Aspen Creek Grill Turns 10

Aspen Creek Grill, the Noblesville restaurant known for featuring scratch-made, comfort-fresh food including premium steaks, freshly chopped salads and house-smoked ribs, is celebrating its 10th anniversary. Partner Mike Bennett credits the restaurant’s longevity to always putting the community first, as well as the scratch-made menu.

“I’m a big believer in making sure we take care of the community that we’re in,” he says. “We always make sure we’re giving back, and building a great culture where the employees who work for us understand that our guests – members of the community – are important to us and we have to take care of them. People have choices out there and if you don’t make yourself known and build a great reputation, they’ll forget about you and go elsewhere.”

Aspen Creek gives back to the community by donating to various women’s and homeless shelters, giving to the No Kid Hungry program, supplying meals to different churches in the area, and supporting local high school teams through sponsorships and pancake breakfasts.

Bennett says the foundation of building a long-lasting restaurant starts with the employees, and walking them through the importance of hospitality during the interview process. They’re asked questions you might not see in a typical interview: How do you like taking care of others? Do you put others first? How do you treat those you serve?

“Our expected culture is based on servant leadership, mind and heart,” Bennett says. “We want locals in the community to be part of it and our team. We don’t want order takers. We want people who are going to build relationships.”

While Aspen Creek doesn’t have any grand celebrations to commemorate a decade in business, they’ll focus on doing what they always do – making their guests, about 6,000 people a week, feel valued and appreciated.

Bennett has been able to see his employees and guests grow over the past decade, and cites that growth as one of his favorite aspects of his role.

“Going to work every day and getting to inspire others and take on a new challenge, while seeing employees growing up and becoming successful and knowing you had an impact on their lives and leadership skills, is so fulfilling,” he says.

Looking forward, Greenwood residents will soon have a new restaurant to enjoy. Aspen Creek Grill is anticipating a December opening for their new Greenwood location, at 1287 North Emerson Avenue, which broke ground in July. It marks the second location in the Indianapolis area.

“Our team at Aspen Creek Grill prides ourselves on making our food from scratch daily and providing a warm, relaxing experience for guests,” Bennett says. “It’s been an honor to serve the people of Noblesville for so many years, and I look forward to personally introducing a new community in Greenwood to the Aspen Creek Grill dining experience.”

For your next happy hour, don’t forget that Aspen Creek has $1 off draft pints, margaritas, sangria, and glasses of wine Monday through Friday from 3 p.m. until 6 p.m.