Beefing It Up
One Trick Ponys Smash Burgers Are a Local Favorite
Writer / Matt Keating
Photography Provided by One Trick Pony & Robby Berry
Neal Brown, a chef and lead consultant for One Trick Pony, located in the Fishers Test Kitchen, says the eatery concept grew out of a request and a pleasant childhood memory.
My partner Greg Howe and I are the consultants for the City of Fishers on the Fishers Test Kitchen, Brown explains. We were asked to set up a concept in the space previously occupied by Natural State Provisions (in the early days of the Fishers Test Kitchen), while we seek out and vet the best, exciting Fishers Test Kitchen concepts. While I am technically the chef of One Trick Pony, Greg and our operating manager, are both chefs as well, and contribute to the menu in their own way.
Brown says the name One Trick Pony refers to doing one thing extremely well – making excellent, big burgers that are smashed on a hot griddle. OTP has done just that becoming the longest-standing concept at the Fishers Test Kitchen and one of the most popular lunch and dinner options, too.
Brown notes that everything on the menu is fresh. The diner-style smash burgers are made of equal parts meat and cheese, and the beef is prepared to order.
Brown, who also runs Neal Brown Hospitality and Pizzology in Carmel, says the Fishers community response has been extremely positive over the last few years. One Trick Pony has attracted a large following and has grown in popularity, thanks to both positive word of mouth and glowing reviews from loyal customers.
Its been great, Brown says.
Brown has thoroughly enjoyed the business, which was inspired by an excellent meal he had as a child.
One Trick Pony is inspired by a burger I had when I was about 9 or 10 years old, Brown says. My neighbor was a retired farmer, Old John, and he was the guy in the neighborhood that we all kind of wondered about as kids. I think he sensed this, and asked my mom if I could come next door for dinner one night, so off I went.
Brown says the neighborhood friend went out of his way to make sure the food tasted great. He also knew how to present a meal. It was a highly memorable dinner, and made an impression on Brown.
We sat at an old Formica table that was reminiscent of a bowling alley, Brown says. It had every condiment you could imagine sitting in the center of the table. My neighbor, Old John, made smash burgers and french fries, and I have never forgotten that meal. You could say that I love smash burgers.
One of the burgers is named after Old John, featuring tomato, lettuce, onion, mustard and mayo.
Check their menu for prices and specials. There are plenty of burger options, and customers wanting to spice things up can get the popular Whizbang Fries with cheese whiz, jalapeños and caramelized onions.
Stop by One Trick Pony at 9713 District North Drive, Suite 1210 in Fishers. To find out more, call 317-953-6398, ext. 104. You can also email them at info@otpburger.com, or check out their website at otpburger.com.
