauce that helped bring out the spice and didn't overwhelm. Went nicely with that pint. Fish and chips was the priority - so we split an order. Nicely battered cod, and you can get curry dipping sauces (hot or mild) for your fries. We tried both. The hot curry was a red curry, and a very good one at that. The mild curry was a green curry kind of yogurt based sauce. Mmm... They have a lot of pub classics on the menu, and though they don't have doner kabobs, they do have a chicken tikka on the menu. Next time we eat here, and oh yes, there will be a next time!, we're trying the curry. Service was good, we came in at the same time as a table of 7+ (a family celebrating something, as they were taking photos =) ) so we were prepared to relax with our pint and wait for our food. It wasn't a long wait. There are around 5 flat screens at the bar, one on Sci-Fi (Firefly marathon, yay!), one on Spike, one on soccer, one on baseball and one on CNN. Something for everyone to watch. We will definitely stop back here again, as we're in Indianapolis fairly often. Might I suggest combining a trip here with a trip to New Day Meadery? It's just a quick walk less than a block from here, and mead and cider fans will find something to please them there =)
(4)
Emily S.
Great atmosphere! The food and brews are authentic! Love this place!
(5)
Shawn A.
This place has some A+ food and tasty cold beer. The service is typically exemplary. Don't miss it.
(5)
Megan M.
Great food, good beer and strongbow on tap! The chips (ie french fries) are amongst my favorite . Like to dip your fries? The ranch is amazing and so is the spicy curry sauce! * Meatloaf sandwich - it's topped with cheese, an onion ring and savory gravy. * BBQ Bacon Burger - all the burgers are solid but this is my fav * Blanket Bangers - sausages wrapped in pastries * Battered Buffalo Chicken Sandwich - right out of the fryer and the chicken is moist as can be. * Lancashire Hot Pot - roast with creamy garlicy mashed taters. It is amazing. The lunch specials are excellent so be sure to ask about them. I'm still dreaming of running into the chicken parm again! They have a punch card for lunch as well (double punch Mondays!)
(4)
Kellie C.
My husband and I are a huge fan. The best tasting burger around, the fish and chips or fish sandwich are to die for. Better than Claddaugh. The lemon chicken piccata sandwich is the most unique ever, someone wrote they did not know what piccata was, (lemon, butter, white wine and capers). Everything we have had has been excellent!! We drive from Greenfield for lunch at least once a month. We will always be loyal!! Wally the owner always recognizes us and we appreciate that. Great job!! Build in Greenfield, You will have a gold mine!! Thanks Kellie and Mark Sawyer
(5)
Casey R.
Maybe it was an off night but I wasn't blown away by the food and I really really wanted to be. So, maybe I had set the bar in my mind too high. I love to cook and I know this sounds pretentious but I can taste if someone has pride in their food, I didn't here. Our first server was kinda rude but our second server Jennifer was awesome! This place is great for drinks or something to snack on whilst drinking. Great selection of cocktails and local beers. I'm going to give them another shot though!
(3)
Erik F.
Fantastic restaurant in Fountain Square. A very good beer selection, quick and friendly wait staff...and the Black and Bleu burger is simply excellent eats. I can't wait to go back and try their fish and chips. Go there now!
(5)
Jacks L.
I went on dinning out for life night. I cant believe how pack, and busy it was, and everyone was so friendly and happy. We had a blast on the bar, and the food was amazing, specially the cheese sticks.
(5)
Dana A.
The waitress came over to take our order and I guess we weren't fast enough cuz she left went 2 tables down SAT DOWN WITH THEM TO TAKE THEIR ORDER! Came back and again left before getting ALL of our orders. We had a large party of 5!! o_O I do not like being made to feel unimportant which she did. If I had my way we would have left after the first time she left us hanging. Or she would have received a lesser tip. She unfortunatly received full tip. Now to the food. The sirloin is substandard and OLD MEAT! Fresh meat at med rare is juicy this was not. The "chips" are nothing more than bagged frozen overcooked and served cold French fries.
(1)
Matt F.
You know that cool pub you went to in (insert city) and you wish you could find in Indy? Well, I'm guessing Red Lion could fill in that blank. It really reminds me of small neighborhood bars I've been to in other cities. Simple. Great beer, food, staff, and customers. I have yet to have a bad time here. The food is good. Chips & Curry Sauce and Fried Pickle Chips are great. Honestly, each of those is a meal in its own right. They have fresh, local beer on draft and great specials on Mondays.
(4)
Gregory G.
One of my favorite places to go! I love the revolving local beer taps, and the service is always great. My absolute favorite place for fries, better even than Brugge, and their hot curry is the best side for them! That, and the meatloaf sammich, are my go-to things when I go.
(5)
Mali J.
This Women's Accountability Group I'm with wanted to lunch in Fountain Square at the new Red Grog Lion. I was up for it, I like new places. So we go, the place is decent. We sit at a nice table/booth in the back that easily sat us 7 lovely ladies. Most of us ordered a water and quickly threw it back as it was sooo nasty. Note, that this is no fault of RGL but the fault of the Indianapolis water system- different story. So anyway, I order a fish sandwich and fries and cole slaw. I wanted fish and chips but the waitress said you get ONE piece of fish with that. I was like, "huh, one piece?" That just didn't make sense to me. So, I figured I'd get the sandwich with sides to fill me up a bit more. Another woman at my table got a grilled cheese and bacon sandwich, another a lettuce wedge and another the bacon and bleu burger. Out of all these meals, mine LOOKED the best but I think the burger tasted best. Lara says her grilled cheese 'n bacon was ok, she's had better from her mom. And my fish sandwich was over cooked. It was a bit too crunchy, if you know what I mean. The fries were good but the slaw was just bleh. And it's not just me! Erin (also at my table) had slaw with her burger and neither of us had more than 4 or 5 bites of it. It was too saucy. I may go back, if I happen to be in Fountain Square OR if I get another craving for Scottish Eggs (which I didn't try but just looked so good) but this won't be on the radar for the near future.
(2)
Chris P.
I love Fountain Square and found this a great spot. One of the best portobello sandwitches with chips can be located here. Great selection of local beers also. Ignore the @#*&^@ ongoing construction and go here.
(4)
Bill J.
Going to have to go with just 3 stars even though this place could be worthy of 4. Had lunch there today, it was pretty empty when we got there. Then we got stuck in a game of "Whose Table is That?"....2 servers, both thought our table belonged to the other one. Took them about 10 minutes to figure it out, but...it happens. No biggie. I got a grilled chicken club sammich, it was sub-par, especially for a place that has a reputation for great food. A couple of people I went with got the meatloaf sammich and said it was very good. So maybe just stay away from the grilled chicken selections is a good rule of thumb. I will definitely go back, have been there for drinks before but this was my first time to order food and unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations.
(3)
Jami G.
We went here with friends last night and had a wonderful time. Great neighborhood place with several TVs so we watched the Big East tourney. Our waiter Chris was terrific - there when we needed him and full of info on the offerings. They have a great selection of Grogs - I tried the Mary Reed - like drinking a lovely refreshing soft drink so watch out as I'm sure these can sneak up on you. My friend raves on the Red Lion but that has beer so I can speak to it. Hubby had the Blanket Bangers (this was source of a few jokes) and he says they were wonderful. He'd seen the guy at the next table have them and couldn't resist - we had some great chatting with our table neighbors who raved about the Pot Roast. We got the free order of chips with curry sauce and they were good too, though I preferred the garlic sauce that came with Hubby's Bangers. Great place to have fun, get good grub and great Grog. Check it out soon.
(4)
Beth C.
Ehhh, I don't know... it is just 'okay' to me. My friend suggested meeting and eating here for Thursday night trivia. I rarely venture to the Fountain Square area so I was excited to give Red Lion a whirl. I think I was expecting something different from the long and narrow hallway-like set up. It seems really cramped. And dark. But I did like the hallway you venture down to get to the restrooms. I can dig anything that reminds me of an underground tunnel with exposed brick walls. Now as far as the menu, I was happy to see a decent variety of vegetarian choices. My friend and I both had the stuffed portobello with blue cheese cream sauce. It came with mashed potatoes and seasonal veggies (asparagus and carrots). I wasn't crazy about the blue cheese sauce, it was a little overpowering for me. Veggies and potatoes were good, if not a little heavy on the garlic. I got the bread pudding as well. If you have bread pudding then by golly I probably want some of it. The selection was a maple and cinnamony bread pudding that the waitress compared to the taste of pancakes. It tasted like a slightly burnt campfire marshmallow to me. Not terrible but not the best. Decent sized piece though. Service was as to be expected since it was crowded due to trivia. Waitress was very personable. There are a lot of dining options in Fountain Square so next time I venture that way I will probably choose a different place...if I am the one in charge of choosing, of course. Unless it's for trivia, which was fun and well organized. And the DJ/facilitator played an awesome selection of jams with accompanying music videos. Do note that if you go to trivia night on Tuesday or Thursday in the summer, it starts at 7:30, not 7. Signage and website state 7 but the waitress mentioned they changed it due to people coming in later in the summer to eat. And drink. And win money. First prize is $15, second is $5. Three rounds. First 2 are trivia and the third is more "name that tune and artist."
(3)
Shola J.
They make their own veggie burgers and they have Strongbow on tap! I mean what else do you need, this place is great!
(5)
Rabah R.
The Grog House is a great spot for lunch or watching a soccer game. The vibe is very much like the Chatham Tap, 1-2 laid back friendly servers and a very authentic pub atmosphere. The servers are in these sexy, but tactful (if thats possible) plaid skirts and white shirts. The design is basically on big long hallway, but not cramped. Our Server was super friendly and because my friend and I didn't know which Sun King Beer we wanted she brought out a taster of each, which I thought was super cool! I ordered the fish and chips, which were really good and comparable to the Claddaugh's fish and chips. I also ordered a bowl of soup: crushed red pepper and gouda cheese (something like that your server will know what you are talking about) and it was outrageous! I am not even a big soup guy, but this stuff was legit! The one thing that I was kind of sad about is the lack of dessert options, I have a big sweet tooth! To remedy this, I just shot over to the Flying Cupcake for a Red Velvet Cupcake. I digress. All and all I think this is a great addition to Downtown and Fountain Square Dining/Nightlife and I can't wait to enjoy some World Cup games there this summer!
(4)
Stephanie D.
The first few times I ate here, I swore I would never go back. On my first experience our meatloaf was charred and the waitress wasn't that great. We decided to head in again, and give it another chance after a year and we were pleasantly supprised. My husband had the burger with bbq sauce and onion rings on it with a side of tater tots. It was awesome!!! I had a grilled cheese with bacon and a side of soup and it was yummy as well. The best part was they had Strongbow on tap! I am so happy we gave them another shot.
(4)
Theodore B.
The Red Lion Grog House probably has the coolest name of any establishment in Indy. Sadly, it should probably be renamed. My personal suggestion is "English pub with a slightly overpriced menu and good not great food". Essentially, my experience was ok, but I'll probably die before coming back (maybe). The style was cute, modelled after an English pub, but it all came across as pretty "typical quirky stylized restaurant" to me. The beer was priced averagely. I ordered the pork tenderloin. It was also, ok. Moe and Johnny's tenderloin is much better, probably the best in the city. The Shephard's pie, which was a very small portion for its price, was really overloaded with Thyme. I like thyme, just like all red-blooded Americans do, but the dish didn't taste like much else. And I guess the staff were helpful and inviting. All in all, I left satisfied but unimpressed.
(3)
Dana M.
Delicious English pub in Fountain Square. It's nothing fancy or revolutionary, but everything about this place (food, drinks, ambiance) screams comfortable. I've tried and enjoyed the meatloaf sandwich, shepherd's pie, and fish and chips. A great place to watch a soccer game.
(4)
Heather S.
I love the pub food. You can't go wrong with the fish and chips or Grandma's meatloaf. And get the pickle chips yummmmy!! Sun King Wee Mac served here.
(4)
Charles A.
They have a buffalo chicken sandwich that changed my standards for a chicken sandwich. I got the hot buffalo sauce (which is good and spicy) with bleu cheese. I didn't really care for the fries that much, but the sandwich took over my entire thinking pattern for the next 5 hours. I couldn't even return to work. All I am trying to say, I will return and pay any amount of money for that mouth watering piece of poultry.
(5)
Scott H.
The service at the bar is really bad. It's hard to get anyone's attention. There used to be a really attractive blonde bartender that did a wonderful job. I'm not sure if she works there anymore, but the other bartenders I've seen are too concerned with flirting with the servers. The food is good. It has a nice beer selection. The music is terrific. The negatives outweigh the positives though.
(1)
Abby W.
My friend and I decided to stop here tonight on a whim, thanks in part to a strong craving for burgers. It did not disappoint. My black and bleu burger was massive and deliciously messy. The atmosphere was great and our waitress was on top of everything. My only complaint is their fries. I feel like a place with amazing burgers needs to have good fries as well, and theirs just didn't do it for me. However, I will definitely be coming back, most likely to try their fish and to check out the beer selection.
(4)
Danielle F.
Red Lion Grog House is the quintessential British Pub. The beer selection is excellent. Not only do they represent the local brews and have the British staples, but they have some more unique items...namely The Monty Python and the Holy Grail Ale and The Monty Python Dark Knight brew. Not only did I take home the bottles to decorate my baker's rack, but the beer was actually pretty tasty. In terms of food, I had the chips and curry. The fries were your normal tasty fair, but the curry sauce was good. As Indian Food fanatic, I am often dissatisfied with the curry sauce at pubs, but this was flavorful and spicy. The environment in the pub is kind of like an episode of cheers. It is a local bar with local beer where everyone knows everyone. As if all those details don't validate teh five stars, the Red Lion also has trivia night! Win!
(5)
Drew D.
Red Lion is a British-styled pub in the Murphy Building in Fountain Square. And by British-style I mean an emphasis on Fish & Chips, Pub Curries, and English beer. That said, there's a good selection of Indiana brews (Sun King & Upland), and good draft specials during the week. Not too wide a selection to make you pause, but it is pretty great to see you can drink local almost anywhere now. With the recent opening of several more local breweries (including an upcoming one in the neighborhood); will be interesting to see if they add a few more taps. The portobello sandwich is pretty excellent; if a bit messy, and the same goes for the Reuben. Both are pretty giant. Only had a scotch egg once, but it was one of the finest (then again, any hardboiled egg blanketed in sausage & fried better be at least decent). Burgers are passable to excellent; though they seem either pre-formed or molded. Oh--make sure you get some of the curry sauce (hot) with your chips...it's a stand-out for sure. Service here has always been outstanding & really friendly. I also like the fact that there are just TVs over the bar, and no music. Anywhere you can go for a drink and actually hear yourself talk/think is a winner in my book.
(4)
Ashley L.
I really dig the atmosphere, beer selection and food here. Really. I love the selection of local beers on tap. Been here a few times now and have always had solid service and great food.
(4)
Carl B.
Red Lion is an excellent no smoking bar in Fountain Square. I would most certainly come here often if I lived closer. The food is actually pretty great here for pub food and the veggie burger is the best around. They also have fried pickle chips, which are superb. Most encounters with the Grog house have been a meet up with friends for a few drinks and dinner. We always leave quite full and happy. Red Lion is also a perfect stop during a first-friday outing at the Murphy building.
(4)
Jon C.
Scotch Eggs are a wonderful creation, and where-ever I go, if they're on the menu, I have to try them. Red Lion's are the best I've had. Now, I've not been to the UK of course, nor traveled all that much, but I've had 'Eggs at a few dozen places. Anyway, Red Lion's are good. Their Fish-n-Chips is good too, as are their chips/fries. You can get get mild or hot curry sauce for dipping - and both are wonderful. The tap selection is decent; it's no Heorot obviously, but the taps are still good. They've got Guinness (of course), and usually a few Uplands and the like. Mad Hatter IPA from New Holland has been there as well. Good stuff. The servers, er, well, servER, since we've only had one, is/are awesome. She's this cool rockabilly-looking chick who's always super friendly and such. The last time my wife and I went, we'd planned to try their Chicken Tikka. They were out and we were sad. DON'T RUN OUT OF THINGS! :D I know, it happens, but I've got to deduct a star for that one. Anyway, the place is great, Fountain Square is cool as hell, and so you may as well go and check it out!
(4)
Courtney B.
I was intrigued by the name and a quick walk-through during a First-Friday extravaganza and made a point to return to try it out. That said, the food was great! The service, not so much. Perhaps it was because I was alone, but I had to search out my waitress after waiting ten minutes for the check. Forget about a re-fill, I was never asked for one! But that makes no, never mind, I will probably return just because the food and beer selection was exceptional.
(3)
Shan A.
Have come here twice in the past month and it doesn't disappoint. I got the turkey cranberry sandwich special (around Thanksgiving) the first time with fries. The fries weren't done in my opinion and didn't end up eating them too much. The next time I went, I got tator tots and there were delicious with a pork tenderloin. Make sure to get their meal card that allows you to get a free lunch after 10 or so visits!
(4)
Kate L.
I've eaten a lot of veggie burgers in my time. I'd have to say, at this point in time, the best veggie burger you can get in Indy is at Red Lion. I highly suggest ordering the BBQ Bacon Burger with the veggie burger (no bacon)! It is heaven in your mouth. The homemade barbecue sauce is the perfect amount of sweet & tangy, the onion crisps add the perfect touch of texture. Don't forget to get the spicy curry for your chips! And, if you're feeling adventurous, dipping the veggie burger in your curry might push your tastebuds over the edge.
(5)
Liz S.
one of my FAVORITE places to go in indy! i love the atmosphere, the food there is grand. 90% of the time, i have immaculate service there, but i've gone a couple times where the waitress (2x) has been just rude and unattentive towards my group! a small letdown is the price on their foods, but i guess i'm just a cheap-skate! still love it though--always tell people about it, and it's just a wonderful place to hang out at, with a kitchen that stays open until 1am on weekends--can't beat that! suggestions: bubble & squeak w/ mashed potatoes & fried egg on top (FAVE) chicken tikka masala nom noms.
(5)
Tom S.
Pretty good. It's americanized english food. The burgers are some of the best in the city. I would put them up there with Scotty's Brewhouse in terms of burgers. Go ahead and order the Curry sauce with everything you get. You'll thank me later. I wish they had more options that weren't deep fried, but that's the nature of most grog houses. They have a good selection of beer for a mid-ranged restaurant. They like to stick to mostly local brands, a big ups, but you will also find Shiner Bock and Guinness on tap. *FALSE* Local brews on taps. that was a temporary fix till they got the good stuff in. Hit up their lunch special and make sure not to lose your punch card! the 6th lunch is free! *Edit 11-16-12* After trying out vegetarianism for a stint, not only are their animal burgers the best in town but so are the veggie!
(5)
John W.
Not bad. So as the name would suggest (all English Pubs are called the Red Lion) this is an English pub. And our bartender was indeed English...Or at least I think that's where the accent was from. The bad: The clam chowder was kind of generic No English beers on tap and I don't think they had too many in the bottle neither, though they did have some. They do have Guinness on tap but who doesn't. There weren't a lot of people in here on a Sunday afternoon. We got there early and the wings were still frozen The good: The wings are really good! The ones we were able to get. The fish and chips looked decent and I will have to go back for them The fried shrimp was good too. They also have other items on the menu that you might expect to find in a London pub like Tikka Masala and Shepherds pie but a lot of burgers as well. If they had Bass, Smithwicks, New Castle, McEwans or any other British Ales on tap I could have given them another star. I also don't think they had any mixed drinks which means a British pub with no Jameson or Scotch...Must be some Indiana thing where Whiskey makes the baby Jesus cry or something.
(3)
Frank Y.
Quick and dirty: Pub atmosphere with a good beer and food selection. Sun King on tap. Solid food and excellent service. Nothing lingered in the kitchen, and bar service was very good. Note: the restrooms are outside the restaurant in a common corridor of the building. Recommended. We went there at around 3PM on February 16th (I'm a bit behind on my reviews) on a quest for good fish and chips based upon previous Yelp reviews. We were not disappointed. We had the mushroom appetizer, and we both ordered the fish and chips with the Sun King cream ale. The food arrived steaming hot, and the beer arrived good and cold. Mushrooms: On the small side, but plentiful and properly done. Flavorful dipping sauce. Recommended. Fish and chips: The fish was a good, fleshy cut of whitefish about 34" thick. The batter was a shiny-hard crust style. Both were properly done and too hot to eat when they arrived. The flavor and texture were very good and worth the trip. The chips were freshly made and cut shoestring style from whole potatoes. Again, they were properly done with a nice crispness outside and a good texture inside. Recommended. Sun King cream ale: 'nuff said.
(4)
Zs B.
On a Sunday, a bit after 2PM, not much else is open in the Fountain Square area other than Red Lion. Milktooth, which is open untill 3PM, just turned us away, so we went to our trusted place in the neighborhood. Their menu has classic pub grub, decent beer selection, and there's also trivia on Tuesday and Thursday nights. The portabello mushroom sandwich is a good vegetarian option, and you can get tater tots as a side! :-)
(4)
Adam D.
I've been here with business colleagues & I've been here with family. Both were great experiences. My dilemma is I can't get away from the fish & chips! With several other items on the menu I want to try, both times I've been sucked in by this traditional British platter. The fish is fried in an incredibly tasty batter with just enough grease to let you know you're alive! It's always smokin' hot when you bite into it, the way it should be. Only one complaint, the bathrooms are down right gross. They're shared with the other tenants in the old Murphy's building & it's pretty clear that nobody is taking ownership of them. That said, hit the restroom before arriving or after you leave & you can avoid the issue altogether. This joint will be on my regular visit list!
(5)
Caiti H.
I stopped in for lunch and it was pretty calm. I ordered a patty melt and it was ok. Nothing outstanding, because even now I'm trying to remember what was all on my plate. I also went all in for some bread pudding. The pudding was kinda dry, but satisfied my sweet tooth. I dropped my rating because of service. To say that it was lack luster would be a bit of an understatement. Seeing as there were two servers, and four tables (including myself) all of which were finished eating...I don't see there being an excuse for it. Took a good 5-10 minutes to get a menu. The food came out promptly. I asked for dessert, that also came out pretty promptly... and then I sat there for 20-30 minutes. My server just vanished. I figured it may have been a shift change...but the other server never checked on me until I flagged her down to ask for my check. This was not her fault, but lack of communication on my servers part. Nutshell: The food is not much to write home about and service was too underwhelming to recommend you make a stop or go out of your way to visit.
(2)
William Aaron K.
Went here for the first time yesterday with a friend. We decided to go to the outdoor patio in the back. At first we weren't sure what we were getting ourselves into, but we ended up having a pretty good time! Some of their food looks a little pricey, however the appetizers are just as fulfilling as any entree would be. I got the BBQ wings with ranch and about had my heart melt from how great they were. My friend had the jerk chicken on the skewer and it looked pretty good. However, she dipping it in bleu cheese and that's just not my thing. However, she enjoyed it! I also had the Piccadilly Punch, but there's a secret recipe to it, but I believe it was Malibu. However, it was super refreshing on a warm evening on the 4th of July (kind of ironic going to a British themed on America's holiday, huh?) It's definitely a place I will probably go back to, however, I think I would probably prefer to go there when the weather is nicer outside, so I can go out to the patio. The inside of the building is cool, but it's kind of small and gets pretty loud. I think it's worth going and definitely way better than a lot of other places in Fountain Square.
(5)
Savannah W.
We were provided with excellent service, deliciously perfect food, and a small pub atmosphere. Our only complaint is that it was so hot inside the restaurant that I was anticipating leaving just to get to the cooler outside air, which is saying a lot for a late August summer.
(5)
Aaron B.
Had a great meal at the Red Lion. I ordered the Fish & Chips with a Guiness and my wife got the BBQ Burger and a grog. The food was really tasty, well prepared, and served piping hot. The waitstaff was very attentive and the experience was just a good one. Other reviews' complaints about parking are fairly valid. We found a spot just fine, and it won't be an issue if you're in Fountain Square already for a show or night out, etc. But if this is your destination, you might have a bit of a walk from your car to the restaurant. The restrooms, as mentioned, are shared. We lucked out though, because they're shared with the Hi-Fi concert venue next door and we were having a pre-show dinner. So by taking a restroom break, we wound up backstage of the concert we were going to go see. That was actually kind of awesome! However, they aren't the best restrooms if that is a concern. Overall, I recommend the Red Lion. Good food, neat atmosphere, and attentive waitstaff.
(4)
Phil B.
To quote from the web page. "Red Lion is not a sports bar - it's Indianapolis's only upscale English-style restaurant that exudes the sophistication and elegance of a five-star restaurant and excitement and entertainment." Hmm UPSCALE? and exudes ( oozes ) sophistication and elegance of a five star restaurant. Maybe Im missing the sarcasm? Dressed in business casual I felt way over dressed. First impression walking thru the door was not great. Entry needs a good scrubbing and a paint job. We waited about an hour to eat which was actually ok and understandable because of Dining Out For Life. Our server was very friendly and he did a wonderful job considering how busy they were. We ordered fish and chips and chicken and chips. Fish and chicken were really good chips were disappointing. For dessert we got an elephant ear. It was amazing. When I get a craving for this carnival staple and no carnival is in sight I know where to go. I would have given 2 stars had the dessert and service not been as great as they were. We may go back and try something diffrent but I will still get an elephant ear.
(4)
Jessica C.
Really great first experience! I got the portobello & Swiss sandwich, my friend got the fish and chips. The hand cut fries are crispy & flavorful. We came in on a Friday night around 11:30, the service was great. Food was prompt & DELICIOUS!
(4)
Kristin M.
For my second time at Red Lion, I was really let down by the service. At 12:45 on a Saturday, they only had one waitress on staff. We told the waitress we had somewhere to be by 2p and she seemed annoyed and said that was plenty of time. She took 15 mins to come back to take our order and we didn't get our food for 30 minutes. Needless to say, we had to inhale our food, pay before we ate, and barely made it where we needed to be - 5 minutes away. Really disappointed and don't plan to return if I have anything to do afterward. Please fix it Red Lion!
(2)
Jennifer F.
We entered the Red Lion Grog House and were greeted with soulful music, low lighting and the happy chatter of several different conversations going on between patrons at the tables and bar. The restaurant was clean, and definitely not the environment of the true Grog houses that tend to be dirty barrooms in seedy areas of town. However, I wouldn't classify it as upscale dining either, which is how the restaurant describes its dining experience, but it is casual. We sat ourselves and our server arrived to the table promptly to take our drink order. When he delivered those he satisfactorily answered all questions we had about the menu. My daughter decided to order the Roasted Red Pepper Burger and wanting to stay true to the English experience I ordered the Bangers and Mash. My daughter was pleased with her burger and they nailed her requested medium doneness, it was not too done or rare. My Bangers and Mash were topped with an herbed beef stock reduction. The garlic potatoes had a bold garlic flavor (unlike some I've had where the garlic was almost undetectable). I truly enjoyed the beef stock reduction as it was rich and aromatic, possessing a slight floral note. Additionally, the crisp onion rings added a nice variation in texture. So, the softness of the mash, the firmness of the sausage, and the crispness of the onion rings made for a dish of well rounded textures. The only issue I had with the meal is that it was lukewarm versus hot, which is why I rated the Red Lion Grog House four stars versus five. However, the prices are great and the food is good so I intend to come back. I also like the fact that one can access the restaurant from the front or back. The back entrance is conveniently accessible via the parking lot and a short hallway.
(4)
Alexis W.
This is a great eat! My boyfriend and I just got home from an amazing meal! We went there for our Valentine's Day and it was sooo good! I made reservations for 6:30 and we arrived 6:20 and were seated right away. The hostess was very polite and greeted us with open arms. Our waitress was the same way. Everything on their menu sounded so good, so we took a couple more minutes to decided what we wanted. My boyfriend made his own burger and I ordered the Grog House Chicken. Oh my lanta is was delicious!!! It took about 10-15 minutes to come out. I was happy with the way my meal tasted and so was my boyfriend. He loved it so much he inhaled his meal within 10 minutes. Our meals came out hot and fresh. I can't express how good it was! After we ate our meal, we decided to get a elephant ear. It was 4.99 so it we were sold. When it came out our jaws HIT the floor! IT WAS HUGE!!! It was bigger than the actual plate, but OH MY GOSH it was DELICIOUS! We thought we were full..haha. We ended up eating the entire thing. This is definitely a restaurant we will be visiting again!
(5)
Zs B.
On a Sunday, a bit after 2PM, not much else is open in the Fountain Square area other than Red Lion. Milktooth, which is open untill 3PM, just turned us away, so we went to our trusted place in the neighborhood. Their menu has classic pub grub, decent beer selection, and there's also trivia on Tuesday and Thursday nights. The portabello mushroom sandwich is a good vegetarian option, and you can get tater tots as a side! :-)
(4)
Carie W.
Ever have one of those days when just nothing goes right? The kind of day that almost begs you to cry uncle and go back to bed? Husband and I had one of those yesterday. It almost had us. The day almost broke us. But it didn't. And I'm so glad because if it had, we may have missed out on the Red Lion Grog House. It may have been unfortunate events that led us to this wonderful establishment, but there was nothing unfortunate about this meeting. I'll skip the dramatics and start with walking in the front door. It was everything I think a really good bar should be. Comfortable and woody. Friendly, but not invasive. Good beer on tap and tasty cocktails on the menu. It was around noon on Sunday and only a few other tables were scattered about. We chose an out of the way table along the wall toward the back. I'll take a brief moment here to talk about the service because I definitely don't want it to get lost in my ravings about the food. If I had to pick one word - perfect. She was knowledgeable and honest. Available, without hovering. All around really cool and just turned our day around. Seriously. She was the perfect speed and we just couldn't have been happier on that front. Of course, we told her this in the tip rather than in person because nothing strikes fear in a server like being told what a great job she's doing. It's equivalent to stating, "please take my kind words in lieu of anything you could use to pay rent". I wouldn't scare my worst enemy with those terrifying words. On to the food. We started with the fried pickles. Without a doubt, the best fried pickles I've ever had. And we've had a lot of fried pickles. My husband is borderline obsessed with them. They were breaded and fried perfectly - light and crisp - keeping the pickle as the star of the show. The garlic-dijon aioli was the perfect accompaniment. All of it was just outstanding. My husband ordered the fish sandwich and I the apple-curry wings for our entrees. His sandwich was, again, perfectly fried. I find fish sandwiches somewhat frustrating as they tend to just disintegrate leaving me baffled as to why I even bothered with the whole sandwich setup. This one did nothing of the sort. It made for a very happy husband, which of course, equals a very happy me. Then I took a bite of the apple-curry wings. I'm pretty sure my eyes bulged out of my head as fireworks were set off in my brain by the explosion of happiness. They were a perfect balance of flavor, tender chicken, and instantly became one of those dishes I'll think/talk about for years to come. I don't want to get started on how often I'm going to crave these. I'm both sad and happy I'll have to drive a bit of a distance to get these again. And again. And again. Drinks. As I was behind the wheel for our day of adventure from the northside, I was not inclined to partake in any of the delightful adult beverages listed on the menu. I'm just dying to try the Pimm's cup, amongst others. Instead, I opted for a taste of the ginger beer and was very happy. My husband had a few rounds of the bloody mary and was even happier. Next time, we'll plan to spend a bit more time in the area so we can both indulge. And there will be a next time. Lots of them.
(5)
Kim K.
Holy mackerel, their fish n' chips are quite a catch! Perfectly battered to crispy perfection. I am a dipper; so I feel the need to also note that their tartar sauce was absolutely wonderful as well. The perfect compliment. Wait staff was incredible friendly and helpful as well.
(5)
Kristen S.
Went here for lunch today and as always it was great! I had the Ruben and my boyfriend had the grandmas meatloaf. The Ruben was served up quickly with hot fresh fries. The sandwich didn't last long and I enjoyed every buttery, rich and flavorful bite. The fries were done to perfection with a slightly crispy and salted exterior with a soft interior. The meatloaf was awesome...the seasoning they used was great with rosemary being the prevailing spice. Our waitress was extremely friendly and very knowledgeable about the beers on tap. I love that they have so many indiana beers featured on draft. I had the JMC christmas ale from Two Deep brewing company and my boyfriend had the Farmers Daughter from 450 north brewing company. It was an unexpected trip to the Grog House..especially at 1pm on a Tuesday but let me tell you...when you need a good mental health day come here. The atmosphere is great and the staff are awesome :) Oh and how can I forget he scotch eggs! They are epic and done to perfection. My first time trying the dish and I was surprised and very pleased. The fried meaty goodness of the exterior was a tastey contrast to cold smooth and rich interior of the egg. Not sure the exact ingredients in the sauce but u sensed some horseradish so I loved it.
(5)
Patrick M.
I don't write reviews very often, only when I feel strongly one way or another toward a particular business, and Red Lion is one of those businesses. I've become quite fond of this place. I live in Fountain Square, and if I want to eat close, Red Lion is definitely one of my top choices. In my experiences here the service has always been spectacular. I've never had to wait long to be greeted/have my order taken. On top of that, the kitchen staff is awesome, and I've never had to wait long for my food, even when the restaurant is packed. Everyone has always been friendly, and would frequently check up with me. I've visited this place many times, on different days of the week/times of day, and would have to say my favorite day is Sunday because they have a special on Bloody Marys. Four dollar Bloody Marys, can't beat that. Also, lately I've become fond of the build your own burger option of the menu. I've had a lot of fun coming up with new combinations.
(5)
Traci D.
I myself has been here once already before my boyfriend and I dined a fee months ago. We sat at the bar, bartender was awesome and very informative. My boyfriend is not too familiar with craft beers but the bartender gave us the 441! Their burgers are the best and their Mac & cheese is delightful!
(5)
Valerie B.
Just stopped in for a quick beer. Nice selection and great conversation with the staff. Will return to try their food out sometime.
I'm looking forward to when Red Lion and I become (practically) neighbors this summer. My beer was delicious, my portobello (and mashed potatoes!) was delicious, and our waiter (Chris, I think) was friendly and very attentive. I'd like to see a bigger crowd for trivia, but perhaps that will happen this summer.
(4)
Burger Guide D.
The Red Lion Grog House is a popular bar featuring tasty beers in Indianapolis. They also feature some pretty tasty bar food in as well. The BBQ bacon burger is made up of 1/2 pound of 100% Angus beef grilled to order, BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, crisp bacon, onion crisps, lettuce, tomato, and served on a freshly baked egg bun. My first impression of the burger was that it was somewhat unmanageable. The onion rings were much too thick to be able to eat with both of them on the burger. I ate one of them and then eat the burger. The burger was a well-executed BBQ Bacon "Western Style" burger. The onion rings were flavorful, bacon was salty and crisp, and the BBQ sauce paired well with the burger. Compared to my favorite burgers the beef could have been a bit more juicy, but it did have a nice char. The egg bun was a good flavor pairing but could have been pillowy soft. Overall, the BBQ bacon burger is a solid offering to enjoy with some tasty beers at Red Lion Grog House.
(3)
Christine B.
this place is amazing. excellent service and possibly my favorite sports bar in the city. Chris the bartender is the man. he is awesome and is knowledge of beer and wines is truly astounding. the food... how is it possible for them to take such simple bar food and make it taste so good? they have tater tots, which is awesome. the mozzarella sticks and fried mushrooms are literally the best I've ever had. you can tell they're fresh, made by hand, and definitely aren't the generic crap that comes in frozen from a wholesaler. the mozz sticks are huge, breaded with tons of flavor, the mushrooms taste like they were sauteed in garlic before breaded and fried. Chris talked me into a Belgian barley wine last night that was raspberry flavored and dangerously delicious. my boyfriend and I love this place and we always sit at the bar. the only negative, their Tuesday night trivia guy sucks. you have to register super early, the format is weird, and the questions are entirely way too hard. I vote for a team trivia live person or bar bingo. that guy has gotta go.
(5)
Leslie L.
My husband and I had differing opinions about this restaurant... He liked it, I didn't. I had the Chicken Pot Pie and it just had no flavor and the pastry on top was just awkward to eat. My husband had the Black and Bleu burger and loved it. I would definitely this place again and maybe get the fish and chips next time but for now it's a 3 star rating (split the difference of opinions). Good atmosphere and enough seating for groups of 6 or less people. Good beer selection.
(3)
Olivia Z.
Great atmosphere and good food. I had the strawberry/candied walnut salad and it was out of sight. Didn't think I'd be wowed by a salad, but I was. Strawberries tasted fresh and the candied walnuts were delicious. Waitress gave me 20% off my order when she saw I didn't like my soup (Note: The soup I opted to get didn't compliment the strawberry salad). Can't wait to go back. Loved it!
(5)
Jared J.
Food is always good. Staff is friendly. Don't have any complaints about this place.
(5)
Telissa C.
I have been back to Red Lion a few more times recently and must say the service is always excellent. In the past I hadn't been impressed with the food. I think the kitchen must be on track now because things are better. The chips last 2 times weren't a greasy mess they were in the past. Oh so good! I LOVE the garlic aoli! Let's talk about drinks! Sunday's $4.50 Bloody Mary is a home run. The Hemingway is a real winner too! Oh and the Pimms cup? Spot on. Most know I am a lover of local beers and though I find the beer selection a bit limited they do keep a few local beers on tap and that is great!
(4)
Ronee B.
I really love this place. It is smaller, dark, cozy, and they have terrific food. The Scotch eggs and cheese sticks are terrific! These cheese sticks are HUGE, with the breading I think they use for the scotch eggs, and they aren't greasy with cheap cheese. They have lots of beer variety (which I'm not a beer person so that means little to me). If you are in Fountain Square you have to come here!
(4)
Christina G.
There are so many wonderful food options here that I order through process of elimination. I have never been anything but completely satisfied by Red Lion! And that is not just with the food. The staff is friendly and helpful. I think I must stop my review here so that I don't start drooling on my keyboard from thinking about what I will order next time.
(4)
Rob C.
Just visited for trivia on Tuesday night. Service was great, beer list was OK, curry fries we quite yummy, trivia was a lot of fun. Seemed a bit pricey on the food and beverage front ($6 pints for local beer on a Tuesda night? C'mon!).
(3)
Bodie S.
We went to Red Lion for trivia night, which takes place every Thursday, starting at 7pm, and we had a really good time here. It was my first time being here and I was very impressed with everything. The atmosphere, the people, the food/drink, it was all wonderful. It was an interesting combination of younger people and older people, all enjoying the competition of trivia. The food was amazing. The portions were large and high in quality. I definitely want to try more of their menu. The fish and chips are delicious, as well as their chicken strips (and accompanying sauces that you get to pick). I'm dying to try their Scotch egg. I've been dreaming about it since I left there. Grant me my wish! Their drinks are around $5 for pints of craft beer. They also have $2.50 PBRs. They have local Indianapolis beers on tap, which I always find enjoyable. I had a Fountain Square Big Nugget and a few others. They have spirits as well and can whip you up a fine cocktail. They have a great beverage selection. The service was great. Our waitress was friendly, talkative, but not too talkative, and never neglected us. At any point in time our drinks were getting low, she'd appear out of nowhere to ask us if we'd like something else. Like a drinking genie! If you're in the Fountain Square area and are wanting to try something unique and delicious, I'd highly recommend giving Red Lion a try. It's easy to locate!
(5)
Cara S.
I've been a fan of Red Lion since they opened, and I know I'm not the only one because they're always busy. I'm a sucker for fries, and their chips and curry are good - it's hard to resist getting some each time I come. They also have a really good homemade vegetarian burger. I believe the burger itself is vegan (at least it was when they first opened and I asked about it), but they have changed the veggie burger toppings over the years, and the toppings are not always vegan. They serve nice local beers, and they have fun trivia on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are a wonderful addition to Fountain Square.
(4)
Jason O.
Big fan of the atmosphere, bar, and the appetizers! Great spot to hang drink and eat after work or on the weekends. Fast friendly staff! Big fan of the Curry Chips!
(4)
Howard L.
I really liked this pub. Overall, about 4.5 stars, with 5 stars for the English beer selection, and 4 stars for the food. You can get bottled Old Speckled Hen here for $4.75. Son also had a nice Upland Rad red wheat ale, much like an FFF Gumballhead. There were numerous other tempting selections like Boddington Ale, Smithwicks, and Young's Double Chocolate Stout. We had: Scotch egg Whole portabello cap with swiss cheese Meat loaf sandwich Fish and chips Wife and I enjoyed the food, but son didn't like his meat loaf sandwich as much (a bit flavorless). Comfortable and spacious pub dining, and friendly service also. Will be back!
(4)
Brittany L.
This review is belated, I visited Red Lion Grog house in November. I've actually been twice, both times during lunch, and I'll definitely be going back soon. The first time I went, I ordered the stuffed portobello. It wasn't the best I've had, which is why this place didn't get five stars. My boyfriend ordered the meatloaf sandwich, which he really enjoyed. The servings are HUGE, plan on having leftovers. I made the right call on our second visit, the fish and chips were fantastic, so order this if you're looking for something that will always be a great bet. The coleslaw was out of this world. The best part of the restaurant is probably the bar selection (as it should be at a pub.) The first time I visited,I had the signature Grog, the Red Lion Grog. It is a cocktail made of beer and liquor and pop, and it is killer. I couldn't find the drink on their website, so I can't say what was in it with certainty. Drink it slowly, it will creep up on you! I stuck with beer the second round, and had a local offering from Fountain Square Brewery. I highly encourage every beer fan try whatever they have from FSB, I've yet to be disappointed. Lastly, when I visited the second time, it was cold outside, so I had an Irish coffee. The bartender made it stiff, and it definitely warmed me up. As important as the food and bar selection are to my review score, I have to say that the atmosphere is truly something unique and fun. It's in a great area (Fountain Square) and they've really done a wonderful job with the decor and the layout. The room long and narrow, and it feels cozy without being cramped. There is a short bar, maybe 6 or 7 seats, with tvs on the wall, and a row of booths. There are a couple of larger round top tables in the front, near the door. Of course, it was nearly empty when we were there, so I can imagine on a busy night or afternoon, it could get a little tight. The waitresses are nice and attentive, and not overbearing at all. Our bartender let us sample a couple of specialty drinks, to help us make a decision on our order. I wish I could remember her name, she's great. Even the cooks are friendly and greet you over the wall when you come in. The lighting is dark and a little gloomy, but it's perfect for a pub atmosphere. It gets you in the drinking mood. If you're looking for a casual place that offers something special here in Indianapolis, visit the Red Lion Grog House. You'll be glad that you did, and, if you're like me, it will move to the top of your list of places to frequent!
(4)
Nikol P.
if you like fried bar food it will be great. i just think you smell like grease when you come out and everything kinda tastes the same. the design of the long narrow room gets very congested as well.
(5)
Kasey L.
We had a very pleasant experience here tonight. We needed to spend $30 to get $10 off with a coupon, so (and I'm not proud of this) we ordered three entrees despite there only being two of us :) We turned the mac and cheese entree into an appetizer. I don't think I've ever tasted such a strong cheddar taste in a cheese sauce in my entire life. My dining partner was a little turned off by it, but I loved it. I had the BBQ bacon burger, and he had the black and bleu burger, and we both cleaned our plates! Both burgers were cooked perfectly. Previous reviewers were critical of the chips/fries, so we hedged our bets with him getting fries and me getting tater tots. We found the fries to be perfectly fine. We found the environment to be pretty laid back (lots of alcohol around but not too loud, etc.). One gentleman, who we think must have been the owner, was very attentive in terms of our wait, food, and comfort (we sat near the door and checked to make sure we weren't getting blown over by gusts of wind). The only reason it's not 5 stars is because it was lacking some type of wow factor--not even sure what that would be, but I'm pretty stingy with that fifth star and know it when I see it. We will happily come back here to try some of the other yummy things on the menu!
(4)
Elijah S.
I have been here twice now. Once was after swing dancing when I found it will walking with a group of friends because it was the only thing open and a second time before heading down the Hoosier Dome for a concert. I had the Ruben the first time. Honestly it was a Ruben. I have had worst and I have had better. Second time was a burger. It was good. Atmosphere is packed on a weekend night(Which I like). Beer is a little on the steep side price wise and from what I remember not a huge selection. Service has been good both times. If you are in Fountain Square and don't feel like going to a dinner then yea check this place out. I will go again.
(4)
Danny B.
Red Lion is a great place to hang-out over a beer and some chips. Not every bar has that type of atmosphere, but Red Lion has got it down. Homey feel, solid local beer selection, and friendly staff.
(4)
Rae Ann P.
Absolutely wonderful service and excellent food. Chicken pot pie was HUGE and full of meat, veg (very tasty). The shepherd's pie was exceptional. Great flavor and wholesome. Might not be as authentic as Londoner's expect/want/remember - but it's pretty darn good for what we had. Definitely going to be back for another taste!!
(5)
Amie L.
Love eating in Fountain Square. This is another great place to grab lunch. Their fish and chips are good. The curry dipping sauce steals the show though. Creamy ramekins of love to smother a crispy fry...yes please! The Shepherd's pie is also very good. Burgers are delicious. Easily one of the best burgers in town. Food is definitely of the comforting variety. Service has always been quick and friendly.
(4)
Colin G.
This isn't my favorite place in Indy. This isn't even my favorite place in Fountain Square. But, in the end, I really like Red Lion. They serve good food, have a good atmosphere and have good beer on tap. I like that they do the daily specials. The food specials are always a really good deal, but it's always just one item. For instance, one time it was two for one fish and chips. Great deal, but what if you're with someone who doesn't fish and chips? The drinks specials are better on the off-days, but I think that's the case everywhere. They tend to get some interesting beers. Triton and Fountain Square are listed on their beer menus, with the caveat that they rotate. This was also the place where I first tried Indiana City. One thing I really like here is the burger. They cook it well, and it's tasty. One of the few places in Indy I've been to where they actually cook it how you order it (i.e. - "medium" does not come out well-done). IIRC (but I could be wrong), they also have Heinz 57, which is just such a rarity, especially in the Midwest. You can't wrong with that condiment though. The fries (as in something to dip in the Heinz 57) are really good as well. They try to put spins on the burgers, and I just don't know if it's executed that well. For instance, the "roasted red pepper burger" was topped with red peppers that had been put on the grill for a minute or so, and something they called "blue cheese cream sauce" that was orange. It's still a good burger, but I would probably just build my own next time. Service is usually attentive and relatively friendly. They keep up. It almost looks like the girls are wearing kilts though (with pants underneath, as this isn't The [stupid] Tilted Kilt), which doesn't seem to jive with their "English pub" self description. Last time I was in here, there was a group with two women and what sounded like at least 20 kids. I don't know that this somewhat dark, beer-oriented, pub-style place is a great fit for kids. The high ceilings also mean that all of that sugar you gave them makes it all the more annoying for everyone else. They have an almost secret patio as well. It's in the back. You go through the doors to the hallway (where the bathrooms are) and out into the alley. Pretty strange, but at least it's a patio. And if you're one of those people who gets weird about dirty or weird bathrooms, then this is not your place, as they're shared with the art studios above. Free wifi too, for your work-and-drink late lunches. Street parking all over the place, so it's high time you learn to parallel that m'f'er.
(4)
Conni M.
Yum! Just so perfect for pub food! And the specialty cocktails were great too. Our table Collectively had chicken pot pie, Shepard pie, buffalo chicken sandwich and a scotch egg appetizer. I have never tried a scotch egg and it was delicious!! All food, drink, and service were above expectations. Thank you fellow Yelpers for for bringing me this great dinner night out!
(5)
Derek C.
Nice little place with fair prices. It's worth checking out. It's in a convenient location in Fountain Square with parking all around. The decor/ambience isn't quite British pub. By that, I mean that there's way more floor space and the ceilings are quite high. We got the fish and chips plus the shepherd's pie. The fish and pie were great. The chips left a little to be desired. The beer is as cheap as anywhere and they've got a decent selection of local brews and imports (obviously focused on the UK and Ireland).
(4)
Rob A.
I really wanted to like Red Lion. I dragged my wife here one weekend recently for an early dinner and I was excited based on what I had seen in the yelp reviews. First of all, the service was painfully slow but I looked past it because it's a bar. We started with the fried pickle chips which were great -- good pickle to batter ratio and nice and crispy. For our meal we went the British route and ordered the shepherd's pie and the national dish of Britain, chicken tikka masala. The first thing we noticed was that the serving sizes for both meals were tiny for how much they cost, which was $12 and $13, respectively, and neither came with any sides. The shepherd's pie was decent but it didn't impress me. The chicken tikka masala was bland and unappetizing and my wife didn't take more than a a few bites before putting down her fork. I tried a bite and agreed. Our waitress could tell my wife wasn't satisfied and was nice enough to offer her another dish. Also of note was the men's restroom, which was filthy and barely functional with no working urinals and one disgusting toilet that was overflowing. The bathrooms seem to be shared between other establishments so maybe this isn't all Red Lion's fault. Based on the wealth of great reviews, I'm hoping that this particular visit was an anomaly. First impressions are powerful things though, and I don't think we'll be finding ourselves back at Red Lion anytime soon.
(2)
Ali G.
Good food, good atmosphere! We went here to celebrates my boyfriends brothers birthday, who loves a good beer. They have a huge selection of beers and drinks, and a good menu. We started with the fried pickles as an appetizer and they came out piping hot. The pickles were really good and so was the dijon sauce to dip them in. I had the chicken and chips. So good! I really don't have many complaints about the place. The chipotle dipping sauce for the chicken was amazing and I will definitely be back for more. The only downside was the English Garden I had to drink. It was vodka, sprite and lemonade, garnished with a cucumber. It tasted like pure cucumber, which I wasn't a fan of, but if you like cucumbers, this is your drink. The atmosphere is dark and laid back, but pretty loud. Overall, it was a good experience.
(4)
Nick J.
I've been going to Red Lion for a couple years. . Their new cocktail menu is great, especially the Pimm's Cup. For the last two years of undergrad, friends and I would go here regularly for trivia nights. It's definitely worth going as a group as long as you have someone on the team who knows 80s music and if you can handle somewhat "inventive" pronunciation of geographical locations. The beer selection is really good. They've got Weihenstephaner and usually have Sun King, Guinness, Strongbow, and a few other beers on tap. Their liquor selection is pretty small, but it's good stuff. The best items on the menu are: Bubble and Squeak (with fried egg) Lancashire Hot Pot The Waltimate Tikka Masala Spicy Curry Chips The food isn't amazing, but it's great for pub food and the service is outstanding. Chris and Liz need to be tipped well! Easily my favorite servers in Indy.
(4)
Nina J.
Finally got a chance to check out Fountain Square and Red Lion was a must-visit. We had an early Saturday dinner 5-6-ish and were able to snag one of the two window tables. Our server was very nice and prompt with drinks & refills. Select pints were only $4 that day and we really enjoyed the local brands we tried. I'm first generation American on my Brit side, so I chuckle at those who dissed the atmosphere here. It feels like a cozy, local pub - things are worn, but clean. US faux pubs usually don't honor the "worn" aspect. The restrooms are in the back hallway & cleaner than the public restroom at the Indy Embassy Suites. Check out the pinboard in back hallway for notice of local music events. We split the Candied Walnut Strawberry Salad and were provided ample plates for splitting with no complaint. Surprised to find such a fresh, mixed spring salad in a pub. I'd eat the candied walnuts from a bowl! Good vinaigrette dressing and awesome crumbled blue cheese. The fried mushrooms are crunchy - the dip has a touch of dill and a good, smoky edge that elevates this standard appetizer. Fish and chips had a crisp batter. Solid pieces of flaky whitefish. I recommend asking for the dip that comes with the mushrooms instead of tartar sauce - the fish tasted great with that dill. Fries are hand-cut with some peel and generous sea salt. They didn't look burnt, but did have a taste of being "over cooked". Maybe it's the oil they use, but I'd skip fries for other crunch options. Fun to split an elephant ear for dessert. The couple next to us ordered the chicken curry and it smelled divine - we'll be heading back for the beer and some curry.
(4)
Brittany L.
I love the curry chips (hand cut fries). I crave them in fact. The burger I had a few weeks ago was actually cooked medium, as I requested, and it was just GREAT. Fish and chips are also good, and I like the bangers and mash as well. Tasty comfort food. Really, the 2 things I haven't been TOTALLY impressed were was the chicken pot pie and a popover. Pie's taste was good, but it was packed with celery and onions, which I don't really like. Personal preference though. The popover was hard like a rock and cold. I've been to trivia night a couple times...definitely a fun thing on a weeknight. Always a good selection of local draft beers and friendly prompt service. No complaints...I just wish it was in Irvington!
(5)
Rene F.
Great food in a cozy atmosphere - seriously good burgers, shepherd's pie and Scotch eggs!
(5)
Kelly H.
This is a pub that not only is known for its drink selection, but actually has food to deliver too. I'm always wary of ordering fried fish since they usually end up being soggy or have too much breading, but I figured they have to be good at a British pub, right? So I ordered the combo chicken/fish and chips, and fortunately, the fish and chicken were perfectly cooked and crispy. And I loved the apple curry dipping sauce! Something different and a very subtle, sweet flavor. The tater tots here aren't special, but I highly recommend getting the fries. It had a great curry/cumin kick to them, which you don't come across often in Indy. The service was also equally impressive. We arrived around 7 pm on a Friday, and although the place was relatively lively, the two of us were seated right away. Our server was cheery, frequently refilled our glasses, and we were in and out under an hour. I definitely plan to return!
(4)
Sam B.
They never disappoint me! I love the mozzarella sticks so unique. Also the Big Ben is amazin! I have tried lots of menu items and nothing ever is disappointing !
(5)
Kristan W.
BANGERS & MASH FTW! Okay... got that out of my system. I happened upon this place on accident and it was a pleasant surprise indeed. I've had a few items: deep fried macaroni balls, scotch eggs, B & M and the fish n chips (not as blown away by the F n C as I was hoping, maybe an off night). The seating can be a little on the cramped side especially with other tables, but the beer and cocktails help. It's dark and moody and smells like delicious fried food. If you haven't been it's most definitely worth checking out.
(5)
Matt W.
We got taken here while visiting Indy last weekend, and while I was really impressed by the beer menu and their curry wings, I had some other issues. We tried a few different appetizers - chips with curry sauce (really good, and the curry sauce was good enough that I added some wings with it as well), scotch eggs, and fried mushrooms. The wings and chips were served at the proper temperature, but the mushrooms were cold and the scotch egg was underdone. The server took them back and had new batches made and fried up properly, but that was disappointing. The decor is dark and comfortable, but getting to the bathrooms is kind of a pain. All things considered, I think I'd happily go here again if I'm back in town, but I'd keep an eye on how things are coming out of the kitchen.
(4)
Phil S.
The Scotch eggs, fried mac and cheese, and spicy curry chicken sandwich were delicious! Great atmosphere and beer selection. Service was top-notch. I will be returning again soon.
(5)
Catherine K.
Service is way too uneven here for me to recommend this restaurant. It's a shame, because the food is good. I stopped in for a late lunch with my husband and another couple; it took nearly an hour to get our appetizers. During that time, my friend's husband was the only one who received a drink refill. There appeared to be only 2 waitresses for the entire restaurant and it was a full house (although that might speak more to the speed of service than to the popularity of the restaurant). We've had mixed experiences here since the restaurant opened, so I expect that is just to be expected at this point.
(2)
Bethany S.
After my recent trip to the UK and English-pub visiting there with the natives, I was eager to check out Indy's version. Maybe I went on a bad night, but my friend and I were disappointed by the food here. I got a BBQ veggie burger, which was supposed to be amazing, but they forgot the BBQ sauce until I asked about it. The chips were some of the worst I've had, even after I added a little salt and malt vinegar - they seemed to be overcooked. The veggie burger itself is decent as far as veggie burgers in Indy go. The most interesting part was open mic night. I didn't realize this was going on until I got there and groaned inwardly, but the performers actually weren't too bad. Just a little annoying when you're trying to catch up with a friend you haven't seen in a while. I think beer people would like the Grog House more!
(2)
Molly G.
Love this place. Good local brews. Fish and chips are excellent. And their burgers are so good! Try the Waltimate. And don't forget to get the hot curry sauce to dip your chips in.
(4)
Tom S.
Pretty good. It's americanized english food. The burgers are some of the best in the city. I would put them up there with Scotty's Brewhouse in terms of burgers. Go ahead and order the Curry sauce with everything you get. You'll thank me later. I wish they had more options that weren't deep fried, but that's the nature of most grog houses. They have a good selection of beer for a mid-ranged restaurant. They like to stick to mostly local brands, a big ups, but you will also find Shiner Bock and Guinness on tap. *FALSE* Local brews on taps. that was a temporary fix till they got the good stuff in. Hit up their lunch special and make sure not to lose your punch card! the 6th lunch is free! *Edit 11-16-12* After trying out vegetarianism for a stint, not only are their animal burgers the best in town but so are the veggie!
(5)
John W.
Not bad. So as the name would suggest (all English Pubs are called the Red Lion) this is an English pub. And our bartender was indeed English...Or at least I think that's where the accent was from. The bad: The clam chowder was kind of generic No English beers on tap and I don't think they had too many in the bottle neither, though they did have some. They do have Guinness on tap but who doesn't. There weren't a lot of people in here on a Sunday afternoon. We got there early and the wings were still frozen The good: The wings are really good! The ones we were able to get. The fish and chips looked decent and I will have to go back for them The fried shrimp was good too. They also have other items on the menu that you might expect to find in a London pub like Tikka Masala and Shepherds pie but a lot of burgers as well. If they had Bass, Smithwicks, New Castle, McEwans or any other British Ales on tap I could have given them another star. I also don't think they had any mixed drinks which means a British pub with no Jameson or Scotch...Must be some Indiana thing where Whiskey makes the baby Jesus cry or something.
(3)
Frank Y.
Quick and dirty: Pub atmosphere with a good beer and food selection. Sun King on tap. Solid food and excellent service. Nothing lingered in the kitchen, and bar service was very good. Note: the restrooms are outside the restaurant in a common corridor of the building. Recommended. We went there at around 3PM on February 16th (I'm a bit behind on my reviews) on a quest for good fish and chips based upon previous Yelp reviews. We were not disappointed. We had the mushroom appetizer, and we both ordered the fish and chips with the Sun King cream ale. The food arrived steaming hot, and the beer arrived good and cold. Mushrooms: On the small side, but plentiful and properly done. Flavorful dipping sauce. Recommended. Fish and chips: The fish was a good, fleshy cut of whitefish about 34" thick. The batter was a shiny-hard crust style. Both were properly done and too hot to eat when they arrived. The flavor and texture were very good and worth the trip. The chips were freshly made and cut shoestring style from whole potatoes. Again, they were properly done with a nice crispness outside and a good texture inside. Recommended. Sun King cream ale: 'nuff said.
(4)
Nichole H.
I hit up Red Lion Grog House early this year on a Tuesday evening after work with some friends. I think the place was recently opened. It's a little tough to find - if you aren't familiar with Fountain Square and paying attention. The outdoor signage is practically non-existant. I drove by it twice before I figured out that it was smack in the middle of a city block. There aren't many places that serve scotch eggs but Red Lion Grog House did them justice! So delicious. I really shouldn't have eaten the fish and chips, but they were too hard to pass up! I'm glad I did! They were fantastic. At the time, they were one of the few places serving Sun King (everyone is now it seems) so that was bonus points in my book. I'll be back!
(4)
Brenden H.
This place is awesome! If you're looking for beer with wicked cool names with a flavor and quality to match, this is the place for you. I'm a fan of just about anything on the menu, from their spicy curry chips to their fish n chips to their shepard's pie; however, my all-time favorite is their meatloaf. Their meatloaf comes one of two ways: as a sandwich or as MEATLOAF. In either case, it's fantastic, and it's hard for me to really order anything else. It's the perfect blend of salt and spice and meat. Not a fan of meat? No problem. This place has a variety of vegetarian options, like a true grog house should. They have everything from fried mushrooms to veggie burgers to a delicious giant stuffed portobella. Except the section marked "Chicken," there's at least one delicious veggie item that I'd place near the top of my list. If you're watching your sodium or oil intake, Red Lion might not be the place for you...but c'mon. You're going to a grog house.
(5)
Yvonne M.
My roommate brought me to this place when we were touring around Fountain Square and I loved what I ordered. We ordered a plate of handcut fries that went really well with the curry sauce that came with it and also the creamy garlic wings. I can only say I'm excited to be back for MORE!
(4)
Kjirsten K.
Just had the Spicy Curry Chicken Sandwich and it is AWESOME! Also, they now have an IPA on draught along with Sun King's Naptown Brown Ale. This place gets better every time I come here!!! Way to go, Red Lion!
(4)
Klaus W.
Went in for a weekday lunch. General ambiance, good Service VG Got the Black & Blue burger. It was Ok, the patty was cooked properly, the bacon was freshly fried, but there was only about a tablespoon of blue cheese, at most on it. The lettuce wasn't really fresh and the tomato and 1 onion were tiny. Seeing other great reviews I guess I expected more. The burger came with sweet potato fries, which are great. I did walk out full, so they score there with me. The restroom was 2am-divebar-esque. Urine-smelling, big hole punched in a wall, FILTHY.
(3)
Benjamin H.
I've tried something different (food wise) every time and everything has been excellent. I like their daily/monthly specials. yes! I'll be honest, the dress code for the servers is a little weird..
(4)
Erin Q.
So, my networking group and I decided to venture to RLGH last night and I'm not super familiar with the Fountain Square area... code for, I got lost! Even with GPS, getting to this little neighborhood is tricky for those of you that are directionally challenged like me! But, let me tell you, I would take on trying to find it again! The server-super friendly and knowledgeable! I couldn't bring myself to order the burger w/ jalapenos and peanut butter, but I did taste it and it was pretty darn good!! I ended up with the fish and chips and was pretty excited when I saw that they already had vinegar on the table... shouldn't make a girl ask for it! Loved my meal, the chips were phenomenal and I would come back for those alone. They do have parking behind the restaurant and there is a little lot off of Woodlawn that is free parking too.
(5)
Jonathan K.
This is the local gastropub with a wide variety of different types of food and excellent local beers. The cool part is you can take the kids here, too, and they're happy to be there and serve them there. They always have activities (I have yet to participate in the trivia or poker) but it sounds like a good way to spend an evening.
(5)
Andrew D.
Great place. They have a very good beer selection, tasty food and friendly staff. The drink specials are great and they are one of the few places that have Strongbow on tap (which makes the wife very happy). I've had the burger and tried the blanket bangers, both were very good. The fries are amazing and the curry sauce they serve with it even better. I haven't been for trivia night yet, but it looks like a lot of fun. All around great addition to Fountain Square.
(5)
Katie B.
Unfortunately, I have to downgrade my review of the Red Lion. The last two times I have been there, the food has been mediocre at best. The veggie burger I raved about previously now sticks to the roof of your mouth. My friends' fish and chips were soggy. Not good. Still a nice place to grab a pint and play trivia though.
(3)
Roxy R.
I had such a good time at the red lion. The staff is incredibly nice and helpful :) I ordered the veggie burger and fried pickles. First off, the pickles were awesome! Back in TX I've never ordered fried pickles that aren't sitting in their grease. These looked almost baked and were delish. The burger was just as great! It was large and filling and I had to save half. Along with a strongbow, the meal was perfect :)
(5)
Trent B.
I've been to Red Lion Grog House twice. The first time was for dinner with my wife on a Wednesday evening and the second on a Monday for lunch with some friends. Both times, the food was awesome. I had a burger and the fish sandwich which were both delicious. My wife had a veggie burger and raved about it. I was also impressed by their selection of beers on tap. The only complaint I have is the service was not great for lunch. They only had one waitress serving everyone and our food took about 30 minutes or more to get. She said they're going to start adding another waitress to help with the lunch rush, so hopefully this was just a one-time occurrence. Definitely will be back again soon.
(4)
Tim W.
I've been here several times now and have to down-grade my original review. I don't know why, but I'm always there on Thursdays, trivia night (LOUD trivia night) and I always regret it. I've even walked out on Thursdays when I stumble in not remembering my calendar. But I chose to stay this time. I love trivia. I love being able to find out stuff I don't know. (Which is a lot). But Red Lion appears to love trivia night to the exclusion of other guests. When I say trivia night is loud, I don't mean the patrons are loud. They're not. If you sit by the window, you won't even know the trivia fans are there.The DJ is loud. If you've been there, you know the size of the space is not mammoth. If you saw and heard the speakers during trivia night, you'd think you were at a much larger venue. There MAY have been 10 people there for trivia night and all of them knew to avoid the front three tables by the totally over-cranked (like me, I guess) speakers and the server wouldn't let me sit at the back table (reserved for the no-show trivia guests) and tried to get me to sit next to the loud (did I mention that?) speakers when I wasn't wanting to participate in trivia night. Finally got seated at one of the two tables in the window which are fine, except the server was so interested in the trivia that she wasn't too interested in traversing the apparent MILES between the trivia-l part of the restaurant to refill my drink or see if my meal was all right. I got the pot-roast served on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes, two of my favorite things in the world. The pot roast was really good, but the potatoes were like wallpaper paste. I, who never met a potato with garlic that I didn't like, couldn't get more than four bites of them down. Disappointing, to say the least. I love a lot of things about Red Lion. Not a big drinker (maybe I should be to get the stick out), but there's still lots to love here. The French onion soup, the chips with great sauces, the Shepherd's pie, the elephant ears, and usually the servers. I'll go back again for sure but it for sure won't be on a Thursday. Oh, and if you like big prizes for trivia, the pot was up to $15 last week.
(3)
Carey D.
I love the Red Lion. The owner, Wally, is usually around on weeknights when I've been in, and he is fantastic... really makes you feel good to support a local business when such a nice person is behind it! The chicken tikka masala- an English curry- is my favorite dish, and they also make a tasty homemade meatloaf. Have been there several times and never had anything I didn't like. You won't leave hungry. If you are a fan of blue cheese dressing, make sure you try it at Red Lion because it is homemade and divine. If you are curious to try out Red Lion, check out their Facebook page because they are always updating it with daily specials, etc: facebook.com/pages/India… Oh, and like any good grog house would, Red Lion has a nice beer selection.
(5)
Brad W.
I have only been here once, very early after they opened. I have friends who practically live here! At the time of my visit, they were still working out the kinks. The beer selection wasn't as strong as it is now, and I have heard the food (while I did enjoy it) has gotten even better. I look forward to getting another chance to eat there, and will be happy to update (upgrade) my rating at that time. Looking forward to it!
(3)
Bre S.
A nice addition to Fountain Square. There are several things I like about this place. 1) Nice layout. I especially like the tables by the window for people watching on a busy day or sitting at the bar to watch multiple games on multiple tvs. 2) Service. Even when full, we've always gotten great service here. 3) PBR: 1.75 on Sundays. Enough said. 4) Tator tots as a side. Even better than No. 3. :) The food is good. I am a big fan of the fried mushrooms served with a chipotle ranch sauce. We usually go the RLGH on a Sunday evening to have some drinks and this is the app we always choose. I've heard rave reviews on the chips with curry, but the boyfriend refuses to try them. I may overrule him next time. I recently tried the meatloaf sandwich and was not disappointed, except for the bread....little small for the sandwich. All in all, a nice place to stop in, relax and fill up, especially when not wanting to travel far but dying to get out of the house. We plan on including this in our rotation of weekend outings.
(4)
Eric S.
Best burger in indy!
(5)
Jammy S.
Red Lion is my favorite pub for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is the food. Rob's creations are giant belly fulls of amazing. They have the best damn veggie burger I have ever eaten. Handmade patty with a texture similar to a soft falafel with lots of great flavor. It's big. *I just drooled.* Fish and chips are spot on for pub fish and chips, good batter to fish ratio, basic whitefish flavor, vinegar on the table and tartar sauce in a ramekin. A contender for the style. Chips (aka fries) are tasty and they have ....TATTER TOTS! I will tell you a secret, deep fried tatter tots dipped in curry sauce are absolutely heaven with a beer. Curry... oh yeah. You dip things in it. This is an English pub after all. You dip you fri... chips in it, you dip your tots in it, you dip your burger in it, you dip your Scotch Eggs in it, etc... The hot is not overpowering, it's just good. Sometimes they have 'Apple Curry', ask for it... it's amazing. The Reuben is a favorite of mine, you wouldn't necessarily expect it at a pub, but it's one of the best I've had. Really great, lots of flavor in the corned beef and a bit of zip in the sauce. My buddy comes into town and without fail gets the Steak and Chips, it's just what it sounds like, but the steak is damn good, it's cut into medallion sized pieces before cooking. It makes a hearty meal. Get the Bubble and Squeak, it's a culinary experience in English excess. If you HATE cabbage, get the Lancaster Hot Pot instead, almost the same dish. It's big, two average folks can share it. Beer is good, beer is food. They have plenty to offer. Local varieties on tap, at least one American macro brew, and several rotating national or international brews. The staff make this place special. Wally the owner is a stand up guy who obviously puts his heart in making the Lion all it can be, Rob makes the kitchen sizzle, and the bar staff actually like their jobs and are good people to chat with. They all keep me coming back even if I'm not hungry.
(5)
Theresa K.
I had been hearing all about Red Lion Grog House for quite awhile. Well, I finally made it there- I treated some friends for helping me move a futon. For appetizers, we had the scotch eggs, pickle chips and curry & chips. The scotch eggs were pretty good. They were a bit dry. When I think of scotch eggs, I think of the sausage and such making everything really moist. It was all pretty dry (maybe fried too long or something?)- still pretty good, though, and my tablemates liked them. The pickle chips were nice and thick- VERY greasy. We left a couple because nobody wanted to put that in their stomachs (although we DID order a lot of food). Oh ma gawd. The Curry chips were delicous. The curry wasn't really all *that* spicy, but it was so full of flavor. The chips were SO fresh and great even on their own- sprinkled in sea salt. I'm sad that I don't have any right now. For dinner, I had the Chicken Picotta with cottage cheese. To be quite honest, I didn't know what picotta was. I just ordered it anyway (because it was unique). I was happy to find capers. Mmmmm. It was a light brownish type of gravy- A bit salty like capers are. The chicken was very very moist. I was worried it might have been a bit pink, but I ated it all and turned out okay. I ate all the cottage cheese, too. I tried a bite of the fish and chips, and that cod was so thick with cod (you know how most places have more batter than fish?)- Oh, SO good. I started with an Upland Rad Red and finished with a Sun King Octoberfest. The pints were $3. Heck yeah!
(5)
Tiffany B.
Other than the odd/ awkward entry point (no host stand? No official 'hi, we've walked in the FRONT door of an eating establishment" type of clue...) I loved the space. The pub faire tasted authentic. I lived in England for a year, so I can be pretty picky, but the Shepherd's Pie here was AWESOME! I wish they would have served it with a small helping of chips like they do in England. Who doesn't want potatoes with their potatoes, I ask you? Not this kid. I could dip french fries (chips in this instance) into a baked potato smotherd in mashed potatoes with a raw potato appetizer. I guess that's the Irish in me. Love it. My fellow diners seemed equally impressed. Way to go! Oh, and they have Boddingtons. Now I am getting home sick for London. Thanks a lot, Red Lion Grog House! I'll have to be back soon.
(4)
Jillian H.
English & American comfort food. They serve everything from Shepherds Pie to burgers and salads. We had a BBQ bacon burger that was topped with onion rings and cooked to a perfect juicy medium and candied walnut strawberry salad that was fresh and tasty. They also have a pretty good beer list. Everything on the menu sounds wonderful. This is a great little spot to stop by before going to Radio Radio for a show.
(4)
Aaron S.
I love Red Lion Grog House. Such a great atmosphere. A perfect place to meet with friends. The staff is knowledgable and friendly and always have great suggestions. We had a fairly long wait on friday because it was first friday and people were just hanging out at their tables. The manager hooked us up with free chips and curry and was very apologetic even though there wasn't much they could do about it. Great bar fare. Highly recommend the hot shrimp and the Scotch eggs! Portobello meal is also amazing. This is one of the few places in indy you get a Bellhaven Scottish Ale. Poured fast into a cold glass, it's like a creamy milkshake!
(5)
Jason H.
Fountain Square has been booming over the past couple years, with all kinds of new restaurants and bars trying to make a go of it in that cool, little business/entertainment district that the local hip cats have always said is on the verge of something great. We've seen a few of these businesses come and go, for various reasons, while others exude an aroma of what smells like real staying power. Though it's rather early in the game to say this, I see Red Lion Grog House as a fine example. Ever since Rob & Jay's Chippie in South Broad Ripple closed about 5 years ago, I've been longing for another restaurant to spring up in Indy and serve more authentic British pub food. It's a simple, yet delicious, style of cooking, but it seems for a restaurant to get the flavors and textures right, there either needs to be a native of the UK in the kitchen or someone with some good recipes from a British relative. We'll just say I've had some mighty bland and boring plates of fish and chips around these parts. I was excited when I heard about Red Lion opening, and made a point to get over there as soon as possible. My excitement was sustained when I opened the door and smelled the aroma of steaks, steak sauce, curry and a deep fryer floating over wonderfully noisy crowd. My kind of place. I ordered the fish and chips, with a side of curry sauce for the chips. The fish was crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, with that perfect yeasty beer batter flavor. The chips were hand-cut, with the skins still on, and were mighty good. The curry sauce was great, too, with a little more spicy kick than most I've tried. I've been back twice since my initial visit and was probably even more impressed by their bangers and mash. Wow. What a good meal for this big corn-fed boy from Illinois! And, every time I've gone to Red Lion, the service has been great. You've got to love the server outfits, too.
Went for a morning World Cup match. Had the biscuits and gravy from the brunch menu, along with the Sunking cream ale (delish) Good atmosphere. Very friendly. Good service. Looking forward to going back to try out the chips and curry.
(4)
Mindy K.
Great local beer selection. Food was hot and ready very quickly.
(3)
Sarah G.
"Fish and Chips" were very fatty and I could taste the oil in the fish batter. If they want to do proper 'English' fish and chips then they need to do steak fries. The fries were very dark and looked like they could have been the end of a batch or been in the fryer for a while as they were not golden by any stretch of the imagination. My husband thought the fries were made with old potatoes due to their consistency. The Scotch Egg was alright but I have had better. The rice that came with the Chicken Tikka Masala was VERY sticky. Service was quick and relatively pleasant. We were there on a Saturday afternoon and there was only about 7 or 8 other people there. I am a British Expat living in Indy so maybe I had higher expectations after reading through a few reviews. I am doubtful I will try the food here again.
(1)
Marian K.
Went there with a group of eight (had a reservation) on a Saturday night. The service wasn't so good; the waitress kept forgetting to bring things, or would be gone for long periods of time. They were out of several types of beer, including one of the draught specials (after several of us ordered it, then we're told after a few minutes that they were out). We had a table in the window, somewhat away from other customers, but it was still difficult to have a conversation. I don't agree that the sound level was average. The food was reasonably good. All in all, I might go back during a slower/quieter time, but my experience was that it wasn't a great place to meet up with old friends you haven't seen for a while.
(3)
Tristan S.
Two things about Red Lion: it's LOUD. And it smells delicious. Went early on Friday night. The wait was an hour, so we came back a few hours later when it had died down. The first thing I noticed was the smell: it's simply amazing, the way a pub should smell. The noise was unfortunate, though, and it didn't sound like the crowd had died down - the dining area has no sound treatments that I could see and is extremely noisy, so much so that at the end of our meal, we debated staying for another drink but all agreed we couldn't stand the noise any longer. But perhaps, with such a tight, narrow dining area, they're eager to hustle people in & out, and keeping it loud is one way to do that. Food-wise, they have a typical Anglocentric pub menu with few vegetarian options but lots of good draft beers, including local fave Sun King. They had a portabella burger, but I'm not a fan of portabella. I ordered the veggie burger raved about on Yelp, but they were out of it. Disappointed, I settled for the fried pickle chips. It's an appetizer, but since I was trying not to eat meat, I didn't have many other options. The pickles were good: slightly crunchy, intensely flavored with garlic and salt. I'd share them with people again but as a veggie entree they don't cut it (but that's what I get for ordering an appetizer as a meal I guess). If I'm hungry the next time I'm in Fountain Square, I'll call ahead to see if they have veggie burgers. Otherwise, I'll stop in a for a beer and then jet. Unless it's crowded, in which case I'll head to a more relaxing spot.
(3)
Libbie V.
Awesome apple curry chicken wings. I am a wing fanatic and these are wonderful! Perfectly cooked big & meaty wings with crispy skin and tender & moist inside and the sauce is just wonderful!
(5)
Katherine R.
Great food - great people.... The chips and (spicy) curry are fantastic. My favorite meal so far is the chicken and chips (as opposed to the fish and chips, which I have not tried yet). I haven't been in since the beer arrived - hopefull I'll be back this week. So glad Red Lion is in my neighborhood!
(5)
David C.
My new favorite place! It is great to see some amazing restaurants in Fountain Square, and this is an excellent addition. I have loved everything I have eaten there, from the mushroom swiss burger with just the right amount of brown gravy to the best fries in town. And be sure to get a side of spicy curry sauce to dip your fries. Good beer selection and trivia nights are the icing on this cake. Don't be put off by the street being torn up out front - there is plenty of parking behind.
(5)
Rob G.
Quite good for what it is. There are always new businesses popping up in Fountain Square and it is anybody's guess who will make it. I am certain and have hopes that Red Lion will stay around. As other reviewers mention, they certainly have a varied beer selection, including local, even if it doesn't necessarily include high end. It does seem completely appropriate for the type of place that it is, however. In the style of English Pub, they have great fish, chips, and curry. In fact, I recommend getting the chips and curry if you want an appetizer. The English style curry is certainly a bit different than what you might expect from an Indian restaurant, so be prepared. It is equally delicious. I have been to the Red Lion for a dinner for two, to drink beer with a friend, to play trivia, and to have fun with a large group. All experiences have been good. Service has been consistently friendly and reliable. As far as I can tell, Red Lion will remain a force in Fountain Square, even as some of it's neighbors may come and go.
(4)
Matt I.
I love this place! The fish and chips are excellent. The Waltimate (Burger with Bacon, Cheddar cheese, jalapenos, and peanut butter) is crazy good. I love the chips and curry for an appetizer. They have a great atmosphere, great food, huge beer selection, and great people.
(5)
Kenny Z.
I have lived in multiple cities and consistently traveling...honestly I didnt have too much faith in Indianapolis given the food quality and variety here...Stopped by this place for work lunch, and I was not disappointed at all. Mouth-watering burgers. HUGE (1/2 lb). The price is very reasonable:~$10 with a side. Now I attempted to to avoid this place because I always experienced food coma after I dined there (it's a good thing; dont take it wrong way lol). Yet I missed the flavors once in a while, so I couldnt help myself go there again....
(4)
Christopher R.
Our visit was a short one, but I'm quickly becoming a fan of Ft. Square and the new life it's breathing into the area. Red Lion was no exception, great cozy environment with an eclectic clientele and staff. They support the local breweries as a good local bar should. The scotch eggs were decent, but i've had better. I'm sure i'll be back and ready to try something else and enjoy an evening with friends
(4)
Daniel H.
Great food, beer, atmosphere and service.
(5)
Karl H.
Great beer selection and good food keep us coming back for more. The staff is friendly, the decor awesome, and keeping Fountain Square real after dark gets it a solid 4 stars!
(4)
Jon R.
Some of the best fries (chips) I've had. Nice and dark potatoes, with a creamy, divine spicy curry for dipping and the perfect amount of salt. Great beer list. Incredible staff and owner. Go here and find what pleases you. I like the chicken breast in curry sauce. A) because I can't get enough of their curry and B) because they know how to cook poultry (also try their chicken and chips). And of course, the fish and chips are stellar!
(5)
Devin R.
I went here to meet up with some friends after a long day of business and it just made my day. It was $3 pint night (Monday) so we were able to sample a strong selection of beer without breaking the bank. Not only was it inexpensive beer but GOOD beer (Wee Mac from Sunking was on tap so I was thrilled). The wait staff was very helpful, attentive, and professional. It had the usual charm of a downtown place with tattooed staff, eclectic hangings, and very relaxed atmosphere. If you are in Fountain Square swing by- I will be again for SURE.
(4)
Daniel M.
Look...anyplace that has Strongbow on draft gets 5 stars. The food is great and the staff is friendly. Another great addition to the Fountain Square area. Had a burger tonight and it good, but the real star is the curry sauce for the fries - nice touch to a normal meal.
(5)
Ben L.
Delicious, awesome cheap food! Friendly staff too! The manager even sold me his spare iPhone charger!! It's super convenient off I-65. Totally worth the detour!!!
(5)
Jenny S.
The fries and curry sauce are great! The rest of the menu is also pretty good, with lots of options and choices for vegs and non-vegs alike. Although I have never been able to repeat my first visit winning glory, I thoroughly enjoy the Tues and Thurs trivia nights. It is a really fun way to spend an evening, while getting some good food. Oh and Strongbows are only $4 Tues night!
(4)
Jeff N.
My very first time visiting the Red Lion was also my very first experience with Yelp! I had never heard of either...and needless to say was blown away by both. I made one very big mistake that night though. I had just eaten dinner, when I was invited to go to the Grog House. Lesson learned....do not eat dinner until you are 100% sure something more awesome is not going to be coming along. Since my first mistake, I plan trips here accordingly and prepare for some fantastic food. On my most recent trip I tried the BBQ Bacon Burger. Probably one of the largest burgers I've ever had. Even now thinking about it, I'll admit...I'm drooling a little bit. 1/2 lb burger, bacon, onion rings, cheese.... I ask you, is there anything else that could possibly make a burger better?? And I answer, yes. Wonderfully crisp tater tots! Such a meal, that I couldn't even eat it all. But what an awesome midnight snack that half a burger made. Between the small restaurant vibe, the always super friendly staff (probably the best in town), and the delicious food (including some typical English Grog House favorites)....this is easily on my top 5 places in Indy list. Check it out!
(5)
Alyssa S.
What a fantastic addition to the Fountain Square area! As a lifelong connoisseur of the veggie burger, I can say that the the vegetarian burger at the Red Lion is among the best that I have EVER eaten! I'm told that the chef has created his own recipe (it has eggs, so is not vegan)-and it is fantastic. It's a little spicy, and all of the veggies are well blended (no chunks of peas or corn). I also enjoy the creamy tomato soup and mashed potatoes (skins mixed in, of course). But the best feature of the menu-the fried pickles. I know that other pubs around town have them, but these are definitely the best. I'm usually the only vegetarian in my dining party, and I have it on good authority that the fish and burgers are also great! The owners are kind, the servers are friendly. Definitely worth the trip into the neighborhood. It is in the Murphy building, so I usually go on First Fridays.
(5)
Aaron W.
Usually great food, consistently good service. Good focus on local beers (love the rotating taps of Fountain Square Brewing Company and Triton) A couple of complaints: As with any restaurant, the Red Lion kitchen will prepare stuff ahead and reheat it once ordered. The common problem here is the reheating part. I eat here a lot and more often than not the mashed potatoes are cold. I mean...really cold. A few others items I have had were lukewarm, most recently the chicken tikka masala. A good dish, if a bit bland, but it was not hot at all. The fries are consistently bad here, but they do have an excellent spicy curry dip to take away the soggy, burnt flavor of the fries. I would recommend going to a thicker fry and not keeping them up as long. They often taste like they have been reheated in the oil. Those complaints aside, they really do have good food and good recipes! Great atmosphere, very cozy and welcoming.
(4)
Chris M.
Each time I visit Red Lion, I like it more and more. I had yet to try the wings and the bleu cheese burger... the burger was hella cheesy and pretty much perfect. I did not expect much from the wings, but they were amazing.
(5)
Len L.
We stopped in here to finish off the night after the Tonic Ball. The Grog House has a good beer selection and a well chosen bar food menu. I think we all enjoyed are food , which included fish and chips, tater tots, and a tenderloin sandwich. Service was excellent, and the atmosphere nice and pubby.
(4)
Andrew F.
Excellent fish n chips, good beer selection. I liked the atmosphere, plenty of tv's on the wall. Only an indifferent waitress kept it from getting a five.
(4)
Richard B.
My rule. If there is meatloaf on the menu and it is good the other choices will be good too. The verdict, the meatloaf is great. So too, bangers and mash. And great beer selections as well. This was our second time. We will be back.
(5)
T. M. G.
If you are looking for a variety of excellent pub food the Red Lion is hard to beat. The portions are large, the burgers are monstrous, and even items- such as the chicken curry- that you won't expect to find at an English-style pub are great. There are plenty of vegetarian options, and if you get the fries be sure to get a side of the curry sauce. The beer list while larger than most lacks anything that really packs a punch. There really isn't anything on tap that will impress the unabashed beer snob. That aside, there are plenty of quality beers that anyone can enjoy, many of which are local and others- such as New Holland's Mad Hatter IPA- that you would have a hard time finding anywhere else. I have been here several times now, and the service gets better every time. I will definitely be back.
(5)
Drew N.
Visited this place 1/30/11 for a nice Sunday dinner with my dad and sis. Overall the food was wonderful. i had the shep. pie, dad went with the meatloaf and sis with the fish sandwhich. All portions where HUGE. We also tried the Scottish eggs and they were great as was their onion soup was on target. I had a Rest.com coupon so it made a $53 dollar meal a $26 meal for 3 people with drinks included. Overall a great experience, a wonderful little bar/rest in Fountain square and a place if you have not been you should get to NOW.
(4)
Bill S.
Talk about local. You can't get much more local. Service was excellent. I sat at the bar for less than 10 seconds before someone took my order. Great atmosphere and televisions everywhere to watch the game. Highly recommend!
(4)
Steffanie P.
Great French onion soup!!!!
(4)
Scott L.
Discovered this great place via friends in Ft. Square. A very cozy little pub with some great food and great local beers on tap. It's a bit on the pricy side, but it's well worth it in my opinion. I've not had a bad meal there and I'm a fan of local places with local beers. Very clean and a terrific staff there, so go check it out. They also are the only place I'm aware of that will show roller derby events on the tube upon request!! Bonus!!
(4)
Valerie S.
Red Lion feels like a real British pub, with it's long bar, great dark lighting, and soccer on TV all the time. They have great beers, wonderful food, and are never too loud. Perfect for a weekend lunch, or trivia on the weeknights!
(4)
Darren C.
The owner is rude. He clearly doesn't care if customers eat here at all. He was rude from the moment he approached the table after I complained about some confusion over a discount and after a friend posted about it on his facebook page he has continued to be rude. He has no desire to please customers.
(1)
Trevor N.
I visited this pub with a group. It has a nice atmosphere and the food was not bad. Their chicken pot pie dish is to die for! They put a delicious puffed pastry on top of a creamy chicken stew and call it a pot pie. If you get anything at this restaurant, it must be the pot pie! OK so my friends had the fish and chips. The chips are actually French fries. Why do they have French fries at an English pub? The fries did have a nice taste though. The Red Lion only sells beer so I was a little disappointed that they did not have mixed drinks. I suppose it is a nice place to go and have a few beers. I liked the atmosphere and highly recommend the pot pie.
(4)
John K.
I have to say my family enjoys going at least once a month. Great scotch eggs, burgers and fish & chips. The bangers & mash is OK, but for the money you can't go wrong. The beer selection is good and the staff are friendly.
(4)
Jordan S.
My girlfriend and I happened upon Red Lion on Friday evening and were quite happy we did. The fish and chips were beyond excellent. Perfectly cooked and not greasy like some places in town. The fish was oh so flaky and the fries were fresh cut and done just right. Bangers and mash were on point with lots of garlic in the mash. Fried pickles speak for themselves and are a legit pub snack.
(4)
Stephanie F.
Best Chips and Blue Cheese hamburger in the city! The wait staff is always personable and the owners work hard to provide an excellent selection of quality food and local beer on tap!
(5)
Brandy F.
It is really difficult to not talk like a pirate when hearing the word grog. Even if it isn't National Talk Like a Pirate Day, you should visit Red Lion Grog House. Good beer selection and food. Even when I'm not hungry, I have to eat the fries with spicy curry sauce....oh how I just love fries and curry, and these are an awesomely delicious must try!!
(4)
Beth F.
I want to love this place, but I can only give it 4 stars. We are frequent visitors- great beer list and on Friday nights they frequently play "How It's Made" on at least one of the TVs. The food always sounds amazing, but I can't honestly say I've had anything that I really can't live without. Like the atmosphere in general. The place has a lot of potential, hope it lives up to it eventually!
(4)
Matt U.
Just a quick review on Red Lion Grog House... GO THERE! The service was excellent, the drinks affordable and the food as close to amazing as one can get. Also, thanks to all the Yelp reviews on trying the curry for my chips. Good times.
(4)
P K.
Great atmosphere and the fish and chips were perfect.
(4)
Sarah K.
I absolutely LOVE this place! I know that I can always get a good beer or ale (or even CIDER! ON DRAFT!), catch the latest football (that's soccer for you Americans) match, and dig in to a ginormous pile of chicken and chips. Easily one of the best places in Indy for this.. you don't know what you're missing if you haven't been there!
(5)
David K.
Good IPA on tap, good fish and chips (chips nowhere near flaccid enough to be the real English thing, though), football (as in soccer, not American) on TV, great staff, nice bar, decent people to talk to. Next time I'm in Indy, I'll be back.
(4)
Laura P.
I absolutely love this place!
(5)
Kelly K.
This is a wonderful addition to Fountain Square. My husband and I have gone here several times on a weekend night and usually sit at the bar. The staff and customer service are wonderful....as is the beer and food! (The pickle chips? Yes, please.) We went here for a lunch during the weekday recently and again, had a fabulous meal. They have beer specials, too, which is another huge bonus! We will continue to come back.
(5)
Melissa Y.
After having gone there my first time, and having read through the reviews here on Yelp!, I've decided to comment about my experience: below average. First and foremost the Chicken Tikka Masala is an incredibly salty dish, and wantonly tiny. I mean, maybe two cups of the dish sharing half of a bowl with sticky, gooey rice (allegedly Basmati). As well, I ordered the red velvet cake, which I think all can agree comes with a strict set of standards (read: multi-layered, red, almond/vanilla flavor cake w/ cream cheese or buttercream frosting)...NO, there, a square piece of reddish, chocolate cake, drizzled with sugar syrup and dotted with canned, whipped cream. Awful. Beer pints come with with lots of head, and only eight taps. Try again Indy.
(2)
JR W.
quiet pub, good service. kind of small portions. the french onion soup was REALLY salty. kind of a lazy mistake - if you're making a batch soup that's going to be kept warm for a few hours, you're essentially reducing the liquid and concentrating the flavors including the salt. either don't salt as much in the beginning or compensate by adding some water/unsalted broth throughout. it looked a lot better than it tasted. but overall, it's a good place to hang out and kick back a beer. they had several flat screens showing various sports games. not too loud.
(3)
Benson S.
I had lunch there just today;with a friend.The joint is the luncheon counter end of the G.C.Murphy that used to occupy the place.My 1st impression was it was a cute little joint that somehow avoided the "chi chi "element that is SO prevalent today.Our server;Katie was a delight.She told us from jump street that she had a hangover from celebrating a friend's birthday the night before.I retired from this biz so I know the feeling all too well.I pulled my camera out as soon as we set;and told her I would like to take her picture;since I always took pictures whenever we went out.She posed for the first shot.Let's cut to the chase.My friend had a B.T. with home cut fries;as a barometer of kitchen skills for him it passed.Me I had a meatloaf san with tater tots.Well the meatloaf was nicely made but had too much pepper;I could only eat 1/2 and took the rest home.The onion rings were slightly under battered and over fried and the toast could have been toastier.But the bottom line is I was told I could not take pictures of their place.I took shots of our beer;our food and the decor with no objection.When I stood up to get Katie's attention to pay I was standing up over the wall that separated our deuce from the kitchen and I took a shot.That is when I was told from a manager type chica that the boss man did not approve.Period.From that moment on the we were ignored;we paid and left.I WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN NOR WILL I EVER RECOMMEND THIS PLACE.
(2)
Charlotte A.
This place is awesome.great friendly service, nice atmosphere and amazing food.I recommend the toad in the hole, meatloaf sandwich and the most excellent fish and chips.
(5)
Greg R.
We love the Grog House. Staff is always attentive and fun, music on Saturdays nights is always good, the food is very good and a good value. Great beer selection. During spring and summer of 2011, Indianapolis is doing its best to destroy all the business in this area by a never ending road re-do in front of Red Lion - fight back and park around the back. I have had most of this menu and there is nothing that is not good. Earthy, funky, fun place.
(5)
D h.
probably 3.5 stars but i rounded down since they were out of some sun kings beers each time. good atmosphere, narrow place, but laid out well. walk in the front and there a table or two by the large front window, than a few booths on the left and eating tables along the right wall. the bar doesn't start until 1/2 or 2/3 the way in. it's a smaller bar with only 6-8 stools. a rail separates the bar from the row of tables behind it. bar feels like somewhat of an afterthought compared to dining (a place to wait for a table, but there is full menu). tons of beers, both macro and micro. a few hdtvs behind and above the bar. only been in daytime, so it's never been that busy. imagine the place would be darker during the night. good place to grab an early beer. great staff, super friendly and helpful.
(3)
Chad S.
I really enjoyed this place. The food was tasty and very economical. I had the chicken tikka masala, while my other half had the fish and chips. Mine was very tasty; he said his was just okay. I'm eager to try the shepherd's pie. They do need to get at least one or two desserts on the menu. We'll definitely go back.
(4)
Laura K.
I didn't really like this place very much. I wouldn't eat here again. I ordered french onion soup and a salad. WAY too much salt in the soup and way too much dressing on the salad. My boyfriend ordered a pot pie- it was ok. There are too many TVs in here. I don't like it when there are a lot of TVs in bars. I can watch TV at home. The only reason they get 2 stars instead of 1 is they had a decent beer selection and our server was very good. But, their beer bottle list didn't give prices or quantities, so after already having a beer, my boyfriend ordered a bottle from the list and it ended up being an $11, 22oz bottle of beer that had 10% alcohol content. It was a really tasty beer, but we had to rearrange the driving plans and $11 is doable, but it was a surprise. So ask before you order! But really, Red Lion should print helpful info like price, quantity, and alcohol content on the menu.
(2)
Stephanie D.
Anywhere that serves Strongbow on tap is a close friend of mine. Especially for $3 pint night on Monday. Then there's trivia on Tuesday and Thursday with amazing cash prizes which assist with paying the bill. Should I also mention my fascination with the chips and spicy curry sauce. This is definitely my go-to spot for a drink with the hubby, or hooking up with friends on trivia night. I appreciate the image Wally has for this place and love seeing some standard pub items (omg, Blanket Bangers are my favv.....excuse me while I drool). Ok but there's also fun items like the Waltimate a burger with jalapenos and peanut butter and for dessert elephant ears. Most of the time I hop in I see a familiar face which is lovely in our neck of the woods. I also appreciate the fact the servers remember us and are very helpful!!
(5)
Patrick R.
Was craving fish & chips after watching the Euro fútbol championship. Went and loved the meal! Was served two huge portions of fresh white flakey fish fried just enough. Not overly breaded or greasy. Chips were great too. Tasted fresh. Great decor and fun staff. Lots of beer options. Awesome little bar. I've heard the burgers are phenomenal so will be back to try those soon.
(4)
Kimberly U.
By far the best pub in Indy. The wait staff is excellent, entertaining, and friendly. Go on Tuesday and Thursday nights for trivia but, be prepared for the most difficult trivia in Indy. The portobello on Swiss is the most amazing sandwich I have ever had- a must order!
(5)
David F.
Good food, not much room. I always feel trapped in this place. I really wish for a different location. One long and narrow room does not a restaurant make. They could really a redesign/expansion. That having been said, I enjoy the burgers here and they have a decent beer selection. I generally have a bit slower service here, but I gotta believe it is due to the cramped quarters. There is a lot of time spent by the wait staff simply standing out of the way customers can get through. Not my first choice for food in Fountain Square, but I will definitely return.
(3)
Scotty Z.
Still some of Indy's best pub fare--for which I'm ecstatic. Still haven't really had a bad meal here. I've been rather fond of a simple grilled chicken sandwich as of late. But, while a little vanilla, it's steaming hot and served on a fresh bun with fresh veggie toppings. And the chips are as awesomely delicious as ever.
(4)
Aaron A.
Unique fountain square bar/eatery. Their food is great, their drinks are good. I've never had anything but friendly service from good people. I like stopping in for lunch or dinner and knowing there will be something else entertaining going on just steps away!
(4)
Tressa M.
Every time I go in, which is often, I step off Virginia Ave and into a tight British Pub. Add darts and it is just like a little place I went to off Piccadilly Square. The proprietor is on top of customer service. The place is often busy on a Friday or Saturday night. Pims Cup is my fave beverage and the Veggie burger is probably my favorite sandwich. My daughter swears that it is the best fish and chips anywhere. Join their facebook page to keep up with specials they might run.
(4)
Charles R R.
Great local pub. Fish and chips are my fav. Tara is a very attentive server everytime i've been here. Good beer list.
(5)
Dawn Z.
This place keeps getting better. Since they first opened, they have expanded their menu. They now have English-specific cocktails. They have their own homemade veggie burger. There is now a crab version of their Scotch eggs. Their fish and chips are still some of the best in town. I had a new dish, the mac and cheese - cavatappi pasta, white cheddar and topped with panko. Delish! You can also add regular or blackened chicken. It was busy but our server kept checking on us. We had the spicy curry to dip our fries in and it was really good (served cold). We will definitely come back to try some other English cocktails and more of their yummy menu!
(4)
Dale T.
Why do you ask does Dale change this to a 5 star?!?! I received an email after my post asking when the break in was and how they could help because they have cameras!!!! CLASS ACT RED LION!!! To be clear - the car was parked on a public street - so ADVICE!!!! Park in the Red Lions lot - get this... They have cameras and you can leave your car there over night if you've had to many! Much respect to this Lion in this crazy Jungle world!!! Solid service!!! Consider me changing my frequency to the king of the fountain square jungle from once a week to TWICE!!! First review - Love Tuesday night quiz night... Be prepared with 4 to 6 - they are smart ones. Advice - do not leave your car parked over night - consider it broken in to... Serious happened - gps gone:). True story.
(5)
Adam B.
We stopped in for dinner before a show at Radio Radio. Other than having to wait a while to get seated, we had no complaints. Very good and friendly service by our waiter and the house manager (when the waiter was busy). heidi ordered the fish and chips. She liked it but said she could have done with a half-order option since it was more food than she could finish. I had the pork tenderloin sandwich. It was also very good and, for the price, a nice sized portion as well. We finished the meal with dessert, an elephant ear. It was great, large enough for two, easily (and we finished it!) All around a great meal at a great local pub and at a reasonable price. We would certainly go again.
(4)
Beth B.
Have you tried a "Mary Reed"? Well, you must, immediately. I didn't eat but Mr. B did. If you join their text club you get a free order of chips and curry dip. Mr. said they were delish. He also had the special (corned beef hash topped with an over easy egg). Also, fantastic according to him. His plate was cleaned. But seriously, try the Mary Reed. They provided me with a very happy St. Patty's day.
(4)
Rachael W.
I think the next time I stop in at the Red Lion I am going to rush the kitchen and swipe the curry sauce then take off like a shot. I think I could really drink that stuff, I'm not kidding. Monday is a good day to pop in for lunch b/c it's double stamp day with their frequent lunch card, buy 6 and get the 7th free! What, what?! Everything I have had is delicious, Reuben, turkey Reuben, fish and chips, and burgers. On my most recent visit, I went all in and ordered the Waltimate. A bacon cheeseburger with jalapenos (a huge pile) and a healthy dollop of peanut butter. I threw caution to the wind and jumped in both feet. Yeah, I was scared. I said to myself, "You've done it now lady. One step too far. You'll never come back from this the same. I hope you are squared up with the man upstairs." It was a monster burger to start with, brimming with toppings and the peanut butter lurking under the sinister mountain of jalapenos. I don't understand it, but it was awesome! The peanut butter toned down the inferno of the 87 jalapenos. All I could do was stuff it in my mouth at a high rate of speed. I'm sure it was one of my more attractive times. I would like to give the Red Lion 4.5 stars only b/c I don't feel like I would want to go to hang out. I feel like it's a place where I eat and have a good beer then head out to a bar to hang out. I upped the rating to 5 stars b/c the food is excellent. So what if I don't want to eat dinner there and then hang with friends for the rest of the evening, just more chances for more check-ins.
(5)
Bob G.
Hey, Bob here. The Red Lion should be your next place to visit in the Fountain Square area. All six people in our party really enjoyed their dinner choices. meatloaf was very good, Fish and Chips were great. everything was very nice, we will be back soon to try other items and beverages. I would have given it five stars but the restrooms are in need of updates.
(4)
Erin L.
Ever since we moved to Ft Square about 2 years about Red Lion has been our go to place. Great local beer selection! I've had many things on the menu and they have never disappointed, so good! The best surprise, tater tots.
(5)
Jason B.
I have only been here once and got the stuffed portabella mushroom, garlic mashed potatoes dish. Words almost can't describe how good it is. My best effort would be to say it's honestly one of the best things I've ever eaten. Excellent beer selection. Good atmosphere. It's not loud so you can converse like civil people, not like barbarians that actually drink grog. Pro Tip: the bathrooms are located in an odd spot. You technically leave the grog house to get to them. Write this down: head to the back of the building and walk through the door that you instinctively feel you shouldn't walk through. It'll be OK. next, you'll want to turn left. Do so only if you want to make your trip to the bathroom last longer. Turn right and head down the hall. The first big opening on the left is an elevator. Please don't use that as a bathroom. On your right, across from the elevator are the bathrooms. You've reached the end of your journey. Seriously though, most of my memory of this fine establishment was my plate of food, just constantly looking down enjoying the crap out of it. Portion size is amazing as well.
(5)
Jennifer P.
Went here last night and had a good time! We were quoted at 30-45 minute wait for a table when we arrived but were able to put our name on a list and give our phone number so we could go across the street to grab a drink since even the bar was packed. I found this very nice. We were excited to see the selection of local beers on tap. Our waitress was able to describe these to us and offer suggestions. She even let me try something before ordering to see if I would like it. On the suggestion of other Yelpers, I tried the fish 'n' chips. I was not disappointed! The portion size was great and the fish was delicious. I opted for tater tots instead of chips/fries and they were quite tasty as well. Hubby got the crab scotch eggs as an appetizer. They were quite well received (I did not try). He also got the shepherd's pie, which I stole a bite of, and let me tell you, it was yummy! After all of that food we were too full for dessert, but I was pretty excited to see that they have elephant ears, as this is an Indiana staple, and bread pudding is always fun to try so I am looking forward to going back. Will probably try to go for team trivia night (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Who doesn't love a good game of trivia?
(4)
Angela G.
Do not buy this groupon unless you have the exact number of people dining as required in the fine print . I just went with a friend and tried to use my voucher only to be told that the $40 voucher was invalid for 2 people. The food is marginal
(2)
Christa F.
I don't get into Indy much when I come to visit, so we thought we would check this place out for something different. I'm glad we did! The French Onion Soup was really good! Fish and Chips were good though the fish was a little on the oily side. Nobody could keep their paws off my hand cut fries though! My dad got the Shepherd's Pie... First off, it was Cottage Pie. It had ground beef, not lamb. With that being said it was really good! This is the first pie I've had that they actually used fresh herbs on the top with the cheese before throwing it into the Salamander. I think that sent it over the edge for all of us! The waitress was friendly enough (not overly great enough to remember though - there were a few times she mentioned that she didn't understand why they were doing things a certain way). My biggest issue is that their website shows their daily drink specials. We went on Wednesday, so we all ordered cider since it should have been $4. Needless to say the manager / owner didn't bother to come out to tell us himself that those prices are subject to change. The waitress said that she wished they would changed that since it's pretty out of date. I'd probably try this place again if they were to update their website on a more regular basis.
(3)
DeAnna P.
The food here is tasty and the beer selection is good (love a cold Strongbow Cider on tap!). But every time I come here, the "servers" don't seem to want to "serve." i.e. I have to go up to the bar to order, even though I'm seated at a table in plain view. Last night, I asked for a menu, and the server didn't come back for over 15 minutes to see what I wanted to order. Boo! Get better service, keep the yummy wings, and I'll upgrade to 5 stars. Definitely try the pickle chips, they are only a smidge less good than Scotty's, who has the best in town. The wings were meaty and properly sauced. Good blue cheese dressing and fresh celery. Fries were great. They tasted like they were cooked in peanut oil, but for you allergy sufferers out there, the owner corrected me that they are in fact cooked in vegetable oil. Fantastic! Love that the place is non-smoking!!!
(3)
Jon A.
"Rawwwwwwwwwr Grogggggggg!" Not only grog, but a house of grog! So the crazy Royal Navy created grog by mixing rum with weak beer. This is not happening here. Instead, beer, soy mucho y exceptional beer! I've been a few times now and I've ordered all over the menu and well, I'm a happy camper. Their cheap ($2 Sun King) beer on Mondays is a huge bonus. $3.75 Upland on Saturdays, too. If you're palate isn't up for really spicy curry... then this mild English curry is fit for you. If a turkey reuben is your rule, then I'd give this a shot... as it might have been one of the finer turkey versions in my time. If you're a savory pastry type (like me!) then the pot pie here is for you. It's not traditional as there isn't a lower crust, the pastry rests on top. The bar seats 6 so just know it's tough competition to have a stool! Plenty of table seating by the way! I prefer the back bench. There's a crazy amount of tvs goin' on here. I'm not necessarily sure why but it definitely has me thinking about a nice alternative to the major sports bars in town to catch a sporting event in a more low key place that is non-smoking!
(4)
Mat M.
The owner followed-up with a private message after my 3 star review. Seems like he wants to keep improving. I'll give them another shot for sure.
(4)
Patrick H.
Great scotch egg, bangers in a blanket, and the fish was awesome
(4)
Lizz C.
On Independence day, my husband and I figured, what better way to celebrate than with fish and chips and a pint? After seeing Red Lion Grog House mentioned here, we figured we'd give it a try. They had 3 Sun King beers on tap - including 1 seasonal. The cook/manager was happy to let us try a sample of the Norwegian Blue. Great beer, complex, but not what we were looking for with food. They also had a couple of Upland on tap and a very good selection of British bottled beers. Other local/regional bottles on the list too. We weren't disappointed with the selection. Since it had just been 'too long', we both got a pint of Guinness. Hey, we just saw "Historic Pubs of Dublin" and were missing a nicely poured pint! We both have a thing for Scotch Eggs, basically we're trying to find the best in existence. We split an order of Scotch Eggs, and for my taste these are so far the winner. Nicely seasoned sausage, and some kind of dipping sauce that helped bring out the spice and didn't overwhelm. Went nicely with that pint. Fish and chips was the priority - so we split an order. Nicely battered cod, and you can get curry dipping sauces (hot or mild) for your fries. We tried both. The hot curry was a red curry, and a very good one at that. The mild curry was a green curry kind of yogurt based sauce. Mmm... They have a lot of pub classics on the menu, and though they don't have doner kabobs, they do have a chicken tikka on the menu. Next time we eat here, and oh yes, there will be a next time!, we're trying the curry. Service was good, we came in at the same time as a table of 7+ (a family celebrating something, as they were taking photos =) ) so we were prepared to relax with our pint and wait for our food. It wasn't a long wait. There are around 5 flat screens at the bar, one on Sci-Fi (Firefly marathon, yay!), one on Spike, one on soccer, one on baseball and one on CNN. Something for everyone to watch. We will definitely stop back here again, as we're in Indianapolis fairly often. Might I suggest combining a trip here with a trip to New Day Meadery? It's just a quick walk less than a block from here, and mead and cider fans will find something to please them there =)
(4)
Emily S.
Great atmosphere! The food and brews are authentic! Love this place!
(5)
Shawn A.
This place has some A+ food and tasty cold beer. The service is typically exemplary. Don't miss it.
(5)
Megan M.
Great food, good beer and strongbow on tap! The chips (ie french fries) are amongst my favorite . Like to dip your fries? The ranch is amazing and so is the spicy curry sauce! * Meatloaf sandwich - it's topped with cheese, an onion ring and savory gravy. * BBQ Bacon Burger - all the burgers are solid but this is my fav * Blanket Bangers - sausages wrapped in pastries * Battered Buffalo Chicken Sandwich - right out of the fryer and the chicken is moist as can be. * Lancashire Hot Pot - roast with creamy garlicy mashed taters. It is amazing. The lunch specials are excellent so be sure to ask about them. I'm still dreaming of running into the chicken parm again! They have a punch card for lunch as well (double punch Mondays!)
(4)
Indy C.
The Mushroom Swiss Burger is one of my favorites. I eat it like an open face style. Their ranch dressing is made with dill and it the one of the best dressings I have had. When I am in the mood for a great burger and fries. This is my place of choice.
(5)
Lindsay L.
They have recently redone their pickle chips. They are waaaaaaaaay better! They are freshly breaded, the pickle is more crunchy, and the the dill flavor is outstanding. If you liked their pickle chips before, you'll be blown away by them down!
(5)
Eddie C.
Great tap selection for beer. The Waltimate burger was pretty good, not mind blowing like I expected, but pretty good. Peanut butter on the burger was a little weird at first, especiallly with the spiciness of the jalapenos, but in a strange way it worked. Trivia night was fun with my friends. Service was fast, waiter was cool.
(4)
Kellie C.
My husband and I are a huge fan. The best tasting burger around, the fish and chips or fish sandwich are to die for. Better than Claddaugh. The lemon chicken piccata sandwich is the most unique ever, someone wrote they did not know what piccata was, (lemon, butter, white wine and capers). Everything we have had has been excellent!! We drive from Greenfield for lunch at least once a month. We will always be loyal!! Wally the owner always recognizes us and we appreciate that. Great job!! Build in Greenfield, You will have a gold mine!! Thanks Kellie and Mark Sawyer
(5)
Casey R.
Maybe it was an off night but I wasn't blown away by the food and I really really wanted to be. So, maybe I had set the bar in my mind too high. I love to cook and I know this sounds pretentious but I can taste if someone has pride in their food, I didn't here. Our first server was kinda rude but our second server Jennifer was awesome! This place is great for drinks or something to snack on whilst drinking. Great selection of cocktails and local beers. I'm going to give them another shot though!
(3)
Erik F.
Fantastic restaurant in Fountain Square. A very good beer selection, quick and friendly wait staff...and the Black and Bleu burger is simply excellent eats. I can't wait to go back and try their fish and chips. Go there now!
(5)
Jacks L.
I went on dinning out for life night. I cant believe how pack, and busy it was, and everyone was so friendly and happy. We had a blast on the bar, and the food was amazing, specially the cheese sticks.
(5)
Dana A.
The waitress came over to take our order and I guess we weren't fast enough cuz she left went 2 tables down SAT DOWN WITH THEM TO TAKE THEIR ORDER! Came back and again left before getting ALL of our orders. We had a large party of 5!! o_O I do not like being made to feel unimportant which she did. If I had my way we would have left after the first time she left us hanging. Or she would have received a lesser tip. She unfortunatly received full tip. Now to the food. The sirloin is substandard and OLD MEAT! Fresh meat at med rare is juicy this was not. The "chips" are nothing more than bagged frozen overcooked and served cold French fries.
(1)
Matt F.
You know that cool pub you went to in (insert city) and you wish you could find in Indy? Well, I'm guessing Red Lion could fill in that blank. It really reminds me of small neighborhood bars I've been to in other cities. Simple. Great beer, food, staff, and customers. I have yet to have a bad time here. The food is good. Chips & Curry Sauce and Fried Pickle Chips are great. Honestly, each of those is a meal in its own right. They have fresh, local beer on draft and great specials on Mondays.
(4)
Gregory G.
One of my favorite places to go! I love the revolving local beer taps, and the service is always great. My absolute favorite place for fries, better even than Brugge, and their hot curry is the best side for them! That, and the meatloaf sammich, are my go-to things when I go.
(5)
Mali J.
This Women's Accountability Group I'm with wanted to lunch in Fountain Square at the new Red Grog Lion. I was up for it, I like new places. So we go, the place is decent. We sit at a nice table/booth in the back that easily sat us 7 lovely ladies. Most of us ordered a water and quickly threw it back as it was sooo nasty. Note, that this is no fault of RGL but the fault of the Indianapolis water system- different story. So anyway, I order a fish sandwich and fries and cole slaw. I wanted fish and chips but the waitress said you get ONE piece of fish with that. I was like, "huh, one piece?" That just didn't make sense to me. So, I figured I'd get the sandwich with sides to fill me up a bit more. Another woman at my table got a grilled cheese and bacon sandwich, another a lettuce wedge and another the bacon and bleu burger. Out of all these meals, mine LOOKED the best but I think the burger tasted best. Lara says her grilled cheese 'n bacon was ok, she's had better from her mom. And my fish sandwich was over cooked. It was a bit too crunchy, if you know what I mean. The fries were good but the slaw was just bleh. And it's not just me! Erin (also at my table) had slaw with her burger and neither of us had more than 4 or 5 bites of it. It was too saucy. I may go back, if I happen to be in Fountain Square OR if I get another craving for Scottish Eggs (which I didn't try but just looked so good) but this won't be on the radar for the near future.
(2)
Chris P.
I love Fountain Square and found this a great spot. One of the best portobello sandwitches with chips can be located here. Great selection of local beers also. Ignore the @#*&^@ ongoing construction and go here.
(4)
Bill J.
Going to have to go with just 3 stars even though this place could be worthy of 4. Had lunch there today, it was pretty empty when we got there. Then we got stuck in a game of "Whose Table is That?"....2 servers, both thought our table belonged to the other one. Took them about 10 minutes to figure it out, but...it happens. No biggie. I got a grilled chicken club sammich, it was sub-par, especially for a place that has a reputation for great food. A couple of people I went with got the meatloaf sammich and said it was very good. So maybe just stay away from the grilled chicken selections is a good rule of thumb. I will definitely go back, have been there for drinks before but this was my first time to order food and unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations.
(3)
Jami G.
We went here with friends last night and had a wonderful time. Great neighborhood place with several TVs so we watched the Big East tourney. Our waiter Chris was terrific - there when we needed him and full of info on the offerings. They have a great selection of Grogs - I tried the Mary Reed - like drinking a lovely refreshing soft drink so watch out as I'm sure these can sneak up on you. My friend raves on the Red Lion but that has beer so I can speak to it. Hubby had the Blanket Bangers (this was source of a few jokes) and he says they were wonderful. He'd seen the guy at the next table have them and couldn't resist - we had some great chatting with our table neighbors who raved about the Pot Roast. We got the free order of chips with curry sauce and they were good too, though I preferred the garlic sauce that came with Hubby's Bangers. Great place to have fun, get good grub and great Grog. Check it out soon.
(4)
Stephanie D.
The first few times I ate here, I swore I would never go back. On my first experience our meatloaf was charred and the waitress wasn't that great. We decided to head in again, and give it another chance after a year and we were pleasantly supprised. My husband had the burger with bbq sauce and onion rings on it with a side of tater tots. It was awesome!!! I had a grilled cheese with bacon and a side of soup and it was yummy as well. The best part was they had Strongbow on tap! I am so happy we gave them another shot.
(4)
Theodore B.
The Red Lion Grog House probably has the coolest name of any establishment in Indy. Sadly, it should probably be renamed. My personal suggestion is "English pub with a slightly overpriced menu and good not great food". Essentially, my experience was ok, but I'll probably die before coming back (maybe). The style was cute, modelled after an English pub, but it all came across as pretty "typical quirky stylized restaurant" to me. The beer was priced averagely. I ordered the pork tenderloin. It was also, ok. Moe and Johnny's tenderloin is much better, probably the best in the city. The Shephard's pie, which was a very small portion for its price, was really overloaded with Thyme. I like thyme, just like all red-blooded Americans do, but the dish didn't taste like much else. And I guess the staff were helpful and inviting. All in all, I left satisfied but unimpressed.
(3)
Beth C.
Ehhh, I don't know... it is just 'okay' to me. My friend suggested meeting and eating here for Thursday night trivia. I rarely venture to the Fountain Square area so I was excited to give Red Lion a whirl. I think I was expecting something different from the long and narrow hallway-like set up. It seems really cramped. And dark. But I did like the hallway you venture down to get to the restrooms. I can dig anything that reminds me of an underground tunnel with exposed brick walls. Now as far as the menu, I was happy to see a decent variety of vegetarian choices. My friend and I both had the stuffed portobello with blue cheese cream sauce. It came with mashed potatoes and seasonal veggies (asparagus and carrots). I wasn't crazy about the blue cheese sauce, it was a little overpowering for me. Veggies and potatoes were good, if not a little heavy on the garlic. I got the bread pudding as well. If you have bread pudding then by golly I probably want some of it. The selection was a maple and cinnamony bread pudding that the waitress compared to the taste of pancakes. It tasted like a slightly burnt campfire marshmallow to me. Not terrible but not the best. Decent sized piece though. Service was as to be expected since it was crowded due to trivia. Waitress was very personable. There are a lot of dining options in Fountain Square so next time I venture that way I will probably choose a different place...if I am the one in charge of choosing, of course. Unless it's for trivia, which was fun and well organized. And the DJ/facilitator played an awesome selection of jams with accompanying music videos. Do note that if you go to trivia night on Tuesday or Thursday in the summer, it starts at 7:30, not 7. Signage and website state 7 but the waitress mentioned they changed it due to people coming in later in the summer to eat. And drink. And win money. First prize is $15, second is $5. Three rounds. First 2 are trivia and the third is more "name that tune and artist."
(3)
Shola J.
They make their own veggie burgers and they have Strongbow on tap! I mean what else do you need, this place is great!
(5)
Rabah R.
The Grog House is a great spot for lunch or watching a soccer game. The vibe is very much like the Chatham Tap, 1-2 laid back friendly servers and a very authentic pub atmosphere. The servers are in these sexy, but tactful (if thats possible) plaid skirts and white shirts. The design is basically on big long hallway, but not cramped. Our Server was super friendly and because my friend and I didn't know which Sun King Beer we wanted she brought out a taster of each, which I thought was super cool! I ordered the fish and chips, which were really good and comparable to the Claddaugh's fish and chips. I also ordered a bowl of soup: crushed red pepper and gouda cheese (something like that your server will know what you are talking about) and it was outrageous! I am not even a big soup guy, but this stuff was legit! The one thing that I was kind of sad about is the lack of dessert options, I have a big sweet tooth! To remedy this, I just shot over to the Flying Cupcake for a Red Velvet Cupcake. I digress. All and all I think this is a great addition to Downtown and Fountain Square Dining/Nightlife and I can't wait to enjoy some World Cup games there this summer!
(4)
Dana M.
Delicious English pub in Fountain Square. It's nothing fancy or revolutionary, but everything about this place (food, drinks, ambiance) screams comfortable. I've tried and enjoyed the meatloaf sandwich, shepherd's pie, and fish and chips. A great place to watch a soccer game.
(4)
Heather S.
I love the pub food. You can't go wrong with the fish and chips or Grandma's meatloaf. And get the pickle chips yummmmy!! Sun King Wee Mac served here.
(4)
Charles A.
They have a buffalo chicken sandwich that changed my standards for a chicken sandwich. I got the hot buffalo sauce (which is good and spicy) with bleu cheese. I didn't really care for the fries that much, but the sandwich took over my entire thinking pattern for the next 5 hours. I couldn't even return to work. All I am trying to say, I will return and pay any amount of money for that mouth watering piece of poultry.
(5)
Scott H.
The service at the bar is really bad. It's hard to get anyone's attention. There used to be a really attractive blonde bartender that did a wonderful job. I'm not sure if she works there anymore, but the other bartenders I've seen are too concerned with flirting with the servers. The food is good. It has a nice beer selection. The music is terrific. The negatives outweigh the positives though.
(1)
Abby W.
My friend and I decided to stop here tonight on a whim, thanks in part to a strong craving for burgers. It did not disappoint. My black and bleu burger was massive and deliciously messy. The atmosphere was great and our waitress was on top of everything. My only complaint is their fries. I feel like a place with amazing burgers needs to have good fries as well, and theirs just didn't do it for me. However, I will definitely be coming back, most likely to try their fish and to check out the beer selection.
(4)
Danielle F.
Red Lion Grog House is the quintessential British Pub. The beer selection is excellent. Not only do they represent the local brews and have the British staples, but they have some more unique items...namely The Monty Python and the Holy Grail Ale and The Monty Python Dark Knight brew. Not only did I take home the bottles to decorate my baker's rack, but the beer was actually pretty tasty. In terms of food, I had the chips and curry. The fries were your normal tasty fair, but the curry sauce was good. As Indian Food fanatic, I am often dissatisfied with the curry sauce at pubs, but this was flavorful and spicy. The environment in the pub is kind of like an episode of cheers. It is a local bar with local beer where everyone knows everyone. As if all those details don't validate teh five stars, the Red Lion also has trivia night! Win!
(5)
Drew D.
Red Lion is a British-styled pub in the Murphy Building in Fountain Square. And by British-style I mean an emphasis on Fish & Chips, Pub Curries, and English beer. That said, there's a good selection of Indiana brews (Sun King & Upland), and good draft specials during the week. Not too wide a selection to make you pause, but it is pretty great to see you can drink local almost anywhere now. With the recent opening of several more local breweries (including an upcoming one in the neighborhood); will be interesting to see if they add a few more taps. The portobello sandwich is pretty excellent; if a bit messy, and the same goes for the Reuben. Both are pretty giant. Only had a scotch egg once, but it was one of the finest (then again, any hardboiled egg blanketed in sausage & fried better be at least decent). Burgers are passable to excellent; though they seem either pre-formed or molded. Oh--make sure you get some of the curry sauce (hot) with your chips...it's a stand-out for sure. Service here has always been outstanding & really friendly. I also like the fact that there are just TVs over the bar, and no music. Anywhere you can go for a drink and actually hear yourself talk/think is a winner in my book.
(4)
Jon C.
Scotch Eggs are a wonderful creation, and where-ever I go, if they're on the menu, I have to try them. Red Lion's are the best I've had. Now, I've not been to the UK of course, nor traveled all that much, but I've had 'Eggs at a few dozen places. Anyway, Red Lion's are good. Their Fish-n-Chips is good too, as are their chips/fries. You can get get mild or hot curry sauce for dipping - and both are wonderful. The tap selection is decent; it's no Heorot obviously, but the taps are still good. They've got Guinness (of course), and usually a few Uplands and the like. Mad Hatter IPA from New Holland has been there as well. Good stuff. The servers, er, well, servER, since we've only had one, is/are awesome. She's this cool rockabilly-looking chick who's always super friendly and such. The last time my wife and I went, we'd planned to try their Chicken Tikka. They were out and we were sad. DON'T RUN OUT OF THINGS! :D I know, it happens, but I've got to deduct a star for that one. Anyway, the place is great, Fountain Square is cool as hell, and so you may as well go and check it out!
(4)
Courtney B.
I was intrigued by the name and a quick walk-through during a First-Friday extravaganza and made a point to return to try it out. That said, the food was great! The service, not so much. Perhaps it was because I was alone, but I had to search out my waitress after waiting ten minutes for the check. Forget about a re-fill, I was never asked for one! But that makes no, never mind, I will probably return just because the food and beer selection was exceptional.
(3)
Shan A.
Have come here twice in the past month and it doesn't disappoint. I got the turkey cranberry sandwich special (around Thanksgiving) the first time with fries. The fries weren't done in my opinion and didn't end up eating them too much. The next time I went, I got tator tots and there were delicious with a pork tenderloin. Make sure to get their meal card that allows you to get a free lunch after 10 or so visits!
(4)
Kate L.
I've eaten a lot of veggie burgers in my time. I'd have to say, at this point in time, the best veggie burger you can get in Indy is at Red Lion. I highly suggest ordering the BBQ Bacon Burger with the veggie burger (no bacon)! It is heaven in your mouth. The homemade barbecue sauce is the perfect amount of sweet & tangy, the onion crisps add the perfect touch of texture. Don't forget to get the spicy curry for your chips! And, if you're feeling adventurous, dipping the veggie burger in your curry might push your tastebuds over the edge.
(5)
Liz S.
one of my FAVORITE places to go in indy! i love the atmosphere, the food there is grand. 90% of the time, i have immaculate service there, but i've gone a couple times where the waitress (2x) has been just rude and unattentive towards my group! a small letdown is the price on their foods, but i guess i'm just a cheap-skate! still love it though--always tell people about it, and it's just a wonderful place to hang out at, with a kitchen that stays open until 1am on weekends--can't beat that! suggestions: bubble & squeak w/ mashed potatoes & fried egg on top (FAVE) chicken tikka masala nom noms.
(5)
Ashley L.
I really dig the atmosphere, beer selection and food here. Really. I love the selection of local beers on tap. Been here a few times now and have always had solid service and great food.
(4)
Carl B.
Red Lion is an excellent no smoking bar in Fountain Square. I would most certainly come here often if I lived closer. The food is actually pretty great here for pub food and the veggie burger is the best around. They also have fried pickle chips, which are superb. Most encounters with the Grog house have been a meet up with friends for a few drinks and dinner. We always leave quite full and happy. Red Lion is also a perfect stop during a first-friday outing at the Murphy building.
(4)
Joe T.
This is a great, cozy English pub with great food and drinks. We tried the Scotch egg for an appetizer. I'd recommend it. The sauce they serve with it is quite tasty. I had the hot pot. It was delicious. The beef was perfectly seasoned and tasted like it had been slow-cooked to perfection. The overall dish, though, could have been a little hotter, temperature-wise. Service was great. We had Sarah for a server. She gave excellent suggestions and was very friendly.
(4)
Jessie E.
Feels divey, but not uncomfortably so. Great food, consistent quality and priced reasonably. Must try: scotch eggs.
(5)
Ron R.
An English Pub down in the fountain square area. Has all of the per-requisites for a great pub in my opinion. The wood decor, the old dart board, the fireplace (ok fine, it is electronic fire) and beer. It also manages to have pretty good food, which is rare for an English pub. My only complaint, and it is a small one, is that the prices seem a bit exaggerated for what it is. An example would be; my friend got the Macaroni and Cheese entree which is a large bowl with elbow macaroni tossed in a cheese blend and topped with Panko bread crumbs. This dish was $13.99 which is a bit mind blowing as it is just a bit of cheese and bread crumbs on elbow mac. That being said, wow was it good! Perhaps supply and demand drove this price up. We stayed here for about an hour and moved on to the next bar...but I highly recommend this place if you want a quick bite and/or beer on a bar hop event.
Whether you're trying to show off your random knowledge or you just want to grab a bite to eat, definitely give the Red Lion a try! Walk into Red Lion Grog House, and you're greeted by the savory smell of Shepards Pie and the sounds of 1980s Eddie Murphy trying to make it as a singer. What's going on, those two don't mix! In fact, it's trivia night, and people can request their favorite music videos all night long! This place is my go-to for trivia night! It's free to play every Tuesday and Thursday, and each team had three chances to win $20 for first place and $5 for second place. So order some local beer and good pub food, stash away your phone (no cheating!), and do your best to outguess the other teams. Questions tend to cover music, geography, history, movies, and books. In short, know everything about everything, or at least pretend you do! Now let's talk about the food. Brit lovers rejoice, this place has your Shepards pie, bangers and mash, and scotch eggs cravings covered. Why fly across the Atlantic when you drive to Fountain Square? Don't fret, you loyal Midwesterners, because that pork tenderloin is massive, and you can get all the beef burgers/veggie burgers/clubs/fries/Mac and cheese you have ever wanted. The menu variety is impressive, and all your picky friends will find something to rave about.
(4)
Brittany M.
I go there frequently with the larp friends for afters. The shepherd's pie and strawberry salad are to die for!
(5)
Trena R.
I had a few friends in from all over the country this weekend and decided to take them to the Red Lion because of the diverse menu - I was pretty sure there would be something for everyone. I got there a few minutes early with about half our group to beg for a large table (7 of us). We bellied up to the bar while other guests finished their dinner and the staff pulled a pair of tables together. Normally, we'd have been sent to the bar and forgotten about - not here. The server who'd originally greeted us kept us updated and entertained, as did the bartender (confession: we had beer. We were pretty happy hanging out as the rest of our group rolled in). We drank a variety of local beers that were on tap and enjoyed some people-watching. The table was ready in almost the exact time they predicted and we started eyeballing the menu - burgers, fish-and-chips, steak-and-chips, southwest mac and cheese, wraps... you name it, someone at our table had it. And it was all met with rave reviews (and some stolen bites across the table). One gal ordered the bread pudding and had the biggest smile on her face. Great service. Great food. I'm definitely going back!
(5)
Richard P.
I was more than a little stressed out when I ventured into Fountain Square's Red Lion Grog House, an establishment that has been in the G.C. Murphy building since 2009 and yet still feels like one of Indy's hidden gems. I spent my day hanging out at the Indiana Author's Corner of Art Squared, a delightful event organized by the Fountain Square Arts Council. I had a blast, but for a natural introvert the combination of being surrounded by people, loud music, and a next door neighbor teaching a 20-minute painting class just about every 45 minutes was enough to rattle my nerves and have me ready for a break when a friend who was volunteering for the event stopped by and offered to give me time to grab lunch. So, at their suggestion I entered the nearby Red Lion Grog House ready for a few minutes of relative quiet and a little sustenance to calm my body down. If you're aware of the classic Grogs, you're aware that they were seedy watering holes for the more unkempt. After a few hours out in the sun, I definitely qualified. However, Red Lion Grog House isn't seedy despite being smack dab in the middle of a wonderfully retro G.C. Murphy building that had been originally established in the late 19th century. It's definitely a weathered building, but as soon as you get inside Red Lion the warmth envelopes you. The decor definitely carries the 'Ole English vibe along with hints of a sports pub with seven widescreen televisions that broadcast all major sporting events. They also are known to have entertainment. While I'd contemplated getting a meal "to go," as soon as I entered the place I knew I wasn't going anywhere. While it wasn't necessarily quiet, it was definitely restful and warm and friendly with a wood decor and warm lighting that makes you feel like you have some space and time to yourself. I didn't really have that much time, but I went ahead and sat down at one of the end tables and was quickly greeted by Sarah, a personable server whose very presence made me feel better than when I'd entered the place. While I'm watching what I eat, I'd heard their burgers were good and a friend had recommended their tater tots. So, I figured I'd go with it as I was definitely in the space for comfort food. While I usually order my burger, well done, I'd been reading some feedback from friend Dick Davis over at the blog "Great Burger Quest" and decided to tone it down a bit and go for medium well and made it a cheeseburger with American cheese. I ordered some tater tots, which I thought was a side item but I later learned actually came with the burger. Of course, I had my usual iced tea. The cheeseburger was ordered as delivered. I can't quite give it a 5-star rating, because it lacked that certain "wow" factor that the greatest burgers have. The bun itself was also rather plain, though certainly not disappointing. The patty was meaty. Every bite of the sandwich was incredibly tasty to the point that I looked at that last bite and thought to myself "I don't want it to end." The tater tots were incredibly good, an unusual choice but a choice that made me incredibly happy. The iced tea had a nice full flavor it. Sarah was personable and attentive throughout the meal, but never hovered. She had a natural relaxed quality that made me smile and definitely had me relaxed enough that I was ready to return to my booth by meal's end. The only modest flaw, and it was a service issue, was not getting offered an iced tea refill. I was eating rather quickly and definitely not lingering, but for me when a meal hits the moderate range in pricing ($12+ for this meal) I do expect that little extra touch. That said, the issue was minor and I also didn't actually ask for a refill. I often forget just how closely I live to Fountain Square and, for whatever reason, I always have it in my mind that parking is an issue in what is a rather confined neighborhood. Having spent nearly all day in the area today, I can assure you that I won't soon forget that such an artsy, vibrant neighborhood is just a short drive and parking isn't nearly the issue I believed it to be. Red Lion Grog House ended up being an oasis of peace and calm and yet another perfect touch on a wonderful day spent in Fountain Square.
(4)
Elizabeth P.
Went in for lunch as we were looking to try something different, and it was A-ok! I opted for the black and blue burger and it was ok! I was not particularly a fan of the french fries, they were a little too "smooshy" for my liking, BUT it wasn't bad. Our server was very friendly, and made sure that we were taken care of even going so far as to bring me a water before I even had to ask when my ginger beer became a little too much :) All in all, I'd like to try this little gem out during the night time bar hours, because I think that's more of the vibe it gives off anyways!
(3)
Danielle S.
They have the best Scott Eggs! Shepherd's pie is also a must-try! Very laid back atmosphere which is perfect for friends hang-out, even take your parents here and have a good chill family talk.
(5)
JJ G.
We were passing through the area on a lengthy road trip and the Mr discovered this spot via Yelp. We were excited to try a spot boasting chips and curry (read: fries), with a few veggie friendly options on the menu. What we didn't initially realize was that we would be stopping in for a late lunch during the USA/Germany World Cup game, so the place was packed. Every table was claimed, and the bar was hopping.We snagged the first table that came available, and the harried staff hardly took notice. I think they were doing the best they could to serve the glut of sports-enthused patrons. After a bit, we were offered waters and we ordered quickly, since the Mr had also swiped some menus for us to study. Obviously, we selected the chips and curry...The Mr opted for the buffalo chicken sandwich (fried) and I went with the portobello burger. Everything was fine. Nothing was outstanding, save the curry dipping sauce for the fries. We were sans water a few times, but again, understandable given the circumstances. If I have a friend heading to Indy, I'll probably steer him/her to the Red Lion -- love the atmosphere and neighborhood feel of the Fountain Square area, and for that alone, it's worth a visit. Parking is available along the streets nearby.
(3)
Sam M.
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this bar!! Where do I even start this review?? The service was out of this world. My girlfriend and I showed up at the bar on a Tuesday evening for trivia night and were instantly greeted by a dapper bar tender who quickly presented us with samples of the brews on tap. After making our selections, he had chilled and filled glasses lined up for us within seconds and immediately asked if we would like to see the menu to order any food. We chose to order the "chips" or in America, french fries,and were later presented with a huge, steaming pile of fresh chips with an out of this world curry dipping sauce. Can you say absolute nirvana? Wether you choose to remain inside for the lively bar action, or opt for the quieter, outdoor seating in the back of the house, it is well worth a visit to the Red Lion. I will most definitely be returning and will be brining friends!!
(5)
Luisanna R.
I have been to the red lion so many times and I can't believe I still haven't written my review. I have tried their scotch eggs meat loaf the fish and chips the chicken picatta sandwich. I have to say I love this place. All the food is really great comfort food. The service is always very good, although it can get a little slow if it is a busy night. There is always a rotating beer on tap menu which I think is nice and the Pim's Cup is probably my favorite drink. If you go try a Scotch egg and maybe the fish and chips. Delicious.
(4)
Brittany C.
My group of 5 people order carry out from this place this past Saturday. They let us split it up into three orders which was nice. Two of us got the fish sandwich, two buffalo chicken wraps, and a roasted red pepper burger. Everyone was happy with their food. Service was great and good was hot and ready when we arrived. I got the fish sandwich and it was good but nothing stellar. The tarter sauce had something a bit off about it and the sandwich was a tad greasy. The fish sandwich at BRU burger has forever ruined all other fish sandwiches for me though so my expectations are ridiculously high. My friend and I are big fans of the buffalo chicken wrap at Scotty's Brewhouse and she said this one was comparable, maybe even better so I'll definitely have to try that out next time. It was a quick meal and we were starving so it served it's purpose. I'll be back to try out some of their other options.
(3)
Justin C.
In town on business. Yelp had some great reviews. The Indiana beers were great and the fish and chips were delicious. A great atmosphere too. I would recommend to anyone.
(4)
Apurva C.
Been here twice. Agree that fish and chips are amazing. Also had wings and scotch eggs both spot on. The second time, I got steak and chips, both of which were super disappointing. Couldn't finish the steak, it was hard and dry! The chips were not fresh either. Pretty disappointing. Don't know if thats just a one time thing or that one shouldn't go for their steak and chips in general. I have also tried the buffalo chicken sandwich which had some amazingly crispy chicken.
(3)
Mary T.
Today I found myself in Fountain Square after a pleasant morning at the IMA with a friend. I have been wanting to try the Red Lion after passing by several times on my way to Pure, so today I decided was the day. Upon entering you see a "seat yourself sign" that gives off a casual vibe. After choosing a table by the window, I perused the menu which is fairly large, with plenty of options to choose from. I decided on the chicken and chips, partly because it's fun to say and partially because I'm a child at heart who was really craving chicken fingers. My lunch buddy went for the fish and chips, because after all when at a British restaurant, how can you not order a classic? I was impressed with the portion size which was so large, I ended up taking half of it home. I was even more impressed with the freshness and taste of the chicken and chips. I could tell the chicken was battered and fried in house. It was a beer battered chicken with a slightly crunchy texture with moist chicken. The chips - fries were also great. Is it possible that they are fried twice? There is nothing worse than a soggy chip and these were crispy, hot, slightly salty, and golden brown. To be honest, I've never eaten at a categorized British restaurant and I find myself asking why did I wait this long? If you're looking for fresh food made in house in a great part of town, mosey on down to Fountain Square and give the menu a gander for yourself, you won't be disappointed. My only complaint is that our server was fairly slow and the takeout container was chincy, but other than that I look forward to coming back and trying a host of local beers that they feature with a great meal. p.s. word on the street is that they have an elephant ear on the dessert menu!
(4)
Mark C.
Highly recommend! Quick service whether dining in or ordering takeout. I love their patty melt and the ranch is like nothing I've ever tasted...so good! Check it out and then walk around Fountain Square, it's located right next to everything (frozen yogurt right across the street!)
(5)
Shane M.
I work in the building so I eat here often. They make classic pub food and they do it well. My two favorites are the fish and chips and their chili. Although the night staff is good I have had not so great service with the lunch staff. And not just one time.
(3)
Kevin C.
Reservations were made for a party of 7. Our server was very attentive to our needs and kept our glasses full. What a great find, I would love to come back to the restaurant if I am ever in Indianapolis again. When we opened the door and walked in there was an awesome smell of goodness that hit us which made us very hungry. I ordered the Waltimate burger which looked like a 1/2 pound burger and was topped with bacon, cheese, jalapeños, peanut butter, lettuce, tomato and onion.
(5)
Simon M.
This was my third visit and I am not crazy about the atmosphere. It is a little too dark and shopworn for my tastes. They get good reviews, so maybe this is just not a good match for me. Anyway, our server, Wynnie, was attentive, polite and friendly. I had the veggie burger and slaw. The burger was just okay I thought it might be the same as Wuzzlers which I understand has some mutual ownership.) My wife had the fish sandwich with tater tots. She gave the fish a 6 out of 10. "Too much breading." The tater tots were very good, as they are at Wuzzler's. Something that is perhaps not under their control are the restroom facilities. They are shared with a couple of other establishments and are located in a back connecting hallway, which is pretty funky-nice. Anyway, there was no toilet paper to be seen, no paper towel or even a dispenser. Maybe this is a locals favorite and provides a nearby location for them. I don't hate it but I don't love it.
(3)
Jessica P.
Great beer selection and specials! such. good. pub. food. I love love love the chips and curry. I wish this was a thing everywhere. This is a great place to have a few beers and food with friends. We've also gone to trivia on several occasions and had an excellent time.
(5)
Chelsea W.
Red Lion was a perfect location to have one of our GNO dinners! We were initially worried we would not be able to get a table since it was the last weekend for Devour Downtown and Red Lion does not take reservations. However, we were promptly greeted and seated within 15 minutes! I went pretty much straight house specials in food and drink choices. I have a thing for drinks that mix beer and liquor, so the Traditional Grog was right up my alley. The Scotch Egg appetizer had a great taste and was the perfect app to split between two people. For my entree I had the Grog House Chicken. It comes served with garlic mashed potatoes and perfectly cooked whole green beans. The chicken itself was topped with bacon, onions, mushrooms (but not too many like some places do), a blend of cheeses and BBQ sauce. It was absolutely delicious! To end the meal we split the elephant ear among the six of us. It was a perfect sweet, sugary end to an amazing dinner. Not only was the food great, but the service was rockin! Our server Emily was not only quick and attentive, but extremely pleasant and patient. I am already planning when I can drag my hubby to FS to experience this place for himself!
(5)
Matt K.
My favorite restaurant in fountain square. In the 6 or 7 times i have been here, I haven't found anything on the menu that wasn't delicious. They serve very well prepared, exceptionally tasty pub food. The meatloaf, fish sandwich/fish and chips and the buffalo chicken sandwich are all favorites. Prices are more than reasonable for the quality ($10 for a meatloaf sandwich on rye with fries or tator tots) and the quantity is consistently more than I can finish (yea lunch the next day!). This is a popular joint and it will fill up on the weekends, possibly for trivia Tuesdays and other nights as well. They don't play loud music or sports, but it can still be quite loud during busy nights. The tables in the front by the door seem more quiet than the ones in the back. Finally, the staff are friendly and personable when appropriate. They chat when appropriate and leave us alone when we're engaged with each other. I love it when servers successfully read tables like that. Well done.
(5)
Kimmi M.
The Pimm's Cup is classic Brit. So tasty. Absolutely perfect for a blustery Sunday afternoon with a high of zero. Nothing says "warm yourself up" like British food. Yeah, it all looks pretty goopy and sloppy, but that's truly its charm. It might be bad for you, but it tastes so good. I am very impressed that Red Lion is able to have some very classic items on the menu and stay in business as most Americans don't like British food. The curry is excellent with chips, a very traditional chippy! I had the Bubble & Squeak, which when it came out looked like I had been jipped on my portion. Upon getting to the halfway point, I realized that they knew what they were doing and there was no way I would still be hungry upon completion. The Bloody Mary left a lot to be desired, and even for $4.5, I probably wouldn't order another one. Despite this, there are a wide variety of beautiful cocktails to choose from. In the words of my favorite Brit Tom Hiddleston, "It's good to be bad." Take a break from watching your weight and chow down here.
(4)
K B.
Awesome food, good service. Try the spicy shrimp with aioli sauce. You won't be disappointed. They have a great beer selection as well.
(3)
Todd M.
Great fish & chips. Scottish eggs, and a great yellow curry dipping sauce on request!
(5)
Benjamin G.
Whilst on the road towards Chicagoland, we were in need of a pitstop for gas, a quick stretch, and definitely lunch. We pulled up Red Lion Grog House on ye olde Yelp App and found a parking spot in the busy Fountain Square area. With proximity to the highway top of mind, we weren't too aware of just what we would be getting into with the US World Cup match beginning as soon as we walked in. The place was packed to the rafters and what an awesome spot for a game! It's a gnarly little English pub with all of the awesomely rib-sticking foods you could as for -- pies, curries, cold beers, and plenty of cozy seats to sling a large beer mug back and forth for team chants. We grabbed the only open table near the front and waited a bit for a server to come take our order. The servers were completely swamped, but still super friendly. They really were overtly nice to each guest, which was clearly a bit more difficult due to the tensions of "Because Futbol" was on the televisions. We ordered the chips and curry sauce to start. Quite a nice starter for up to maybe 4 folks with a really nice, deep curry dipping sauce. Definitely a lot of care taken with that glorious liquid. I went with old reliable -- Buffalo chicken sandwich with garlic mash. The sandwich was a little bland and definitely beckoned more buffalo sauce. Had the restaurant not been so busy, I would have asked for an extra side order. My wife had a portobello burger, which she enjoyed. The only downside to our visit was just how mobbed the place was and the absent servers -- due to being spread a little too thin. Where I can say lunch may not be the strongest time of day for a visit, I can definitely see where this spot would be awesome for a brew with friends or a great spot to catch a game.
(4)
Missy R.
I give this place a two only because the food is decent. What is wrong, first the parking sucks. Second my daughter and I went in on a Thursday night and they were having some kind of trivia contest. The DJ had the music so loud it gave me a pounding head ache and the music he played was Crappy 80's and the new stuff. Third, BEWARE OF THE BATHROOM. It is located in a covered hallway/alley that is 30 degrees colder than the restaurant. The bathroom hallway has a door that lets you in the back parking lot, way safe...Not. Then you walk into the bathroom you would not be surprised to see a dead heroin hooker is laying the floor. The bathroom was dirty, dark red/black and depressing. It makes me wonder how clean the kitchen is. If you want a good British Pub instead of this place........Go Asian.
(2)
Katie O.
Best veggie burger I've ever had in my life! When I lived in Indy, I used to frequent this spot once or twice a week just for the veg burger. I don't really enjoy the chips too much because they're not blanched, but I always just replaced them with the garlic mashed potatoes, which are fire! Also, I don't even like onions but somehow these guys have mastered the onion ring; Unfortunately they won't let you order onion rings though, only comes atop certain sandwiches. If you catch them at the right time they might let you get an order of onion rings, but otherwise they are oddly defensive of them. Lol.
(5)
Nic J.
I hadn't been here for awhile, and after purchasing a $50 for $25 deal, the wife and I stopped in. The fish and chips were always outstanding, and the chicken too, so we both got fish and chicken combos. Well, I was kinda let down. The batter wasn't fully cooked through, making it kinda gummy. The French onion soup was good, and service was great. I love the chips with spicy curry sauce. Hopefully next time my main meal is better.
(3)
Adam L.
I personally am very happy that my one off bad experience was just a fluke. Staffs on top of things tonight, knowledgable and well hell just doing a great job!
(4)
Vince K.
Great place to sit and hang out or bring the family. Arguably the best fish and chips in Indy, 12 beers on tap and nightly specials on drinks. They make some great speciality cocktails as well. The food is great, I particularly enjoy the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich that's unlike any I've had before and the Chicken Curry Sandwhich is awesome and unique. The curry with fries is a spicy change of pace. Add in bangers and mash and elephant ears for the kids, it's a great place to check out. With trivia, open mic, great food and drink and in the Murphy building swing by for a while.
(5)
Molly B.
After an evening of exploring Fountain Square with a few classmates, we happened upon Red Lion Grog House and decided to get a bite to eat there. It was a little later on a Tuesday night and Red Lion seemed to be one of the only restaurants left open. The atmosphere was similar to most bars/pubs however it did seem more family-friendly than most. Our server was great and everyone in our diverse group enjoyed the place. Although we did not partake, a game of trivia was in full swing and would be a great event to come back for another time. I ordered their cider on draught and was disappointed to find that it was all gone. However, our server made up for it by bringing me a sample of my second choice of drink. I also got the the chicken and chips and for the most part enjoyed them. They were pretty basic, nothing special. The menu has a lot of options and some great comfort food items. I know I could come back several times, get something new every time, and enjoy it. All together it was a good experience however a little over priced for what was very simple bar food.
(3)
Stephen V.
I live in the fountain square area and let me tell you that this is my go to for Great food. I've never been disappointed with a meal. The Burgers are great and I love that when I order it a specific way I get it cooked that way. My two favorites are the Roasted Red Pepper and the Buffalo Burger. DELICIOUS. Best appetizer: their wings. Huge and covered in sauce. Can't complain. My absolute favorite meal here is the Buffalo Chicken Wrap. Do yourself a favor and get it grilled, hot, with ranch. I get it with no onions and its absolutely amazing! If you're looking for a great beer selection this place definitely has it and it's more on the local side which I prefer. If you're in town try the Fountain Square rotating tap. It never fails. They also have a full bar now so if cocktails are more your style they've got you covered. $3 Pint night is Monday. I love their servers, always get great service when I come in there. \They have trivia and open mic nights through the week too.
(5)
Scott P.
So 9 out of 10 times in here I have a little man crush. Tried a few of the signature cocktails (grog) and they were pretty wicked. Not much of a mixed drink person, but these were pretty good. Scotch egg; incredible! Shepherds pie? Wonderful. A good place to enjoy lunch, dinner, a snack, or even a liquid dinner. Ill take all if the above, add breakfast. My only complaint is that I once told a server I was stepping out to smoke, and informed him both my buddy and I planned to smash atleast another beer, probably more. After 15+ minutes of watching him check on other tables, dick around behind the bar, state at the tv, trying to get his attention and what not; we decided to pay the bill and leave. Still have a special place in my heart for this place, but that definitely left a bad taste in my mouth.
(4)
Jen F.
Lunch at Red Lion today was delish. It was our first time in and, upon leaving, we were talking about what we wanted to try next time. I had Fish and Chips, the fish was so freakin' good. The batter was thick and crisp. The fish inside was moist, hot and flaky. Smothered in vinegar with an extra dash of salt is the way forward. They serve you two huge pieces. Their hand cut fries are soooo good, but they aren't proper chippy fries. Not that it matters because they're really good and their dipping sauces make it a french fry adventure! Mr. Jen F. had their version of sausage rolls. I can't remember what they were called. Sausages in puffed pastry and he really enjoyed it. We started w/ a scotch egg and fried pickles. I love fried pickles and have to get them if they are on the menu. Have to. The scotch egg was good, but I was surprised to find it cool inside. I'm still not sure if it was supposed to be cool inside, but Mr. Jen F. is British and he said that its fine, so its fine. They had a nice flavor, but maybe just a touch too much thyme. Next time, I think I might have to get a burger. The Waltimate has jalapeno and peanut butter. It's so intriguing!
(4)
Trena T.
Great service. Great asmosphere. Great food. This is a standard in our rotation of city favorites. Not for the faint of heart (but delicious): oversized mozzarella sticks. Worth the indulgence. This is a great place to watch the game, have a lunch or drink with friends. Trivia every week, too.
(5)
Joseph W.
Standard pub comfort food. Decent local beer selection (which has become a standard in the area). I went on a Thursday night and the place was packet for trivia night. A large portion of their menu contains food prepared in a deep fryer. I ordered bangers and mash. The sausage was room temperature by the time it was served. But in general, the meal tasted good. My friend had a fried fish sandwich, which he said was standard / good. I ordered a cup of coffee and bread pudding for desert. The coffee was absolutely disgusting, probably made that morning. The bread pudding was decent. The service overall was okay. Our server was very busy and forgot a few things. This restaurant is very small. It doesn't take many customers to give the place a crowded feel. Overall, a very average experience. I would go back. Don't expect amazing things and you'll be satisfied.
(3)
Cheryl A.
My husband and I were in town just for the night and we chose Red Lion Grog House based on its location and Yelp reviews. Well, thank you Yelp peeps - this one was a winner! My husband ordered the fish/chicken & chips and chose the apple curry dipping sauce at the recommendation of our server. AMAZING! Nearly as good as the fish & chips we had in Dublin. The apple curry sauce was great - sweet and spicy, and so different from anything else we had ever had. I chose the Scotch egg appetizer (crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside) and the walnut strawberry salad with added chicken. Everything in the salad was very fresh and crisp - it was absolutely delicious! Husband also tried a local beer - Preacher's Daughter - and enjoyed that very much as well. We ended up there on open mic night so it was a bit loud but we didn't mind. Open mic nights can be very hit or miss but most of the music that night was pretty good so the added entertainment turned out to be a nice bonus. Would absolutely recommend this place - so glad we went!!
(5)
Jeff S.
Don't get me the wrong, the food was very good for pub food...but the atmosphere dropped this from a 4 star review to a 3 star. We are in town for a conference and based on the high reviews decided to check it out, but its got a weird tunnel layout and DJ positioned at one end was doing trivial pursuit over our ability to carry a dinner conversation. We tried to find a table at the other end of the bar, but the acoustics made this impossible...too bad we would have most likely returned the next night because the food was pretty good.
(3)
Brett R.
Came in on a Thursday afternoon and it wasn't busy. The bartender was very friendly and attentive. He suggest the bangers and mash would go food with my delicious beer. Oh, yes! He was right! Absolutely Delicious. The cook was also very nice. I will be back often.
(5)
Kyle B.
I had an excellent steak and a very good chocolate beer. Service (emily) was great as always. Along with the atmosphere of this place, Everything is always excellent. Highly recommended for anyone who likes good food and great service! See emily, she is just as awesome as the food!
(5)
Brian A.
This place has some of the best food you will ever find! Their fish & chips are great, their hot wings are terrific and their burgers are off the charts! They have a great selection of craft beers on draft and their very own Red Lion Grog House labeled wine!
(5)
Suzanne W.
This is a place we have frequented quite often since it opened. One of my favorite places to get fish and chips at lunch until the past 6 months. Last time we visited, our fries were practically raw. Soggy and greasy. We decided to give them another try, hoping that we just caught them on a bad day. Here's what went wrong: Fries - Soggy and greasy. Practically inedible. Menu - At one time you could get a lunch portion/half order of the fish and chips. That's been taken away. Ridiculous. No wonder they aren't crowded at lunch. Anyone that wants that type of portion or prices at lunch ($14) should pick a different restaurant. Go to Oceanaire...they are only $2 more and that's a really nice, fine dining establishment. Fish/Chicken & Chips - These used to be amazing. Now, much like the fries, they aren't crisp. Service - Is almost always slow. Lastly, after building up over 2 cards worth of "lunch punches" on the fish and chips and chicken and chips, now that we've maxed out our punches for a free lunch, you can't use it when you purchase those items. Unfortunately, for us, The Red Lion is all out of chances.
(1)
Theresa F.
Had the bangers and mash and the pork tenderloin sandwich. Both were pretty decent. The Scottish Egg, however, was hard-boiled and the yolk was cold. Big no no. Drinks were decent. Probably would come back here again if the mood for heavy English food should strike again. (Doubt it will anytime soon)
(4)
Rob G.
Great British style pub grub. Love the chips and curry, and the English style chicken curry. Comfort food classics like meatloaf and shepherd's pie. If you're in the mood for a burger get the one with bacon and blue cheese on it, can't remember the name, but it's delicious. Beer, wine, or a full bar to suit your choice of libation. My favorite is the MacHatten made with Bone Snapper and seasonal bitters. The seasonal bitters used to be apple, but they recently ran out so not sure what will be next. I do normally like to support business that source more of their food locally, however there is nothing pretentious or fancy about this place and that's what makes it a comfortable, fun, neighborhood hangout. And the twice a week trivia is a nice way to get a little competitive while learning some interesting facts!
(4)
Fahad N.
Why do more people not know about this place is beyond me. You would think after looking at their menu that their selection has nothing to do with American food, and then you would also think to yourself that they're going to screw this up drastically. WRONG. Food, better than expected... Presentation, exactly how british food is. Alcohol selection for alcohol lovers, better than many restaurants. The best part is, their portions are very reasonable for an adult. This isn't one of those weird restaurants that sell squid on their menu along with many other exotic species. Although it's possible they might do that as well, but I guarantee you they would do it very well! Food: 5 Service: 4.5 Price: 4.5
(5)
Betz N.
We chose this place due to reviews but we were very disappointed. We tried the shepherd's pie and it came with tons of cheese?! Seriously?! Actually it was a poor imitation of a bowl of chili. We also had a burger and it was almost burn. Staff very friendly and atmosphere is ok.
(1)
Carenza A.
Excellent!! I can not say enough positive things about this place! The food, atmosphere and drinks are outstanding! ! Our server Andre was amazing! He was energetic, positive/great attitude and quickness should be a role model for all establishments!! Kudos and thank you!
(5)
Abbey B.
I love this spot. Coming to the Red Lion usually cleans out my wallet, but that's my problem for wanting EVERYTHING on the menu. I have always had great service, great food/drinks, and an overall wonderful experience every time I come. Try the white cheddar mac n' cheese or the Waltimate burger. Both are incredible.
(5)
Rebecca H.
I love this place. The service is good. The food is fantastic. Two of the best things on the menu are the The Waltimate burger an the Fish and Chips. First, I never would have thought peanut butter on a burger would be good, but it SO is. Add the jalepenos and bacon and it makes quite the burger. Second, the Fish and Chips are some of the best I've had. I stopped at many a chipper across the pond and would still take Red Lion's over those I've had in Great Britian. Tuesday/Thursday trivia is just a bonus to this place!
(4)
Mark V.
I found this place on yelp when a friend and I lunch options had changed. It seemed to get good reviews and a few not so good reviews, but we were hungry. We get there right at noon when the place opened a couple of Sundays back. I really am hoping that my experience was due to early shift issue, but I cannot give this place a higher rating at this time. The food I ate was designed to give me a heart attack. Before I cover the issues, we were compensated a portion of our check without the staff blinking an eye. Classy move that almost moved my rating to a two star. I can respect that; as mistakes do happen from time to time. Here is my experience. The waitress took our order! I had the fish, chicken and "chips" and my friend had the Ruben and fries. We get our order and my friends dish is a complete mess. The Ruben is way to greasy and the fries looked left over from last night. I thought the plate looked disgusting. My chicken was fine and I enjoyed it. However, the fish batter was not cooked all the way through and was greasy. Once I got the disgusting off my fish, it was pretty good. My fries also looked like they were left over from last night. We voiced our concern about the fries and received a discount, but really the entire meal was bad. The chicken was the best thing going and that wasn't all that good. I won't return but I would suggest under the right circumstances that this place is still better than most chain restaurants. If you are bored of chain restaurants and think for yourself and are not manipulated by millions of dollars in TV commercials to make yourself believe you have to eat average to below average overpriced food at some chain restaurant, I am one of you. Let's all keep supporting the true food scene in Indiana. I adjusted the rating due to the quick and professional response from the owner. I believe my experience is most likely not the norm and if I choose to go back in the future, I will update my review.
We were only in Indianapolis 1 night and stumbled into this restaurant in Fountain Square. I had the fish and chicken and chips (with a curry dipping sauce based on waiter's suggestion) and a local brew called preacher's daughter Amber. I could not get enough of either one. A few years back I visited Dublin Ireland and had Fish and chips and compare all fish and chips to them... These fish and chips were almost (if not) equal to those I sampled in Ireland! It's a shame I am not in Indy another night to do a repeat visit.
(5)
Amanda F.
Excellent service, food, and ambiance! Our waitress was very attentive and patient. She had a cheery smile and accepted special orders without a blink! We both had a black bean burger and they were phenomenal! The curry sauce that you can get on the side for the tots or chips is really what takes the cake. Truly made a boring potato a star! Also, try their cocktails. I had a shandy gaff and it did not disappoint! Local beer with ginger beer and a shot of grand marnier or something of the like. Very tasty! The restaurant is dimly lit and has a couple tables up front by the huge windows to watch people along the street. Very English pub-esque. I will be back to sample some more!
(5)
James C.
Great service. Beer pairings or specials of the day were not offered to me but that's OK. I had the fish and chips, very very good. Tartar sauce was great. Coleslaw was very good too but only about a table spoon worth is served. I had the elephant ear as dessert, it was good but at $4.99 overpriced. All in all, I would highly recommend. Outside of Red Lion's control was the People's Brewery beer I tried, Farmers Daughter. It is a tap water blonde, that goes down smooth but that's due to having no flavor. It closes with an over-carbonated fizz and acidic overtones.
(5)
Jerry W.
Being from England I couldn't wait to eat here. I ordered fish and chips and chips with curry sauce. The fish was good but the chips were worse I have ever tasted. They were kind of burnt tasting and floppy , not crispy. The curry sauce was not good, it was cold and tasted like yogurt and curry powder mixed. No heat to it at all. Please don't think British food taste like this because it don't!!!
(2)
Hunter U.
Red Lion is decent establishment to grab drinks and some English-style fare in Fountain Square. Each time I have been, the service has always been good. The draft line-up is always impressive with a combination of local and distant craft breweries. They have strongbow on tap, so that definitely wins points for me. They lose 2 stars because of the food. It's always just been too greasy for me! It's really hard to find something on the menu that is not fried, which can be frustrating.
(3)
Brett G.
I come here for the fish and chips because they are excellent. Definitely worth the drive.
(4)
Richard H.
Had not been back for several years, and -- wow, have the prices gone up or what? Almost $13 for the chicken tikka masala (with no sides)? Almost $8 for a fried mushroom appetizer? An extra $3.49 to add a soup or salad to an entree? The table was wiped off, but it was still sticky. The service was seriously, seriously distracted. And how can a purported bar have no tonic water? Couldn't someone run down to Bud's? So it'll be another few years before I visit the place again, although I will say that the general atmosphere for trivia night was quite convivial.
(3)
Anna Z.
Really like this place! Great food, great atmosphere. The staff is really friendly and attentive. I usually get the veggie burger with fries. I'd definitely recommend a sauce with the burger since the patty is a little dry. Otherwise, perfection. :-)
(5)
Linda L.
Good food, great drinks. Fish and chips, sandwiches, even the curry is alright... But I really come back for the drinks. Along with all the craft beers etc..They have Moscow Mules, and my favorite---- Pimm's cup. It's a great, refreshing, not too sweet English drink. It typically comes with a cucumber, but I have gotten it with an orange.. Either way delicious!
(4)
Penny L.
I dream about the Waltimate... the best burger in the world. It has peanut butter, cheddar cheese, jalapeños, and bacon. I have gone here at least once a month for years because it is so amazing. I've tried it at Scotty's & Punch Burger but they don't come close! They also have a good beer selection & pretty consistently good service when I am there. This burger is so good I am never tempted to order anything else. Oh, and get cole slaw as your side!
(4)
Brian W.
In town for business so needed a good Local place for dinner. Decent craft beer list with some local and some Michigan on the list. Had the Bangers and Mash and would get it again
(4)
Jelly R.
We went here for trivia night, on the suggestion of a coworker who wanted to do trivia. Had the fish and chips, and a strawberry mint julep. I was excited about my order, until I actually got it. The fish (cod, I believe) was overcooked, and the fries were so overcooked that they were brown and crusty and even tasted burnt. Others at our table who came in later and ordered after me also received burnt fries, so I figured there was no point in trying to send my food back. I felt like I was eating the leftovers from a fryer basket. The strawberry mint julep contained strawberries and mint that were not properly muddled, so they didn't add anything in the way of taste. Overall a pretty disappointing experience.
(2)
Kristy K.
I don't know if they were having an off night or what... Well maybe it was because we were sat right smack dab next to the front door...yeah, the door that doesn't close on it's own, the same door that people just throw open and don't bother closing, that very door that one of the people in my party had to get up from his chair no less than 5 times to close himself during our dinner. This whole door thing really impacted our experience at the grog house. I realize you're busy, but just make that the waiting area so people don't have to be inconvenienced during their meal to get up and close the damn door. Because of these 2 tables, it's hard to find a spot to stand around and wait for your table without feeling like you're crowding people. The service was off, too. When we tried to order beers at the bar, it took forever and when we asked the bartender about a beer (that was listed on the menu, no less), she said they didn't have it and walked away. How about you lemme finish? And then one of our beers was incorrect. I had to ask for water 3 times. The beer selection is a good one. The variety of food is good, too. They have these monstrous burgers (8 oz!) and one is even deep fried. I'd like for them to offer a 4 or even 6 oz meat patty, cause damn, that was one big ass burger. The ambiance is like that of a neighborhood bar and the crowd was a typical FSQ crowd. It's a good option while in the area, but I'm not sure I'd make a special trip back. And fix the door, would ya?
(3)
Earl Edwin V.
Pros: Look and feel, friendly employees, Plenty of TVs Cons: Small venue I came here on Monday around 7pm to take advantage of a steak deal and a free pint glass. Thanks for the heads up Do317! The place wasn't too crowded. The waitress was very friendly and the bartender was nice and knowledgeable. I had the filet mignon with garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli. I ordered it medium but it tasted a little more done than what I was expecting. Other than that, the steak was pretty good. Overall, I enjoyed the place. This is a good place to eat or just have a drink after work. I'll be back. Questions? Leave a comment to my review and I'll get back to you.
(3)
Megan J.
First time here. Came with my family to just have dinner and a good beer. We ordered the crab Scottish eggs and they were really good! Everyone loved them! I ordered the soup and salad combo, which was good. Nothing special, but nothing to complain about. They had a good beer selection, but the menu didn't list prices on any of their drinks. Most were $6 or $7 a pint. Overall good experience. Our waitress was on the ball! Great service, food, and drink!
(4)
Ben J.
I regret that I haven't tried this place sooner. I had the red pepper burger, and it was amazing. The fries are awesome too. My only complaint is that the servers are inattentive once they drop off your order. Both my beer and water were empty well before my food was gone, but the guy never came back to check on any of it. 10/26/2014 - I bumped this up to 4 stars, because the manager actually emailed me, apologized for the service, and promised to use it as an opportunity to help his servers improve!
(4)
Sam W.
Sandwiches and beer selection were great. I loved the buffalo chicken, amazing! One of my favorite places in Ft Square.
(4)
Alex W.
My dad and I came here with one of my Foodie Indy coupons which worked out in our favor (spend $30 min, get $10 off except alcohol). I'd been wanting to try one of the new Fountain Square places & my dad is always game for fresh fish & chips. I decided on that as well, was a tad bit disappointed in the serving for the price, but it definitely knocks LJS out the water by far. I was super excited when my dad gave me his (homemade mini cup o') slaw as I inhaled mine in about .5 seconds. We hoped to have the bread pudding for dessert but were informed by our waitress we were about 5 minutes too late ( :-/ ) so we opted for the elephant ear. Very random to just have 2 items on there, 1 which I didn't think really "belongs". Service was ok, we were advised free seating on a sign & had to wait 5-10 minutes before someone greeted us with a menu & water. A little weird since it wasn't super busy when we dined (post-Sunday-church meal time). I'll definitely come back, perhaps for a trivia night or beer specials.
(4)
Sonya A.
Great place for a bite and a beer. Sundays is wing night. We love the apple curry wings and a tall draft beer. Fish & Chips is one of my favorite dishes, their fish is great, their chips are not quite there. Service is alright. The place does get packed! Food: 4/5 Location: 5/5 (So weird seeing the coffeeshop of my childhood be a restaurant now) Service: 3/5
(4)
Alexa D.
bread pudding tho stop everything too good
(5)
Ben H.
My girlfriend and I had never tried British food, so we thought we would give this place a shot. While my girlfriend wasn't really impressed with any of the food being authentic British food, I also didn't really notice anything out of the ordinary from American food. However, I thought the food was good, the service was friendly, along with minimal wait times. The only downside is I see to this place are it can get a little loud sometimes just like a traditional British pub, and I wouldn't really say this is a kid friendly environment due to language sometimes. but overall not a bad place to grab some food and feel like you're overseas.
(3)
Sorry, we don't have Q&A for this restaurant.
Sorry, No Coupons available for this restaurant.
Address :1043 Virginia Ave,Ste 6
Indianapolis, IN, 46203
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Dinner Parking : Street, Private Lot Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Beer & Wine Only Outdoor Seating : No Wi-Fi : Free Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : No
Nichole H.
I hit up Red Lion Grog House early this year on a Tuesday evening after work with some friends. I think the place was recently opened. It's a little tough to find - if you aren't familiar with Fountain Square and paying attention. The outdoor signage is practically non-existant. I drove by it twice before I figured out that it was smack in the middle of a city block. There aren't many places that serve scotch eggs but Red Lion Grog House did them justice! So delicious. I really shouldn't have eaten the fish and chips, but they were too hard to pass up! I'm glad I did! They were fantastic. At the time, they were one of the few places serving Sun King (everyone is now it seems) so that was bonus points in my book. I'll be back!
(4)Brenden H.
This place is awesome! If you're looking for beer with wicked cool names with a flavor and quality to match, this is the place for you. I'm a fan of just about anything on the menu, from their spicy curry chips to their fish n chips to their shepard's pie; however, my all-time favorite is their meatloaf. Their meatloaf comes one of two ways: as a sandwich or as MEATLOAF. In either case, it's fantastic, and it's hard for me to really order anything else. It's the perfect blend of salt and spice and meat. Not a fan of meat? No problem. This place has a variety of vegetarian options, like a true grog house should. They have everything from fried mushrooms to veggie burgers to a delicious giant stuffed portobella. Except the section marked "Chicken," there's at least one delicious veggie item that I'd place near the top of my list. If you're watching your sodium or oil intake, Red Lion might not be the place for you...but c'mon. You're going to a grog house.
(5)Yvonne M.
My roommate brought me to this place when we were touring around Fountain Square and I loved what I ordered. We ordered a plate of handcut fries that went really well with the curry sauce that came with it and also the creamy garlic wings. I can only say I'm excited to be back for MORE!
(4)Kjirsten K.
Just had the Spicy Curry Chicken Sandwich and it is AWESOME! Also, they now have an IPA on draught along with Sun King's Naptown Brown Ale. This place gets better every time I come here!!! Way to go, Red Lion!
(4)Klaus W.
Went in for a weekday lunch. General ambiance, good Service VG Got the Black & Blue burger. It was Ok, the patty was cooked properly, the bacon was freshly fried, but there was only about a tablespoon of blue cheese, at most on it. The lettuce wasn't really fresh and the tomato and 1 onion were tiny. Seeing other great reviews I guess I expected more. The burger came with sweet potato fries, which are great. I did walk out full, so they score there with me. The restroom was 2am-divebar-esque. Urine-smelling, big hole punched in a wall, FILTHY.
(3)Benjamin H.
I've tried something different (food wise) every time and everything has been excellent. I like their daily/monthly specials. yes! I'll be honest, the dress code for the servers is a little weird..
(4)Erin Q.
So, my networking group and I decided to venture to RLGH last night and I'm not super familiar with the Fountain Square area... code for, I got lost! Even with GPS, getting to this little neighborhood is tricky for those of you that are directionally challenged like me! But, let me tell you, I would take on trying to find it again! The server-super friendly and knowledgeable! I couldn't bring myself to order the burger w/ jalapenos and peanut butter, but I did taste it and it was pretty darn good!! I ended up with the fish and chips and was pretty excited when I saw that they already had vinegar on the table... shouldn't make a girl ask for it! Loved my meal, the chips were phenomenal and I would come back for those alone. They do have parking behind the restaurant and there is a little lot off of Woodlawn that is free parking too.
(5)Jonathan K.
This is the local gastropub with a wide variety of different types of food and excellent local beers. The cool part is you can take the kids here, too, and they're happy to be there and serve them there. They always have activities (I have yet to participate in the trivia or poker) but it sounds like a good way to spend an evening.
(5)Andrew D.
Great place. They have a very good beer selection, tasty food and friendly staff. The drink specials are great and they are one of the few places that have Strongbow on tap (which makes the wife very happy). I've had the burger and tried the blanket bangers, both were very good. The fries are amazing and the curry sauce they serve with it even better. I haven't been for trivia night yet, but it looks like a lot of fun. All around great addition to Fountain Square.
(5)Roxy R.
I had such a good time at the red lion. The staff is incredibly nice and helpful :) I ordered the veggie burger and fried pickles. First off, the pickles were awesome! Back in TX I've never ordered fried pickles that aren't sitting in their grease. These looked almost baked and were delish. The burger was just as great! It was large and filling and I had to save half. Along with a strongbow, the meal was perfect :)
(5)Trent B.
I've been to Red Lion Grog House twice. The first time was for dinner with my wife on a Wednesday evening and the second on a Monday for lunch with some friends. Both times, the food was awesome. I had a burger and the fish sandwich which were both delicious. My wife had a veggie burger and raved about it. I was also impressed by their selection of beers on tap. The only complaint I have is the service was not great for lunch. They only had one waitress serving everyone and our food took about 30 minutes or more to get. She said they're going to start adding another waitress to help with the lunch rush, so hopefully this was just a one-time occurrence. Definitely will be back again soon.
(4)Tim W.
I've been here several times now and have to down-grade my original review. I don't know why, but I'm always there on Thursdays, trivia night (LOUD trivia night) and I always regret it. I've even walked out on Thursdays when I stumble in not remembering my calendar. But I chose to stay this time. I love trivia. I love being able to find out stuff I don't know. (Which is a lot). But Red Lion appears to love trivia night to the exclusion of other guests. When I say trivia night is loud, I don't mean the patrons are loud. They're not. If you sit by the window, you won't even know the trivia fans are there.The DJ is loud. If you've been there, you know the size of the space is not mammoth. If you saw and heard the speakers during trivia night, you'd think you were at a much larger venue. There MAY have been 10 people there for trivia night and all of them knew to avoid the front three tables by the totally over-cranked (like me, I guess) speakers and the server wouldn't let me sit at the back table (reserved for the no-show trivia guests) and tried to get me to sit next to the loud (did I mention that?) speakers when I wasn't wanting to participate in trivia night. Finally got seated at one of the two tables in the window which are fine, except the server was so interested in the trivia that she wasn't too interested in traversing the apparent MILES between the trivia-l part of the restaurant to refill my drink or see if my meal was all right. I got the pot-roast served on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes, two of my favorite things in the world. The pot roast was really good, but the potatoes were like wallpaper paste. I, who never met a potato with garlic that I didn't like, couldn't get more than four bites of them down. Disappointing, to say the least. I love a lot of things about Red Lion. Not a big drinker (maybe I should be to get the stick out), but there's still lots to love here. The French onion soup, the chips with great sauces, the Shepherd's pie, the elephant ears, and usually the servers. I'll go back again for sure but it for sure won't be on a Thursday. Oh, and if you like big prizes for trivia, the pot was up to $15 last week.
(3)Carey D.
I love the Red Lion. The owner, Wally, is usually around on weeknights when I've been in, and he is fantastic... really makes you feel good to support a local business when such a nice person is behind it! The chicken tikka masala- an English curry- is my favorite dish, and they also make a tasty homemade meatloaf. Have been there several times and never had anything I didn't like. You won't leave hungry. If you are a fan of blue cheese dressing, make sure you try it at Red Lion because it is homemade and divine. If you are curious to try out Red Lion, check out their Facebook page because they are always updating it with daily specials, etc: facebook.com/pages/India… Oh, and like any good grog house would, Red Lion has a nice beer selection.
(5)Katie B.
Unfortunately, I have to downgrade my review of the Red Lion. The last two times I have been there, the food has been mediocre at best. The veggie burger I raved about previously now sticks to the roof of your mouth. My friends' fish and chips were soggy. Not good. Still a nice place to grab a pint and play trivia though.
(3)Bre S.
A nice addition to Fountain Square. There are several things I like about this place. 1) Nice layout. I especially like the tables by the window for people watching on a busy day or sitting at the bar to watch multiple games on multiple tvs. 2) Service. Even when full, we've always gotten great service here. 3) PBR: 1.75 on Sundays. Enough said. 4) Tator tots as a side. Even better than No. 3. :) The food is good. I am a big fan of the fried mushrooms served with a chipotle ranch sauce. We usually go the RLGH on a Sunday evening to have some drinks and this is the app we always choose. I've heard rave reviews on the chips with curry, but the boyfriend refuses to try them. I may overrule him next time. I recently tried the meatloaf sandwich and was not disappointed, except for the bread....little small for the sandwich. All in all, a nice place to stop in, relax and fill up, especially when not wanting to travel far but dying to get out of the house. We plan on including this in our rotation of weekend outings.
(4)Eric S.
Best burger in indy!
(5)Jammy S.
Red Lion is my favorite pub for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is the food. Rob's creations are giant belly fulls of amazing. They have the best damn veggie burger I have ever eaten. Handmade patty with a texture similar to a soft falafel with lots of great flavor. It's big. *I just drooled.* Fish and chips are spot on for pub fish and chips, good batter to fish ratio, basic whitefish flavor, vinegar on the table and tartar sauce in a ramekin. A contender for the style. Chips (aka fries) are tasty and they have ....TATTER TOTS! I will tell you a secret, deep fried tatter tots dipped in curry sauce are absolutely heaven with a beer. Curry... oh yeah. You dip things in it. This is an English pub after all. You dip you fri... chips in it, you dip your tots in it, you dip your burger in it, you dip your Scotch Eggs in it, etc... The hot is not overpowering, it's just good. Sometimes they have 'Apple Curry', ask for it... it's amazing. The Reuben is a favorite of mine, you wouldn't necessarily expect it at a pub, but it's one of the best I've had. Really great, lots of flavor in the corned beef and a bit of zip in the sauce. My buddy comes into town and without fail gets the Steak and Chips, it's just what it sounds like, but the steak is damn good, it's cut into medallion sized pieces before cooking. It makes a hearty meal. Get the Bubble and Squeak, it's a culinary experience in English excess. If you HATE cabbage, get the Lancaster Hot Pot instead, almost the same dish. It's big, two average folks can share it. Beer is good, beer is food. They have plenty to offer. Local varieties on tap, at least one American macro brew, and several rotating national or international brews. The staff make this place special. Wally the owner is a stand up guy who obviously puts his heart in making the Lion all it can be, Rob makes the kitchen sizzle, and the bar staff actually like their jobs and are good people to chat with. They all keep me coming back even if I'm not hungry.
(5)Theresa K.
I had been hearing all about Red Lion Grog House for quite awhile. Well, I finally made it there- I treated some friends for helping me move a futon. For appetizers, we had the scotch eggs, pickle chips and curry & chips. The scotch eggs were pretty good. They were a bit dry. When I think of scotch eggs, I think of the sausage and such making everything really moist. It was all pretty dry (maybe fried too long or something?)- still pretty good, though, and my tablemates liked them. The pickle chips were nice and thick- VERY greasy. We left a couple because nobody wanted to put that in their stomachs (although we DID order a lot of food). Oh ma gawd. The Curry chips were delicous. The curry wasn't really all *that* spicy, but it was so full of flavor. The chips were SO fresh and great even on their own- sprinkled in sea salt. I'm sad that I don't have any right now. For dinner, I had the Chicken Picotta with cottage cheese. To be quite honest, I didn't know what picotta was. I just ordered it anyway (because it was unique). I was happy to find capers. Mmmmm. It was a light brownish type of gravy- A bit salty like capers are. The chicken was very very moist. I was worried it might have been a bit pink, but I ated it all and turned out okay. I ate all the cottage cheese, too. I tried a bite of the fish and chips, and that cod was so thick with cod (you know how most places have more batter than fish?)- Oh, SO good. I started with an Upland Rad Red and finished with a Sun King Octoberfest. The pints were $3. Heck yeah!
(5)Tiffany B.
Other than the odd/ awkward entry point (no host stand? No official 'hi, we've walked in the FRONT door of an eating establishment" type of clue...) I loved the space. The pub faire tasted authentic. I lived in England for a year, so I can be pretty picky, but the Shepherd's Pie here was AWESOME! I wish they would have served it with a small helping of chips like they do in England. Who doesn't want potatoes with their potatoes, I ask you? Not this kid. I could dip french fries (chips in this instance) into a baked potato smotherd in mashed potatoes with a raw potato appetizer. I guess that's the Irish in me. Love it. My fellow diners seemed equally impressed. Way to go! Oh, and they have Boddingtons. Now I am getting home sick for London. Thanks a lot, Red Lion Grog House! I'll have to be back soon.
(4)Jillian H.
English & American comfort food. They serve everything from Shepherds Pie to burgers and salads. We had a BBQ bacon burger that was topped with onion rings and cooked to a perfect juicy medium and candied walnut strawberry salad that was fresh and tasty. They also have a pretty good beer list. Everything on the menu sounds wonderful. This is a great little spot to stop by before going to Radio Radio for a show.
(4)Aaron S.
I love Red Lion Grog House. Such a great atmosphere. A perfect place to meet with friends. The staff is knowledgable and friendly and always have great suggestions. We had a fairly long wait on friday because it was first friday and people were just hanging out at their tables. The manager hooked us up with free chips and curry and was very apologetic even though there wasn't much they could do about it. Great bar fare. Highly recommend the hot shrimp and the Scotch eggs! Portobello meal is also amazing. This is one of the few places in indy you get a Bellhaven Scottish Ale. Poured fast into a cold glass, it's like a creamy milkshake!
(5)Jason H.
Fountain Square has been booming over the past couple years, with all kinds of new restaurants and bars trying to make a go of it in that cool, little business/entertainment district that the local hip cats have always said is on the verge of something great. We've seen a few of these businesses come and go, for various reasons, while others exude an aroma of what smells like real staying power. Though it's rather early in the game to say this, I see Red Lion Grog House as a fine example. Ever since Rob & Jay's Chippie in South Broad Ripple closed about 5 years ago, I've been longing for another restaurant to spring up in Indy and serve more authentic British pub food. It's a simple, yet delicious, style of cooking, but it seems for a restaurant to get the flavors and textures right, there either needs to be a native of the UK in the kitchen or someone with some good recipes from a British relative. We'll just say I've had some mighty bland and boring plates of fish and chips around these parts. I was excited when I heard about Red Lion opening, and made a point to get over there as soon as possible. My excitement was sustained when I opened the door and smelled the aroma of steaks, steak sauce, curry and a deep fryer floating over wonderfully noisy crowd. My kind of place. I ordered the fish and chips, with a side of curry sauce for the chips. The fish was crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, with that perfect yeasty beer batter flavor. The chips were hand-cut, with the skins still on, and were mighty good. The curry sauce was great, too, with a little more spicy kick than most I've tried. I've been back twice since my initial visit and was probably even more impressed by their bangers and mash. Wow. What a good meal for this big corn-fed boy from Illinois! And, every time I've gone to Red Lion, the service has been great. You've got to love the server outfits, too.
(4)Heather H.
Oh Red Lion, you had me at draft Strongbow and Sun King. Mmmmm.... I've now had dinner at the Red Lion twice, and have more than pleased with my food both times. The first time I was there I had a portabella and swiss sandwich and fries. The sandwich was excellent, and much like lebowski's rug, the blue cheese cream sauce really tied the sandwich together. As you would expect from an English pub, the fries were delicious. When I went there again last Friday, I had the candied walnut and strawberry salad, which comes with blue cheese crumbles and a raspberry vinaigrette, and was also awesome. They have quite a few vegetarian options, including a stuffed portabella dinner entrée that my husband had (and has been raving about ever since...see Jason B.'s review), and I know they also have a veggie burger that I plan on trying the next time I go. My meat eating friends seemed to enjoy their meals as well. This is an excellent place to grab dinner or some drinks before catching a show at Radio Radio or the White Rabbit. Lots of tables, a pleasant atmosphere, good food and beer, mystery bathrooms down a strange hall...what more could you ask for? I will definitely be back!
(5)Bill B.
Went for a morning World Cup match. Had the biscuits and gravy from the brunch menu, along with the Sunking cream ale (delish) Good atmosphere. Very friendly. Good service. Looking forward to going back to try out the chips and curry.
(4)Mindy K.
Great local beer selection. Food was hot and ready very quickly.
(3)Sarah G.
"Fish and Chips" were very fatty and I could taste the oil in the fish batter. If they want to do proper 'English' fish and chips then they need to do steak fries. The fries were very dark and looked like they could have been the end of a batch or been in the fryer for a while as they were not golden by any stretch of the imagination. My husband thought the fries were made with old potatoes due to their consistency. The Scotch Egg was alright but I have had better. The rice that came with the Chicken Tikka Masala was VERY sticky. Service was quick and relatively pleasant. We were there on a Saturday afternoon and there was only about 7 or 8 other people there. I am a British Expat living in Indy so maybe I had higher expectations after reading through a few reviews. I am doubtful I will try the food here again.
(1)Marian K.
Went there with a group of eight (had a reservation) on a Saturday night. The service wasn't so good; the waitress kept forgetting to bring things, or would be gone for long periods of time. They were out of several types of beer, including one of the draught specials (after several of us ordered it, then we're told after a few minutes that they were out). We had a table in the window, somewhat away from other customers, but it was still difficult to have a conversation. I don't agree that the sound level was average. The food was reasonably good. All in all, I might go back during a slower/quieter time, but my experience was that it wasn't a great place to meet up with old friends you haven't seen for a while.
(3)Tristan S.
Two things about Red Lion: it's LOUD. And it smells delicious. Went early on Friday night. The wait was an hour, so we came back a few hours later when it had died down. The first thing I noticed was the smell: it's simply amazing, the way a pub should smell. The noise was unfortunate, though, and it didn't sound like the crowd had died down - the dining area has no sound treatments that I could see and is extremely noisy, so much so that at the end of our meal, we debated staying for another drink but all agreed we couldn't stand the noise any longer. But perhaps, with such a tight, narrow dining area, they're eager to hustle people in & out, and keeping it loud is one way to do that. Food-wise, they have a typical Anglocentric pub menu with few vegetarian options but lots of good draft beers, including local fave Sun King. They had a portabella burger, but I'm not a fan of portabella. I ordered the veggie burger raved about on Yelp, but they were out of it. Disappointed, I settled for the fried pickle chips. It's an appetizer, but since I was trying not to eat meat, I didn't have many other options. The pickles were good: slightly crunchy, intensely flavored with garlic and salt. I'd share them with people again but as a veggie entree they don't cut it (but that's what I get for ordering an appetizer as a meal I guess). If I'm hungry the next time I'm in Fountain Square, I'll call ahead to see if they have veggie burgers. Otherwise, I'll stop in a for a beer and then jet. Unless it's crowded, in which case I'll head to a more relaxing spot.
(3)Brad W.
I have only been here once, very early after they opened. I have friends who practically live here! At the time of my visit, they were still working out the kinks. The beer selection wasn't as strong as it is now, and I have heard the food (while I did enjoy it) has gotten even better. I look forward to getting another chance to eat there, and will be happy to update (upgrade) my rating at that time. Looking forward to it!
(3)Libbie V.
Awesome apple curry chicken wings. I am a wing fanatic and these are wonderful! Perfectly cooked big & meaty wings with crispy skin and tender & moist inside and the sauce is just wonderful!
(5)Katherine R.
Great food - great people.... The chips and (spicy) curry are fantastic. My favorite meal so far is the chicken and chips (as opposed to the fish and chips, which I have not tried yet). I haven't been in since the beer arrived - hopefull I'll be back this week. So glad Red Lion is in my neighborhood!
(5)David C.
My new favorite place! It is great to see some amazing restaurants in Fountain Square, and this is an excellent addition. I have loved everything I have eaten there, from the mushroom swiss burger with just the right amount of brown gravy to the best fries in town. And be sure to get a side of spicy curry sauce to dip your fries. Good beer selection and trivia nights are the icing on this cake. Don't be put off by the street being torn up out front - there is plenty of parking behind.
(5)Rob G.
Quite good for what it is. There are always new businesses popping up in Fountain Square and it is anybody's guess who will make it. I am certain and have hopes that Red Lion will stay around. As other reviewers mention, they certainly have a varied beer selection, including local, even if it doesn't necessarily include high end. It does seem completely appropriate for the type of place that it is, however. In the style of English Pub, they have great fish, chips, and curry. In fact, I recommend getting the chips and curry if you want an appetizer. The English style curry is certainly a bit different than what you might expect from an Indian restaurant, so be prepared. It is equally delicious. I have been to the Red Lion for a dinner for two, to drink beer with a friend, to play trivia, and to have fun with a large group. All experiences have been good. Service has been consistently friendly and reliable. As far as I can tell, Red Lion will remain a force in Fountain Square, even as some of it's neighbors may come and go.
(4)Matt I.
I love this place! The fish and chips are excellent. The Waltimate (Burger with Bacon, Cheddar cheese, jalapenos, and peanut butter) is crazy good. I love the chips and curry for an appetizer. They have a great atmosphere, great food, huge beer selection, and great people.
(5)Kenny Z.
I have lived in multiple cities and consistently traveling...honestly I didnt have too much faith in Indianapolis given the food quality and variety here...Stopped by this place for work lunch, and I was not disappointed at all. Mouth-watering burgers. HUGE (1/2 lb). The price is very reasonable:~$10 with a side. Now I attempted to to avoid this place because I always experienced food coma after I dined there (it's a good thing; dont take it wrong way lol). Yet I missed the flavors once in a while, so I couldnt help myself go there again....
(4)Christopher R.
Our visit was a short one, but I'm quickly becoming a fan of Ft. Square and the new life it's breathing into the area. Red Lion was no exception, great cozy environment with an eclectic clientele and staff. They support the local breweries as a good local bar should. The scotch eggs were decent, but i've had better. I'm sure i'll be back and ready to try something else and enjoy an evening with friends
(4)Daniel H.
Great food, beer, atmosphere and service.
(5)Karl H.
Great beer selection and good food keep us coming back for more. The staff is friendly, the decor awesome, and keeping Fountain Square real after dark gets it a solid 4 stars!
(4)Jon R.
Some of the best fries (chips) I've had. Nice and dark potatoes, with a creamy, divine spicy curry for dipping and the perfect amount of salt. Great beer list. Incredible staff and owner. Go here and find what pleases you. I like the chicken breast in curry sauce. A) because I can't get enough of their curry and B) because they know how to cook poultry (also try their chicken and chips). And of course, the fish and chips are stellar!
(5)Kimmi M.
The Pimm's Cup is classic Brit. So tasty. Absolutely perfect for a blustery Sunday afternoon with a high of zero. Nothing says "warm yourself up" like British food. Yeah, it all looks pretty goopy and sloppy, but that's truly its charm. It might be bad for you, but it tastes so good. I am very impressed that Red Lion is able to have some very classic items on the menu and stay in business as most Americans don't like British food. The curry is excellent with chips, a very traditional chippy! I had the Bubble & Squeak, which when it came out looked like I had been jipped on my portion. Upon getting to the halfway point, I realized that they knew what they were doing and there was no way I would still be hungry upon completion. The Bloody Mary left a lot to be desired, and even for $4.5, I probably wouldn't order another one. Despite this, there are a wide variety of beautiful cocktails to choose from. In the words of my favorite Brit Tom Hiddleston, "It's good to be bad." Take a break from watching your weight and chow down here.
(4)K B.
Awesome food, good service. Try the spicy shrimp with aioli sauce. You won't be disappointed. They have a great beer selection as well.
(3)Todd M.
Great fish & chips. Scottish eggs, and a great yellow curry dipping sauce on request!
(5)Benjamin G.
Whilst on the road towards Chicagoland, we were in need of a pitstop for gas, a quick stretch, and definitely lunch. We pulled up Red Lion Grog House on ye olde Yelp App and found a parking spot in the busy Fountain Square area. With proximity to the highway top of mind, we weren't too aware of just what we would be getting into with the US World Cup match beginning as soon as we walked in. The place was packed to the rafters and what an awesome spot for a game! It's a gnarly little English pub with all of the awesomely rib-sticking foods you could as for -- pies, curries, cold beers, and plenty of cozy seats to sling a large beer mug back and forth for team chants. We grabbed the only open table near the front and waited a bit for a server to come take our order. The servers were completely swamped, but still super friendly. They really were overtly nice to each guest, which was clearly a bit more difficult due to the tensions of "Because Futbol" was on the televisions. We ordered the chips and curry sauce to start. Quite a nice starter for up to maybe 4 folks with a really nice, deep curry dipping sauce. Definitely a lot of care taken with that glorious liquid. I went with old reliable -- Buffalo chicken sandwich with garlic mash. The sandwich was a little bland and definitely beckoned more buffalo sauce. Had the restaurant not been so busy, I would have asked for an extra side order. My wife had a portobello burger, which she enjoyed. The only downside to our visit was just how mobbed the place was and the absent servers -- due to being spread a little too thin. Where I can say lunch may not be the strongest time of day for a visit, I can definitely see where this spot would be awesome for a brew with friends or a great spot to catch a game.
(4)Devin R.
I went here to meet up with some friends after a long day of business and it just made my day. It was $3 pint night (Monday) so we were able to sample a strong selection of beer without breaking the bank. Not only was it inexpensive beer but GOOD beer (Wee Mac from Sunking was on tap so I was thrilled). The wait staff was very helpful, attentive, and professional. It had the usual charm of a downtown place with tattooed staff, eclectic hangings, and very relaxed atmosphere. If you are in Fountain Square swing by- I will be again for SURE.
(4)Daniel M.
Look...anyplace that has Strongbow on draft gets 5 stars. The food is great and the staff is friendly. Another great addition to the Fountain Square area. Had a burger tonight and it good, but the real star is the curry sauce for the fries - nice touch to a normal meal.
(5)Ben L.
Delicious, awesome cheap food! Friendly staff too! The manager even sold me his spare iPhone charger!! It's super convenient off I-65. Totally worth the detour!!!
(5)Jenny S.
The fries and curry sauce are great! The rest of the menu is also pretty good, with lots of options and choices for vegs and non-vegs alike. Although I have never been able to repeat my first visit winning glory, I thoroughly enjoy the Tues and Thurs trivia nights. It is a really fun way to spend an evening, while getting some good food. Oh and Strongbows are only $4 Tues night!
(4)Jeff N.
My very first time visiting the Red Lion was also my very first experience with Yelp! I had never heard of either...and needless to say was blown away by both. I made one very big mistake that night though. I had just eaten dinner, when I was invited to go to the Grog House. Lesson learned....do not eat dinner until you are 100% sure something more awesome is not going to be coming along. Since my first mistake, I plan trips here accordingly and prepare for some fantastic food. On my most recent trip I tried the BBQ Bacon Burger. Probably one of the largest burgers I've ever had. Even now thinking about it, I'll admit...I'm drooling a little bit. 1/2 lb burger, bacon, onion rings, cheese.... I ask you, is there anything else that could possibly make a burger better?? And I answer, yes. Wonderfully crisp tater tots! Such a meal, that I couldn't even eat it all. But what an awesome midnight snack that half a burger made. Between the small restaurant vibe, the always super friendly staff (probably the best in town), and the delicious food (including some typical English Grog House favorites)....this is easily on my top 5 places in Indy list. Check it out!
(5)Alyssa S.
What a fantastic addition to the Fountain Square area! As a lifelong connoisseur of the veggie burger, I can say that the the vegetarian burger at the Red Lion is among the best that I have EVER eaten! I'm told that the chef has created his own recipe (it has eggs, so is not vegan)-and it is fantastic. It's a little spicy, and all of the veggies are well blended (no chunks of peas or corn). I also enjoy the creamy tomato soup and mashed potatoes (skins mixed in, of course). But the best feature of the menu-the fried pickles. I know that other pubs around town have them, but these are definitely the best. I'm usually the only vegetarian in my dining party, and I have it on good authority that the fish and burgers are also great! The owners are kind, the servers are friendly. Definitely worth the trip into the neighborhood. It is in the Murphy building, so I usually go on First Fridays.
(5)Aaron W.
Usually great food, consistently good service. Good focus on local beers (love the rotating taps of Fountain Square Brewing Company and Triton) A couple of complaints: As with any restaurant, the Red Lion kitchen will prepare stuff ahead and reheat it once ordered. The common problem here is the reheating part. I eat here a lot and more often than not the mashed potatoes are cold. I mean...really cold. A few others items I have had were lukewarm, most recently the chicken tikka masala. A good dish, if a bit bland, but it was not hot at all. The fries are consistently bad here, but they do have an excellent spicy curry dip to take away the soggy, burnt flavor of the fries. I would recommend going to a thicker fry and not keeping them up as long. They often taste like they have been reheated in the oil. Those complaints aside, they really do have good food and good recipes! Great atmosphere, very cozy and welcoming.
(4)Chris M.
Each time I visit Red Lion, I like it more and more. I had yet to try the wings and the bleu cheese burger... the burger was hella cheesy and pretty much perfect. I did not expect much from the wings, but they were amazing.
(5)Len L.
We stopped in here to finish off the night after the Tonic Ball. The Grog House has a good beer selection and a well chosen bar food menu. I think we all enjoyed are food , which included fish and chips, tater tots, and a tenderloin sandwich. Service was excellent, and the atmosphere nice and pubby.
(4)Andrew F.
Excellent fish n chips, good beer selection. I liked the atmosphere, plenty of tv's on the wall. Only an indifferent waitress kept it from getting a five.
(4)Richard B.
My rule. If there is meatloaf on the menu and it is good the other choices will be good too. The verdict, the meatloaf is great. So too, bangers and mash. And great beer selections as well. This was our second time. We will be back.
(5)T. M. G.
If you are looking for a variety of excellent pub food the Red Lion is hard to beat. The portions are large, the burgers are monstrous, and even items- such as the chicken curry- that you won't expect to find at an English-style pub are great. There are plenty of vegetarian options, and if you get the fries be sure to get a side of the curry sauce. The beer list while larger than most lacks anything that really packs a punch. There really isn't anything on tap that will impress the unabashed beer snob. That aside, there are plenty of quality beers that anyone can enjoy, many of which are local and others- such as New Holland's Mad Hatter IPA- that you would have a hard time finding anywhere else. I have been here several times now, and the service gets better every time. I will definitely be back.
(5)Drew N.
Visited this place 1/30/11 for a nice Sunday dinner with my dad and sis. Overall the food was wonderful. i had the shep. pie, dad went with the meatloaf and sis with the fish sandwhich. All portions where HUGE. We also tried the Scottish eggs and they were great as was their onion soup was on target. I had a Rest.com coupon so it made a $53 dollar meal a $26 meal for 3 people with drinks included. Overall a great experience, a wonderful little bar/rest in Fountain square and a place if you have not been you should get to NOW.
(4)Bill S.
Talk about local. You can't get much more local. Service was excellent. I sat at the bar for less than 10 seconds before someone took my order. Great atmosphere and televisions everywhere to watch the game. Highly recommend!
(4)Steffanie P.
Great French onion soup!!!!
(4)Scott L.
Discovered this great place via friends in Ft. Square. A very cozy little pub with some great food and great local beers on tap. It's a bit on the pricy side, but it's well worth it in my opinion. I've not had a bad meal there and I'm a fan of local places with local beers. Very clean and a terrific staff there, so go check it out. They also are the only place I'm aware of that will show roller derby events on the tube upon request!! Bonus!!
(4)Valerie S.
Red Lion feels like a real British pub, with it's long bar, great dark lighting, and soccer on TV all the time. They have great beers, wonderful food, and are never too loud. Perfect for a weekend lunch, or trivia on the weeknights!
(4)Darren C.
The owner is rude. He clearly doesn't care if customers eat here at all. He was rude from the moment he approached the table after I complained about some confusion over a discount and after a friend posted about it on his facebook page he has continued to be rude. He has no desire to please customers.
(1)Trevor N.
I visited this pub with a group. It has a nice atmosphere and the food was not bad. Their chicken pot pie dish is to die for! They put a delicious puffed pastry on top of a creamy chicken stew and call it a pot pie. If you get anything at this restaurant, it must be the pot pie! OK so my friends had the fish and chips. The chips are actually French fries. Why do they have French fries at an English pub? The fries did have a nice taste though. The Red Lion only sells beer so I was a little disappointed that they did not have mixed drinks. I suppose it is a nice place to go and have a few beers. I liked the atmosphere and highly recommend the pot pie.
(4)John K.
I have to say my family enjoys going at least once a month. Great scotch eggs, burgers and fish & chips. The bangers & mash is OK, but for the money you can't go wrong. The beer selection is good and the staff are friendly.
(4)Jordan S.
My girlfriend and I happened upon Red Lion on Friday evening and were quite happy we did. The fish and chips were beyond excellent. Perfectly cooked and not greasy like some places in town. The fish was oh so flaky and the fries were fresh cut and done just right. Bangers and mash were on point with lots of garlic in the mash. Fried pickles speak for themselves and are a legit pub snack.
(4)Stephanie F.
Best Chips and Blue Cheese hamburger in the city! The wait staff is always personable and the owners work hard to provide an excellent selection of quality food and local beer on tap!
(5)Brandy F.
It is really difficult to not talk like a pirate when hearing the word grog. Even if it isn't National Talk Like a Pirate Day, you should visit Red Lion Grog House. Good beer selection and food. Even when I'm not hungry, I have to eat the fries with spicy curry sauce....oh how I just love fries and curry, and these are an awesomely delicious must try!!
(4)Beth F.
I want to love this place, but I can only give it 4 stars. We are frequent visitors- great beer list and on Friday nights they frequently play "How It's Made" on at least one of the TVs. The food always sounds amazing, but I can't honestly say I've had anything that I really can't live without. Like the atmosphere in general. The place has a lot of potential, hope it lives up to it eventually!
(4)Matt U.
Just a quick review on Red Lion Grog House... GO THERE! The service was excellent, the drinks affordable and the food as close to amazing as one can get. Also, thanks to all the Yelp reviews on trying the curry for my chips. Good times.
(4)P K.
Great atmosphere and the fish and chips were perfect.
(4)Sarah K.
I absolutely LOVE this place! I know that I can always get a good beer or ale (or even CIDER! ON DRAFT!), catch the latest football (that's soccer for you Americans) match, and dig in to a ginormous pile of chicken and chips. Easily one of the best places in Indy for this.. you don't know what you're missing if you haven't been there!
(5)Missy R.
I give this place a two only because the food is decent. What is wrong, first the parking sucks. Second my daughter and I went in on a Thursday night and they were having some kind of trivia contest. The DJ had the music so loud it gave me a pounding head ache and the music he played was Crappy 80's and the new stuff. Third, BEWARE OF THE BATHROOM. It is located in a covered hallway/alley that is 30 degrees colder than the restaurant. The bathroom hallway has a door that lets you in the back parking lot, way safe...Not. Then you walk into the bathroom you would not be surprised to see a dead heroin hooker is laying the floor. The bathroom was dirty, dark red/black and depressing. It makes me wonder how clean the kitchen is. If you want a good British Pub instead of this place........Go Asian.
(2)Katie O.
Best veggie burger I've ever had in my life! When I lived in Indy, I used to frequent this spot once or twice a week just for the veg burger. I don't really enjoy the chips too much because they're not blanched, but I always just replaced them with the garlic mashed potatoes, which are fire! Also, I don't even like onions but somehow these guys have mastered the onion ring; Unfortunately they won't let you order onion rings though, only comes atop certain sandwiches. If you catch them at the right time they might let you get an order of onion rings, but otherwise they are oddly defensive of them. Lol.
(5)Nic J.
I hadn't been here for awhile, and after purchasing a $50 for $25 deal, the wife and I stopped in. The fish and chips were always outstanding, and the chicken too, so we both got fish and chicken combos. Well, I was kinda let down. The batter wasn't fully cooked through, making it kinda gummy. The French onion soup was good, and service was great. I love the chips with spicy curry sauce. Hopefully next time my main meal is better.
(3)Adam L.
I personally am very happy that my one off bad experience was just a fluke. Staffs on top of things tonight, knowledgable and well hell just doing a great job!
(4)Vince K.
Great place to sit and hang out or bring the family. Arguably the best fish and chips in Indy, 12 beers on tap and nightly specials on drinks. They make some great speciality cocktails as well. The food is great, I particularly enjoy the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich that's unlike any I've had before and the Chicken Curry Sandwhich is awesome and unique. The curry with fries is a spicy change of pace. Add in bangers and mash and elephant ears for the kids, it's a great place to check out. With trivia, open mic, great food and drink and in the Murphy building swing by for a while.
(5)Molly B.
After an evening of exploring Fountain Square with a few classmates, we happened upon Red Lion Grog House and decided to get a bite to eat there. It was a little later on a Tuesday night and Red Lion seemed to be one of the only restaurants left open. The atmosphere was similar to most bars/pubs however it did seem more family-friendly than most. Our server was great and everyone in our diverse group enjoyed the place. Although we did not partake, a game of trivia was in full swing and would be a great event to come back for another time. I ordered their cider on draught and was disappointed to find that it was all gone. However, our server made up for it by bringing me a sample of my second choice of drink. I also got the the chicken and chips and for the most part enjoyed them. They were pretty basic, nothing special. The menu has a lot of options and some great comfort food items. I know I could come back several times, get something new every time, and enjoy it. All together it was a good experience however a little over priced for what was very simple bar food.
(3)Stephen V.
I live in the fountain square area and let me tell you that this is my go to for Great food. I've never been disappointed with a meal. The Burgers are great and I love that when I order it a specific way I get it cooked that way. My two favorites are the Roasted Red Pepper and the Buffalo Burger. DELICIOUS. Best appetizer: their wings. Huge and covered in sauce. Can't complain. My absolute favorite meal here is the Buffalo Chicken Wrap. Do yourself a favor and get it grilled, hot, with ranch. I get it with no onions and its absolutely amazing! If you're looking for a great beer selection this place definitely has it and it's more on the local side which I prefer. If you're in town try the Fountain Square rotating tap. It never fails. They also have a full bar now so if cocktails are more your style they've got you covered. $3 Pint night is Monday. I love their servers, always get great service when I come in there. \They have trivia and open mic nights through the week too.
(5)Scott P.
So 9 out of 10 times in here I have a little man crush. Tried a few of the signature cocktails (grog) and they were pretty wicked. Not much of a mixed drink person, but these were pretty good. Scotch egg; incredible! Shepherds pie? Wonderful. A good place to enjoy lunch, dinner, a snack, or even a liquid dinner. Ill take all if the above, add breakfast. My only complaint is that I once told a server I was stepping out to smoke, and informed him both my buddy and I planned to smash atleast another beer, probably more. After 15+ minutes of watching him check on other tables, dick around behind the bar, state at the tv, trying to get his attention and what not; we decided to pay the bill and leave. Still have a special place in my heart for this place, but that definitely left a bad taste in my mouth.
(4)Jen F.
Lunch at Red Lion today was delish. It was our first time in and, upon leaving, we were talking about what we wanted to try next time. I had Fish and Chips, the fish was so freakin' good. The batter was thick and crisp. The fish inside was moist, hot and flaky. Smothered in vinegar with an extra dash of salt is the way forward. They serve you two huge pieces. Their hand cut fries are soooo good, but they aren't proper chippy fries. Not that it matters because they're really good and their dipping sauces make it a french fry adventure! Mr. Jen F. had their version of sausage rolls. I can't remember what they were called. Sausages in puffed pastry and he really enjoyed it. We started w/ a scotch egg and fried pickles. I love fried pickles and have to get them if they are on the menu. Have to. The scotch egg was good, but I was surprised to find it cool inside. I'm still not sure if it was supposed to be cool inside, but Mr. Jen F. is British and he said that its fine, so its fine. They had a nice flavor, but maybe just a touch too much thyme. Next time, I think I might have to get a burger. The Waltimate has jalapeno and peanut butter. It's so intriguing!
(4)Trena T.
Great service. Great asmosphere. Great food. This is a standard in our rotation of city favorites. Not for the faint of heart (but delicious): oversized mozzarella sticks. Worth the indulgence. This is a great place to watch the game, have a lunch or drink with friends. Trivia every week, too.
(5)Joseph W.
Standard pub comfort food. Decent local beer selection (which has become a standard in the area). I went on a Thursday night and the place was packet for trivia night. A large portion of their menu contains food prepared in a deep fryer. I ordered bangers and mash. The sausage was room temperature by the time it was served. But in general, the meal tasted good. My friend had a fried fish sandwich, which he said was standard / good. I ordered a cup of coffee and bread pudding for desert. The coffee was absolutely disgusting, probably made that morning. The bread pudding was decent. The service overall was okay. Our server was very busy and forgot a few things. This restaurant is very small. It doesn't take many customers to give the place a crowded feel. Overall, a very average experience. I would go back. Don't expect amazing things and you'll be satisfied.
(3)Cheryl A.
My husband and I were in town just for the night and we chose Red Lion Grog House based on its location and Yelp reviews. Well, thank you Yelp peeps - this one was a winner! My husband ordered the fish/chicken & chips and chose the apple curry dipping sauce at the recommendation of our server. AMAZING! Nearly as good as the fish & chips we had in Dublin. The apple curry sauce was great - sweet and spicy, and so different from anything else we had ever had. I chose the Scotch egg appetizer (crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside) and the walnut strawberry salad with added chicken. Everything in the salad was very fresh and crisp - it was absolutely delicious! Husband also tried a local beer - Preacher's Daughter - and enjoyed that very much as well. We ended up there on open mic night so it was a bit loud but we didn't mind. Open mic nights can be very hit or miss but most of the music that night was pretty good so the added entertainment turned out to be a nice bonus. Would absolutely recommend this place - so glad we went!!
(5)Justin C.
In town on business. Yelp had some great reviews. The Indiana beers were great and the fish and chips were delicious. A great atmosphere too. I would recommend to anyone.
(4)Apurva C.
Been here twice. Agree that fish and chips are amazing. Also had wings and scotch eggs both spot on. The second time, I got steak and chips, both of which were super disappointing. Couldn't finish the steak, it was hard and dry! The chips were not fresh either. Pretty disappointing. Don't know if thats just a one time thing or that one shouldn't go for their steak and chips in general. I have also tried the buffalo chicken sandwich which had some amazingly crispy chicken.
(3)Jeff S.
Don't get me the wrong, the food was very good for pub food...but the atmosphere dropped this from a 4 star review to a 3 star. We are in town for a conference and based on the high reviews decided to check it out, but its got a weird tunnel layout and DJ positioned at one end was doing trivial pursuit over our ability to carry a dinner conversation. We tried to find a table at the other end of the bar, but the acoustics made this impossible...too bad we would have most likely returned the next night because the food was pretty good.
(3)Brett R.
Came in on a Thursday afternoon and it wasn't busy. The bartender was very friendly and attentive. He suggest the bangers and mash would go food with my delicious beer. Oh, yes! He was right! Absolutely Delicious. The cook was also very nice. I will be back often.
(5)Kyle B.
I had an excellent steak and a very good chocolate beer. Service (emily) was great as always. Along with the atmosphere of this place, Everything is always excellent. Highly recommended for anyone who likes good food and great service! See emily, she is just as awesome as the food!
(5)Brian A.
This place has some of the best food you will ever find! Their fish & chips are great, their hot wings are terrific and their burgers are off the charts! They have a great selection of craft beers on draft and their very own Red Lion Grog House labeled wine!
(5)Carenza A.
Excellent!! I can not say enough positive things about this place! The food, atmosphere and drinks are outstanding! ! Our server Andre was amazing! He was energetic, positive/great attitude and quickness should be a role model for all establishments!! Kudos and thank you!
(5)Abbey B.
I love this spot. Coming to the Red Lion usually cleans out my wallet, but that's my problem for wanting EVERYTHING on the menu. I have always had great service, great food/drinks, and an overall wonderful experience every time I come. Try the white cheddar mac n' cheese or the Waltimate burger. Both are incredible.
(5)Suzanne W.
This is a place we have frequented quite often since it opened. One of my favorite places to get fish and chips at lunch until the past 6 months. Last time we visited, our fries were practically raw. Soggy and greasy. We decided to give them another try, hoping that we just caught them on a bad day. Here's what went wrong: Fries - Soggy and greasy. Practically inedible. Menu - At one time you could get a lunch portion/half order of the fish and chips. That's been taken away. Ridiculous. No wonder they aren't crowded at lunch. Anyone that wants that type of portion or prices at lunch ($14) should pick a different restaurant. Go to Oceanaire...they are only $2 more and that's a really nice, fine dining establishment. Fish/Chicken & Chips - These used to be amazing. Now, much like the fries, they aren't crisp. Service - Is almost always slow. Lastly, after building up over 2 cards worth of "lunch punches" on the fish and chips and chicken and chips, now that we've maxed out our punches for a free lunch, you can't use it when you purchase those items. Unfortunately, for us, The Red Lion is all out of chances.
(1)Rob G.
Great British style pub grub. Love the chips and curry, and the English style chicken curry. Comfort food classics like meatloaf and shepherd's pie. If you're in the mood for a burger get the one with bacon and blue cheese on it, can't remember the name, but it's delicious. Beer, wine, or a full bar to suit your choice of libation. My favorite is the MacHatten made with Bone Snapper and seasonal bitters. The seasonal bitters used to be apple, but they recently ran out so not sure what will be next. I do normally like to support business that source more of their food locally, however there is nothing pretentious or fancy about this place and that's what makes it a comfortable, fun, neighborhood hangout. And the twice a week trivia is a nice way to get a little competitive while learning some interesting facts!
(4)Fahad N.
Why do more people not know about this place is beyond me. You would think after looking at their menu that their selection has nothing to do with American food, and then you would also think to yourself that they're going to screw this up drastically. WRONG. Food, better than expected... Presentation, exactly how british food is. Alcohol selection for alcohol lovers, better than many restaurants. The best part is, their portions are very reasonable for an adult. This isn't one of those weird restaurants that sell squid on their menu along with many other exotic species. Although it's possible they might do that as well, but I guarantee you they would do it very well! Food: 5 Service: 4.5 Price: 4.5
(5)Betz N.
We chose this place due to reviews but we were very disappointed. We tried the shepherd's pie and it came with tons of cheese?! Seriously?! Actually it was a poor imitation of a bowl of chili. We also had a burger and it was almost burn. Staff very friendly and atmosphere is ok.
(1)Mark V.
I found this place on yelp when a friend and I lunch options had changed. It seemed to get good reviews and a few not so good reviews, but we were hungry. We get there right at noon when the place opened a couple of Sundays back. I really am hoping that my experience was due to early shift issue, but I cannot give this place a higher rating at this time. The food I ate was designed to give me a heart attack. Before I cover the issues, we were compensated a portion of our check without the staff blinking an eye. Classy move that almost moved my rating to a two star. I can respect that; as mistakes do happen from time to time. Here is my experience. The waitress took our order! I had the fish, chicken and "chips" and my friend had the Ruben and fries. We get our order and my friends dish is a complete mess. The Ruben is way to greasy and the fries looked left over from last night. I thought the plate looked disgusting. My chicken was fine and I enjoyed it. However, the fish batter was not cooked all the way through and was greasy. Once I got the disgusting off my fish, it was pretty good. My fries also looked like they were left over from last night. We voiced our concern about the fries and received a discount, but really the entire meal was bad. The chicken was the best thing going and that wasn't all that good. I won't return but I would suggest under the right circumstances that this place is still better than most chain restaurants. If you are bored of chain restaurants and think for yourself and are not manipulated by millions of dollars in TV commercials to make yourself believe you have to eat average to below average overpriced food at some chain restaurant, I am one of you. Let's all keep supporting the true food scene in Indiana. I adjusted the rating due to the quick and professional response from the owner. I believe my experience is most likely not the norm and if I choose to go back in the future, I will update my review.
(2)Progdining S.
Appetizers: Fries and Curry; Fried Mushrooms Entrée: Red Pepper Burger with Fries; Buffalo Chicken sandwich with Fries Drinks: Sun King Cream Ale and PBR I'll start off by saying that this place seems to always be hopping! They seemed a little short staffed for the business, it didn't seem like they could keep the tables cleaned off for all the business coming in. I don't think they planned that business would be pumping Sunday night because so many had MLK day off. With that said, we still didn't leave upset, but there were some definite misses through the experience. We were greeted by the sever, menus given, drink order taken. Server brought back the drinks and said she'd be back. Well another person came back, he looked like a kitchen manager, bar tender or something. I'll admit that he didn't really miss a step but didn't seem to have that charisma that most servers have. Appetizers came out, not a big fan of the fries and curry, not that it wasn't good but it really seemed to lack value, at least $5,99 worth. The fried mushrooms came out originally as fried pickles. This was promptly corrected by our server and he generously comped the mushrooms. Meals were brought out hot, food was good. The red pepper burger could have used a bit more "taste" to it, the buffalo chicken sandwich had a faint hint of fish taste in the breading. Again, overall, not disappointed, keep in mind this is a pub. Drinks were emptied, took a min to get the bill and had to flag the server down to pay it, but given the expectation we walked out content with the evening,
(4)Rebecca H.
I love this place. The service is good. The food is fantastic. Two of the best things on the menu are the The Waltimate burger an the Fish and Chips. First, I never would have thought peanut butter on a burger would be good, but it SO is. Add the jalepenos and bacon and it makes quite the burger. Second, the Fish and Chips are some of the best I've had. I stopped at many a chipper across the pond and would still take Red Lion's over those I've had in Great Britian. Tuesday/Thursday trivia is just a bonus to this place!
(4)Theresa F.
Had the bangers and mash and the pork tenderloin sandwich. Both were pretty decent. The Scottish Egg, however, was hard-boiled and the yolk was cold. Big no no. Drinks were decent. Probably would come back here again if the mood for heavy English food should strike again. (Doubt it will anytime soon)
(4)Peter A.
We were only in Indianapolis 1 night and stumbled into this restaurant in Fountain Square. I had the fish and chicken and chips (with a curry dipping sauce based on waiter's suggestion) and a local brew called preacher's daughter Amber. I could not get enough of either one. A few years back I visited Dublin Ireland and had Fish and chips and compare all fish and chips to them... These fish and chips were almost (if not) equal to those I sampled in Ireland! It's a shame I am not in Indy another night to do a repeat visit.
(5)Amanda F.
Excellent service, food, and ambiance! Our waitress was very attentive and patient. She had a cheery smile and accepted special orders without a blink! We both had a black bean burger and they were phenomenal! The curry sauce that you can get on the side for the tots or chips is really what takes the cake. Truly made a boring potato a star! Also, try their cocktails. I had a shandy gaff and it did not disappoint! Local beer with ginger beer and a shot of grand marnier or something of the like. Very tasty! The restaurant is dimly lit and has a couple tables up front by the huge windows to watch people along the street. Very English pub-esque. I will be back to sample some more!
(5)James C.
Great service. Beer pairings or specials of the day were not offered to me but that's OK. I had the fish and chips, very very good. Tartar sauce was great. Coleslaw was very good too but only about a table spoon worth is served. I had the elephant ear as dessert, it was good but at $4.99 overpriced. All in all, I would highly recommend. Outside of Red Lion's control was the People's Brewery beer I tried, Farmers Daughter. It is a tap water blonde, that goes down smooth but that's due to having no flavor. It closes with an over-carbonated fizz and acidic overtones.
(5)Jerry W.
Being from England I couldn't wait to eat here. I ordered fish and chips and chips with curry sauce. The fish was good but the chips were worse I have ever tasted. They were kind of burnt tasting and floppy , not crispy. The curry sauce was not good, it was cold and tasted like yogurt and curry powder mixed. No heat to it at all. Please don't think British food taste like this because it don't!!!
(2)Hunter U.
Red Lion is decent establishment to grab drinks and some English-style fare in Fountain Square. Each time I have been, the service has always been good. The draft line-up is always impressive with a combination of local and distant craft breweries. They have strongbow on tap, so that definitely wins points for me. They lose 2 stars because of the food. It's always just been too greasy for me! It's really hard to find something on the menu that is not fried, which can be frustrating.
(3)Brett G.
I come here for the fish and chips because they are excellent. Definitely worth the drive.
(4)Richard H.
Had not been back for several years, and -- wow, have the prices gone up or what? Almost $13 for the chicken tikka masala (with no sides)? Almost $8 for a fried mushroom appetizer? An extra $3.49 to add a soup or salad to an entree? The table was wiped off, but it was still sticky. The service was seriously, seriously distracted. And how can a purported bar have no tonic water? Couldn't someone run down to Bud's? So it'll be another few years before I visit the place again, although I will say that the general atmosphere for trivia night was quite convivial.
(3)Anna Z.
Really like this place! Great food, great atmosphere. The staff is really friendly and attentive. I usually get the veggie burger with fries. I'd definitely recommend a sauce with the burger since the patty is a little dry. Otherwise, perfection. :-)
(5)Linda L.
Good food, great drinks. Fish and chips, sandwiches, even the curry is alright... But I really come back for the drinks. Along with all the craft beers etc..They have Moscow Mules, and my favorite---- Pimm's cup. It's a great, refreshing, not too sweet English drink. It typically comes with a cucumber, but I have gotten it with an orange.. Either way delicious!
(4)Penny L.
I dream about the Waltimate... the best burger in the world. It has peanut butter, cheddar cheese, jalapeños, and bacon. I have gone here at least once a month for years because it is so amazing. I've tried it at Scotty's & Punch Burger but they don't come close! They also have a good beer selection & pretty consistently good service when I am there. This burger is so good I am never tempted to order anything else. Oh, and get cole slaw as your side!
(4)Brian W.
In town for business so needed a good Local place for dinner. Decent craft beer list with some local and some Michigan on the list. Had the Bangers and Mash and would get it again
(4)Jelly R.
We went here for trivia night, on the suggestion of a coworker who wanted to do trivia. Had the fish and chips, and a strawberry mint julep. I was excited about my order, until I actually got it. The fish (cod, I believe) was overcooked, and the fries were so overcooked that they were brown and crusty and even tasted burnt. Others at our table who came in later and ordered after me also received burnt fries, so I figured there was no point in trying to send my food back. I felt like I was eating the leftovers from a fryer basket. The strawberry mint julep contained strawberries and mint that were not properly muddled, so they didn't add anything in the way of taste. Overall a pretty disappointing experience.
(2)Kristy K.
I don't know if they were having an off night or what... Well maybe it was because we were sat right smack dab next to the front door...yeah, the door that doesn't close on it's own, the same door that people just throw open and don't bother closing, that very door that one of the people in my party had to get up from his chair no less than 5 times to close himself during our dinner. This whole door thing really impacted our experience at the grog house. I realize you're busy, but just make that the waiting area so people don't have to be inconvenienced during their meal to get up and close the damn door. Because of these 2 tables, it's hard to find a spot to stand around and wait for your table without feeling like you're crowding people. The service was off, too. When we tried to order beers at the bar, it took forever and when we asked the bartender about a beer (that was listed on the menu, no less), she said they didn't have it and walked away. How about you lemme finish? And then one of our beers was incorrect. I had to ask for water 3 times. The beer selection is a good one. The variety of food is good, too. They have these monstrous burgers (8 oz!) and one is even deep fried. I'd like for them to offer a 4 or even 6 oz meat patty, cause damn, that was one big ass burger. The ambiance is like that of a neighborhood bar and the crowd was a typical FSQ crowd. It's a good option while in the area, but I'm not sure I'd make a special trip back. And fix the door, would ya?
(3)Earl Edwin V.
Pros: Look and feel, friendly employees, Plenty of TVs Cons: Small venue I came here on Monday around 7pm to take advantage of a steak deal and a free pint glass. Thanks for the heads up Do317! The place wasn't too crowded. The waitress was very friendly and the bartender was nice and knowledgeable. I had the filet mignon with garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli. I ordered it medium but it tasted a little more done than what I was expecting. Other than that, the steak was pretty good. Overall, I enjoyed the place. This is a good place to eat or just have a drink after work. I'll be back. Questions? Leave a comment to my review and I'll get back to you.
(3)Megan J.
First time here. Came with my family to just have dinner and a good beer. We ordered the crab Scottish eggs and they were really good! Everyone loved them! I ordered the soup and salad combo, which was good. Nothing special, but nothing to complain about. They had a good beer selection, but the menu didn't list prices on any of their drinks. Most were $6 or $7 a pint. Overall good experience. Our waitress was on the ball! Great service, food, and drink!
(4)Alex W.
My dad and I came here with one of my Foodie Indy coupons which worked out in our favor (spend $30 min, get $10 off except alcohol). I'd been wanting to try one of the new Fountain Square places & my dad is always game for fresh fish & chips. I decided on that as well, was a tad bit disappointed in the serving for the price, but it definitely knocks LJS out the water by far. I was super excited when my dad gave me his (homemade mini cup o') slaw as I inhaled mine in about .5 seconds. We hoped to have the bread pudding for dessert but were informed by our waitress we were about 5 minutes too late ( :-/ ) so we opted for the elephant ear. Very random to just have 2 items on there, 1 which I didn't think really "belongs". Service was ok, we were advised free seating on a sign & had to wait 5-10 minutes before someone greeted us with a menu & water. A little weird since it wasn't super busy when we dined (post-Sunday-church meal time). I'll definitely come back, perhaps for a trivia night or beer specials.
(4)Sonya A.
Great place for a bite and a beer. Sundays is wing night. We love the apple curry wings and a tall draft beer. Fish & Chips is one of my favorite dishes, their fish is great, their chips are not quite there. Service is alright. The place does get packed! Food: 4/5 Location: 5/5 (So weird seeing the coffeeshop of my childhood be a restaurant now) Service: 3/5
(4)Alexa D.
bread pudding tho stop everything too good
(5)Ben H.
My girlfriend and I had never tried British food, so we thought we would give this place a shot. While my girlfriend wasn't really impressed with any of the food being authentic British food, I also didn't really notice anything out of the ordinary from American food. However, I thought the food was good, the service was friendly, along with minimal wait times. The only downside is I see to this place are it can get a little loud sometimes just like a traditional British pub, and I wouldn't really say this is a kid friendly environment due to language sometimes. but overall not a bad place to grab some food and feel like you're overseas.
(3)Burger Guide D.
The Red Lion Grog House is a popular bar featuring tasty beers in Indianapolis. They also feature some pretty tasty bar food in as well. The BBQ bacon burger is made up of 1/2 pound of 100% Angus beef grilled to order, BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, crisp bacon, onion crisps, lettuce, tomato, and served on a freshly baked egg bun. My first impression of the burger was that it was somewhat unmanageable. The onion rings were much too thick to be able to eat with both of them on the burger. I ate one of them and then eat the burger. The burger was a well-executed BBQ Bacon "Western Style" burger. The onion rings were flavorful, bacon was salty and crisp, and the BBQ sauce paired well with the burger. Compared to my favorite burgers the beef could have been a bit more juicy, but it did have a nice char. The egg bun was a good flavor pairing but could have been pillowy soft. Overall, the BBQ bacon burger is a solid offering to enjoy with some tasty beers at Red Lion Grog House.
(3)Christine B.
this place is amazing. excellent service and possibly my favorite sports bar in the city. Chris the bartender is the man. he is awesome and is knowledge of beer and wines is truly astounding. the food... how is it possible for them to take such simple bar food and make it taste so good? they have tater tots, which is awesome. the mozzarella sticks and fried mushrooms are literally the best I've ever had. you can tell they're fresh, made by hand, and definitely aren't the generic crap that comes in frozen from a wholesaler. the mozz sticks are huge, breaded with tons of flavor, the mushrooms taste like they were sauteed in garlic before breaded and fried. Chris talked me into a Belgian barley wine last night that was raspberry flavored and dangerously delicious. my boyfriend and I love this place and we always sit at the bar. the only negative, their Tuesday night trivia guy sucks. you have to register super early, the format is weird, and the questions are entirely way too hard. I vote for a team trivia live person or bar bingo. that guy has gotta go.
(5)Leslie L.
My husband and I had differing opinions about this restaurant... He liked it, I didn't. I had the Chicken Pot Pie and it just had no flavor and the pastry on top was just awkward to eat. My husband had the Black and Bleu burger and loved it. I would definitely this place again and maybe get the fish and chips next time but for now it's a 3 star rating (split the difference of opinions). Good atmosphere and enough seating for groups of 6 or less people. Good beer selection.
(3)Olivia Z.
Great atmosphere and good food. I had the strawberry/candied walnut salad and it was out of sight. Didn't think I'd be wowed by a salad, but I was. Strawberries tasted fresh and the candied walnuts were delicious. Waitress gave me 20% off my order when she saw I didn't like my soup (Note: The soup I opted to get didn't compliment the strawberry salad). Can't wait to go back. Loved it!
(5)Jared J.
Food is always good. Staff is friendly. Don't have any complaints about this place.
(5)Telissa C.
I have been back to Red Lion a few more times recently and must say the service is always excellent. In the past I hadn't been impressed with the food. I think the kitchen must be on track now because things are better. The chips last 2 times weren't a greasy mess they were in the past. Oh so good! I LOVE the garlic aoli! Let's talk about drinks! Sunday's $4.50 Bloody Mary is a home run. The Hemingway is a real winner too! Oh and the Pimms cup? Spot on. Most know I am a lover of local beers and though I find the beer selection a bit limited they do keep a few local beers on tap and that is great!
(4)Ronee B.
I really love this place. It is smaller, dark, cozy, and they have terrific food. The Scotch eggs and cheese sticks are terrific! These cheese sticks are HUGE, with the breading I think they use for the scotch eggs, and they aren't greasy with cheap cheese. They have lots of beer variety (which I'm not a beer person so that means little to me). If you are in Fountain Square you have to come here!
(4)Ben J.
I regret that I haven't tried this place sooner. I had the red pepper burger, and it was amazing. The fries are awesome too. My only complaint is that the servers are inattentive once they drop off your order. Both my beer and water were empty well before my food was gone, but the guy never came back to check on any of it. 10/26/2014 - I bumped this up to 4 stars, because the manager actually emailed me, apologized for the service, and promised to use it as an opportunity to help his servers improve!
(4)Sam W.
Sandwiches and beer selection were great. I loved the buffalo chicken, amazing! One of my favorite places in Ft Square.
(4)Christina G.
There are so many wonderful food options here that I order through process of elimination. I have never been anything but completely satisfied by Red Lion! And that is not just with the food. The staff is friendly and helpful. I think I must stop my review here so that I don't start drooling on my keyboard from thinking about what I will order next time.
(4)Rob C.
Just visited for trivia on Tuesday night. Service was great, beer list was OK, curry fries we quite yummy, trivia was a lot of fun. Seemed a bit pricey on the food and beverage front ($6 pints for local beer on a Tuesda night? C'mon!).
(3)Bodie S.
We went to Red Lion for trivia night, which takes place every Thursday, starting at 7pm, and we had a really good time here. It was my first time being here and I was very impressed with everything. The atmosphere, the people, the food/drink, it was all wonderful. It was an interesting combination of younger people and older people, all enjoying the competition of trivia. The food was amazing. The portions were large and high in quality. I definitely want to try more of their menu. The fish and chips are delicious, as well as their chicken strips (and accompanying sauces that you get to pick). I'm dying to try their Scotch egg. I've been dreaming about it since I left there. Grant me my wish! Their drinks are around $5 for pints of craft beer. They also have $2.50 PBRs. They have local Indianapolis beers on tap, which I always find enjoyable. I had a Fountain Square Big Nugget and a few others. They have spirits as well and can whip you up a fine cocktail. They have a great beverage selection. The service was great. Our waitress was friendly, talkative, but not too talkative, and never neglected us. At any point in time our drinks were getting low, she'd appear out of nowhere to ask us if we'd like something else. Like a drinking genie! If you're in the Fountain Square area and are wanting to try something unique and delicious, I'd highly recommend giving Red Lion a try. It's easy to locate!
(5)Cara S.
I've been a fan of Red Lion since they opened, and I know I'm not the only one because they're always busy. I'm a sucker for fries, and their chips and curry are good - it's hard to resist getting some each time I come. They also have a really good homemade vegetarian burger. I believe the burger itself is vegan (at least it was when they first opened and I asked about it), but they have changed the veggie burger toppings over the years, and the toppings are not always vegan. They serve nice local beers, and they have fun trivia on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are a wonderful addition to Fountain Square.
(4)Jason O.
Big fan of the atmosphere, bar, and the appetizers! Great spot to hang drink and eat after work or on the weekends. Fast friendly staff! Big fan of the Curry Chips!
(4)Howard L.
I really liked this pub. Overall, about 4.5 stars, with 5 stars for the English beer selection, and 4 stars for the food. You can get bottled Old Speckled Hen here for $4.75. Son also had a nice Upland Rad red wheat ale, much like an FFF Gumballhead. There were numerous other tempting selections like Boddington Ale, Smithwicks, and Young's Double Chocolate Stout. We had: Scotch egg Whole portabello cap with swiss cheese Meat loaf sandwich Fish and chips Wife and I enjoyed the food, but son didn't like his meat loaf sandwich as much (a bit flavorless). Comfortable and spacious pub dining, and friendly service also. Will be back!
(4)Kasey L.
We had a very pleasant experience here tonight. We needed to spend $30 to get $10 off with a coupon, so (and I'm not proud of this) we ordered three entrees despite there only being two of us :) We turned the mac and cheese entree into an appetizer. I don't think I've ever tasted such a strong cheddar taste in a cheese sauce in my entire life. My dining partner was a little turned off by it, but I loved it. I had the BBQ bacon burger, and he had the black and bleu burger, and we both cleaned our plates! Both burgers were cooked perfectly. Previous reviewers were critical of the chips/fries, so we hedged our bets with him getting fries and me getting tater tots. We found the fries to be perfectly fine. We found the environment to be pretty laid back (lots of alcohol around but not too loud, etc.). One gentleman, who we think must have been the owner, was very attentive in terms of our wait, food, and comfort (we sat near the door and checked to make sure we weren't getting blown over by gusts of wind). The only reason it's not 5 stars is because it was lacking some type of wow factor--not even sure what that would be, but I'm pretty stingy with that fifth star and know it when I see it. We will happily come back here to try some of the other yummy things on the menu!
(4)Brittany L.
This review is belated, I visited Red Lion Grog house in November. I've actually been twice, both times during lunch, and I'll definitely be going back soon. The first time I went, I ordered the stuffed portobello. It wasn't the best I've had, which is why this place didn't get five stars. My boyfriend ordered the meatloaf sandwich, which he really enjoyed. The servings are HUGE, plan on having leftovers. I made the right call on our second visit, the fish and chips were fantastic, so order this if you're looking for something that will always be a great bet. The coleslaw was out of this world. The best part of the restaurant is probably the bar selection (as it should be at a pub.) The first time I visited,I had the signature Grog, the Red Lion Grog. It is a cocktail made of beer and liquor and pop, and it is killer. I couldn't find the drink on their website, so I can't say what was in it with certainty. Drink it slowly, it will creep up on you! I stuck with beer the second round, and had a local offering from Fountain Square Brewery. I highly encourage every beer fan try whatever they have from FSB, I've yet to be disappointed. Lastly, when I visited the second time, it was cold outside, so I had an Irish coffee. The bartender made it stiff, and it definitely warmed me up. As important as the food and bar selection are to my review score, I have to say that the atmosphere is truly something unique and fun. It's in a great area (Fountain Square) and they've really done a wonderful job with the decor and the layout. The room long and narrow, and it feels cozy without being cramped. There is a short bar, maybe 6 or 7 seats, with tvs on the wall, and a row of booths. There are a couple of larger round top tables in the front, near the door. Of course, it was nearly empty when we were there, so I can imagine on a busy night or afternoon, it could get a little tight. The waitresses are nice and attentive, and not overbearing at all. Our bartender let us sample a couple of specialty drinks, to help us make a decision on our order. I wish I could remember her name, she's great. Even the cooks are friendly and greet you over the wall when you come in. The lighting is dark and a little gloomy, but it's perfect for a pub atmosphere. It gets you in the drinking mood. If you're looking for a casual place that offers something special here in Indianapolis, visit the Red Lion Grog House. You'll be glad that you did, and, if you're like me, it will move to the top of your list of places to frequent!
(4)Nikol P.
if you like fried bar food it will be great. i just think you smell like grease when you come out and everything kinda tastes the same. the design of the long narrow room gets very congested as well.
(5)Elijah S.
I have been here twice now. Once was after swing dancing when I found it will walking with a group of friends because it was the only thing open and a second time before heading down the Hoosier Dome for a concert. I had the Ruben the first time. Honestly it was a Ruben. I have had worst and I have had better. Second time was a burger. It was good. Atmosphere is packed on a weekend night(Which I like). Beer is a little on the steep side price wise and from what I remember not a huge selection. Service has been good both times. If you are in Fountain Square and don't feel like going to a dinner then yea check this place out. I will go again.
(4)Colin G.
This isn't my favorite place in Indy. This isn't even my favorite place in Fountain Square. But, in the end, I really like Red Lion. They serve good food, have a good atmosphere and have good beer on tap. I like that they do the daily specials. The food specials are always a really good deal, but it's always just one item. For instance, one time it was two for one fish and chips. Great deal, but what if you're with someone who doesn't fish and chips? The drinks specials are better on the off-days, but I think that's the case everywhere. They tend to get some interesting beers. Triton and Fountain Square are listed on their beer menus, with the caveat that they rotate. This was also the place where I first tried Indiana City. One thing I really like here is the burger. They cook it well, and it's tasty. One of the few places in Indy I've been to where they actually cook it how you order it (i.e. - "medium" does not come out well-done). IIRC (but I could be wrong), they also have Heinz 57, which is just such a rarity, especially in the Midwest. You can't wrong with that condiment though. The fries (as in something to dip in the Heinz 57) are really good as well. They try to put spins on the burgers, and I just don't know if it's executed that well. For instance, the "roasted red pepper burger" was topped with red peppers that had been put on the grill for a minute or so, and something they called "blue cheese cream sauce" that was orange. It's still a good burger, but I would probably just build my own next time. Service is usually attentive and relatively friendly. They keep up. It almost looks like the girls are wearing kilts though (with pants underneath, as this isn't The [stupid] Tilted Kilt), which doesn't seem to jive with their "English pub" self description. Last time I was in here, there was a group with two women and what sounded like at least 20 kids. I don't know that this somewhat dark, beer-oriented, pub-style place is a great fit for kids. The high ceilings also mean that all of that sugar you gave them makes it all the more annoying for everyone else. They have an almost secret patio as well. It's in the back. You go through the doors to the hallway (where the bathrooms are) and out into the alley. Pretty strange, but at least it's a patio. And if you're one of those people who gets weird about dirty or weird bathrooms, then this is not your place, as they're shared with the art studios above. Free wifi too, for your work-and-drink late lunches. Street parking all over the place, so it's high time you learn to parallel that m'f'er.
(4)Conni M.
Yum! Just so perfect for pub food! And the specialty cocktails were great too. Our table Collectively had chicken pot pie, Shepard pie, buffalo chicken sandwich and a scotch egg appetizer. I have never tried a scotch egg and it was delicious!! All food, drink, and service were above expectations. Thank you fellow Yelpers for for bringing me this great dinner night out!
(5)Derek C.
Nice little place with fair prices. It's worth checking out. It's in a convenient location in Fountain Square with parking all around. The decor/ambience isn't quite British pub. By that, I mean that there's way more floor space and the ceilings are quite high. We got the fish and chips plus the shepherd's pie. The fish and pie were great. The chips left a little to be desired. The beer is as cheap as anywhere and they've got a decent selection of local brews and imports (obviously focused on the UK and Ireland).
(4)Danny B.
Red Lion is a great place to hang-out over a beer and some chips. Not every bar has that type of atmosphere, but Red Lion has got it down. Homey feel, solid local beer selection, and friendly staff.
(4)Rae Ann P.
Absolutely wonderful service and excellent food. Chicken pot pie was HUGE and full of meat, veg (very tasty). The shepherd's pie was exceptional. Great flavor and wholesome. Might not be as authentic as Londoner's expect/want/remember - but it's pretty darn good for what we had. Definitely going to be back for another taste!!
(5)Amie L.
Love eating in Fountain Square. This is another great place to grab lunch. Their fish and chips are good. The curry dipping sauce steals the show though. Creamy ramekins of love to smother a crispy fry...yes please! The Shepherd's pie is also very good. Burgers are delicious. Easily one of the best burgers in town. Food is definitely of the comforting variety. Service has always been quick and friendly.
(4)Rob A.
I really wanted to like Red Lion. I dragged my wife here one weekend recently for an early dinner and I was excited based on what I had seen in the yelp reviews. First of all, the service was painfully slow but I looked past it because it's a bar. We started with the fried pickle chips which were great -- good pickle to batter ratio and nice and crispy. For our meal we went the British route and ordered the shepherd's pie and the national dish of Britain, chicken tikka masala. The first thing we noticed was that the serving sizes for both meals were tiny for how much they cost, which was $12 and $13, respectively, and neither came with any sides. The shepherd's pie was decent but it didn't impress me. The chicken tikka masala was bland and unappetizing and my wife didn't take more than a a few bites before putting down her fork. I tried a bite and agreed. Our waitress could tell my wife wasn't satisfied and was nice enough to offer her another dish. Also of note was the men's restroom, which was filthy and barely functional with no working urinals and one disgusting toilet that was overflowing. The bathrooms seem to be shared between other establishments so maybe this isn't all Red Lion's fault. Based on the wealth of great reviews, I'm hoping that this particular visit was an anomaly. First impressions are powerful things though, and I don't think we'll be finding ourselves back at Red Lion anytime soon.
(2)Ali G.
Good food, good atmosphere! We went here to celebrates my boyfriends brothers birthday, who loves a good beer. They have a huge selection of beers and drinks, and a good menu. We started with the fried pickles as an appetizer and they came out piping hot. The pickles were really good and so was the dijon sauce to dip them in. I had the chicken and chips. So good! I really don't have many complaints about the place. The chipotle dipping sauce for the chicken was amazing and I will definitely be back for more. The only downside was the English Garden I had to drink. It was vodka, sprite and lemonade, garnished with a cucumber. It tasted like pure cucumber, which I wasn't a fan of, but if you like cucumbers, this is your drink. The atmosphere is dark and laid back, but pretty loud. Overall, it was a good experience.
(4)Nick J.
I've been going to Red Lion for a couple years. . Their new cocktail menu is great, especially the Pimm's Cup. For the last two years of undergrad, friends and I would go here regularly for trivia nights. It's definitely worth going as a group as long as you have someone on the team who knows 80s music and if you can handle somewhat "inventive" pronunciation of geographical locations. The beer selection is really good. They've got Weihenstephaner and usually have Sun King, Guinness, Strongbow, and a few other beers on tap. Their liquor selection is pretty small, but it's good stuff. The best items on the menu are: Bubble and Squeak (with fried egg) Lancashire Hot Pot The Waltimate Tikka Masala Spicy Curry Chips The food isn't amazing, but it's great for pub food and the service is outstanding. Chris and Liz need to be tipped well! Easily my favorite servers in Indy.
(4)Adam D.
I've been here with business colleagues & I've been here with family. Both were great experiences. My dilemma is I can't get away from the fish & chips! With several other items on the menu I want to try, both times I've been sucked in by this traditional British platter. The fish is fried in an incredibly tasty batter with just enough grease to let you know you're alive! It's always smokin' hot when you bite into it, the way it should be. Only one complaint, the bathrooms are down right gross. They're shared with the other tenants in the old Murphy's building & it's pretty clear that nobody is taking ownership of them. That said, hit the restroom before arriving or after you leave & you can avoid the issue altogether. This joint will be on my regular visit list!
(5)Caiti H.
I stopped in for lunch and it was pretty calm. I ordered a patty melt and it was ok. Nothing outstanding, because even now I'm trying to remember what was all on my plate. I also went all in for some bread pudding. The pudding was kinda dry, but satisfied my sweet tooth. I dropped my rating because of service. To say that it was lack luster would be a bit of an understatement. Seeing as there were two servers, and four tables (including myself) all of which were finished eating...I don't see there being an excuse for it. Took a good 5-10 minutes to get a menu. The food came out promptly. I asked for dessert, that also came out pretty promptly... and then I sat there for 20-30 minutes. My server just vanished. I figured it may have been a shift change...but the other server never checked on me until I flagged her down to ask for my check. This was not her fault, but lack of communication on my servers part. Nutshell: The food is not much to write home about and service was too underwhelming to recommend you make a stop or go out of your way to visit.
(2)Sam B.
They never disappoint me! I love the mozzarella sticks so unique. Also the Big Ben is amazin! I have tried lots of menu items and nothing ever is disappointing !
(5)William Aaron K.
Went here for the first time yesterday with a friend. We decided to go to the outdoor patio in the back. At first we weren't sure what we were getting ourselves into, but we ended up having a pretty good time! Some of their food looks a little pricey, however the appetizers are just as fulfilling as any entree would be. I got the BBQ wings with ranch and about had my heart melt from how great they were. My friend had the jerk chicken on the skewer and it looked pretty good. However, she dipping it in bleu cheese and that's just not my thing. However, she enjoyed it! I also had the Piccadilly Punch, but there's a secret recipe to it, but I believe it was Malibu. However, it was super refreshing on a warm evening on the 4th of July (kind of ironic going to a British themed on America's holiday, huh?) It's definitely a place I will probably go back to, however, I think I would probably prefer to go there when the weather is nicer outside, so I can go out to the patio. The inside of the building is cool, but it's kind of small and gets pretty loud. I think it's worth going and definitely way better than a lot of other places in Fountain Square.
(5)Savannah W.
We were provided with excellent service, deliciously perfect food, and a small pub atmosphere. Our only complaint is that it was so hot inside the restaurant that I was anticipating leaving just to get to the cooler outside air, which is saying a lot for a late August summer.
(5)Aaron B.
Had a great meal at the Red Lion. I ordered the Fish & Chips with a Guiness and my wife got the BBQ Burger and a grog. The food was really tasty, well prepared, and served piping hot. The waitstaff was very attentive and the experience was just a good one. Other reviews' complaints about parking are fairly valid. We found a spot just fine, and it won't be an issue if you're in Fountain Square already for a show or night out, etc. But if this is your destination, you might have a bit of a walk from your car to the restaurant. The restrooms, as mentioned, are shared. We lucked out though, because they're shared with the Hi-Fi concert venue next door and we were having a pre-show dinner. So by taking a restroom break, we wound up backstage of the concert we were going to go see. That was actually kind of awesome! However, they aren't the best restrooms if that is a concern. Overall, I recommend the Red Lion. Good food, neat atmosphere, and attentive waitstaff.
(4)Joe T.
This is a great, cozy English pub with great food and drinks. We tried the Scotch egg for an appetizer. I'd recommend it. The sauce they serve with it is quite tasty. I had the hot pot. It was delicious. The beef was perfectly seasoned and tasted like it had been slow-cooked to perfection. The overall dish, though, could have been a little hotter, temperature-wise. Service was great. We had Sarah for a server. She gave excellent suggestions and was very friendly.
(4)Jessie E.
Feels divey, but not uncomfortably so. Great food, consistent quality and priced reasonably. Must try: scotch eggs.
(5)Phil B.
To quote from the web page. "Red Lion is not a sports bar - it's Indianapolis's only upscale English-style restaurant that exudes the sophistication and elegance of a five-star restaurant and excitement and entertainment." Hmm UPSCALE? and exudes ( oozes ) sophistication and elegance of a five star restaurant. Maybe Im missing the sarcasm? Dressed in business casual I felt way over dressed. First impression walking thru the door was not great. Entry needs a good scrubbing and a paint job. We waited about an hour to eat which was actually ok and understandable because of Dining Out For Life. Our server was very friendly and he did a wonderful job considering how busy they were. We ordered fish and chips and chicken and chips. Fish and chicken were really good chips were disappointing. For dessert we got an elephant ear. It was amazing. When I get a craving for this carnival staple and no carnival is in sight I know where to go. I would have given 2 stars had the dessert and service not been as great as they were. We may go back and try something diffrent but I will still get an elephant ear.
(4)Jessica C.
Really great first experience! I got the portobello & Swiss sandwich, my friend got the fish and chips. The hand cut fries are crispy & flavorful. We came in on a Friday night around 11:30, the service was great. Food was prompt & DELICIOUS!
(4)Jennifer F.
We entered the Red Lion Grog House and were greeted with soulful music, low lighting and the happy chatter of several different conversations going on between patrons at the tables and bar. The restaurant was clean, and definitely not the environment of the true Grog houses that tend to be dirty barrooms in seedy areas of town. However, I wouldn't classify it as upscale dining either, which is how the restaurant describes its dining experience, but it is casual. We sat ourselves and our server arrived to the table promptly to take our drink order. When he delivered those he satisfactorily answered all questions we had about the menu. My daughter decided to order the Roasted Red Pepper Burger and wanting to stay true to the English experience I ordered the Bangers and Mash. My daughter was pleased with her burger and they nailed her requested medium doneness, it was not too done or rare. My Bangers and Mash were topped with an herbed beef stock reduction. The garlic potatoes had a bold garlic flavor (unlike some I've had where the garlic was almost undetectable). I truly enjoyed the beef stock reduction as it was rich and aromatic, possessing a slight floral note. Additionally, the crisp onion rings added a nice variation in texture. So, the softness of the mash, the firmness of the sausage, and the crispness of the onion rings made for a dish of well rounded textures. The only issue I had with the meal is that it was lukewarm versus hot, which is why I rated the Red Lion Grog House four stars versus five. However, the prices are great and the food is good so I intend to come back. I also like the fact that one can access the restaurant from the front or back. The back entrance is conveniently accessible via the parking lot and a short hallway.
(4)Alexis W.
This is a great eat! My boyfriend and I just got home from an amazing meal! We went there for our Valentine's Day and it was sooo good! I made reservations for 6:30 and we arrived 6:20 and were seated right away. The hostess was very polite and greeted us with open arms. Our waitress was the same way. Everything on their menu sounded so good, so we took a couple more minutes to decided what we wanted. My boyfriend made his own burger and I ordered the Grog House Chicken. Oh my lanta is was delicious!!! It took about 10-15 minutes to come out. I was happy with the way my meal tasted and so was my boyfriend. He loved it so much he inhaled his meal within 10 minutes. Our meals came out hot and fresh. I can't express how good it was! After we ate our meal, we decided to get a elephant ear. It was 4.99 so it we were sold. When it came out our jaws HIT the floor! IT WAS HUGE!!! It was bigger than the actual plate, but OH MY GOSH it was DELICIOUS! We thought we were full..haha. We ended up eating the entire thing. This is definitely a restaurant we will be visiting again!
(5)Kristin M.
For my second time at Red Lion, I was really let down by the service. At 12:45 on a Saturday, they only had one waitress on staff. We told the waitress we had somewhere to be by 2p and she seemed annoyed and said that was plenty of time. She took 15 mins to come back to take our order and we didn't get our food for 30 minutes. Needless to say, we had to inhale our food, pay before we ate, and barely made it where we needed to be - 5 minutes away. Really disappointed and don't plan to return if I have anything to do afterward. Please fix it Red Lion!
(2)Kristen S.
Went here for lunch today and as always it was great! I had the Ruben and my boyfriend had the grandmas meatloaf. The Ruben was served up quickly with hot fresh fries. The sandwich didn't last long and I enjoyed every buttery, rich and flavorful bite. The fries were done to perfection with a slightly crispy and salted exterior with a soft interior. The meatloaf was awesome...the seasoning they used was great with rosemary being the prevailing spice. Our waitress was extremely friendly and very knowledgeable about the beers on tap. I love that they have so many indiana beers featured on draft. I had the JMC christmas ale from Two Deep brewing company and my boyfriend had the Farmers Daughter from 450 north brewing company. It was an unexpected trip to the Grog House..especially at 1pm on a Tuesday but let me tell you...when you need a good mental health day come here. The atmosphere is great and the staff are awesome :) Oh and how can I forget he scotch eggs! They are epic and done to perfection. My first time trying the dish and I was surprised and very pleased. The fried meaty goodness of the exterior was a tastey contrast to cold smooth and rich interior of the egg. Not sure the exact ingredients in the sauce but u sensed some horseradish so I loved it.
(5)Carie W.
Ever have one of those days when just nothing goes right? The kind of day that almost begs you to cry uncle and go back to bed? Husband and I had one of those yesterday. It almost had us. The day almost broke us. But it didn't. And I'm so glad because if it had, we may have missed out on the Red Lion Grog House. It may have been unfortunate events that led us to this wonderful establishment, but there was nothing unfortunate about this meeting. I'll skip the dramatics and start with walking in the front door. It was everything I think a really good bar should be. Comfortable and woody. Friendly, but not invasive. Good beer on tap and tasty cocktails on the menu. It was around noon on Sunday and only a few other tables were scattered about. We chose an out of the way table along the wall toward the back. I'll take a brief moment here to talk about the service because I definitely don't want it to get lost in my ravings about the food. If I had to pick one word - perfect. She was knowledgeable and honest. Available, without hovering. All around really cool and just turned our day around. Seriously. She was the perfect speed and we just couldn't have been happier on that front. Of course, we told her this in the tip rather than in person because nothing strikes fear in a server like being told what a great job she's doing. It's equivalent to stating, "please take my kind words in lieu of anything you could use to pay rent". I wouldn't scare my worst enemy with those terrifying words. On to the food. We started with the fried pickles. Without a doubt, the best fried pickles I've ever had. And we've had a lot of fried pickles. My husband is borderline obsessed with them. They were breaded and fried perfectly - light and crisp - keeping the pickle as the star of the show. The garlic-dijon aioli was the perfect accompaniment. All of it was just outstanding. My husband ordered the fish sandwich and I the apple-curry wings for our entrees. His sandwich was, again, perfectly fried. I find fish sandwiches somewhat frustrating as they tend to just disintegrate leaving me baffled as to why I even bothered with the whole sandwich setup. This one did nothing of the sort. It made for a very happy husband, which of course, equals a very happy me. Then I took a bite of the apple-curry wings. I'm pretty sure my eyes bulged out of my head as fireworks were set off in my brain by the explosion of happiness. They were a perfect balance of flavor, tender chicken, and instantly became one of those dishes I'll think/talk about for years to come. I don't want to get started on how often I'm going to crave these. I'm both sad and happy I'll have to drive a bit of a distance to get these again. And again. And again. Drinks. As I was behind the wheel for our day of adventure from the northside, I was not inclined to partake in any of the delightful adult beverages listed on the menu. I'm just dying to try the Pimm's cup, amongst others. Instead, I opted for a taste of the ginger beer and was very happy. My husband had a few rounds of the bloody mary and was even happier. Next time, we'll plan to spend a bit more time in the area so we can both indulge. And there will be a next time. Lots of them.
(5)Kim K.
Holy mackerel, their fish n' chips are quite a catch! Perfectly battered to crispy perfection. I am a dipper; so I feel the need to also note that their tartar sauce was absolutely wonderful as well. The perfect compliment. Wait staff was incredible friendly and helpful as well.
(5)Patrick M.
I don't write reviews very often, only when I feel strongly one way or another toward a particular business, and Red Lion is one of those businesses. I've become quite fond of this place. I live in Fountain Square, and if I want to eat close, Red Lion is definitely one of my top choices. In my experiences here the service has always been spectacular. I've never had to wait long to be greeted/have my order taken. On top of that, the kitchen staff is awesome, and I've never had to wait long for my food, even when the restaurant is packed. Everyone has always been friendly, and would frequently check up with me. I've visited this place many times, on different days of the week/times of day, and would have to say my favorite day is Sunday because they have a special on Bloody Marys. Four dollar Bloody Marys, can't beat that. Also, lately I've become fond of the build your own burger option of the menu. I've had a lot of fun coming up with new combinations.
(5)Traci D.
I myself has been here once already before my boyfriend and I dined a fee months ago. We sat at the bar, bartender was awesome and very informative. My boyfriend is not too familiar with craft beers but the bartender gave us the 441! Their burgers are the best and their Mac & cheese is delightful!
(5)Valerie B.
Just stopped in for a quick beer. Nice selection and great conversation with the staff. Will return to try their food out sometime.
(3)Ron R.
An English Pub down in the fountain square area. Has all of the per-requisites for a great pub in my opinion. The wood decor, the old dart board, the fireplace (ok fine, it is electronic fire) and beer. It also manages to have pretty good food, which is rare for an English pub. My only complaint, and it is a small one, is that the prices seem a bit exaggerated for what it is. An example would be; my friend got the Macaroni and Cheese entree which is a large bowl with elbow macaroni tossed in a cheese blend and topped with Panko bread crumbs. This dish was $13.99 which is a bit mind blowing as it is just a bit of cheese and bread crumbs on elbow mac. That being said, wow was it good! Perhaps supply and demand drove this price up. We stayed here for about an hour and moved on to the next bar...but I highly recommend this place if you want a quick bite and/or beer on a bar hop event.
(4)Jason A.
Stopped off here the other night on a bar hopping round around 8 or so place was packed trivial pursuit night or something of the sort was going on. Had a few beers, workingman pilsner and sunlight cream ale, most of draft was local selection which was nice to see. Décor is classic English pub vibe, food looked good though I didn't partake, I saw an elephant ear as dessert that would be interesting. Bathroom is in the back down a hall which seems to lead into another venture all together. Weird layout there. I'll check this place out again and get my grub on.
(4)David K.
Good IPA on tap, good fish and chips (chips nowhere near flaccid enough to be the real English thing, though), football (as in soccer, not American) on TV, great staff, nice bar, decent people to talk to. Next time I'm in Indy, I'll be back.
(4)Laura P.
I absolutely love this place!
(5)Kelly K.
This is a wonderful addition to Fountain Square. My husband and I have gone here several times on a weekend night and usually sit at the bar. The staff and customer service are wonderful....as is the beer and food! (The pickle chips? Yes, please.) We went here for a lunch during the weekday recently and again, had a fabulous meal. They have beer specials, too, which is another huge bonus! We will continue to come back.
(5)Melissa Y.
After having gone there my first time, and having read through the reviews here on Yelp!, I've decided to comment about my experience: below average. First and foremost the Chicken Tikka Masala is an incredibly salty dish, and wantonly tiny. I mean, maybe two cups of the dish sharing half of a bowl with sticky, gooey rice (allegedly Basmati). As well, I ordered the red velvet cake, which I think all can agree comes with a strict set of standards (read: multi-layered, red, almond/vanilla flavor cake w/ cream cheese or buttercream frosting)...NO, there, a square piece of reddish, chocolate cake, drizzled with sugar syrup and dotted with canned, whipped cream. Awful. Beer pints come with with lots of head, and only eight taps. Try again Indy.
(2)Benson S.
I had lunch there just today;with a friend.The joint is the luncheon counter end of the G.C.Murphy that used to occupy the place.My 1st impression was it was a cute little joint that somehow avoided the "chi chi "element that is SO prevalent today.Our server;Katie was a delight.She told us from jump street that she had a hangover from celebrating a friend's birthday the night before.I retired from this biz so I know the feeling all too well.I pulled my camera out as soon as we set;and told her I would like to take her picture;since I always took pictures whenever we went out.She posed for the first shot.Let's cut to the chase.My friend had a B.T. with home cut fries;as a barometer of kitchen skills for him it passed.Me I had a meatloaf san with tater tots.Well the meatloaf was nicely made but had too much pepper;I could only eat 1/2 and took the rest home.The onion rings were slightly under battered and over fried and the toast could have been toastier.But the bottom line is I was told I could not take pictures of their place.I took shots of our beer;our food and the decor with no objection.When I stood up to get Katie's attention to pay I was standing up over the wall that separated our deuce from the kitchen and I took a shot.That is when I was told from a manager type chica that the boss man did not approve.Period.From that moment on the we were ignored;we paid and left.I WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN NOR WILL I EVER RECOMMEND THIS PLACE.
(2)Charlotte A.
This place is awesome.great friendly service, nice atmosphere and amazing food.I recommend the toad in the hole, meatloaf sandwich and the most excellent fish and chips.
(5)Greg R.
We love the Grog House. Staff is always attentive and fun, music on Saturdays nights is always good, the food is very good and a good value. Great beer selection. During spring and summer of 2011, Indianapolis is doing its best to destroy all the business in this area by a never ending road re-do in front of Red Lion - fight back and park around the back. I have had most of this menu and there is nothing that is not good. Earthy, funky, fun place.
(5)D h.
probably 3.5 stars but i rounded down since they were out of some sun kings beers each time. good atmosphere, narrow place, but laid out well. walk in the front and there a table or two by the large front window, than a few booths on the left and eating tables along the right wall. the bar doesn't start until 1/2 or 2/3 the way in. it's a smaller bar with only 6-8 stools. a rail separates the bar from the row of tables behind it. bar feels like somewhat of an afterthought compared to dining (a place to wait for a table, but there is full menu). tons of beers, both macro and micro. a few hdtvs behind and above the bar. only been in daytime, so it's never been that busy. imagine the place would be darker during the night. good place to grab an early beer. great staff, super friendly and helpful.
(3)JR W.
quiet pub, good service. kind of small portions. the french onion soup was REALLY salty. kind of a lazy mistake - if you're making a batch soup that's going to be kept warm for a few hours, you're essentially reducing the liquid and concentrating the flavors including the salt. either don't salt as much in the beginning or compensate by adding some water/unsalted broth throughout. it looked a lot better than it tasted. but overall, it's a good place to hang out and kick back a beer. they had several flat screens showing various sports games. not too loud.
(3)Chad S.
I really enjoyed this place. The food was tasty and very economical. I had the chicken tikka masala, while my other half had the fish and chips. Mine was very tasty; he said his was just okay. I'm eager to try the shepherd's pie. They do need to get at least one or two desserts on the menu. We'll definitely go back.
(4)Laura K.
I didn't really like this place very much. I wouldn't eat here again. I ordered french onion soup and a salad. WAY too much salt in the soup and way too much dressing on the salad. My boyfriend ordered a pot pie- it was ok. There are too many TVs in here. I don't like it when there are a lot of TVs in bars. I can watch TV at home. The only reason they get 2 stars instead of 1 is they had a decent beer selection and our server was very good. But, their beer bottle list didn't give prices or quantities, so after already having a beer, my boyfriend ordered a bottle from the list and it ended up being an $11, 22oz bottle of beer that had 10% alcohol content. It was a really tasty beer, but we had to rearrange the driving plans and $11 is doable, but it was a surprise. So ask before you order! But really, Red Lion should print helpful info like price, quantity, and alcohol content on the menu.
(2)Angeleka D.
I've been half-heartedly fighting the battle of bulge since my birthday a few months ago. In that I reluctantly eased away from social media, gluten, carbs, caffeine, and most other things that are actually good for me. In that vacation away from bacon I sort of documented how many times I eat out, and it's pretty much every. single. day. SMH!!! Just when I think I've given up on everything food, we stumble into Red Lion one lowly Wednesday evening. I'm surprised at how tiny it is, but then I think 'what would Britain Do?!', and decide that it's probably what a real pub looks like. So I'm imagining myself sitting in the wooden booths and having fish and chips with The Queen and we are talking about how much we love Beyoncé. Actually, I just grab a seat and quickly get asked to find a table that is smaller in case a group of people walk in and need the space...but the sign said seat yourself...and I didn't see a smaller table... It was in between two other cramped tables. Cool w me. Since we were practically sitting on the neighboring table's lap, I asked them about this game everyone seemed to be playing. They explained and I gathered: *Wednesday they have trivia. If you are a genius you might win some money for drinks. Boom. My companion ordered a tenderloin (it was sooo good) I ordered chicken & fish and chips. The fries were delicious and needed some salt. The chicken was tender and juicy! A++ for the strips, the fish however, not quite what I expected. Lots of water retention in the Cod which wasn't so bad, but ya kno...I like my fish out of the water- haha, no?! It really wasn't a deal breaker- the fish, just needed more flavor! Flavour..flaveur? We smashed that down with lemonade. Sang along to a few songs then promised to return. My biggest complaint is the greasy feeling in the food. Now before you raise any eyebrows everything I ordered was fried (oh I had fried pickles too) and maybe a little too much grease for 30 year old me. It would have been nothing to eat the fries (chips), fish, chicken, and wash it down with the oil they cooked it in at 20 year old me. Now I'm avoiding things like fat and heart attack...so bare with me these days?! Red Lion is seemingly an ok place. Give it a few times to call it great. Go on a Wednesday, and take a mate, have a pint. It's a drinking place so don't be like me and order lemonade. Do try the tenderloin, it's on $6.99 special every Wednesday to eternity. Or, until they decide to change that special. I'll update you if they do! Cheers!
(3)Olivia M.
I'm looking forward to when Red Lion and I become (practically) neighbors this summer. My beer was delicious, my portobello (and mashed potatoes!) was delicious, and our waiter (Chris, I think) was friendly and very attentive. I'd like to see a bigger crowd for trivia, but perhaps that will happen this summer.
(4)Danielle S.
They have the best Scott Eggs! Shepherd's pie is also a must-try! Very laid back atmosphere which is perfect for friends hang-out, even take your parents here and have a good chill family talk.
(5)Megan O.
Whether you're trying to show off your random knowledge or you just want to grab a bite to eat, definitely give the Red Lion a try! Walk into Red Lion Grog House, and you're greeted by the savory smell of Shepards Pie and the sounds of 1980s Eddie Murphy trying to make it as a singer. What's going on, those two don't mix! In fact, it's trivia night, and people can request their favorite music videos all night long! This place is my go-to for trivia night! It's free to play every Tuesday and Thursday, and each team had three chances to win $20 for first place and $5 for second place. So order some local beer and good pub food, stash away your phone (no cheating!), and do your best to outguess the other teams. Questions tend to cover music, geography, history, movies, and books. In short, know everything about everything, or at least pretend you do! Now let's talk about the food. Brit lovers rejoice, this place has your Shepards pie, bangers and mash, and scotch eggs cravings covered. Why fly across the Atlantic when you drive to Fountain Square? Don't fret, you loyal Midwesterners, because that pork tenderloin is massive, and you can get all the beef burgers/veggie burgers/clubs/fries/Mac and cheese you have ever wanted. The menu variety is impressive, and all your picky friends will find something to rave about.
(4)Brittany M.
I go there frequently with the larp friends for afters. The shepherd's pie and strawberry salad are to die for!
(5)Trena R.
I had a few friends in from all over the country this weekend and decided to take them to the Red Lion because of the diverse menu - I was pretty sure there would be something for everyone. I got there a few minutes early with about half our group to beg for a large table (7 of us). We bellied up to the bar while other guests finished their dinner and the staff pulled a pair of tables together. Normally, we'd have been sent to the bar and forgotten about - not here. The server who'd originally greeted us kept us updated and entertained, as did the bartender (confession: we had beer. We were pretty happy hanging out as the rest of our group rolled in). We drank a variety of local beers that were on tap and enjoyed some people-watching. The table was ready in almost the exact time they predicted and we started eyeballing the menu - burgers, fish-and-chips, steak-and-chips, southwest mac and cheese, wraps... you name it, someone at our table had it. And it was all met with rave reviews (and some stolen bites across the table). One gal ordered the bread pudding and had the biggest smile on her face. Great service. Great food. I'm definitely going back!
(5)Richard P.
I was more than a little stressed out when I ventured into Fountain Square's Red Lion Grog House, an establishment that has been in the G.C. Murphy building since 2009 and yet still feels like one of Indy's hidden gems. I spent my day hanging out at the Indiana Author's Corner of Art Squared, a delightful event organized by the Fountain Square Arts Council. I had a blast, but for a natural introvert the combination of being surrounded by people, loud music, and a next door neighbor teaching a 20-minute painting class just about every 45 minutes was enough to rattle my nerves and have me ready for a break when a friend who was volunteering for the event stopped by and offered to give me time to grab lunch. So, at their suggestion I entered the nearby Red Lion Grog House ready for a few minutes of relative quiet and a little sustenance to calm my body down. If you're aware of the classic Grogs, you're aware that they were seedy watering holes for the more unkempt. After a few hours out in the sun, I definitely qualified. However, Red Lion Grog House isn't seedy despite being smack dab in the middle of a wonderfully retro G.C. Murphy building that had been originally established in the late 19th century. It's definitely a weathered building, but as soon as you get inside Red Lion the warmth envelopes you. The decor definitely carries the 'Ole English vibe along with hints of a sports pub with seven widescreen televisions that broadcast all major sporting events. They also are known to have entertainment. While I'd contemplated getting a meal "to go," as soon as I entered the place I knew I wasn't going anywhere. While it wasn't necessarily quiet, it was definitely restful and warm and friendly with a wood decor and warm lighting that makes you feel like you have some space and time to yourself. I didn't really have that much time, but I went ahead and sat down at one of the end tables and was quickly greeted by Sarah, a personable server whose very presence made me feel better than when I'd entered the place. While I'm watching what I eat, I'd heard their burgers were good and a friend had recommended their tater tots. So, I figured I'd go with it as I was definitely in the space for comfort food. While I usually order my burger, well done, I'd been reading some feedback from friend Dick Davis over at the blog "Great Burger Quest" and decided to tone it down a bit and go for medium well and made it a cheeseburger with American cheese. I ordered some tater tots, which I thought was a side item but I later learned actually came with the burger. Of course, I had my usual iced tea. The cheeseburger was ordered as delivered. I can't quite give it a 5-star rating, because it lacked that certain "wow" factor that the greatest burgers have. The bun itself was also rather plain, though certainly not disappointing. The patty was meaty. Every bite of the sandwich was incredibly tasty to the point that I looked at that last bite and thought to myself "I don't want it to end." The tater tots were incredibly good, an unusual choice but a choice that made me incredibly happy. The iced tea had a nice full flavor it. Sarah was personable and attentive throughout the meal, but never hovered. She had a natural relaxed quality that made me smile and definitely had me relaxed enough that I was ready to return to my booth by meal's end. The only modest flaw, and it was a service issue, was not getting offered an iced tea refill. I was eating rather quickly and definitely not lingering, but for me when a meal hits the moderate range in pricing ($12+ for this meal) I do expect that little extra touch. That said, the issue was minor and I also didn't actually ask for a refill. I often forget just how closely I live to Fountain Square and, for whatever reason, I always have it in my mind that parking is an issue in what is a rather confined neighborhood. Having spent nearly all day in the area today, I can assure you that I won't soon forget that such an artsy, vibrant neighborhood is just a short drive and parking isn't nearly the issue I believed it to be. Red Lion Grog House ended up being an oasis of peace and calm and yet another perfect touch on a wonderful day spent in Fountain Square.
(4)Elizabeth P.
Went in for lunch as we were looking to try something different, and it was A-ok! I opted for the black and blue burger and it was ok! I was not particularly a fan of the french fries, they were a little too "smooshy" for my liking, BUT it wasn't bad. Our server was very friendly, and made sure that we were taken care of even going so far as to bring me a water before I even had to ask when my ginger beer became a little too much :) All in all, I'd like to try this little gem out during the night time bar hours, because I think that's more of the vibe it gives off anyways!
(3)JJ G.
We were passing through the area on a lengthy road trip and the Mr discovered this spot via Yelp. We were excited to try a spot boasting chips and curry (read: fries), with a few veggie friendly options on the menu. What we didn't initially realize was that we would be stopping in for a late lunch during the USA/Germany World Cup game, so the place was packed. Every table was claimed, and the bar was hopping.We snagged the first table that came available, and the harried staff hardly took notice. I think they were doing the best they could to serve the glut of sports-enthused patrons. After a bit, we were offered waters and we ordered quickly, since the Mr had also swiped some menus for us to study. Obviously, we selected the chips and curry...The Mr opted for the buffalo chicken sandwich (fried) and I went with the portobello burger. Everything was fine. Nothing was outstanding, save the curry dipping sauce for the fries. We were sans water a few times, but again, understandable given the circumstances. If I have a friend heading to Indy, I'll probably steer him/her to the Red Lion -- love the atmosphere and neighborhood feel of the Fountain Square area, and for that alone, it's worth a visit. Parking is available along the streets nearby.
(3)Sam M.
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this bar!! Where do I even start this review?? The service was out of this world. My girlfriend and I showed up at the bar on a Tuesday evening for trivia night and were instantly greeted by a dapper bar tender who quickly presented us with samples of the brews on tap. After making our selections, he had chilled and filled glasses lined up for us within seconds and immediately asked if we would like to see the menu to order any food. We chose to order the "chips" or in America, french fries,and were later presented with a huge, steaming pile of fresh chips with an out of this world curry dipping sauce. Can you say absolute nirvana? Wether you choose to remain inside for the lively bar action, or opt for the quieter, outdoor seating in the back of the house, it is well worth a visit to the Red Lion. I will most definitely be returning and will be brining friends!!
(5)Luisanna R.
I have been to the red lion so many times and I can't believe I still haven't written my review. I have tried their scotch eggs meat loaf the fish and chips the chicken picatta sandwich. I have to say I love this place. All the food is really great comfort food. The service is always very good, although it can get a little slow if it is a busy night. There is always a rotating beer on tap menu which I think is nice and the Pim's Cup is probably my favorite drink. If you go try a Scotch egg and maybe the fish and chips. Delicious.
(4)Kevin C.
Reservations were made for a party of 7. Our server was very attentive to our needs and kept our glasses full. What a great find, I would love to come back to the restaurant if I am ever in Indianapolis again. When we opened the door and walked in there was an awesome smell of goodness that hit us which made us very hungry. I ordered the Waltimate burger which looked like a 1/2 pound burger and was topped with bacon, cheese, jalapeños, peanut butter, lettuce, tomato and onion.
(5)Brittany C.
My group of 5 people order carry out from this place this past Saturday. They let us split it up into three orders which was nice. Two of us got the fish sandwich, two buffalo chicken wraps, and a roasted red pepper burger. Everyone was happy with their food. Service was great and good was hot and ready when we arrived. I got the fish sandwich and it was good but nothing stellar. The tarter sauce had something a bit off about it and the sandwich was a tad greasy. The fish sandwich at BRU burger has forever ruined all other fish sandwiches for me though so my expectations are ridiculously high. My friend and I are big fans of the buffalo chicken wrap at Scotty's Brewhouse and she said this one was comparable, maybe even better so I'll definitely have to try that out next time. It was a quick meal and we were starving so it served it's purpose. I'll be back to try out some of their other options.
(3)Mary T.
Today I found myself in Fountain Square after a pleasant morning at the IMA with a friend. I have been wanting to try the Red Lion after passing by several times on my way to Pure, so today I decided was the day. Upon entering you see a "seat yourself sign" that gives off a casual vibe. After choosing a table by the window, I perused the menu which is fairly large, with plenty of options to choose from. I decided on the chicken and chips, partly because it's fun to say and partially because I'm a child at heart who was really craving chicken fingers. My lunch buddy went for the fish and chips, because after all when at a British restaurant, how can you not order a classic? I was impressed with the portion size which was so large, I ended up taking half of it home. I was even more impressed with the freshness and taste of the chicken and chips. I could tell the chicken was battered and fried in house. It was a beer battered chicken with a slightly crunchy texture with moist chicken. The chips - fries were also great. Is it possible that they are fried twice? There is nothing worse than a soggy chip and these were crispy, hot, slightly salty, and golden brown. To be honest, I've never eaten at a categorized British restaurant and I find myself asking why did I wait this long? If you're looking for fresh food made in house in a great part of town, mosey on down to Fountain Square and give the menu a gander for yourself, you won't be disappointed. My only complaint is that our server was fairly slow and the takeout container was chincy, but other than that I look forward to coming back and trying a host of local beers that they feature with a great meal. p.s. word on the street is that they have an elephant ear on the dessert menu!
(4)Mark C.
Highly recommend! Quick service whether dining in or ordering takeout. I love their patty melt and the ranch is like nothing I've ever tasted...so good! Check it out and then walk around Fountain Square, it's located right next to everything (frozen yogurt right across the street!)
(5)Shane M.
I work in the building so I eat here often. They make classic pub food and they do it well. My two favorites are the fish and chips and their chili. Although the night staff is good I have had not so great service with the lunch staff. And not just one time.
(3)Simon M.
This was my third visit and I am not crazy about the atmosphere. It is a little too dark and shopworn for my tastes. They get good reviews, so maybe this is just not a good match for me. Anyway, our server, Wynnie, was attentive, polite and friendly. I had the veggie burger and slaw. The burger was just okay I thought it might be the same as Wuzzlers which I understand has some mutual ownership.) My wife had the fish sandwich with tater tots. She gave the fish a 6 out of 10. "Too much breading." The tater tots were very good, as they are at Wuzzler's. Something that is perhaps not under their control are the restroom facilities. They are shared with a couple of other establishments and are located in a back connecting hallway, which is pretty funky-nice. Anyway, there was no toilet paper to be seen, no paper towel or even a dispenser. Maybe this is a locals favorite and provides a nearby location for them. I don't hate it but I don't love it.
(3)Jessica P.
Great beer selection and specials! such. good. pub. food. I love love love the chips and curry. I wish this was a thing everywhere. This is a great place to have a few beers and food with friends. We've also gone to trivia on several occasions and had an excellent time.
(5)Chelsea W.
Red Lion was a perfect location to have one of our GNO dinners! We were initially worried we would not be able to get a table since it was the last weekend for Devour Downtown and Red Lion does not take reservations. However, we were promptly greeted and seated within 15 minutes! I went pretty much straight house specials in food and drink choices. I have a thing for drinks that mix beer and liquor, so the Traditional Grog was right up my alley. The Scotch Egg appetizer had a great taste and was the perfect app to split between two people. For my entree I had the Grog House Chicken. It comes served with garlic mashed potatoes and perfectly cooked whole green beans. The chicken itself was topped with bacon, onions, mushrooms (but not too many like some places do), a blend of cheeses and BBQ sauce. It was absolutely delicious! To end the meal we split the elephant ear among the six of us. It was a perfect sweet, sugary end to an amazing dinner. Not only was the food great, but the service was rockin! Our server Emily was not only quick and attentive, but extremely pleasant and patient. I am already planning when I can drag my hubby to FS to experience this place for himself!
(5)Matt K.
My favorite restaurant in fountain square. In the 6 or 7 times i have been here, I haven't found anything on the menu that wasn't delicious. They serve very well prepared, exceptionally tasty pub food. The meatloaf, fish sandwich/fish and chips and the buffalo chicken sandwich are all favorites. Prices are more than reasonable for the quality ($10 for a meatloaf sandwich on rye with fries or tator tots) and the quantity is consistently more than I can finish (yea lunch the next day!). This is a popular joint and it will fill up on the weekends, possibly for trivia Tuesdays and other nights as well. They don't play loud music or sports, but it can still be quite loud during busy nights. The tables in the front by the door seem more quiet than the ones in the back. Finally, the staff are friendly and personable when appropriate. They chat when appropriate and leave us alone when we're engaged with each other. I love it when servers successfully read tables like that. Well done.
(5)Nina J.
Finally got a chance to check out Fountain Square and Red Lion was a must-visit. We had an early Saturday dinner 5-6-ish and were able to snag one of the two window tables. Our server was very nice and prompt with drinks & refills. Select pints were only $4 that day and we really enjoyed the local brands we tried. I'm first generation American on my Brit side, so I chuckle at those who dissed the atmosphere here. It feels like a cozy, local pub - things are worn, but clean. US faux pubs usually don't honor the "worn" aspect. The restrooms are in the back hallway & cleaner than the public restroom at the Indy Embassy Suites. Check out the pinboard in back hallway for notice of local music events. We split the Candied Walnut Strawberry Salad and were provided ample plates for splitting with no complaint. Surprised to find such a fresh, mixed spring salad in a pub. I'd eat the candied walnuts from a bowl! Good vinaigrette dressing and awesome crumbled blue cheese. The fried mushrooms are crunchy - the dip has a touch of dill and a good, smoky edge that elevates this standard appetizer. Fish and chips had a crisp batter. Solid pieces of flaky whitefish. I recommend asking for the dip that comes with the mushrooms instead of tartar sauce - the fish tasted great with that dill. Fries are hand-cut with some peel and generous sea salt. They didn't look burnt, but did have a taste of being "over cooked". Maybe it's the oil they use, but I'd skip fries for other crunch options. Fun to split an elephant ear for dessert. The couple next to us ordered the chicken curry and it smelled divine - we'll be heading back for the beer and some curry.
(4)Brittany L.
I love the curry chips (hand cut fries). I crave them in fact. The burger I had a few weeks ago was actually cooked medium, as I requested, and it was just GREAT. Fish and chips are also good, and I like the bangers and mash as well. Tasty comfort food. Really, the 2 things I haven't been TOTALLY impressed were was the chicken pot pie and a popover. Pie's taste was good, but it was packed with celery and onions, which I don't really like. Personal preference though. The popover was hard like a rock and cold. I've been to trivia night a couple times...definitely a fun thing on a weeknight. Always a good selection of local draft beers and friendly prompt service. No complaints...I just wish it was in Irvington!
(5)Rene F.
Great food in a cozy atmosphere - seriously good burgers, shepherd's pie and Scotch eggs!
(5)Kelly H.
This is a pub that not only is known for its drink selection, but actually has food to deliver too. I'm always wary of ordering fried fish since they usually end up being soggy or have too much breading, but I figured they have to be good at a British pub, right? So I ordered the combo chicken/fish and chips, and fortunately, the fish and chicken were perfectly cooked and crispy. And I loved the apple curry dipping sauce! Something different and a very subtle, sweet flavor. The tater tots here aren't special, but I highly recommend getting the fries. It had a great curry/cumin kick to them, which you don't come across often in Indy. The service was also equally impressive. We arrived around 7 pm on a Friday, and although the place was relatively lively, the two of us were seated right away. Our server was cheery, frequently refilled our glasses, and we were in and out under an hour. I definitely plan to return!
(4)Kristan W.
BANGERS & MASH FTW! Okay... got that out of my system. I happened upon this place on accident and it was a pleasant surprise indeed. I've had a few items: deep fried macaroni balls, scotch eggs, B & M and the fish n chips (not as blown away by the F n C as I was hoping, maybe an off night). The seating can be a little on the cramped side especially with other tables, but the beer and cocktails help. It's dark and moody and smells like delicious fried food. If you haven't been it's most definitely worth checking out.
(5)Matt W.
We got taken here while visiting Indy last weekend, and while I was really impressed by the beer menu and their curry wings, I had some other issues. We tried a few different appetizers - chips with curry sauce (really good, and the curry sauce was good enough that I added some wings with it as well), scotch eggs, and fried mushrooms. The wings and chips were served at the proper temperature, but the mushrooms were cold and the scotch egg was underdone. The server took them back and had new batches made and fried up properly, but that was disappointing. The decor is dark and comfortable, but getting to the bathrooms is kind of a pain. All things considered, I think I'd happily go here again if I'm back in town, but I'd keep an eye on how things are coming out of the kitchen.
(4)Phil S.
The Scotch eggs, fried mac and cheese, and spicy curry chicken sandwich were delicious! Great atmosphere and beer selection. Service was top-notch. I will be returning again soon.
(5)Catherine K.
Service is way too uneven here for me to recommend this restaurant. It's a shame, because the food is good. I stopped in for a late lunch with my husband and another couple; it took nearly an hour to get our appetizers. During that time, my friend's husband was the only one who received a drink refill. There appeared to be only 2 waitresses for the entire restaurant and it was a full house (although that might speak more to the speed of service than to the popularity of the restaurant). We've had mixed experiences here since the restaurant opened, so I expect that is just to be expected at this point.
(2)Bethany S.
After my recent trip to the UK and English-pub visiting there with the natives, I was eager to check out Indy's version. Maybe I went on a bad night, but my friend and I were disappointed by the food here. I got a BBQ veggie burger, which was supposed to be amazing, but they forgot the BBQ sauce until I asked about it. The chips were some of the worst I've had, even after I added a little salt and malt vinegar - they seemed to be overcooked. The veggie burger itself is decent as far as veggie burgers in Indy go. The most interesting part was open mic night. I didn't realize this was going on until I got there and groaned inwardly, but the performers actually weren't too bad. Just a little annoying when you're trying to catch up with a friend you haven't seen in a while. I think beer people would like the Grog House more!
(2)Molly G.
Love this place. Good local brews. Fish and chips are excellent. And their burgers are so good! Try the Waltimate. And don't forget to get the hot curry sauce to dip your chips in.
(4)Stephanie D.
Anywhere that serves Strongbow on tap is a close friend of mine. Especially for $3 pint night on Monday. Then there's trivia on Tuesday and Thursday with amazing cash prizes which assist with paying the bill. Should I also mention my fascination with the chips and spicy curry sauce. This is definitely my go-to spot for a drink with the hubby, or hooking up with friends on trivia night. I appreciate the image Wally has for this place and love seeing some standard pub items (omg, Blanket Bangers are my favv.....excuse me while I drool). Ok but there's also fun items like the Waltimate a burger with jalapenos and peanut butter and for dessert elephant ears. Most of the time I hop in I see a familiar face which is lovely in our neck of the woods. I also appreciate the fact the servers remember us and are very helpful!!
(5)Patrick R.
Was craving fish & chips after watching the Euro fútbol championship. Went and loved the meal! Was served two huge portions of fresh white flakey fish fried just enough. Not overly breaded or greasy. Chips were great too. Tasted fresh. Great decor and fun staff. Lots of beer options. Awesome little bar. I've heard the burgers are phenomenal so will be back to try those soon.
(4)Kimberly U.
By far the best pub in Indy. The wait staff is excellent, entertaining, and friendly. Go on Tuesday and Thursday nights for trivia but, be prepared for the most difficult trivia in Indy. The portobello on Swiss is the most amazing sandwich I have ever had- a must order!
(5)David F.
Good food, not much room. I always feel trapped in this place. I really wish for a different location. One long and narrow room does not a restaurant make. They could really a redesign/expansion. That having been said, I enjoy the burgers here and they have a decent beer selection. I generally have a bit slower service here, but I gotta believe it is due to the cramped quarters. There is a lot of time spent by the wait staff simply standing out of the way customers can get through. Not my first choice for food in Fountain Square, but I will definitely return.
(3)Scotty Z.
Still some of Indy's best pub fare--for which I'm ecstatic. Still haven't really had a bad meal here. I've been rather fond of a simple grilled chicken sandwich as of late. But, while a little vanilla, it's steaming hot and served on a fresh bun with fresh veggie toppings. And the chips are as awesomely delicious as ever.
(4)Aaron A.
Unique fountain square bar/eatery. Their food is great, their drinks are good. I've never had anything but friendly service from good people. I like stopping in for lunch or dinner and knowing there will be something else entertaining going on just steps away!
(4)Tressa M.
Every time I go in, which is often, I step off Virginia Ave and into a tight British Pub. Add darts and it is just like a little place I went to off Piccadilly Square. The proprietor is on top of customer service. The place is often busy on a Friday or Saturday night. Pims Cup is my fave beverage and the Veggie burger is probably my favorite sandwich. My daughter swears that it is the best fish and chips anywhere. Join their facebook page to keep up with specials they might run.
(4)Charles R R.
Great local pub. Fish and chips are my fav. Tara is a very attentive server everytime i've been here. Good beer list.
(5)Dawn Z.
This place keeps getting better. Since they first opened, they have expanded their menu. They now have English-specific cocktails. They have their own homemade veggie burger. There is now a crab version of their Scotch eggs. Their fish and chips are still some of the best in town. I had a new dish, the mac and cheese - cavatappi pasta, white cheddar and topped with panko. Delish! You can also add regular or blackened chicken. It was busy but our server kept checking on us. We had the spicy curry to dip our fries in and it was really good (served cold). We will definitely come back to try some other English cocktails and more of their yummy menu!
(4)Dale T.
Why do you ask does Dale change this to a 5 star?!?! I received an email after my post asking when the break in was and how they could help because they have cameras!!!! CLASS ACT RED LION!!! To be clear - the car was parked on a public street - so ADVICE!!!! Park in the Red Lions lot - get this... They have cameras and you can leave your car there over night if you've had to many! Much respect to this Lion in this crazy Jungle world!!! Solid service!!! Consider me changing my frequency to the king of the fountain square jungle from once a week to TWICE!!! First review - Love Tuesday night quiz night... Be prepared with 4 to 6 - they are smart ones. Advice - do not leave your car parked over night - consider it broken in to... Serious happened - gps gone:). True story.
(5)Adam B.
We stopped in for dinner before a show at Radio Radio. Other than having to wait a while to get seated, we had no complaints. Very good and friendly service by our waiter and the house manager (when the waiter was busy). heidi ordered the fish and chips. She liked it but said she could have done with a half-order option since it was more food than she could finish. I had the pork tenderloin sandwich. It was also very good and, for the price, a nice sized portion as well. We finished the meal with dessert, an elephant ear. It was great, large enough for two, easily (and we finished it!) All around a great meal at a great local pub and at a reasonable price. We would certainly go again.
(4)Beth B.
Have you tried a "Mary Reed"? Well, you must, immediately. I didn't eat but Mr. B did. If you join their text club you get a free order of chips and curry dip. Mr. said they were delish. He also had the special (corned beef hash topped with an over easy egg). Also, fantastic according to him. His plate was cleaned. But seriously, try the Mary Reed. They provided me with a very happy St. Patty's day.
(4)Rachael W.
I think the next time I stop in at the Red Lion I am going to rush the kitchen and swipe the curry sauce then take off like a shot. I think I could really drink that stuff, I'm not kidding. Monday is a good day to pop in for lunch b/c it's double stamp day with their frequent lunch card, buy 6 and get the 7th free! What, what?! Everything I have had is delicious, Reuben, turkey Reuben, fish and chips, and burgers. On my most recent visit, I went all in and ordered the Waltimate. A bacon cheeseburger with jalapenos (a huge pile) and a healthy dollop of peanut butter. I threw caution to the wind and jumped in both feet. Yeah, I was scared. I said to myself, "You've done it now lady. One step too far. You'll never come back from this the same. I hope you are squared up with the man upstairs." It was a monster burger to start with, brimming with toppings and the peanut butter lurking under the sinister mountain of jalapenos. I don't understand it, but it was awesome! The peanut butter toned down the inferno of the 87 jalapenos. All I could do was stuff it in my mouth at a high rate of speed. I'm sure it was one of my more attractive times. I would like to give the Red Lion 4.5 stars only b/c I don't feel like I would want to go to hang out. I feel like it's a place where I eat and have a good beer then head out to a bar to hang out. I upped the rating to 5 stars b/c the food is excellent. So what if I don't want to eat dinner there and then hang with friends for the rest of the evening, just more chances for more check-ins.
(5)Bob G.
Hey, Bob here. The Red Lion should be your next place to visit in the Fountain Square area. All six people in our party really enjoyed their dinner choices. meatloaf was very good, Fish and Chips were great. everything was very nice, we will be back soon to try other items and beverages. I would have given it five stars but the restrooms are in need of updates.
(4)Erin L.
Ever since we moved to Ft Square about 2 years about Red Lion has been our go to place. Great local beer selection! I've had many things on the menu and they have never disappointed, so good! The best surprise, tater tots.
(5)Jason B.
I have only been here once and got the stuffed portabella mushroom, garlic mashed potatoes dish. Words almost can't describe how good it is. My best effort would be to say it's honestly one of the best things I've ever eaten. Excellent beer selection. Good atmosphere. It's not loud so you can converse like civil people, not like barbarians that actually drink grog. Pro Tip: the bathrooms are located in an odd spot. You technically leave the grog house to get to them. Write this down: head to the back of the building and walk through the door that you instinctively feel you shouldn't walk through. It'll be OK. next, you'll want to turn left. Do so only if you want to make your trip to the bathroom last longer. Turn right and head down the hall. The first big opening on the left is an elevator. Please don't use that as a bathroom. On your right, across from the elevator are the bathrooms. You've reached the end of your journey. Seriously though, most of my memory of this fine establishment was my plate of food, just constantly looking down enjoying the crap out of it. Portion size is amazing as well.
(5)Jennifer P.
Went here last night and had a good time! We were quoted at 30-45 minute wait for a table when we arrived but were able to put our name on a list and give our phone number so we could go across the street to grab a drink since even the bar was packed. I found this very nice. We were excited to see the selection of local beers on tap. Our waitress was able to describe these to us and offer suggestions. She even let me try something before ordering to see if I would like it. On the suggestion of other Yelpers, I tried the fish 'n' chips. I was not disappointed! The portion size was great and the fish was delicious. I opted for tater tots instead of chips/fries and they were quite tasty as well. Hubby got the crab scotch eggs as an appetizer. They were quite well received (I did not try). He also got the shepherd's pie, which I stole a bite of, and let me tell you, it was yummy! After all of that food we were too full for dessert, but I was pretty excited to see that they have elephant ears, as this is an Indiana staple, and bread pudding is always fun to try so I am looking forward to going back. Will probably try to go for team trivia night (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Who doesn't love a good game of trivia?
(4)Angela G.
Do not buy this groupon unless you have the exact number of people dining as required in the fine print . I just went with a friend and tried to use my voucher only to be told that the $40 voucher was invalid for 2 people. The food is marginal
(2)Christa F.
I don't get into Indy much when I come to visit, so we thought we would check this place out for something different. I'm glad we did! The French Onion Soup was really good! Fish and Chips were good though the fish was a little on the oily side. Nobody could keep their paws off my hand cut fries though! My dad got the Shepherd's Pie... First off, it was Cottage Pie. It had ground beef, not lamb. With that being said it was really good! This is the first pie I've had that they actually used fresh herbs on the top with the cheese before throwing it into the Salamander. I think that sent it over the edge for all of us! The waitress was friendly enough (not overly great enough to remember though - there were a few times she mentioned that she didn't understand why they were doing things a certain way). My biggest issue is that their website shows their daily drink specials. We went on Wednesday, so we all ordered cider since it should have been $4. Needless to say the manager / owner didn't bother to come out to tell us himself that those prices are subject to change. The waitress said that she wished they would changed that since it's pretty out of date. I'd probably try this place again if they were to update their website on a more regular basis.
(3)Eddie C.
Great tap selection for beer. The Waltimate burger was pretty good, not mind blowing like I expected, but pretty good. Peanut butter on the burger was a little weird at first, especiallly with the spiciness of the jalapenos, but in a strange way it worked. Trivia night was fun with my friends. Service was fast, waiter was cool.
(4)DeAnna P.
The food here is tasty and the beer selection is good (love a cold Strongbow Cider on tap!). But every time I come here, the "servers" don't seem to want to "serve." i.e. I have to go up to the bar to order, even though I'm seated at a table in plain view. Last night, I asked for a menu, and the server didn't come back for over 15 minutes to see what I wanted to order. Boo! Get better service, keep the yummy wings, and I'll upgrade to 5 stars. Definitely try the pickle chips, they are only a smidge less good than Scotty's, who has the best in town. The wings were meaty and properly sauced. Good blue cheese dressing and fresh celery. Fries were great. They tasted like they were cooked in peanut oil, but for you allergy sufferers out there, the owner corrected me that they are in fact cooked in vegetable oil. Fantastic! Love that the place is non-smoking!!!
(3)Jon A.
"Rawwwwwwwwwr Grogggggggg!" Not only grog, but a house of grog! So the crazy Royal Navy created grog by mixing rum with weak beer. This is not happening here. Instead, beer, soy mucho y exceptional beer! I've been a few times now and I've ordered all over the menu and well, I'm a happy camper. Their cheap ($2 Sun King) beer on Mondays is a huge bonus. $3.75 Upland on Saturdays, too. If you're palate isn't up for really spicy curry... then this mild English curry is fit for you. If a turkey reuben is your rule, then I'd give this a shot... as it might have been one of the finer turkey versions in my time. If you're a savory pastry type (like me!) then the pot pie here is for you. It's not traditional as there isn't a lower crust, the pastry rests on top. The bar seats 6 so just know it's tough competition to have a stool! Plenty of table seating by the way! I prefer the back bench. There's a crazy amount of tvs goin' on here. I'm not necessarily sure why but it definitely has me thinking about a nice alternative to the major sports bars in town to catch a sporting event in a more low key place that is non-smoking!
(4)Mat M.
The owner followed-up with a private message after my 3 star review. Seems like he wants to keep improving. I'll give them another shot for sure.
(4)Patrick H.
Great scotch egg, bangers in a blanket, and the fish was awesome
(4)Indy C.
The Mushroom Swiss Burger is one of my favorites. I eat it like an open face style. Their ranch dressing is made with dill and it the one of the best dressings I have had. When I am in the mood for a great burger and fries. This is my place of choice.
(5)Lindsay L.
They have recently redone their pickle chips. They are waaaaaaaaay better! They are freshly breaded, the pickle is more crunchy, and the the dill flavor is outstanding. If you liked their pickle chips before, you'll be blown away by them down!
(5)Lizz C.
On Independence day, my husband and I figured, what better way to celebrate than with fish and chips and a pint? After seeing Red Lion Grog House mentioned here, we figured we'd give it a try. They had 3 Sun King beers on tap - including 1 seasonal. The cook/manager was happy to let us try a sample of the Norwegian Blue. Great beer, complex, but not what we were looking for with food. They also had a couple of Upland on tap and a very good selection of British bottled beers. Other local/regional bottles on the list too. We weren't disappointed with the selection. Since it had just been 'too long', we both got a pint of Guinness. Hey, we just saw "Historic Pubs of Dublin" and were missing a nicely poured pint! We both have a thing for Scotch Eggs, basically we're trying to find the best in existence. We split an order of Scotch Eggs, and for my taste these are so far the winner. Nicely seasoned sausage, and some kind of dipping sauce that helped bring out the spice and didn't overwhelm. Went nicely with that pint. Fish and chips was the priority - so we split an order. Nicely battered cod, and you can get curry dipping sauces (hot or mild) for your fries. We tried both. The hot curry was a red curry, and a very good one at that. The mild curry was a green curry kind of yogurt based sauce. Mmm... They have a lot of pub classics on the menu, and though they don't have doner kabobs, they do have a chicken tikka on the menu. Next time we eat here, and oh yes, there will be a next time!, we're trying the curry. Service was good, we came in at the same time as a table of 7+ (a family celebrating something, as they were taking photos =) ) so we were prepared to relax with our pint and wait for our food. It wasn't a long wait. There are around 5 flat screens at the bar, one on Sci-Fi (Firefly marathon, yay!), one on Spike, one on soccer, one on baseball and one on CNN. Something for everyone to watch. We will definitely stop back here again, as we're in Indianapolis fairly often. Might I suggest combining a trip here with a trip to New Day Meadery? It's just a quick walk less than a block from here, and mead and cider fans will find something to please them there =)
(4)Emily S.
Great atmosphere! The food and brews are authentic! Love this place!
(5)Shawn A.
This place has some A+ food and tasty cold beer. The service is typically exemplary. Don't miss it.
(5)Megan M.
Great food, good beer and strongbow on tap! The chips (ie french fries) are amongst my favorite . Like to dip your fries? The ranch is amazing and so is the spicy curry sauce! * Meatloaf sandwich - it's topped with cheese, an onion ring and savory gravy. * BBQ Bacon Burger - all the burgers are solid but this is my fav * Blanket Bangers - sausages wrapped in pastries * Battered Buffalo Chicken Sandwich - right out of the fryer and the chicken is moist as can be. * Lancashire Hot Pot - roast with creamy garlicy mashed taters. It is amazing. The lunch specials are excellent so be sure to ask about them. I'm still dreaming of running into the chicken parm again! They have a punch card for lunch as well (double punch Mondays!)
(4)Kellie C.
My husband and I are a huge fan. The best tasting burger around, the fish and chips or fish sandwich are to die for. Better than Claddaugh. The lemon chicken piccata sandwich is the most unique ever, someone wrote they did not know what piccata was, (lemon, butter, white wine and capers). Everything we have had has been excellent!! We drive from Greenfield for lunch at least once a month. We will always be loyal!! Wally the owner always recognizes us and we appreciate that. Great job!! Build in Greenfield, You will have a gold mine!! Thanks Kellie and Mark Sawyer
(5)Casey R.
Maybe it was an off night but I wasn't blown away by the food and I really really wanted to be. So, maybe I had set the bar in my mind too high. I love to cook and I know this sounds pretentious but I can taste if someone has pride in their food, I didn't here. Our first server was kinda rude but our second server Jennifer was awesome! This place is great for drinks or something to snack on whilst drinking. Great selection of cocktails and local beers. I'm going to give them another shot though!
(3)Erik F.
Fantastic restaurant in Fountain Square. A very good beer selection, quick and friendly wait staff...and the Black and Bleu burger is simply excellent eats. I can't wait to go back and try their fish and chips. Go there now!
(5)Jacks L.
I went on dinning out for life night. I cant believe how pack, and busy it was, and everyone was so friendly and happy. We had a blast on the bar, and the food was amazing, specially the cheese sticks.
(5)Dana A.
The waitress came over to take our order and I guess we weren't fast enough cuz she left went 2 tables down SAT DOWN WITH THEM TO TAKE THEIR ORDER! Came back and again left before getting ALL of our orders. We had a large party of 5!! o_O I do not like being made to feel unimportant which she did. If I had my way we would have left after the first time she left us hanging. Or she would have received a lesser tip. She unfortunatly received full tip. Now to the food. The sirloin is substandard and OLD MEAT! Fresh meat at med rare is juicy this was not. The "chips" are nothing more than bagged frozen overcooked and served cold French fries.
(1)Matt F.
You know that cool pub you went to in (insert city) and you wish you could find in Indy? Well, I'm guessing Red Lion could fill in that blank. It really reminds me of small neighborhood bars I've been to in other cities. Simple. Great beer, food, staff, and customers. I have yet to have a bad time here. The food is good. Chips & Curry Sauce and Fried Pickle Chips are great. Honestly, each of those is a meal in its own right. They have fresh, local beer on draft and great specials on Mondays.
(4)Gregory G.
One of my favorite places to go! I love the revolving local beer taps, and the service is always great. My absolute favorite place for fries, better even than Brugge, and their hot curry is the best side for them! That, and the meatloaf sammich, are my go-to things when I go.
(5)Mali J.
This Women's Accountability Group I'm with wanted to lunch in Fountain Square at the new Red Grog Lion. I was up for it, I like new places. So we go, the place is decent. We sit at a nice table/booth in the back that easily sat us 7 lovely ladies. Most of us ordered a water and quickly threw it back as it was sooo nasty. Note, that this is no fault of RGL but the fault of the Indianapolis water system- different story. So anyway, I order a fish sandwich and fries and cole slaw. I wanted fish and chips but the waitress said you get ONE piece of fish with that. I was like, "huh, one piece?" That just didn't make sense to me. So, I figured I'd get the sandwich with sides to fill me up a bit more. Another woman at my table got a grilled cheese and bacon sandwich, another a lettuce wedge and another the bacon and bleu burger. Out of all these meals, mine LOOKED the best but I think the burger tasted best. Lara says her grilled cheese 'n bacon was ok, she's had better from her mom. And my fish sandwich was over cooked. It was a bit too crunchy, if you know what I mean. The fries were good but the slaw was just bleh. And it's not just me! Erin (also at my table) had slaw with her burger and neither of us had more than 4 or 5 bites of it. It was too saucy. I may go back, if I happen to be in Fountain Square OR if I get another craving for Scottish Eggs (which I didn't try but just looked so good) but this won't be on the radar for the near future.
(2)Chris P.
I love Fountain Square and found this a great spot. One of the best portobello sandwitches with chips can be located here. Great selection of local beers also. Ignore the @#*&^@ ongoing construction and go here.
(4)Bill J.
Going to have to go with just 3 stars even though this place could be worthy of 4. Had lunch there today, it was pretty empty when we got there. Then we got stuck in a game of "Whose Table is That?"....2 servers, both thought our table belonged to the other one. Took them about 10 minutes to figure it out, but...it happens. No biggie. I got a grilled chicken club sammich, it was sub-par, especially for a place that has a reputation for great food. A couple of people I went with got the meatloaf sammich and said it was very good. So maybe just stay away from the grilled chicken selections is a good rule of thumb. I will definitely go back, have been there for drinks before but this was my first time to order food and unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations.
(3)Jami G.
We went here with friends last night and had a wonderful time. Great neighborhood place with several TVs so we watched the Big East tourney. Our waiter Chris was terrific - there when we needed him and full of info on the offerings. They have a great selection of Grogs - I tried the Mary Reed - like drinking a lovely refreshing soft drink so watch out as I'm sure these can sneak up on you. My friend raves on the Red Lion but that has beer so I can speak to it. Hubby had the Blanket Bangers (this was source of a few jokes) and he says they were wonderful. He'd seen the guy at the next table have them and couldn't resist - we had some great chatting with our table neighbors who raved about the Pot Roast. We got the free order of chips with curry sauce and they were good too, though I preferred the garlic sauce that came with Hubby's Bangers. Great place to have fun, get good grub and great Grog. Check it out soon.
(4)Beth C.
Ehhh, I don't know... it is just 'okay' to me. My friend suggested meeting and eating here for Thursday night trivia. I rarely venture to the Fountain Square area so I was excited to give Red Lion a whirl. I think I was expecting something different from the long and narrow hallway-like set up. It seems really cramped. And dark. But I did like the hallway you venture down to get to the restrooms. I can dig anything that reminds me of an underground tunnel with exposed brick walls. Now as far as the menu, I was happy to see a decent variety of vegetarian choices. My friend and I both had the stuffed portobello with blue cheese cream sauce. It came with mashed potatoes and seasonal veggies (asparagus and carrots). I wasn't crazy about the blue cheese sauce, it was a little overpowering for me. Veggies and potatoes were good, if not a little heavy on the garlic. I got the bread pudding as well. If you have bread pudding then by golly I probably want some of it. The selection was a maple and cinnamony bread pudding that the waitress compared to the taste of pancakes. It tasted like a slightly burnt campfire marshmallow to me. Not terrible but not the best. Decent sized piece though. Service was as to be expected since it was crowded due to trivia. Waitress was very personable. There are a lot of dining options in Fountain Square so next time I venture that way I will probably choose a different place...if I am the one in charge of choosing, of course. Unless it's for trivia, which was fun and well organized. And the DJ/facilitator played an awesome selection of jams with accompanying music videos. Do note that if you go to trivia night on Tuesday or Thursday in the summer, it starts at 7:30, not 7. Signage and website state 7 but the waitress mentioned they changed it due to people coming in later in the summer to eat. And drink. And win money. First prize is $15, second is $5. Three rounds. First 2 are trivia and the third is more "name that tune and artist."
(3)Shola J.
They make their own veggie burgers and they have Strongbow on tap! I mean what else do you need, this place is great!
(5)Rabah R.
The Grog House is a great spot for lunch or watching a soccer game. The vibe is very much like the Chatham Tap, 1-2 laid back friendly servers and a very authentic pub atmosphere. The servers are in these sexy, but tactful (if thats possible) plaid skirts and white shirts. The design is basically on big long hallway, but not cramped. Our Server was super friendly and because my friend and I didn't know which Sun King Beer we wanted she brought out a taster of each, which I thought was super cool! I ordered the fish and chips, which were really good and comparable to the Claddaugh's fish and chips. I also ordered a bowl of soup: crushed red pepper and gouda cheese (something like that your server will know what you are talking about) and it was outrageous! I am not even a big soup guy, but this stuff was legit! The one thing that I was kind of sad about is the lack of dessert options, I have a big sweet tooth! To remedy this, I just shot over to the Flying Cupcake for a Red Velvet Cupcake. I digress. All and all I think this is a great addition to Downtown and Fountain Square Dining/Nightlife and I can't wait to enjoy some World Cup games there this summer!
(4)Stephanie D.
The first few times I ate here, I swore I would never go back. On my first experience our meatloaf was charred and the waitress wasn't that great. We decided to head in again, and give it another chance after a year and we were pleasantly supprised. My husband had the burger with bbq sauce and onion rings on it with a side of tater tots. It was awesome!!! I had a grilled cheese with bacon and a side of soup and it was yummy as well. The best part was they had Strongbow on tap! I am so happy we gave them another shot.
(4)Theodore B.
The Red Lion Grog House probably has the coolest name of any establishment in Indy. Sadly, it should probably be renamed. My personal suggestion is "English pub with a slightly overpriced menu and good not great food". Essentially, my experience was ok, but I'll probably die before coming back (maybe). The style was cute, modelled after an English pub, but it all came across as pretty "typical quirky stylized restaurant" to me. The beer was priced averagely. I ordered the pork tenderloin. It was also, ok. Moe and Johnny's tenderloin is much better, probably the best in the city. The Shephard's pie, which was a very small portion for its price, was really overloaded with Thyme. I like thyme, just like all red-blooded Americans do, but the dish didn't taste like much else. And I guess the staff were helpful and inviting. All in all, I left satisfied but unimpressed.
(3)Dana M.
Delicious English pub in Fountain Square. It's nothing fancy or revolutionary, but everything about this place (food, drinks, ambiance) screams comfortable. I've tried and enjoyed the meatloaf sandwich, shepherd's pie, and fish and chips. A great place to watch a soccer game.
(4)Heather S.
I love the pub food. You can't go wrong with the fish and chips or Grandma's meatloaf. And get the pickle chips yummmmy!! Sun King Wee Mac served here.
(4)Charles A.
They have a buffalo chicken sandwich that changed my standards for a chicken sandwich. I got the hot buffalo sauce (which is good and spicy) with bleu cheese. I didn't really care for the fries that much, but the sandwich took over my entire thinking pattern for the next 5 hours. I couldn't even return to work. All I am trying to say, I will return and pay any amount of money for that mouth watering piece of poultry.
(5)Scott H.
The service at the bar is really bad. It's hard to get anyone's attention. There used to be a really attractive blonde bartender that did a wonderful job. I'm not sure if she works there anymore, but the other bartenders I've seen are too concerned with flirting with the servers. The food is good. It has a nice beer selection. The music is terrific. The negatives outweigh the positives though.
(1)Abby W.
My friend and I decided to stop here tonight on a whim, thanks in part to a strong craving for burgers. It did not disappoint. My black and bleu burger was massive and deliciously messy. The atmosphere was great and our waitress was on top of everything. My only complaint is their fries. I feel like a place with amazing burgers needs to have good fries as well, and theirs just didn't do it for me. However, I will definitely be coming back, most likely to try their fish and to check out the beer selection.
(4)Danielle F.
Red Lion Grog House is the quintessential British Pub. The beer selection is excellent. Not only do they represent the local brews and have the British staples, but they have some more unique items...namely The Monty Python and the Holy Grail Ale and The Monty Python Dark Knight brew. Not only did I take home the bottles to decorate my baker's rack, but the beer was actually pretty tasty. In terms of food, I had the chips and curry. The fries were your normal tasty fair, but the curry sauce was good. As Indian Food fanatic, I am often dissatisfied with the curry sauce at pubs, but this was flavorful and spicy. The environment in the pub is kind of like an episode of cheers. It is a local bar with local beer where everyone knows everyone. As if all those details don't validate teh five stars, the Red Lion also has trivia night! Win!
(5)Drew D.
Red Lion is a British-styled pub in the Murphy Building in Fountain Square. And by British-style I mean an emphasis on Fish & Chips, Pub Curries, and English beer. That said, there's a good selection of Indiana brews (Sun King & Upland), and good draft specials during the week. Not too wide a selection to make you pause, but it is pretty great to see you can drink local almost anywhere now. With the recent opening of several more local breweries (including an upcoming one in the neighborhood); will be interesting to see if they add a few more taps. The portobello sandwich is pretty excellent; if a bit messy, and the same goes for the Reuben. Both are pretty giant. Only had a scotch egg once, but it was one of the finest (then again, any hardboiled egg blanketed in sausage & fried better be at least decent). Burgers are passable to excellent; though they seem either pre-formed or molded. Oh--make sure you get some of the curry sauce (hot) with your chips...it's a stand-out for sure. Service here has always been outstanding & really friendly. I also like the fact that there are just TVs over the bar, and no music. Anywhere you can go for a drink and actually hear yourself talk/think is a winner in my book.
(4)Ashley L.
I really dig the atmosphere, beer selection and food here. Really. I love the selection of local beers on tap. Been here a few times now and have always had solid service and great food.
(4)Carl B.
Red Lion is an excellent no smoking bar in Fountain Square. I would most certainly come here often if I lived closer. The food is actually pretty great here for pub food and the veggie burger is the best around. They also have fried pickle chips, which are superb. Most encounters with the Grog house have been a meet up with friends for a few drinks and dinner. We always leave quite full and happy. Red Lion is also a perfect stop during a first-friday outing at the Murphy building.
(4)Jon C.
Scotch Eggs are a wonderful creation, and where-ever I go, if they're on the menu, I have to try them. Red Lion's are the best I've had. Now, I've not been to the UK of course, nor traveled all that much, but I've had 'Eggs at a few dozen places. Anyway, Red Lion's are good. Their Fish-n-Chips is good too, as are their chips/fries. You can get get mild or hot curry sauce for dipping - and both are wonderful. The tap selection is decent; it's no Heorot obviously, but the taps are still good. They've got Guinness (of course), and usually a few Uplands and the like. Mad Hatter IPA from New Holland has been there as well. Good stuff. The servers, er, well, servER, since we've only had one, is/are awesome. She's this cool rockabilly-looking chick who's always super friendly and such. The last time my wife and I went, we'd planned to try their Chicken Tikka. They were out and we were sad. DON'T RUN OUT OF THINGS! :D I know, it happens, but I've got to deduct a star for that one. Anyway, the place is great, Fountain Square is cool as hell, and so you may as well go and check it out!
(4)Courtney B.
I was intrigued by the name and a quick walk-through during a First-Friday extravaganza and made a point to return to try it out. That said, the food was great! The service, not so much. Perhaps it was because I was alone, but I had to search out my waitress after waiting ten minutes for the check. Forget about a re-fill, I was never asked for one! But that makes no, never mind, I will probably return just because the food and beer selection was exceptional.
(3)Shan A.
Have come here twice in the past month and it doesn't disappoint. I got the turkey cranberry sandwich special (around Thanksgiving) the first time with fries. The fries weren't done in my opinion and didn't end up eating them too much. The next time I went, I got tator tots and there were delicious with a pork tenderloin. Make sure to get their meal card that allows you to get a free lunch after 10 or so visits!
(4)Kate L.
I've eaten a lot of veggie burgers in my time. I'd have to say, at this point in time, the best veggie burger you can get in Indy is at Red Lion. I highly suggest ordering the BBQ Bacon Burger with the veggie burger (no bacon)! It is heaven in your mouth. The homemade barbecue sauce is the perfect amount of sweet & tangy, the onion crisps add the perfect touch of texture. Don't forget to get the spicy curry for your chips! And, if you're feeling adventurous, dipping the veggie burger in your curry might push your tastebuds over the edge.
(5)Liz S.
one of my FAVORITE places to go in indy! i love the atmosphere, the food there is grand. 90% of the time, i have immaculate service there, but i've gone a couple times where the waitress (2x) has been just rude and unattentive towards my group! a small letdown is the price on their foods, but i guess i'm just a cheap-skate! still love it though--always tell people about it, and it's just a wonderful place to hang out at, with a kitchen that stays open until 1am on weekends--can't beat that! suggestions: bubble & squeak w/ mashed potatoes & fried egg on top (FAVE) chicken tikka masala nom noms.
(5)Tom S.
Pretty good. It's americanized english food. The burgers are some of the best in the city. I would put them up there with Scotty's Brewhouse in terms of burgers. Go ahead and order the Curry sauce with everything you get. You'll thank me later. I wish they had more options that weren't deep fried, but that's the nature of most grog houses. They have a good selection of beer for a mid-ranged restaurant. They like to stick to mostly local brands, a big ups, but you will also find Shiner Bock and Guinness on tap. *FALSE* Local brews on taps. that was a temporary fix till they got the good stuff in. Hit up their lunch special and make sure not to lose your punch card! the 6th lunch is free! *Edit 11-16-12* After trying out vegetarianism for a stint, not only are their animal burgers the best in town but so are the veggie!
(5)John W.
Not bad. So as the name would suggest (all English Pubs are called the Red Lion) this is an English pub. And our bartender was indeed English...Or at least I think that's where the accent was from. The bad: The clam chowder was kind of generic No English beers on tap and I don't think they had too many in the bottle neither, though they did have some. They do have Guinness on tap but who doesn't. There weren't a lot of people in here on a Sunday afternoon. We got there early and the wings were still frozen The good: The wings are really good! The ones we were able to get. The fish and chips looked decent and I will have to go back for them The fried shrimp was good too. They also have other items on the menu that you might expect to find in a London pub like Tikka Masala and Shepherds pie but a lot of burgers as well. If they had Bass, Smithwicks, New Castle, McEwans or any other British Ales on tap I could have given them another star. I also don't think they had any mixed drinks which means a British pub with no Jameson or Scotch...Must be some Indiana thing where Whiskey makes the baby Jesus cry or something.
(3)Frank Y.
Quick and dirty: Pub atmosphere with a good beer and food selection. Sun King on tap. Solid food and excellent service. Nothing lingered in the kitchen, and bar service was very good. Note: the restrooms are outside the restaurant in a common corridor of the building. Recommended. We went there at around 3PM on February 16th (I'm a bit behind on my reviews) on a quest for good fish and chips based upon previous Yelp reviews. We were not disappointed. We had the mushroom appetizer, and we both ordered the fish and chips with the Sun King cream ale. The food arrived steaming hot, and the beer arrived good and cold. Mushrooms: On the small side, but plentiful and properly done. Flavorful dipping sauce. Recommended. Fish and chips: The fish was a good, fleshy cut of whitefish about 34" thick. The batter was a shiny-hard crust style. Both were properly done and too hot to eat when they arrived. The flavor and texture were very good and worth the trip. The chips were freshly made and cut shoestring style from whole potatoes. Again, they were properly done with a nice crispness outside and a good texture inside. Recommended. Sun King cream ale: 'nuff said.
(4)Zs B.
On a Sunday, a bit after 2PM, not much else is open in the Fountain Square area other than Red Lion. Milktooth, which is open untill 3PM, just turned us away, so we went to our trusted place in the neighborhood. Their menu has classic pub grub, decent beer selection, and there's also trivia on Tuesday and Thursday nights. The portabello mushroom sandwich is a good vegetarian option, and you can get tater tots as a side! :-)
(4)Adam D.
I've been here with business colleagues & I've been here with family. Both were great experiences. My dilemma is I can't get away from the fish & chips! With several other items on the menu I want to try, both times I've been sucked in by this traditional British platter. The fish is fried in an incredibly tasty batter with just enough grease to let you know you're alive! It's always smokin' hot when you bite into it, the way it should be. Only one complaint, the bathrooms are down right gross. They're shared with the other tenants in the old Murphy's building & it's pretty clear that nobody is taking ownership of them. That said, hit the restroom before arriving or after you leave & you can avoid the issue altogether. This joint will be on my regular visit list!
(5)Caiti H.
I stopped in for lunch and it was pretty calm. I ordered a patty melt and it was ok. Nothing outstanding, because even now I'm trying to remember what was all on my plate. I also went all in for some bread pudding. The pudding was kinda dry, but satisfied my sweet tooth. I dropped my rating because of service. To say that it was lack luster would be a bit of an understatement. Seeing as there were two servers, and four tables (including myself) all of which were finished eating...I don't see there being an excuse for it. Took a good 5-10 minutes to get a menu. The food came out promptly. I asked for dessert, that also came out pretty promptly... and then I sat there for 20-30 minutes. My server just vanished. I figured it may have been a shift change...but the other server never checked on me until I flagged her down to ask for my check. This was not her fault, but lack of communication on my servers part. Nutshell: The food is not much to write home about and service was too underwhelming to recommend you make a stop or go out of your way to visit.
(2)William Aaron K.
Went here for the first time yesterday with a friend. We decided to go to the outdoor patio in the back. At first we weren't sure what we were getting ourselves into, but we ended up having a pretty good time! Some of their food looks a little pricey, however the appetizers are just as fulfilling as any entree would be. I got the BBQ wings with ranch and about had my heart melt from how great they were. My friend had the jerk chicken on the skewer and it looked pretty good. However, she dipping it in bleu cheese and that's just not my thing. However, she enjoyed it! I also had the Piccadilly Punch, but there's a secret recipe to it, but I believe it was Malibu. However, it was super refreshing on a warm evening on the 4th of July (kind of ironic going to a British themed on America's holiday, huh?) It's definitely a place I will probably go back to, however, I think I would probably prefer to go there when the weather is nicer outside, so I can go out to the patio. The inside of the building is cool, but it's kind of small and gets pretty loud. I think it's worth going and definitely way better than a lot of other places in Fountain Square.
(5)Savannah W.
We were provided with excellent service, deliciously perfect food, and a small pub atmosphere. Our only complaint is that it was so hot inside the restaurant that I was anticipating leaving just to get to the cooler outside air, which is saying a lot for a late August summer.
(5)Aaron B.
Had a great meal at the Red Lion. I ordered the Fish & Chips with a Guiness and my wife got the BBQ Burger and a grog. The food was really tasty, well prepared, and served piping hot. The waitstaff was very attentive and the experience was just a good one. Other reviews' complaints about parking are fairly valid. We found a spot just fine, and it won't be an issue if you're in Fountain Square already for a show or night out, etc. But if this is your destination, you might have a bit of a walk from your car to the restaurant. The restrooms, as mentioned, are shared. We lucked out though, because they're shared with the Hi-Fi concert venue next door and we were having a pre-show dinner. So by taking a restroom break, we wound up backstage of the concert we were going to go see. That was actually kind of awesome! However, they aren't the best restrooms if that is a concern. Overall, I recommend the Red Lion. Good food, neat atmosphere, and attentive waitstaff.
(4)Phil B.
To quote from the web page. "Red Lion is not a sports bar - it's Indianapolis's only upscale English-style restaurant that exudes the sophistication and elegance of a five-star restaurant and excitement and entertainment." Hmm UPSCALE? and exudes ( oozes ) sophistication and elegance of a five star restaurant. Maybe Im missing the sarcasm? Dressed in business casual I felt way over dressed. First impression walking thru the door was not great. Entry needs a good scrubbing and a paint job. We waited about an hour to eat which was actually ok and understandable because of Dining Out For Life. Our server was very friendly and he did a wonderful job considering how busy they were. We ordered fish and chips and chicken and chips. Fish and chicken were really good chips were disappointing. For dessert we got an elephant ear. It was amazing. When I get a craving for this carnival staple and no carnival is in sight I know where to go. I would have given 2 stars had the dessert and service not been as great as they were. We may go back and try something diffrent but I will still get an elephant ear.
(4)Jessica C.
Really great first experience! I got the portobello & Swiss sandwich, my friend got the fish and chips. The hand cut fries are crispy & flavorful. We came in on a Friday night around 11:30, the service was great. Food was prompt & DELICIOUS!
(4)Kristin M.
For my second time at Red Lion, I was really let down by the service. At 12:45 on a Saturday, they only had one waitress on staff. We told the waitress we had somewhere to be by 2p and she seemed annoyed and said that was plenty of time. She took 15 mins to come back to take our order and we didn't get our food for 30 minutes. Needless to say, we had to inhale our food, pay before we ate, and barely made it where we needed to be - 5 minutes away. Really disappointed and don't plan to return if I have anything to do afterward. Please fix it Red Lion!
(2)Jennifer F.
We entered the Red Lion Grog House and were greeted with soulful music, low lighting and the happy chatter of several different conversations going on between patrons at the tables and bar. The restaurant was clean, and definitely not the environment of the true Grog houses that tend to be dirty barrooms in seedy areas of town. However, I wouldn't classify it as upscale dining either, which is how the restaurant describes its dining experience, but it is casual. We sat ourselves and our server arrived to the table promptly to take our drink order. When he delivered those he satisfactorily answered all questions we had about the menu. My daughter decided to order the Roasted Red Pepper Burger and wanting to stay true to the English experience I ordered the Bangers and Mash. My daughter was pleased with her burger and they nailed her requested medium doneness, it was not too done or rare. My Bangers and Mash were topped with an herbed beef stock reduction. The garlic potatoes had a bold garlic flavor (unlike some I've had where the garlic was almost undetectable). I truly enjoyed the beef stock reduction as it was rich and aromatic, possessing a slight floral note. Additionally, the crisp onion rings added a nice variation in texture. So, the softness of the mash, the firmness of the sausage, and the crispness of the onion rings made for a dish of well rounded textures. The only issue I had with the meal is that it was lukewarm versus hot, which is why I rated the Red Lion Grog House four stars versus five. However, the prices are great and the food is good so I intend to come back. I also like the fact that one can access the restaurant from the front or back. The back entrance is conveniently accessible via the parking lot and a short hallway.
(4)Alexis W.
This is a great eat! My boyfriend and I just got home from an amazing meal! We went there for our Valentine's Day and it was sooo good! I made reservations for 6:30 and we arrived 6:20 and were seated right away. The hostess was very polite and greeted us with open arms. Our waitress was the same way. Everything on their menu sounded so good, so we took a couple more minutes to decided what we wanted. My boyfriend made his own burger and I ordered the Grog House Chicken. Oh my lanta is was delicious!!! It took about 10-15 minutes to come out. I was happy with the way my meal tasted and so was my boyfriend. He loved it so much he inhaled his meal within 10 minutes. Our meals came out hot and fresh. I can't express how good it was! After we ate our meal, we decided to get a elephant ear. It was 4.99 so it we were sold. When it came out our jaws HIT the floor! IT WAS HUGE!!! It was bigger than the actual plate, but OH MY GOSH it was DELICIOUS! We thought we were full..haha. We ended up eating the entire thing. This is definitely a restaurant we will be visiting again!
(5)Zs B.
On a Sunday, a bit after 2PM, not much else is open in the Fountain Square area other than Red Lion. Milktooth, which is open untill 3PM, just turned us away, so we went to our trusted place in the neighborhood. Their menu has classic pub grub, decent beer selection, and there's also trivia on Tuesday and Thursday nights. The portabello mushroom sandwich is a good vegetarian option, and you can get tater tots as a side! :-)
(4)Carie W.
Ever have one of those days when just nothing goes right? The kind of day that almost begs you to cry uncle and go back to bed? Husband and I had one of those yesterday. It almost had us. The day almost broke us. But it didn't. And I'm so glad because if it had, we may have missed out on the Red Lion Grog House. It may have been unfortunate events that led us to this wonderful establishment, but there was nothing unfortunate about this meeting. I'll skip the dramatics and start with walking in the front door. It was everything I think a really good bar should be. Comfortable and woody. Friendly, but not invasive. Good beer on tap and tasty cocktails on the menu. It was around noon on Sunday and only a few other tables were scattered about. We chose an out of the way table along the wall toward the back. I'll take a brief moment here to talk about the service because I definitely don't want it to get lost in my ravings about the food. If I had to pick one word - perfect. She was knowledgeable and honest. Available, without hovering. All around really cool and just turned our day around. Seriously. She was the perfect speed and we just couldn't have been happier on that front. Of course, we told her this in the tip rather than in person because nothing strikes fear in a server like being told what a great job she's doing. It's equivalent to stating, "please take my kind words in lieu of anything you could use to pay rent". I wouldn't scare my worst enemy with those terrifying words. On to the food. We started with the fried pickles. Without a doubt, the best fried pickles I've ever had. And we've had a lot of fried pickles. My husband is borderline obsessed with them. They were breaded and fried perfectly - light and crisp - keeping the pickle as the star of the show. The garlic-dijon aioli was the perfect accompaniment. All of it was just outstanding. My husband ordered the fish sandwich and I the apple-curry wings for our entrees. His sandwich was, again, perfectly fried. I find fish sandwiches somewhat frustrating as they tend to just disintegrate leaving me baffled as to why I even bothered with the whole sandwich setup. This one did nothing of the sort. It made for a very happy husband, which of course, equals a very happy me. Then I took a bite of the apple-curry wings. I'm pretty sure my eyes bulged out of my head as fireworks were set off in my brain by the explosion of happiness. They were a perfect balance of flavor, tender chicken, and instantly became one of those dishes I'll think/talk about for years to come. I don't want to get started on how often I'm going to crave these. I'm both sad and happy I'll have to drive a bit of a distance to get these again. And again. And again. Drinks. As I was behind the wheel for our day of adventure from the northside, I was not inclined to partake in any of the delightful adult beverages listed on the menu. I'm just dying to try the Pimm's cup, amongst others. Instead, I opted for a taste of the ginger beer and was very happy. My husband had a few rounds of the bloody mary and was even happier. Next time, we'll plan to spend a bit more time in the area so we can both indulge. And there will be a next time. Lots of them.
(5)Kim K.
Holy mackerel, their fish n' chips are quite a catch! Perfectly battered to crispy perfection. I am a dipper; so I feel the need to also note that their tartar sauce was absolutely wonderful as well. The perfect compliment. Wait staff was incredible friendly and helpful as well.
(5)Kristen S.
Went here for lunch today and as always it was great! I had the Ruben and my boyfriend had the grandmas meatloaf. The Ruben was served up quickly with hot fresh fries. The sandwich didn't last long and I enjoyed every buttery, rich and flavorful bite. The fries were done to perfection with a slightly crispy and salted exterior with a soft interior. The meatloaf was awesome...the seasoning they used was great with rosemary being the prevailing spice. Our waitress was extremely friendly and very knowledgeable about the beers on tap. I love that they have so many indiana beers featured on draft. I had the JMC christmas ale from Two Deep brewing company and my boyfriend had the Farmers Daughter from 450 north brewing company. It was an unexpected trip to the Grog House..especially at 1pm on a Tuesday but let me tell you...when you need a good mental health day come here. The atmosphere is great and the staff are awesome :) Oh and how can I forget he scotch eggs! They are epic and done to perfection. My first time trying the dish and I was surprised and very pleased. The fried meaty goodness of the exterior was a tastey contrast to cold smooth and rich interior of the egg. Not sure the exact ingredients in the sauce but u sensed some horseradish so I loved it.
(5)Patrick M.
I don't write reviews very often, only when I feel strongly one way or another toward a particular business, and Red Lion is one of those businesses. I've become quite fond of this place. I live in Fountain Square, and if I want to eat close, Red Lion is definitely one of my top choices. In my experiences here the service has always been spectacular. I've never had to wait long to be greeted/have my order taken. On top of that, the kitchen staff is awesome, and I've never had to wait long for my food, even when the restaurant is packed. Everyone has always been friendly, and would frequently check up with me. I've visited this place many times, on different days of the week/times of day, and would have to say my favorite day is Sunday because they have a special on Bloody Marys. Four dollar Bloody Marys, can't beat that. Also, lately I've become fond of the build your own burger option of the menu. I've had a lot of fun coming up with new combinations.
(5)Traci D.
I myself has been here once already before my boyfriend and I dined a fee months ago. We sat at the bar, bartender was awesome and very informative. My boyfriend is not too familiar with craft beers but the bartender gave us the 441! Their burgers are the best and their Mac & cheese is delightful!
(5)Valerie B.
Just stopped in for a quick beer. Nice selection and great conversation with the staff. Will return to try their food out sometime.
(3)Angeleka D.
I've been half-heartedly fighting the battle of bulge since my birthday a few months ago. In that I reluctantly eased away from social media, gluten, carbs, caffeine, and most other things that are actually good for me. In that vacation away from bacon I sort of documented how many times I eat out, and it's pretty much every. single. day. SMH!!! Just when I think I've given up on everything food, we stumble into Red Lion one lowly Wednesday evening. I'm surprised at how tiny it is, but then I think 'what would Britain Do?!', and decide that it's probably what a real pub looks like. So I'm imagining myself sitting in the wooden booths and having fish and chips with The Queen and we are talking about how much we love Beyoncé. Actually, I just grab a seat and quickly get asked to find a table that is smaller in case a group of people walk in and need the space...but the sign said seat yourself...and I didn't see a smaller table... It was in between two other cramped tables. Cool w me. Since we were practically sitting on the neighboring table's lap, I asked them about this game everyone seemed to be playing. They explained and I gathered: *Wednesday they have trivia. If you are a genius you might win some money for drinks. Boom. My companion ordered a tenderloin (it was sooo good) I ordered chicken & fish and chips. The fries were delicious and needed some salt. The chicken was tender and juicy! A++ for the strips, the fish however, not quite what I expected. Lots of water retention in the Cod which wasn't so bad, but ya kno...I like my fish out of the water- haha, no?! It really wasn't a deal breaker- the fish, just needed more flavor! Flavour..flaveur? We smashed that down with lemonade. Sang along to a few songs then promised to return. My biggest complaint is the greasy feeling in the food. Now before you raise any eyebrows everything I ordered was fried (oh I had fried pickles too) and maybe a little too much grease for 30 year old me. It would have been nothing to eat the fries (chips), fish, chicken, and wash it down with the oil they cooked it in at 20 year old me. Now I'm avoiding things like fat and heart attack...so bare with me these days?! Red Lion is seemingly an ok place. Give it a few times to call it great. Go on a Wednesday, and take a mate, have a pint. It's a drinking place so don't be like me and order lemonade. Do try the tenderloin, it's on $6.99 special every Wednesday to eternity. Or, until they decide to change that special. I'll update you if they do! Cheers!
(3)Olivia M.
I'm looking forward to when Red Lion and I become (practically) neighbors this summer. My beer was delicious, my portobello (and mashed potatoes!) was delicious, and our waiter (Chris, I think) was friendly and very attentive. I'd like to see a bigger crowd for trivia, but perhaps that will happen this summer.
(4)Burger Guide D.
The Red Lion Grog House is a popular bar featuring tasty beers in Indianapolis. They also feature some pretty tasty bar food in as well. The BBQ bacon burger is made up of 1/2 pound of 100% Angus beef grilled to order, BBQ sauce, cheddar cheese, crisp bacon, onion crisps, lettuce, tomato, and served on a freshly baked egg bun. My first impression of the burger was that it was somewhat unmanageable. The onion rings were much too thick to be able to eat with both of them on the burger. I ate one of them and then eat the burger. The burger was a well-executed BBQ Bacon "Western Style" burger. The onion rings were flavorful, bacon was salty and crisp, and the BBQ sauce paired well with the burger. Compared to my favorite burgers the beef could have been a bit more juicy, but it did have a nice char. The egg bun was a good flavor pairing but could have been pillowy soft. Overall, the BBQ bacon burger is a solid offering to enjoy with some tasty beers at Red Lion Grog House.
(3)Christine B.
this place is amazing. excellent service and possibly my favorite sports bar in the city. Chris the bartender is the man. he is awesome and is knowledge of beer and wines is truly astounding. the food... how is it possible for them to take such simple bar food and make it taste so good? they have tater tots, which is awesome. the mozzarella sticks and fried mushrooms are literally the best I've ever had. you can tell they're fresh, made by hand, and definitely aren't the generic crap that comes in frozen from a wholesaler. the mozz sticks are huge, breaded with tons of flavor, the mushrooms taste like they were sauteed in garlic before breaded and fried. Chris talked me into a Belgian barley wine last night that was raspberry flavored and dangerously delicious. my boyfriend and I love this place and we always sit at the bar. the only negative, their Tuesday night trivia guy sucks. you have to register super early, the format is weird, and the questions are entirely way too hard. I vote for a team trivia live person or bar bingo. that guy has gotta go.
(5)Leslie L.
My husband and I had differing opinions about this restaurant... He liked it, I didn't. I had the Chicken Pot Pie and it just had no flavor and the pastry on top was just awkward to eat. My husband had the Black and Bleu burger and loved it. I would definitely this place again and maybe get the fish and chips next time but for now it's a 3 star rating (split the difference of opinions). Good atmosphere and enough seating for groups of 6 or less people. Good beer selection.
(3)Olivia Z.
Great atmosphere and good food. I had the strawberry/candied walnut salad and it was out of sight. Didn't think I'd be wowed by a salad, but I was. Strawberries tasted fresh and the candied walnuts were delicious. Waitress gave me 20% off my order when she saw I didn't like my soup (Note: The soup I opted to get didn't compliment the strawberry salad). Can't wait to go back. Loved it!
(5)Jared J.
Food is always good. Staff is friendly. Don't have any complaints about this place.
(5)Telissa C.
I have been back to Red Lion a few more times recently and must say the service is always excellent. In the past I hadn't been impressed with the food. I think the kitchen must be on track now because things are better. The chips last 2 times weren't a greasy mess they were in the past. Oh so good! I LOVE the garlic aoli! Let's talk about drinks! Sunday's $4.50 Bloody Mary is a home run. The Hemingway is a real winner too! Oh and the Pimms cup? Spot on. Most know I am a lover of local beers and though I find the beer selection a bit limited they do keep a few local beers on tap and that is great!
(4)Ronee B.
I really love this place. It is smaller, dark, cozy, and they have terrific food. The Scotch eggs and cheese sticks are terrific! These cheese sticks are HUGE, with the breading I think they use for the scotch eggs, and they aren't greasy with cheap cheese. They have lots of beer variety (which I'm not a beer person so that means little to me). If you are in Fountain Square you have to come here!
(4)Christina G.
There are so many wonderful food options here that I order through process of elimination. I have never been anything but completely satisfied by Red Lion! And that is not just with the food. The staff is friendly and helpful. I think I must stop my review here so that I don't start drooling on my keyboard from thinking about what I will order next time.
(4)Rob C.
Just visited for trivia on Tuesday night. Service was great, beer list was OK, curry fries we quite yummy, trivia was a lot of fun. Seemed a bit pricey on the food and beverage front ($6 pints for local beer on a Tuesda night? C'mon!).
(3)Bodie S.
We went to Red Lion for trivia night, which takes place every Thursday, starting at 7pm, and we had a really good time here. It was my first time being here and I was very impressed with everything. The atmosphere, the people, the food/drink, it was all wonderful. It was an interesting combination of younger people and older people, all enjoying the competition of trivia. The food was amazing. The portions were large and high in quality. I definitely want to try more of their menu. The fish and chips are delicious, as well as their chicken strips (and accompanying sauces that you get to pick). I'm dying to try their Scotch egg. I've been dreaming about it since I left there. Grant me my wish! Their drinks are around $5 for pints of craft beer. They also have $2.50 PBRs. They have local Indianapolis beers on tap, which I always find enjoyable. I had a Fountain Square Big Nugget and a few others. They have spirits as well and can whip you up a fine cocktail. They have a great beverage selection. The service was great. Our waitress was friendly, talkative, but not too talkative, and never neglected us. At any point in time our drinks were getting low, she'd appear out of nowhere to ask us if we'd like something else. Like a drinking genie! If you're in the Fountain Square area and are wanting to try something unique and delicious, I'd highly recommend giving Red Lion a try. It's easy to locate!
(5)Cara S.
I've been a fan of Red Lion since they opened, and I know I'm not the only one because they're always busy. I'm a sucker for fries, and their chips and curry are good - it's hard to resist getting some each time I come. They also have a really good homemade vegetarian burger. I believe the burger itself is vegan (at least it was when they first opened and I asked about it), but they have changed the veggie burger toppings over the years, and the toppings are not always vegan. They serve nice local beers, and they have fun trivia on Tuesdays and Thursdays. They are a wonderful addition to Fountain Square.
(4)Jason O.
Big fan of the atmosphere, bar, and the appetizers! Great spot to hang drink and eat after work or on the weekends. Fast friendly staff! Big fan of the Curry Chips!
(4)Howard L.
I really liked this pub. Overall, about 4.5 stars, with 5 stars for the English beer selection, and 4 stars for the food. You can get bottled Old Speckled Hen here for $4.75. Son also had a nice Upland Rad red wheat ale, much like an FFF Gumballhead. There were numerous other tempting selections like Boddington Ale, Smithwicks, and Young's Double Chocolate Stout. We had: Scotch egg Whole portabello cap with swiss cheese Meat loaf sandwich Fish and chips Wife and I enjoyed the food, but son didn't like his meat loaf sandwich as much (a bit flavorless). Comfortable and spacious pub dining, and friendly service also. Will be back!
(4)Brittany L.
This review is belated, I visited Red Lion Grog house in November. I've actually been twice, both times during lunch, and I'll definitely be going back soon. The first time I went, I ordered the stuffed portobello. It wasn't the best I've had, which is why this place didn't get five stars. My boyfriend ordered the meatloaf sandwich, which he really enjoyed. The servings are HUGE, plan on having leftovers. I made the right call on our second visit, the fish and chips were fantastic, so order this if you're looking for something that will always be a great bet. The coleslaw was out of this world. The best part of the restaurant is probably the bar selection (as it should be at a pub.) The first time I visited,I had the signature Grog, the Red Lion Grog. It is a cocktail made of beer and liquor and pop, and it is killer. I couldn't find the drink on their website, so I can't say what was in it with certainty. Drink it slowly, it will creep up on you! I stuck with beer the second round, and had a local offering from Fountain Square Brewery. I highly encourage every beer fan try whatever they have from FSB, I've yet to be disappointed. Lastly, when I visited the second time, it was cold outside, so I had an Irish coffee. The bartender made it stiff, and it definitely warmed me up. As important as the food and bar selection are to my review score, I have to say that the atmosphere is truly something unique and fun. It's in a great area (Fountain Square) and they've really done a wonderful job with the decor and the layout. The room long and narrow, and it feels cozy without being cramped. There is a short bar, maybe 6 or 7 seats, with tvs on the wall, and a row of booths. There are a couple of larger round top tables in the front, near the door. Of course, it was nearly empty when we were there, so I can imagine on a busy night or afternoon, it could get a little tight. The waitresses are nice and attentive, and not overbearing at all. Our bartender let us sample a couple of specialty drinks, to help us make a decision on our order. I wish I could remember her name, she's great. Even the cooks are friendly and greet you over the wall when you come in. The lighting is dark and a little gloomy, but it's perfect for a pub atmosphere. It gets you in the drinking mood. If you're looking for a casual place that offers something special here in Indianapolis, visit the Red Lion Grog House. You'll be glad that you did, and, if you're like me, it will move to the top of your list of places to frequent!
(4)Nikol P.
if you like fried bar food it will be great. i just think you smell like grease when you come out and everything kinda tastes the same. the design of the long narrow room gets very congested as well.
(5)Kasey L.
We had a very pleasant experience here tonight. We needed to spend $30 to get $10 off with a coupon, so (and I'm not proud of this) we ordered three entrees despite there only being two of us :) We turned the mac and cheese entree into an appetizer. I don't think I've ever tasted such a strong cheddar taste in a cheese sauce in my entire life. My dining partner was a little turned off by it, but I loved it. I had the BBQ bacon burger, and he had the black and bleu burger, and we both cleaned our plates! Both burgers were cooked perfectly. Previous reviewers were critical of the chips/fries, so we hedged our bets with him getting fries and me getting tater tots. We found the fries to be perfectly fine. We found the environment to be pretty laid back (lots of alcohol around but not too loud, etc.). One gentleman, who we think must have been the owner, was very attentive in terms of our wait, food, and comfort (we sat near the door and checked to make sure we weren't getting blown over by gusts of wind). The only reason it's not 5 stars is because it was lacking some type of wow factor--not even sure what that would be, but I'm pretty stingy with that fifth star and know it when I see it. We will happily come back here to try some of the other yummy things on the menu!
(4)Elijah S.
I have been here twice now. Once was after swing dancing when I found it will walking with a group of friends because it was the only thing open and a second time before heading down the Hoosier Dome for a concert. I had the Ruben the first time. Honestly it was a Ruben. I have had worst and I have had better. Second time was a burger. It was good. Atmosphere is packed on a weekend night(Which I like). Beer is a little on the steep side price wise and from what I remember not a huge selection. Service has been good both times. If you are in Fountain Square and don't feel like going to a dinner then yea check this place out. I will go again.
(4)Danny B.
Red Lion is a great place to hang-out over a beer and some chips. Not every bar has that type of atmosphere, but Red Lion has got it down. Homey feel, solid local beer selection, and friendly staff.
(4)Rae Ann P.
Absolutely wonderful service and excellent food. Chicken pot pie was HUGE and full of meat, veg (very tasty). The shepherd's pie was exceptional. Great flavor and wholesome. Might not be as authentic as Londoner's expect/want/remember - but it's pretty darn good for what we had. Definitely going to be back for another taste!!
(5)Amie L.
Love eating in Fountain Square. This is another great place to grab lunch. Their fish and chips are good. The curry dipping sauce steals the show though. Creamy ramekins of love to smother a crispy fry...yes please! The Shepherd's pie is also very good. Burgers are delicious. Easily one of the best burgers in town. Food is definitely of the comforting variety. Service has always been quick and friendly.
(4)Colin G.
This isn't my favorite place in Indy. This isn't even my favorite place in Fountain Square. But, in the end, I really like Red Lion. They serve good food, have a good atmosphere and have good beer on tap. I like that they do the daily specials. The food specials are always a really good deal, but it's always just one item. For instance, one time it was two for one fish and chips. Great deal, but what if you're with someone who doesn't fish and chips? The drinks specials are better on the off-days, but I think that's the case everywhere. They tend to get some interesting beers. Triton and Fountain Square are listed on their beer menus, with the caveat that they rotate. This was also the place where I first tried Indiana City. One thing I really like here is the burger. They cook it well, and it's tasty. One of the few places in Indy I've been to where they actually cook it how you order it (i.e. - "medium" does not come out well-done). IIRC (but I could be wrong), they also have Heinz 57, which is just such a rarity, especially in the Midwest. You can't wrong with that condiment though. The fries (as in something to dip in the Heinz 57) are really good as well. They try to put spins on the burgers, and I just don't know if it's executed that well. For instance, the "roasted red pepper burger" was topped with red peppers that had been put on the grill for a minute or so, and something they called "blue cheese cream sauce" that was orange. It's still a good burger, but I would probably just build my own next time. Service is usually attentive and relatively friendly. They keep up. It almost looks like the girls are wearing kilts though (with pants underneath, as this isn't The [stupid] Tilted Kilt), which doesn't seem to jive with their "English pub" self description. Last time I was in here, there was a group with two women and what sounded like at least 20 kids. I don't know that this somewhat dark, beer-oriented, pub-style place is a great fit for kids. The high ceilings also mean that all of that sugar you gave them makes it all the more annoying for everyone else. They have an almost secret patio as well. It's in the back. You go through the doors to the hallway (where the bathrooms are) and out into the alley. Pretty strange, but at least it's a patio. And if you're one of those people who gets weird about dirty or weird bathrooms, then this is not your place, as they're shared with the art studios above. Free wifi too, for your work-and-drink late lunches. Street parking all over the place, so it's high time you learn to parallel that m'f'er.
(4)Conni M.
Yum! Just so perfect for pub food! And the specialty cocktails were great too. Our table Collectively had chicken pot pie, Shepard pie, buffalo chicken sandwich and a scotch egg appetizer. I have never tried a scotch egg and it was delicious!! All food, drink, and service were above expectations. Thank you fellow Yelpers for for bringing me this great dinner night out!
(5)Derek C.
Nice little place with fair prices. It's worth checking out. It's in a convenient location in Fountain Square with parking all around. The decor/ambience isn't quite British pub. By that, I mean that there's way more floor space and the ceilings are quite high. We got the fish and chips plus the shepherd's pie. The fish and pie were great. The chips left a little to be desired. The beer is as cheap as anywhere and they've got a decent selection of local brews and imports (obviously focused on the UK and Ireland).
(4)Rob A.
I really wanted to like Red Lion. I dragged my wife here one weekend recently for an early dinner and I was excited based on what I had seen in the yelp reviews. First of all, the service was painfully slow but I looked past it because it's a bar. We started with the fried pickle chips which were great -- good pickle to batter ratio and nice and crispy. For our meal we went the British route and ordered the shepherd's pie and the national dish of Britain, chicken tikka masala. The first thing we noticed was that the serving sizes for both meals were tiny for how much they cost, which was $12 and $13, respectively, and neither came with any sides. The shepherd's pie was decent but it didn't impress me. The chicken tikka masala was bland and unappetizing and my wife didn't take more than a a few bites before putting down her fork. I tried a bite and agreed. Our waitress could tell my wife wasn't satisfied and was nice enough to offer her another dish. Also of note was the men's restroom, which was filthy and barely functional with no working urinals and one disgusting toilet that was overflowing. The bathrooms seem to be shared between other establishments so maybe this isn't all Red Lion's fault. Based on the wealth of great reviews, I'm hoping that this particular visit was an anomaly. First impressions are powerful things though, and I don't think we'll be finding ourselves back at Red Lion anytime soon.
(2)Ali G.
Good food, good atmosphere! We went here to celebrates my boyfriends brothers birthday, who loves a good beer. They have a huge selection of beers and drinks, and a good menu. We started with the fried pickles as an appetizer and they came out piping hot. The pickles were really good and so was the dijon sauce to dip them in. I had the chicken and chips. So good! I really don't have many complaints about the place. The chipotle dipping sauce for the chicken was amazing and I will definitely be back for more. The only downside was the English Garden I had to drink. It was vodka, sprite and lemonade, garnished with a cucumber. It tasted like pure cucumber, which I wasn't a fan of, but if you like cucumbers, this is your drink. The atmosphere is dark and laid back, but pretty loud. Overall, it was a good experience.
(4)Nick J.
I've been going to Red Lion for a couple years. . Their new cocktail menu is great, especially the Pimm's Cup. For the last two years of undergrad, friends and I would go here regularly for trivia nights. It's definitely worth going as a group as long as you have someone on the team who knows 80s music and if you can handle somewhat "inventive" pronunciation of geographical locations. The beer selection is really good. They've got Weihenstephaner and usually have Sun King, Guinness, Strongbow, and a few other beers on tap. Their liquor selection is pretty small, but it's good stuff. The best items on the menu are: Bubble and Squeak (with fried egg) Lancashire Hot Pot The Waltimate Tikka Masala Spicy Curry Chips The food isn't amazing, but it's great for pub food and the service is outstanding. Chris and Liz need to be tipped well! Easily my favorite servers in Indy.
(4)Nina J.
Finally got a chance to check out Fountain Square and Red Lion was a must-visit. We had an early Saturday dinner 5-6-ish and were able to snag one of the two window tables. Our server was very nice and prompt with drinks & refills. Select pints were only $4 that day and we really enjoyed the local brands we tried. I'm first generation American on my Brit side, so I chuckle at those who dissed the atmosphere here. It feels like a cozy, local pub - things are worn, but clean. US faux pubs usually don't honor the "worn" aspect. The restrooms are in the back hallway & cleaner than the public restroom at the Indy Embassy Suites. Check out the pinboard in back hallway for notice of local music events. We split the Candied Walnut Strawberry Salad and were provided ample plates for splitting with no complaint. Surprised to find such a fresh, mixed spring salad in a pub. I'd eat the candied walnuts from a bowl! Good vinaigrette dressing and awesome crumbled blue cheese. The fried mushrooms are crunchy - the dip has a touch of dill and a good, smoky edge that elevates this standard appetizer. Fish and chips had a crisp batter. Solid pieces of flaky whitefish. I recommend asking for the dip that comes with the mushrooms instead of tartar sauce - the fish tasted great with that dill. Fries are hand-cut with some peel and generous sea salt. They didn't look burnt, but did have a taste of being "over cooked". Maybe it's the oil they use, but I'd skip fries for other crunch options. Fun to split an elephant ear for dessert. The couple next to us ordered the chicken curry and it smelled divine - we'll be heading back for the beer and some curry.
(4)Brittany L.
I love the curry chips (hand cut fries). I crave them in fact. The burger I had a few weeks ago was actually cooked medium, as I requested, and it was just GREAT. Fish and chips are also good, and I like the bangers and mash as well. Tasty comfort food. Really, the 2 things I haven't been TOTALLY impressed were was the chicken pot pie and a popover. Pie's taste was good, but it was packed with celery and onions, which I don't really like. Personal preference though. The popover was hard like a rock and cold. I've been to trivia night a couple times...definitely a fun thing on a weeknight. Always a good selection of local draft beers and friendly prompt service. No complaints...I just wish it was in Irvington!
(5)Rene F.
Great food in a cozy atmosphere - seriously good burgers, shepherd's pie and Scotch eggs!
(5)Kelly H.
This is a pub that not only is known for its drink selection, but actually has food to deliver too. I'm always wary of ordering fried fish since they usually end up being soggy or have too much breading, but I figured they have to be good at a British pub, right? So I ordered the combo chicken/fish and chips, and fortunately, the fish and chicken were perfectly cooked and crispy. And I loved the apple curry dipping sauce! Something different and a very subtle, sweet flavor. The tater tots here aren't special, but I highly recommend getting the fries. It had a great curry/cumin kick to them, which you don't come across often in Indy. The service was also equally impressive. We arrived around 7 pm on a Friday, and although the place was relatively lively, the two of us were seated right away. Our server was cheery, frequently refilled our glasses, and we were in and out under an hour. I definitely plan to return!
(4)Sam B.
They never disappoint me! I love the mozzarella sticks so unique. Also the Big Ben is amazin! I have tried lots of menu items and nothing ever is disappointing !
(5)Kristan W.
BANGERS & MASH FTW! Okay... got that out of my system. I happened upon this place on accident and it was a pleasant surprise indeed. I've had a few items: deep fried macaroni balls, scotch eggs, B & M and the fish n chips (not as blown away by the F n C as I was hoping, maybe an off night). The seating can be a little on the cramped side especially with other tables, but the beer and cocktails help. It's dark and moody and smells like delicious fried food. If you haven't been it's most definitely worth checking out.
(5)Matt W.
We got taken here while visiting Indy last weekend, and while I was really impressed by the beer menu and their curry wings, I had some other issues. We tried a few different appetizers - chips with curry sauce (really good, and the curry sauce was good enough that I added some wings with it as well), scotch eggs, and fried mushrooms. The wings and chips were served at the proper temperature, but the mushrooms were cold and the scotch egg was underdone. The server took them back and had new batches made and fried up properly, but that was disappointing. The decor is dark and comfortable, but getting to the bathrooms is kind of a pain. All things considered, I think I'd happily go here again if I'm back in town, but I'd keep an eye on how things are coming out of the kitchen.
(4)Phil S.
The Scotch eggs, fried mac and cheese, and spicy curry chicken sandwich were delicious! Great atmosphere and beer selection. Service was top-notch. I will be returning again soon.
(5)Catherine K.
Service is way too uneven here for me to recommend this restaurant. It's a shame, because the food is good. I stopped in for a late lunch with my husband and another couple; it took nearly an hour to get our appetizers. During that time, my friend's husband was the only one who received a drink refill. There appeared to be only 2 waitresses for the entire restaurant and it was a full house (although that might speak more to the speed of service than to the popularity of the restaurant). We've had mixed experiences here since the restaurant opened, so I expect that is just to be expected at this point.
(2)Bethany S.
After my recent trip to the UK and English-pub visiting there with the natives, I was eager to check out Indy's version. Maybe I went on a bad night, but my friend and I were disappointed by the food here. I got a BBQ veggie burger, which was supposed to be amazing, but they forgot the BBQ sauce until I asked about it. The chips were some of the worst I've had, even after I added a little salt and malt vinegar - they seemed to be overcooked. The veggie burger itself is decent as far as veggie burgers in Indy go. The most interesting part was open mic night. I didn't realize this was going on until I got there and groaned inwardly, but the performers actually weren't too bad. Just a little annoying when you're trying to catch up with a friend you haven't seen in a while. I think beer people would like the Grog House more!
(2)Molly G.
Love this place. Good local brews. Fish and chips are excellent. And their burgers are so good! Try the Waltimate. And don't forget to get the hot curry sauce to dip your chips in.
(4)Tom S.
Pretty good. It's americanized english food. The burgers are some of the best in the city. I would put them up there with Scotty's Brewhouse in terms of burgers. Go ahead and order the Curry sauce with everything you get. You'll thank me later. I wish they had more options that weren't deep fried, but that's the nature of most grog houses. They have a good selection of beer for a mid-ranged restaurant. They like to stick to mostly local brands, a big ups, but you will also find Shiner Bock and Guinness on tap. *FALSE* Local brews on taps. that was a temporary fix till they got the good stuff in. Hit up their lunch special and make sure not to lose your punch card! the 6th lunch is free! *Edit 11-16-12* After trying out vegetarianism for a stint, not only are their animal burgers the best in town but so are the veggie!
(5)John W.
Not bad. So as the name would suggest (all English Pubs are called the Red Lion) this is an English pub. And our bartender was indeed English...Or at least I think that's where the accent was from. The bad: The clam chowder was kind of generic No English beers on tap and I don't think they had too many in the bottle neither, though they did have some. They do have Guinness on tap but who doesn't. There weren't a lot of people in here on a Sunday afternoon. We got there early and the wings were still frozen The good: The wings are really good! The ones we were able to get. The fish and chips looked decent and I will have to go back for them The fried shrimp was good too. They also have other items on the menu that you might expect to find in a London pub like Tikka Masala and Shepherds pie but a lot of burgers as well. If they had Bass, Smithwicks, New Castle, McEwans or any other British Ales on tap I could have given them another star. I also don't think they had any mixed drinks which means a British pub with no Jameson or Scotch...Must be some Indiana thing where Whiskey makes the baby Jesus cry or something.
(3)Frank Y.
Quick and dirty: Pub atmosphere with a good beer and food selection. Sun King on tap. Solid food and excellent service. Nothing lingered in the kitchen, and bar service was very good. Note: the restrooms are outside the restaurant in a common corridor of the building. Recommended. We went there at around 3PM on February 16th (I'm a bit behind on my reviews) on a quest for good fish and chips based upon previous Yelp reviews. We were not disappointed. We had the mushroom appetizer, and we both ordered the fish and chips with the Sun King cream ale. The food arrived steaming hot, and the beer arrived good and cold. Mushrooms: On the small side, but plentiful and properly done. Flavorful dipping sauce. Recommended. Fish and chips: The fish was a good, fleshy cut of whitefish about 34" thick. The batter was a shiny-hard crust style. Both were properly done and too hot to eat when they arrived. The flavor and texture were very good and worth the trip. The chips were freshly made and cut shoestring style from whole potatoes. Again, they were properly done with a nice crispness outside and a good texture inside. Recommended. Sun King cream ale: 'nuff said.
(4)Nichole H.
I hit up Red Lion Grog House early this year on a Tuesday evening after work with some friends. I think the place was recently opened. It's a little tough to find - if you aren't familiar with Fountain Square and paying attention. The outdoor signage is practically non-existant. I drove by it twice before I figured out that it was smack in the middle of a city block. There aren't many places that serve scotch eggs but Red Lion Grog House did them justice! So delicious. I really shouldn't have eaten the fish and chips, but they were too hard to pass up! I'm glad I did! They were fantastic. At the time, they were one of the few places serving Sun King (everyone is now it seems) so that was bonus points in my book. I'll be back!
(4)Brenden H.
This place is awesome! If you're looking for beer with wicked cool names with a flavor and quality to match, this is the place for you. I'm a fan of just about anything on the menu, from their spicy curry chips to their fish n chips to their shepard's pie; however, my all-time favorite is their meatloaf. Their meatloaf comes one of two ways: as a sandwich or as MEATLOAF. In either case, it's fantastic, and it's hard for me to really order anything else. It's the perfect blend of salt and spice and meat. Not a fan of meat? No problem. This place has a variety of vegetarian options, like a true grog house should. They have everything from fried mushrooms to veggie burgers to a delicious giant stuffed portobella. Except the section marked "Chicken," there's at least one delicious veggie item that I'd place near the top of my list. If you're watching your sodium or oil intake, Red Lion might not be the place for you...but c'mon. You're going to a grog house.
(5)Yvonne M.
My roommate brought me to this place when we were touring around Fountain Square and I loved what I ordered. We ordered a plate of handcut fries that went really well with the curry sauce that came with it and also the creamy garlic wings. I can only say I'm excited to be back for MORE!
(4)Kjirsten K.
Just had the Spicy Curry Chicken Sandwich and it is AWESOME! Also, they now have an IPA on draught along with Sun King's Naptown Brown Ale. This place gets better every time I come here!!! Way to go, Red Lion!
(4)Klaus W.
Went in for a weekday lunch. General ambiance, good Service VG Got the Black & Blue burger. It was Ok, the patty was cooked properly, the bacon was freshly fried, but there was only about a tablespoon of blue cheese, at most on it. The lettuce wasn't really fresh and the tomato and 1 onion were tiny. Seeing other great reviews I guess I expected more. The burger came with sweet potato fries, which are great. I did walk out full, so they score there with me. The restroom was 2am-divebar-esque. Urine-smelling, big hole punched in a wall, FILTHY.
(3)Benjamin H.
I've tried something different (food wise) every time and everything has been excellent. I like their daily/monthly specials. yes! I'll be honest, the dress code for the servers is a little weird..
(4)Erin Q.
So, my networking group and I decided to venture to RLGH last night and I'm not super familiar with the Fountain Square area... code for, I got lost! Even with GPS, getting to this little neighborhood is tricky for those of you that are directionally challenged like me! But, let me tell you, I would take on trying to find it again! The server-super friendly and knowledgeable! I couldn't bring myself to order the burger w/ jalapenos and peanut butter, but I did taste it and it was pretty darn good!! I ended up with the fish and chips and was pretty excited when I saw that they already had vinegar on the table... shouldn't make a girl ask for it! Loved my meal, the chips were phenomenal and I would come back for those alone. They do have parking behind the restaurant and there is a little lot off of Woodlawn that is free parking too.
(5)Jonathan K.
This is the local gastropub with a wide variety of different types of food and excellent local beers. The cool part is you can take the kids here, too, and they're happy to be there and serve them there. They always have activities (I have yet to participate in the trivia or poker) but it sounds like a good way to spend an evening.
(5)Andrew D.
Great place. They have a very good beer selection, tasty food and friendly staff. The drink specials are great and they are one of the few places that have Strongbow on tap (which makes the wife very happy). I've had the burger and tried the blanket bangers, both were very good. The fries are amazing and the curry sauce they serve with it even better. I haven't been for trivia night yet, but it looks like a lot of fun. All around great addition to Fountain Square.
(5)Katie B.
Unfortunately, I have to downgrade my review of the Red Lion. The last two times I have been there, the food has been mediocre at best. The veggie burger I raved about previously now sticks to the roof of your mouth. My friends' fish and chips were soggy. Not good. Still a nice place to grab a pint and play trivia though.
(3)Roxy R.
I had such a good time at the red lion. The staff is incredibly nice and helpful :) I ordered the veggie burger and fried pickles. First off, the pickles were awesome! Back in TX I've never ordered fried pickles that aren't sitting in their grease. These looked almost baked and were delish. The burger was just as great! It was large and filling and I had to save half. Along with a strongbow, the meal was perfect :)
(5)Trent B.
I've been to Red Lion Grog House twice. The first time was for dinner with my wife on a Wednesday evening and the second on a Monday for lunch with some friends. Both times, the food was awesome. I had a burger and the fish sandwich which were both delicious. My wife had a veggie burger and raved about it. I was also impressed by their selection of beers on tap. The only complaint I have is the service was not great for lunch. They only had one waitress serving everyone and our food took about 30 minutes or more to get. She said they're going to start adding another waitress to help with the lunch rush, so hopefully this was just a one-time occurrence. Definitely will be back again soon.
(4)Tim W.
I've been here several times now and have to down-grade my original review. I don't know why, but I'm always there on Thursdays, trivia night (LOUD trivia night) and I always regret it. I've even walked out on Thursdays when I stumble in not remembering my calendar. But I chose to stay this time. I love trivia. I love being able to find out stuff I don't know. (Which is a lot). But Red Lion appears to love trivia night to the exclusion of other guests. When I say trivia night is loud, I don't mean the patrons are loud. They're not. If you sit by the window, you won't even know the trivia fans are there.The DJ is loud. If you've been there, you know the size of the space is not mammoth. If you saw and heard the speakers during trivia night, you'd think you were at a much larger venue. There MAY have been 10 people there for trivia night and all of them knew to avoid the front three tables by the totally over-cranked (like me, I guess) speakers and the server wouldn't let me sit at the back table (reserved for the no-show trivia guests) and tried to get me to sit next to the loud (did I mention that?) speakers when I wasn't wanting to participate in trivia night. Finally got seated at one of the two tables in the window which are fine, except the server was so interested in the trivia that she wasn't too interested in traversing the apparent MILES between the trivia-l part of the restaurant to refill my drink or see if my meal was all right. I got the pot-roast served on a bed of garlic mashed potatoes, two of my favorite things in the world. The pot roast was really good, but the potatoes were like wallpaper paste. I, who never met a potato with garlic that I didn't like, couldn't get more than four bites of them down. Disappointing, to say the least. I love a lot of things about Red Lion. Not a big drinker (maybe I should be to get the stick out), but there's still lots to love here. The French onion soup, the chips with great sauces, the Shepherd's pie, the elephant ears, and usually the servers. I'll go back again for sure but it for sure won't be on a Thursday. Oh, and if you like big prizes for trivia, the pot was up to $15 last week.
(3)Carey D.
I love the Red Lion. The owner, Wally, is usually around on weeknights when I've been in, and he is fantastic... really makes you feel good to support a local business when such a nice person is behind it! The chicken tikka masala- an English curry- is my favorite dish, and they also make a tasty homemade meatloaf. Have been there several times and never had anything I didn't like. You won't leave hungry. If you are a fan of blue cheese dressing, make sure you try it at Red Lion because it is homemade and divine. If you are curious to try out Red Lion, check out their Facebook page because they are always updating it with daily specials, etc: facebook.com/pages/India… Oh, and like any good grog house would, Red Lion has a nice beer selection.
(5)Brad W.
I have only been here once, very early after they opened. I have friends who practically live here! At the time of my visit, they were still working out the kinks. The beer selection wasn't as strong as it is now, and I have heard the food (while I did enjoy it) has gotten even better. I look forward to getting another chance to eat there, and will be happy to update (upgrade) my rating at that time. Looking forward to it!
(3)Bre S.
A nice addition to Fountain Square. There are several things I like about this place. 1) Nice layout. I especially like the tables by the window for people watching on a busy day or sitting at the bar to watch multiple games on multiple tvs. 2) Service. Even when full, we've always gotten great service here. 3) PBR: 1.75 on Sundays. Enough said. 4) Tator tots as a side. Even better than No. 3. :) The food is good. I am a big fan of the fried mushrooms served with a chipotle ranch sauce. We usually go the RLGH on a Sunday evening to have some drinks and this is the app we always choose. I've heard rave reviews on the chips with curry, but the boyfriend refuses to try them. I may overrule him next time. I recently tried the meatloaf sandwich and was not disappointed, except for the bread....little small for the sandwich. All in all, a nice place to stop in, relax and fill up, especially when not wanting to travel far but dying to get out of the house. We plan on including this in our rotation of weekend outings.
(4)Eric S.
Best burger in indy!
(5)Jammy S.
Red Lion is my favorite pub for a lot of reasons, not the least of which is the food. Rob's creations are giant belly fulls of amazing. They have the best damn veggie burger I have ever eaten. Handmade patty with a texture similar to a soft falafel with lots of great flavor. It's big. *I just drooled.* Fish and chips are spot on for pub fish and chips, good batter to fish ratio, basic whitefish flavor, vinegar on the table and tartar sauce in a ramekin. A contender for the style. Chips (aka fries) are tasty and they have ....TATTER TOTS! I will tell you a secret, deep fried tatter tots dipped in curry sauce are absolutely heaven with a beer. Curry... oh yeah. You dip things in it. This is an English pub after all. You dip you fri... chips in it, you dip your tots in it, you dip your burger in it, you dip your Scotch Eggs in it, etc... The hot is not overpowering, it's just good. Sometimes they have 'Apple Curry', ask for it... it's amazing. The Reuben is a favorite of mine, you wouldn't necessarily expect it at a pub, but it's one of the best I've had. Really great, lots of flavor in the corned beef and a bit of zip in the sauce. My buddy comes into town and without fail gets the Steak and Chips, it's just what it sounds like, but the steak is damn good, it's cut into medallion sized pieces before cooking. It makes a hearty meal. Get the Bubble and Squeak, it's a culinary experience in English excess. If you HATE cabbage, get the Lancaster Hot Pot instead, almost the same dish. It's big, two average folks can share it. Beer is good, beer is food. They have plenty to offer. Local varieties on tap, at least one American macro brew, and several rotating national or international brews. The staff make this place special. Wally the owner is a stand up guy who obviously puts his heart in making the Lion all it can be, Rob makes the kitchen sizzle, and the bar staff actually like their jobs and are good people to chat with. They all keep me coming back even if I'm not hungry.
(5)Theresa K.
I had been hearing all about Red Lion Grog House for quite awhile. Well, I finally made it there- I treated some friends for helping me move a futon. For appetizers, we had the scotch eggs, pickle chips and curry & chips. The scotch eggs were pretty good. They were a bit dry. When I think of scotch eggs, I think of the sausage and such making everything really moist. It was all pretty dry (maybe fried too long or something?)- still pretty good, though, and my tablemates liked them. The pickle chips were nice and thick- VERY greasy. We left a couple because nobody wanted to put that in their stomachs (although we DID order a lot of food). Oh ma gawd. The Curry chips were delicous. The curry wasn't really all *that* spicy, but it was so full of flavor. The chips were SO fresh and great even on their own- sprinkled in sea salt. I'm sad that I don't have any right now. For dinner, I had the Chicken Picotta with cottage cheese. To be quite honest, I didn't know what picotta was. I just ordered it anyway (because it was unique). I was happy to find capers. Mmmmm. It was a light brownish type of gravy- A bit salty like capers are. The chicken was very very moist. I was worried it might have been a bit pink, but I ated it all and turned out okay. I ate all the cottage cheese, too. I tried a bite of the fish and chips, and that cod was so thick with cod (you know how most places have more batter than fish?)- Oh, SO good. I started with an Upland Rad Red and finished with a Sun King Octoberfest. The pints were $3. Heck yeah!
(5)Tiffany B.
Other than the odd/ awkward entry point (no host stand? No official 'hi, we've walked in the FRONT door of an eating establishment" type of clue...) I loved the space. The pub faire tasted authentic. I lived in England for a year, so I can be pretty picky, but the Shepherd's Pie here was AWESOME! I wish they would have served it with a small helping of chips like they do in England. Who doesn't want potatoes with their potatoes, I ask you? Not this kid. I could dip french fries (chips in this instance) into a baked potato smotherd in mashed potatoes with a raw potato appetizer. I guess that's the Irish in me. Love it. My fellow diners seemed equally impressed. Way to go! Oh, and they have Boddingtons. Now I am getting home sick for London. Thanks a lot, Red Lion Grog House! I'll have to be back soon.
(4)Jillian H.
English & American comfort food. They serve everything from Shepherds Pie to burgers and salads. We had a BBQ bacon burger that was topped with onion rings and cooked to a perfect juicy medium and candied walnut strawberry salad that was fresh and tasty. They also have a pretty good beer list. Everything on the menu sounds wonderful. This is a great little spot to stop by before going to Radio Radio for a show.
(4)Aaron S.
I love Red Lion Grog House. Such a great atmosphere. A perfect place to meet with friends. The staff is knowledgable and friendly and always have great suggestions. We had a fairly long wait on friday because it was first friday and people were just hanging out at their tables. The manager hooked us up with free chips and curry and was very apologetic even though there wasn't much they could do about it. Great bar fare. Highly recommend the hot shrimp and the Scotch eggs! Portobello meal is also amazing. This is one of the few places in indy you get a Bellhaven Scottish Ale. Poured fast into a cold glass, it's like a creamy milkshake!
(5)Jason H.
Fountain Square has been booming over the past couple years, with all kinds of new restaurants and bars trying to make a go of it in that cool, little business/entertainment district that the local hip cats have always said is on the verge of something great. We've seen a few of these businesses come and go, for various reasons, while others exude an aroma of what smells like real staying power. Though it's rather early in the game to say this, I see Red Lion Grog House as a fine example. Ever since Rob & Jay's Chippie in South Broad Ripple closed about 5 years ago, I've been longing for another restaurant to spring up in Indy and serve more authentic British pub food. It's a simple, yet delicious, style of cooking, but it seems for a restaurant to get the flavors and textures right, there either needs to be a native of the UK in the kitchen or someone with some good recipes from a British relative. We'll just say I've had some mighty bland and boring plates of fish and chips around these parts. I was excited when I heard about Red Lion opening, and made a point to get over there as soon as possible. My excitement was sustained when I opened the door and smelled the aroma of steaks, steak sauce, curry and a deep fryer floating over wonderfully noisy crowd. My kind of place. I ordered the fish and chips, with a side of curry sauce for the chips. The fish was crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, with that perfect yeasty beer batter flavor. The chips were hand-cut, with the skins still on, and were mighty good. The curry sauce was great, too, with a little more spicy kick than most I've tried. I've been back twice since my initial visit and was probably even more impressed by their bangers and mash. Wow. What a good meal for this big corn-fed boy from Illinois! And, every time I've gone to Red Lion, the service has been great. You've got to love the server outfits, too.
(4)Heather H.
Oh Red Lion, you had me at draft Strongbow and Sun King. Mmmmm.... I've now had dinner at the Red Lion twice, and have more than pleased with my food both times. The first time I was there I had a portabella and swiss sandwich and fries. The sandwich was excellent, and much like lebowski's rug, the blue cheese cream sauce really tied the sandwich together. As you would expect from an English pub, the fries were delicious. When I went there again last Friday, I had the candied walnut and strawberry salad, which comes with blue cheese crumbles and a raspberry vinaigrette, and was also awesome. They have quite a few vegetarian options, including a stuffed portabella dinner entrée that my husband had (and has been raving about ever since...see Jason B.'s review), and I know they also have a veggie burger that I plan on trying the next time I go. My meat eating friends seemed to enjoy their meals as well. This is an excellent place to grab dinner or some drinks before catching a show at Radio Radio or the White Rabbit. Lots of tables, a pleasant atmosphere, good food and beer, mystery bathrooms down a strange hall...what more could you ask for? I will definitely be back!
(5)Bill B.
Went for a morning World Cup match. Had the biscuits and gravy from the brunch menu, along with the Sunking cream ale (delish) Good atmosphere. Very friendly. Good service. Looking forward to going back to try out the chips and curry.
(4)Mindy K.
Great local beer selection. Food was hot and ready very quickly.
(3)Sarah G.
"Fish and Chips" were very fatty and I could taste the oil in the fish batter. If they want to do proper 'English' fish and chips then they need to do steak fries. The fries were very dark and looked like they could have been the end of a batch or been in the fryer for a while as they were not golden by any stretch of the imagination. My husband thought the fries were made with old potatoes due to their consistency. The Scotch Egg was alright but I have had better. The rice that came with the Chicken Tikka Masala was VERY sticky. Service was quick and relatively pleasant. We were there on a Saturday afternoon and there was only about 7 or 8 other people there. I am a British Expat living in Indy so maybe I had higher expectations after reading through a few reviews. I am doubtful I will try the food here again.
(1)Marian K.
Went there with a group of eight (had a reservation) on a Saturday night. The service wasn't so good; the waitress kept forgetting to bring things, or would be gone for long periods of time. They were out of several types of beer, including one of the draught specials (after several of us ordered it, then we're told after a few minutes that they were out). We had a table in the window, somewhat away from other customers, but it was still difficult to have a conversation. I don't agree that the sound level was average. The food was reasonably good. All in all, I might go back during a slower/quieter time, but my experience was that it wasn't a great place to meet up with old friends you haven't seen for a while.
(3)Tristan S.
Two things about Red Lion: it's LOUD. And it smells delicious. Went early on Friday night. The wait was an hour, so we came back a few hours later when it had died down. The first thing I noticed was the smell: it's simply amazing, the way a pub should smell. The noise was unfortunate, though, and it didn't sound like the crowd had died down - the dining area has no sound treatments that I could see and is extremely noisy, so much so that at the end of our meal, we debated staying for another drink but all agreed we couldn't stand the noise any longer. But perhaps, with such a tight, narrow dining area, they're eager to hustle people in & out, and keeping it loud is one way to do that. Food-wise, they have a typical Anglocentric pub menu with few vegetarian options but lots of good draft beers, including local fave Sun King. They had a portabella burger, but I'm not a fan of portabella. I ordered the veggie burger raved about on Yelp, but they were out of it. Disappointed, I settled for the fried pickle chips. It's an appetizer, but since I was trying not to eat meat, I didn't have many other options. The pickles were good: slightly crunchy, intensely flavored with garlic and salt. I'd share them with people again but as a veggie entree they don't cut it (but that's what I get for ordering an appetizer as a meal I guess). If I'm hungry the next time I'm in Fountain Square, I'll call ahead to see if they have veggie burgers. Otherwise, I'll stop in a for a beer and then jet. Unless it's crowded, in which case I'll head to a more relaxing spot.
(3)Libbie V.
Awesome apple curry chicken wings. I am a wing fanatic and these are wonderful! Perfectly cooked big & meaty wings with crispy skin and tender & moist inside and the sauce is just wonderful!
(5)Katherine R.
Great food - great people.... The chips and (spicy) curry are fantastic. My favorite meal so far is the chicken and chips (as opposed to the fish and chips, which I have not tried yet). I haven't been in since the beer arrived - hopefull I'll be back this week. So glad Red Lion is in my neighborhood!
(5)David C.
My new favorite place! It is great to see some amazing restaurants in Fountain Square, and this is an excellent addition. I have loved everything I have eaten there, from the mushroom swiss burger with just the right amount of brown gravy to the best fries in town. And be sure to get a side of spicy curry sauce to dip your fries. Good beer selection and trivia nights are the icing on this cake. Don't be put off by the street being torn up out front - there is plenty of parking behind.
(5)Rob G.
Quite good for what it is. There are always new businesses popping up in Fountain Square and it is anybody's guess who will make it. I am certain and have hopes that Red Lion will stay around. As other reviewers mention, they certainly have a varied beer selection, including local, even if it doesn't necessarily include high end. It does seem completely appropriate for the type of place that it is, however. In the style of English Pub, they have great fish, chips, and curry. In fact, I recommend getting the chips and curry if you want an appetizer. The English style curry is certainly a bit different than what you might expect from an Indian restaurant, so be prepared. It is equally delicious. I have been to the Red Lion for a dinner for two, to drink beer with a friend, to play trivia, and to have fun with a large group. All experiences have been good. Service has been consistently friendly and reliable. As far as I can tell, Red Lion will remain a force in Fountain Square, even as some of it's neighbors may come and go.
(4)Matt I.
I love this place! The fish and chips are excellent. The Waltimate (Burger with Bacon, Cheddar cheese, jalapenos, and peanut butter) is crazy good. I love the chips and curry for an appetizer. They have a great atmosphere, great food, huge beer selection, and great people.
(5)Kenny Z.
I have lived in multiple cities and consistently traveling...honestly I didnt have too much faith in Indianapolis given the food quality and variety here...Stopped by this place for work lunch, and I was not disappointed at all. Mouth-watering burgers. HUGE (1/2 lb). The price is very reasonable:~$10 with a side. Now I attempted to to avoid this place because I always experienced food coma after I dined there (it's a good thing; dont take it wrong way lol). Yet I missed the flavors once in a while, so I couldnt help myself go there again....
(4)Christopher R.
Our visit was a short one, but I'm quickly becoming a fan of Ft. Square and the new life it's breathing into the area. Red Lion was no exception, great cozy environment with an eclectic clientele and staff. They support the local breweries as a good local bar should. The scotch eggs were decent, but i've had better. I'm sure i'll be back and ready to try something else and enjoy an evening with friends
(4)Daniel H.
Great food, beer, atmosphere and service.
(5)Karl H.
Great beer selection and good food keep us coming back for more. The staff is friendly, the decor awesome, and keeping Fountain Square real after dark gets it a solid 4 stars!
(4)Jon R.
Some of the best fries (chips) I've had. Nice and dark potatoes, with a creamy, divine spicy curry for dipping and the perfect amount of salt. Great beer list. Incredible staff and owner. Go here and find what pleases you. I like the chicken breast in curry sauce. A) because I can't get enough of their curry and B) because they know how to cook poultry (also try their chicken and chips). And of course, the fish and chips are stellar!
(5)Devin R.
I went here to meet up with some friends after a long day of business and it just made my day. It was $3 pint night (Monday) so we were able to sample a strong selection of beer without breaking the bank. Not only was it inexpensive beer but GOOD beer (Wee Mac from Sunking was on tap so I was thrilled). The wait staff was very helpful, attentive, and professional. It had the usual charm of a downtown place with tattooed staff, eclectic hangings, and very relaxed atmosphere. If you are in Fountain Square swing by- I will be again for SURE.
(4)Daniel M.
Look...anyplace that has Strongbow on draft gets 5 stars. The food is great and the staff is friendly. Another great addition to the Fountain Square area. Had a burger tonight and it good, but the real star is the curry sauce for the fries - nice touch to a normal meal.
(5)Ben L.
Delicious, awesome cheap food! Friendly staff too! The manager even sold me his spare iPhone charger!! It's super convenient off I-65. Totally worth the detour!!!
(5)Jenny S.
The fries and curry sauce are great! The rest of the menu is also pretty good, with lots of options and choices for vegs and non-vegs alike. Although I have never been able to repeat my first visit winning glory, I thoroughly enjoy the Tues and Thurs trivia nights. It is a really fun way to spend an evening, while getting some good food. Oh and Strongbows are only $4 Tues night!
(4)Jeff N.
My very first time visiting the Red Lion was also my very first experience with Yelp! I had never heard of either...and needless to say was blown away by both. I made one very big mistake that night though. I had just eaten dinner, when I was invited to go to the Grog House. Lesson learned....do not eat dinner until you are 100% sure something more awesome is not going to be coming along. Since my first mistake, I plan trips here accordingly and prepare for some fantastic food. On my most recent trip I tried the BBQ Bacon Burger. Probably one of the largest burgers I've ever had. Even now thinking about it, I'll admit...I'm drooling a little bit. 1/2 lb burger, bacon, onion rings, cheese.... I ask you, is there anything else that could possibly make a burger better?? And I answer, yes. Wonderfully crisp tater tots! Such a meal, that I couldn't even eat it all. But what an awesome midnight snack that half a burger made. Between the small restaurant vibe, the always super friendly staff (probably the best in town), and the delicious food (including some typical English Grog House favorites)....this is easily on my top 5 places in Indy list. Check it out!
(5)Alyssa S.
What a fantastic addition to the Fountain Square area! As a lifelong connoisseur of the veggie burger, I can say that the the vegetarian burger at the Red Lion is among the best that I have EVER eaten! I'm told that the chef has created his own recipe (it has eggs, so is not vegan)-and it is fantastic. It's a little spicy, and all of the veggies are well blended (no chunks of peas or corn). I also enjoy the creamy tomato soup and mashed potatoes (skins mixed in, of course). But the best feature of the menu-the fried pickles. I know that other pubs around town have them, but these are definitely the best. I'm usually the only vegetarian in my dining party, and I have it on good authority that the fish and burgers are also great! The owners are kind, the servers are friendly. Definitely worth the trip into the neighborhood. It is in the Murphy building, so I usually go on First Fridays.
(5)Aaron W.
Usually great food, consistently good service. Good focus on local beers (love the rotating taps of Fountain Square Brewing Company and Triton) A couple of complaints: As with any restaurant, the Red Lion kitchen will prepare stuff ahead and reheat it once ordered. The common problem here is the reheating part. I eat here a lot and more often than not the mashed potatoes are cold. I mean...really cold. A few others items I have had were lukewarm, most recently the chicken tikka masala. A good dish, if a bit bland, but it was not hot at all. The fries are consistently bad here, but they do have an excellent spicy curry dip to take away the soggy, burnt flavor of the fries. I would recommend going to a thicker fry and not keeping them up as long. They often taste like they have been reheated in the oil. Those complaints aside, they really do have good food and good recipes! Great atmosphere, very cozy and welcoming.
(4)Chris M.
Each time I visit Red Lion, I like it more and more. I had yet to try the wings and the bleu cheese burger... the burger was hella cheesy and pretty much perfect. I did not expect much from the wings, but they were amazing.
(5)Len L.
We stopped in here to finish off the night after the Tonic Ball. The Grog House has a good beer selection and a well chosen bar food menu. I think we all enjoyed are food , which included fish and chips, tater tots, and a tenderloin sandwich. Service was excellent, and the atmosphere nice and pubby.
(4)Andrew F.
Excellent fish n chips, good beer selection. I liked the atmosphere, plenty of tv's on the wall. Only an indifferent waitress kept it from getting a five.
(4)Richard B.
My rule. If there is meatloaf on the menu and it is good the other choices will be good too. The verdict, the meatloaf is great. So too, bangers and mash. And great beer selections as well. This was our second time. We will be back.
(5)T. M. G.
If you are looking for a variety of excellent pub food the Red Lion is hard to beat. The portions are large, the burgers are monstrous, and even items- such as the chicken curry- that you won't expect to find at an English-style pub are great. There are plenty of vegetarian options, and if you get the fries be sure to get a side of the curry sauce. The beer list while larger than most lacks anything that really packs a punch. There really isn't anything on tap that will impress the unabashed beer snob. That aside, there are plenty of quality beers that anyone can enjoy, many of which are local and others- such as New Holland's Mad Hatter IPA- that you would have a hard time finding anywhere else. I have been here several times now, and the service gets better every time. I will definitely be back.
(5)Drew N.
Visited this place 1/30/11 for a nice Sunday dinner with my dad and sis. Overall the food was wonderful. i had the shep. pie, dad went with the meatloaf and sis with the fish sandwhich. All portions where HUGE. We also tried the Scottish eggs and they were great as was their onion soup was on target. I had a Rest.com coupon so it made a $53 dollar meal a $26 meal for 3 people with drinks included. Overall a great experience, a wonderful little bar/rest in Fountain square and a place if you have not been you should get to NOW.
(4)Bill S.
Talk about local. You can't get much more local. Service was excellent. I sat at the bar for less than 10 seconds before someone took my order. Great atmosphere and televisions everywhere to watch the game. Highly recommend!
(4)Steffanie P.
Great French onion soup!!!!
(4)Scott L.
Discovered this great place via friends in Ft. Square. A very cozy little pub with some great food and great local beers on tap. It's a bit on the pricy side, but it's well worth it in my opinion. I've not had a bad meal there and I'm a fan of local places with local beers. Very clean and a terrific staff there, so go check it out. They also are the only place I'm aware of that will show roller derby events on the tube upon request!! Bonus!!
(4)Valerie S.
Red Lion feels like a real British pub, with it's long bar, great dark lighting, and soccer on TV all the time. They have great beers, wonderful food, and are never too loud. Perfect for a weekend lunch, or trivia on the weeknights!
(4)Darren C.
The owner is rude. He clearly doesn't care if customers eat here at all. He was rude from the moment he approached the table after I complained about some confusion over a discount and after a friend posted about it on his facebook page he has continued to be rude. He has no desire to please customers.
(1)Trevor N.
I visited this pub with a group. It has a nice atmosphere and the food was not bad. Their chicken pot pie dish is to die for! They put a delicious puffed pastry on top of a creamy chicken stew and call it a pot pie. If you get anything at this restaurant, it must be the pot pie! OK so my friends had the fish and chips. The chips are actually French fries. Why do they have French fries at an English pub? The fries did have a nice taste though. The Red Lion only sells beer so I was a little disappointed that they did not have mixed drinks. I suppose it is a nice place to go and have a few beers. I liked the atmosphere and highly recommend the pot pie.
(4)John K.
I have to say my family enjoys going at least once a month. Great scotch eggs, burgers and fish & chips. The bangers & mash is OK, but for the money you can't go wrong. The beer selection is good and the staff are friendly.
(4)Jordan S.
My girlfriend and I happened upon Red Lion on Friday evening and were quite happy we did. The fish and chips were beyond excellent. Perfectly cooked and not greasy like some places in town. The fish was oh so flaky and the fries were fresh cut and done just right. Bangers and mash were on point with lots of garlic in the mash. Fried pickles speak for themselves and are a legit pub snack.
(4)Stephanie F.
Best Chips and Blue Cheese hamburger in the city! The wait staff is always personable and the owners work hard to provide an excellent selection of quality food and local beer on tap!
(5)Brandy F.
It is really difficult to not talk like a pirate when hearing the word grog. Even if it isn't National Talk Like a Pirate Day, you should visit Red Lion Grog House. Good beer selection and food. Even when I'm not hungry, I have to eat the fries with spicy curry sauce....oh how I just love fries and curry, and these are an awesomely delicious must try!!
(4)Beth F.
I want to love this place, but I can only give it 4 stars. We are frequent visitors- great beer list and on Friday nights they frequently play "How It's Made" on at least one of the TVs. The food always sounds amazing, but I can't honestly say I've had anything that I really can't live without. Like the atmosphere in general. The place has a lot of potential, hope it lives up to it eventually!
(4)Matt U.
Just a quick review on Red Lion Grog House... GO THERE! The service was excellent, the drinks affordable and the food as close to amazing as one can get. Also, thanks to all the Yelp reviews on trying the curry for my chips. Good times.
(4)P K.
Great atmosphere and the fish and chips were perfect.
(4)Sarah K.
I absolutely LOVE this place! I know that I can always get a good beer or ale (or even CIDER! ON DRAFT!), catch the latest football (that's soccer for you Americans) match, and dig in to a ginormous pile of chicken and chips. Easily one of the best places in Indy for this.. you don't know what you're missing if you haven't been there!
(5)David K.
Good IPA on tap, good fish and chips (chips nowhere near flaccid enough to be the real English thing, though), football (as in soccer, not American) on TV, great staff, nice bar, decent people to talk to. Next time I'm in Indy, I'll be back.
(4)Laura P.
I absolutely love this place!
(5)Kelly K.
This is a wonderful addition to Fountain Square. My husband and I have gone here several times on a weekend night and usually sit at the bar. The staff and customer service are wonderful....as is the beer and food! (The pickle chips? Yes, please.) We went here for a lunch during the weekday recently and again, had a fabulous meal. They have beer specials, too, which is another huge bonus! We will continue to come back.
(5)Melissa Y.
After having gone there my first time, and having read through the reviews here on Yelp!, I've decided to comment about my experience: below average. First and foremost the Chicken Tikka Masala is an incredibly salty dish, and wantonly tiny. I mean, maybe two cups of the dish sharing half of a bowl with sticky, gooey rice (allegedly Basmati). As well, I ordered the red velvet cake, which I think all can agree comes with a strict set of standards (read: multi-layered, red, almond/vanilla flavor cake w/ cream cheese or buttercream frosting)...NO, there, a square piece of reddish, chocolate cake, drizzled with sugar syrup and dotted with canned, whipped cream. Awful. Beer pints come with with lots of head, and only eight taps. Try again Indy.
(2)JR W.
quiet pub, good service. kind of small portions. the french onion soup was REALLY salty. kind of a lazy mistake - if you're making a batch soup that's going to be kept warm for a few hours, you're essentially reducing the liquid and concentrating the flavors including the salt. either don't salt as much in the beginning or compensate by adding some water/unsalted broth throughout. it looked a lot better than it tasted. but overall, it's a good place to hang out and kick back a beer. they had several flat screens showing various sports games. not too loud.
(3)Benson S.
I had lunch there just today;with a friend.The joint is the luncheon counter end of the G.C.Murphy that used to occupy the place.My 1st impression was it was a cute little joint that somehow avoided the "chi chi "element that is SO prevalent today.Our server;Katie was a delight.She told us from jump street that she had a hangover from celebrating a friend's birthday the night before.I retired from this biz so I know the feeling all too well.I pulled my camera out as soon as we set;and told her I would like to take her picture;since I always took pictures whenever we went out.She posed for the first shot.Let's cut to the chase.My friend had a B.T. with home cut fries;as a barometer of kitchen skills for him it passed.Me I had a meatloaf san with tater tots.Well the meatloaf was nicely made but had too much pepper;I could only eat 1/2 and took the rest home.The onion rings were slightly under battered and over fried and the toast could have been toastier.But the bottom line is I was told I could not take pictures of their place.I took shots of our beer;our food and the decor with no objection.When I stood up to get Katie's attention to pay I was standing up over the wall that separated our deuce from the kitchen and I took a shot.That is when I was told from a manager type chica that the boss man did not approve.Period.From that moment on the we were ignored;we paid and left.I WILL NEVER GO THERE AGAIN NOR WILL I EVER RECOMMEND THIS PLACE.
(2)Charlotte A.
This place is awesome.great friendly service, nice atmosphere and amazing food.I recommend the toad in the hole, meatloaf sandwich and the most excellent fish and chips.
(5)Greg R.
We love the Grog House. Staff is always attentive and fun, music on Saturdays nights is always good, the food is very good and a good value. Great beer selection. During spring and summer of 2011, Indianapolis is doing its best to destroy all the business in this area by a never ending road re-do in front of Red Lion - fight back and park around the back. I have had most of this menu and there is nothing that is not good. Earthy, funky, fun place.
(5)D h.
probably 3.5 stars but i rounded down since they were out of some sun kings beers each time. good atmosphere, narrow place, but laid out well. walk in the front and there a table or two by the large front window, than a few booths on the left and eating tables along the right wall. the bar doesn't start until 1/2 or 2/3 the way in. it's a smaller bar with only 6-8 stools. a rail separates the bar from the row of tables behind it. bar feels like somewhat of an afterthought compared to dining (a place to wait for a table, but there is full menu). tons of beers, both macro and micro. a few hdtvs behind and above the bar. only been in daytime, so it's never been that busy. imagine the place would be darker during the night. good place to grab an early beer. great staff, super friendly and helpful.
(3)Chad S.
I really enjoyed this place. The food was tasty and very economical. I had the chicken tikka masala, while my other half had the fish and chips. Mine was very tasty; he said his was just okay. I'm eager to try the shepherd's pie. They do need to get at least one or two desserts on the menu. We'll definitely go back.
(4)Laura K.
I didn't really like this place very much. I wouldn't eat here again. I ordered french onion soup and a salad. WAY too much salt in the soup and way too much dressing on the salad. My boyfriend ordered a pot pie- it was ok. There are too many TVs in here. I don't like it when there are a lot of TVs in bars. I can watch TV at home. The only reason they get 2 stars instead of 1 is they had a decent beer selection and our server was very good. But, their beer bottle list didn't give prices or quantities, so after already having a beer, my boyfriend ordered a bottle from the list and it ended up being an $11, 22oz bottle of beer that had 10% alcohol content. It was a really tasty beer, but we had to rearrange the driving plans and $11 is doable, but it was a surprise. So ask before you order! But really, Red Lion should print helpful info like price, quantity, and alcohol content on the menu.
(2)Stephanie D.
Anywhere that serves Strongbow on tap is a close friend of mine. Especially for $3 pint night on Monday. Then there's trivia on Tuesday and Thursday with amazing cash prizes which assist with paying the bill. Should I also mention my fascination with the chips and spicy curry sauce. This is definitely my go-to spot for a drink with the hubby, or hooking up with friends on trivia night. I appreciate the image Wally has for this place and love seeing some standard pub items (omg, Blanket Bangers are my favv.....excuse me while I drool). Ok but there's also fun items like the Waltimate a burger with jalapenos and peanut butter and for dessert elephant ears. Most of the time I hop in I see a familiar face which is lovely in our neck of the woods. I also appreciate the fact the servers remember us and are very helpful!!
(5)Patrick R.
Was craving fish & chips after watching the Euro fútbol championship. Went and loved the meal! Was served two huge portions of fresh white flakey fish fried just enough. Not overly breaded or greasy. Chips were great too. Tasted fresh. Great decor and fun staff. Lots of beer options. Awesome little bar. I've heard the burgers are phenomenal so will be back to try those soon.
(4)Kimberly U.
By far the best pub in Indy. The wait staff is excellent, entertaining, and friendly. Go on Tuesday and Thursday nights for trivia but, be prepared for the most difficult trivia in Indy. The portobello on Swiss is the most amazing sandwich I have ever had- a must order!
(5)David F.
Good food, not much room. I always feel trapped in this place. I really wish for a different location. One long and narrow room does not a restaurant make. They could really a redesign/expansion. That having been said, I enjoy the burgers here and they have a decent beer selection. I generally have a bit slower service here, but I gotta believe it is due to the cramped quarters. There is a lot of time spent by the wait staff simply standing out of the way customers can get through. Not my first choice for food in Fountain Square, but I will definitely return.
(3)Scotty Z.
Still some of Indy's best pub fare--for which I'm ecstatic. Still haven't really had a bad meal here. I've been rather fond of a simple grilled chicken sandwich as of late. But, while a little vanilla, it's steaming hot and served on a fresh bun with fresh veggie toppings. And the chips are as awesomely delicious as ever.
(4)Aaron A.
Unique fountain square bar/eatery. Their food is great, their drinks are good. I've never had anything but friendly service from good people. I like stopping in for lunch or dinner and knowing there will be something else entertaining going on just steps away!
(4)Tressa M.
Every time I go in, which is often, I step off Virginia Ave and into a tight British Pub. Add darts and it is just like a little place I went to off Piccadilly Square. The proprietor is on top of customer service. The place is often busy on a Friday or Saturday night. Pims Cup is my fave beverage and the Veggie burger is probably my favorite sandwich. My daughter swears that it is the best fish and chips anywhere. Join their facebook page to keep up with specials they might run.
(4)Charles R R.
Great local pub. Fish and chips are my fav. Tara is a very attentive server everytime i've been here. Good beer list.
(5)Dawn Z.
This place keeps getting better. Since they first opened, they have expanded their menu. They now have English-specific cocktails. They have their own homemade veggie burger. There is now a crab version of their Scotch eggs. Their fish and chips are still some of the best in town. I had a new dish, the mac and cheese - cavatappi pasta, white cheddar and topped with panko. Delish! You can also add regular or blackened chicken. It was busy but our server kept checking on us. We had the spicy curry to dip our fries in and it was really good (served cold). We will definitely come back to try some other English cocktails and more of their yummy menu!
(4)Dale T.
Why do you ask does Dale change this to a 5 star?!?! I received an email after my post asking when the break in was and how they could help because they have cameras!!!! CLASS ACT RED LION!!! To be clear - the car was parked on a public street - so ADVICE!!!! Park in the Red Lions lot - get this... They have cameras and you can leave your car there over night if you've had to many! Much respect to this Lion in this crazy Jungle world!!! Solid service!!! Consider me changing my frequency to the king of the fountain square jungle from once a week to TWICE!!! First review - Love Tuesday night quiz night... Be prepared with 4 to 6 - they are smart ones. Advice - do not leave your car parked over night - consider it broken in to... Serious happened - gps gone:). True story.
(5)Adam B.
We stopped in for dinner before a show at Radio Radio. Other than having to wait a while to get seated, we had no complaints. Very good and friendly service by our waiter and the house manager (when the waiter was busy). heidi ordered the fish and chips. She liked it but said she could have done with a half-order option since it was more food than she could finish. I had the pork tenderloin sandwich. It was also very good and, for the price, a nice sized portion as well. We finished the meal with dessert, an elephant ear. It was great, large enough for two, easily (and we finished it!) All around a great meal at a great local pub and at a reasonable price. We would certainly go again.
(4)Beth B.
Have you tried a "Mary Reed"? Well, you must, immediately. I didn't eat but Mr. B did. If you join their text club you get a free order of chips and curry dip. Mr. said they were delish. He also had the special (corned beef hash topped with an over easy egg). Also, fantastic according to him. His plate was cleaned. But seriously, try the Mary Reed. They provided me with a very happy St. Patty's day.
(4)Rachael W.
I think the next time I stop in at the Red Lion I am going to rush the kitchen and swipe the curry sauce then take off like a shot. I think I could really drink that stuff, I'm not kidding. Monday is a good day to pop in for lunch b/c it's double stamp day with their frequent lunch card, buy 6 and get the 7th free! What, what?! Everything I have had is delicious, Reuben, turkey Reuben, fish and chips, and burgers. On my most recent visit, I went all in and ordered the Waltimate. A bacon cheeseburger with jalapenos (a huge pile) and a healthy dollop of peanut butter. I threw caution to the wind and jumped in both feet. Yeah, I was scared. I said to myself, "You've done it now lady. One step too far. You'll never come back from this the same. I hope you are squared up with the man upstairs." It was a monster burger to start with, brimming with toppings and the peanut butter lurking under the sinister mountain of jalapenos. I don't understand it, but it was awesome! The peanut butter toned down the inferno of the 87 jalapenos. All I could do was stuff it in my mouth at a high rate of speed. I'm sure it was one of my more attractive times. I would like to give the Red Lion 4.5 stars only b/c I don't feel like I would want to go to hang out. I feel like it's a place where I eat and have a good beer then head out to a bar to hang out. I upped the rating to 5 stars b/c the food is excellent. So what if I don't want to eat dinner there and then hang with friends for the rest of the evening, just more chances for more check-ins.
(5)Bob G.
Hey, Bob here. The Red Lion should be your next place to visit in the Fountain Square area. All six people in our party really enjoyed their dinner choices. meatloaf was very good, Fish and Chips were great. everything was very nice, we will be back soon to try other items and beverages. I would have given it five stars but the restrooms are in need of updates.
(4)Erin L.
Ever since we moved to Ft Square about 2 years about Red Lion has been our go to place. Great local beer selection! I've had many things on the menu and they have never disappointed, so good! The best surprise, tater tots.
(5)Jason B.
I have only been here once and got the stuffed portabella mushroom, garlic mashed potatoes dish. Words almost can't describe how good it is. My best effort would be to say it's honestly one of the best things I've ever eaten. Excellent beer selection. Good atmosphere. It's not loud so you can converse like civil people, not like barbarians that actually drink grog. Pro Tip: the bathrooms are located in an odd spot. You technically leave the grog house to get to them. Write this down: head to the back of the building and walk through the door that you instinctively feel you shouldn't walk through. It'll be OK. next, you'll want to turn left. Do so only if you want to make your trip to the bathroom last longer. Turn right and head down the hall. The first big opening on the left is an elevator. Please don't use that as a bathroom. On your right, across from the elevator are the bathrooms. You've reached the end of your journey. Seriously though, most of my memory of this fine establishment was my plate of food, just constantly looking down enjoying the crap out of it. Portion size is amazing as well.
(5)Jennifer P.
Went here last night and had a good time! We were quoted at 30-45 minute wait for a table when we arrived but were able to put our name on a list and give our phone number so we could go across the street to grab a drink since even the bar was packed. I found this very nice. We were excited to see the selection of local beers on tap. Our waitress was able to describe these to us and offer suggestions. She even let me try something before ordering to see if I would like it. On the suggestion of other Yelpers, I tried the fish 'n' chips. I was not disappointed! The portion size was great and the fish was delicious. I opted for tater tots instead of chips/fries and they were quite tasty as well. Hubby got the crab scotch eggs as an appetizer. They were quite well received (I did not try). He also got the shepherd's pie, which I stole a bite of, and let me tell you, it was yummy! After all of that food we were too full for dessert, but I was pretty excited to see that they have elephant ears, as this is an Indiana staple, and bread pudding is always fun to try so I am looking forward to going back. Will probably try to go for team trivia night (Tuesdays and Thursdays). Who doesn't love a good game of trivia?
(4)Angela G.
Do not buy this groupon unless you have the exact number of people dining as required in the fine print . I just went with a friend and tried to use my voucher only to be told that the $40 voucher was invalid for 2 people. The food is marginal
(2)Christa F.
I don't get into Indy much when I come to visit, so we thought we would check this place out for something different. I'm glad we did! The French Onion Soup was really good! Fish and Chips were good though the fish was a little on the oily side. Nobody could keep their paws off my hand cut fries though! My dad got the Shepherd's Pie... First off, it was Cottage Pie. It had ground beef, not lamb. With that being said it was really good! This is the first pie I've had that they actually used fresh herbs on the top with the cheese before throwing it into the Salamander. I think that sent it over the edge for all of us! The waitress was friendly enough (not overly great enough to remember though - there were a few times she mentioned that she didn't understand why they were doing things a certain way). My biggest issue is that their website shows their daily drink specials. We went on Wednesday, so we all ordered cider since it should have been $4. Needless to say the manager / owner didn't bother to come out to tell us himself that those prices are subject to change. The waitress said that she wished they would changed that since it's pretty out of date. I'd probably try this place again if they were to update their website on a more regular basis.
(3)DeAnna P.
The food here is tasty and the beer selection is good (love a cold Strongbow Cider on tap!). But every time I come here, the "servers" don't seem to want to "serve." i.e. I have to go up to the bar to order, even though I'm seated at a table in plain view. Last night, I asked for a menu, and the server didn't come back for over 15 minutes to see what I wanted to order. Boo! Get better service, keep the yummy wings, and I'll upgrade to 5 stars. Definitely try the pickle chips, they are only a smidge less good than Scotty's, who has the best in town. The wings were meaty and properly sauced. Good blue cheese dressing and fresh celery. Fries were great. They tasted like they were cooked in peanut oil, but for you allergy sufferers out there, the owner corrected me that they are in fact cooked in vegetable oil. Fantastic! Love that the place is non-smoking!!!
(3)Jon A.
"Rawwwwwwwwwr Grogggggggg!" Not only grog, but a house of grog! So the crazy Royal Navy created grog by mixing rum with weak beer. This is not happening here. Instead, beer, soy mucho y exceptional beer! I've been a few times now and I've ordered all over the menu and well, I'm a happy camper. Their cheap ($2 Sun King) beer on Mondays is a huge bonus. $3.75 Upland on Saturdays, too. If you're palate isn't up for really spicy curry... then this mild English curry is fit for you. If a turkey reuben is your rule, then I'd give this a shot... as it might have been one of the finer turkey versions in my time. If you're a savory pastry type (like me!) then the pot pie here is for you. It's not traditional as there isn't a lower crust, the pastry rests on top. The bar seats 6 so just know it's tough competition to have a stool! Plenty of table seating by the way! I prefer the back bench. There's a crazy amount of tvs goin' on here. I'm not necessarily sure why but it definitely has me thinking about a nice alternative to the major sports bars in town to catch a sporting event in a more low key place that is non-smoking!
(4)Mat M.
The owner followed-up with a private message after my 3 star review. Seems like he wants to keep improving. I'll give them another shot for sure.
(4)Patrick H.
Great scotch egg, bangers in a blanket, and the fish was awesome
(4)Lizz C.
On Independence day, my husband and I figured, what better way to celebrate than with fish and chips and a pint? After seeing Red Lion Grog House mentioned here, we figured we'd give it a try. They had 3 Sun King beers on tap - including 1 seasonal. The cook/manager was happy to let us try a sample of the Norwegian Blue. Great beer, complex, but not what we were looking for with food. They also had a couple of Upland on tap and a very good selection of British bottled beers. Other local/regional bottles on the list too. We weren't disappointed with the selection. Since it had just been 'too long', we both got a pint of Guinness. Hey, we just saw "Historic Pubs of Dublin" and were missing a nicely poured pint! We both have a thing for Scotch Eggs, basically we're trying to find the best in existence. We split an order of Scotch Eggs, and for my taste these are so far the winner. Nicely seasoned sausage, and some kind of dipping sauce that helped bring out the spice and didn't overwhelm. Went nicely with that pint. Fish and chips was the priority - so we split an order. Nicely battered cod, and you can get curry dipping sauces (hot or mild) for your fries. We tried both. The hot curry was a red curry, and a very good one at that. The mild curry was a green curry kind of yogurt based sauce. Mmm... They have a lot of pub classics on the menu, and though they don't have doner kabobs, they do have a chicken tikka on the menu. Next time we eat here, and oh yes, there will be a next time!, we're trying the curry. Service was good, we came in at the same time as a table of 7+ (a family celebrating something, as they were taking photos =) ) so we were prepared to relax with our pint and wait for our food. It wasn't a long wait. There are around 5 flat screens at the bar, one on Sci-Fi (Firefly marathon, yay!), one on Spike, one on soccer, one on baseball and one on CNN. Something for everyone to watch. We will definitely stop back here again, as we're in Indianapolis fairly often. Might I suggest combining a trip here with a trip to New Day Meadery? It's just a quick walk less than a block from here, and mead and cider fans will find something to please them there =)
(4)Emily S.
Great atmosphere! The food and brews are authentic! Love this place!
(5)Shawn A.
This place has some A+ food and tasty cold beer. The service is typically exemplary. Don't miss it.
(5)Megan M.
Great food, good beer and strongbow on tap! The chips (ie french fries) are amongst my favorite . Like to dip your fries? The ranch is amazing and so is the spicy curry sauce! * Meatloaf sandwich - it's topped with cheese, an onion ring and savory gravy. * BBQ Bacon Burger - all the burgers are solid but this is my fav * Blanket Bangers - sausages wrapped in pastries * Battered Buffalo Chicken Sandwich - right out of the fryer and the chicken is moist as can be. * Lancashire Hot Pot - roast with creamy garlicy mashed taters. It is amazing. The lunch specials are excellent so be sure to ask about them. I'm still dreaming of running into the chicken parm again! They have a punch card for lunch as well (double punch Mondays!)
(4)Indy C.
The Mushroom Swiss Burger is one of my favorites. I eat it like an open face style. Their ranch dressing is made with dill and it the one of the best dressings I have had. When I am in the mood for a great burger and fries. This is my place of choice.
(5)Lindsay L.
They have recently redone their pickle chips. They are waaaaaaaaay better! They are freshly breaded, the pickle is more crunchy, and the the dill flavor is outstanding. If you liked their pickle chips before, you'll be blown away by them down!
(5)Eddie C.
Great tap selection for beer. The Waltimate burger was pretty good, not mind blowing like I expected, but pretty good. Peanut butter on the burger was a little weird at first, especiallly with the spiciness of the jalapenos, but in a strange way it worked. Trivia night was fun with my friends. Service was fast, waiter was cool.
(4)Kellie C.
My husband and I are a huge fan. The best tasting burger around, the fish and chips or fish sandwich are to die for. Better than Claddaugh. The lemon chicken piccata sandwich is the most unique ever, someone wrote they did not know what piccata was, (lemon, butter, white wine and capers). Everything we have had has been excellent!! We drive from Greenfield for lunch at least once a month. We will always be loyal!! Wally the owner always recognizes us and we appreciate that. Great job!! Build in Greenfield, You will have a gold mine!! Thanks Kellie and Mark Sawyer
(5)Casey R.
Maybe it was an off night but I wasn't blown away by the food and I really really wanted to be. So, maybe I had set the bar in my mind too high. I love to cook and I know this sounds pretentious but I can taste if someone has pride in their food, I didn't here. Our first server was kinda rude but our second server Jennifer was awesome! This place is great for drinks or something to snack on whilst drinking. Great selection of cocktails and local beers. I'm going to give them another shot though!
(3)Erik F.
Fantastic restaurant in Fountain Square. A very good beer selection, quick and friendly wait staff...and the Black and Bleu burger is simply excellent eats. I can't wait to go back and try their fish and chips. Go there now!
(5)Jacks L.
I went on dinning out for life night. I cant believe how pack, and busy it was, and everyone was so friendly and happy. We had a blast on the bar, and the food was amazing, specially the cheese sticks.
(5)Dana A.
The waitress came over to take our order and I guess we weren't fast enough cuz she left went 2 tables down SAT DOWN WITH THEM TO TAKE THEIR ORDER! Came back and again left before getting ALL of our orders. We had a large party of 5!! o_O I do not like being made to feel unimportant which she did. If I had my way we would have left after the first time she left us hanging. Or she would have received a lesser tip. She unfortunatly received full tip. Now to the food. The sirloin is substandard and OLD MEAT! Fresh meat at med rare is juicy this was not. The "chips" are nothing more than bagged frozen overcooked and served cold French fries.
(1)Matt F.
You know that cool pub you went to in (insert city) and you wish you could find in Indy? Well, I'm guessing Red Lion could fill in that blank. It really reminds me of small neighborhood bars I've been to in other cities. Simple. Great beer, food, staff, and customers. I have yet to have a bad time here. The food is good. Chips & Curry Sauce and Fried Pickle Chips are great. Honestly, each of those is a meal in its own right. They have fresh, local beer on draft and great specials on Mondays.
(4)Gregory G.
One of my favorite places to go! I love the revolving local beer taps, and the service is always great. My absolute favorite place for fries, better even than Brugge, and their hot curry is the best side for them! That, and the meatloaf sammich, are my go-to things when I go.
(5)Mali J.
This Women's Accountability Group I'm with wanted to lunch in Fountain Square at the new Red Grog Lion. I was up for it, I like new places. So we go, the place is decent. We sit at a nice table/booth in the back that easily sat us 7 lovely ladies. Most of us ordered a water and quickly threw it back as it was sooo nasty. Note, that this is no fault of RGL but the fault of the Indianapolis water system- different story. So anyway, I order a fish sandwich and fries and cole slaw. I wanted fish and chips but the waitress said you get ONE piece of fish with that. I was like, "huh, one piece?" That just didn't make sense to me. So, I figured I'd get the sandwich with sides to fill me up a bit more. Another woman at my table got a grilled cheese and bacon sandwich, another a lettuce wedge and another the bacon and bleu burger. Out of all these meals, mine LOOKED the best but I think the burger tasted best. Lara says her grilled cheese 'n bacon was ok, she's had better from her mom. And my fish sandwich was over cooked. It was a bit too crunchy, if you know what I mean. The fries were good but the slaw was just bleh. And it's not just me! Erin (also at my table) had slaw with her burger and neither of us had more than 4 or 5 bites of it. It was too saucy. I may go back, if I happen to be in Fountain Square OR if I get another craving for Scottish Eggs (which I didn't try but just looked so good) but this won't be on the radar for the near future.
(2)Chris P.
I love Fountain Square and found this a great spot. One of the best portobello sandwitches with chips can be located here. Great selection of local beers also. Ignore the @#*&^@ ongoing construction and go here.
(4)Bill J.
Going to have to go with just 3 stars even though this place could be worthy of 4. Had lunch there today, it was pretty empty when we got there. Then we got stuck in a game of "Whose Table is That?"....2 servers, both thought our table belonged to the other one. Took them about 10 minutes to figure it out, but...it happens. No biggie. I got a grilled chicken club sammich, it was sub-par, especially for a place that has a reputation for great food. A couple of people I went with got the meatloaf sammich and said it was very good. So maybe just stay away from the grilled chicken selections is a good rule of thumb. I will definitely go back, have been there for drinks before but this was my first time to order food and unfortunately, it did not live up to my expectations.
(3)Jami G.
We went here with friends last night and had a wonderful time. Great neighborhood place with several TVs so we watched the Big East tourney. Our waiter Chris was terrific - there when we needed him and full of info on the offerings. They have a great selection of Grogs - I tried the Mary Reed - like drinking a lovely refreshing soft drink so watch out as I'm sure these can sneak up on you. My friend raves on the Red Lion but that has beer so I can speak to it. Hubby had the Blanket Bangers (this was source of a few jokes) and he says they were wonderful. He'd seen the guy at the next table have them and couldn't resist - we had some great chatting with our table neighbors who raved about the Pot Roast. We got the free order of chips with curry sauce and they were good too, though I preferred the garlic sauce that came with Hubby's Bangers. Great place to have fun, get good grub and great Grog. Check it out soon.
(4)Stephanie D.
The first few times I ate here, I swore I would never go back. On my first experience our meatloaf was charred and the waitress wasn't that great. We decided to head in again, and give it another chance after a year and we were pleasantly supprised. My husband had the burger with bbq sauce and onion rings on it with a side of tater tots. It was awesome!!! I had a grilled cheese with bacon and a side of soup and it was yummy as well. The best part was they had Strongbow on tap! I am so happy we gave them another shot.
(4)Theodore B.
The Red Lion Grog House probably has the coolest name of any establishment in Indy. Sadly, it should probably be renamed. My personal suggestion is "English pub with a slightly overpriced menu and good not great food". Essentially, my experience was ok, but I'll probably die before coming back (maybe). The style was cute, modelled after an English pub, but it all came across as pretty "typical quirky stylized restaurant" to me. The beer was priced averagely. I ordered the pork tenderloin. It was also, ok. Moe and Johnny's tenderloin is much better, probably the best in the city. The Shephard's pie, which was a very small portion for its price, was really overloaded with Thyme. I like thyme, just like all red-blooded Americans do, but the dish didn't taste like much else. And I guess the staff were helpful and inviting. All in all, I left satisfied but unimpressed.
(3)Beth C.
Ehhh, I don't know... it is just 'okay' to me. My friend suggested meeting and eating here for Thursday night trivia. I rarely venture to the Fountain Square area so I was excited to give Red Lion a whirl. I think I was expecting something different from the long and narrow hallway-like set up. It seems really cramped. And dark. But I did like the hallway you venture down to get to the restrooms. I can dig anything that reminds me of an underground tunnel with exposed brick walls. Now as far as the menu, I was happy to see a decent variety of vegetarian choices. My friend and I both had the stuffed portobello with blue cheese cream sauce. It came with mashed potatoes and seasonal veggies (asparagus and carrots). I wasn't crazy about the blue cheese sauce, it was a little overpowering for me. Veggies and potatoes were good, if not a little heavy on the garlic. I got the bread pudding as well. If you have bread pudding then by golly I probably want some of it. The selection was a maple and cinnamony bread pudding that the waitress compared to the taste of pancakes. It tasted like a slightly burnt campfire marshmallow to me. Not terrible but not the best. Decent sized piece though. Service was as to be expected since it was crowded due to trivia. Waitress was very personable. There are a lot of dining options in Fountain Square so next time I venture that way I will probably choose a different place...if I am the one in charge of choosing, of course. Unless it's for trivia, which was fun and well organized. And the DJ/facilitator played an awesome selection of jams with accompanying music videos. Do note that if you go to trivia night on Tuesday or Thursday in the summer, it starts at 7:30, not 7. Signage and website state 7 but the waitress mentioned they changed it due to people coming in later in the summer to eat. And drink. And win money. First prize is $15, second is $5. Three rounds. First 2 are trivia and the third is more "name that tune and artist."
(3)Shola J.
They make their own veggie burgers and they have Strongbow on tap! I mean what else do you need, this place is great!
(5)Rabah R.
The Grog House is a great spot for lunch or watching a soccer game. The vibe is very much like the Chatham Tap, 1-2 laid back friendly servers and a very authentic pub atmosphere. The servers are in these sexy, but tactful (if thats possible) plaid skirts and white shirts. The design is basically on big long hallway, but not cramped. Our Server was super friendly and because my friend and I didn't know which Sun King Beer we wanted she brought out a taster of each, which I thought was super cool! I ordered the fish and chips, which were really good and comparable to the Claddaugh's fish and chips. I also ordered a bowl of soup: crushed red pepper and gouda cheese (something like that your server will know what you are talking about) and it was outrageous! I am not even a big soup guy, but this stuff was legit! The one thing that I was kind of sad about is the lack of dessert options, I have a big sweet tooth! To remedy this, I just shot over to the Flying Cupcake for a Red Velvet Cupcake. I digress. All and all I think this is a great addition to Downtown and Fountain Square Dining/Nightlife and I can't wait to enjoy some World Cup games there this summer!
(4)Dana M.
Delicious English pub in Fountain Square. It's nothing fancy or revolutionary, but everything about this place (food, drinks, ambiance) screams comfortable. I've tried and enjoyed the meatloaf sandwich, shepherd's pie, and fish and chips. A great place to watch a soccer game.
(4)Heather S.
I love the pub food. You can't go wrong with the fish and chips or Grandma's meatloaf. And get the pickle chips yummmmy!! Sun King Wee Mac served here.
(4)Charles A.
They have a buffalo chicken sandwich that changed my standards for a chicken sandwich. I got the hot buffalo sauce (which is good and spicy) with bleu cheese. I didn't really care for the fries that much, but the sandwich took over my entire thinking pattern for the next 5 hours. I couldn't even return to work. All I am trying to say, I will return and pay any amount of money for that mouth watering piece of poultry.
(5)Scott H.
The service at the bar is really bad. It's hard to get anyone's attention. There used to be a really attractive blonde bartender that did a wonderful job. I'm not sure if she works there anymore, but the other bartenders I've seen are too concerned with flirting with the servers. The food is good. It has a nice beer selection. The music is terrific. The negatives outweigh the positives though.
(1)Abby W.
My friend and I decided to stop here tonight on a whim, thanks in part to a strong craving for burgers. It did not disappoint. My black and bleu burger was massive and deliciously messy. The atmosphere was great and our waitress was on top of everything. My only complaint is their fries. I feel like a place with amazing burgers needs to have good fries as well, and theirs just didn't do it for me. However, I will definitely be coming back, most likely to try their fish and to check out the beer selection.
(4)Danielle F.
Red Lion Grog House is the quintessential British Pub. The beer selection is excellent. Not only do they represent the local brews and have the British staples, but they have some more unique items...namely The Monty Python and the Holy Grail Ale and The Monty Python Dark Knight brew. Not only did I take home the bottles to decorate my baker's rack, but the beer was actually pretty tasty. In terms of food, I had the chips and curry. The fries were your normal tasty fair, but the curry sauce was good. As Indian Food fanatic, I am often dissatisfied with the curry sauce at pubs, but this was flavorful and spicy. The environment in the pub is kind of like an episode of cheers. It is a local bar with local beer where everyone knows everyone. As if all those details don't validate teh five stars, the Red Lion also has trivia night! Win!
(5)Drew D.
Red Lion is a British-styled pub in the Murphy Building in Fountain Square. And by British-style I mean an emphasis on Fish & Chips, Pub Curries, and English beer. That said, there's a good selection of Indiana brews (Sun King & Upland), and good draft specials during the week. Not too wide a selection to make you pause, but it is pretty great to see you can drink local almost anywhere now. With the recent opening of several more local breweries (including an upcoming one in the neighborhood); will be interesting to see if they add a few more taps. The portobello sandwich is pretty excellent; if a bit messy, and the same goes for the Reuben. Both are pretty giant. Only had a scotch egg once, but it was one of the finest (then again, any hardboiled egg blanketed in sausage & fried better be at least decent). Burgers are passable to excellent; though they seem either pre-formed or molded. Oh--make sure you get some of the curry sauce (hot) with your chips...it's a stand-out for sure. Service here has always been outstanding & really friendly. I also like the fact that there are just TVs over the bar, and no music. Anywhere you can go for a drink and actually hear yourself talk/think is a winner in my book.
(4)Jon C.
Scotch Eggs are a wonderful creation, and where-ever I go, if they're on the menu, I have to try them. Red Lion's are the best I've had. Now, I've not been to the UK of course, nor traveled all that much, but I've had 'Eggs at a few dozen places. Anyway, Red Lion's are good. Their Fish-n-Chips is good too, as are their chips/fries. You can get get mild or hot curry sauce for dipping - and both are wonderful. The tap selection is decent; it's no Heorot obviously, but the taps are still good. They've got Guinness (of course), and usually a few Uplands and the like. Mad Hatter IPA from New Holland has been there as well. Good stuff. The servers, er, well, servER, since we've only had one, is/are awesome. She's this cool rockabilly-looking chick who's always super friendly and such. The last time my wife and I went, we'd planned to try their Chicken Tikka. They were out and we were sad. DON'T RUN OUT OF THINGS! :D I know, it happens, but I've got to deduct a star for that one. Anyway, the place is great, Fountain Square is cool as hell, and so you may as well go and check it out!
(4)Courtney B.
I was intrigued by the name and a quick walk-through during a First-Friday extravaganza and made a point to return to try it out. That said, the food was great! The service, not so much. Perhaps it was because I was alone, but I had to search out my waitress after waiting ten minutes for the check. Forget about a re-fill, I was never asked for one! But that makes no, never mind, I will probably return just because the food and beer selection was exceptional.
(3)Shan A.
Have come here twice in the past month and it doesn't disappoint. I got the turkey cranberry sandwich special (around Thanksgiving) the first time with fries. The fries weren't done in my opinion and didn't end up eating them too much. The next time I went, I got tator tots and there were delicious with a pork tenderloin. Make sure to get their meal card that allows you to get a free lunch after 10 or so visits!
(4)Kate L.
I've eaten a lot of veggie burgers in my time. I'd have to say, at this point in time, the best veggie burger you can get in Indy is at Red Lion. I highly suggest ordering the BBQ Bacon Burger with the veggie burger (no bacon)! It is heaven in your mouth. The homemade barbecue sauce is the perfect amount of sweet & tangy, the onion crisps add the perfect touch of texture. Don't forget to get the spicy curry for your chips! And, if you're feeling adventurous, dipping the veggie burger in your curry might push your tastebuds over the edge.
(5)Liz S.
one of my FAVORITE places to go in indy! i love the atmosphere, the food there is grand. 90% of the time, i have immaculate service there, but i've gone a couple times where the waitress (2x) has been just rude and unattentive towards my group! a small letdown is the price on their foods, but i guess i'm just a cheap-skate! still love it though--always tell people about it, and it's just a wonderful place to hang out at, with a kitchen that stays open until 1am on weekends--can't beat that! suggestions: bubble & squeak w/ mashed potatoes & fried egg on top (FAVE) chicken tikka masala nom noms.
(5)Ashley L.
I really dig the atmosphere, beer selection and food here. Really. I love the selection of local beers on tap. Been here a few times now and have always had solid service and great food.
(4)Carl B.
Red Lion is an excellent no smoking bar in Fountain Square. I would most certainly come here often if I lived closer. The food is actually pretty great here for pub food and the veggie burger is the best around. They also have fried pickle chips, which are superb. Most encounters with the Grog house have been a meet up with friends for a few drinks and dinner. We always leave quite full and happy. Red Lion is also a perfect stop during a first-friday outing at the Murphy building.
(4)Joe T.
This is a great, cozy English pub with great food and drinks. We tried the Scotch egg for an appetizer. I'd recommend it. The sauce they serve with it is quite tasty. I had the hot pot. It was delicious. The beef was perfectly seasoned and tasted like it had been slow-cooked to perfection. The overall dish, though, could have been a little hotter, temperature-wise. Service was great. We had Sarah for a server. She gave excellent suggestions and was very friendly.
(4)Jessie E.
Feels divey, but not uncomfortably so. Great food, consistent quality and priced reasonably. Must try: scotch eggs.
(5)Ron R.
An English Pub down in the fountain square area. Has all of the per-requisites for a great pub in my opinion. The wood decor, the old dart board, the fireplace (ok fine, it is electronic fire) and beer. It also manages to have pretty good food, which is rare for an English pub. My only complaint, and it is a small one, is that the prices seem a bit exaggerated for what it is. An example would be; my friend got the Macaroni and Cheese entree which is a large bowl with elbow macaroni tossed in a cheese blend and topped with Panko bread crumbs. This dish was $13.99 which is a bit mind blowing as it is just a bit of cheese and bread crumbs on elbow mac. That being said, wow was it good! Perhaps supply and demand drove this price up. We stayed here for about an hour and moved on to the next bar...but I highly recommend this place if you want a quick bite and/or beer on a bar hop event.
(4)Jason A.
Stopped off here the other night on a bar hopping round around 8 or so place was packed trivial pursuit night or something of the sort was going on. Had a few beers, workingman pilsner and sunlight cream ale, most of draft was local selection which was nice to see. Décor is classic English pub vibe, food looked good though I didn't partake, I saw an elephant ear as dessert that would be interesting. Bathroom is in the back down a hall which seems to lead into another venture all together. Weird layout there. I'll check this place out again and get my grub on.
(4)Megan O.
Whether you're trying to show off your random knowledge or you just want to grab a bite to eat, definitely give the Red Lion a try! Walk into Red Lion Grog House, and you're greeted by the savory smell of Shepards Pie and the sounds of 1980s Eddie Murphy trying to make it as a singer. What's going on, those two don't mix! In fact, it's trivia night, and people can request their favorite music videos all night long! This place is my go-to for trivia night! It's free to play every Tuesday and Thursday, and each team had three chances to win $20 for first place and $5 for second place. So order some local beer and good pub food, stash away your phone (no cheating!), and do your best to outguess the other teams. Questions tend to cover music, geography, history, movies, and books. In short, know everything about everything, or at least pretend you do! Now let's talk about the food. Brit lovers rejoice, this place has your Shepards pie, bangers and mash, and scotch eggs cravings covered. Why fly across the Atlantic when you drive to Fountain Square? Don't fret, you loyal Midwesterners, because that pork tenderloin is massive, and you can get all the beef burgers/veggie burgers/clubs/fries/Mac and cheese you have ever wanted. The menu variety is impressive, and all your picky friends will find something to rave about.
(4)Brittany M.
I go there frequently with the larp friends for afters. The shepherd's pie and strawberry salad are to die for!
(5)Trena R.
I had a few friends in from all over the country this weekend and decided to take them to the Red Lion because of the diverse menu - I was pretty sure there would be something for everyone. I got there a few minutes early with about half our group to beg for a large table (7 of us). We bellied up to the bar while other guests finished their dinner and the staff pulled a pair of tables together. Normally, we'd have been sent to the bar and forgotten about - not here. The server who'd originally greeted us kept us updated and entertained, as did the bartender (confession: we had beer. We were pretty happy hanging out as the rest of our group rolled in). We drank a variety of local beers that were on tap and enjoyed some people-watching. The table was ready in almost the exact time they predicted and we started eyeballing the menu - burgers, fish-and-chips, steak-and-chips, southwest mac and cheese, wraps... you name it, someone at our table had it. And it was all met with rave reviews (and some stolen bites across the table). One gal ordered the bread pudding and had the biggest smile on her face. Great service. Great food. I'm definitely going back!
(5)Richard P.
I was more than a little stressed out when I ventured into Fountain Square's Red Lion Grog House, an establishment that has been in the G.C. Murphy building since 2009 and yet still feels like one of Indy's hidden gems. I spent my day hanging out at the Indiana Author's Corner of Art Squared, a delightful event organized by the Fountain Square Arts Council. I had a blast, but for a natural introvert the combination of being surrounded by people, loud music, and a next door neighbor teaching a 20-minute painting class just about every 45 minutes was enough to rattle my nerves and have me ready for a break when a friend who was volunteering for the event stopped by and offered to give me time to grab lunch. So, at their suggestion I entered the nearby Red Lion Grog House ready for a few minutes of relative quiet and a little sustenance to calm my body down. If you're aware of the classic Grogs, you're aware that they were seedy watering holes for the more unkempt. After a few hours out in the sun, I definitely qualified. However, Red Lion Grog House isn't seedy despite being smack dab in the middle of a wonderfully retro G.C. Murphy building that had been originally established in the late 19th century. It's definitely a weathered building, but as soon as you get inside Red Lion the warmth envelopes you. The decor definitely carries the 'Ole English vibe along with hints of a sports pub with seven widescreen televisions that broadcast all major sporting events. They also are known to have entertainment. While I'd contemplated getting a meal "to go," as soon as I entered the place I knew I wasn't going anywhere. While it wasn't necessarily quiet, it was definitely restful and warm and friendly with a wood decor and warm lighting that makes you feel like you have some space and time to yourself. I didn't really have that much time, but I went ahead and sat down at one of the end tables and was quickly greeted by Sarah, a personable server whose very presence made me feel better than when I'd entered the place. While I'm watching what I eat, I'd heard their burgers were good and a friend had recommended their tater tots. So, I figured I'd go with it as I was definitely in the space for comfort food. While I usually order my burger, well done, I'd been reading some feedback from friend Dick Davis over at the blog "Great Burger Quest" and decided to tone it down a bit and go for medium well and made it a cheeseburger with American cheese. I ordered some tater tots, which I thought was a side item but I later learned actually came with the burger. Of course, I had my usual iced tea. The cheeseburger was ordered as delivered. I can't quite give it a 5-star rating, because it lacked that certain "wow" factor that the greatest burgers have. The bun itself was also rather plain, though certainly not disappointing. The patty was meaty. Every bite of the sandwich was incredibly tasty to the point that I looked at that last bite and thought to myself "I don't want it to end." The tater tots were incredibly good, an unusual choice but a choice that made me incredibly happy. The iced tea had a nice full flavor it. Sarah was personable and attentive throughout the meal, but never hovered. She had a natural relaxed quality that made me smile and definitely had me relaxed enough that I was ready to return to my booth by meal's end. The only modest flaw, and it was a service issue, was not getting offered an iced tea refill. I was eating rather quickly and definitely not lingering, but for me when a meal hits the moderate range in pricing ($12+ for this meal) I do expect that little extra touch. That said, the issue was minor and I also didn't actually ask for a refill. I often forget just how closely I live to Fountain Square and, for whatever reason, I always have it in my mind that parking is an issue in what is a rather confined neighborhood. Having spent nearly all day in the area today, I can assure you that I won't soon forget that such an artsy, vibrant neighborhood is just a short drive and parking isn't nearly the issue I believed it to be. Red Lion Grog House ended up being an oasis of peace and calm and yet another perfect touch on a wonderful day spent in Fountain Square.
(4)Elizabeth P.
Went in for lunch as we were looking to try something different, and it was A-ok! I opted for the black and blue burger and it was ok! I was not particularly a fan of the french fries, they were a little too "smooshy" for my liking, BUT it wasn't bad. Our server was very friendly, and made sure that we were taken care of even going so far as to bring me a water before I even had to ask when my ginger beer became a little too much :) All in all, I'd like to try this little gem out during the night time bar hours, because I think that's more of the vibe it gives off anyways!
(3)Danielle S.
They have the best Scott Eggs! Shepherd's pie is also a must-try! Very laid back atmosphere which is perfect for friends hang-out, even take your parents here and have a good chill family talk.
(5)JJ G.
We were passing through the area on a lengthy road trip and the Mr discovered this spot via Yelp. We were excited to try a spot boasting chips and curry (read: fries), with a few veggie friendly options on the menu. What we didn't initially realize was that we would be stopping in for a late lunch during the USA/Germany World Cup game, so the place was packed. Every table was claimed, and the bar was hopping.We snagged the first table that came available, and the harried staff hardly took notice. I think they were doing the best they could to serve the glut of sports-enthused patrons. After a bit, we were offered waters and we ordered quickly, since the Mr had also swiped some menus for us to study. Obviously, we selected the chips and curry...The Mr opted for the buffalo chicken sandwich (fried) and I went with the portobello burger. Everything was fine. Nothing was outstanding, save the curry dipping sauce for the fries. We were sans water a few times, but again, understandable given the circumstances. If I have a friend heading to Indy, I'll probably steer him/her to the Red Lion -- love the atmosphere and neighborhood feel of the Fountain Square area, and for that alone, it's worth a visit. Parking is available along the streets nearby.
(3)Sam M.
LOVED, LOVED, LOVED this bar!! Where do I even start this review?? The service was out of this world. My girlfriend and I showed up at the bar on a Tuesday evening for trivia night and were instantly greeted by a dapper bar tender who quickly presented us with samples of the brews on tap. After making our selections, he had chilled and filled glasses lined up for us within seconds and immediately asked if we would like to see the menu to order any food. We chose to order the "chips" or in America, french fries,and were later presented with a huge, steaming pile of fresh chips with an out of this world curry dipping sauce. Can you say absolute nirvana? Wether you choose to remain inside for the lively bar action, or opt for the quieter, outdoor seating in the back of the house, it is well worth a visit to the Red Lion. I will most definitely be returning and will be brining friends!!
(5)Luisanna R.
I have been to the red lion so many times and I can't believe I still haven't written my review. I have tried their scotch eggs meat loaf the fish and chips the chicken picatta sandwich. I have to say I love this place. All the food is really great comfort food. The service is always very good, although it can get a little slow if it is a busy night. There is always a rotating beer on tap menu which I think is nice and the Pim's Cup is probably my favorite drink. If you go try a Scotch egg and maybe the fish and chips. Delicious.
(4)Brittany C.
My group of 5 people order carry out from this place this past Saturday. They let us split it up into three orders which was nice. Two of us got the fish sandwich, two buffalo chicken wraps, and a roasted red pepper burger. Everyone was happy with their food. Service was great and good was hot and ready when we arrived. I got the fish sandwich and it was good but nothing stellar. The tarter sauce had something a bit off about it and the sandwich was a tad greasy. The fish sandwich at BRU burger has forever ruined all other fish sandwiches for me though so my expectations are ridiculously high. My friend and I are big fans of the buffalo chicken wrap at Scotty's Brewhouse and she said this one was comparable, maybe even better so I'll definitely have to try that out next time. It was a quick meal and we were starving so it served it's purpose. I'll be back to try out some of their other options.
(3)Justin C.
In town on business. Yelp had some great reviews. The Indiana beers were great and the fish and chips were delicious. A great atmosphere too. I would recommend to anyone.
(4)Apurva C.
Been here twice. Agree that fish and chips are amazing. Also had wings and scotch eggs both spot on. The second time, I got steak and chips, both of which were super disappointing. Couldn't finish the steak, it was hard and dry! The chips were not fresh either. Pretty disappointing. Don't know if thats just a one time thing or that one shouldn't go for their steak and chips in general. I have also tried the buffalo chicken sandwich which had some amazingly crispy chicken.
(3)Mary T.
Today I found myself in Fountain Square after a pleasant morning at the IMA with a friend. I have been wanting to try the Red Lion after passing by several times on my way to Pure, so today I decided was the day. Upon entering you see a "seat yourself sign" that gives off a casual vibe. After choosing a table by the window, I perused the menu which is fairly large, with plenty of options to choose from. I decided on the chicken and chips, partly because it's fun to say and partially because I'm a child at heart who was really craving chicken fingers. My lunch buddy went for the fish and chips, because after all when at a British restaurant, how can you not order a classic? I was impressed with the portion size which was so large, I ended up taking half of it home. I was even more impressed with the freshness and taste of the chicken and chips. I could tell the chicken was battered and fried in house. It was a beer battered chicken with a slightly crunchy texture with moist chicken. The chips - fries were also great. Is it possible that they are fried twice? There is nothing worse than a soggy chip and these were crispy, hot, slightly salty, and golden brown. To be honest, I've never eaten at a categorized British restaurant and I find myself asking why did I wait this long? If you're looking for fresh food made in house in a great part of town, mosey on down to Fountain Square and give the menu a gander for yourself, you won't be disappointed. My only complaint is that our server was fairly slow and the takeout container was chincy, but other than that I look forward to coming back and trying a host of local beers that they feature with a great meal. p.s. word on the street is that they have an elephant ear on the dessert menu!
(4)Mark C.
Highly recommend! Quick service whether dining in or ordering takeout. I love their patty melt and the ranch is like nothing I've ever tasted...so good! Check it out and then walk around Fountain Square, it's located right next to everything (frozen yogurt right across the street!)
(5)Shane M.
I work in the building so I eat here often. They make classic pub food and they do it well. My two favorites are the fish and chips and their chili. Although the night staff is good I have had not so great service with the lunch staff. And not just one time.
(3)Kevin C.
Reservations were made for a party of 7. Our server was very attentive to our needs and kept our glasses full. What a great find, I would love to come back to the restaurant if I am ever in Indianapolis again. When we opened the door and walked in there was an awesome smell of goodness that hit us which made us very hungry. I ordered the Waltimate burger which looked like a 1/2 pound burger and was topped with bacon, cheese, jalapeños, peanut butter, lettuce, tomato and onion.
(5)Simon M.
This was my third visit and I am not crazy about the atmosphere. It is a little too dark and shopworn for my tastes. They get good reviews, so maybe this is just not a good match for me. Anyway, our server, Wynnie, was attentive, polite and friendly. I had the veggie burger and slaw. The burger was just okay I thought it might be the same as Wuzzlers which I understand has some mutual ownership.) My wife had the fish sandwich with tater tots. She gave the fish a 6 out of 10. "Too much breading." The tater tots were very good, as they are at Wuzzler's. Something that is perhaps not under their control are the restroom facilities. They are shared with a couple of other establishments and are located in a back connecting hallway, which is pretty funky-nice. Anyway, there was no toilet paper to be seen, no paper towel or even a dispenser. Maybe this is a locals favorite and provides a nearby location for them. I don't hate it but I don't love it.
(3)Jessica P.
Great beer selection and specials! such. good. pub. food. I love love love the chips and curry. I wish this was a thing everywhere. This is a great place to have a few beers and food with friends. We've also gone to trivia on several occasions and had an excellent time.
(5)Chelsea W.
Red Lion was a perfect location to have one of our GNO dinners! We were initially worried we would not be able to get a table since it was the last weekend for Devour Downtown and Red Lion does not take reservations. However, we were promptly greeted and seated within 15 minutes! I went pretty much straight house specials in food and drink choices. I have a thing for drinks that mix beer and liquor, so the Traditional Grog was right up my alley. The Scotch Egg appetizer had a great taste and was the perfect app to split between two people. For my entree I had the Grog House Chicken. It comes served with garlic mashed potatoes and perfectly cooked whole green beans. The chicken itself was topped with bacon, onions, mushrooms (but not too many like some places do), a blend of cheeses and BBQ sauce. It was absolutely delicious! To end the meal we split the elephant ear among the six of us. It was a perfect sweet, sugary end to an amazing dinner. Not only was the food great, but the service was rockin! Our server Emily was not only quick and attentive, but extremely pleasant and patient. I am already planning when I can drag my hubby to FS to experience this place for himself!
(5)Matt K.
My favorite restaurant in fountain square. In the 6 or 7 times i have been here, I haven't found anything on the menu that wasn't delicious. They serve very well prepared, exceptionally tasty pub food. The meatloaf, fish sandwich/fish and chips and the buffalo chicken sandwich are all favorites. Prices are more than reasonable for the quality ($10 for a meatloaf sandwich on rye with fries or tator tots) and the quantity is consistently more than I can finish (yea lunch the next day!). This is a popular joint and it will fill up on the weekends, possibly for trivia Tuesdays and other nights as well. They don't play loud music or sports, but it can still be quite loud during busy nights. The tables in the front by the door seem more quiet than the ones in the back. Finally, the staff are friendly and personable when appropriate. They chat when appropriate and leave us alone when we're engaged with each other. I love it when servers successfully read tables like that. Well done.
(5)Kimmi M.
The Pimm's Cup is classic Brit. So tasty. Absolutely perfect for a blustery Sunday afternoon with a high of zero. Nothing says "warm yourself up" like British food. Yeah, it all looks pretty goopy and sloppy, but that's truly its charm. It might be bad for you, but it tastes so good. I am very impressed that Red Lion is able to have some very classic items on the menu and stay in business as most Americans don't like British food. The curry is excellent with chips, a very traditional chippy! I had the Bubble & Squeak, which when it came out looked like I had been jipped on my portion. Upon getting to the halfway point, I realized that they knew what they were doing and there was no way I would still be hungry upon completion. The Bloody Mary left a lot to be desired, and even for $4.5, I probably wouldn't order another one. Despite this, there are a wide variety of beautiful cocktails to choose from. In the words of my favorite Brit Tom Hiddleston, "It's good to be bad." Take a break from watching your weight and chow down here.
(4)K B.
Awesome food, good service. Try the spicy shrimp with aioli sauce. You won't be disappointed. They have a great beer selection as well.
(3)Todd M.
Great fish & chips. Scottish eggs, and a great yellow curry dipping sauce on request!
(5)Benjamin G.
Whilst on the road towards Chicagoland, we were in need of a pitstop for gas, a quick stretch, and definitely lunch. We pulled up Red Lion Grog House on ye olde Yelp App and found a parking spot in the busy Fountain Square area. With proximity to the highway top of mind, we weren't too aware of just what we would be getting into with the US World Cup match beginning as soon as we walked in. The place was packed to the rafters and what an awesome spot for a game! It's a gnarly little English pub with all of the awesomely rib-sticking foods you could as for -- pies, curries, cold beers, and plenty of cozy seats to sling a large beer mug back and forth for team chants. We grabbed the only open table near the front and waited a bit for a server to come take our order. The servers were completely swamped, but still super friendly. They really were overtly nice to each guest, which was clearly a bit more difficult due to the tensions of "Because Futbol" was on the televisions. We ordered the chips and curry sauce to start. Quite a nice starter for up to maybe 4 folks with a really nice, deep curry dipping sauce. Definitely a lot of care taken with that glorious liquid. I went with old reliable -- Buffalo chicken sandwich with garlic mash. The sandwich was a little bland and definitely beckoned more buffalo sauce. Had the restaurant not been so busy, I would have asked for an extra side order. My wife had a portobello burger, which she enjoyed. The only downside to our visit was just how mobbed the place was and the absent servers -- due to being spread a little too thin. Where I can say lunch may not be the strongest time of day for a visit, I can definitely see where this spot would be awesome for a brew with friends or a great spot to catch a game.
(4)Missy R.
I give this place a two only because the food is decent. What is wrong, first the parking sucks. Second my daughter and I went in on a Thursday night and they were having some kind of trivia contest. The DJ had the music so loud it gave me a pounding head ache and the music he played was Crappy 80's and the new stuff. Third, BEWARE OF THE BATHROOM. It is located in a covered hallway/alley that is 30 degrees colder than the restaurant. The bathroom hallway has a door that lets you in the back parking lot, way safe...Not. Then you walk into the bathroom you would not be surprised to see a dead heroin hooker is laying the floor. The bathroom was dirty, dark red/black and depressing. It makes me wonder how clean the kitchen is. If you want a good British Pub instead of this place........Go Asian.
(2)Katie O.
Best veggie burger I've ever had in my life! When I lived in Indy, I used to frequent this spot once or twice a week just for the veg burger. I don't really enjoy the chips too much because they're not blanched, but I always just replaced them with the garlic mashed potatoes, which are fire! Also, I don't even like onions but somehow these guys have mastered the onion ring; Unfortunately they won't let you order onion rings though, only comes atop certain sandwiches. If you catch them at the right time they might let you get an order of onion rings, but otherwise they are oddly defensive of them. Lol.
(5)Nic J.
I hadn't been here for awhile, and after purchasing a $50 for $25 deal, the wife and I stopped in. The fish and chips were always outstanding, and the chicken too, so we both got fish and chicken combos. Well, I was kinda let down. The batter wasn't fully cooked through, making it kinda gummy. The French onion soup was good, and service was great. I love the chips with spicy curry sauce. Hopefully next time my main meal is better.
(3)Adam L.
I personally am very happy that my one off bad experience was just a fluke. Staffs on top of things tonight, knowledgable and well hell just doing a great job!
(4)Vince K.
Great place to sit and hang out or bring the family. Arguably the best fish and chips in Indy, 12 beers on tap and nightly specials on drinks. They make some great speciality cocktails as well. The food is great, I particularly enjoy the Buffalo Chicken Sandwich that's unlike any I've had before and the Chicken Curry Sandwhich is awesome and unique. The curry with fries is a spicy change of pace. Add in bangers and mash and elephant ears for the kids, it's a great place to check out. With trivia, open mic, great food and drink and in the Murphy building swing by for a while.
(5)Molly B.
After an evening of exploring Fountain Square with a few classmates, we happened upon Red Lion Grog House and decided to get a bite to eat there. It was a little later on a Tuesday night and Red Lion seemed to be one of the only restaurants left open. The atmosphere was similar to most bars/pubs however it did seem more family-friendly than most. Our server was great and everyone in our diverse group enjoyed the place. Although we did not partake, a game of trivia was in full swing and would be a great event to come back for another time. I ordered their cider on draught and was disappointed to find that it was all gone. However, our server made up for it by bringing me a sample of my second choice of drink. I also got the the chicken and chips and for the most part enjoyed them. They were pretty basic, nothing special. The menu has a lot of options and some great comfort food items. I know I could come back several times, get something new every time, and enjoy it. All together it was a good experience however a little over priced for what was very simple bar food.
(3)Stephen V.
I live in the fountain square area and let me tell you that this is my go to for Great food. I've never been disappointed with a meal. The Burgers are great and I love that when I order it a specific way I get it cooked that way. My two favorites are the Roasted Red Pepper and the Buffalo Burger. DELICIOUS. Best appetizer: their wings. Huge and covered in sauce. Can't complain. My absolute favorite meal here is the Buffalo Chicken Wrap. Do yourself a favor and get it grilled, hot, with ranch. I get it with no onions and its absolutely amazing! If you're looking for a great beer selection this place definitely has it and it's more on the local side which I prefer. If you're in town try the Fountain Square rotating tap. It never fails. They also have a full bar now so if cocktails are more your style they've got you covered. $3 Pint night is Monday. I love their servers, always get great service when I come in there. \They have trivia and open mic nights through the week too.
(5)Scott P.
So 9 out of 10 times in here I have a little man crush. Tried a few of the signature cocktails (grog) and they were pretty wicked. Not much of a mixed drink person, but these were pretty good. Scotch egg; incredible! Shepherds pie? Wonderful. A good place to enjoy lunch, dinner, a snack, or even a liquid dinner. Ill take all if the above, add breakfast. My only complaint is that I once told a server I was stepping out to smoke, and informed him both my buddy and I planned to smash atleast another beer, probably more. After 15+ minutes of watching him check on other tables, dick around behind the bar, state at the tv, trying to get his attention and what not; we decided to pay the bill and leave. Still have a special place in my heart for this place, but that definitely left a bad taste in my mouth.
(4)Jen F.
Lunch at Red Lion today was delish. It was our first time in and, upon leaving, we were talking about what we wanted to try next time. I had Fish and Chips, the fish was so freakin' good. The batter was thick and crisp. The fish inside was moist, hot and flaky. Smothered in vinegar with an extra dash of salt is the way forward. They serve you two huge pieces. Their hand cut fries are soooo good, but they aren't proper chippy fries. Not that it matters because they're really good and their dipping sauces make it a french fry adventure! Mr. Jen F. had their version of sausage rolls. I can't remember what they were called. Sausages in puffed pastry and he really enjoyed it. We started w/ a scotch egg and fried pickles. I love fried pickles and have to get them if they are on the menu. Have to. The scotch egg was good, but I was surprised to find it cool inside. I'm still not sure if it was supposed to be cool inside, but Mr. Jen F. is British and he said that its fine, so its fine. They had a nice flavor, but maybe just a touch too much thyme. Next time, I think I might have to get a burger. The Waltimate has jalapeno and peanut butter. It's so intriguing!
(4)Trena T.
Great service. Great asmosphere. Great food. This is a standard in our rotation of city favorites. Not for the faint of heart (but delicious): oversized mozzarella sticks. Worth the indulgence. This is a great place to watch the game, have a lunch or drink with friends. Trivia every week, too.
(5)Joseph W.
Standard pub comfort food. Decent local beer selection (which has become a standard in the area). I went on a Thursday night and the place was packet for trivia night. A large portion of their menu contains food prepared in a deep fryer. I ordered bangers and mash. The sausage was room temperature by the time it was served. But in general, the meal tasted good. My friend had a fried fish sandwich, which he said was standard / good. I ordered a cup of coffee and bread pudding for desert. The coffee was absolutely disgusting, probably made that morning. The bread pudding was decent. The service overall was okay. Our server was very busy and forgot a few things. This restaurant is very small. It doesn't take many customers to give the place a crowded feel. Overall, a very average experience. I would go back. Don't expect amazing things and you'll be satisfied.
(3)Cheryl A.
My husband and I were in town just for the night and we chose Red Lion Grog House based on its location and Yelp reviews. Well, thank you Yelp peeps - this one was a winner! My husband ordered the fish/chicken & chips and chose the apple curry dipping sauce at the recommendation of our server. AMAZING! Nearly as good as the fish & chips we had in Dublin. The apple curry sauce was great - sweet and spicy, and so different from anything else we had ever had. I chose the Scotch egg appetizer (crispy on the outside, tender and juicy on the inside) and the walnut strawberry salad with added chicken. Everything in the salad was very fresh and crisp - it was absolutely delicious! Husband also tried a local beer - Preacher's Daughter - and enjoyed that very much as well. We ended up there on open mic night so it was a bit loud but we didn't mind. Open mic nights can be very hit or miss but most of the music that night was pretty good so the added entertainment turned out to be a nice bonus. Would absolutely recommend this place - so glad we went!!
(5)Jeff S.
Don't get me the wrong, the food was very good for pub food...but the atmosphere dropped this from a 4 star review to a 3 star. We are in town for a conference and based on the high reviews decided to check it out, but its got a weird tunnel layout and DJ positioned at one end was doing trivial pursuit over our ability to carry a dinner conversation. We tried to find a table at the other end of the bar, but the acoustics made this impossible...too bad we would have most likely returned the next night because the food was pretty good.
(3)Brett R.
Came in on a Thursday afternoon and it wasn't busy. The bartender was very friendly and attentive. He suggest the bangers and mash would go food with my delicious beer. Oh, yes! He was right! Absolutely Delicious. The cook was also very nice. I will be back often.
(5)Kyle B.
I had an excellent steak and a very good chocolate beer. Service (emily) was great as always. Along with the atmosphere of this place, Everything is always excellent. Highly recommended for anyone who likes good food and great service! See emily, she is just as awesome as the food!
(5)Brian A.
This place has some of the best food you will ever find! Their fish & chips are great, their hot wings are terrific and their burgers are off the charts! They have a great selection of craft beers on draft and their very own Red Lion Grog House labeled wine!
(5)Suzanne W.
This is a place we have frequented quite often since it opened. One of my favorite places to get fish and chips at lunch until the past 6 months. Last time we visited, our fries were practically raw. Soggy and greasy. We decided to give them another try, hoping that we just caught them on a bad day. Here's what went wrong: Fries - Soggy and greasy. Practically inedible. Menu - At one time you could get a lunch portion/half order of the fish and chips. That's been taken away. Ridiculous. No wonder they aren't crowded at lunch. Anyone that wants that type of portion or prices at lunch ($14) should pick a different restaurant. Go to Oceanaire...they are only $2 more and that's a really nice, fine dining establishment. Fish/Chicken & Chips - These used to be amazing. Now, much like the fries, they aren't crisp. Service - Is almost always slow. Lastly, after building up over 2 cards worth of "lunch punches" on the fish and chips and chicken and chips, now that we've maxed out our punches for a free lunch, you can't use it when you purchase those items. Unfortunately, for us, The Red Lion is all out of chances.
(1)Theresa F.
Had the bangers and mash and the pork tenderloin sandwich. Both were pretty decent. The Scottish Egg, however, was hard-boiled and the yolk was cold. Big no no. Drinks were decent. Probably would come back here again if the mood for heavy English food should strike again. (Doubt it will anytime soon)
(4)Rob G.
Great British style pub grub. Love the chips and curry, and the English style chicken curry. Comfort food classics like meatloaf and shepherd's pie. If you're in the mood for a burger get the one with bacon and blue cheese on it, can't remember the name, but it's delicious. Beer, wine, or a full bar to suit your choice of libation. My favorite is the MacHatten made with Bone Snapper and seasonal bitters. The seasonal bitters used to be apple, but they recently ran out so not sure what will be next. I do normally like to support business that source more of their food locally, however there is nothing pretentious or fancy about this place and that's what makes it a comfortable, fun, neighborhood hangout. And the twice a week trivia is a nice way to get a little competitive while learning some interesting facts!
(4)Fahad N.
Why do more people not know about this place is beyond me. You would think after looking at their menu that their selection has nothing to do with American food, and then you would also think to yourself that they're going to screw this up drastically. WRONG. Food, better than expected... Presentation, exactly how british food is. Alcohol selection for alcohol lovers, better than many restaurants. The best part is, their portions are very reasonable for an adult. This isn't one of those weird restaurants that sell squid on their menu along with many other exotic species. Although it's possible they might do that as well, but I guarantee you they would do it very well! Food: 5 Service: 4.5 Price: 4.5
(5)Betz N.
We chose this place due to reviews but we were very disappointed. We tried the shepherd's pie and it came with tons of cheese?! Seriously?! Actually it was a poor imitation of a bowl of chili. We also had a burger and it was almost burn. Staff very friendly and atmosphere is ok.
(1)Carenza A.
Excellent!! I can not say enough positive things about this place! The food, atmosphere and drinks are outstanding! ! Our server Andre was amazing! He was energetic, positive/great attitude and quickness should be a role model for all establishments!! Kudos and thank you!
(5)Abbey B.
I love this spot. Coming to the Red Lion usually cleans out my wallet, but that's my problem for wanting EVERYTHING on the menu. I have always had great service, great food/drinks, and an overall wonderful experience every time I come. Try the white cheddar mac n' cheese or the Waltimate burger. Both are incredible.
(5)Rebecca H.
I love this place. The service is good. The food is fantastic. Two of the best things on the menu are the The Waltimate burger an the Fish and Chips. First, I never would have thought peanut butter on a burger would be good, but it SO is. Add the jalepenos and bacon and it makes quite the burger. Second, the Fish and Chips are some of the best I've had. I stopped at many a chipper across the pond and would still take Red Lion's over those I've had in Great Britian. Tuesday/Thursday trivia is just a bonus to this place!
(4)Mark V.
I found this place on yelp when a friend and I lunch options had changed. It seemed to get good reviews and a few not so good reviews, but we were hungry. We get there right at noon when the place opened a couple of Sundays back. I really am hoping that my experience was due to early shift issue, but I cannot give this place a higher rating at this time. The food I ate was designed to give me a heart attack. Before I cover the issues, we were compensated a portion of our check without the staff blinking an eye. Classy move that almost moved my rating to a two star. I can respect that; as mistakes do happen from time to time. Here is my experience. The waitress took our order! I had the fish, chicken and "chips" and my friend had the Ruben and fries. We get our order and my friends dish is a complete mess. The Ruben is way to greasy and the fries looked left over from last night. I thought the plate looked disgusting. My chicken was fine and I enjoyed it. However, the fish batter was not cooked all the way through and was greasy. Once I got the disgusting off my fish, it was pretty good. My fries also looked like they were left over from last night. We voiced our concern about the fries and received a discount, but really the entire meal was bad. The chicken was the best thing going and that wasn't all that good. I won't return but I would suggest under the right circumstances that this place is still better than most chain restaurants. If you are bored of chain restaurants and think for yourself and are not manipulated by millions of dollars in TV commercials to make yourself believe you have to eat average to below average overpriced food at some chain restaurant, I am one of you. Let's all keep supporting the true food scene in Indiana. I adjusted the rating due to the quick and professional response from the owner. I believe my experience is most likely not the norm and if I choose to go back in the future, I will update my review.
(2)Progdining S.
Appetizers: Fries and Curry; Fried Mushrooms Entrée: Red Pepper Burger with Fries; Buffalo Chicken sandwich with Fries Drinks: Sun King Cream Ale and PBR I'll start off by saying that this place seems to always be hopping! They seemed a little short staffed for the business, it didn't seem like they could keep the tables cleaned off for all the business coming in. I don't think they planned that business would be pumping Sunday night because so many had MLK day off. With that said, we still didn't leave upset, but there were some definite misses through the experience. We were greeted by the sever, menus given, drink order taken. Server brought back the drinks and said she'd be back. Well another person came back, he looked like a kitchen manager, bar tender or something. I'll admit that he didn't really miss a step but didn't seem to have that charisma that most servers have. Appetizers came out, not a big fan of the fries and curry, not that it wasn't good but it really seemed to lack value, at least $5,99 worth. The fried mushrooms came out originally as fried pickles. This was promptly corrected by our server and he generously comped the mushrooms. Meals were brought out hot, food was good. The red pepper burger could have used a bit more "taste" to it, the buffalo chicken sandwich had a faint hint of fish taste in the breading. Again, overall, not disappointed, keep in mind this is a pub. Drinks were emptied, took a min to get the bill and had to flag the server down to pay it, but given the expectation we walked out content with the evening,
(4)Peter A.
We were only in Indianapolis 1 night and stumbled into this restaurant in Fountain Square. I had the fish and chicken and chips (with a curry dipping sauce based on waiter's suggestion) and a local brew called preacher's daughter Amber. I could not get enough of either one. A few years back I visited Dublin Ireland and had Fish and chips and compare all fish and chips to them... These fish and chips were almost (if not) equal to those I sampled in Ireland! It's a shame I am not in Indy another night to do a repeat visit.
(5)Amanda F.
Excellent service, food, and ambiance! Our waitress was very attentive and patient. She had a cheery smile and accepted special orders without a blink! We both had a black bean burger and they were phenomenal! The curry sauce that you can get on the side for the tots or chips is really what takes the cake. Truly made a boring potato a star! Also, try their cocktails. I had a shandy gaff and it did not disappoint! Local beer with ginger beer and a shot of grand marnier or something of the like. Very tasty! The restaurant is dimly lit and has a couple tables up front by the huge windows to watch people along the street. Very English pub-esque. I will be back to sample some more!
(5)James C.
Great service. Beer pairings or specials of the day were not offered to me but that's OK. I had the fish and chips, very very good. Tartar sauce was great. Coleslaw was very good too but only about a table spoon worth is served. I had the elephant ear as dessert, it was good but at $4.99 overpriced. All in all, I would highly recommend. Outside of Red Lion's control was the People's Brewery beer I tried, Farmers Daughter. It is a tap water blonde, that goes down smooth but that's due to having no flavor. It closes with an over-carbonated fizz and acidic overtones.
(5)Jerry W.
Being from England I couldn't wait to eat here. I ordered fish and chips and chips with curry sauce. The fish was good but the chips were worse I have ever tasted. They were kind of burnt tasting and floppy , not crispy. The curry sauce was not good, it was cold and tasted like yogurt and curry powder mixed. No heat to it at all. Please don't think British food taste like this because it don't!!!
(2)Hunter U.
Red Lion is decent establishment to grab drinks and some English-style fare in Fountain Square. Each time I have been, the service has always been good. The draft line-up is always impressive with a combination of local and distant craft breweries. They have strongbow on tap, so that definitely wins points for me. They lose 2 stars because of the food. It's always just been too greasy for me! It's really hard to find something on the menu that is not fried, which can be frustrating.
(3)Brett G.
I come here for the fish and chips because they are excellent. Definitely worth the drive.
(4)Richard H.
Had not been back for several years, and -- wow, have the prices gone up or what? Almost $13 for the chicken tikka masala (with no sides)? Almost $8 for a fried mushroom appetizer? An extra $3.49 to add a soup or salad to an entree? The table was wiped off, but it was still sticky. The service was seriously, seriously distracted. And how can a purported bar have no tonic water? Couldn't someone run down to Bud's? So it'll be another few years before I visit the place again, although I will say that the general atmosphere for trivia night was quite convivial.
(3)Anna Z.
Really like this place! Great food, great atmosphere. The staff is really friendly and attentive. I usually get the veggie burger with fries. I'd definitely recommend a sauce with the burger since the patty is a little dry. Otherwise, perfection. :-)
(5)Linda L.
Good food, great drinks. Fish and chips, sandwiches, even the curry is alright... But I really come back for the drinks. Along with all the craft beers etc..They have Moscow Mules, and my favorite---- Pimm's cup. It's a great, refreshing, not too sweet English drink. It typically comes with a cucumber, but I have gotten it with an orange.. Either way delicious!
(4)Penny L.
I dream about the Waltimate... the best burger in the world. It has peanut butter, cheddar cheese, jalapeños, and bacon. I have gone here at least once a month for years because it is so amazing. I've tried it at Scotty's & Punch Burger but they don't come close! They also have a good beer selection & pretty consistently good service when I am there. This burger is so good I am never tempted to order anything else. Oh, and get cole slaw as your side!
(4)Brian W.
In town for business so needed a good Local place for dinner. Decent craft beer list with some local and some Michigan on the list. Had the Bangers and Mash and would get it again
(4)Jelly R.
We went here for trivia night, on the suggestion of a coworker who wanted to do trivia. Had the fish and chips, and a strawberry mint julep. I was excited about my order, until I actually got it. The fish (cod, I believe) was overcooked, and the fries were so overcooked that they were brown and crusty and even tasted burnt. Others at our table who came in later and ordered after me also received burnt fries, so I figured there was no point in trying to send my food back. I felt like I was eating the leftovers from a fryer basket. The strawberry mint julep contained strawberries and mint that were not properly muddled, so they didn't add anything in the way of taste. Overall a pretty disappointing experience.
(2)Kristy K.
I don't know if they were having an off night or what... Well maybe it was because we were sat right smack dab next to the front door...yeah, the door that doesn't close on it's own, the same door that people just throw open and don't bother closing, that very door that one of the people in my party had to get up from his chair no less than 5 times to close himself during our dinner. This whole door thing really impacted our experience at the grog house. I realize you're busy, but just make that the waiting area so people don't have to be inconvenienced during their meal to get up and close the damn door. Because of these 2 tables, it's hard to find a spot to stand around and wait for your table without feeling like you're crowding people. The service was off, too. When we tried to order beers at the bar, it took forever and when we asked the bartender about a beer (that was listed on the menu, no less), she said they didn't have it and walked away. How about you lemme finish? And then one of our beers was incorrect. I had to ask for water 3 times. The beer selection is a good one. The variety of food is good, too. They have these monstrous burgers (8 oz!) and one is even deep fried. I'd like for them to offer a 4 or even 6 oz meat patty, cause damn, that was one big ass burger. The ambiance is like that of a neighborhood bar and the crowd was a typical FSQ crowd. It's a good option while in the area, but I'm not sure I'd make a special trip back. And fix the door, would ya?
(3)Earl Edwin V.
Pros: Look and feel, friendly employees, Plenty of TVs Cons: Small venue I came here on Monday around 7pm to take advantage of a steak deal and a free pint glass. Thanks for the heads up Do317! The place wasn't too crowded. The waitress was very friendly and the bartender was nice and knowledgeable. I had the filet mignon with garlic mashed potatoes and broccoli. I ordered it medium but it tasted a little more done than what I was expecting. Other than that, the steak was pretty good. Overall, I enjoyed the place. This is a good place to eat or just have a drink after work. I'll be back. Questions? Leave a comment to my review and I'll get back to you.
(3)Megan J.
First time here. Came with my family to just have dinner and a good beer. We ordered the crab Scottish eggs and they were really good! Everyone loved them! I ordered the soup and salad combo, which was good. Nothing special, but nothing to complain about. They had a good beer selection, but the menu didn't list prices on any of their drinks. Most were $6 or $7 a pint. Overall good experience. Our waitress was on the ball! Great service, food, and drink!
(4)Ben J.
I regret that I haven't tried this place sooner. I had the red pepper burger, and it was amazing. The fries are awesome too. My only complaint is that the servers are inattentive once they drop off your order. Both my beer and water were empty well before my food was gone, but the guy never came back to check on any of it. 10/26/2014 - I bumped this up to 4 stars, because the manager actually emailed me, apologized for the service, and promised to use it as an opportunity to help his servers improve!
(4)Sam W.
Sandwiches and beer selection were great. I loved the buffalo chicken, amazing! One of my favorite places in Ft Square.
(4)Alex W.
My dad and I came here with one of my Foodie Indy coupons which worked out in our favor (spend $30 min, get $10 off except alcohol). I'd been wanting to try one of the new Fountain Square places & my dad is always game for fresh fish & chips. I decided on that as well, was a tad bit disappointed in the serving for the price, but it definitely knocks LJS out the water by far. I was super excited when my dad gave me his (homemade mini cup o') slaw as I inhaled mine in about .5 seconds. We hoped to have the bread pudding for dessert but were informed by our waitress we were about 5 minutes too late ( :-/ ) so we opted for the elephant ear. Very random to just have 2 items on there, 1 which I didn't think really "belongs". Service was ok, we were advised free seating on a sign & had to wait 5-10 minutes before someone greeted us with a menu & water. A little weird since it wasn't super busy when we dined (post-Sunday-church meal time). I'll definitely come back, perhaps for a trivia night or beer specials.
(4)Sonya A.
Great place for a bite and a beer. Sundays is wing night. We love the apple curry wings and a tall draft beer. Fish & Chips is one of my favorite dishes, their fish is great, their chips are not quite there. Service is alright. The place does get packed! Food: 4/5 Location: 5/5 (So weird seeing the coffeeshop of my childhood be a restaurant now) Service: 3/5
(4)Alexa D.
bread pudding tho stop everything too good
(5)Ben H.
My girlfriend and I had never tried British food, so we thought we would give this place a shot. While my girlfriend wasn't really impressed with any of the food being authentic British food, I also didn't really notice anything out of the ordinary from American food. However, I thought the food was good, the service was friendly, along with minimal wait times. The only downside is I see to this place are it can get a little loud sometimes just like a traditional British pub, and I wouldn't really say this is a kid friendly environment due to language sometimes. but overall not a bad place to grab some food and feel like you're overseas.
(3)