I was excited to hear that Man v. Food was coming to Indy.  I have watched every show since the show started and I would easily say that I am a fan.  However, they really dropped the ball on Indy…or should I say crashed and burned since they tried to reference the race…at every turn.  Let’s take a close look at every segment.

Edwards Drive-In
I have been there pre-blog and there is a reason why I haven’t returned.  Let’s reference this post by our dear friend The Tenderloin Connoisseur.

He gave the tenderloin a 3/5 and said that he wouldn’t drive across town for it.  Just like every review on his site, I agree 100%.  Also, why would they freeze a fresh cut tenderloin?  The term “Frozen Pork Fritter” is a dirty word in these parts and it’s almost as bad as “Kelvin Sampson.”

With that being said, WouldIBuyItAgain.com will promise to review or make a segment called “Tenderloin of the Month” from here on out.  I would like to restore some confidence back in our state sandwich.

[Editor's Note:  We will run our first Tenderloin of the Month review on Monday.]

Grays Brothers Cafeteria
Here is my review.

I understand the story of telling about a down-home-cafeteria-style-middle-America-meal, etc. (good idea).  However…MEATLOAF?  We are now known for f’ing meatloaf?!?!

Not to mention, if you are going to be on TV mixing meat, wear gloves!  The strawberry pie was lame too…strawberries with…a strawberry glaze and homemade whipped cream.  One guy on the show said that he drove twenty miles for the pies…really?!  So you are telling me that you can’t make that pie?!  Trust me, it is easy as…pie!!

Bub’s Burgers & Ice Cream
Here is my review.

For two years, I literally lived one hundred yards from Bub’s…and I went there ONLY four times.  In one of those times, both IndianapolisEater and I easily conquered The Big Ugly (one burger each).  Despite that, I am not going to really rip on this choice.  There are very few eating challenges in this city and The Big Ugly is the king.  Bub’s gets a good amount of hype and is in the perfect location.

However, I am disappointed in Adam’s effort. The burger patty is 22 ounces pre-cooked, he completed 2.25 burgers.  That is three pounds of meat and maybe and extra pound of toppings and bread.  LAME!!!  This is coming from a guy that has ate a four pound milk shake (in addition to a large sandwich with it) and consistently eats five pounds plus.  To me, this is him just not giving a shit and wanting to get out of town.  I have never seen him perform so poorly at a challenge.

Therefore, I am starting a challenge to the beloved WIBIA army. Eat more than Adam at Bub’s…and you will get your picture on the blog and a special Hall of Fame section solely for you.

In a weird way, I am disappointed in Man v. Food.  It was a poor attempt to showcase this city.  Honestly, I think Kendra “Having a Baby” showcased the city better than Man v. food.

Next week, I’ll show you a review of another place that Man v. Food visited that Adam was reallly excited about (Phoenix episode).   I have been to five Man v. Food restaurants and I’ve liked only one of them quite a bit (Ike’s Place in San Francisco).  

All in all, I know that I am playing arm chair quarterback here (race theme = back seat driver), but there was a better story to tell about the city.  How about the Tenderloin at Big Daddy’s (S. Meridian), Shrimp Cocktail at St. Elmo’s (spicy tradition) and then wrap it up with Bub’s? 

Rant over.

-wibia

sorry about the camera phone.

Bubs Burgers and Ice Cream
210 W. Main St.
Carmel, IN 46032
http://www.bubsburgersandicecream.com/

I have been here about four times before including one time where IndianapolisEater and I threw down a Big Ugly each.  When I married my wife, I told her that our life will be full of many times that she would be proud of me…that was one of them.

Bub’s is right off the Monon trail and crazy busy on the weekend… it is not uncommon to have an hour wait.

What I Ate: Not So Ugly ½ lb.  $7.25

Large basket of waffle fries $2.10

I got it loaded with lettuce, grilled red onion, tomato, and pickles.  You can choose between American, Swiss, Cheddar, Pepper Jack.  I chose PJ (two slices) and ordered it medium.  The burger looked good, toasted bun and all the right elements.  However, it was overcooked and no pink to be found except toward one corner.  Onions were not cooked long enough to be caramelized, they lacked the sweetness that I desired.  I ate one half with A1 and the other with Ketchup and Mustard.

Waffles fries were dark, however there were crispy and soft.  No complaints here, but I wish they had an option for garlic fries or something out of the ordinary.

Would I Buy It Again? No.  Bubs is ridiculously inconsistent and this was an off night.  My Big Ugly was ok and though I have had a few burgers there, but never anything that I loved.  If this was my first visit, there would never be another one. 

To be fair, it is not horrible, but there is nothing special here. The only hook/gimic they have is the Monon Trail. I can find a better and cheapr burger at many other palces in the city. However, the Big Ugly is a fun eating challenge in Indy and they are pretty rare.

Dig it!
-WIBIA

Note: Bub’s Big Ugle challenge was featured on Travel Channel’s Man V. Food – Indianapolis on 8/18/2010.