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For the last 10 years, my wife April and I have celebrated her birthday with a tradition I like to call April’s Birthday Food Adventure.

Basically, we spend a whole day being tourists in our own city. We visit restaurants we’ve been wanting to check out and explore areas of the city we don’t get out to much. We have three boys and run our own businesses, so having a full day to eat delicious food, talk and just enjoy each other’s company is a rare gift.

We also love that it’s an opportunity to champion our city a little bit. I’ve lived in Indianapolis my whole life. I’ve always had a love for this place. There is an unappreciation for this great city of ours, and I think that would change if more people just took the time to get to know it.

The act of sitting down and having a meal gives you a taste of a culture. As an artist, I appreciate the thought that goes into a well prepared meal, too. Everything on that plate has a purpose.

So today, we’re letting you in on the tradition. April and I explored the near northside of Indy and I illustrated our experience. I hope this inspires you to get out yourself and taste something new this week.

Mirror Indy, a nonprofit newsroom, is funded through grants and donations from individuals, foundations and organizations.

Byron Elliott is a Mirror Indy freelance contributor. You can reach him at byron@elliottandcosupply.com.

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An illustrated food tour of the near northside

by Byron Elliott, Mirror Indy
March 20, 2026

<h1>An illustrated food tour of the near northside</h1> <p class="byline">by Byron Elliott, Mirror Indy <br />March 20, 2026</p> <p>For the last 10 years, my wife April and I have celebrated her birthday with a tradition I like to call April’s Birthday Food Adventure.</p> <p>Basically, we spend a whole day being tourists in our own city. We visit restaurants we’ve been wanting to check out and explore areas of the city we don’t get out to much. We have three boys and run our own businesses, so having a full day to eat delicious food, talk and just enjoy each other’s company is a rare gift.</p> <p>We also love that it’s an opportunity to champion our city a little bit. I’ve lived in Indianapolis my whole life. I’ve always had a love for this place. There is an unappreciation for this great city of ours, and I think that would change if more people just took the time to get to know it.</p> <p>The act of sitting down and having a meal gives you a taste of a culture. As an artist, I appreciate the thought that goes into a well prepared meal, too. Everything on that plate has a purpose.</p> <p>So today, we’re letting you in on the tradition. April and I explored the near northside of Indy and I illustrated our experience. I hope this inspires you to get out yourself and taste something new this week.</p> <div class="wp-block-columns alignwide"> <div class="wp-block-column"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/EXP-ILLUSTRATED-FOOD-TOUR_Mar2026_2_1-1024x1024.jpg" alt="Illustration of a Black man and woman speaking to the viewer. His speech bubble reads, &quot;Hey! We're Byron and April and today, we're exploring the near north side — starting at Gather 22.&quot; Hers says, &quot;The weekend brunch menu here is basically upscale comfort food.&quot; " class="wp-image-75691" /></figure> </p></div> <div class="wp-block-column"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/EXP-ILLUSTRATED-FOOD-TOUR_Mar2026_2_2-1024x1024.jpg" alt="Illustration shows three plates of food and the label &quot;Stop #1: Gather 22.&quot; Byron's speech bubble says, &quot;The shakshuka was well seasoned and flavorful, like a deconstructed pizza. It comes with deliciously crunchy bread.&quot; April: &quot;It's pretty creative to use chorizo as the protein for the brunch burger. Spicy, umami, salty, messy, gooey, cheesy.&quot; Byron: &quot;The fruity notes from the caramelized pear make the seasonal french toast sing. It feels like a warm hug for my belly.&quot;" class="wp-image-75692" /></figure> </p></div> </p></div> <div class="wp-block-columns alignwide"> <div class="wp-block-column"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/EXP-ILLUSTRATED-FOOD-TOUR_Mar2026_2_3-1024x1024.jpg" alt="Illustration shows two hands cheers-ing with to-go coffee cups and a label reading, &quot;Stop #2: Recess.&quot; One cup has a bright stripe of fruit across the foam on top. Byron: &quot;Next, we hopped over to Recess for a matcha break. I had the 'Hojicha Matccha Latte,' hot! Sweet, smooth and warm with a hint of vanilla.&quot; April: &quot;I had their 'Love You Berry Matcha'! Stir this one! It's fruity, sweet, milky and smooth with a slight bitterness that's quite pleasant.&quot;" class="wp-image-75693" /></figure> </p></div> <div class="wp-block-column"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/EXP-ILLUSTRATED-FOOD-TOUR_Mar2026_2_4-1024x1024.jpg" alt="Illustration shows two burgers oozing cheese and sauce, on trays with fries. Label reads, &quot;Stop #3: Baby's.&quot; Byron: &quot;We wrapped up at Baby's for some classic burgers. The burgers are huge! I'm honestly surprised I finished it.&quot; April: &quot;I had 'This Burg-ers On Fire' with extra jalapeño. I loved it! I also love the buns. They feel a bit more artisan.&quot; Byron: &quot;I had the 'Bam Burger.&quot; The Bam sauce is the star of the show on mind. It reminds me of the sauce on Frisco melts at Steak 'n Shake, but better.&quot; " class="wp-image-75694" /></figure> </p></div> </p></div> <div class="wp-block-columns alignwide"> <div class="wp-block-column"> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/EXP-ILLUSTRATED-FOOD-TOUR_Mar2026_2_5-1024x1024.jpg" alt=" Illustration shows Byron and April speaking to the viewer again. Byron: &quot;All in all, these places had excellent service, good vibes and an air of inclusiveness that felt very welcoming.&quot; April: &quot;Thanks for coming along!&quot;" class="wp-image-75695" /></figure> </p></div> <div class="wp-block-column"></div> </p></div> <p><em>Byron Elliott is a Mirror Indy freelance contributor. You can reach him at <a href="mailto:byron@elliottandcosupply.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">byron@elliottandcosupply.com</a>.</em></p> <p>This &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://mirrorindy.org/illustrated-food-tour-near-northside-indianapolis-byron-elliott/&quot;&gt;article&lt;/a&gt; first appeared on &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://mirrorindy.org&quot;&gt;Mirror Indy&lt;/a&gt; and is republished here under a &lt;a target=&quot;_blank&quot; href=&quot;https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/4.0/&quot;&gt;Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;img src=&quot;https://i0.wp.com/mirrorindy.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/cropped-Mirror-Indy-square-logo-1.png?resize=150%2C150&amp;amp;ssl=1&quot; style=&quot;width:1em;height:1em;margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;</p> &lt;img id=&quot;republication-tracker-tool-source&quot; src=&quot;https://mirrorindy.org/?republication-pixel=true&amp;post=75737&amp;amp;ga4=G-X0R0QW371R&quot; style=&quot;width:1px;height:1px;&quot;&gt;&lt;script&gt; PARSELY = { autotrack: false, onload: function() { PARSELY.beacon.trackPageView({ url: &quot;https://mirrorindy.org/illustrated-food-tour-near-northside-indianapolis-byron-elliott/&quot;, urlref: window.location.href }); } } &lt;/script&gt; &lt;script id=&quot;parsely-cfg&quot; src=&quot;//cdn.parsely.com/keys/mirrorindy.org/p.js&quot;&gt;&lt;/script&gt;

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