RALPH'S GREAT DIVIDE...GREAT FOOD IN LOCKERBIE

DON'T BLINK....IF YOU DO WHILE DRIVING EAST ON NEW YORK STREET AROUND LOCKERBIE SQUARE, JUST EAST OF DOWNTOWN INDIANAPOLIS, YOU ARE LIKELY TO MISS RALPH'S GREAT DIVIDE.  AND THAT WOULD BE A MAJOR LOSS FOR YOU.  THE RATHER NON-DESCRIPT YELLOW AND RED EXTERIOR NEVER EVEN TEASES YOU AS TO THE PRETTY AMAZING CULINARY GOINGS ON INSIDE.  READ THEIR HISTORY AND CATCH UP ON WHAT'S BEEN GOING ON HERE FOR DECADES, IF YOU WANT, BUT JUST GET THERE AND DON'T BE LEFT OUT!  THE FRONT OF THE HOUSE IS A SMALL DINING AREA WITH SEATING FOR 20 OR SO AND A PIANO FOR SING ALONG NIGHTS!  THE BACK BAR AREA HAS ABOUT THE SAME AMOUNT OF SEATING WITH TONS OF FUN STUFF TO GAZE AT ON THE WALLS, AROUND THE BAR....WELL, PRETTY MUCH EVERYWHERE.  AT FIRST GLANCE THE MENU PROBABLY SCREAMS "GOOD AMERICAN FARE" WHICH IS TRUE, BUT THE SECRETS AT RALPH'S ARE A BIT MORE SUBTLE.  THE OUTSTANDING QUALITY OF THEIR BEEF, THE HOMEMADE SALAD DRESSINGS, THE MADE IN HOUSE BOURBON BAKED HAM, OFF THE CHART DESSERTS, AND THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.  EVERY DAY HAS A DIFFERENT AND COMPLETE LUNCH AND DINNER SPECIAL.  I HAVE BEEN ALL OVER THE MENU AND I HAVE NEVER HAD ANYTHING THAT WAS LESS THAN VERY GOOD.  THE STAND OUTS ARE THE THE BEEF TENDERLOIN TIPS.  OMFG THEY ARE TO DIE FOR.  ALSO IN THE STELLAR CATEGORY IS THE HOT POT AUG, THEIR SUPER RICH CREAM OF POTATO, CHEESY CONCOCTION THAT CAN BE TURNED INTO HOT POT PIG WITH BACON FOR ONLY A FEW CENTS MORE.  THEY ARE ALSO FAMOUS FOR THEIR COCONUT CREAM PIE.  FULL BAR SERVICE IS OFFERED, AS WELL, WITH A KICK YOUR FACE IN SPICY BLOODY MARY BEING THE STAND OUT.  SEVERAL LOCAL BEERS ARE AVAILABLE BUT THE LAST TIME I ASKED THERE WAS NOTHING ON TAP.  SAD.  ALSO OBVIOUSLY MISSING ARE ANY VEGETARIAN OFFERINGS OTHER THAN AN APPETIZER OR SALAD HERE AND THERE.  AS FRIENDLY AS THE STAFF IS AT RALPH'S IT WOULDN'T SURPRISE ME IF THE WIZARDS IN THE KITCHEN COULDN'T WHIP UP SOMETHING FOR THE VEGGIE DINER.  THE SERVICE AT RALPH'S IS RELAXED BUT ATTENTIVE.  THE PIANO GETS IN GEAR ON MONDAY AND FRIDAY NIGHTS AND IT GETS CROWDED AND STAYS THAT WAY, SO CALL AHEAD. OUTDOOR DINING IS AVAILABLE, WEATHER PERMITTING.  ENJOY!