Restaurant/hotel advice for qualifying weekend

Hi everyone!

My family is coming down for qualifying weekend for the 500 (May 8-10).

Not to get too personal, but this is a really special

weekend for my family and I. Two years ago my mom passed

away unexpectedly and to celebrate her life we are all

going to her favorite place/weekend. Mother%26#39;s Day

weekend at the Brickyard. We can%26#39;t wait!

We have rooms at the Wingate Inn on Rockville road reserved.

Is it a decent place to stay??

Anyway, are there some decent family restaurants that

aren%26#39;t too far away from the speedway/downtown?

We are pumped to go! It%26#39;s been several years since we

last went to the Brickyard and this means a lot to my family and I.

Thanks in advance!

-Dan

Restaurant/hotel advice for qualifying weekend

There are a number of Indy 500 fans who regularly contribute here who will be only too happy to help out the family of a fellow fan.

There is a restaurant in Mooresville (about 20 to 25 minutes from the Rockville Road exit) that serves Cajun food, and is one of our favorites, called Zydeco%26#39;s.

That%26#39;s about all I know about restaurants on the west side (and it%26#39;s southwest). In my opinion, you have to go to the suburban towns (Brownsburg, Avon, etc.) to find good restaurants. Downtown Indy is only about 20 minutes from the track (plus whatever delays caused by traffic leaving the track - but probably not substantial as crowds at quals aren%26#39;t too bad). Many of the really good restaurants are there. Among the independently owned that would be good for families: Iaria%26#39;s (moderately priced Italian), Milano Inn (also moderately priced Italian), and Harry and Izzy%26#39;s (fairly expensive American cuisine - ~25 to 40 per person). Among the chains: Buca di Beppo (moderately priced Italian, served family style), Weber Grill (moderately priced barbecue), Fogo de Chao (moderately expensive to expensive brazilian steakhouse - GREAT for families with all but very small children if it fits your budget, about $35 to $45 per person), and many more.

There are others who are much more knowledgable about the west side who will chime in I%26#39;m sure.

Restaurant/hotel advice for qualifying weekend

aaaahhhhh, one more race (Kansas), then the cars and drivers are Back Home Again in Indianapolis. The Wingate at Rockville Road is nice (fairly new) and I think it has a small indoor pool. There is a lot of road construction on I 465 on the westside especially on the Rockville Rd and 10th street exits but that shouldn%26#39;t bother you too much. My guess is you are less than 5 miles fron the track there and I would take the back roads instead of the I state Ican help you there)If you%26#39;re ready for a good breakfast on Pole Day go to Charlie Brown%26#39;s on Main Street in Speedway. The American Legion on Georgetown Rd (right across from the track) usually has an all you can eat pancake breakfast. If you%26#39;re looking for somehting a little lighter go to Long%26#39;s Bakery about a mile and a half east of the track on 16th street for the BEST doughnuts in Indy. Of course lunch should be at the track. Either bringing in your own (13 in coolers are allowed) or getting a ';track steak'; aka a hotdog at the concession stand. The Speedway prices actualy aren%26#39;t too bad. Of course you could always go to Mug N Bun just east of Lynhurst on 10th street for THE BEST chli dogs and O rings (one order of o rings feed 2 or 3) After a quick rest back at your room you might retuen to Speedway for dinner at Dawson%26#39;s on Main (steak) or out to Union Jack%26#39;s for great pizza and also a look at one of the biggest private race helmet collection around. Artist Ron Burton owns them (www.ronburtonart.com) and also has many original painting hanging in ';UJ%26#39;s';. A drive downtown might be fun also. You might even run into the Pole winning team celebrating at possibly Morton%26#39;s, Shula%26#39;s or another fins steak house. Downtown is fun. many things to do and see. Parking free on te streets or will run about #3.00 to park aboout 5 hours

Dan: I won%26#39;t repeat the sage advice of DavefromIndy and Indyob, but will say that Wingate Inns are among my favorite low-cost/high-value chains. They generally pile on the amenities and are really clean. Don%26#39;t know much about that particular one, but I have always been very satisfied with Wingate.

This is a perfect start! Thanks!!

Dan