I'm a little torn on my Fat Dan's review. Â I've been to the new location three times and had three different experiences. Â Despite the bad, I keep going back, so they're definitely doing something right! Â The first time in was more or less a disaster at the start. Â Next door was a 45-minute wait...on a Tuesday night...no thanks.
The food took forever once ordered. Â After about 25 minutes, I started to get worried they forgot about us, I mean, how long does two burgers and some fries take when there are less than 15 other people in there? Â The guy I believe to have been the manager stopped by and apologized for the delay, telling us the food would be out shortly. Â Apparently we have different definitions of "shortly" because it was at least 10 more minutes before we saw any grub. Â Obviously not a good start, but the food was great and he offered me a free pint to make up for it. Â If I had been bitching, the pint wouldn't have meant as much, but doing it on his own meant a lot. Â That's taking care of the customer, IMO. Â Wells St. FatBurger was amazing as were the fries (which are all shapes and sizes, showing they actually cut up potatoes to make them).
Second time in, I had the opposite. Â Great service, food left much to be desired. Â Wells St. was ordered medium and came out something between cold and rare. Â Couldn't even finish it. Â Had a couple bites of my friend's brisket, which was OK. Â Definitely tender and showed they'd taken their time with it, but lacked any real smoke flavor or seasoning. Â Some might chalk this up to regional preferences (lived in TX for a while) but to me it tasked more like a really good pot roast than brisket.
Third time was the best of both worlds. Â The Wife and I both ordered a simple hot dog with a basket of tots. Â I was worried I'd still be hungry, but this isn't a cheap hot dog from "dime a dog" night. Â Vienna beef frank really hit the spot and we both left satisfied (insert joke here). In addition to the food, they have Old Style for those who miss the Wrigley outfield bleachers, along with several rotating guest taps.
Like I said, three visits, three different experiences. While Fat Dan's probably won't turn into my favorite place in town, they've kept me coming back, which is what any restaurants should aim to do.
A girlfriend and I were looking to try something new in the Broad Ripple area and stumbled upon Fat Dan's. Â We both ordered the Pulled Pork Sandwich and it was FABULOUS. Â I was surprised the french fries weren't included, but they were worth every extra penny...probably some of the best fries I've had in Indy (and I LOVE fries!). Â The reason I am writing this review, however, is because of the excellent service at the end. Â My friend noticed, after our bill had already been paid, that the receipt we had recieved before we paid and the one we actually paid were about $4 off. Â The manager (owner possibly) asked if everything was okay, and she explained that the bills didn't match up. Â We had accidentally been charged for drinks we never ordered. Â The manager was very busy, so he personally handed us both $10 and said, "I'm so sorry we want to make this right but I don't have time to void out your bills." Â We told him this was way too much..but he insisted. Â THAT is excellent service! Â Will definitely be going again!
Review Source:I stopped late on a Thursday night and this place was hopping. Â I didn't time my visit well, as the bar was crowded for the IU game and I am a proud Boilermaker! Â We made our way to the back where there was a table available. Â We were greeted promptly and ordered a couple beers. Â I'd have to recommend going for the Old Style on tap!
Food wise this place is pretty okay. Â I loved their corn dog (I was needing a little drunk food, okay?) and BBQ wings. Â However, don't be fooled by their "best fries in the universe". Â Both of us decided they were definitely nowhere close. Â They were soggy and greasy, words that don't describe yummy fries. Â The food was brought out on sheets of paper making eating fun and clean up a breeze. Â I thought that was fun.
All in all, I might be back for some late night eats, but I'll definitely be back for some Old Style!
Fat Dan's recently re-opened near my house, which is a wonderful thing!!!
Since I am new to Indy I had only heard legend of Fat Dan's food....it wasn't until last week that I tried it. And tried it again. And tried it again. OK So I have been there three times. JUDGE ME.
Including what I have ordered and what my husband has ordered and my friends who have generously allowed (read: had no choice!) me to steal some bites of their food, here is what I have tried and LOVED:
The Wells St Fat burger.....OMG! I want another one right now. I can't even talk about it or I will salivate all over my laptop. Just go order it. This was the first thing I had and I was feeling kind so I shared it. Every time someone else took a bite, I cried a little because I wanted more. (Is that selfish?)
The hand made corn dog....I think it's called the "ugly" corn dog or something. Whatever it is, its juicy and amazing. Probably good for kids, but definitely adult-sized.
The Italian beef.....piled very very high and delicious. I only had one bite since *someone* who won't be named but that I am married to ate the whole thing on his own.
The Reuben....I have never had a Reuben with smoked corn beef before, but let me tell you it is to die for.
The Pulled Pork.....this one was mine. All mine. And I ate it all. Smothered in BBQ sauce and simply amazing. I will get it again.
I had some of the brisket as well. It was -- like everything else -- amazing. I might have to avoid it if I want to keep my current pants size. Or I could start a new holiday where I fast for 2 days and then celebrate the end of my fast by going to Fat Dan's for the brisket. A sort of brisket lent for something.
The "best fries in the universe" really are the very best fries in the universe. They come out on butcher paper in a huge pile of all shapes and sizes (round, thin, fat, crispy, soft, salty, etc). As my friend said, "There's something for everyone in this pile!" Yum!
I don't give out a lot of 5-star reviews but this one was earned.
*I have moved my review over from the other listing of Fat Dan's since this is the location I am reviewing.
As I was walking to my usual SoBro go-to for lunch today, this new establishment caught my eye: 'Chicago-Style Deli, Local Beer on Tap,' the sign read, Cubbies and Bears flags a'flyin, Vienna poster in the window. Â Okay, I know what you're thinking: "Authentic Chicago Dogs in 'Nap Town? Â Yeah right..." Â I was skeptical myself, but I decided to give it a shot anyway. Â Boy, am I glad I did.
It's as close as you get to Wrigley this far south of Gary; Vienna dogs, Italian beef, Polish, smoked ribs, corned beef, freakin' OLD STYLE on TAP.  They even play the blues.  Huhge!  The menu is solid, offering a good variety of classic American pub fare supported  on the foundation of Chicago tradition.  I was told the 'fat burger' is a hot ticket, their wings, brisket, and pulled pork are all smoked in-house, and that they source local, never frozen ingredients.  I liked that.  Cubs paraphernalia hung all around, a couple of TVs with the games on, and chalk-boards on the walls for the restless kiddos.  Well played.
The service was excellent - greeted at the door with welcomes and smiles, a nice gent helped us decipher the menu and set us on a straight course. Â I went with the 'Chicago Combo': 1/2 Italian beef 1/2 Italian sausage with hot peppers, all piled on a dipped Italian roll, comboed with a portion of fries that's fit for three (and luckily for us, we had just that many...). Â They serve you on a piece of wax paper, which I thought was a unique, nostalgic ball-park touch. Â I'm a fan.
Took a bite, sipped the Old Style, closed my eyes and imagined sitting in the outfield bleachers. Â Open 'em back up - damn, still in Indy. Â It may be 188 miles to Wrigley, but this is as close as you get in the Circle City. Â Fat Dan, you knocked this one out of the park.
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