Review: New Bethel Ordinary
Author: Smokin DB | Filed under: Food Reviews, Location: Indianapolis, IN
New Bethel Ordinary
8838 Southeastern Avenue
Indianapolis (Wannamaker), Indiana 46259
http://www.nbopizza.net
New Bethel Ordinary. Interesting name. I’m sure there is a story there and I vaguely recall reading something about it on the menu, but I don’t have a clear recollection so let’s get to the food.
What I Ate: Open Faced Manhattan; $9.95. You can order this with either beef or turkey and I had the beef.
This is one of those meals that I don’t eat often but sometimes I see it on a menu and it just hits me that I have to have it. When done well, it can be a wholly satisfying experience. This was not one of those times. The menu states that the beef is “Fresh Sliced.” I’d be surprised if that was the case as it appeared to be the same type of “Beef” that is low deli grade. Essentially, it was chopped beef slurry that was poured into a bag and baked. Think Arby’s, but not as tasty. Sometimes this dish can be rescued by the star of the show that is the gravy. Unfortunately this gravy had just one flavor profile: salt. The potatoes were stiff and passable but this was truly a disappointment. If not for the incredibly hot waitress, this would have been the most disappointing meal in a long time for me. By the way, I’m talking, “What are you doing in Wanamaker hot.”
Would I Buy It Again? Nope. NBO, as the place likes to refer to itself, boasts about its pizza quite a bit and I’ve had it. That’s why I went with the Beef Manhattan on this most recent visit. When I drive by NBO at lunch time during the week or evenings on the weekend it seems to be packed. What the hell am I missing? I keep thinking that there must be something on the menu that is insanely good to bring the crowds. It’s nearly driving me to distraction. The truth most likely is that there just isn’t much in term of competition nearby. Whatever the case, I’m thinking one more try…
-SmokinDB
Tags: beef manhattan, Food, new bethel ordinary, Pizza, wannamaker
The pizza is good if you like a lot of toppings and something with a homemade taste rather than all the chain junk out there!
You know, I have friends who just RAVE about this place, and, like you, I just don’t get it. They told me it was the best pizza I would ever taste, and I thought it was just so-so. And it’s the same with the rest of the menu, to me. It’s edible and filling, but nothing special.
Rick and Lauren thanks for the comments.
I have had the pizza and I found it to be truly mediocre. True it had a lot of toppings but the taste was still oddly bland.
I just don’t get it.
is that a hot dog poking out on the left? (that’s what she said) but seriously??
so far as beef manhattans, my favorite in town is at GT Souths
I had to look this up to see what it was. I never heard of a beef Manhattan. (and thought I saw a hot dog in that mess too) Apparently it is the same as the open faced sandwich we have on the East Coast. It does look terrible but I would think at the right place it would be the perfect comfort food.
Dude, you answered your own question in the article. The only reason it is packed is because of the hot waitress. I’m thinking of making a trip out there for lunch myself now!
Heavy pizza. Non-chain, but non-distinguished as well. The pizza used to take 30-40 minutes to bake from when it is ordered.