Love Handle
A vibrant breakfast and lunch spot serving nostalgic 80s/90s vibes alongside inventive, hearty sandwiches and brunch creations.
Highlights
Must-see attractions
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From TikTok & Reddit
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Blue hour photography, calmer galleries
Love Handle
Highlights
Must-see attractions
A vibrant breakfast and lunch spot serving nostalgic 80s/90s vibes alongside inventive, hearty sandwiches and brunch creations.
Beat the Crowds
Visit during off-peak hours to avoid long wait times, especially on weekends.
Portion Size & Sharing
Consider sharing dishes as some find portions smaller for the price, though others say sandwiches are giant.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
New American
Price
Mid-range
Phone
(317) 384-1102
Address
877 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204, USA
Website
facebook.com/LoveHandleIndy/Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Nostalgic 80s & 90s Vibes
Step back in time with a unique menu and decor that celebrates the fun and flavor of the 80s and 90s.
Giant & Flavorful Sandwiches
Indulge in massive sandwiches packed with high-quality ingredients like pork belly, brisket, and chicken.
Original Brunch Creations
Discover inventive brunch options, including the highly-praised surf and turf breakfast sandwich.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Beat the Crowds
Visit during off-peak hours to avoid long wait times, especially on weekends.
Portion Size & Sharing
Consider sharing dishes as some find portions smaller for the price, though others say sandwiches are giant.
Spice Level Inquiry
If sensitive to spice, it's wise to inquire about the flavor profile of dishes before ordering.
Menu Ordering Tip
The menu is on the wall near the register; be ready to order quickly or view it before approaching the counter.
Tips
from all over the internet
Beat the Crowds
Visit during off-peak hours to avoid long wait times, especially on weekends.
Portion Size & Sharing
Consider sharing dishes as some find portions smaller for the price, though others say sandwiches are giant.
Spice Level Inquiry
If sensitive to spice, it's wise to inquire about the flavor profile of dishes before ordering.
Menu Ordering Tip
The menu is on the wall near the register; be ready to order quickly or view it before approaching the counter.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Love Handle is lauded for its creative and nostalgic approach to breakfast and lunch, with many praising the oversized sandwiches and unique brunch items. However, some diners have found the spice levels intense or certain dishes disappointing, with a few experiencing long wait times or issues with preparation.
"This is the lost nostalgia eating place for someone who was brown or grew up in the 80’s and 90’s. But not only that, the food is absolutely incredible! It really will give you love handles if you’re not careful. The brunch or lunch options are crafted to original perfection. Grab a fried for mimosas or bring the whole family, great for either one. What an amazing concept for a restaurant and the owners are just as amazing! Thankful for this slice of nostalgia in the heart of Indiana."
Kylie Lockett
"Absolutely stellar food here. Got the pork belly Love Handle. While it was a little pricey it's still a great value as the sandwich was giant and dense! Absolutely delicious. One of the best pieces of pork belly I've ever had. Would highly recommend.
The service was also quick and excellent."
Connor Heckler
"Great spot for breakfast! Order at the counter from the chalkboard menu at this charming spot. We stopped in on a late Saturday morning. Biscuits and gravy (traditional, not the spicy option) were out of this world! Grits with pork belly also quite good."
Lindsay Swindell
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
Love Handle is celebrated for its nostalgic 80s and 90s vibe, unique menu items, and hearty sandwiches, particularly its pork belly options and inventive brunch creations.
Popular items include the pork belly sandwiches, surf and turf breakfast sandwich, biscuits and gravy, and chicken and waffles.
Yes, the restaurant can get busy, especially on weekends. Visiting during off-peak hours is recommended to avoid long waits.
Yes, the restaurant offers vegetarian biscuits and gravy, and some menu items can be adapted.
The menu is ever-changing, so it's a good idea to check their Facebook page for the latest offerings.
You order at the counter from a menu displayed on the wall. It's advised to be ready to order when you approach the register.
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Featured in these publications
A Southerner’s Guide to Eating in Indianapolis
Quirky Love Handle (877 Massachusetts Avenue) elevates full-flavored morsels like pork belly, chicken thighs, and fried catfish into imaginative sandos and burritos dripping with sauces and house pickles. Might as well grab a hand-dipped ice cream creation a few doors over at Gordon’s Milkshake Bar (865 Massachusetts Avenue). A tiny mom-and-pop joint on the edge of a downtown parking lot, Futuro (19 Cruse Street) goes hard on the red sauce and cheese in its hulking Detroit-style pies.
Dinner Host Tim Williams Spotlights Local Restaurants
Over time, he discovered Milktooth, Love Handle, and (most notably) Bluebeard, whose owners and chef would become the subjects of his first Back of House video in April 2020. “I’ve never done anything like this before,” Williams says of the beautifully produced series of sit-downs with restaurant folk. Instead, he works at the Franciscan Health Center for Hip & Knee Surgery in Mooresville, performing replacement surgeries “day in and day out.
Indianapolis has a food scene worth traveling for
But the chicken gizzard beet hash and pork tongue sandwiches at Love Handle are just as good for curing a hangover (the drinks at Bar One Fourteen and Hotel Tango are deceptively refreshing) and there’s no need to wait an hour for a table on weekends. Owner Chris Benedyk fell in love with all things meat while working the counter at Goose the Market. His new Mass Ave location will hopefully bring more foot traffic to this hipster diner.
10 of the Best Brunch Spots in Indianapolis
📍877 Massachusetts Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46204💰Price: $$A small but beloved brunch spot in Indianapolis, Love Handle has gained a cult following for its creative and indulgent brunch fare. With an ever-changing menu, make sure to check its Facebook page for the latest offerings. “The Handy” offers a southern-inspired menu, showcasing local ingredients in dishes like biscuit slides, 3 cheese jalapeño grits, and unique omelet creations.
10 best Downtown Indianapolis restaurants for weekenders
877 Massachusetts Ave., (317) 384-1102, facebook.com/LoveHandleIndy. Things you maybe never thought you'd eat (pork tongue and jellied eggs) and things that sound like they should not go together (chocolate on a chicken sandwich) are delicious revelations at this aptly named diner that lays it on thick. The mayo-slathered beef tongue sandwich with pickled red onions is an unfathomably tender splurge.
Mass Ave Neighborhood Guide
There just isn't enough praise in the world to heap on Love Handle, which serves comfort food with fun, unpretentious culinary cool kid twists. They serve daily, ever-changing, always vegetarian biscuits and gravy, and sweets and donuts that are worth every last calorie. Imagine breakfast, lunch and dinner at your friend's house with the best, wildest wallpaper who can all-caps COOK and BAKE.
Best Lunch Places in Indianapolis, IN That You Must Visit
The Love Handle at 877 Massachusetts Ave. offers delicious food such as spicy biscuits and gravy, pineapple fritters, and Tinker coffee. While you won’t be able to get traditional lunch favorites such as a plain hamburger with french fries, don’t let that dissuade you from trying something new.
Brunch in Indianapolis, IN | Restaurants, Cafes & Creameries
Love Handle is a hidden gem tucked away at the end of Mass Ave. Celebrated for its sandwiches featuring high-quality meats and cheeses, the shop serves up a variety of other unique dishes. With an ever-changing menu, there is always something new and unexpected for you to enjoy.
Indy ranks No. 85 in the country for brunch lovers
Trout belly egg waffles and sandwiches with roast pork belly make up the menu of this popular spot on Mass Ave. I recommend the fried Skatewing though, which comes in sandwich or wrap form and doesn't disappoint either way. View this post on Instagram
The 5 best delis in Indianapolis
Downtown's Love Handle, located at 877 Massachusetts Ave., is another top choice, with Yelpers giving the deli and breakfast and brunch spot, which offers sandwiches and more, 4.5 stars out of 189 reviews.
Best Brunch in Indianapolis
Love Handle brings bold flavors and quirky charm to the Mass Ave brunch scene. The ever-changing menu is full of creative dishes you won’t find anywhere else. It’s funky, intimate, and always delicious.
Best Breakfast in Indianapolis, IN (2025) — 30 Top Places!
Known for its eclectic decor, this diner in the city center is a breakfast destination for its scrumptious waffles, sandwiches and more paired with hot or cold beverages.
Best Restaurants in Indianapolis | Top 37 in 2025
Up next is Love Handle, one of the best restaurants in Indianapolis renowned for its fun and creative breakfast and lunch fare. It’s also a popular spot for locals.
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from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit