Most people may be fine with occasionally having common Mexican items like tacos and burritos served by fast food chains.
However, every now and then, many of us would like to have the real deal: authentic entrees prepared in an environment that provides an authentic south of the border experience.
Look no further than Chile Verde, a popular Indianapolis favorite that promotes itself as the city’s “home for authentic Mexican food.”
Now with two Eastside locations, the growing Chile Verde enterprise offers a variety of traditional Mexican favorites, as well as signature entrées.
Of course, you will easily find a variety of expected options such as enchiladas, burritos, fajitas, taco salads, ensaladas, and chimichangas.
However, Chile Verde also has a few signature items that might catch your eye, such as its Verde chimichanga, a deep fried burrito filled with rice, beans, and cheese and topped with a special homemade stew-like sauce made with chicken or pork.
I’ve noticed that some of the most frequently requested choices seem to be the chipotle burrito, which can be filled with grilled steak or chicken, topped with chipotle sauce and served with rice, lettuce, sour cream and pico de gallo, and tacos de carne asada, which are slices of grilled steak, onions and cilantro stuffed into three warm corn tortillas on a plate with lettuce, pico de gallo, Chile Verde’s special sauce, rice and beans.
Several vegetarian options are also provided on the menu like the jardin (garden) quesadilla, a blend of fresh vegetables, queso blanco, lettuce and tomatoes and served with sour cream.
Those who would like to try American classics with a Mexican twist can get the jaslisco hamburger, the barbecued chicken sandwich or the Indy burger, which is topped with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion and hickory barbecue sauce.
The desserts come in the form of flan, a traditional Mexican treat, sopapilla covered with honey butter and cinnamon, and of course fried ice cream.
Chile Verde is also well known for its popular beverages, like the watermelon margarita.
A children’s menu is also available with plenty of satisfactory items.
Chile Verde usually has a special running, including lunch deals (from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.), so remember to ask about them. For those who are watching their budget or need deals for a group, various coupons are available on the restaurant’s website, chileverdeindy.com.
Chile Verde takes its commitment to authenticity seriously, even with the décor. Its Pendleton Pike location has been renovated with a new dining room, kitchen and bar, complete with art, tiles and decorations straight from Mexico.
Chile Verde is also a good place to go if you’re looking for a way to add a little fun and excitement to an upcoming Friday evening. At 6:30 p.m., Mariachi Sol Jaliscience, a real mariachi band, provides live music, providing a memorable dining experience by playing well-known Mexican favorites, while sometimes surprising guests with their versions of American jams.
For a satisfying Mexican experience that will leave you going back for more and lasting memories, head east to Chile Verde.
