The Roost Has Been Serving Up Delicious Breakfast For More than 20 Years

Writer: Matt Keating
Photographer: Mark Bell

“Keep it simple.” 

That’s a motto that has led to several years of success for The Roost, located at 7371 East 116th Street.

“We offer good food that is consistent in its quality,” says Ed Sahm, CEO/president of Sahm’s Companies. “The Roost has remained popular because we keep things easy and simple. We have a wide selection of items to choose from, we have excellent service, and it’s all at a decent price.”

Customers have responded to Sahm’s business philosophy.

“I just feed people,” Sahm says from his brand new restaurant at Sahm’s Ale House, 12819 New Market Street, West Clay Village, Carmel. “I don’t want you to have to think too much about where you are deciding to go eat. We want you to think of The Roost or any of the other Sahm’s Restaurants as one of the three or four places that pop into your head when you are selecting a place to eat.”   

The Roost first opened in 1996, and Sahm says he still has customers who have been with him since the beginning.

“We have really been able to get people who would drive 20-30 miles to visit us at The Roost,” Sahm says. “They would come as far as Elwood and Anderson, Indiana because they loved the food and the family feeling. We have had a lot of regulars who have really been loyal to us for decades. They keep coming back and tell us they will be with us for a long time. We also have people who like going to all of the Sahm’s locations.”

Sahm says that Sahm’s restaurants open in neighborhoods instead of hot spots where other dining establishments have already set up shop.

“To me, it doesn’t make sense to open a restaurant in a place like Mass Avenue or another location where you have such a wide choice of places to eat,” Sahm says. “We go to underserved areas. We open in residential neighborhoods where people don’t have to drive very far to get to us. We choose good local spots in Central Indiana, such as Fishers and Carmel that are really close to homes. We have had a long history of picking good locations.”

Sahm has several north side locations at Big Lug Country Pub in Pendleton, Sahm’s at Pendleton, Rockstone in Fishers, Sahm’s Restaurant in Fishers, Sahm’s Bar & Grill in Fishers and Sahm’s at Parkwood. The West Clay Village location opened in February.

Sahm’s also has multiple midtown and downtown locations.

“Guests have told us they like knowing what they are going to get,” Sahm says. “We offer local and fresh food that is popular among the whole family. We make our breads, biscuits and soups from scratch each day. Nothing is frozen. We really want people to know that. Our biscuits and gravy are really great, but that’s just one option. There are so many to choose from.”

The Roost’s house specialties are numerous. They include multiple choices of pancakes, including Peanut Butter Cup Pancakes with whipped buttercream, Hot Sweet Cinnamon Pancakes and Granola Pecan Crunch, among others.

A wide variety of omelets, eggs and other breakfast items are served all day at The Roost. Lunch is served from 10:30-3 p.m. The Roost’s “Smashin Burgers” include The Clint Eastwood with BBQ sauce, bacon, cheddar, mozzarella and fried onion rings and The Bomb with homemade meatloaf, mozzarella, shredded Romaine and cilantro-chipotle sauce. Several different sandwiches, soups and salads are also available.

Sahm doesn’t have a particular favorite but does love their steaks, chops and salads.

“I have a lot of regulars who keep coming back to order their favorites like the pork tenderloin, or the biscuits and gravy,” he says. “Some people love the waffles, or our club sandwiches, which are also popular. People respond to the freshness and to the fact that we keep everything at a reasonable price.”

Sahm is excited about the new Sahm’s Ale House in Carmel’s West Clay, which he co-owns with his son, Eddie and Brewmaster Scott Ellis.

“We are once again getting into a great neighborhood setting,” Sahm says. “We are in the same spot where The Lit Moose used to be. We have made a lot of changes through remodeling, and we have added a lot more seating. I think the residents here are going to love it, and once again, we will keep it simple.”

The Roost is located at 7371 East 116th Street. You can give them a call at 317-842-3735 or visit them online at theroostfishers.com.

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