Tucked along the vibrant, tree-lined stretch of Massachusetts Avenue in the heart of Indianapolis, Love Handle has quietly but confidently become one of the city’s most cherished and talked-about morning destinations for both locals and visitors alike. 🍳✨
This compact, counter-service spot serves up bold, playful plates that turn ordinary breakfasts into memorable, shareable experiences worth savoring slowly with friends or family.
Locals don’t just visit—they return again and again, drawn by the ever-changing chalkboard menus, the mismatched mugs that feel like treasures from a thrift store, and the warm, joyful energy that fills every corner of the space.
If you’ve ever wondered what makes a neighborhood restaurant feel like family, where every plate tells a story and every bite sparks conversation, this is it. 💖🥞
How Love Handle won Massachusetts hearts
Love Handle didn’t just arrive on Mass Ave—it grew into the neighborhood’s heartbeat, one hearty, creatively crafted plate at a time, building a legacy that spans over a decade of loyal customers and glowing reviews. 🍽️✨
Since opening its doors in 2015, this tiny gem has turned breakfast into a ritual worth waking up for, serving dishes that feel like a warm hug from your funniest, most adventurous friend who always knows how to make you smile.
What started as a small Milwaukee experiment became an Indianapolis institution because owners Chris and Ally Benedyk, along with partner Dominic Senibaldi, kept things refreshingly real, focusing on creativity, quality, and community above all else.
They focused on ever-changing chalkboard menus, mismatched mugs, and dishes that make you grin mid-bite, creating a space where culinary creativity meets comfort food in the most delightful way possible.
Locals didn’t just like it—they adopted it, tipping over $1,000 during the pandemic and filling its whimsical, clown-corner walls with inside jokes, VHS nostalgia, and family-painted portraits that make every visit feel personal. 📺💕
That’s how you win a city: feed it joy, not just food, and watch it become part of your daily rhythm, your weekend tradition, and your go-to spot for celebrations big and small.
The restaurant’s clown-corner walls and family-painted portraits give the space a lived-in, joyful energy where strangers quickly feel like regulars and every meal feels like a homecoming.
Over the years, Love Handle has expanded its offerings to include polished but approachable dinner plates, proving that its culinary creativity knows no bounds and that it continues to evolve while staying true to its roots of bold flavors and unexpected pairings.
Food Highlights
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Fried Chicken & Waffle: Crispy-skinned chicken over a fluffy, discus-sized waffle, drizzled with hot honey and whipped cream; a sweet-savory brunch legend that blurs the line between breakfast and dessert, making it a must-try for anyone visiting. 🍗🧇
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Beef Tongue Sandwich: Slow-braised until cotton-candy tender, griddled for depth, and stacked into a cheesesteak-style sando that’s become a signature Love Handle experience, showcasing the restaurant’s willingness to take risks with familiar formats. 🥩🥪
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Cheesy Jalapeño Grits with Eggs & Meat: Creamy, spicy grits loaded with eggs and your choice of meat; a simple yet addictive staple that keeps regulars coming back week after week for its comforting, hearty flavors. 🧀🌶️
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Pork Belly Wedge Salad: A decadent dinner upgrade featuring a thick slab of fork-tender pork belly over crisp lettuce, blue cheese dressing, pickled red onions, and bacon bits; a dish that proves salads can be indulgent and satisfying. 🥗🥓
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Fish & Chips (Lent/Friday Special): Light, fluffy battered cod with sturdy potato wedges, coleslaw, and some of the creamiest tartar sauce in Indy; a Friday tradition that draws crowds looking for something different yet familiar. 🐟🍟
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Biscuit Slider: Pork belly, caper Cheddar, and tangy turnips on a warm biscuit; a tiny, mighty bite that showcases the restaurant’s love of bold, unexpected pairings and its ability to elevate simple ingredients into something extraordinary. 🍔🧀
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Smoked Pork Belly: Tender, smoky pork belly served with eggs and toast; a rich and satisfying breakfast option that highlights the restaurant’s mastery of comfort food and its dedication to using high-quality, flavorful ingredients. 🥓🍳
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Vegetable Gravy over Homemade Biscuits: A hearty, plant-based option featuring rich vegetable gravy poured over fluffy homemade biscuits; a customer favorite for its depth of flavor and its ability to satisfy even the most devoted meat-eaters. 🥕🍞
Atmosphere
Think rec-room chic meets neighborhood living room—pale pink walls, whimsical Goodwill art, an arcade cabinet, and a rotating VHS screen that feels like flipping through a friend’s quirky collection. 📺🎨
It’s casual, colorful, and unapologetically fun—the kind of place where breakfast feels like a celebration and every visit feels like coming home. 🎉🥓
Bottom Line
Love Handle delivers a unique, ever-changing menu packed with bold brunch favorites and inventive new dinner options that keep locals coming back for more. 🍳✨
Its warm, playful vibe feels like home, making every visit a joyful escape where good food and great energy come together perfectly. 🏠💖
Address:
877 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204
📞 (317) 384-1102
🕔 Open Thu- Mon 8AM – 3PM | (closed Tue–Wed)