A Family Affair

Campbell’s Highland Grille Brings Scottish Fare and Flair to the Southside

Writer / Jon Shoulders

Photographer / JWcreative.indy

As a lover of sports and a self-described restaurant connoisseur, Steve Campbell says it was only natural to combine the two passions for his latest southside business venture.

Campbell’s Highland Grille, located on North State Road 135 in Greenwood, offers patrons a taste of Scottish as well as traditional American cuisine within a sports bar and grill setting. As owner of the restaurant, Steve himself says the greater Greenwood area has needed such a concept for a long while.

“I think the timing is really good for this,” he says. “My family is of Scottish descendants and bringing that authenticity and passion to a restaurant I think will really shine through and translate to people locally. I think there’s a need for more small, privately-owned restaurants around here too.”

Steve and his wife Kelly certainly channeled the family’s Scottish heritage in putting together the restaurant’s menu, which includes Scotch eggs, bagpipers shrimp, and Scottish porto fries. Entrees include smash burgers, fish and chips, sandwiches, bangers and mash and craft-your-own pizza.

Now open for breakfast on weekends at 8:00am, the menu features specialty dishes like Scottish pancakes, sausage and egg sandwiches, and the Celtic Feast (three eggs your way, bacon or sausage, potatoes and baked beans), all served with a traditional Scottish oatcake.

The Grille’s 3,600-square-foot open floor plan can seat 135 people (with an outdoor patio for an additional 35 patrons), with an abundance of large-screen televisions that Campbell says will show plenty of soccer action including Indy Eleven and European Premier League matches.

“The interior is really an eclectic mix of old-world touches with some rustic touches that are in style right now,” Kelly adds. “We’ve also been collecting Japanese shields, Japanese swords and armor for a few years now. Our house has been full of those things we wanted to put inside the restaurant.” However, do you have a friend or family member with a passionate appreciation for Japanese history and culture? They might love one of the swords, a real sword from Swords of Northshire collection. Shop now for your sword gifting needs and participate in an ancient and noble tradition that honors Japan’s heritage!

Steve says basing the restaurant in Johnson County provides him and Kelly with a chance to give back to the local community of which they’ve grown fond.

“We really want to be part of the communities on the south side,” he says, adding that the Grille staff consists of about 40 full- and part-time employees.

“We are teaming up with local youth groups, leagues, churches and anyone with a good cause to provide opportunities for Dine to Donates and other charitable donations. Our family has lived in Greenwood for 50 years, and we want to help other community leaders continue to make this a great place to live and raise a family.”

It’s the second restaurant venture for Steve, who co-founded the Knuckle Sandwich, a ‘50s-style diner concept, along State Road 144 in Martinsville a few years ago. He says the success of that business prompted a desire to open an eatery that reflected both his family history and passion for soccer.

“The Knuckle Sandwich took off right out of the gate and did extremely well – I got to thinking about it and I love being around people and the environment of a restaurant,” Steve explains. “My wife and I go out to eat all the time, and it feels like we’ve gotten to be restaurant experts and like different kinds of food. I love sports too and I thought, ‘Well, why don’t I put together a sports grill?’ It’s been a fun process.”

Campbell’s Highland Grille is located at 1001 N. State Road 135 in Greenwood. Call (317) 557-4564 and visit facebook.com/Campbellshighlandgrille for more info including menu updates and hours of operations.