Working Man's Friend

234 N Belmont Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46222, United States
+1 317-636-2067
$$$ Bar & grill , Dive club , Lunch restaurant , Restaurant
(1597 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

Working Man's Friend is a straightforward bar and grill tucked into Indianapolis’s northside neighborhood, known for its unpretentious vibe and strong ties to the local working-class crowd. This spot leans into its identity as a no-frills dive bar paired with solid lunch and dinner fare, especially if you’re in the mood for a classic smash-style cheeseburger.

Step inside and you’ll notice it isn’t polished or trendy—expect some wear that comes with years of being a neighborhood fixture, familiar smells of the fryer, and a busy, lively atmosphere during lunchtime and after work. The staff moves quickly and keeps the place running, often juggling a steady flow of regulars who come for affordable food and cold beer without fuss.

The menu is a tour through reliable Americana classics with a local twist on bar-food staples. Their double cheeseburger, featuring crisp, almost crunchy edges, gets frequent nods for pairing perfectly with fresh-cut fries, sweet potato fries, or crunchy onion rings. For those fishing in the deep end of comfort food, the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich and the 5 Alarm Chili add variety beyond the burger scene, and the seafood plate options provide something different without straying from the dive bar roots.

Beer-wise, Working Man’s Friend keeps it simple and accessible with draft Bud Light and Budweiser, served in frosty schooners that suit the casual, friendly crowd who show up for a lunch break or an early evening hangout. It’s a cash-only setup, which reinforces the dive bar feel and keeps things moving straightforwardly.

This spot is best for folks seeking a hearty, no-extravagance meal in a setting that feels like a neighborhood throwback rather than a polished restaurant experience. It works as a dependable stop for a quick lunch among blue-collar workers or a relaxed seat for a burger and beer with friends after a long day. Weekdays at lunch and early evening on Fridays will show the place at its busiest, with a steady churn of customers and a comfortable hum of community.

Visitors shouldn’t expect upscale decor or fine dining service, but they will find an honest, bustling environment where flavor and atmosphere are grounded in local tradition rather than trend. If you come for slick presentations or table service, you won’t be here for long—but if you want a solid smash burger with fresh fries in a spot full of local character and history, this is the kind of place that fits the bill.

Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Good for watching sport
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
What they serve
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves food at bar
Quick bite
Serves spirits
Serves wine
Best for
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 02:45 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 02:45 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 02:45 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 02:45 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 02:45 PM

Sunday

Closed

1597 Reviews
Nicholas Schafer

14 Dec 2025

Workingman's Friend is about as honest as you can get in the lunchtime blue-collar diner space. They don't pretend to be some overpriced, flashy restaurant. The restaurant was busy for the Friday lunch rush. Waitresses were doing a great job of taking orders, cleaning tables and welcoming new patrons. I ordered the double cheeseburger with fries and my wife ordered the Diet Plate. The smashburgers were cooked to perfection! Great seasoning without overpowering the beef flavor, crispy edges without being overdone. Burger toppings were very fresh. My fries were good, but not outstanding. The veggies on my wife's diet plate were very fresh and delicious. I felt like the prices were very good for the quality of service and quality of food!

Jason Stein

23 Nov 2025

!! CASH ONLY !! This. Is a dive bar. Know that going in. Kinda grungy on the outside, smells of fryer grease. A Red Robin it’s not. Which is why I love it. This place has probably the best smash burger I’ve had in a long time. Edges so crisp it practically crunches when you chew it. Fresh fries. Friendly but busy staff. And lots of regulars coming and going. The soda comes in cans, but the beer comes in chalices. No joke. So come here for a burger, if you can. They know what they’ve got here, and are only open very limited hours to serve it. It’s worth making the time for.

Steve Straiger

12 Nov 2025

The original double smash burger! Historic Indy tavern that has been serving up awesome food in a neighborhood atmosphere forever. Highly recommend!

Josee S

10 Nov 2025

Delicious smash burger! Obsessed. French fries were hot and fresh. Onion rings to die for. Kind servers and nice atmosphere. Very affordable.

The Food Dude

31 Oct 2025

Waited a very long time come here not only for the burger, but also for the history. If you’ve never been, I recommend doing that. As for the burger, I had the Giant Double. The patties were perfect with excellent crust, lacy crisp edges, and still juicy. I’ve read negative things about the service, but out of the 5 times I have I’ve gotten very friendly and prompt service. If you’ve never imbibe, don’t pass on the missive, frosty drafts on tap. I 100% recommend this place for the food and the history.

Lee Williams

17 Oct 2025

Working Man's Friend is best known for its burgers. What they do, they do extended well. I went with a double bacon cheese burger w/ lettuce, tomato, catsup, and mayo. And a frosty cold beer. It was magnificent. The hours are a bit more limited than similar places and they are packed at prime lunch time... good to check the schedule before you go. Perhaps the best burgers in the Midwest !

Ted Moore

16 Oct 2025

Really good smash burger!! It came out fresh and hot. I didn’t get to try anything g else because I wasn’t really that hungry but next time. The service was good. The atmosphere was decent.

ASYPT

13 Oct 2025

Fantastic spot for a smashed-style double cheeseburger. Cash only. This restaurant is a hidden gem, serving up authentic burgers just minutes from downtown. Old school vibe!!! Customer service was decent.

Join the Working Man's Friend Newsletter

Get the latest updates on seasonal pastries, special events, and local highlights directly in your inbox.