My love for Broad Ripple’s bar scene has transitioned into my love for Broad Ripple’s dining scene. It seems as if overnight, this area has been pirated by hungry Hoosiers looking for a great meal that’s reasonably priced but in a restaurant that looks very upscale.
10-01 Food & Drink has all three of those characteristics.
Since I had passed by the restaurant hundreds of times, I figured I’d feed my curiosity. Instead of just hopping in the car and going to dinner, I thought I’d hold on to this one and make it special. I decided to take my sweetie there for his birthday.
When we pulled into the parking lot behind the building, we were greeted by a parking attendant who escorted us to a space near the door. This was prime Saturday night dinner hours, but even without reservations (actually, they don’t take reservations), we were seated right away.
Dinner menu in hand, I took the time to carefully read the selections. I discovered that their food was out of the ordinary but held true to their outdoor signage – “Midwest Comfort Food.”
Although we didn’t order an appetizer, the catfish fries and flat bread pizza sounded wonderful. The table next to us ordered the roasted jalapeno cornbread and I nosily noticed that it went rather quickly.
10-01 Food & Drink’s soup, salad and pasta list consisted of a few well-selected items, but as my eyes glanced further down the menu, I realized this restaurant is all about its entrees and sandwiches.
The rib-eye steak, grilled salmon and Hoosier pot roast all sounded delicious. So did the dill chicken salad, 10-01 barbecue and savory meatloaf sandwiches.
I decided to order the fried chicken. The birthday boy …um…man ordered the pork tenderloin sandwich.
As we waited for our dinner, I snuck away from the table to organize a surprise dessert with the hostess.
Minutes later, our dinner arrived at the table. As soon as those plates were parked in front of us, I felt full. My fried chicken consisted of a half of a chicken along with mashed potatoes and gravy, asparagus and a biscuit. It was slammin!
My sweetie’s pork tenderloin sandwich was so huge he had to eat some of it with a fork and knife in order for it to fit on the bun. Other pork tenderloin I’ve tried in the past was dry and had a “porky” taste to it. 10-01 Food & Drink must have found the secret because this sandwich was super flavorful.
Shortly after dinner, we feasted on the Death by Chocolate, the chef’s selection of chocolate specialties that came in three small bites.
Our meal, including beverages, was no more than $25.
10-01 Food & Drink also has a lunch menu and an extensive drink list. Drinks can be had upstairs in the dining room or downstairs at the full size bar.
You have to try one of the newest additions to Broad Ripple’s dining scene. The atmosphere is romantic and the food is delicious.
For more information, call (317) 253-1001 or visit www.1001fooddrink.com.
