Bru Burger Bar

Bru burger is probably on the cusp of 4 stars but just not quite there. It was our third choice for lunch on a warm winter day. Kudos to them on their winter outdoor seating complete with outside heaters. Another bonus was we could have our two dogs outside with us. The wait staff were not bothered at all by our furry lunch mates.
We managed to luck into «devour downtown» which was good and bad. They were out of the pretzel appetizer which may have cost them that missing star. Pretzels should be a food group unto them self and running out does not bode well.
The burger was cooked properly. Nice to know some chefs understand what medium rare means and be confident in their meat supply to cook it that way. The blacked tuna was not nearly blackened enough.
The fries were fine but nothing special. The shame is that the homemade catsup was special and deserved a better fry to show it off. It found a happy home on my burger and the fries were thoroughly enjoyed by the dogs.
The cheesecake didn’t taste homemade but was ok. Milkshake was a far more enjoyable after dinner treat.

This place smells so great right when you walk in. It’s the perfect place to be on a Saturday afternoon or evening while Bru Burger and Mass Ave. is charged with activity.
We had a 25 minute wait which was fine with us, we would gladly sniff the air in there for 25 minutes.
I had the namesake Bru Burger which was cooked just right and had grilled onions, bacon, cheese, tomato jam, and shredded lettuce (the only way lettuce on a hamburger should be). It was messy and I ate every single bite. The husband had the bourbon burger and was in hamburger happiness. We shared an order of fries which had I known would come with homemade ketchup, I would have gotten my own. I took way more than my share and I feel no shame.

Bru Burger has an atmosphere like no other. When you walk in you immediately smell the great food and see friendly people. All guests in the restaurant seem to be having a great time and good service. The design of the restaurant makes it seem like it’s a fancy restaurant, but its very laid back and chill. Outside of their restaurant, they have a really cool wall that has their name in a really cool font and layout. It gets your attention and invites you in.
The restaurant’s service is great! I have never had a bad experience with a server or host/​hostess. When you walk in, there is always a smiling face greeting you. They immediately greet you when you walk in and make you feel welcome. The outstanding service goes on. The server also makes you feel very welcome. Every time they greet you at the table, they ask, «Have you guys been to Bru before?» My first time there, I said no and they walked me through the menu and gave me suggestions on what to get. Not every time, but most times that I have been there, the manager will come by and ask how everything is going. I believe that this is very important to customer service. You don’t see a manager walking around their restaurants many times. This makes me feel like they care about what is going on around their restaurant and want to make it better!
The food is AWESOME! Their burgers are amazing and cooked just how you want them. There are all kinds of burgers, so you can pretty much get anything you want. But they don’t only have burgers. I believe they have salads and different sandwiches. I have no tried anything but a burger and fries. But let me tell you that it’s worth going just for that! I work in a restaurant and food presentation is always important. Bru Burger Bar does a great job. It’s nothing fancy, but it looks good and makes you want to eat it.
If you have not been to Bru, I HIGHLY recommend going. It is inviting, great service, and great food! Try it out!

I’ve been here a few times and the food and service has always been impeccable.
Their burgers are a mix of inventive flavor creations and old classics. My personal favorite is the Provençal.
Though sold a la carte, these onion rings are the best I’ve ever had. They use a beer batter and are served with house made ketchup. I recommend getting a side of the chipotle barbecue sauce because the smokiness goes perfectly with the slightly sweet batter.
Their peach white chocolate bread pudding is to die for. I would come here just for that.
Best of all, prices are pretty reasonable.

So I was here once before but left because we changed our minds and wanted sushi more than a burger.
So the location is nice downtown on Mass Ave.
For a playoff Sunday the bar/​restaurant was not busy at all. I would say maybe 15−20% of capacity.
I started my order with a cup of chili. It was okay. It’s a sweet flavor of chili rather that of something with a spicier kick.
On to the burger: I did a bacon BBQ burger. I would like to start by saying it was cooked to order which was a pleasant surprise.
Although the burger was a little lackluster in terms of flavor. Maybe under seasoned… Not enough BBQ… Maybe the pre-​formed patties turned me off.
Idk entirely but it like the chili was just okay.
As per the drinks. Once again just okay.
The one whiskey option specialty drink was good. The blackberry sour was ehhh. The «moonshine» was underwhelming compared to the sour mix.
All in all its a great spot with okay food.
I will have to explore a little more.

This was truly my favorite burger experience in Indianapolis. When I try new places I like to ask what the best thing is on the menu, sort of a «If I only have one shot to come here, what should I order.» I got the bourbon burger which knocked my socks off. The taste was through the roof, patty cooked to perfection, and I was licking sauce (and probably grease) off my fingers with every bite.
My wife grabbed a bleu cheese burger and savored it like it was hand wrapped from heaven. She let me have a bite, even though I’m not a big bleu cheese guy, and I loved it. The cheeses were subtle, the flavor was wonderful. Even the fries were above average!
Our server was friendly and attentive even though there was a big crowd. As long as we can find parking (I hate parking downtown), my family will definitely be returning!

I have been to Bru several times and it is one of the better burger joints in town in my opinion. I haven’t had any particular burger that blows me away, but they do almost all of them well. The blue cheese burger is probably my favorite.
I really like the atmosphere and the bar area. This place can get crowded quickly, but there always seems to be a spot or two at the bar. If you are looking for a good burger head on over to Bru.
In the warmer weather months they double in capacity. Their patio is great for people watching since Mass Ave borders it on one side and the cultural trail on the other. Great location!

If I was judging on food alone, I would give it 5 stars. The food is always delicious, no matter what you get. Between my order and sneaking food off my daughter’s plate, I had well seasoned French fries, hand breaded crunchy onion rings, a gooey melty messy delicious garlic cheeseburger, and hand breaded chicken fingers that our server swore must have crack because they are so addictive. Service was very good as well.
— Their lobby is miniscule, so everyone waiting has to spill out into the restaurant, hovering over patrons who are eating.
— Tables are super close together and you feel packed into your table. It is easy to smack fellow patrons with coats and bags as you are entering/​exiting.
— Hosts underestimate wait times, which results in frustrated patrons.
Bru has a huge outdoor patio. I would love to see them add a tent and heaters for the winter months. I know patrons would eat outside if it meant less of a wait and more room.

Wow was it ever crowded here on a Saturday in the Mass Ave location. We were seated quickly, but we were lucky enough to be seated at the bar just as someone was leaving — phew! Otherwise, we would’ve been on the inside benches or — worse — seated in the chilly foyer with the bigger groups.
As it was, we got front row seats to college basketball and two great bartenders, who were happy to learn we were here for the first time. We had their Farmstead Turkey burger (shaved brussels sprouts, prosciutto, truffle aioli, apple mostarda, and farmstead feta cheese) and the Roma (arugula pesto, crispy prosciutto, roasted red peppers, mozzarella, and balsamic onions) with chicken. Everything is made to order, so it is easy to customize everything. And all of the sauces are made in-​house, including their ketchup, which was (oddly enough) one of my favorite parts of this yummy meal. They have a rotating tap of local beers plus several others also on draft.
This was part of my everlasting hunt for a good turkey burger, and this one was right up there with the albeit somewhat smaller (but also delicious) turkey burger at Twenty Tap. Punch Burger is a distant third for me. My reasons for listing the Farmstead as tied with Twenty Tap (so far) include the toppings and the brioche bun.
I was told by the bartender that the Carmel location for Bru is the same, and was promised that my beloved ketchup will also be there! :)

Woohoo! Bru, you make my days so much brighter. Specifically, my Sundays.
I’m not sure if it is the wake up from Saturday night… ‘I need a burger’ thought or what, but we are always here on Sundays. They are typically not as crowded, which is a downfall of this beautiful burger joint.
Reasons why I love bru:
— You can easily sit at the bar if you aren’t with a large group and it is busy. I would say I do this 90% of the time
–The homemade ketchup. I literally googled «Bru ketchup recipe» yesterday after my visit. I could drink the ketchup. (not really)
— The snack size burger! Cheaper, and totally large enough, you basically get the fries for free.
— The BURGERS! I didn’t forget you, dear burgers. I honestly have never been disappointed. I have gotten the Bru, Mexicali, Bourbon, and Provencal and all are seriously delish.
— Variety of beers on tap. And $ 3 PBR, gotta love it
I want to venture into trying a shake or the desserts, but am honesly always too full by the time I am finished.