Best American Restaurant in Indianapolis

Q: Where are you located?

We are located in Indianapolis, IN at 1146 Kentucky Ave

Hearty Home-Style Fix

Hearty Tradition, Timeless Comfort

At John's Famous Stew, we serve up hearty, old-school American comfort food with a side of nostalgia and genuine warmth, crafting every dish like it’s a meal shared with family. Come experience our legendary stew and giant tenderloins that have been bringing the community together since the 1910s.

Great people! Great food! First off the Stew is amazing, reminds me so much of my dad's stew I had growing up. I personally like the Hot version. You can't go wrong with any dish here, the cabbage roll is off the hook, the tenderloin is huge, crispy, meaty, and delicious. Try the tenderloin supreme! You get the stew on top of the tenderloin, best for both worlds!!!

Michael M.

I've seen this place for years. Decided to try it because I wanted a giant pork tenderloin sandwich. It was the best one I've ever had all over Indiana. I was HUGE even as Hoosier tenderloins go. Served In a pizza box! Definitely going back soon

Timothy P.

The southwest part of downtown Indy is largely industrial but you’ve most likely driven by John’s Famous Stew, a true dive that has been open since the 1910s. I saw it on a Google search and it looked great so we decided to stop in. Came on a Saturday at around 2:30 PM and they weren’t busy. Our waitress was super friendly and attentive to our table. The overall vibe of the place is very vintage, and looks like a true dive. I got the breaded tenderloin sandwich with fries as my entree. I was overall impressed! The size of it was insane! Overall, it tasted good, and the fries were decent. I also had a bite of the classic stew my parents got along with the bowl of chili. The stew was great and the chili was fantastic too! Pro tip: dip your tenderloin in either of these, it makes it even better! Overall, if you’re on the near southwest side looking for a cool longtime dive, John’s Famous stew gets a high recommendation from me! I’ll be back.

The F.

John’s Stew is an unassuming little spot that instantly gives off a nostalgic vibe — from the vintage Coke machine to the classic furnishings, it feels like stepping back in time. The star of the show, of course, is their Famous Stew, which comes in mild, medium, or hot. I went for it, and it was absolutely phenomenal — rich, hearty, and full of flavor. The service was just okay, nothing to write home about, but honestly, the stew more than made up for it. I’ll definitely be back — next time, I’ve got my eye on that giant pork tenderloin!

Melissa M.