The annual Hendricks County Flavor Fest, returned this spring with more flavor, fun, and community spirit than ever before. Hosted all across the county in mom-and-pop style restaurants, the fun event brought together local restaurants, farmers, brewers, and artisans for a four week-long celebration of Indiana’s best food and drink.
As someone who attended this year’s fest, it was clear that Flavor Fest has become one of the top Indiana food festivals—a true showcase of local flavor and Hoosier hospitality.
How Does Flavor Fest Work?
This year, Flavor Fest is running from February 17 through March 17 (St. Patrick’s Day!), so there’s still several days to partake. Additionally, check in on the official website and have a chance to win one of ten $50 gift cards to use to dine at local restaurants.
Using the Dine, Check-In & Win! style, there are QR codes in the participating restaurants so it’s as easy as scanning a code and filling out a few lines of information. Each time you scan a new QR code you’ll get another entry to win, too.
Where to Visit to Participate
There are a ton of restaurants participating this year (46 if I’m being exact) – here’s the lowdown and what the Hendricks County Flavor Fest special offering is. Please keep in mind that the was no way fro me to try all of these in 24 hours, so I did highlight the ones I did taste test.
Avon, Indiana
- Charbonos – Tortelloni Carbonara – five cheese, bacon, pea, parmesan
- Danny’s Mexican Ice Cream – Cookies & Cream Fresas con Crema – crushed Oreos layered with fresh strawberries, homemade sweet cream sauce, and topped with whipped cream and Oreos
- Orange Leaf – Frozen Yogurt Heart Cakes – including the froyo of your choice, whipped vanilla butter crème icing and decorative touches
- Avon Mexican Market – Hendricks Loaded Nachos – Crispy tortilla chips filling the tray edge to edge, topped with melted cheese that pulls between every bite. Finished with roasted yellow corn for a pop of Indiana flavor, juicy grilled steak or chicken layered evenly and fresh pico de gallo for the perfect red-green contrast. Drizzled with sour cream in a zig-zag on top
- Bubba’s 33 – Dirty Soda – Vanilla & Cream with Coke – Coconut Cream with Coke – Strawberry & Vanilla Cream with Sprite – Strawberry & Coconut Cream with Sprite – Your Choice of Flavoring & Cream with your Favorite Soda
Brownsburg
- Alley’s Alehouse – Hot Mami’s Fried Bone-in Wings tossed in our new, extra spicy, Hot Mami Soy and Sake sauce. Then, they’re grilled and finished with Umami seasoning
- Boulder Creek – Tuscan Salmon – couscous, spinach, sun-dried tomato, pesto cream sauce
- BRU Burger – BRU Burger Double Smash – taleggio cheese, bacon, tomato jam, caramelized onion, lettuce, mayo
- Thai District – Spicy Dumplings – Khao soi with Slow-braised short ribs
- Rush Off Main – Pork Nachos – nacho chips, nacho cheese, bbq pork, bbq drizzle, pico and sour cream and Lincoln Park cocktail – Tito’s vodka, St. germaine, grapefruit juice, topped with soda
- Green Street Pub – Italian Sausage and Italian Beef topped with hot Giardiniera and served on a hogie roll with a spicy au jus for dipping. Comes with a side item of your choice.
- Brie & Bartlett – Ruffle honey pepper jack toastie and Gilded matcha cheesecake
- Rockstar Pizza – ‘Primetime Pepperoni’ – Only comes in large (14 inches) with special char & cup pepperoni & comes with an 8-ounce bottle of ranch
- Best Friends Coffee & Bagels – Chicken Caesar Salad Bagel. I have this one a go for lunch – delicious! Additionally, if you’re a coffee lover, give a Cold Brew Flight a go. Right now, it has a decadent Valentine’s Day theme and it’s perfection in a flight.
- Mandy’s Ice Cream – S’more to Love Sundae – Two scoops of S’more to Love ice cream layered with marshmallow, Golden Grahams and fudge. I had to try one on my recent visit and it was large enough for both my daughter and I to share.
- The Locale – “The Southsider” – Rye bread, pastrami, swiss cheese, cole slaw and 1000 Island dressing. Served with fries or chips
Danville
- Bread Basket – Bread Pudding Board Sampler flight of 3 different bread puddings, made from our homemade breads and cinnamon rolls.
- Mokey’s on the Square – Chicken Bacon Ranch Flatbread
- Danville Dips – Sweet n Savory Sundaes with choice of either Candied Bacon Pecan Sundae or Salted Caramel Pretzel Sundae
- Court House Grounds – Philly Cheese Steak on a toasted hoagie bun with a choice of side
- Square Burger – The Blueberry Kiss Burger – A juicy beef patty on a soft brioche bun topped with goat cheese, bacon, crusted pistachios, fresh lettuce and finished with our house-made creamy blueberry sauce
- Creation Cafe – Iced white mocha with lavender cold foam. I, personally tried this one and it’s a 10/10.
- The Kickstand – Pork Tenderloin Sliders – option of grilled or hand-breaded; four sliders with pork tenderloin, lettuce, tomato, onion and pickle served with fries, tots or onion rings
Plainfield
- Oasis Diner – Catfish Tacos with a Side of Pasta Salad – Three tortillas stuffed with crispy catfish, crunchy house slaw & a drizzle of sweet Thai Chili sauce.
- The Prewitt Restaurant + Lounge – The Prewitt – Ribeye – 14oz Ribeye served with truffle mashed potatoes, fried brussels and red wine demi glace.
- Tlahcos Mexican Cuisine – Chile Relleno
- Al’s Donuts – The Nenes sandwich includes two eggs, cheese, two slices of ham and a sausage patty. Also offering smoothies, different flavors of Frappuccino and iced coffees
- Momma Shell’s Cookies – Strawberry Brownie – A decadent fudgy brownie meets bursts of sweet strawberry goodness—deep chocolate flavor coated with a bright, fruity finish in every bite
- The Frigid Frog and More – Loaded warm brownie
- Two Chicks Whisky Business – Still awaiting their item
- Popakernel Popcorn – Street corn-flavored popcorn.
- CJ’s Pizza – Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pizza includes house-made creamy garlic parmesan sauce, topped with cheese, diced chicken, tomatoes, red onion and bacon and topped with fresh shredded Parmesan cheese.
- Siam Thai – Siam Sizzling Shrimp – Seven jumbo shrimp, delicately seared and paired with asparagus, sweet peppers, onions and carrots in a refined Thai chili sauce. Presented tableside on a sizzling cast-iron skillet for a dramatic, aromatic finish. This restaurant is one of my new faves in Plainfield.
- Sweet Minis – Cheesecake Cake Cups – layers of cake, cheesecake and pudding in a variety of flavors
- Nonna’s by So Italian – Chicken Feta Florentine Pasta -A Mediterranean-inspired pasta dish featuring grilled chicken breast, sautéed spinach, briny black olives, roasted red peppers, creamy feta and melted mozzarella, all tossed with penne pasta and finished with extra-virgin olive oil.
- The Local Kitchen & Tap – Locally sourced Fischer Farms New York strip steak, grilled and served with crispy frites, finished with a rich house-made peppercorn sauce for bold, classic flavor.
- India Bistro – Falooda Shake or Goan Biryani – Goan Portuguese fusion Biryani with Catfreal Gravy or Korean Fried Chicken Tenders
- BRU Burger – BRU Burger Double Smash – taleggio cheese, bacon, tomato jam, caramelized onion, lettuce, mayo
- Theo’s Italian – Pesto Chicken Pizza – parmesan cream, oil-cured tomato, mozzarella, parmesan, red onion
- Stone Creek – Short Rib – corn salsa, cotija, cilantro, garlic mashed potato, demi
- Schakolad Chocolate Factory – Dubai Strawberry Cup – milk/white/dark chocolate layers. Seriously, I’ve never tried a Strawberry Cup and it was so good, I want to recreate it at home.
West Hendricks
- CJ’s Pizza – Clayton – Creamy Garlic Parmesan Pizza includes house-made creamy garlic parmesan sauce, topped with cheese, diced chicken, tomatoes, red onion and bacon and topped with fresh shredded Parmesan cheese.
- Double D’s BBQ – All Beef Hot Dog covered in Brisket or Pulled Pork smothered with cheese, onions and jalapenos.
- Ms. B’s Teas – Flavor Fest: Tea Transformed tasting tray, which includes:
- Lemongrass Jasmine Chicken SaladBite– Light, fragrant, and delicately spiced, this refreshing starter is infused with floral jasmine and citrusy lemongrass for a bright, herbal lift.
- Black Cask Bourbon Roast Beef BBQ FocacciaBite– Smoky, tender roast beef meets bourbon tea barbecue sauce on pillowy focaccia—rich, robust, and unapologetically bold.
- Mini Earl Grey Scone – Classic with a twist: bergamot-kissed and baked to golden perfection, served with cream and jam.
- Butterfly Pea Flower Cheesecake Bite – Silky and stunning, this indigo-hued dessert blends floral notes with creamy indulgence.
- Winter Pine & Matcha Shortbread Bite – Earthy matcha and pine-kissed sweetness in a buttery, melt-in-your-mouth bite.
- French 75-Inspired White Champagne Tea Mocktail – Sparkling, citrusy, and sophisticated—this effervescent mocktail channels the elegance of a classic cocktail with a tea-forward twist.
- Hot or Iced Tea (16 oz) – Choose your favorite from our curated tea list to accompany your tasting journey.
- Rusted Silo Southern BBQ & Brewhouse – Catfish & Gumbo – Cajun-seasoned catfish over a bowl of andouille smoked sausage and okra gumbo
- Mason Inn – Spring sunrise flatbread includes green goddess dressing, chicken, avocado, bacon, spinach and mozzarella