7 Foods That Every Hoosier Craves When They Leave Indianapolis

Like deep dish pizza in Chicago, cheesesteaks in Philadelphia, and pork rolls in Maryland, Indianapolis has a few foods that every Hoosier has grown up eating and absolutely craves anytime they leave the city for an extended period of time. Here are 7 of them:

Ice House/Yelp

This breaded, fried pork — whether plated or as a sandwich — can be found at what feels like every restaurant in the city. There are so many places to get a delicious tenderloin that there’s actually an official Tenderloin Trail throughout the state.

stu_spivak/Flickr

Indy’s take on chili isn’t anything wild and crazy, but it’s got its differences that set it apart from most of the country’s chili. Usually a bit sweeter and meatier than most chili, Hoosier chili is a staple of the community. Often, you’ll find it made with tomato juice or tomato soup as a base instead of broth, giving it a thicker profile.

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Lindsay O./Yelp

Sure, you can get milkshakes anywhere but none of them are quite like the ones from The Loft at Traders Point Creamery. At the Dairy Bar, you’ll find milkshakes made from 100% grass-fed milk and cream, making for the most delicious shake in the entire city.

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HotBox Pizza/Yelp

Hotbox’s signature pizzas are so popular among Hoosiers that this author has had run-ins with other Hoosiers out in California that ended up in conversations about THIS pizza place. Sure, Indianapolis isn’t known for a particular type of pizza like Chicago and deep dish, but Hotbox is certainly known for The Hot Chick.

Brooke K./Yelp

You won’t hear many people outside of Indy talking about sugar cream pie. This sweet pie, with its custard-like consistency, has been a staple of Hoosier desserts for a long time. However, if you asked someone on the West Coast for some sugar cream pie, you’d certainly get some inquisitive looks and blank stares.

Chris Huffman/Flickr

Yes, we’re aware that you can get corn on the cob many places throughout the country, but there’s nothing quite like Indiana sweet corn. There’s something about it that just makes it feel like summer anytime you eat it.

Caroline O./Yelp

Shrimp cocktail, you’ll find almost anywhere. Shrimp cocktail featuring that mouthwatering, extremely spicy cocktail sauce? Not so much. There’s a reason why when a Hoosier hears the words "shrimp cocktail," the mind immediately associates it with St. Elmo in downtown Indy. You won’t find a better version of this appetizer anywhere in the city.

What foods do you miss whenever you leave Indianapolis? Are there any we should add to this list? Let us know in the comments below!