Writer / Matt Keating
Photographer / Ryan Woodall
Amy Long, co-owner of the Fork + Ale House, 350 Veterans Way, Carmel, says guests have thoroughly enjoyed the wide range of choices available at the brand new restaurant.
“Everything is all on one menu,” Long says. “It’s the same for lunch and dinner, and we have a wide variety of food.”
Long has some personal Fork + Ale House favorites from a few of their menu categories, which include their Sharables. The Sharables feature items such as Ale House Dough Balls, Fork Fries and Double-Layered Nachos.
“I also love our Pizzas and Calzones,” Long says. “These are all made with premium toppings. Our hand-tossed dough is made fresh in the Ale House daily as well as our Ale House pizza sauce and our signature cheese blend.”
Long says that all of the meats at Fork + Ale House, which opened in April, are smoked in-house.
“This includes pork belly, wings, chicken, turkey and pork,” Long says. “We also offer a wide variety of fresh salads that can be made vegan, vegetarian or it can also be customized, and guests can add such ingredients as smoked turkey, chicken or salmon.”
Fork + Ale House also features delicious sandwiches.
“There are many classic sandwiches in this section, as well as a few unique items, such as our piadina and our tender braised beef sandwich,” Long says. “ Of course, a definite highlight to our menu is all-natural hand-pattied burgers.”
Fork + Ale House also offers Sunday Brunch.
“It is available from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays,” Long says. “We also offer a brunch menu, along with our normal menu. Our brunch menu will have seven to eight brunch offerings such as the Rise and Shine Calzone and the 3-Amigos Breakfast Tacos. We will also be serving $5 mimosas, bromosas and bloody Mary’s on Sundays.”
Fork + Ale House opened with four in-house brews — Beehive Blonde, Wicked 7 Wheat, Winking Cedar Brown Ale and Hopping Hound IPA.
“We will be brewing seasonal rotators once we are able to ramp up the production of what we will need for our four in-house brews,” Long says. “We have worked with a few mixologists from around the country and have developed a well-rounded cocktail and wine offering. We will have 14 hand-crafted cocktails on our drink menu, too.”
Long adds that their highlight is the Fork + Ale Signature Cocktail.
“It is a barrel-aged cocktail that my bar manager and I have developed together,” Long says. “Some other highlights include our Smoked Pequena Colada. We have incorporated our smoked pineapple from our in-house smoker into this drink, and it adds another dimension to it. And topping our cocktails off will be our frozen drink machines. In the other drink machine, will be another adult slushie that we will rotate every six to eight weeks.
Long and her husband, Chris, co-owners of Fork + Ale House, originally founded a chain of local restaurants: The Stacked Pickle.
“Together we grew our brand of restaurants to six locations and sold them,” Long says. “We are ready to get back into the game and grow this concept.”
Long adds that Fork + Ale House is unique because it’s a small batch brewery that offers a wide variety of food.
“We pride ourselves on exceptional service and creating a great guest experience,” Long says. “Along with our in-house brews, we will have a large variety of local beers on draft and in bottles.”
It’s also a family-friendly brewpub.
“We will have many large TVs for sports viewing,” Long says. “We are located in the heart of midtown Carmel, and our patio connects to the new Midtown Carmel Plaza, right on the Monon. This new green space will be the home to Carmel’s Summer concert series, bocce ball, table tennis, a pool table and will be a fun gathering space for citizens of our community.”
The opening of Fork + Ale House has been quite a family affair for the Longs.
“We have five children ranging in ages from four to 17,” Long says. “They have helped us with everything from product testing to unloading orders, to visiting the site. On behalf of our family, I would like to say that we couldn’t be more excited to open our business in Carmel. This city has an amazing sense of community, support of local businesses and appreciation for good food.”
Fork + Ale House is located at 350 Veterans Way, Suite 150 in Carmel. You can give them a call 317-582-0295 at or visit them online at forkalehouse.com for more information.
Comments 1
Amy,
I always did my homework before I visited a client.
I neglected to to my due diligence in researching the Fork and Ale before my visit. I was very excited because of Jack and his father’s comments on your restaurant. I did search your reviews and menue which looked great.
I did not know you and your husband started stacked pickle sold it and started this new venture while raising 5 children. CONGRATS from one entrepreneur to another!
I consider the server position at your restaurant straight commission. That has been my Entire life pay for performance!
Please keep me in mind!
Steve Hess
317-650-7665
I love entrepreneur’s and small businesses!