Devour Downtown is back with 90 restaurants to visit

Originally published in the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper.

Devour Downtown, an event showcasing 90 restaurants at valued-prices from Aug. 22 to Sept. 4, encourages fine and casual dining at an efficient cost.

Three-course meals at Indy’s selection of restaurants may seem daunting, especially when St. Elmo Steak House and Fogo de Chao is listed on the bill, but there are many other kinds of restaurants that range from the highest of scales to intimate earthly settings.

Susan Decker, an organizer for Devour Downtown since 2008, said the event has grown from featuring approximately 20 venues to the large number in the present. This, in her opinion, is a sign of steady success.

“It’s a unique food culture in the Indianapolis market and people are willing to go out and try new restaurants…which is really cool,” she said. “It’s a growing scene. Over the last 10 to 15 years Indianapolis has just blossomed.”

Devour Downtown is less than two weeks away so it can never be too early to prepare for the pilgrimage as Hoosiers should expect high traffic at some, if not all of the venues included this year.

On the hit list are city favorites aforementioned, but there are a few others that appear to be total winners for people wanting a new taste.

For example, Shoefly Public House, this week’s restaurant spotlight in the Recorder, is a place of bright colors, brick walls and a strong selection of fair-priced meals and appetizers.

Owner of Shoefly, Craig Mariutto, said recent Devour Downtown showcases has been successful in turning one-time visitors into regulars.

“Here it’s just a mix. We get everybody from the folks who go to the symphony, the people in tuxes who actually bring their instrument in,” he said, “right up to the person who just mowed their lawn and is in it for a good beer. The whole idea behind this was just a good neighborhood place for people to get a good beer and a good burger and a little bit more.”

In another sense, cleverly titled Soupremacy on Market St. could be your next light lunch destination whenever you find yourself near Monument Circle. All of the items are inexpensive so one can expect even better deals during the event.

Another suggestion, Iaria’s, is a well portioned Italian venue with a simple menu and a great bang for your buck.

Moreover, Devour Downtown has incorporated social media and contests to promote the event. Taking photos of your plate and posting them to Facebook, Instagram or Twitter with #DevourIndy in the subject enters you for a chance at a free $30 gift card to any of the restaurants.

Lastly, with the free two-day light festival on Friday, Aug. 26 and Saturday Aug. 27, families and friends can visit a restaurant first then see the shows at night with artists and performers from Indianapolis and beyond. The light festival will be heled along the canal and the Cultural Trail on Walnut St.

Find this year’s menu online at http://www.devourdowntown.org/menus/.