Indianapolis Spotlight: The Old Spaghetti Factory

The Old Spaghetti Factory in Indianapolis is known for its unique atmosphere, classic Italian-American cuisine, and family-friendly dining experience.¹

Here is a breakdown of the information you requested:

🚂 The Old Spaghetti Factory: Indianapolis

🌟 What Makes It Unique

The most distinguishing feature of The Old Spaghetti Factory is its unique, turn-of-the-century decor and architecture.² The Indianapolis location, like others in the chain, is adorned with:

• Antique Lighting and Fixtures: Including chandeliers and intricate lamps.³

   

• Stained Glass Displays: Adding a classic, old-world charm.⁴

   

• A Dining Trolley Car: Many guests, especially children, love the opportunity to be seated and eat inside an old-fashioned trolley car right in the middle of the restaurant.⁵

   

• Meticulous Design: The location occupies space in a historic downtown building (previously an old shoe factory), which contributes to its charming, nostalgic atmosphere.⁶

   

It’s designed to be an experience rather than just a meal, perfect for family celebrations and special occasions.⁷

📜 History and Significant Events

The Old Spaghetti Factory chain was founded in 1969 by Guss and Sally Dussin in Portland, Oregon.⁸ It remains family-owned and operated today.⁹

• Indianapolis Opening: The Indianapolis location is housed in the Station Place office building at Georgia and Meridian streets, and it has been operating there since 1982.¹⁰ The building itself is a combination of three adjoining buildings built between 1888 and 1890, giving the restaurant a truly historic shell.¹¹

   

• Real Estate Event: A significant event related to the building was its sale in 2017 for $10 million to a New York commercial real estate firm.¹² The Old Spaghetti Factory remains a major tenant in the property.

   

🍝 Highlight Menu Items

Every entrée at The Old Spaghetti Factory is a three-course meal that includes a starter (soup or salad), the main entree, and dessert (typically Spumoni or vanilla ice cream) at one reasonable price.¹³

The most famous and frequently highlighted menu items include:

• Spaghetti with Mizithra Cheese & Browned Butter: This is the restaurant’s signature, original recipe since 1969. Mizithra is a Greek cheese that is shredded and served over spaghetti drizzled with warm browned butter.¹⁴

   

• The Manager’s Favorite: This allows you to combine two of their classic pasta sauces on one plate, often featuring the Mizithra sauce.¹⁵

   

• Our Famous Baked Lasagna: Layers of noodles, Marinara Sauce, ground beef, pork, and four cheeses.¹⁶

   

• Spaghetti with Rich Meat Sauce: The chain’s original 1969 recipe for a slow-simmered Marinara with ground beef and pork.

🗣️ Customer Feedback

Customer feedback often highlights a few key areas:

• Atmosphere: Reviewers consistently praise the “amazing” and “stunning” atmosphere, noting the uniqueness of the decor and the fun of dining in the trolley car. It is widely considered a great spot for kids and family gatherings.

• Value and Portions: The three-course meal is often cited as offering excellent value and generous portions.¹⁷

   

• Food Quality: The food is generally described as classic, comfort-style Italian-American, with the Mizithra Browned Butter dish being a strong favorite and a stand-out item.¹⁸ While some mention it’s “mass-produced chain restaurant food,” many appreciate it for being consistently tasty and a “traditional spaghetti dinner.”

   

📞 Contact Information