Strolling down East Westfield Boulevard in Indianapolis, it’s hard to miss Petite Chou Bistro & Champagne Bar at 823 Westfield Blvd., Indianapolis, IN 46220, a charming spot that feels like a Parisian street corner tucked into Broad Ripple.
This bistro has become my go-to recommendation for anyone searching for authentic French cuisine without leaving Indiana.
What makes this place stand out goes beyond the dishes themselves. From the cozy dining room to the flower-adorned patio, every detail reflects care and thoughtfulness, creating an experience that appeals to adventurous eaters and those who usually stick to familiar foods alike.
The menu honors classic French tradition while keeping flavors approachable for Hoosier palates, with everything from made-to-order crêpes to pomme frites earning praise. After multiple visits and watching friends become instant fans, it’s clear this bistro deserves every bit of the praise it receives.
Whether you’re planning brunch with pals or a relaxed dinner, Petite Chou brings a little bit of Paris to Indiana.
The Croque Madame That Haunts Your Dreams
Some dishes grab hold of your taste buds and refuse to let go, and the Croque Madame at Petite Chou falls squarely into that category. This isn’t just a ham and cheese sandwich with an egg on top.
The kitchen team transforms simple ingredients into something that customers literally dream about between visits.
The foundation starts with quality bread that gets grilled to achieve that perfect balance between crispy exterior and soft interior. Layers of savory ham nestle between generous amounts of melted cheese, creating a richness that feels indulgent without being overwhelming.
The crowning glory arrives in the form of a perfectly cooked egg, its yolk ready to cascade over the sandwich when you cut into it.
What sets this version apart from others you might have tried comes down to technique and attention to detail. The cheese sauce gets prepared with care, ensuring it coats every bite without making the dish heavy.
Each component receives individual attention before coming together on your plate.
Regular customers mention this dish so frequently in reviews that it has achieved legendary status among Broad Ripple brunch enthusiasts. One visitor admitted they considered ordering two because weight gain seemed like a worthy sacrifice for such deliciousness.
The Croque Madame represents everything Petite Chou does well: taking a French classic and executing it so flawlessly that even skeptics become believers after their first bite.
French Onion Soup That Sets The Gold Standard
Walking into a French restaurant and ordering their onion soup serves as the ultimate test of authenticity. Petite Chou passes this test with flying colors, earning rave reviews from customers who declare it the best they have ever tasted.
That includes people who have sampled versions across multiple states and even in France itself.
The magic begins with properly caramelized onions, cooked slowly until they develop deep, sweet flavors that form the soul of the soup. This process cannot be rushed, and the kitchen clearly understands that patience pays off in the final product.
Rich broth surrounds the onions, providing warmth and depth that comforts on chilly Indiana days.
Then comes the cheese, melted to perfection and creating that iconic stretchy pull when you lift your spoon. The balance between all elements demonstrates why this seemingly simple dish separates good French restaurants from truly great ones.
Nothing overpowers anything else, each component working in harmony.
Multiple reviewers specifically mention this soup, with one calling it “very legit” and another praising it as unmatched. The consistency in these compliments suggests the kitchen maintains high standards every single service.
Whether you visit for lunch on a rainy afternoon or dinner on a crisp evening, this French onion soup delivers the kind of satisfaction that keeps people coming back and recommending it to friends without hesitation.
Crepes That Showcase Versatility And Skill
Crepes represent one of those dishes that look deceptively simple but require real skill to execute properly. The thin pancakes need the right consistency, proper cooking temperature, and careful handling to avoid tearing.
Petite Chou has built a reputation around their crepe offerings, featuring them prominently on both breakfast and lunch menus.
Savory versions come filled with combinations like mushrooms, cheese, and seasonal vegetables, providing satisfying meals that feel light yet filling. The kitchen folds each crepe carefully, ensuring the filling distributes evenly and every bite delivers the intended flavor profile.
These options appeal to diners seeking something beyond typical American breakfast fare.
Sweet crepes offer a different kind of pleasure, perfect for those who prefer their morning meal on the dessert side of the spectrum. The batter itself tastes subtly sweet without being cloying, allowing toppings and fillings to shine.
Fresh fruit, chocolate, and other additions transform the simple crepe into something special.
Customer feedback mentions crepes frequently, with many praising them as highlights of their visits. The restaurant’s commitment to this French staple shows in the variety offered and the care taken with preparation.
After enjoying breakfast at places all over Indianapolis, finding a spot that truly understands crepes feels like discovering a hidden treasure. The technique required to produce consistently excellent crepes day after day demonstrates the kitchen’s dedication to authentic French cooking methods that honor tradition.
Duck Fat Frites That Redefine French Fries
Most people think they know what good French fries taste like until they try frites cooked in duck fat. Petite Chou serves these addictive little sticks of potato perfection as sides and appetizers, and they have earned devoted fans who order them every single visit without fail.
The duck fat makes all the difference, creating a richness and depth of flavor that regular vegetable oil simply cannot match. Each frite emerges from the fryer with a gloriously crispy exterior that gives way to a fluffy, tender interior.
Proper seasoning enhances rather than masks the potato flavor, striking that ideal balance.
Dipping sauces accompany the frites, offering variety for different taste preferences. Some customers love the traditional approach while others experiment with the house-made options that complement the richness of the duck fat.
The frites arrive hot and fresh, maintaining their crispiness throughout your meal.
Reviews consistently praise these frites, with multiple visitors calling them “delicious” and “absolutely delicious.” One reviewer specifically mentioned how perfectly they paired with other menu items, while another appreciated the crunchiness and ideal salt level. The frites work equally well as a shared starter or as a side to your main course.
They represent comfort food elevated through technique and quality ingredients, showing how Petite Chou applies French culinary principles even to seemingly simple dishes. Once you taste frites prepared this way, regular French fries feel like a disappointing substitute.
Seasonal Menu Creativity That Keeps Things Fresh
Restaurants that never change their menus can feel stale after a few visits, but Petite Chou keeps regulars excited by incorporating seasonal ingredients and rotating specials. The chef clearly pays attention to what produce and proteins shine at different times of year, building dishes around these quality ingredients rather than forcing them to fit predetermined recipes.
The Omelet du Jour exemplifies this approach perfectly, changing regularly to feature different combinations of cheeses, vegetables, and proteins. One customer raved about a version with leeks, white cheddar, and chicken sausage that arrived during their Mother’s Day visit.
This rotating concept means you might discover a new favorite each time you dine there.
Seasonal hashes follow similar principles, adapting to showcase ingredients at their peak freshness. A reviewer mentioned how the manager recommended lamb sausage for their hash, creating a combination that earned enthusiastic praise.
This kind of customization and seasonal thinking elevates the entire dining experience beyond simply ordering off a static menu.
The willingness to change and adapt shows confidence in the kitchen’s abilities and respect for ingredients. Rather than relying on the same dishes year-round regardless of quality or availability, Petite Chou demonstrates commitment to serving food at its absolute best.
This approach also gives repeat customers reasons to return frequently, knowing they might encounter something new and exciting. For food enthusiasts who appreciate creativity alongside tradition, this seasonal flexibility makes the bistro stand out in Indianapolis’s competitive restaurant scene.
The Charming Patio That Extends Your Experience
Dining outside transforms a meal into an experience, and Petite Chou’s patio delivers that transformation beautifully. Flower decorations create a garden atmosphere that customers consistently mention in reviews, noting how the floral touches add charm and visual appeal.
The space feels like a little escape from typical Indianapolis dining.
Bistro-style tables dot the patio, sized perfectly for intimate conversations over brunch or dinner. The setup encourages lingering, inviting you to slow down and savor your meal rather than rushing through it.
During warmer months, this outdoor area becomes prime real estate, with diners specifically requesting patio seating when making reservations.
The restaurant welcomes furry friends on the patio, making it a popular spot for dog owners who want to include their pets in weekend brunch outings. One reviewer mentioned stopping by specifically because they could sit outside with their puppy, appreciating how the space accommodates four-legged companions.
This pet-friendly policy adds another dimension to the patio’s appeal.
Even during less-than-perfect weather, the covered portions of the patio provide protection while still allowing you to enjoy fresh air. Reviewers have praised dining outside on rainy days, protected by the covering while still feeling connected to the outdoors.
The patio represents more than just extra seating; it embodies the European cafe culture that Petite Chou works to recreate. Whether you visit on a sunny Saturday morning or a mild weekday evening, the patio offers a setting that enhances whatever delicious food arrives at your table.
Attentive Service That Completes The French Experience
Great food can only take a restaurant so far without a team that knows how to deliver it with warmth and professionalism. Petite Chou has cultivated a service culture that customers notice and appreciate, with multiple reviews specifically calling out the excellent attention they received during their visits.
Servers demonstrate knowledge about the menu, offering recommendations and answering questions with genuine helpfulness rather than scripted responses. One group of six diners praised their waiter’s patience and expertise, noting how he guided them through options and enhanced their holiday dinner experience.
This kind of service requires training and a real understanding of French cuisine.
The staff’s attentiveness extends to remembering regular customers and making newcomers feel welcome from the moment they walk through the door. While a few reviews mention occasional service hiccups during particularly busy times, the overwhelming majority of feedback celebrates the team’s professionalism and friendliness.
The owner responses to reviews also demonstrate care and engagement with customer feedback.
Small touches matter in service, from checking in at appropriate moments to handling special requests gracefully. The team at Petite Chou seems to understand that dining at a French bistro should feel special, and they work to create that atmosphere through their interactions.
When servers genuinely care about your experience, it shows in everything from their recommendations to their timing. This commitment to hospitality helps explain why customers return repeatedly and bring friends along, knowing the service will match the quality of the food.
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