Binkley's: Two Strikes and Counting

Posted: Wed, Dec 22, 2004

It's rare for a non-chain restaurant to open in Indy these days, but what's a girl to do when you can't get in the front door?

Binkley's Kitchen and Bar I was excited when they started renovation at the corner of College and Kessler, in the building that used to house the Pawn Shop Pub (smoky and greasy, but memorable because that's where I went on the afternoon of September 11 to drink scotch with friends and stare dumbfounded at the TV). I was more excited when I saw that it was a restaurant. Was that a bar? Did I see plans for outdoor seating? Yes! My enthusiasm waned when I saw the signage (cheesy) and name. Binkley's? Why not just call is Chotchkie’s or Flinger's? I understand that it's an historic reference but still. It's not a good name. Not even for a dog, let alone a restaurant.

So, I've tried to eat there twice. The first time was 7:30 on a Saturday, with no reservation. Foolish. Parking was abominable and there was a 1 1/2 hour wait. I'm happy that the place is being received with enthusiasm but I could have done without the blank dumb stare from the host. (Hi. We have two? For dinner? You know, eating with forks? Can you seat us? Bueller?) We bailed and went to the Corner Wine Bar (quite tasty).

The second time was lunch on a Tuesday. Again, we were flummoxed by parking. The back parking lot was full, and that's a tricky location for overflow. Are you allowed to park in the gas station/garage parking lot? What about SBC? Will they tow after hours? Unfortunately, you can't sneak around the corner and park in the neighborhood (like you can at the Aristrocrat) because there simply isn't any neighborhood parking nearby. So, we went down the street and ate at Naked Tchopstix instead (also tasty).

I'll make another run at it sometime soon. Here's hoping the food and service can live down the dumb name.

UPDATE: Jen finally got a chance to eat at Binkley's and review it a few weeks later.

Comments

1. Feb 4, 05 09:54 AM | jaq nigg said:

Can you include restaurant contact information with the reviews?

Thanks!
Jaq

2. Feb 4, 05 01:10 PM | Steph Mineart said:

Binkley's Kitchen and Bar
5902 N. College Ave
(317) 722-8888

Sorry, normally Jen does include this information on her restaurant reviews, but because she hasn't had a chance eat there yet (she's out of town) she didn't include it.

3. Feb 4, 05 01:37 PM | Steph Mineart said:

I know Jen didn't like the sign, but I enjoyed the way they incorporated the 20's era deco pole and round covering above the door that was part of the historic building. There are several old buildings with that sort of entry design in Indianapolis, on college and on Meridian street, especially downtown. (I thought about taking pictures of all of them for a photo project). I also loved the restoration job they did; they replaced all the windows and the storefront, but did in in a style that fit with the old building. I haven't had a chance to eat here yet (I was part of the lunch outing that ended up at Naked Tchopstix instead) but I'm looking forward to trying it out.

4. Jan 23, 06 12:04 PM | Todd Courtney said:

I loved Binkley's. Great food and excellent service. The inside is very nicely done. Jennifer needs to cut them some slack, it's more than worth the wait!

5. Jan 27, 06 10:37 AM | Steph Mineart said:

Not for me, Todd. I've tried to get in there twice since, and have never been able to get a parking spot. I've given up.

Read Jen's actual review after she was able to eat there:

http://www.indyscribe.com/restaurants/binkleys.html

6. Jan 10, 07 04:58 PM | Jerome said:

I've eatin their twice, never impressed by the food.

The second time I got a cajun rubbed chicken breast type dish. It wasn't even something they cooked, you could tell that it came off a production line with fake black char lines drawn on it and a spray on coating of cajun spice. It was too spicey to eat, and dryer than a piece of show leather as though it had been freeze dried and heated back up with a hair dryer.

Never eating there again.

7. Jan 11, 07 07:44 AM | Steph Mineart said:

We managed to eat there finally this past weekend. I'm going to add my comments to Jen's actual review, as linked above in Comment #5.

8. Nov 16, 07 05:52 PM | Craig Binkley said:

I would like to try the restaraunt only for the name. Thanks alot for insulting my name, Jen!

9. Apr 27, 09 04:08 PM | ellaelax-rq said:

10. Apr 27, 09 04:09 PM | ellaelax-rq said:

11. Apr 27, 09 04:09 PM | ellaelax-rq said:

12. Apr 27, 09 04:09 PM | ellaelax-rq said:

13. Apr 27, 09 04:09 PM | ellaelax-rq said:

14. Apr 27, 09 09:15 PM | ellaelax-zg said:

15. Apr 27, 09 09:15 PM | ellaelax-zg said:

16. Apr 27, 09 09:16 PM | ellaelax-zg said:

17. Feb 22, 10 02:09 AM | Yogi said:

Nobody goes there anymore - it's too crowded!

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Binkley's at last. As before, parking was atrocious and the wait was quoted at "55 minutes" but unlike my previous attempts, we actually gutted it out and found ourselves eating a meal. Was the wait worth it? In a word,... [Read More]

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