Review: Big Mike’s Cafe Americana
Author: WIBIA | Filed under: Food Reviews, Location: Indianapolis, IN, Tenderloin of the Month
Big Mike’s Cafe Americana
9611 College Ave.
Indianapolis, IN 46280
http://www.bigmikescafeamericana.com
Big Mike’s is a new restaurant in the area located at 96th and College in the former Tomato Pie spot. I was glad to see something else go in there as Tomato Pie never did anything for me. We ordered lunch in lunch at work and I wasn’t sure what to try. The menu is full of club sandwiches and burgers, but once I saw a tenderloin, the choice was easy.
What I Ate: Breaded Tenderloin sandwich and fries, $6.99.
The tenderloin came with lettuce, tomato and red onion with few things out of the norm. The tenderloin appeared to be panko breaded. I pretty much like anything that is panko breaded, so I liked this variation. The meat was pink. I believe that it was cooked long enough because it was temperature hot, but it didn’t have the normal gray look to the meat. This didn’t bother me at all as I thought that the meat was a notch above on quality. The sandwich was served on a pretzel roll. I also like pretzel rolls, however, this didn’t work for me at all. I found it to be too chewy and it took away from a really tasty tenderloin.
The fries were cold and without any seasoning.
Would I Buy It Again? Sure. This was a very fresh and tasty tenderloin with a lot of homemade love. You can tell that Big Mike’s is trying hard and put a lot of thought into putting their own stamp on this tenderloin. It was a perfect lunch size, but smaller than a normal tenderloin. Not the best that I have had, but well above average. I would give it a 7.5/10.
-wibia
Tags: big mike's cafe americana, Food, Tenderloin of the Month
Hmm, will have to give this a look.
That’s a place I’ve been meaning to go and just haven’t done it. Was there an option besides the pretzel bread?
I have tried the place a couple of times and have not been impressed. The first time I went I had the lunch buffet, and it was not very good pizza on the buffet. The second time I ordered the horseshoe the burger was not good nor was it cooked all the way.
I understand that places can have day days, but usually two trips is all I’m willing to give a place.
@Brent. Not sure, I had it take out and I just wrote down what I wanted.
@Lance. Do they still have a lunch buffet? How much was it? People at work go there here and there. I don’t think that it will knock anyone’s socks off, but should be a serviceable, cheap option for the area.
@Leslie- You should…don’t let me tell you one way or another.
@WIBIA – I’m not sure how much the buffet was, but lit looks like they still have it (since my experiences I haven’t been for a couple of months). But they do have buy one get one buffet coupons at coupons4indy …. http://www.coupons4indy.com/AcctCoupons-119626.113129-Big-Mikes-Cafe-Americana.html
or $1 off the lunch buffet.
I think I went right after they opened, maybe they have gotten the kinks out of their system… I might give them another try at some point.
Glad to hear I didn’t miss anything with Tomato Pie. I’ve got to say, the pretzel roll with a tenderloin is really throwing me off. I’m a huge fan of pretzel rolls, but it doesn’t seem to work for me…may have to go and try something else. Thanks for posting!
I love love love the tenderloin. We tried it because the Tenderloin guy gave it 5 out of 5 bites. It seems to have a touch of garlic which kicks it up a notch. The pretzel roll is different but in a good way. I couldn’t see eating the tenderloin on anything but the roll. I also think that the lunch buffet has some of the best pizza in town. What else could you ask for Pizza, Pasta, Soup, and Salad all you can eat for $7.49 seems like a VERY REASONABLE price. My husband has had there Lasagna and Ravioli and said it was to die for. If you haven’t tried there Garlic Parm knots you don’t know what you are missing.