Photographer: Stephanie Duncan
Locally born, but Montana raised, brothers Jon and Mike Shuel opened up Mackenzie River Pizza Company about seven years ago and made this cozy Montana based restaurant a staple for Castleton and Indianapolis residents. Located in North East Indianapolis in the heart of Castleton, minutes away from Castleton Square Mall, you can share a drink with friends and enjoy some stellar pizza.
Though the Carmel location closed earlier this year, many patrons still enjoy the great food and atmosphere at the Castleton spot. A new Carmel location could be in the works in the future.
The Shuel brothers, who grew up in the original Montana restaurant location that was owned by their parents, had experience in every part of the business and decided to pursue their passion but in Indiana. Both brothers attended Indiana University in Bloomington and pursued other careers post-graduation but found that they really wanted to try owning their own restaurant, so they moved back to Indiana where they were born and brought their family restaurant to Indiana.
“We grew up working in this business, and when you grow up around something enough, it gets in your blood,” Jon says.“We love it, we enjoyed it.”
Mackenzie Pizza River Company is a full-service family casual restaurant. Walking in you get the immediate nod to the outdoors and Montana wilderness with trees decorating the seating space, beautiful animal art adorning the walls and a large red canoe hanging from the ceiling.
From fresh salads, made from scratch soups, fun appetizers, popular pub entrees like fish and chips, to unique pizzas, there is something on the menu that everyone can enjoy. Go bold with the unique Thai Pie pizza, with an exciting and different Thai peanut sauce, mandarin oranges, peanuts, red peppers and seasoned chicken. Or keep it traditional with the Good Ol’ Boy which has a heaping amount of pepperoni and gooey mozzarella cheese. You can also find fresher, greener options with their popular Cobb Salad or the Green Horn Veggie Wrap that’s overflowing with the best toppings.
No meal is complete without something sweet, so feed your cravings with a mouthwatering dessert menu to really end the meal on a high note. Try the traditional Warm Apple Cobbler or mouthwatering Kentucky Bourbon Bites. You can also enjoy a full bar featuring a variety of Indiana craft beers, along with weekly drink specials Monday through Thursday, so there’s always something new to try.
Over the years, the restaurant has been a favorite weekend spot to hang out with family and friends. With its casual atmosphere and convenient location, people keep coming back for the stellar food and friendly service. Bring your kids in on Tuesday where kids eat free or bring a date for a fun casual evening. The restaurant sits right off 82nd Street, minutes away from the mall. After shopping, guests can enjoy their patio that sits back over a small park.
Enjoy this little taste of Montana with Indiana roots. In a rush? The restaurant also has a convenient loyalty app where you can order for pick up and earn rewards.
Mackenzie River Pizza Company is located at 4939 E. 82nd St., Ste. 100. You can find their full menu and online ordering options at mackenzieriverpizza.com.
