Writer and Photographer / Kara Reibel
The Village Tap Room is raising the bar on service and quality of food and beverages along the strip. Owner Carey Domres and General Manager Dina Randall both have roots in the area and are committed to revitalizing a place close to their hearts and home.
Domres and Randall heavily invested in the remodel, giving their bar a much-needed facelift.
“We bought the location last summer and invested in cleaning the place top to bottom,” says Randall. “We’ve completely remodeled.”
The Village Tap Room earns its name by rotating 24 local Indiana Craft Beers.
In addition to their craft beer selection, The Village Tap Room makes cocktails the old fashioned way. “We make our drinks the right way,” says Domres. Purchasing their fresh juices daily from The Garden Table, The Village Tap Room uses pure based spirits, fresh juices and natural sweeteners for a premium beverage experience. In addition to supporting The Garden Table, The Village Tap Room serves only Just Pop In popcorn on their menu.
“We feel it is important to buy local,” says Randall. “We have the best popcorn within walking distance and the freshest juice, so why not provide our clientele the best?”
The quality continues for the items they create inside their kitchen. Using the best ingredients for their food, their signature Puffy Tacos are a huge hit – handmade with either shredded Chipotle chicken, chimichurri beef short rib or smoked BBQ shredded pork chorizo inside a deep fried ‘puffy’ flour tortilla. The salsa selection is equally fresh with handmade mango salsa or charred chipotle. All were equally delicious, and given the freshness factor, they accompany a mixed drink quite nicely.
Another popular item is the 50/50 burger made from one half pound ground bacon mixed with 50% ground Angus beef served well done. And just because there’s no such thing as too much bacon, there are bacon strips on top of the 50/50.
The pub chips are created from a baked potato, then sliced, seasoned and fried. The slight thickness of the chips along with the seasoning creates a homemade experience that perfectly complements the burgers and sandwiches. Ordering the pub chips as a stand alone is common too.
The burgers, chicken breast and tenderloins offer “building your own” with an array of cheeses, grilled onions or mushrooms, jalapenos, grilled pineapple or a fried egg. And of course, there’s more bacon as an optional topper.
The large snacks include a Village Tap Room specialty: nachos. Their nachos are made from fresh ingredients and are not only for the late night crowd. They’re made with a choice of chipotle chicken, taco beef or smoked BBQ pork and include housemade guacamole, creating a delectable presentation. The result is delicious.
Their pizzas are another popular menu item with thin crust and fresh toppings to choose from. The dining options seem endless.
Raising the expectations of bar food, The Village Tap Room will not be a best kept secret for long. It will soon be a destination for dining.
Visit villagetaproom.com or find them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.
838 Broad Ripple Ave.
Indianapolis
317-466-1555
villagetaproom.com
Monday-Thursday: 5 p.m. – midnight
Friday: 3 p.m. – 2 a.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 2 a.m.*
Sunday: 10 a.m. – midnight*
*Breakfast Served 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
