Indiana Locals Know This Simple Restaurant for Its Can’t-Miss Brisket

Indianapolis has no shortage of barbecue joints, but few capture the hearts and taste buds of locals like Hank’s Smoked Briskets. Tucked away on Doctor M.L.K.

Jr. Street, this unassuming takeout spot has built a reputation that reaches far beyond the city limits. What started as a passion for authentic Texas-style barbecue has turned into a beloved institution.

You can find this local favorite at 3736 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St, Indianapolis, IN 46208, where the smoky aroma of perfectly cooked meat greets you before you even walk through the door. Hank himself often welcomes customers with generous samples and warm conversation, making every visit feel like stopping by a friend’s house.

Whether you’re a longtime resident or just passing through, this simple restaurant proves that sometimes the best meals come from the most unexpected places. With nearly 1,000 reviews and a solid reputation, Hank’s has become the go-to destination for anyone craving melt-in-your-mouth brisket.

The sides taste like Sunday dinner at grandma’s house, ensuring a satisfying meal every time.

The Brisket That Makes Texans Jealous

Hank’s brisket isn’t just good for Indianapolis standards. It’s the kind of meat that earns praise from actual Texans who know their barbecue inside and out.

One customer from Chickenfeather, Texas gave it a glowing review, saying the brisket was so moist it didn’t even need sauce. That’s the ultimate compliment in the barbecue world, where dry meat is considered the biggest sin.

The secret lies in the slow-smoking process that Hank perfected over years of practice. Each brisket spends hours in the smoker, absorbing that signature smoky flavor while the fat renders down into the meat, creating that fall-apart texture everyone craves.

When you bite into a slice, juice runs down your chin like you’re eating an overly ripe peach. The seasoning is simple but perfectly balanced, letting the natural beef flavor shine through with just enough spice to keep things interesting.

Visitors from San Antonio made a special trip just to taste what they’d heard so much about, and they left completely satisfied. Even travelers passing through Indianapolis have stumbled upon this hidden gem and declared it the best brisket they’ve ever eaten.

The meat comes sliced or chopped, depending on your preference, and you can order it as a sandwich, dinner plate, or piled high on a loaded baked potato. No matter how you choose to enjoy it, you’re getting the same quality that has made Hank’s famous throughout the Midwest.

Regular customers become almost obsessed, returning week after week because nothing else quite measures up. The consistency is remarkable too, with the same tender, flavorful results visit after visit.

If you’ve never experienced truly great brisket, this is your chance to understand what all the fuss is about.

Hank’s Warm Welcome and Generous Samples

Walking into Hank’s feels less like visiting a restaurant and more like being welcomed into someone’s home.

Hank himself is often on site, greeting customers with a friendly smile and offering samples of both brisket and corned beef before they even place their order. This isn’t a sales tactic.

It’s genuine hospitality from someone who takes pride in what he creates.

Multiple reviews mention how Hank took time to share the history of his restaurant, explaining how he brought authentic Texas barbecue traditions to Indianapolis. These conversations make the experience memorable beyond just the food.

One customer who had recently moved from the East Coast felt immediately at home thanks to Hank’s welcoming nature. Another family traveling through Indiana called their visit an incredible experience, specifically mentioning how amazing the staff was.

The small waiting area might remind you of a doctor’s office with its simple setup, but that doesn’t matter once you start talking with the people behind the counter. They’re knowledgeable about every menu item and happy to help first-timers navigate their options.

The Famous Brisket Potato That Locals Crave

If you ask regulars about their favorite menu item, many will immediately point to the brisket potato.

This isn’t your average loaded baked potato. It’s a massive spud topped with tender smoked brisket, sour cream, cheese, and barbecue sauce, creating a meal that’s both comforting and surprisingly sophisticated.

One customer admitted they haven’t even tried other menu items because they’re completely stuck on the brisket potato, ordering it every single visit. Another said their grandson brought them one and they were hooked after the first bite.

The potato itself is baked until fluffy on the inside with slightly crispy skin on the outside. Then it gets loaded with generous portions of that incredible brisket, still warm and juicy from the smoker.

The combination of textures works beautifully, with the soft potato providing a mild base for the bold, smoky meat. Add in the cool sour cream and tangy barbecue sauce, and you’ve got layers of flavor in every forkful.

There’s also a version called Big Hank’s Baked Potato that comes with extra meat for serious appetites. Some customers order additional toppings to customize their potato exactly how they like it.

Corned Beef That Rivals the Brisket

While most people come to Hank’s for the brisket, those in the know understand that the corned beef deserves equal attention.

Smoked corned beef isn’t something you find at every barbecue joint, but Hank’s does it exceptionally well. The meat gets the same careful smoking treatment as the brisket, resulting in tender, flavorful slices with that distinctive corned beef seasoning enhanced by smoke.

Hank often offers samples of both meats so customers can compare and decide which they prefer, though many end up ordering both. One reviewer who tried samples of each ended up getting a full dinner with both brisket and corned beef because they couldn’t choose.

The corned beef works beautifully in sandwiches, where the smoky meat pairs perfectly with the sweet barbecue sauce and soft bun. It’s also excellent on its own as part of a dinner plate with sides.

Several customers specifically mentioned the corned beef in their reviews, with one calling it excellent and another saying it was part of the best sandwich they’d had in a long time. The meat stays juicy and tender, never dry or overly salty like corned beef can sometimes be.

If you’re a fan of traditional deli-style corned beef, this smoked version will open your eyes to new possibilities.

Sides That Steal the Show

Great barbecue needs great sides, and Hank’s delivers on every front.

The mac and cheese gets mentioned repeatedly in reviews, with customers describing it as gooey, amazing, and capable of blowing your taste buds away. It’s the real deal, made with actual cheese rather than powder, creating that creamy, rich texture that makes mac and cheese irresistible.

The green beans come cooked with turkey, adding a smoky, savory element that elevates them beyond typical steamed vegetables. One reviewer specifically praised how perfectly seasoned they were.

Baked beans are another popular choice, featuring that sweet and tangy flavor profile that complements smoked meats so well. The coleslaw stands out too, with one customer calling it one of the best they’d tried, though noting it might be slightly sweet for some tastes.

These aren’t afterthought sides thrown together to fill out a plate. Each one receives the same attention to detail as the main meats, with proper seasoning and cooking techniques that bring out the best flavors.

When you order a dinner plate, you typically get two sides along with your meat choice, giving you a complete meal that hits all the right notes. The portions are generous without being wasteful, providing enough food to satisfy without leaving you uncomfortably stuffed.

Some customers have mentioned that the sides stay consistent in quality even during busy periods, which speaks to good kitchen management and preparation. Whether you’re a mac and cheese devotee or a green bean enthusiast, you’ll find sides here that deserve as much attention as the main attraction.

Desserts Worth Saving Room For

Just when you think you couldn’t possibly eat another bite, the dessert menu at Hank’s makes you reconsider.

The peach cobbler gets mentioned frequently in reviews, with customers traveling from as far as Texas specifically to get some. It features tender peaches in a sweet syrup topped with a buttery, slightly crispy crust that provides the perfect textured contrast.

There’s also a caramel apple cobbler that one family from San Antonio came all the way to Indianapolis to enjoy again. The combination of tart apples with sweet caramel creates a dessert that feels both homey and special.

Pecan pie appears on the menu too, offering that rich, nutty sweetness that pairs beautifully with coffee. One reviewer gave it a fire emoji rating, indicating serious approval.

Sweet potato pie provides another option for those who prefer their desserts less intensely sweet, with the natural earthiness of sweet potatoes balanced by warm spices. These aren’t fancy restaurant desserts with complicated presentations.

They’re classic comfort desserts made well, the kind your grandmother might have baked for Sunday dinner. The portions are generous enough to share if you’re already full from your meal, though you might not want to.

Since Hank’s is takeout only, these desserts travel well, maintaining their quality even if you’re eating them later at home or at a park. Some customers make it a point to order dessert even when they’re already stuffed, planning to enjoy it later because they know it’s worth it.

If you’re visiting for the first time, consider ordering a dessert along with your meal so you don’t miss out on this sweet finale.

No-Frills Takeout That Focuses on What Matters

Hank’s doesn’t waste energy on fancy decor or tableside service.

This is strictly a takeout operation, with a small waiting area where you place your order and wait for your food. There are no tables, no waiters, and no dining room distractions.

At first glance, this might seem like a limitation, but it’s actually one of the restaurant’s greatest strengths. By focusing exclusively on preparing excellent food rather than managing a dining room, Hank’s can put all their resources into what really matters: the quality of the meat and sides.

The building itself is completely unassuming from the outside, easy to miss unless you’re specifically looking for it. Inside, the setup is simple and functional, designed for efficiency rather than ambiance.

But this no-frills approach means lower overhead costs, which translates to better prices for customers. Multiple reviews mention how affordable the food is considering the quality you’re getting.

The takeout model also means you can enjoy your meal wherever you prefer, whether that’s at a nearby park, in your car, or back at home. Just be aware that some items, like the brisket sandwich, can be quite saucy, so eating in your car might get messy.

Wait times are typically reasonable, with several customers noting they didn’t have to wait long despite the restaurant’s popularity. There are plenty of seats in the waiting area if you do need to hang around for a few minutes.

This streamlined approach has allowed Hank’s to maintain consistency and quality for years, proving that sometimes the best restaurants are the ones that know exactly what they do well and stick to it without trying to be everything to everyone.