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| St. Elmo Steak House | |
|---|---|
| Name | St. Elmo Steak House |
| Established | 1902 |
| City | Indianapolis |
| State | Indiana |
| Country | United States |
St. Elmo Steak House. St. Elmo Steak House is a historic restaurant in Indianapolis, Indiana, founded in 1902 and known for its longstanding presence in downtown Indianapolis, proximity to Monument Circle and the Indiana Statehouse, and its reputation among local and visiting diners. The restaurant has been associated with regional culinary identity, political gatherings near the Indiana Democratic Party and Indiana Republican Party, and celebrity visits linked to events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Bankers Life Fieldhouse, and the Indiana Convention Center.
Opened in 1902 during the Progressive Era and the presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, the restaurant emerged in the context of urban growth in Indianapolis and the development of nearby institutions such as the Indiana State Fair and Butler University. Over the 20th century the establishment intersected with local events including visits by figures connected to the Indianapolis 500, the NCAA Final Four, and political campaigns for the Governor of Indiana. Renovations and ownership changes occurred across eras marked by the Great Depression, World War II and the postwar boom, attracting patrons tied to clubs like the Union League of Indianapolis and business leaders from firms such as Cummins and Eli Lilly and Company. The restaurant survived urban renewal projects and the expansion of Massachusetts Avenue (Indianapolis) cultural districts, maintaining ties to performing arts venues including the Hilbert Circle Theatre and the Old National Centre.
The building occupies a corner near historic commercial blocks influenced by late 19th-century architects who worked in Indianapolis and the Midwest, with interior woodwork and bar design reflecting styles popular in venues frequented by patrons of the Colts era and entertainers associated with the Indiana Repertory Theatre. Interior elements recall the aesthetic of clubs that hosted figures from the worlds of auto racing and jazz, with booths and brass fixtures similar to those found in establishments near the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory or the Cincinnati Music Hall. Decorative choices have been preserved through restorations that referenced standards used in preservation projects at sites like the Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site and the Rhodes Tavern.
The menu emphasizes classic American steakhouse fare with influences from Midwestern suppliers and national meatpacking traditions linked to cities such as Chicago and Cincinnati. Ingredients have been sourced from regional producers with relationships to distributors serving corporate cafeterias of firms like Simon Property Group and institutions such as Indiana University Health. Menu evolution paralleled trends in American dining seen at venues like Peter Luger Steak House, Katz's Delicatessen, and hotel restaurants associated with the Omni Hotels & Resorts and Hilton brands.
Signature offerings include steak cuts and a renowned spicy shrimp cocktail served in a vessel similar to presentations found at celebrated seafood restaurants tied to the culinary communities of New Orleans, Galveston, and Baltimore. The bar program has featured classic cocktails and variations that echo recipes from cocktail histories involving bartenders in New York City, Chicago, and San Francisco, often consumed by visitors attending events at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and conventions at the Indiana Convention Center.
The restaurant has hosted politicians, athletes, musicians, and actors connected to events like the Indianapolis 500, NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament, and film premieres at the Circle Centre Mall theaters. Notable patrons have included figures associated with Purdue University, Indiana University Bloomington, and national personalities who visited during tours or campaign stops tied to the Democratic National Committee and the Republican National Committee. The venue figures in local histories alongside cultural institutions such as the Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, the Indianapolis Museum of Art, and the Children's Museum of Indianapolis.
Ownership has changed hands among local restaurateurs and investors who maintained connections to Indianapolis business networks, municipal leaders, and hospitality groups with ties to entities like Compass Group and regional operators managing venues near sports arenas such as the Gainbridge Fieldhouse. Management practices reflected trends in restaurant franchising and independent stewardship seen across establishments run by families with links to the hospitality programs at Purdue University and Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis.
The restaurant has received local and regional recognition from tourism organizations and food critics who cover Midwestern dining, appearing in guides and lists alongside institutions like St. Louis Union Station restaurants, Chicago Tribune recommendations, and culinary awards distributed by regional publications. It has been cited in pieces that profile historic American eateries and destinations featured in travel coverage by outlets that report on venues associated with the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Midwestern culinary heritage.
Category:Restaurants in Indiana Category:Historic restaurants in the United States