End of the Line Public House

The mac and cheese was the best. The ribs were tender and the sauce had a nice kick.

After having wheeled around Fountain Square in search of my next Unilocal review, I settled on End of the Line Public House, a gastropub located inside the Fountain Square Theatre Building that finds its identity from the fact that Fountain Square used to be the «End of the Line» streetcar turnaround spot. Even now, Fountain Square serves as the Southeast End of Indy’s Cultural Trail.
End of the Line has 15 taps of beer, mostly local brews, and features what is called a pub menu — I’m not sure I agree with that description as most of the items seem to be a little more alternative than most pub fare. They have a weekend breakfast menu that is diverse and, from what I hear, a definite highlight for the place. They also offer a variety of entrees, sandwiches, salads, appetizers, a handful of desserts and a pretty darn full bar.
I opted for a beer & bison burger — an 8 oz. buffalo burger dredged in stout beer with applewood smoked bacon, white lettuce, tomato, dijon mustard and a brioche bun. You get one side, though don’t go expecting fries around here — the options include such things as a couple salad concoctions, wild rice pilaf, roasted red potatoes, mac n’ cheese, etc. Again, it’s not really traditional «pub fare,» but it’s unique and for the most part healthier (I’m probably dreaming that since my fat butt barely fits in my wheelchair, I’m obviously not the best judge of what’s healthier).
I ordered the sandwich well done with the roasted red potatoes. I ordered my usual iced tea. The ambience inside End of the Line, the Rooftop Garden doesn’t open until this weekend as it’s a seasonal option, has sort of a retro vibe with décor slightly bringing to mind a streetcar with the exception of the more contemporary music in the background. It’s rather dimly lit and the blinds on the front window are nice — I sat right by the front window at a decent-​sized two-​top table and felt relaxed and able to read. It’s my understanding that Rooftop business gets pretty busy, though on this visit the crowd was pretty modest.
It wasn’t until I was actually sitting at the table and getting ready to check in on Unilocal that I began looking at the reviews from people whose opinions I respect including our fearless leader, Brittany, whose eternal optimism and friendliness must’ve gotten massively stepped on during her visits as she forked over a rare 2-​star. I thought «Uh oh, what have I gotten myself into?» Between that and the somewhat odd menu, I nearly backed out but decided to stay.
The burger was good, delivered as ordered and definitely well done. A lot of times, places seem to lean more toward medium well when you say «well done.» They didn’t. When I got the meal, it was immediately noted by my server, Brittany, that the chef had accidentally made the wrong side, Mac n’ Cheese, but gave it to me anyway and was making my potatoes.
A few minutes later, I had my potatoes. I have to admit. They were my favorite part of the meal. The burger was good — no issues, but these potatoes really hit the spot. I didn’t end up eating the mac n’ cheese — I’m not big on the stuff and had already eaten too much. However, I appreciated their willingness to comp it and to acknowledge the mistake.
Brittany was terrific — very friendly and helpful. If you’re around me much, you know that I say «thank you» — a lot. My mama either raised me right (doubtful!) or I’m still baffled over living to this age with spina bifida and feel obligated to say «thank you» a lot (more likely!). I got my usual iced tea refill and just thought she was attentive without being intrusive.
I wrestled with my rating quite a bit. I also didn’t want to allow the negative experiences of others to influence me. The big difference in a 3 and a 4 for me is whether or not I feel compelled to rush back — while I enjoyed this experience, I don’t see End of the Line becoming a regular stomping ground for me (Of course, footless guys don’t stop anyway!). It was a good experience, not great, and I don’t regret it. Mostly, I really enjoyed the atmosphere along with Brittany’s service and those potatoes. For about $ 14, that’s enough but next time I’m in the area I’m also pretty sure I’ll try another spot.
In terms of wheelchair access, the front entrance is level to the ground, with a slight incline that may make opening the door a tad tricky. The restaurant itself has a fairly open concept, mostly tables and a few booths. I’ve not been up to the rooftop, though there’s an elevator that takes you there. So, that’s a plus.

Delicious food in a retro, hole in the wall diner. Always love their white cheddar Mac and Cheese. Burgers are also always delicious. Seems to be very slow every time we are in but the service is great!

I really like End Of The Line. I’ve always had good food and good service. They have amazing outdoor spaces (the roof and the front walk in the summer) that are great for city viewing or people watching. I always go in for the mac and cheese, which is baked in a little dish and served creamy. So good! I’ve tried several main dishes, and each one has been very good. I love coming here for weekend brunch. The breakfast burrito is amazing!

Absolutely one of my favorite restaurants in town and one we frequent as often as we can. Love the menu and have never had one subpar dish. I have read some older reviews about the food being extremely underwhelming and I’m wondering if they have made changes in the staff or cook since then as my experiences since going for the first time a year ago has been nothing but delicious. Love this place and the only reason I wouldn’t give it 5 stars is that the staff usually takes a significantly long time taking our order or returning to the table at all. Without fail, the waiters just seem very inattentive. And it’s never busy when we go. The only downside.

I give it 5 stars for the awesome selection of craft brews on tap and friendly bartenders. 3 stars for the food. If you’re main goal is to taste several great beers then End-​of-​the-​Line might be your best bet downtown.
Food is hit-​or-​miss. Their mac-​n-​cheese is amazing — served in a crock with baked crumbs on top. Yummy ! Their sandwiches — not so much. I ordered their signature burger that is served on Rye bread with goat cheese. Good idea but its a clumsy burger that doesn’t marry the ingredients well. And I guess thats my experience with the food… some menu items are great and some aren’t. They need to bring in a good chef consultant and give them some straight talk about their menu.
Atmosphere is old school (art deco? — I’m not an architecture expert). Anyway, its a really cool room.
All in all, its a great destination for a weekend bite before seeing a show downtown.

Decent brunch! Really good French toast, and not too crowded like most of the other mediocre brunch establishments in Indy. Server was great!

Everything was going really well… until we got up to leave and we saw a roach crawl across our table.
Sorry I’m not sorry, but that’s an instant 1-​star. Had to throw out my leftovers ($ 18 later) because I couldn’t stomach them after thoughts of where that little critter may have been. If there’s one, there’s more.
Definitely won’t be back. Unfortunate.

It appears this review is going to be one big echo of the sentiments already left here by many of my Unilocal colleagues. I honestly hadn’t even read reviews before going here. I’ve been here a few times now, and this past trip was to the hallowed rooftop for the first time. Each time I’ve been here, the food has been meh, and the experience has just been forgettable. This time was a little more memorable because it was the worst trip I’ve had here.
I can cite some positives. The rooftop view is the star of the show, and I like the location in Fountain Square. I really like their beer list. I think the bread sticks and beer cheese are really good.
My negatives are much the same as other reviewers, poor service and spiritless food.
I don’t know what the deal is with the hostess. I even wondered if she is management or owner, but if she is, then her behavior is even more deplorable. She didn’t even acknowledge us. When she spoke to others, she spat venom. The gentleman who finally helped us was pleasant. The service was poor. We were left sitting for endless amounts of time. We weren’t checked on after our food was left. Our steak was overcooked. Our server asked us how it was, so I was honest with her. She informed me a good rule of thumb there is to order it under cooked because it cooks while they bring it up to the roof. She apologized and said she should have told us when we ordered, and to consider that in the future. I have news for her. There is no future between us and that place unless something drastically changes. She did nothing to make up for our dissatisfaction. I don’t know how you mess up dessert, but, the cheesecake was dry. I just feel such disdain that such a great spot with a bomb-​ass view is being so wasted by poor service and underachieving food.

So, about once a month my hubby plans a date and takes me downtown. He is an excellent planner and likes to take me places I can try something new or have a fun experience.
Unfortunately other than the INSANELY cool view from the rooftop, EVERYTHING else was lackluster at best.
It really starts with the check in process. They don’t accept reservations and we knew that. We put our names in and then they proceeded to seat 4 additional couples before us. When we checked in about why we were overlooked, she said it was b/​c we «moved over there» and pointed to about three feet from her station. We did this to get out of the way for other people to check in. She proceeded to add chairs to a prime walk way of their «cocktail area» which didn’t include a table. We assumed when we were seated this would be for dinner. However, their process is to seat you so you can get a drink in the «cocktail area». This is actually not such a bad process but it was not explained so we were confused and had to ask a lot of questions to understand which made us look like jackholes to the others who were already in said «cocktail area» at tables.
Luckily we didn’t have to wait too long to be seated at an actual table, b/​c we were literally placed in a spot that didn’t allow the servers to move past us. So odd and uncomfortable.
Our server was great. She was sweet and attentive.
I enjoyed the ribs but the mac&cheese was extremely under-​seasoned. The wine was overpriced for terrible house options.
Upon exiting, I tried to explain that I was very dissatisfied in general. I was two drinks in but I really thought the whole experience was awful especially considering my first impression. My last impression was not great either.
I feel that considering they weren’t THAT busy, they shouldn’t treat guests who have never been there like crap when they don’t KNOW the unusual practices of their seating options. Additionally just b/​c you work in Fountain Square in the «cool kids» part of town doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be kind, gracious and welcoming when someone enters your rooftop to enjoy the sunset view. That is WHY you created it, no? Instead, we were all treated (including those behind us) as if we were one big pain in the ass for wanting to request a table. As if we would WANT A TABLE TO EAT DINNER! Scowling and explaining harshly how busy you are and that there is an «obvious wait» is not necessarily selling it for me.
I will say the view is crazy cool and the location is fabulous. I wish everyone were nicer b/​c I would have gone back despite the mac&cheese being some of the worst in the city.

Mediocre things drive me crazy, and this place is the epitome of mediocre. The sadness in that is there are SO FEW rooftop bar and grill options in Indy, and this place has the chance to be top of the table. The table, chairs, service, most of the food… everything is mediocre or below par. It just really all bums me out. You leave full but ultimately unsatisfied, knowing this place could be soooo much better. Try the Bison Burger or the Bonfire Burger. The Mac and Cheese and Memphis slaw are both pretty good. The view is great… that’s about it.

I had wanted to come and visit this restaurant for a while now. Also would have liked to check out the rooftop garden, but weather was not cooperating, so my group and I settled into the dining room.
That said, I am used to dining out with larger groups and understand that a ‘big’ table is often difficult to handle. I also worked long years as a waitress, so I can relate.
However; the lack of service and the way I personally was treated by your wait staff was simply put: horrible and in-​excusable.
Service wasn’t great from the get-​go, but we are a patient group and as long as the food is good, we’re happy… I was so looking forward to the mac-​n-​cheese being that it looks awesome in all the pictures that I have seen on Unilocal.Anyway, orders were placed, food starts to be served… wonderful.
Well one of our gentlemen, received his food and kept looking at it, saying he didn’t think this was his, but the waitress insisted it was his. Well he took a bite out of the burger and it wasn’t what he had ordered. The waitress found his order and served it to him. She so apologized to him. I however was left without food. I was also left without an apology or even an acknowledgement that I was yet without food. The gentleman with the extra order went ahead and gave me his mac-​n-​cheese side since I had also ordered some, otherwise I would not have had anything to munch on. Well the waitress rushed back and brought him another mac-​n-​cheese, concerned for his well-​being. Everybody was letting her know that I had no food, she sort of ignored that on the way to the kitchen said something to we’ll get you a burger… how rude.
No: I’m sorry, can I get you anything in the meantime, nothing. I had ordered the Bison burger medium well done with a side of mac-​n-​cheese. So after a while she comes back and slides a plate with a burger in front of me. No mac-​n-​cheese… again, no sorry… no excuse me… no can I get you anything. No ditch it and run. Now I do realize I had «stolen» the mac-​n-​cheese from another guest, but really? If you’re already messing up can you at least act like you care or value plate presentation? But fine… I will deal with it. Well I bit into the burger… and is was anything but medium well. Crispy on the outside, and at best medium rare. Yes I had the audacity to send it back. Now that was a mistake, cause when it finally came back, it was shoe leather, guess that shows me… the lettuce on the burger could have easily passed as seaweed, it was a gross mess with brown spots… either yesterdays or more likely the same Piece of lettuce from the previous burger that had been dragged back and forth. The burger was also in bits and pieces, so probably the same one, or it had a hard life so far. Even so by now I was really hungry, I gave up on it after taking a small bite, the whole thing being completely inedible. And everyone else was ready to go, their meals eaten. I did eat about half of the mac-​n-​cheese (which by the way is a fabulously cheesy mess, highly recommend this side), so I was hungry, eager to get out and grab some food elsewhere.
Of course my bill was also messed up. Actually I was waiting to see if I would really be charged for this. I sure was, and then some… So she had to at least take off the extra items I was charged for. And for the first time ever, I decided to leave no tip, no tip at all. I had spent 2 hours in a restaurant without food, could not even get a single refill on my water and so I was not only hungry but also very thirsty.
I asked for a manager, because I really think somebody should be aware of this lack of service. Well, then she came back and grabbed my bill telling me «he said you don’t have to pay», at which point all the money flew out of the folder. That is the most she had spoken to me all night.
Anyway, a nice gentlemen came and talked to me, he tried to excuse some of this, like I told him, orders get messed up, it happens, no big deal, but avoid me like I have the plague? Treat me like an outcast? What was that all about? How exactly was it my fault that the order got messed up? I didn’t get upset, I didn’t make a scene, I just would have liked something to eat. An apology would have went a long way. A ‘can we get you anything while you wait? ’ anything like that and we would have just laughed about it.
About half of our group really enjoyed their meals and would come back, the other half said it was nothing special and they would not go out of their way to return.

I think I have been to End of the Line enough times now to know they aren’t going to be on my list of regular places to visit in Fountain Square for eats. They don’t have the consistency in the kitchen to get a 4 – 5 star rating from me. I’ve ordered the Spinach Melt Sandwich at least 2 – 3 times here and every time it has come out different… sometimes with not enough cheese… sometimes with too much cheese… sometimes the rye bread is just sopped with butter (ewwwww). And their sides are just kinda meh as well. The cuke and tomato side salad for instance seems to have way too much red wine vinegar in it. Not that I’m an expert in vinegar-​usage, but I would prefer my salad to taste like the main event — cukes and tomatoes — not like taking a shot of vinegar straight up.
They do Mac ‘n Cheese and their pretzel sticks with beer cheese very well (I’m seeing a theme here: CHEESE…) So if you want a nice appetizer or snack with a beer, I suppose they’re worth a pit stop.
I will say too that End of the Line always has a very good list of beers on tap. They have a lovely Festina Peche last night that was right up my alley for a light summer beer. And for my hubby… a delicious coffee stout from Three Floyds. I’ll hand it to them that they have good taste in
, if you’re looking for a place to grab a couple beers after work and hangout before a show at the White Rabbit or Radio Radio, then End of the Line is not so bad for that. Just don’t bother ordering your dinner here. I think they have a good-​looking menu, but the kitchen really needs to get it together and be more consistent in their entrée preparation.

Most often I will visit here for breakfast. The food is good and the coffee is terrific. They server Hubbard and Cravens coffee.
The service has been friendly and efficient.
Nothing super special about breakfast but it is good American style fare.
I am not sure about parking since I ride my bicycle here.
For later in the day they have a decent selection of beers. So, I am planning to visit for dinner soon.

Maybe I didn’t order the right items but I tried the Cobb salad with salmon added along with the soup of the day. The soup of the day was a roasted red pepper soup but in actuality ended up being mostly a vegetable beef soup which was disappointing. The salad and salmon were good but I expected more out of a 15 dollar salad. Topped off by slow service with only three tables occupied and It’s going to take some convincing to get me back here.

My life is changing. And with good reason I’m happy it won’t ever be the same…
Before I get into the glorious details of End of the Line, let me explain a few things. I’ve been sick (reaaaally sick) and nothing I tried could make me feel better… for eight long exaggerated months.
I decided to put all my Obamacarewebsite skills to use and actually just see my Dr. After a ton of tests, needles, and begging for pills (not really… kind of. maybe.) we discovered some strong diabetes that’s been chilling in my body for decades.
Why I never got tests before idk I was young and dumb?!
So, here I am at the end, The End of The Line. literally and in other words with, food. Now, I know I have had more fried food then a Midwest state fair, however aside from that — some people tend to just get all diabetic and stuff.
People like me and maybe even you, and I want you to know, it’s ok to take 20 minutes staring at a menu, calculating carbs, or asking what drink products are sugar free– unless (of course) you are already annoying then no, just get water and pipe down!!!
After constantly feeling sick I just didn’t eat, and quickly realized how much of a crappy idea that was. Eat! You need eat.
It’s a slow start but dammit I’m a 2015 Elite and I’m not going to let the year pass me by loathing over salad! I’m going to eat (what I can) hope it’s stays down and write about it later!!!
I’m very happy to have the ‘End’ as my first sickly girl good food review. This place was spot on! I had the Indiana Cob, The Jesse, and Mac and Cheese… I couldn’t consume all of it. So for any of you wanting a wellness breakdown email me, my numbers won’t be exact but I am happy to help.
The Jesse is a beef brisket thinly sliced, and comes served as a sandwich. I just wanted the meat… cuz, that’s what she said! The food was great, tender moist and bar food so don’t expect too much freshness over frozen. All the elements are still there, quality, price, flavor, and taste. They also feature a ton of beer and wine to choose from and you can order similar items on the roof top.
I say go and try the jerk wings appetizer it’s not quite jerk, but definitely worth it. The place itself is cute cozy and relaxing. A great nod to the pin up years. I’ll be going back for sure.
Thanks to the End of the Line for being a new start to something very good indeed… My suga life. Cheers!

I have had enjoyed lunch here twice. and walked out completely stuffed. The mac n cheese is «good». It was creamy, and very crunchy on the edges, but it lacked the sharp flavor i really like and expect in homemade mac n cheese. I ordered the salmon cobb sandwich. It was fresh and put together with pride. I noticed alot of empty tables when i went for lunch and am wondering if its just not busy in the afternoon or just not getting the attention it needs. This place IS the first place i think of going to if we are near fountain square and want to meet up for lunch because it has a good vibe. I would like to check out this place in the evening and see whats going on.

My sister and I decided to take a gander at End of The Line today for brunch and it was a very good choice! The mix of old school railway diner and modern-​chic café give the place a very hipster feel.
I ordered the Florentine three egg omelet; however, I wasn’t feeling the goat cheese today, so I asked them to swap it out with swiss cheese. They had no problem with the switch. The white wine sautéed mushrooms in the omelet elevated the whole dish to a whole other level. The side of rye toast that came with my meal was a little over the top and overall was the only problem I had with my whole experience this morning. The slices were just too big/​thick, that I could barely eat one half of a piece and I was served two pieces of toast. I hate feeling like I’m wasting the food.
I also ordered a side of breakfast sausage links, thinking I would get 2 – 3 of the standard (size of your little finger) links. What I was not expecting were the 3 giant sausages I received. I was ecstatic! For some reason, all I could think about when eating them was, «I feel like a Hobbit, and I live in the shire.» (This could also have been the sleep deprivation speaking too. lol)
My sister ordered the Salmon Eggs Benedict with a side of roasted potatoes. Though I didn’t get to try the Eggs Benedict, the potatoes were great! Some little pieces were a little too over roasted, but I always expect that when eating roasted potatoes because they’re so small, they cook too fast.
Anyways, we both demolished our plates, I ate a few more of her potatoes and when we were done and looked down, our plates were clean (except my three half pieces of toast still sitting there looking at me and saying, «EAT ME! I may only be a dry piece of really really thick toast, but I taste good… right?»)
I definitely recommend this place for brunch, if you just happen to be around the Fountain Square area and are looking for a nice place to eat.
Also, little side note: There two seater table was ACTUALLY big enough to comfortably fit two people and their food. I always hate going to a restaurant and having to sit at the cramped, tiny two seater and you have to shuffle around your plates so everything fits nicely. Well, this wasn’t the case here and it was WONDERFUL!

First thing’s first. The Thai pizza is amazing. It is unstoppable. I will crave this for weeks between opportunities to eat it again. Peanut allergies notwithstanding, try this first.
Okay. Now that that’s out of the way, the End of the Line pub is a fantastic establishment for three independent reasons. The first is the food — good enough in general, but made fantastic by a few key additions to the menu that you can’t find in many other gastropubs. The thai pizza tops my list, but don’t hesitate to try the paella, the mac & cheese bake, or pretzels with beer cheese. The second is the drink — it’s easy enough to find a good drink selection in Fountain Square, but EotL’s is definitely one of the best. A half flight is five four-​ounce pours for just $ 7, and a full flight is ten for $ 13 — pretty affordable if you’re sampling with some friends, and definitely a great way to broaden your horizons.
The third reason, of course, is the rooftop. In the summer and fall, there’s no experience more rewarding than drinking and dining with one of the clearest views of the Indianapolis skyline, rife with the ghosts of a trolley line and a thriving commercial district. If you’re a Fountain Square First Friday attendee, this is one of the best places to start off the night.
How to improve it? It would be great if they started moving into some local sourcing — their competitors in Fountain Square are getting good at it and they would do well to step it up. But it won’t stop me from snagging a Thai pizza every now and again, and it definitely shouldn’t stop you.

I joined 4 other friends Saturday evening for an 8 pm dinner at End of The Line Public House, and left feeling a little disappointed in both the service and food. I’m hoping it was just an off night and that this isn’t an indication of how they normally operate.
Our server was also tending the bar, and he had a difficult time going back and forth. Ordered a Moscow Mule (which was delicious) but it took almost 10 minutes to get. Beer seemed to come out quickly, but everyone else who ordered liquor had to wait.
We ordered a couple of orders of pretzel sticks and crab cakes as appetizers. The sticks came out piping hot and were the best course of the evening. It came with two sides of various cheeses which tasted the same to me. Perhaps they were? I would like liked to have seen mustard with them.
For my main course I ordered the fish special with a Mediterranean salad and Mac and Cheese. The lettuce on the salad tasted like it hadn’t been properly washed. The salad was huge, and I wish I could have eaten more of it. I picked around the lettuce and still got a decent amount to eat off it. Had our server been a little more attentive, I would have sent it back.
As for the fish, it was a rather large portion and the lemon sauce on it was great, but after my first bite of the fish, I felt something was wrong with it and didn’t eat any more of it. If I wasn’t with a new group of friends I probably would have sent it back as well, but I didn’t want to be «that guy.» The mac and cheese was wonderful, and that filled me up.