After a recent Happy Hour (HH) visit to Drake’s Indianapolis at 3740 E. 82nd St. in the Clearwater Crossing Center, Mrs. K and I were invited to have dinner there. We looked forward to sampling the wider menu, after the fewer offerings of HH.
A moderate crowd was on hand as we took our seats in the dining room at around 6. Our server Ashley was with us in a flash and took our drink orders – Kendall Jackson Chardonnay for the lady and I opted for a Blue Moon lager. Drake’s menu is full of sandwiches, burgers, a tempting round of entrée-type dishes, plus salads and steaks. There is also a nice list of Starters and we picked a half-order of Fried Pickles for our appetizer. You can peruse the entire menu here: drakescomeplay.com/menu/drakes-indianapolis-in.
I’ve had fried pickles at a few other establishments – Drake’s version is a cut above: a good-sized serving of slices, lightly breaded and pan-fried, served with a ramekin of ambrosia ranch dressing. It really has a distinct, crunchy dill flavor, especially good with the dressing dip.
It was a bit harder to decide on the main course. We considered one thing, then another, and surprised each other as we both got fish – two Fried Fish Minis for Mrs. K, and the Fried Fish dinner (full order) for me. Both items came with a side; my wife asked for a side salad. We learned that she could choose from any of the dinner salad varieties and get a smaller portion – she took the BLT Salad. I went with Sweet Potato Fries.
Our dinner at Drake’s, located at 3740 E. 82nd St., Indianapolis. (Photo by Ken Klingenmeier)
While we waited, restaurant manager Amber J. came by and chatted. She said that Drake’s had been at this location for around 15 years – something we never knew. Under Amber’s tutelage, the restaurant has a casual, laid-back vibe, very comfortable, and very inviting. In the dining room, in the array of TVs, music videos played on one and were very entertaining. Drake’s offers wonderful service, attracting families, couples, and groups. And the food is very good as well!
Our order came out, hot and fresh. Mrs. K’s Minis were nice sized portions of beer-battered fish, with lettuce and tomato on butter-toasted mini-buns. Her side salad was generous, with a creamy ranch dressing mixed in with the added chopped bacon and roma tomatoes.
My fish plate held four servings of the same beer-battered fish as hers, but these were huge pieces of white fish, arranged with a healthy amount of sweet potato fries. Everything was delicious and we had enough to take home for a second dinner.
This was a completely satisfying dinner experience. I do want to come back some time and try out one of those famous Drake’s burgers! Maybe I’ll see you there.
Ken Klingenmeier offers this series of columns, called “A Seat at the Table,” wherein he reviews Indy-area restaurants – specifically their Happy Hour offers. Keep reading The Reporter for future restaurant reviews.