For now, food is king at Red Lion

Just one thing was missing when The Red Lion Grog House opened Feb. 10 in the Murphy Art Center.

Grog.

Jade Coley shows off the Scotch eggs (left) and fish and chips, two popular dishes at the new Red Lion Grog House.

Red tape has delayed the new eatery’s liquor license until April 5, but fortunately for owner Walter “Wally” Bolinger the response to the menu has offset his inability to sell beer and wine.

Bolinger described his reception in Fountain Square as fantastic. “Everybody has been really inviting and friendly,” he said. That includes his competitors, who said he expected might have given him a chilly reception. “Just the opposite is true,” he said.

While he awaits his liquor license, Bolinger said the Red Lion’s focus is on great customer service and food made fresh daily. He described his new enterprise as an English-themed establishment serving traditional English cuisine with an Americanized touch. The early crowd favorites have been the fish and chips, and the meatloaf (his grandmother’s recipe).

The menu also includes burgers, chicken sandwiches and such entrees as shepherd’s pie, blanket bangers, bangers and mash, and chicken pot pie.

Red Lion Grog House is a non-smoking venue, so diners of all ages are welcome. Hours are 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays.

Bolinger, who operated Casler’s Kitchen and Bar in Fishers before launching the Fountain Square eatery, is offering a lunch card which nets a free meal after six punches – with double punches on Mondays. He said Red Lion will offer eight different tap beers including two Sun King draughts and one Upland to promote local breweries.

Watch for special doings in April, when Bolinger plans to celebrate the alcoholic beverage permit on what he calls the Grog House’s “21st birthday.”