The Ice House, 2352 S. West St. is still one of my favorite places, although I wasn't as happy with my last visit as I usually am. It's a stand-alone building in a primarily industrial area near the White River, and that's part of its charm, really. It looks rather like an old-fashioned ice house of yore, with barn wood outside, a metal(?) roof, and a big cooler-style front door. There are a few neon signs on the sides and just a little lighted hanging sign out front, so driving by you might miss it if you're not looking for it. Inside is all rustic wood paneling and antique sign decor, including numerous really cool old neon signs. There is a small family dining room along one side (so kids can be admitted, I guess: I've never seen anyone in there), and a long bar along the other side with a mirror behind it that is almost as long. The only problem is that the furniture and the fixtures are showing a little dust and age, and on this unseasonably warm and humid Friday afternoon in January there was a hint of a sort of musty old-wood smell that was a little less than pleasant. I don't think they used to have a lot of smoke in there like Bailey's on Bluff did, but they may also be suffering (albeit not as much) from newly detectable odors apparent after Indy's recently enacted smoking ban removed the mask of smoke smell. Either way, this time the place had a general appearance (perhaps undeserved, but with broken cabinet doors, a lot of dim lighting and a number of neon signs either not working or just not lighted, it gave the impression) of shabbiness. I had heard (and not from a particularly credible source) that The Ice House might be up for sale, but Joy, one of the owners, was busy eating with some friends/regulars and I didn't want to bother her, so I dunno for sure if maybe they're letting some things go in anticipation of an impending departure or not.
The main reason for going to the Ice House, however, is still there-- a comfortable ambiance, great reasonably priced food, and decent beer & drink prices and specials. One of our buds has gone there every Wednesday lunch for years to get the steak filet special, which was delicious and a great value for the money the last time I was there. We had another engagement to attend, so we didn't eat there on this most recent occasion, but I saw possibly the biggest breaded tenderloin sandwich I've ever seen pass by on the way to someone's table, and it looked and smelled deeeeelectable. You can see into the kitchen from the bar, too, and I must say it looked very clean and there was nothing shabby about that area. The Little Woman and I split a decent-sized pitcher of Amber Bock for a really good price, too, so I'm not giving up on this favorite haunt. As General MacArthur said, I SHALL RETURN!
UPDATE, 02/21/2014: The Ice House has been sold, effective (I think) 02/26/14. The current owner had a stroke in January, sorry to say. He's doing okay but decided the place was too much for his present condition. Let's hope the new proprietor can continue the old traditions and come up with some new ones, like cleaning/fixing up the lovably eccentric decor. To be continued....
UPDATE, 02/21/2014: The Ice House has been sold, effective (I think) 02/26/14. The current owner had a stroke in January, sorry to say. He's doing okay but decided the place was too much for his present condition. Let's hope the new proprietor can continue the old traditions and come up with some new ones, like cleaning/fixing up the lovably eccentric decor. To be continued....
