Dining Out

See Scholars Inn Bakehouse.

Follow Walnut south until it becomes Old State Road 37 to find this minimalist pizza parlor. Baldy’s thin-crusted pies are topped with gooey mozzarella and a pleasantly sweet tomato sauce. Sandwiches and salads are available, too. Eat in the family-friendly dining room or choose delivery or carryout service. Prices: Breadsticks $1-3, pizzas $7-15, stromboli $3-7 Hours: Mon-Fri 11 am-11 pm Sat 4 pm-11 pm Sun 4 pm-10 pm Bar: Beer Credit Cards: Visa, MC Outdoor Seating: No

A Bloomington institution just off the south side of campus, Bear’s Place is famous for its Bear Burger and Bear Parmigiana (breaded tenderloin, Monterey Jack, and chili), and the Hairy Bear (six shots of liquor in a 32 oz. glass). Lunch specials served from 11 am to 4 pm. Nightly entertainment includes Comedy Caravan on Monday and Saturday, live local rock on Wednesday, Jazz Fables (a series of performers) and karaoke on Thursday, blues on Friday, and film screenings on Sunday. Prices: Appetizers $2-10.75, entrées $4-11, desserts $4.75-5.50 Hours: Mon-Fri 11 am-1 am Sat-Sun 9 am-1 am Bar: Full Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. Outside Seating: No

At Bella Cucina, Victoria Colongione offers soups, salads, and desserts, but sandwiches are the main attraction. Bestsellers include the classic Reuben and the chicken salad sandwich, lasagna, and matzoh ball soup. There is limited seating, but carryout and delivery are available. Prices: Most sandwiches about $6.25, desserts $3 Hours: Mon-Fri 11 am-3 pm. Closed Sat and Sun Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX Outdoor Seating: Yes

The cafés at these member-owned organic groceries feature hot dishes, a salad bar, and eclectic deli and dessert selections. Local ingredients are emphasized, and vegan and vegetarian choices abound. All three locations offer a salad bar, soup, made-to-order sandwiches, and baked goods, while the West 6th Street and East 3rd Street locations also offer a hot bar with salad, lunch, and dinner items available every day from 10:30 am-9 pm. The East 3rd Street location also has smoothies. Prices: Salad/hot bar $7.99/lb, entrées $5-15, desserts $1 and up Hours:  East 3rd Street: Mon-Fri 8 am-9 pm (breakfast until 10:30 am) Sat 8 am-9 pm (breakfast until 11 am) Sun 8 am-9 pm (brunch until 1 pm). West 6th Street: Mon-Sat 8 am-9 pm Sun brunch 9 am-2 pm. Kirkwood Avenue: Mon-Sat 8 am-7 pm Sun 10 am-5 pm Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc., Campus Access Outdoor Seating: No/Yes/Yes

Customers can watch employees make East Coast-style, kettle-boiled bagels from scratch while waiting in line in this laidback eatery. Bagelwiches (like the Lotsa Lox, with cream cheese, Nova lox, tomato, onion, and capers), salads, soups, coffees, and cookies are popular. Breakfast is served all day. Prices: Appetizers $3-5, entrées $3-10, desserts around $2 Hours: Mon-Sat 6 am-7 pm Sun 7 am-7 pm Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc., Campus Access Outdoor Seating: Yes

This casual restaurant on East Kirkwood is all about good sandwiches. Chef and manager Mike Moy offers house-made Chicago-style corned beef and Italian beef, with Italian ices for dessert. Prices: Sandwiches $3-8, desserts $1-2 Hours: Mon-Fri 11 am-8 pm Sat 11:30 am-3:30 pm. Closed Sun Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc., Campus Access Outdoor Seating: Yes

Beautiful chocolates and cakes are handcrafted with local ingredients at BLU Boy Chocolate Café & Cakery. Cookies are excellent; choose from buttery oatmeal raisin, double chocolate mudslide, or the classic chocolate chunk, balanced by a touch of cinnamon and salt. BLU Boy may be the only place in Bloomington to buy macarons, delicate French sandwich cookies. Don’t forget luscious seasonal tarts and pies, the daily cupcake menu, or house-made gourmet ice cream. All make great gifts. Prices: Cookies and macarons $2-3, cake and pie slices $3-5, chocolates $2-12 Hours: Mon-Th 10 am-6 pm Fri-Sat 10 am-10 pm. Closed Sun. Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, Disc. Outdoor Seating: Yes
Read our review of BLU Boy Chocolate Café & Cakery here!

Tucked into the 10th and College apartment complex, Bombay Cafe offers fast Indian food. Meal specials are served in disposable, compartmentalized dishes. The menu rotates but often features favorites like butter chicken and dal makhni. Main dishes come with roti (an Indian flatbread), basmati rice, and small salads. Prices: Lunch special $6, dinner special $12, sides $3-7 Hours: Tu-Fri 11:30 am-2 pm and 5-11:30 pm Sat-Sun 5-11:30 pm. Closed Mon Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. Outdoor Seating: Yes

This upscale yet casual 80-seat restaurant overlooks the golf course. Chef Wayne Hawrys specializes in steak and salmon and also offers a nightly special. Prices: Appetizers $4.95-9.95, entrées $13.95-24.95, desserts $5.95 Hours: Wed-Sat 5-9 pm. Reservations recommended. Bar: Full Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. Outdoor Seating: No

Bub’s is a Bloomington outpost of a Carmel, Indiana, burger joint, and burgers (and ice cream) are what they do well here—from the full pound  “Big Ugly” to the 1/4 pound “Settle for Less Ugly” burger in ground beef or healthier elk.  Dress ‘em as you like ‘em and add sides of fries, slaw, potato salad, or onion rings.  Hand-dipped shakes and malts are added bliss! Prices: Burgers and sandwiches $5.95-19.95, sides $1.20-12.99, desserts $4.25-5.35 Hours: Daily 11 am-10 pm Bar: Beer, wine Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc. Outdoor Seating: Yes

Bucceto’s Smiling Teeth offers an array of innovative and tasty pizzas, calzones, entrées, and a generous house salad with homemade dressings in a family-friendly atmosphere. Monday through Friday, Bucceto’s offers a lunch special till 4 pm which features a meat or veggie pizza slice with a salad and a drink for $6.40. Bucceto’s offers dine-in, carryout, and delivery. Party trays and catering available. Prices: Appetizers $1.25-4.95, entrées $8.50-11.25 with garlic bread and salad, pizzas starting at $4.70, desserts $3.95 Hours: Sun-Th 11 am-10 pm Fri-Sat 11 am-11 pm Bar: Beer, wine Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc., Campus Access Outdoor Seating: No

Seventeen years ago an IU student opened BuffaLouie’s, naming it after his grandfather. Wings, subs, and salads are the reason to go. Hoosier and sports-themed memorabilia adorn the walls, and big-screen TVs keep you entertained. Prices: $2.99 (a hot dog) to $65.99 (super bucket of wings), cookies 59 cents Hours: Daily 11 am-midnight Bar: Beer Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc., Campus Access Outdoor Seating: Yes

Butch’s offers everything a homesick East Coaster could want, from corned beef on rye to bagels to NY-style pizza. Prices: Appetizers $3.95-9.95, sandwiches $3.95-19.95, pizza $12.95-17.95, sides $2.50-7.25 Hours: Daily 11 am-10 pm Bar: No Credit Cards: Visa, MC, AMEX, Disc., Campus Access Outdoor Seating: Yes