Bub's Burgers and Ice Cream
Topic: Restaurants
Posted: Sun, Feb 6, 2005 
Situated right off the Monon on Main Street in downtown Carmel, Bubs is a popular lunch location, especially for (as my friend Mike pointed out) beefy white guys in corporate attire. It was so popular that we had to put our name in and wait fifteen minutes to get a table, and because we specified "first available" we ended up outside in the heated, awning-covered outdoor area, which was fairly comfortable even in February.
Bub's draw is their one pound "Big Ugly" burger (that's the after cooking weight; the before cooking is a whopping 22 ounces) which will gain you a memorial photo on the wall if you can finish the whole thing. Personally, I think that might be so they can identify you later when you keel over from a heart attack, but they advertise it as a good thing. A couple of my co-workers have met the challenge, and a couple of them have failed miserably, although they talked big about it afterwards ("Well, you know, I could have done that if I hadn't had such a big dinner last night, harumph, harumph." Yeah, right.)
The display of "Big Ugly Champions" photos covers three walls of the restaurant, so the challenge isn't impossible to surmount. Given that the restaurant opened in May of 2003, there seem to be a lot of champions, and I wonder where they're going to go with the photos in a few more years.
I didn't even bother with the big talk, and just went for the quarter pound "Settle for Less Ugly" burger, although I put a twist on it and ordered Elk rather than regular beef. Bub's is offering Elk burgers on a trial basis to gage whether it's popular enough to put it on their regular menu. It is healthier than beef, with less fat, calories and cholesterol, so it's a nice alternative for people with diet concerns. I just wanted to taste Elk.
I ordered my burger medium, and with lettuce, onion, pickle, mayo and pepperjack cheese. I also ordered a side of sloppy waffles; waffle fries with a topping of cheese, bacon and sour cream.
The Elk tasted a bit different than beef; a bit sweeter and not as tangy. I had arrived with a craving for a good juicy burger, so I was a bit disappointed, but I don't blame the Elk for that. It wasn't gamey or unpleasant, and I'd vote in favor of them keeping it on the menu.
By the time I got around to eating my sloppy waffles, they were rather cold due to the temperature of the outdoor seating, and the cheese was more like cheese whiz than the melted cheddar that I was hoping for. That didn't stop me from eating them all, though.
Mike had the The Mahi Mahi fish sandwich, which he reports was "a big slab o' fishly goodness barely contained between two slices of tangy Foccacia bread." It was served with a peach-mango salsa and Mike had the cole slaw as a side. Judge for yourself from the photo; it was the biggest piece of fish I've ever seen in a sandwich.
The menu features three burger sizes (one pound, half pound and quarter pound sizes), and other menu items are hot dogs and chili, a chicken sandwich and salad, and pie and brownie dessert. With only a salad on the non-meat side of things, Bub's may not be a regular stop for you if you have a vegetarian with your regular lunch party as we do.
Bub's has an ice cream shop in the front of the building that's a draw for the Monon crowd, and they also feature entertainment in the evenings, with some comedy shows scheduled and live music planned for Saturday evenings in the Spring.
Location
Bub's Burgers and Ice Cream
210 West Main St
Carmel, IN
317-706-2687
http://www.bubsburgersandicecream.com/
Lunch, 11:30 a.m., Friday February 4, 2005
Ratings
Food: 
Service:
Atmosphere:
Outdoor seating would be great in spring, but not February
Price: $$
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Comments
1. Feb 15, 05 07:07 AM | Michael Packer said:
Evidently Bubs features live entertainment! Kristi Lee (Q95 - The Bob & Tom Show) will be at Bubs with comedian Dave Dugan on Saturday February 19th starting at 9pm. At least that's what Kristi said this morning. Give Bub's a call to confirm.
2. Mar 12, 05 10:49 PM | Steve Straiger said:
I'm so disappointed I couldn't make the trip with you guys for this review. Being a member of the "Big Ugly" Wall of Fame 3 times over... I would have loved to make it #4.
I give Bub's a Big Thumbs up on the Clog Your Arteries Ranking! And yes their non-elk burgers really are outstanding!
3. Dec 24, 05 08:05 PM | Michelle said:
Bub's is amazing... great food, great service and the owner, Matt Frey, an all-around nice guy. I definitely recommend this place for a nice family dinner. Best burger I've ever had, no joke!
4. Sep 3, 06 07:25 PM | Luke Wiesbrock said:
Let me just tell you how awesome your place is! I came to Indy for the weekend to visit some family and the big event of the weekend was to accomplish the Big Ugly. It was my cousin's third and my brother and my first. Despite the daunting task we accomplished it! Most places you go you have a un-tasty burger thrown down in front of you, if you finish it good but if you don't no big deal you can always say the taste is what made you fail. With you guys there is no excuse, the taste of the Big Ugly was probably one of the best i've had! Thanks guys can't say enough of your place!
Always a Fan!
Luke Wiesbrock
P.S. my cousin goes there every week he's already eaten three big ugly's!
5. Nov 28, 06 10:56 AM | allison martin said:
bubs is great
6. Jan 27, 09 10:31 PM | lukas said:
wow, man, i had that last year (om 15 now) and was able to eat it ( with a few breaks and a R&R) too bad i wasn't the youngest :( but my mom was wierded out when she saw the size of the big ugly, my grampa was socked, and i was exited 9 i didn't eat luch so i was hungry anyways. for my drink i had rootbeer (im addicted to it)
7. Jan 27, 09 10:32 PM | lukas said:
wow, man, i had that last year (im 15 now) and was able to eat it ( with a few breaks and a R&R) too bad i wasn't the youngest :( but my mom was wierded out when she saw the size of the big ugly, my grampa was socked, and i was exited 9 i didn't eat luch so i was hungry anyways. for my drink i had rootbeer (im addicted to it)
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