Culinary Dropout

This place was packed! Luckily, I had made reservations. Super cool vibe and every single employee was on top of their game. I know they just opened, so technically, they should be, right? From the hostess, to our server, to the two? Managers who stopped by our table, and back to our hostess who opened our door on exit- they were top notch. Our server gave us a run down of the menu and his favorite picks. I started with the Abandoned Cadillac margarita and it was perfectly tart. We ordered two appetizers- the wagyu pigs in a blanket and the pretzels and fondue. It was taking a long time and our server did check on us and then a manager. We told the manager our apps hadn't come out and he went to check on them. They had lost the ticket and we were just going to cancel them because our food came out at the same time. Our server took them both off of our checks and that was a nice that they owned the mistake. We didn't ask them too, they just did the right thing. It's a breath of fresh air. Another manager came out to see how we were and apologize again. I ordered the steak frites and it was a wonderful meal- had to take some home with me. I would 100% order the wagyu pigs in a blanket. While they were hot as hades when I tried to eat one, they were amazing. I wasn't overly impressed by the pretzels. Don't get me wrong- they are good and they have someone in house who makes them. It has a three cheese blend fondue which was great to dip everything in. I will try a different app the next time. One of my friends orders the fried chicken and it looked well worth it We were in the covered patio area and live music was playing. He was really good and we enjoyed all the songs.

There's clearly a reason why Culinary Dropout has had so much success around the country. The staff and servers were very well trained and hospitable for just their third day of service. They were also knowledgeable about the menu alreadyas well.I had a pour of Widow Jane rye, which was very good and I was impressed it was on their menu.We split the gochujang brussel sprouts and deviled eggs. The brussel sprouts were very good, deviled eggs were OK.The salmon with bunnerbut squash risotto was also stellar.Will be coming back, especially in the summer when they have their patio open!The bar area (hightop) was a fun place to sit, and the live music was the right level of volume.

We made a reservation at Culinary Dropout because we knew it would be bustling during the opening week. When we arrived, we were warmly greeted and had just a short wait before being shown to a cozy booth that was perfect for our group of five. The menu had so many delicious options, and our server was friendly and super patient, guiding us through everything.**Drinks** - **Lil Mez Daisy** - I was thrilled to really taste the mezcal in this drink! It was so tasty, and I'm really glad I went with this choice. - **Evil Jungle Princess** - This had just the right balance of sweetness and flavor, making it very enjoyable. - **Playboi Stache** - This one was a hit for one of our friends at the table. She loved it, especially the passion fruit--definitely a standout cocktail!**Food** - **Steak Frites** - This dish was tasty, but I felt like the portion was a bit on the smaller side. It would have been nice to have a few more fries! - **Beer Battered Fish & Chips** - It was alright, but the fish could have used a bit more seasoning. I tried adding vinegar and tartar sauce, but it still needed a little something--maybe just a pinch of salt! - **Fried Chicken** - Absolutely cooked to perfection! It came with a biscuit, coleslaw, and delicious smashed potatoes with gravy--so good! - **BBQ Pork Belly Nachos** - The portion of these nachos was huge, definitely enough for a meal or perfect for sharing. They were topped with fresh ingredients, making them quite a treat. - **Little Monsters Kids Meal Crisp Shrimp** - A great size for the kids! One of the little ones polished off most of it, with some left for later. A solid choice!Overall, we left feeling really satisfied and already agreed that we'd be back to explore more of the menu. The service was fantastic, the vibes were just right, and the atmosphere was so cool! I really loved how the servers got to express themselves with their own clothing and unique styles. Can't wait to return!

Them "36-Hour Pork Ribs," though. The pork ribs at Culinary Dropout are fall-off-the-bone, drenched in sauce, delicious and decadent -- and slightly spicy from jalapeño. I used at least 10 napkins throughout my meal, because I had no choice but to dig in with my hands and mouth. It was a carnal experience! The ribs come with fries, which you also eat with your hands. Basically, if you get the 36-Hour Pork Ribs here, just be prepared to go for it. This is a hands-on meal.I also got a small Caesar salad, because the Caesar is my litmus test of any new restaurant that offers a Caesar salad on its menu. The Cae sal here is good! It's nicely dressed, with freshly grated parmesan and croutons that aren't too big for my small mouth. I'd get the Caesar salad again with the fries and a glass of red wine at the bar, or a glass of their house sangria, which I tasted. It's called Sweater Weather Sangria, and has spiced peaches and apple brandy in it. Yum.We also got: an appetizer of pork belly nachos (black beans, guacamole, sour cream, pico de gallo); steak frites (simple yet good, and came out medium-well, as ordered, with a small arugula salad); and the M.A.C. Burger (Culinary Dropout's riff on McDonald's Big Mac). My youngest child ordered the macaroni & cheese from the Little Monsters kids' menu. My little monster said that the mac and cheese needed more cheese, and he even mentioned it the next day that his mac and cheese at Culinary Dropout should have been more creamy. Alrighty! I guess he meant it. The kids' menu here is small but covers all the kid bases. They have mac & cheese, as mentioned, plus chicken tenders, a cheeseburger with just meat and cheese, and crispy shrimp. Kid meals are served with fries.Our meal ended with a slice of Mississippi Mud Pie, which we ended up taking to go and sharing at home. It comes with chocolate espresso sauce, which gives it a little coffee kick. Yay, caffeine. I'm so glad that Culinary Dropout has a location here in Indianapolis. I consider this area of Indy -- the neighborhood of Nora -- as my own, even though I don't live here. It makes me very happy to see restaurants like Culinary Dropout coming to this area. I'll definitely be back!

One word: WOW! Absolutely loved this place. We only came for drinks and apps but will be back again for the full experience. Our server was Mack and she was awesome. So fun and knowledgeable and easy to talk to. The first thing you noticed in here is the vibe. It's eclectic and cool. Everyone is dressed different. It's like Gossip Girl meets Gen Z meets 90s.We started with the Evil Jungle Princess and an Old Fashioned. My fiancé thought the Old Fashioned was just like any you would get anywhere. But the Jungle Princess cocktail was super good, especially if you like tiki drinks. And it has a little hint of spice at the end that I love. I also ended with an espresso martini and there's was awesome. It had a strong espresso taste, without being overly bitter.For food, we ordered the pretzels and fondue and the wagyu pigs in a blanket. The wagyu came out first and I was surprised how much I loved them. Pricey, but worth it. And it came with a honey mustard creme fraiche that tasted like a tangy aioli. Then out came the pretzels and fondue. SO good. The order was almost too much for two people. Like if you're looking for a girl dinner, just get the Wagyu and pretzels and you're set for the evening haha. These were really good: a hint of salt, fresh and a good spongy bread, perfect for soaking up some savory cheese.We would 1000% recommend this spot to everyone and can't wait to come back :) I would highly recommend a reservation as well. We had to put our name in and wait about 45-60 minutes

We watched this building being built from them striping out the naturalized grasses to putting down pavement and erecting the steel structure. This city has many empty buildings and ample restaurants, but Nora is trying to upscale and has moved out undesirable business like Global Gifts. A gift shop that sells fair trade items from around the globe. Now on to the restaurant. Interior was cool, but TVs are unnecessary. We aren't fans of live music and the notes one of the singers was trying to hit while singing "Take on Me" were seriously not even close. I did not like the lack of uniformity in the dress code or lack of a dress code by the staff. It was hard to know who was an employee and who the patrons were. They need a shirt a hat an apron or something. The lack of soft surfaces makes it hard to hold a conversation. And hard to hear the servers.The food: We started with the Pretzels and fondue. They were amazingly soft and the fondue was great. We ordered a salad to split. Husband got a burger and fries and he said it had a great char on it. The fries were good. I got Pasta Bolognese and it was also really good. Our salad hadn't shown up by the time our entrees came and our server had to be reminded. It did show up and it was not on the bill. I liked the Caesar salad , husband did not. We went for the monkey bread and we were surprised by the apples under the bread. Husband didn't like the apples but I did. So I ate the apples he ate the bread.Over all great food , great service, too loud to have a conversation, lose the live music, great interior. Nice to try a new place I just don't know what would bring us back.

Culinary Dropout is a nice addition to the Indy food scene. Enjoyed the vibe, service and my meal. I'm also very happy to have a restaurant that's open after 10pm. Our server was super energetic and informative. The Spicy Vegan Curry was delicious with just the right amount of heat. The Fries and house salad were on point. When I ordered my drink I thought it was hand crafted but it was a canned cocktail. They brought the can so it was a happy ending. Looking forward to trying out more on the menu.

Day two, so there was an abundance of employees learning the ropes. We waited about 10 minutes to be seated. Comfortable set up with a reasonable volume. Menu was interesting with standard bar food and some unique offerings. The waitress had tried everything and had plenty of suggestions. The old fashioned was a reliable choice and the recommended abandoned Cadillac was a good margarita. Steak and frites was a hit: tender and well seasoned. The katsu chicken sandwich was interesting and unique- a sweet sandwich. The side salad was very tasty.A nice addition to the neighborhood.

Great first visit all around. Love the whole vibe, especially the chandeliers. My friend and I were there for brunch -- we each got a mimosa (Boozy Bellini for me, Pom Passion for her), both very good and not too sweet. To start, we shared the soft pretzel balls with cheese fondue, adorably presented in a candle warmer to keep the cheese from clumping. A thoughtful touch. My breakfast burrito was hearty and delicious, filled with scrambled eggs, sausage, potatoes with cheese and salsa on top, guac and sour cream on the side. I finished half and took half home. My friend really liked her butternut squash kale salad -- a creative chopped combination with grains, mulberries, dates and pistachios for crunch. We were too full to sample dessert, but each took a piece of Mississippi Mud Pie home, which I'm looking forward to eating tonight. Mark Twain (yes, that's his name!) was a fantastic server with great suggestions. Will definitely go back again, probably for happy hour! The cocktail list sounds very, very tempting.

Still dreaming about the Mongolian Short Rib! This new spot in Indy has been getting a lot of hype on social media, and rightfully so. The menu is unique and expansive. I tried the short rib and it was bursting with flavor, probably one of my favorite dishes I've had at a restaurant. We also got the Asian salad, chicken cacio e pepe, and the steak frites and everything tasted great. The service was quick and it was nice that the manager came out to greet people and make sure everyone was taken care of. The vibes are also super cool with these gorgeous chandeliers! We got quoted a 2.5 hour wait on a Friday night, but it ended up being only an hour and it was so worth it.