Burger Study is the casual companion to the Indianapolis icon, St. Elmo’s. Opened just around the corner from St. Elmo’s in 2017, the collegiate theme fits perfectly in downtown [amazon_textlink asin=’076275673X’ text=’Indianapolis’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’3722d594-5839-11e8-98a3-f764cb703069′], home of the NCAA Hall of Champions and host to many collegiate and professional sporting events. Whether you find yourself in Indy to see the [amazon_textlink asin=’B011TQXFPA’ text=’Colts’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’46a1a97d-5839-11e8-96b4-fb92e0e3c68b’] or [amazon_textlink asin=’B01LYY4N7H’ text=’Pacers’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’4dbc5b2b-5839-11e8-8979-0d84ddde7bb7′], or some other sporting event, a burger and a side, most likely fried, can start or end an evening of sports fan fun.
Location: 28 West Georgia Street, Indianapolis, [amazon_textlink asin=’076273843X’ text=’Indiana’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’63c9a717-5839-11e8-b24d-cfbe8020271d’]
Menu: The same USDA Prime Black Angus all natural, hormone free Midwest beef sourced for St. Elmo’s is what you get at Burger Study. The difference is simply burger meat is a less expensive cut of beef than a premium steak.
The chapters of the menu are Starters, Greens, Burger 101, Desserts, and Sides.
The famous St. Elmo’s Shrimp Cocktail is available at Burger Study and is a great way to experience the special sauce without having to order a premium steak at the original restaurant.
There are traditional salad offerings like the Cali Chopped Salad, Chopped Caesar, and the Chopped BLT Salad. Then, there are more unique offerings like the Brussels sprouts and Burrata salad with watermelon radish, toasted pumpkin seeds, campfire onion jam, cilantro, vinaigrette and sourdough crumbles or the Tuna Poke Salad with Ahi tuna, avocado, arugula, Napa cabbage, mango wontons, tomato, watermelon radish in an Asian Vinaigrette.
Chocolate, Vanilla, and Carmel Shakes are on the dessert menu, but if you consider yourself a Big Man on Campus, then contemplate the Bourbon Salted Carmel Shake with St. Elmo’s Eagle Rare private selection bourbon.
The menu of sides proves it’s not just your brain that gets fried after a long study session. You really can fry anything, including zucchini straws, fried avocado wedges and fried cauliflower, all competing with the traditional potato.
Thoughts: The most creative part of the Burger Study experience is the collegiate-themed naming of the burgers. In its purest form, there is the Freshman, simply served with American cheese, dill pickles, lettuce, tomato, mustard, and ketchup. Or, you can matriculate to the Doctorate, topped with foie gras, triple-crème whipped brie, arugula, Dijon mustard, and caramelized onion.
For something other than beef, try the Ivy-League, a plant-based and soy-free veggie burger with feta, cucumber noodles, and a roasted garlic-tomato smear. Or, perhaps the Semester at Sea, hand-diced ahi tuna, [amazon_textlink asin=’B01N6S274W’ text=’ponzu mayonnaise’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’c1fd67ba-5839-11e8-803c-cb2b083b0db9′], Asian Napa slaw, tomato and [amazon_textlink asin=’B001CAV6BE’ text=’wonton crisp’ template=’ProductLink’ store=’theyums-20′ marketplace=’US’ link_id=’d283c060-5839-11e8-9525-db014d8363ed’]s.
The collection of old books above the bar and nostalgic college photos on the wall tell a great story about what college was, “back in the day.”
This is a walk in, roll out kind of place. Do not enter unless you are extremely hungry. You won’t be disappointed.
Reservations are encouraged, especially with a large party or on a game day, but walk-ins are welcome.
Price Range: $10-$30
Disclosure: The author was the guest of Visit Indy. Her opinions of the restaurant are her own. She accepts full responsibility for indulging in The Homecoming Burger and fried zucchini and suggests a walk along the Cultural Trail to aid in post-Burger Study digestion.
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