In September, Indianapolis Colts Grille will open in the former Hoosier Park Racing and Casino’s off-track betting facility in Claypool Court. Rather than being the love child of some diehard Colts fan with a gourmand’s passion, the restaurant is owned by G.R.E.A.T Grille Group, a Florida-based company that runs other athlete-themed restaurants around the country, including Eddie George’s Sports Grille in Nashville, Tennessee; Jeff Conine’s Clubhouse Grill in Hollywood, Florida; Eddie George’s Grille 27 in Columbus, Ohio; and Jerome Bettis Grille 36 in Pittsburgh. To get a bead on the restaurant’s true-blue intentions, we asked co-owner Bob McCarthy what he has planned for the spot.
Why the Colts?
We have other NFL-themed restaurants. This is the first that we co-branded with a team as opposed to an athlete. There’s a lot going on in Indianapolis. It’s a great city. I don’t think you could pick a more successful and well-developed sports franchise than the Indianapolis Colts.
What will the decor be?
It’s an upscale sports-themed restaurant. Gender neutral, with over-the-top audio-visual presentation: 60 HD flat-screen TVs, a few 3D projector TVs, and eight 65-inch TVs directly over the bar. You will feel like you are at Lucas Oil Stadium. Projection screens will show sporting events in 3D.
Any specialty dishes?
Eighty percent of the food is the same food as our other restaurants. Twenty percent is modified for the location.
Who is your favorite Colts player?
Who doesn’t like Peyton Manning?
