Loughmiller's Pub and Eatery Review

Date: 03/04/25

Restaurant Name: Loughmiller's Pub and Eatery

Address: 301 W Washington Ave Indianapolis, IN 46204

Phone Number: 317-638-7380

Email Address: Joe@loughmillerspub.com

About: Joe Loughmiller Stacy was a Scotch-Irishman dedicated to the idea that to be a true Irishman you needed a beer in one hand and a cigar in the other. A belief that was strongly reinforced by service in France in World War I, where he perfected his fondness for wine (as well as beer), women, and a good cigar. Joe, who lived to be 90, attributed his longevity to these habits. He left behind many a tall tale, an empty seat at his favorite bar—and a spirit that lives on at Loughmiller’s. Situated in front of the Indiana State House, Loughmiller's has become an unofficial annex to the State House. On any given day, you'll find gatherings of legislators, lobbyists, and tourists. For this review, we were joined by our friend Donny Brewer, a patty melt connoisseur in his own right.

Authenticity: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️★

Their patty melt was rye bread, grilled onions, and swiss cheese, as well as Thousand Island dressing. There was also a piece of American cheese on the bottom of the patty melt, which is not part of the traditional recipe.

Taste: ⭐️⭐️⭐️★★

Loughmiller's patty melt was average tasting because there were some small details that dampened our experience. For one thing, the rye bread was slightly stale, which made every bite less satisfying. In addition, the patty was not formed to the shape of the bread, which made it difficult to get a bite of all the ingredients together.

Value: ⭐️⭐️⭐️★★

The price was $15 for the patty melt, including a side. This was pretty good value, but not a bargain, due to the quality of the patty melt.

Ambiance: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️★

Nice. This is a tavern, so it was no surprise that it was busy, being across the street from the State House at lunch time. That being said, while it was a buzz of activity, we were still able to carry on a conversation. Unfortunately, our server mixed up our order, but we were able to shuffle fries from one plate to another.

Total Experience: ⭐️⭐️⭐️★★

Both the service and the food were average. Our server was pleasant, and we were able to carry on a conversation inside. There's a lot to like about Loughmiller's, particularly the fun posters on the walls and the interesting mix of patrons. When we return, we'll pass on the Patty Melt in favor of the Bacon Jam Burger.

Summary: Loughmiller's is a fun establishment, but its patty melt leaves a bit to be desired. In terms of patty melts that come with a great tavern experience, we would still recommend Dooley O'Toole's or the Friendly Tavern- both four star experiences.

Leadership Lessons: Here’s my leadership lesson from our visit to Loughmiller’s: even when circumstances are disappointing, having loyal friends by your side and in your corner can overcome the disappointment. It was a treat to have our friend and colleague Donny Brewer accompany us on this quest. We had high expectations for our lunch at Loughmiller’s, and indeed the experience was enjoyable because of Donny’s comradery.