1. The Hoosier Dome
Sure, Lucas Oil Stadium is great and all, but most of the people in Indianapolis grew up with the Hoosier Dome. It changed its name to the RCA Dome back in the mid-90s, which was only slightly offensive, right? They demolished it ten years later to expand the convention center, which most people have never been to.
2. Burger Chef–Or, Retro Hardees If You Prefer
Forget McDonald’s, Burger Chef and his buddy Jeff lay claim to the best fast-food burgers in Indianapolis. Before they were sold to Hardees. Sad face.
3. The Freshness Of Roselyn Bakery
Don’t you feel bad for those silly kids that think those Roselyn Bakery pastries they buy at Kroger is the real deal? I mean, sure, they’re super delicious still, but nothing can beat back when you were able to simply waltz into a Roselyn Bakery store and buy them fresh out of the oven. Now it’s a Dunkin’ Donuts.
4. Blue Moon—The Bar, Not The Drink
Where everybody went when they turned old enough to drink. Then they’d get fall-down drunk and have to be carried out by their dates. Fun times.
5. Flakey Jake’s
Forget Fuddruckers, Flakey Jake’s made hands-down the best burgers and baked potatoes in town.
Okay, technically, this neighborhood is still around. But it’s a shell of its former self. Do you want to walk down this once-beautiful area at night nowadays? Me neither.
6. The Horribly Haunted House Of Blue Lights
Anyone living on the northeast side way back in the day has seen the blue Christmas lights shining through the night from this little house. It was actually home to millionaire Skiles Test and was rumored to be haunted by his deceased wife.
Except all of his wives actually outlived him. Go figure. Kids used to try and sneak into this place even long after it was destroyed.
7. Al Green’s
If you’re not old enough to remember this place, your parents certainly do. Al Green’s on the east side was one of the only drive-in movie theaters with phone curb service. You could totally pick up a phone and have food brought to your car. You certainly don’t get service like that at Kerasotes.
8. The Man Who Sold Fruit From His Horse And Buggy
You remember the guy who rode through Forest Manor peddling his fruits? Was this guy Amish or just a super proactive farmer?
9. Knobby’s, The Polynesian Drive-In
Have you ever seen a drive-in since that featured a Polynesian menu? Why would you replace that with a gas station?
10. Heritage House Smorgasbord
Probably the best alternative to Golden Coral to ever exist. Sure, it might have been hit-or-miss some days, but it was the longest running smorgasbord in Indy. It was the best place to go for a bargain-priced home-style meal outside of your mama’s kitchen.
11. Children’s Palace AKA Child World
This huge store shaped like a castle was every child’s dream back in the day. You know, back when G.I. Joe and Transformers had nothing to do with Channing Tatum or Shia LeBeouf.
12. Westlake When It Was Fun
Call me crazy, but I’m pretty sure there was a park here at one point. Along with a drive-in, a beach, a dance hall and actual grass. Now it’s just apartments.
13. The Killer Stairs Of Doom At Market Square Arena
The former home to the Indiana Pacers and the last place to see Elvis perform was closed down over a decade ago and demolished back in 2001. How many people felt like they were going to fall to their deaths on those stairs?
14. Paramount Palace
Two words: pipe organ. The “Mighty Wurlitzer” used to be a source of amazement for kids from all over Indy before they tore down the Paramount Music Palace. They put a Don Pablo’s in its place, but I think that sang its final tune, too.
15. Hollywood Bar & Filmworks
This theater/bar was a little on the gritty side, but the vintage movie posters on the wall gave it a charm that’s sometimes hard to find in this city. When Conseco Fieldhouse moved into the neighborhood people abandoned it in favor of places where they could actually afford to park.
16. Lucifer’s, Not Run By Satan
Sunny Moon was the main DJ on weekends at this disco, which was always with a packed house of the best polyester and platform shoes in town.
17. Bills’ Fabulous 50s Drive-In
Indy used to be littered with drive-in restaurants if you couldn’t tell by this list, and Bill’s Fabulous 50s was one of the best. It deserved more than being replaced by a speedway.
18. The Train Engine At Broad Ripple Park
Nickel Plate 587 was meant to be restored but that stalled out about a decade ago. Now it just sits in a museum somewhere in Indy.
19. Tee Pee Drive-In Restaurant
This hot spot was famous for its salad dressing it used on its beet-topped salads. That and the Big Chief Burger. It was a pretty popular dating spot back in the day. Our grandparents’ day, that is.
20. Peyton Manning
Excuse me while I cry myself to sleep. *sniff*
21. Bobby Knight, The Serial Choker
Sure, maybe this guy was actually a staple down in Bloomington where he coached the Hoosiers, but he was really a hero for the entire state. When Bloomington lost him, so did Indy. He’s the only person I know of who can be charming while throwing chairs at people at the same time.
22. Vollrath Tavern
This former music venue was rumored to once be home to a brothel and favorite hangout of John Dillinger. It’s a shame that the hipster crowd couldn’t bring out the true potential.
23. The Patio
A ton of national acts came through here, but it was kind of hard to see them around the massive steel columns blocking the stage. What was that about?
24. Diving From The High Board At The Old Broad Ripple Pool
This once world-famous pool hosted may competition and Olympic trials during its heyday. It had an actual diving board meant for adults.
25. Baseball At The Old Busch Stadium
The ivy covered brick walls of this stadium saw more things come and go than George Clooney has girlfriends. Most probably remember it as the home of the Indianapolis Indians, but it was also host to the continental football league, a movie, the Pan Am Games and even midget car racing. Now it’s an apartment complex. Something went south in there somewhere.
What do you miss in Indianapolis? Tell us in the comments below!
