Markiss Stone’s Journey to Becoming TravelingFoodieGuyde
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. FOUNDER, CEO TOM BRITT tom@townepost.com (317) 496-3599
PRESIDENT JEANNE BRITT jeanne@townepost.com (317) 810-0011
PRODUCTION COORDINATOR ERIN TURK
CREATIVE DIRECTORS VAL AUSTIN TONI EADS
MANGING EDITOR DEVON DEAN
COPY EDITOR JON SHOULDERS
TOWNE POST NETWORK, INC. 8800 North Street, Suite 117 Fishers, IN 46038 Phone/Text: (317) 810-0011 FOR FRANCHISE INFORMATION, VISIT FRANCHISING.TOWNEPOST.COM
CONTACT THE PUBLISHER Have a story idea or suggestion for the magazine?
1
“JERSEY BOYS”
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre
7:30 - 10 PM
Beef & Boards Dinner Theatre takes audiences behind the scenes - and the music - of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons with the hit “Jersey Boys”.
2
WEDNESDAY NIGHT TRIVIA
Guggman Haus Brewing Co., 1701 Gent Ave. visitindiana.com
12
INDY IGNITE PRO VOLLEYBALL MATCH
Fishers Event Center, 11000 Stockdale St. 7 PM provolleyball.com
RADICAL STITCH
Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art, 500 West Washington St. 10 AM
“The Evolving Story of Beadwork”. eiteljorg.org
17
APRIL’S COZY GAME NIGHT WITH KATRINA & RIVER
Gina’s Juice Bar, 6311 East Westfield Blvd., Suite 105 5:30 - 9 PM
Join us for a chill night of board games and snacks at our Cozy Game Night. eventbrite.com
MARIAN UNIVERSITY BASEBALL VS. GRACE COLLEGE
2 - 5 PM muknights.com
19
ALL DAY WEDDING WORKSHOP WITH RICH MILLER
Roberts Camera, 220 E. St. Clair St. 10 AM - 4 PM
Learn the little secrets and tips of wedding photography from one of the best in this all-day, hands-on workshop. classes.robertscamera.com
21
BUTLER UNIVERSITY SOFTBALL VS. SOUTHERN INDIANA 4 –-6 PM butlersports.com
INDY DESIGN WEEK
Polklore Micro-Museum, 1533 Lewis St. 6 - 8:30 PM
Indy Design Week, the city’s premier annual design festival, returns for its seventh year with the theme “Hues” - a deep dive into the power of color in design. indydesignweek.com
22
BUTLER UNIVERSITY BASEBALL VS. EASTERN ILLINOIS
4 - 7 PM butlersports.com
“FREE SOLO”: THE IMAX EXPERIENCE
7 PM
Indiana State Museum, 650 W. Washington St. PG-13; 100 minutes; documentary. whiteriverstatepark.org
26
ALI SIDDIQ: IN THE SHADOWS
Clowes Memorial Hall, 4602 Sunset Ave. 7 - 8:30 PM
30
THE ARISTOCRATS
HiFi, 1043 Virginia Ave., Suite 4 8 PM
FAT DAN’S DELI
BRINGING CHICAGO’S FOOD CULTURE TO INDIANAPOLIS
Few things in life are as satisfying as a great meal. Whether it’s from a roadside hot dog stand or a fivestar Michelin restaurant, the stomach wants what the stomach wants. While not every meal a person eats might qualify as great, there are a few restaurants that produce great food consistently.
Fat Dan’s Chicago-Style Deli doesn’t pretend to be anything it’s not. It serves great food, a great atmosphere, and great sports-watching experiences.
Founded in 2011 by Dan Jarman, Fat Dan’s provides a full menu of Chicago-inspired cuisine alongside classic American staples. Chad Cochran is the district manager of Fat Dan’s and has helped it become the success that it is today.
“Dan Jarman grew up on the north side of Indianapolis before moving to Chicago in his 20s,” Cochran says.
“With his grandparents living in Chicago, he was raised as a Cubs fan and fell in love with the city’s food culture - Italian beef, Chicago dogs, smoked meats, and all the classic flavors that define the Windy City.”
Years later, when he moved back to Indianapolis, he searched for a place to get a true Italian beef sandwich, a Chicago combo, or an Italian sausage with premium ingredients, but he couldn’t find one. So, in 2011 he decided to change that by opening a small carry-out spot.
At the heart of it all was his passion for bringing Chicago’s food culture to Indianapolis - a place where people could enjoy great food, drink an Old Style, and watch the Cubs game with fellow fans.
Writer / Ryan Gabbert
Photographer / Michael Durr
Fat Dan’s now operates locations in Broad Ripple, Carmel, Mass Ave in Indianapolis, and also Bloomington.
The menu features everything from gourmet hamburgers and hot dogs to smoked wings, brisket, ribs and more. There’s also a large selection of delicious sandwiches such as the classic Chicago Beef, the smoked Reuben, and the pressed Cuban sandwich. It also should be obvious to everyone that the Chicago Dog will NOT be served with ketchup.
“We always love to have specials and new menu features,” Cochran says. “Yes, we do change the menu from time to time, and we’re always exploring different ideas for the future. When it comes to what makes the cut, it’s all about comfort food - Chicago comfort food. Sometimes our Chicago-style dishes blend with Indiana State Fair-inspired flavors.”
In addition to the mouth-watering food selection, Fat Dan’s also has a large selection of beer and wine available, with the Chicago staple Old Style always available. Fat Dan’s is actually the thirdlargest retailer of Old Style in the country following Wrigley Field and Murphy’s Bleachers which is right across the street from the legendary ballpark.
As any true Chicagoan can tell you, summer is baseball season, and Chicago does it better than most. Fat Dan’s is physically located in Indianapolis, but the spirit of the Windy City is clear as soon as you step inside.
In all the locations (but the Broad Ripple location most extensively), the walls are covered in all kinds of Chicago-themed art and sports memorabilia. The Fat Dan’s team pays special tribute to its beloved Chicago Cubs and especially their historic World Series victory in 2016.
As summer approaches, Fat Dans will be opening its garage-style doors and patios to welcome the warm weather. It’s the perfect time to grab a cold beer, kick back with some smoked wing, and watch the Cubs (hopefully) win.
“Everyone knows we’re the number-one spot to watch Cubs games in Indianapolis, especially at the 54th and College location,” Cochran says. “When you come here, we have the game on with sound, so you can truly experience it. You’re not just watching the game; you’re surrounded by dedicated Cubs fans from the neighborhood. At other bars you won’t find the same loyal crowd.”
“We also offer food, beer and shot specials during the games, including the classic Chicago Handshake - a shot of Malört with an Old Style,” Cochran adds. “Plus, we have Jameson shot specials, beer deals, and even team up with beer reps for giveaways, T-shirts and more. If you’re looking for the ultimate Cubs game-day experience, this is the place to be.”
As for the future, Fat Dans will seek to expand to new locations and new markets, always ready to show newcomers what Chicago culture is all about.
In the meantime, however, it will continue to do what it always has done, serving great food, cold beer and great times.
It’s is a rare thing for a restaurant to so powerfully convey the spirit of a city it is not physically in. Many try to achieve this, but Fat Dan’s succeeds. Take one step into the restaurant and it is clear that it is not a gimmick or a promotion; the Chicago roots
run deep. It’s almost powerful enough to make one forget they aren’t in Wrigleyville.
If you would like more information about Fat Dan’s Chicago-Style Deli, visit fatdansdeli. com, follow them on social media or visit one of their locations.
STADIUM LEGACY
A HISTORIC TRANSFORMATION
Writer / Ashlee Boruff
If the ivy-clad walls surrounding the old Bush Stadium could talk, they would tell us about home runs, championship games and player superstitions of the past. The stadium may be vastly different than when it was built in 1931, but the ivy adorning the brick outfield remains the same. Flourishing over the walls in the summer, the ivy has a story all its own, but more importantly, it has been there since day one and continues to grow to this day.
Indianapolis locals have seen a lot of changes at Bush Stadium, now Stadium Lofts, a oneof-a-kind apartment complex literally on the baseball field. Stadium Lofts is in the Tech 16 area on the northwest side, close to downtown and IU campus. Driving down 16th Street, you cannot help but notice the well-manicured baseball field with three stories of balcony apartments.
Bush Stadium opened in 1931, first named Perry Stadium after Owner James Perry. In 1967 the stadium was renamed Bush Stadium in honor of the Indians former President Owen Bush. Built on West 16th street, this Indianapolis relic has hosted many legendary games and several championships over the years. The Indianapolis Indians won four consecutive American Association championships from 1986 to 1989 at Bush Stadium, marking it an unforgettable era.
Bruce Schumacher, current chairman of the board for the Indians, has seen over 40 years of
change in his time with the Indians.
“All the champions in the ’80s were my favorite times; we won regular season titles in ’84, then overall championships in ’86, ’87, ’88, ’89 - you don’t get to do that very often,” he said. “We had a lot of amazing young talent, of course Razor Shines, who is an Indianapolis baseball legend, was part of those teams.”
Schumacher started coming to baseball games as a child with his father, Max Schumacher, the previous Indianapolis Indians chairman and president. Max brought up both of his sons, Bruce and Mark, on baseball - so much so that they both play vital roles with the current Indians enterprise. Mark Schumacher is the current director of merchandise, while Bruce is the chairman of the board.
Bush Stadium not only holds tales of baseball legacies, but also had its time on the big screen. The film “Eight Men Out” was shot at Bush Stadium in 1987, and Schumacher remembers it like it was yesterday. He not only oversaw the production moving in on the field, but even got a small role in the film.
“It was interesting because they used Bush stadium as both the Chicago and Cincinnati ballparks,” he said. “They had to transform our stadium, taking down tower lights and moving everything. Chicago was first, then the production team took some days off and changed things around to make the field
look like the Cincinnati ballpark. Altogether I think they were on-site about five weeks,” Schumacher said.
Bush Stadium has been a host to many great teams, players and baseball fans. The outfield walls are a story themselves, covered in ivy growing wildly since the stadium opened. In fact, the ivy that grows abundantly on the outfield walls spurred the leaders at Wrigley Field in Chicago to take on a similar look.
“Mr. Wrigley wanted his ballpark to look more like a park, with trees and greenery,” Schumacher said. “Bill Veeck, famous White Sox promoter, had been to Bush Stadium many times and told him about the ivy on our walls. They planted their own ivy at Wrigley and now everyone in the world knows they do, but the idea came from Indianapolis.”
The heritage of Bush Stadium will never be gone. However, change is inevitable, and the Indians eventually made the move to a newer, more modern home base. Enter Victory Field, the Indians stadium since 1996. It was a long process with a lot of back and forth from Bush to Victory, but it was a needed upgrade.
Now when you drive by West 16th Street, you will still see the original iconic scoreboard, large tower lights and even the press box. Bush Stadium has been transformed into Stadium Lofts, a modern apartment complex boasting 138 units. On the Tech16 campus, Stadium
Aerial Photography / Daniel Woody
ABBY M - ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Hometown Window and Door was great to work with. Udi came out right away with brochures/samples of window options available. Udi was friendly and thorough in answering questions and made suggestions. The contract was signed in December with delivery expected in February. Ryan came out and carefully measured, offering thoughtful suggestions. Todd came out to ensure the paint color for the interior trim was correct as Hometown painted it before installation. Todd and Zach did an excellent job painting. On installation day, the crew (Anderson certified and experienced one for 35 years) came out when promised and got right to work. They were courteous, friendly, and respectful of the property. The customer experience manager, Sarah, came out several times prior and daily during installation, making suggestions, and thoroughly answering any questions. The employees were great to work with and went above and beyond. It was a great experience I love my new windows and door, and I highly recommend Hometown Window and Door.
Lofts developers kept as much original charm as possible when turning the stadium into lofts unique to Indy. The original roof, exterior walls, concrete floors and field were all reused. The original brick walls and large high windows were restored to allow light to flood into the lofts.
“This apartment really found me,” said Alex Dunn, a resident at Stadium Lofts. “I was looking for a place downtown that had fullsized laundry in suite, and Stadium Lofts had it. I stepped into the door of this loft and was shocked at the size. The apartment is over 1,000 square feet with 13-feet-high ceilings. This is the biggest apartment I’ve ever seen, and I got it.”
The Stadium Lofts leaders opened its doors in 2013 after major renovations, and it’s still a hot commodity, with a wait list for some of the sought-after lofts. During development, as many original items as possible were kept, including the original two ticket windows that greet you upon entrance. The high ceilings and smooth, cool concrete floors have added a unique take on apartment living.
“I joke that I live in the apartment from the movie ‘Big’,” Dunn said. “It’s a perfect hosting space. The sky is the limit to how you fill the space. All the open space is my favorite part about this loft, I can even skateboard if I want.”
Dunn’s first-floor loft even boasts an outdoor patio with an actual garage door that can be closed for privacy. Having instant access to the outdoors opens the space up even more and is great for functionality - especially for Dunn, a cyclist who keeps four bikes in his apartment along with a ping pong table, a pinball machine and a basketball goal.
“This is the dream location for me as a cyclist,” Dunn said. “I’m often riding on the White River Trail, Fall Creek Trail and Canal Towpath. The towpath takes me to Broad Ripple, Fall Creek takes me across the city, and White River to the cultural trail. I’m plugged into the whole city here via bike.”
For more information on Stadium Lofts, visit coreredevelopment.com/stadium-lofts.
INSIDE THE INFIELD
INDIANAPOLIS’ ROLE IN “EIGHT MEN OUT”
Writer
The Chicago White Sox had the worst record in the history of Major League Baseball last year. While last year’s struggles were largely just on the field, more than a century ago, the Chicago White Sox were notorious for an entirely different reason - eight players were accused of throwing the 1919 World
Series in exchange for money.
That scandal became the subject of Eliot Asinof’s 1963 book “Eight Men Out”, which was later adapted into the 1988 film of the same name, directed by John Sayles.
Much of the filming occurred at the old Bush Stadium and other locations around downtown Indianapolis.
“What cracked me up as I am revisiting it, there’s one scene where I know it’s the stairs at the Athenaeum,” says local film critic and WFYI Radio Host Matt Socey. “Several scenes were filmed at the Scottish Rite Cathedral. There’s a scene where they broadcast the ballgame through teletype into the cathedral.”
Socey says producers likely chose the old Bush Stadium because it already had a unique look and feel. “Why here?
/ Devon Dean
Licensing
Availability, cheaper production costs,” says Socey. “A minor league baseball team’s stadium is going to cost less to use as a location and the stadiums already have more of a vintage feel. It’s not about money; it’s about playing for the love of the game.”
“Eight Men Out” put Indianapolis on the map as a filming location, following in the footsteps of another lauded sports film: “Hoosiers”.
“‘Eight Men Out’ is one of the best sports films ever made and it’s one of the most underrated sports films ever made,” Socey says. “The cliché of sports films is, ‘Will they win the big game?’ That’s not the case in this film. There’s no happy ending.”
Even though the eight players were acquitted of conspiracy charges, they were all banned for life from Major League Baseball.
This delicious spin on a Bee’s Knees was created by Kayleigh Rayburn, bar manager at 8th Day Distillery. This specialty cocktail will be available all month long. Be sure to show them this magazine or mention North Indy when you visit this month.
8th Day Distillery is located at 1125 E Brookside Ave Suite D06, Indianapolis. Hours are 4 pm - 9 pm Thursday, 4pm - 11pm Friday, 2 pm11pm Saturday, 1 pm - 6pm Sunday, Monday 4pm - 9pm, Closed Tuesday. Call them at 317-600-3791 or visit them online at 8thdaydistillery.com
Kayleigh Rayburn Bar Manager at 8th Day Distillery
TRAVEL ENTHUSIAST TO FOOD INFLUENCER
MARKISS STONE’S JOURNEY TO BECOMING @TRAVELINGFOODIEGUYDE
Writer / Ryan Gabbert
Many people who use Instagram have probably come across TravelingFoodieGuyde, aka Markiss Stone, at some point. Through years of hard work and dedication, Stone has merged a passion for traveling and food into a career.
With an immensely popular social media following, he provides foodie recommendations, travel itineraries, recipes and more.
Although Stone might be a food connoisseur these days, that was not always the case.
“I have not always been into food,” Stone says. “I actually loved traveling, but I noticed that
when I was traveling to other countries, I was still ordering food like I was in America. It wasn’t until I went to Greece, and I saw my daughter eating a bunch of food that I never would’ve even attempted, that allowed me to say, ‘You know what, I’m getting too old to be going to these countries and ordering the same old stuff.’ That let me just get uncomfortable and start exposing myself to different types of food.”
A proud native of the South Side of Chicago, Stone moved to Indianapolis after receiving a promotion at his job. He quickly realized that Indianapolis had a lot to offer besides the race it is famous for.
It wasn’t until 2021, however, that he started his Instagram page, TravelingFoodieGuyde. Realizing the growing costs of traveling for content full time, Stone resolved to find the best and tastiest food in the city he lived in.
He then began going around Indianapolis reviewing restaurants new and old, with his passion shining through every time. Although Indy might not be on many people’s culinary bucket lists, Stone maintains that it has great food to offer.
“You can actually get a great, quality meal in Indy and don’t have to travel far to get it,” he says.
With each post, Stone not only reviews multiple food items at each location, but also showcases the decor and ambiance of each place. The high-quality visuals allow viewers to get a feel for a restaurant and some menu highlights before ever stepping in the door.
Now creating content full-time, Stone prides himself on finding the hidden gems in each place, as well as collaborating with new restaurants in the community to help them showcase what they offer.
In addition to food reviews, Stone also gives recommendations for healthy alternatives to popular brands at Costco, travel itineraries, and highlights of other cultural destinations around the country. Pages like this make traveling not only a breeze, but exciting as well.
Since its inception, TravelingFoodieGuyde has exploded in popularity with over 100,000 followers and counting. Stone doesn’t discriminate when it comes to what he eats. He is very open to all types of food and is always ready to explore new cuisine.
“I don’t really have a favorite type of food, “ Stone says. “I’m still in the exploration mode. I’m at a point in my life finally where if you put a dish in front of me, I’ll try it. “
No matter the restaurant or the dish, Stone will find something positive to say, understanding that everyone has a different palate and preference.
“Food is so subjective, and just because I may not like something doesn’t mean that somebody else won’t,” he says.
Looking ahead, Stone aims to leverage his experience in radio and TV to transition into a television role.
“Eventually I would love to have my own TV show, “ Stone says. “That’s been my goal ever since I created TravelingFoodieGuyde. Guy Fieri and his show ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’ was a big inspiration for me. That is why I spelled my name ‘Guyde’ instead of the traditional ‘Guide’. I want to go forward with that same spirit. “
As TravelingFoodieGuyde expands, Stone
remains dedicated to what sets him apartconnecting people with the incredible food in their communities.
Having a great meal with loved ones and enjoying quality food is something that should never be taken for granted. Stone stands as a shining example of what can be
achieved when you mix passion and positivity, and he certainly proves that you can find delicious food close to home.
If you would like more information about TravelingFoodieGuyde, visit his website at link.me/travelingfoodieguyde, and follow him on social media @travelingfoodieguyde.
GRAHAM’S PIZZA
“Our Hoosier style deep dish is a cross between Chicago and Detroit style pizzas. Our unique crust is less dense than your typical Chicago style deep dish, giving it a better balance. It is thick but light, allowing all of our quality ingredients to shine. We put down toppings first, followed by our homemade sauce, and held together with a gooey layer of our freshly ground blend of mozzarella and muenster cheese on top.”
- Owner Gert Yozipovic Graham’s Pizza is located at 11733 Pendleton Pike in Indianapolis. Hours are 11 am – 9 pm Monday through Thursday, 11 am – 10 pm Friday through Saturday and noon – 9 pm on Sundays. Delivery is available 6 pm – 10 pm Tuesday through Saturday. Call them at 317-8234466 or visit them online at grahamspizza.com.
