Scott W.

My wife and I visited on Saturday, May 16th, for an early dinner. Arrived at 5pm and the place was already swamped. Years ago I visited Bub's a couple times and was excited to go back. I'm sorry to say this visit was a relative disappointment. I was going to give 3 stars, but recalled a comment from my wife, "I can think of several burgers I've had that were better." That pretty much sums up a 2 star on yelp, and I feel exactly the same way, including having had a couple great burgers in Indy in the past 2 months. I ordered a quarter pound elk burger, medium rare, steak and eggs style (that meant bacon and an over easy egg added to the burger). Unfortunately my medium rare burger was cooked well done. Just a bit off the mark there...The egg and bacon add on was delicious, the yoke added some much needed juice to the burger. The bun was delicious, the elk meat was good but had a slight breakfast sausage type flavor to it that I found a little off putting. I had a side of waffle fries as well (a small side is very small) and they were disappointing at best, no better than what would come out of my home freezer. My wife had a quarter pound beef burger. She said it was fine (see her comments in first paragraph). She ordered a side of potato salad and for ~$2.50, you get nothing. Just a little stingy, comes in a cup the same size as what your tartar sauce would come in for fish and chips. We did each have a milk shake and they were fantastic. Further, service was fantastic. One the whole, though, mediocre, not properly cooked burgers with mediocre/low quantity sides makes it tough to warrant saying anything more than I've had better. We live very close so I will give them one more shot; a second experience close to the first and I will take my business elsewhere for sure going forward.

Sean H.

You can't go wrong with Bubs that's for sure. Although it's loud loud loud in there and if you don't get in right when they open your going to have a serious wait it is still always worth it! Also they have great chili which many people don't know about. And there ice cream is quite delicious! We always treat iurselves to a shake with our burgers. As long as you not in a hurry this is a great spot once in a while!!!

Bob J.

I just paid over $20 (with tip) for a 1/4lb burger, small waffle fry with cheese and bacon bits and a soft drink. That's a very expensive lunch. Yes, it was good. But, $20 for that?! There are a lot of good burger options these days for half that price. I guess as long as people line up out the door, they'll keep charging those prices. I won't be parting with any more of my hard earned money here.

Kelsey A.

As a burger advocate I make sure to try a burger joint in every city I visit. Bubs burgers has always been consistently a top 3 burger country wide. The buttered buns, burger seasoning, waffle fries, marshmallow dip, and milkshakes are so delicious it's making my mouth water again! There's a good reason Man vs Food visited this place and I recommend following those footsteps.

T.j. K.

Bubs is just an all around excellent local spot to grab a burger and enjoy yourself. While not the best burger ever the Elk burger is very good and always perfectly cooked. That with some fries or onion rings always hits the spot. Also if your in the mood both the regular and vegetarian chili options are excellent. Also on the other side of the building from the main restaurant they have an ice cream shop. Indoor and patio seating along with the location directly on the Monon as well as being in the middle of the arts district make this a perfect place to stop before, during, or after a day out and about. With that said when the weather is nice the combination of the outdoor seating and excellent location can lead to some extended wait times. As long as you know that going in and plan accordingly though it shouldn't be a big deal.

Linda L.

Went here for lunch today after walking on the monon for 4 miles, and have been here a number of times before. We got here right at 11 so didn't have to deal with the normal wait. The ac was blasting inside, which felt delightful. I got the creole burger special. It was good and flavorful, but I am annoyed that they charge you extra for everything like the jalapeño peppers the server suggested was an extra dollar.. The place is good, but not the best burger ever. They have a limited menu, do not take reservations, and typically are on a wait. But it's good place to bring out of towns because it's unique. You see a lot of history and character in the pictures on the wall.

Niki K.

While the food is good, the atmosphere makes this place great. There is a lot of outdoor seating and the restaurant is located right on the Monon Trail, which makes for great people watching. Bub's is a great place to bring friends or large groups (they have a private room upstairs) to hang out and have a fun time. The milkshakes are delicious and they always make too much, leaving you with almost two milkshakes for the price of one (not complaining!). They also offer their famous one pound burger called the"Big Ugly" and reward you with your picture on the wall if you can finish it. I still have yet to complete it...

P J L.

All I can say is I tried the ice cream parlor- not the food area. Did look over the menu & it seemed pricey. The Parlor has maybe 20 flavored. I got cinnamon crumb cake! Very good stuff. And well priced for a single dip! Wish they offered a basic chocolate chip. Crazy they don't but I do not own the place. Polite well trained kids working there. They truly seem to be enjoying work.

Erika S.

Best burgers I've ever had. They also have elk burgers, which is unique. Also they put seasoning salt rather than normal salt on their fries. The problem is that they are always busy and that the service is not great.

Bodie S.

I finally made it to Bub's Burgers! I've heard horror stories of this place bursting at the seams with people during lunchtime, but coworkers and I finally made it in at a good time! The trick is to get in around 11-11:30am. There's a reason it's so packed: it's delicious in EVERY way! I, of course, ordered the half-pound "not so ugly" elk burger, cooked medium, with pepper jack, and it was beyond great. Definitely get it cooked medium--I ordered medium well and was recommended medium as it doesn't dry the elk meat out. I also ordered a small side of waffle fries and dipping cheese sauce alongside a tasty lemonade. A perfect meal to say the least. At the beginning of the meal they brought us samplers of their chili and vegetable soup, which was extremely kind and it all tasted great. They also have ample outdoor seating, so definitely check this place out on a beautiful day. They even serve beer! This place really lives up to the hype surrounding it. On top of it all, they serve some of the best ice cream around. If you're feeling like a food challenge, do their Big Ugly to see if you can get your picture on their wall of champions.

Drew P.

I was here in Indianapolis for a few days for work. I was told by others at home to try this place. I found out afterwards that this place has been featured on Travel Channel's show Man vs. Food. The place is pretty small, but was pretty busy, even during a later lunch. There are pictures all over the restaurant of those who have tackled their challenge, which includes a one pound burger (after cooking). I was not up to trying to have that much food. One thing I wanted to do was try the elk burger since it is a healthier alternative to a regular burger. Plus, we can't find places with elk burgers at home in Virginia Beach, VA, I had the 1/4 pound elk burger with waffle fries. The burger was bigger than I thought it would be, but it was very good. The taste is very similar to a regular beef burger. While eating, I was able to tell that the quality of the food was on point. I had the waffle fries with it, but only did the small size. I'm glad I did because I was definitely full by the time I was done. Service was good and is very similar to any other sit down place you would go to. After coming here, I can see why the place can be very busy. The hardest part about getting here I think is finding parking. If you're in the area, it's definitely worth coming to. I will definitely visit here again if I happen to be in that area for a visit in the future.

Patrick T.

I ordered the big ugly to see if I could handle one. The gist of it is I could handle it, but I knew I would regret it. I've started to care less about the glory of completing a challenge more about how I will feel after. The big ugly is definitely enough for two meals. The I had the elk version? which was not bad. Pretty nice flavor, just too much volume, but that's my own fault. The only thing is I should have asked for more pickles Nice selection of ice creams. I had a milkshake from this blueberry white chocolate and waffle cone ice cream flavor and it was tasty! I think I'll come back when I'm feeling more pride and less full.

Sheila M.

The Elk Burger is my favorite! So delicious, I could never tell that this is better for me than the hamburger! Both the onions and the waffles are very good, as well.

Josh K.

Its been a few years since I have been in but.... re visited this week and definitely enjoy Bubs burgers. I'm not one to try and eat a pound of burger to get a picture on the wall so I cant say much about that part. I stick with the quarter pounder. I like that the weight is after cooking and not before. be careful on your burger toppings. The jalapenos and mushrooms are extra. Its a bit pricy so plan on a $15 with tip lunch. The good part is its delicious!

Tom C.

A great place for a cheeseburger and a chocolate shake. Our family loves coming here. The staff is super friendly. The only draw back was the wait. It took nearly 40 minutes for a table. But it's was worth the wait. My wife and I shared the BIG UGLY and it was yummy! I was getting entertained by the people taking the challenge. After your dinner, you can head right next door for their ice cream. A nice place to bring your kids. Enjoy! #SeñorFood

Sylvia R.

I tried a 1/4 lb Elk burger for the first time, it was quite delicious! You have a choice of a mini burger (which is super tiny) up to I think the Big Ugly which is as big or bigger than a frisbee! Get your pic on the wall if you finish it. I ordered a side of waffle fries. They don't give you many fries, but the burger makes up for it. Oh, and bacon lovers can add bacon to any burger for a few extra cents.

Amber P.

I've lived in Carmel for 5 years now and I have to say I'm ashamed that I just recently got to Bub's for one of their famous burgers. I had the mini elk burger and had them make it special with an egg and bacon. I have to say that it was delicious, but it had been talked up so much that I expected a little bit of heaven. It was shy of that. Still clearly quality ingredients though. I also tried the sweet potato waffle fries with a side of the marshmallow sauce. It was WAY too sweet. I get where they were trying to go with it, but my personal opinion is that another sauce should probably be created for more sophisticated palates. Kids would probably go crazy over it though. Overall, a very good experience with great service and a cozy atmosphere.

Mike K.

Nice hometown burger joint! My 12 year old son said it was the best burger that he's ever had. Hot wings were better than average. Staff was friendly and quick service. Manager took time to talk to my son and I about his baseball team. Ice cream was great too! Only disappointment was that we were nickel and dimed for every condiment. Server offered BBQ sauce for the fries and then were charged $1 extra. Wings had little sauce and I was charged 50 cents for extra sauce even though server never advised sauce would be extra. Will be back next time on area. Man Vs. food was there to eat The big ugly to eat the 2 pound burger!

Zack R.

We happened upon Bub's while we were driving from Illinois to Ohio. From the outside, it's a pretty unassuming little ice cream shop. Once you walk through the ice cream parlor and into the restaurant, you quickly realize you're in Man V Food land. Adam Richman's likeness adorns several parts of the dining room, along with hundreds of photos of those brave souls thay have finished off the Big Ugly (or sometimes two or three), that is a full pound burger (weight AFTER cooking). We came in on a Monday at 2, and there was only one other customer in the place. So we had no issues with seating or service. Our host and server were both very friendly. I got a half pound burger, and my wife got the quarter pound. Both were more than we could handle, and were cooked exactly as we asked. We also split a small fry and milk shake. The shake was great. Best part of the meal. The fries were good, even though they seemed like they came from frozen. Sometimes that actually makes them better than fresh cut fries. Easier to cook anyway. The burgers were interesting. Tightly packed beef made them kind of tough. In fact, it really seemed like the meat wasn't fresh, but instead seemed like it too was cooked from frozen. It was grilled with a ton of seasoning you'd expect on a bad steak. Just way too much. Under my cheese was a pile of bacon bits which I didn't order (and wasn't charged for). Somehow, it wasn't good, so I just scraped it off. Overall, it looks like a place the locals clamor to, but don't go out of your way to get to Bub's.

Ken B.

This place is freaking awesome! I might just move to Carmel so I can be close! That's how awesome these burgers are! The service was quick and friendly. More importantly the food was absolutely delicious! I wanted to try the 22 ounce Big Ugly Burger but it wasn't the right day for me, so I settled for the half pound burger. It was so good I regretted not getting the the 22 ounce. If you do eat it, they take your picture and add it to the wall for decoration. Any place that challenges me like this is a place worth visiting. The milkshakes were also worth writing home about. The fries were fresh and seasoned just right. I can't think of one thing that was wrong with this place, other than the fact that I don't have one back home. Burger chain anyone? It's located in a nice section of Carmel and I hope it stays there for a very long time.

Brent W.

Overall I am not understanding the high demand for the place. The service was very slow / non-existent, and for the price range of burger it way under performs what I would expect. I might try this again in a while and see if it is a better experience, but that will be a while.

Dan H.

Best burger and malt in indy. It's busy so you may have to wait but definitely worth it. Amazing food and good prices

Abdul J.

No bad at all, love the area good for a walk. I like the burgers. Good service and fairly priced, convenient parking.

Jake K.

And for my 1100th review...a little bit of Man vs. Food... When my co-worker suggested Bub's, I had no clue what I was getting into. Besides being an ice cream shop the owner bought out, it's a burger joint that has several varieties of burger that will address most palates. You can choose the size so that you're eating something reasonable all the way up to the Big Ugly - a 22oz (pre-cooked) monstrosity on a dense 8oz roll. Total cooked weight (without any garnishes) is 24oz. Yes, a whole pound and a half. Challenge...accepted. The burger is...well, a burger. Seasoned with what tastes like Montreal steak seasoning, the patty is flattened and cooked to your liking. If you choose to get the Big Ugly Burger (BUB for short), then there are a few things you need to know: 1. You can vary the cheese and ingredients. I went for three slices of cheese (cheddar, pepper jack, and swiss). 2. You must eat everything on the tray that you order. 3. You cannot make a trip to 'boot' at any time or you will be disqualified. So, if you need to *ahem* make room in other ways, do so first before starting. 4. One BUB gets you a 4x6, two gets you an 8x10, three gets you something ridiculously larger, and for those gargantuan eaters, four will get you a life sized photo. I only saw one person who could do that - even Man vs. Food's Adam R. could only knock down 2.5 BUBs. Once you're done, you can sign your picture and have it hanging on the wall for all glory. Ice cream? Fries? I had no room. But, a secret is to get the sweet potato fries with a marshmallow dipping sauce. I tried one before I went to town on the BUB, I may have to get that stuff if I ever go back for a normal meal.

Kate L.

The service was very slow, it took 40 minutes to get 4 burger. The small hamburgers are $4 for a slider size and overdone. A lot of hype for less than average food , disappointed

Paul B.

Great place to eat. I had the 1/2 pound elk burger and it was wonderful! The shakes are amazing as well. I recommend the orange sherbet, goes great with summer weather.

Brea P.

This restaurant is NOT gluten free friendly at all. They may have gluten free items on their menu but if you have a high intolerance to gluten or wheat, or are celiac, it's not a good place for you. They do not have a dedicated fryer for gluten free fried items, even though that is what they told me when I called beforehand. They also cook everything together, on the same flat top. I ate the elk meat and it did not taste good at all. I would not go back.

Claire L.

Burgers are always great. However, We went Saturday night and were told a one hour wait for a table for two. We decided to wait and were finally seated one hour and forty five minutes later. The hosts really need to get a better handle on how long the wait will actually be. Burgers are great when you can finally get a table.

Courtney J.

Being the meat lover girl that I am, after moving to the Carmel IN area it was an absolute must that I try bubs. Being most popular for their burgers I opted to get the 'settle for less ugly' burger which is the quarter pound option. The largest option, "The Big Ugly" is their massive 1-pound burger complete with toppings, condiments and bun. If you devour the entire monstrous burger a picture of you goes on their wall. Sounds like fun? Sure! Sounds comfortable? Nope! :) I thoroughly enjoyed by 'settle for less ugly burger' and appreciated that they wrapped it in lettuce and left my fries unseasoned since I am gluten free. If you are looking for a fun place to go for lunch or a casual dinner with friends or family, Bub's Burgers and Ice Cream is the perfect location. With great milk shakes for dessert you will have a great and very filling dining experience! I recommend Bub's to guests constantly as a concierge and have never recieved any bad feed back. Keep it up, Bub's! And you, reader, go eat that Big Ugly Burger!

Matthew D.

I have been to this place a lot and have never had this bad. We waited 45 minutes for a table (which we are used to) to only finally sit in the one table that was open the whole time. Then besides getting eaten by mosquitoes the whole time and the old tea we got our food and really did not know what we got. There was no lighting at all on the side they seated us at and you could not see your food. We had to use our phones to make sure things looked somewhat alright and to even see the check to pay. We could not tell if the waiter ignored us where we were seated or if he could not even tell if we were out of drinks. But I only got 1 refill of water during the next hour we waited at the table. Overall, the food was not cooked right, the buns were missing part of the bread on the bottom, there were hardly any fries in the basket that we got, and there was no silverware. Very disappointed in this place and would not recommend going there in the afternoon unless you go 4 hours before the sun decided to go down.

Ashley S.

We ordered a "settle for less ugly" burger, grilled chicken sandwich and large order of waffle fries. The Fries were yummy and very crispy. The Chicken sandwich was large and well cooked (not dried out) chicken and the burger was very tasty, still juicy at medium well. There was a very nice atmosphere, we were right next to the Big Ugly eaters and Adam took care of all of our needs and questions. My only complaint was the time it took to get our food, but at least you know everything was cooked fresh!

Dustin H.

This place has the best burgers around. I had the not so ugly and it was great! Me and my wife shared a order of large waffle fries and they were crispy and tasty! The ground beef was fresh and lean, good quality beef. The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 was because the service was Slow. We had to wait several minutes on drink refills. But overall great atmosphere and location, most of all great burgers. I would have no problem returning.

Emilee B.

Are you feeling "ugly"? If so, then Bub's Burgers is the place for you! Take on the "Big Ugly", and you might possibly get to add your picture to the wall. I opted for the Little Bubs (kids) menu, which was the perfect amount of food for me and included a grilled cheese sandwich, sweet potato fries, and a drink. At $4.50 it's the perfect price too! I was there with a party of 15 and our service was AWESOME! Drinks brought right away. Our food came not long after and tasted delicious. And somehow our waitress managed to stay on top of our refills and any extra requests. She nailed it when it comes to customer service! They also have an ice cream shop. Pretty sure I'm gonna have to check that out soon too.

Robin L.

One of the best burgers I have ever had-- quarter pounder with pepper jack, mushrooms and pickles. Amazing. Biggest disappointment was the sweet potato waffle fries. I love sweet potato fries but these were dry and greasy. Will stick with classic fries next time.

Sara L.

Bubs has a limited menu and that allows it to focus on the things it does have, and to do them well. Elk burger in three sizes, beef burger in three sizes, a chili dog, a few kinds of fries, some wine and some beer. There ya go, that's the menu. There's also an ice cream shop, but I didn't eat in it, though I did take some photos of the creepily hyper-anthropomorphic animals adorning the walls. We rode our bikes about 20 miles to get to Bubs, so of course, being hot, sweaty and tired and seeking adventure, it all tasted a little better than it actually was. My elk burger was tasty and I look forward to going back again. The waffle fries, pretty good! The white zinfandel came served in a plastic glass and for the second round, the waitress brought out the single serve bottle and poured it right into the glass. This is all so incredibly hilarious to me. you have no idea how much I loved this! All in all I'd say it was a pretty decent and tasty meal and I will definitely be going back. The patio is killer and right on the monon, so it's an easy bike ride no matter where you start riding. I have never craved the food or thought twice about it, but I did like it and since biking is the thing of the summer, I'll definitely be going back again and be happy to do so. It's a pretty ok place that's a little more than ok with fair prices, a nice atmosphere, friendly staff, and plastic wine glasses. This all satisfies me.

Alex N.

This place is ridiculously awesome. Good burgers, great sweet potato fries, and marshmallow dipping sauce. Every time we're in Indy, we have to come here for lunch. Check out the elk burger. I find that for lunch their "Settle for less ugly" is perfect at 1/4 pound. It's a couple of bucks more than the regular burger, but so worth it. Add a side of sweet potato waffle fries and make sure to ask for the marshmallow dipping sauce. Service is always fantastic. 4 stars for my favorite lunch spot in Carmel. Watch out, it gets busy at lunch, so come early or come late.

Ed S.

This seriously was one of the best burger spots we have ever dined at. Great service, Shannon our waitress was fantastic! The food was amazing, located in a great area, and the ice cream was great, next time we are in the area we will be stopping in again. Highly recommend!

Krista R.

Just OK. Food tasted frozen and reheated, burgers (one elk and one beef) were DRY, fries were bland. Loses one star for high prices and cheesy atmosphere.

Tonya M.

Came in On a Monday night with my daughter. Service was great- our waiter very attentive and took the time to explain everything to us since we were from out of town. We were seated right way. Food came out promptly and burger was good. I asked for medium but it was at the high end of medium not very red. But it was still good. Tried the sweet potato fries with marshmellow dip- OMG! yum!!! I was informed that the dip would be a little extra so it wasn't a surprise. Everything was pretty great- can't wait to bring my husband along next time we are in Indy. Only thing I disliked was parking- it is in a cute little updated village area. Surroundings were nice and it was cool and modern- but it was kinda hard to find parking. Maybe I missed a parking garage somewhere- but be prepared to park a walk a touch to get there. But is worth the walk and you will walk out si full you will enjoy the walk back to care so your belly can settle!

Nina J.

Bub's is a Carmel icon, so I'd recommend at least one visit. Walls are covered in those who took on the Big Ugly Burger Challenge. The hubby's pic was tacked to a wall over a window once, but he won't be doing that again! The "small" orders are more than enough food. I prefer the Elk (less fat than beef) - be sure to order it one level less cooked than you like your Beef. Elk tends to be drier, but turns out perfect if you order this way. Nice waffle fries and juicy hot dogs. Good beer selections. Fun atmosphere attracts the crowds - great location next to the Monon Trail. Table's are close together, which isn't the best with my kids. They don't like feeling like they're sharing a table with another family. We're glad we've been & burgers are good, but would recommend a late lunch or early dinner time slot to avoid long waits. For the same quality burgers, our family always chooses Carmel Burgers on Hazel Dell and Main. Ice cream servings are too huge for any of us to finish and Carmel's got ample other gelato, frozen yogurt, ice cream options. But they do carry Superman flavor, to my youngest daughter's delight.

Quinn T.

Great customer service and great food! Off the beaten path and in a nice, quieter location than the other restaurants in town.

Dustin G.

Great friendly service. Burgers, cheese waffle fries and milkshakes are amazing!! This restaurant is a gut buster and you might need to have someone gurney you out of the restaurant because you will be completely full. Simple menu options but most options if not all are delectable.

Tim H.

This is the kind of place that you plan your trip around! Worth a little drive out of the way when you're in Indy. After my first trip, I was close to calling Bub's the best burger I'd ever eaten. Now after my second trip... and other burgers in between, there's no doubt in my mind. The burger is perfectly seasoned. You could really eat it by itself... but to do so without the grilled bun would rob you of one of the best parts! Add American cheese and bacon, and you can't go wrong! Best Burger Yet! --Tim

Taylor F.

Mahi Mahi burger was phenomenal! Service was genuine and perfect! It was genuine, great beer recommendations as well as menu recommendations and warm and friendly. What's not to love? Don't ask me why we didn't get a burger a burger place maybe it was because the mahi mahi burger looked just edgy and tempting enough for us to take a risk? Brilliant. You can totally paleo-ify this by ordering without a bun and order veggies on the side. Great pico de gallo topping. The ambiance is great with all the pictures splattering the walls with those few brave souls that attempt the fateful Big Ugly Burger and of course a near life sized photo of MAN VS FOOD. It is always nice when Camel makes the National news and Food Channel! Good experience I love sending people here!

Rebecca M.

Burgers come & go, but if you order the "Big Ugly" here, you'll have burger for miles. And long after you've finished that burger, it remains with you. It's breakfast, lunch, and dinner all in one. I go for the so-called kids menu burger - because it's normal size (I don't care WHAT the waitress says, it's not too tiny!). Burgers are fine - but I come here for cheek-cramp-inducing milk shakes! They are so thick, and so flavorful!

John D.

Small place with big food. Could not take the 1lb burger but hade a wonderful elk burger. Highly recommended.

Jemmie W.

The hype works, I guess. I had to go at least once to see what the fuss is. My answer: I don't get it. There's really not that much secret to a burger. Take some ground beef, maybe some spices, grill it, toss it on a bun, add some toppings, and it's a burger. How large exactly can the gap be between the average burger and a great burger? Not much unless you go to extremes... In Lee Iacocca's book, he claimed that Henry Ford II would only eat his personal chef's burger. The chef showed Iacocca his secret - he would grind up a quality New York Strip and use it in a burger. That defeats the whole point of a burger, no? That's like grinding up a fillet mignon to use in a hot dog. Or melting down a Ferrari to make a cannonball. Someone who is not a spoiled billionaire would just eat the New York Strip as a steak, and not a burger. So... a burger is pretty much a burger is pretty much a burger. Bub's burger is pretty much a burger. It's not bad, but it's still a homely burger. Anything better would be a New York Strip steak.

Hanna G.

Second time here - loved it the first time. Went in on my lunch hour at 11am. Three servers on. Four tables. We sat for five minutes before going to Bazbeaux's for pizza when we wanted a burger. We were not helped and the servers apparently had no interest in our money. One server was helping a table - the other two were standing next to the server stand doing nothing and talking. I don't tolerate that when I only have an hour for lunch. My husband is a chef and we are the most tolerant customers you will ever experience because he knows what they go through. But if we go five minutes when you are dead without getting our drinks or our order in - goodbye. Food was good last time. Don't know if I will ever be back.

Scott H.

Great place. One of the best burgers in the Indy area. If you eat the Big Ugly burger, they'll put your picture on the wall (reminds me of the Ol' 96er). Bubs is right off the Monon. Warning: the Big Ugly is HUGE. It's painful to eat it . Don't think that you can eat a Big Ugly and then ride your bike home. The burger is too big. You will crap your pants. I was feeling pretty cocky after polishing off a Big Ugly. Then my 17-year-old female server said that she once ate a Big Ugly, fries and a large milkshake. So long, masculinity.

Tim B.

Ordered the elk burger (special, with bacon, egg, and cheese) medium. It tasted OK but was cooked well done. Absolutely no pink inside. Elk well done is bone dry, and a huge waste of money. I could only force myself to eat about half the burger. Waitstaff was helpful, offered to replace the burger. I declined -- who wants to wait another 20 minutes during a busy lunch? Disappointed. Expected much better. Doubt I'll return.

Jenn H.

Excellent atmosphere. We were recommended to try this place (and the elk burger) by some locals as we were nearby and looking for something different. This place really lived up to the hype. Excellent burgers with fresh toppings. Would have liked to have had fresh jalapeños vs the pickled kind from a jar but other than that the food was great. Neat place and service was quick. Fries were fresh and hot. Prices were reasonable for the high quality food you get.

Lauren L.

My husband and I moved to Carmel last December and we were very excited to try Bub's once the warmer weather rolled around. Our first (and only experience) left us disappointed. We love the Monon and the Art's District but Bub's fell totally flat in our expectations. There was a wait, which was to be expected, it's always a busy place so we walked the trail a little beforehand. Once we were seated our server took a while to get our orders and then our food took at least 45 minutes to get to the table. Then it was cold! I ordered a basic cheeseburger and the bun was so doughy and cold it was terrible. Not to mention expensive! The fries were delicious but couldn't make up for the rest of the meal. It was such a bummer because we were looking forward to spending many weekend nights at Bub's and we haven't been back since. I'd like to give them another chance but it's hard to justify.

B C.

This is one of the WORST restaurant experience we have had in YEARS! It took over 45 mins to get our food. By the time we got it, part of our party had to leave without eating We found out that the waiter held our order for 10mins before putting it in. When we asked what was going on we were given many excuses by the waiter and the Manager. We were told it was because it was early n the day, they were busy, they had the party room booked. We were even told it was because we didn't order at the right time. We were told EVERYTHING except that they were sorry. I gave them one star, because the did comp us one of the meals!!!! Oh but the bugs on the to go box was free!!

Christie B.

Really cute place in Carmel for a great burger and fries. We shared a Not So Ugly half pound burger with grilled onions and pepper jack cheese. It was more than enough for two. We requested it be grilled medium rare and although it came a touch on the rare side for me, it was delicious. The grilled red onions were a nice complement and the seasoned fries were savory, hot, and crispy. The only (slight) downside was the bun--not the most exciting bun bread I've had, but ok. Service was friendly and attentive and we enjoyed our late lunch meal a lot. The walls are decorated with photos of people who have finished the Big Ugly one-pound burger in one sitting. Yikes! This makes my head spin just thinking about it. Photo size was commensurate with number of burgers completed. One enterprising fellow apparently finished off 4 of the Big Uglys, in 6 hours. Impressive and horrifying at the same time.

Vetta C.

Really impressed. I am so sick of the burger trend going on in California. Everyone is doing gourmet burger, yet nothing really beats In-N-Out. I went to Bub's and had medium expectation. It was so good! I had the elk burger and the medium sized one which is 1/2 pound of meat. Elk had not only a great taste, but a very good unique texture to it. The bun is soft and tastes slightly underbaked I say that as a compliment as it worked so well with the burger. Ordered some onion rings. They were just OK. Ordered ice cream. Blueberry Waffle cone and Carmel salted pretzel. It was amazing. Improve on the sides (they are still good) and get a 5 star!

Tammy D.

Unfortunately we had a bad experience. I tried to plan ahead because we had a group of nine which included an expectant mother. I called the day before and was told to come and put my name in and then the rest of our party could join us. My husband and I arrived thirty minutes before the rest of our party. We were then told they couldn't set up our table until half of us were there. So we waited until more of us arrived. I went back to the hostess and was then told sorry we were wrong we can't set up your table until everyone is there. I tried to explain that I had called. They offered to get the manager. When he came out, I explained the situation, including the part about the expectant mother with twins. He said that is our policy. I said, but I called and asked. He said, "I didn't speak to anyone yesterday. Have a nice day." Evidently they believe their food is so good, they don't need to treat their customers well. There were several empty tables, so seating us ten minutes before the expectant mother arrived would not have kept anyone else from getting a table. So disappointed.

Ryan R.

I had a great dinner at Bubs! First food challenge I've ever attempted. Success! Burger was tasty! I did work up a sweat but finished! We had a fair wait time for a party of six. Our server was great. Try the sweet potato fries with the marshmallow dip. Interesting restaurant and worth coming back.

Chelsea S.

Jo completed and destroyed "THE BIG UGLY" his photo is on the wall. I'm soo proud. But bring it back to reality the burgers we had a werid flavor an they were very oily.

Kayre H.

was visiting a couple friends in Westfield last month and they took me here. I had no intention of actually attempting a famous Big Ugly Burger, as i'm pretty sure I would feel bad about my life for months after. I had a "settle for less ugly" burger, which was 1/4 after cooked and plenty. It was tasty, and I got a friend egg on top because, well, eggs make everything better =). That may have been some sort of special. One of my friends got an elk burger, which was apparently good but tasted pretty much like beef. The other got a portabello sandwich, which he said was one of the best he's had. One thing I enjoyed about Bub's was that we had a game on our table, so really had no concept of how long we actually waited. It's like at Cracker Barrel - except far more entertaining than pegs. Smart.

Jake O.

Love this place. The 1 lb hamburger aka the big ugly was delicious. I've ate here 4 times now and get the same thing everytime. They also have a elk burger that I haven't tried yet but heard it was just as good.

Most awesome burger place gotta try the elk variants! What to say; good food, good prives, nice staff. Chose a big Ugly which account for 1 pound of beef AFTER being made; if you finish on your own you get your picture taken and put up on the wall :) Guten Appetit!

W. L.

I had heard about Bub's on TV and through my sister who lived in Indy for a while. Coming out of Indianapolis to northern Indiana, we decided to stop in Carmel for some ice cream. I have to say it lived up to expectations. I wish we could have eaten lunch there, but there ice cream was good enough. It also gave us a chance to walk around that part of Carmel some. The service was a little slow, but since she was alone and very nice, it didn't bother us.

Judy C.

I think I remember watching the man vs food episode of this place and who knew in this lifetime I would end up in Carmel for a wedding, so figure what the heck...why not check out Bub's....so glad we did. The waitress was super sweet and perky...she brought us samples of the chili and OMG...it was great! So we order burgers and some chili waffle fries....the burgers were well seasoned and cooked perfectly.

Lord B.

I have been going to Bubs for almost 8 years now and have not had one bad thing there. I used to get the Not So Ugly cooked medium and it was amazing. I still get the Not So Ugly; but I get the Elk version. It costs you a little more, but is much more lean and I think tastes a little better too. The waffle fries are amazing and their milkshakes are also. In the winter they usually bring on some specialty burgers which is awesome. One year they had the "Tour De Fat" where they had a new burger on the menu once a week for 12 weeks, if you ate all of them you won a prize and you were entered in a raffle. I didn't win the raffle but I ate all of the burgers and it was well worth it. This is a great place for friends and family including small children. Occasionally they have a band or a comedian. The staff is friendly and Matt the owner is open to suggestions. I wouldn't have it any other way. This is my favorite burger joint hands down. Now I'm awaiting there opening in Zionsville...

David N.

Burgers are pretty good, but be prepared to drop a dime and wait a bit. First time there, over an hour wait.... Hello Bazbeaux Pizza. Second time, got there early. Wanted to make sure I could try the Big Ugly without waiting an hour to be seated. Anyways, arrived just after Bub's opened, and were seated right away. Pretty cool to check out all of the pics on the walls and eye up your Big Ugly competition. Burgers were a bit pricey, but hey, it was a road trip for the Big Ugly. Food took a while to come out. My Big Ugly was huge. Pretty good. Decently seasoned. Wife and kid's burgers were just the same. Ordered another Ugly after I demolished the first, and ended up waiting a good 20 minutes. Not a good plan if you're involved in an eating contest more-less. Finally came out. Two Big Uglies is a helluva feat. I made it, barely. Keep a bucket handy if you feel the need to punish yourself into a meat coma. Long story short, good burgers, cool atmosphere, somewhat steep prices, and busy as hell at prime lunch hours. Grab a camera, get there early, and enjoy.

Rob G.

Best Burgers in the area. be-careful when you go. there maybe a long wait. service is slow but food is worth it. great local biz.

Bill S.

I rarely venture from downtown, but I had a show at the Simply Sweet Shoppe in Carmel and I had heard that Bub's was a must visit. I went with a group and half of us got the elk burger and the other half got the beef burger. The waitress told us that the elk was leaner and would leave us feeling less full and she was totally right. So many times when you eat red meat you have the bloated feeling after, but not with the elk burger. Their menu is diverse, but not too big. I highly recommend this place. If it's nice outside, their outdoor area is great for relaxing and watching people on the Monon trail.

Alex S.

Here's why I love my friends. When I watch an episode of "Man vs. Food" that takes places in Indianapolis, I go, "Oh, isn't that neat." When my friend Scott watches it, and see's host Adam Richman take on a giant burger, he goes, "WE HAVE TO DO THIS!" ... and so, we did. Bub's is a great little shack, but to drive two hours to get there, you're doing it for one reason - The Big Ugly burger. The concept is simple you eat a giant, giant burger and get your photo on the wall. Do two burgers and get a full-size photo. Three and get a poster. Four and get a life-size cutout. It's about a two hour drive to Carmel, Indiana from Cincinnati and off we went on a Saturday morning. I had called Bub's earlier that day to see if they were open and if we could make a reservation. Yes, they were open, but no, they did not take reservations. "You can call when you're like 20 minutes away though and we'll put you on the list if there is one," a very nice server told me. "And trust me, there will be one." Fair enough. So about half an hour from the restaurant we called and gave our names - and we were told there would be another half an hour on top of this. Damn, clearly this place was good. We got there and actually walked in the wrong door. Bub's is both a burger restaurant and an ice cream parlor, and of course we went into the parlor. They directed us to the back to the packed restaurant, where we gave our name and were told it would actually be another 40 minutes! Criminey. It's easy to see why though. Bub's is a one room burger shack with about 15 to 20 tables. Pictures of people eating the Big Ugly adorn the walls, including a giant life sized cut out of Mr. Richman himself. And yes, we were here for the Big Ugly. This monster burger is 22oz of meat uncooked and about a pound cooked. It comes with two of the most delicious buns you've ever had, which are thick and tasty and which are, I kid you not, made with a stick of butter - half stick per bun. They are thick. You can also put things on top of the burger (vegetables and cheese and bacon and whathaveyou), but know, anything you order extra, you have to eat to get your picture on the wall. After walking around Carmel for a while (where there are a series of incredibly creepy lifelike statues of people reading the newspaper and painting and riding bikes and police officers ... and of course we took awkward photos with them), our table was ready and it was time for meat. Our waiter was a very friendly dude who told us he'd done the Big Ugly six times. After giving us some suggestions about how he liked it, I decided to go with the heap of vegetables (BAD CHOICE, ALEX!) and three different types of cheeses. My friend Scott went without the vegetables but got the bacon. When the burger arrived it actually looks ... small. Ok, well, small for a one-pound burger. It comes in a giant silver pan which actually makes it look smaller than it is, but still, you want it to be as big as your head, and it's not ... What it is, though, is thick! So damn thick. This becomes apparent in your first few bites. And when you've done 10, 20, 30 bites and haven't even made a dent, you know you're in for some trouble. This is an amazing burger. It's cooked well and it's juicy and flavorful and delicious and every bite is awesome ... until you're stomach starts to hurt about halfway through. Oh god, your brain begins to send warning flashes to your stomach to stop, then it begins stabbing your stomach with a dull fork, then it begins roundhouse kicking you to your face! Pow pow pow pow POW! By the end, you hate everything about the burger. You hate all the delicious meat, you hate all the fresh vegetables, you hate, HATE the giant butter-filled delicious bun. You hate everything about this place ... And then you take that last bite ... that last glorious bite. And you realize you love this place, this glorious place. You, sir, are a champion of eating, a warrior at the table, the conqueror of all things delicious. Your picture is on the wall, a shining beacon to your success. Today, you walk away shoulders back, head held high, ready to take on anything! ... but first, a long meat-coma nap.

Kyle B.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place before now! I also can't believe that I have lived in Indy my entire life and never ate here until this year. If you are looking for the best burger in town, this is the place! Not only are the burgers amazing but I am particularly fond of the sweet potato waffle fries with marshmallow dipping sauce! The shakes are amazing too! Be ready to wait for a table, because this place is always super busy. The service isn't great but the food makes up for it and then some! Favorite burger place by far!

Holly G.

Right off the Monon, this is an extremely popular spot, as witnessed while passing on my bicycle several times over the years. Today we drove there to meet friends for lunch. They open at 11AM on Saturdays. We chose to eat outside, which is great for people watching and checking out all the unique and interesting bicycles on the Monon Trail. We were promptly and courteously seated and waited on the entire time we were there. Although we were one of the first groups there today, it didn't take long for the place to fill up. The burgers smelled amazing, but I was in the mood for something a little different. I ordered a side salad to start. It's a half portion of their Bub's salad. Well balanced, it had field greens, romaine and spinach - a very nice touch. I love how they give you the option of including or leaving off whatever topping you want "on the side" so you can dress your menu items as you like. For my entree, I ordered the blackened Mahi Mahi sandwich. You can also order it grilled. It is an eight ounce filet served on garlic herb foccacia bread - which is FANTASTIC...with a side of peach-mango salsa - also VERY, VERY good. I tried one of the sweet potato waffle fries that my friend ordered, which I've had before at other restaurants, but not with a side of marshmallow dipping sauce! It sounds weird at first, but you MUST try it! So yummy! I have no complaints whatsoever. Our beverages stayed filled, we were treated well, we got plenty to eat. A great first visit! I'll definitely return.

Hannah A.

The food here is great, sometimes the service is off because the wait-staff is primarily high school students on the weekends but they are very friendly. I've been here a few times and have fallen in love with the Elk burger with a side of loaded potato salad. The burger is seasoned well and tastes amazing, but the potato salad at Bubs is just about the only potato salad I will order from a restaurant. Its not the traditional southern type with egg, mustard and onion, it's fresh, with red potatoes, bacon, sour cream, and cheese. The BEST! Overall though, Bubs is reasonably priced with great food, and a relaxed atmosphere. You will leave full!

Tushi C.

Came to this burger joint, not knowing it was the home of the famous "BIG UGLY" One pound burger challenge that was on Man Vs. Food. Of course, being as petite as I am, I definitely did not try the big ugly challenge. However, I did have the 1/4 pound elk burger. It was juicy, mouth-watering, and absolutely amazing. I have never had a better burger in my entire life. The bun was so delicious as well, super fluffy but also had a dense feel to it. I have no complaints about this place. Go Try it!

Michael C.

This place has a zillion reviews, and most of them are good, so what is there to add? The highlight for me is always that 1) My kids have a good time and 2) The waffle fries are hot and crispy and have a great, distinctive corn meal sort of batter that I really like. I've never had bad food here. I have, had to wait, but you have to expect that going in. It's a small place with a good rep in a high traffic area. If you aren't in the mood to take that in stride, then you're not in the mood for Bubs. That being said, if you're in the mood, you'll probably have a good time and a good meal.

Leslie H.

The burgers are worth the wait. You can customize it and make it as ugly as you can and it will still come out delish. The milkshakes are a must try and they always have some goodie bag for the lil ones. It's so convenient since its right next to the Monon Walk.

Mark F.

While I appreciated our friends taking us to the "best burger in town," the negatively-sassy service and horribly misquoted wait times took this place from a 4 to a 2 in record time. I bet that this place is killer in the summer. There's twice as much seating. We were given about an hour wait time and it turned in to nearly two hours (HA!). Being hungry and wait-spiteful, I made a comment about wishing the wait time was more accurate and the server sniped back with, "it's a Friday night, what did you expect?" Oh snap. My burger was tasty and cooked really well. I can't figure out why it was so a la carte. It's a burger joint not fine dining. I call that nickle and diming the customer. I had a chocolate malt as well. Chunky malty-ness. Success. But, overall, the experience was pretty meh. I'd like to give this place another shot when the temps are warmer and the service is friendlier.

Foodie G.

Elk burger was tender! Choc banna milkshake was fantabuluzzz more details here: inagoodfoodmood.wordpres…

Josh H.

Really good fresh burgers. Can get very large elk burgers which are quite delicious. Service was fast and efficient. Can get very busy and loud but it's all good!

Brice S.

I stopped in for lunch and tried the Elk Burger with sweet potato fries. The food was good and the server was great. The Elk burger was cooked just right and tasted great on the one of a kind bun. The price may be just above the average burger joint.

Brian E.

I came here after seeing this place on Man v. Food as I am sure a lot of people did. It has a nice atmosphere and it's fun to see all the pictures on the wall of people who have defeated the big ugly burger. I myself did not try it. I don't see a need to eat that much food lol. I got the not so ugly half pound burger. It was delicious. I got mine made from elk instead. It was much sweeter than a normal burger would be so I think if I was to do the big ugly it would not be elk. The onion rings were tasty as well. You could tell they were beer battered. I wild definitely come here again if given the opportunity. My only con would be it was very busy when we went and it was a little wait for our food.

Emel S.

Finally made it to Bub's Burgers and I'd have to say that it was a success. We didn't take the Big Ugly challenge as it seems that would be more painful than enjoyable. All four of us got the "Settle for Less Than Ugly" size burger - two with elk and two with beef. I have to say that everyone was quite pleased with their burgers. You can request grilled onions on your burger and they are delicious! We also got an order of the regular fries and an order of the sweet potato waffle fries which everyone enjoyed. The staff at Bub's was very friendly. Since it was our first time, our waiter was quite useful in helping us decide what to order (like is a large fries enough for 4 people--no, it's not). We wished that we had room at the end of the meal to order milkshakes but we were all too full! The atmosphere is fun too with all the pictures on the wall with people who have taken the Big Ugly challenge and succeeded! Bub's location is also great as it's located right on the Monon Trail. We happened to go on a rainy day so we couldn't sit outside but they did have a lot of outdoor seating which I hope to take advantage of sometime this summer!

Dean F.

Good, yea very good burgers & grilled buns. The potato salad or slaw is good and fries are hot but too salty. Service is usually ok. So-so beers in the bottle. You'll want to sit outside as indoors is obnoxiously noisy and it has no redeeming virtues.

Justin M.

Great burger joint. Elk burger is amazing! Be warned, there is almost always a wait, but for a really good reason. If you have the time to wait (which could be 2+ hours during the summer), it's worth it. Sitting outside on the Monon is great.

Oscar P.

Want a great burger on a homemade bun?? Even better want your pic on the wall? Our family really enjoys The burger and the casual atmosphere. There's also a great ice cream shop right next door. We've always been happy with both the food and the service. Keep in mind, no reservations, so it can be a wait if you go at popular times.

David W.

Bub's backs up to a quite nifty-looking bike trail and if I lived a couple hundred of miles closer I would probably utilize it. After eating here I certainly felt like I should have. Bub's seems to be something of a staple in the burgeoning arts district of Carmel, and while visiting Indy last week, my friends insisted that we stop here. I was a bit unsure of what size burger would be filling, and, wanting to soften the bill for the person footing it, "settled" for the "Settle-for-Less-Ugly" burger. It turns out this quarter-pound burger, though less ugly, was nonetheless substantial. The menu, however, is a la carte, so don't forget to order a basket of yummy waffle fries. A friend ordered the sweet potato waffle fries (combining two ingenious inventions in one), which also looked delicious. And they serve chili in baguette bread bowls, which I am likely to order should I return. I didn't try their ice cream, the other part of their namesake, and thus cannot comment. But Bub's yummy burgers and fries should be enough to prompt a return on my next visit to the Hoosier State.

Jen K.

I like burgers. I'll try to find a burger place in each new town I visit. I am so glad my friend suggested taking me here because it didn't show up when I searched on yelp. I loved this place! The atmosphere is great, they're not trying too hard to be cool. they just are. The burgers are legit. So good! I just got the "settle for less ugly", so delicious. The sweet potato waffle fries are the BEST. I am seriously so bummed they don't have this place in OC. I don't know if I'll ever be back in Indiana again but I would go back just to have a Bub's burger. It was so good, I even went back to the next day to eat here again. (don't judge) ;) The big ugly burgers are so intense. Love it. Lots of charm, great food, great service. A+ in my book!

Hunger E.

NOTORIETY: Man v. Food (for Big Ugly Burger challenge) FOOD: Not So Ugly Quarter lb Burger: This burger was juicy, served on a good toasted bun. I did luck out when I ordered the burger to be cooked medium. I'm a fan of their boiger. Sloppy waffles: The waffle fries were good & crispy, topped w/ cheese whiz, bacon, & sour cream = tasty. Yum. OVERALL: Bub's is a nice burger joint that serves tasty burgers. It's a fun atmosphere w/ pics of Big Ugly Burger winners plastering the walls. Maybe Hunger E.'s pic might adorn those walls 1 day. RECOMMENDATION: Any Ugly burger variant & sloppy waffles TIPS: 1. While you wait for your burger, your table is equipped w/ a board game/card game. MH

P K.

Decided to stop in and try this place out. Was looking for a good cheeseburger. Definitely found it! I tried the middle sized burger with a large waffle fry and I am glad I didn't go bigger. With all the toppings on my burger I was so stuffed by time I got done with it. I give props to the guys who have eaten 2-3 of The Big Ugly burgers. Next time I am going to have to get a milk shake and enjoy the weather outside when it gets nice. The staff was very friendly and helpful with recommendations. I will definitely come back and bring some friends and family to try this place out again.

Douglas H.

Home of the Big Ugly Burger...Bub's. This establishment is not for the weak at heart. As the saying goes, "Where's the BEEF?" Bub's can say they bring it and have the home of the Big Ugly. Satisfy your beef coma with the monstrous BIG UGLY and you will land yourself on the Wall o' Fame. Not feeling up to the Challenge? Bub's offers several other meeker options and other famed sandwiches as well. A variety of toppings with 4-5 cheeses, bacon and limited edition burgers keeps you coming back for more. Bub's also has chili, hot dogs, soups, chicken and mahi-mahi sandwiches to back up the ground chuck and Elk burgers counterparts this place is known for. Bub's also has many great sides to complete your meal. I recommend the regular waffle fries or sweet potato waffle fries, the onion rings, or do it right with the "sloppy fries." Either way, your cardiologist will thank you kindly after a visit here. What did you expect...tofu? Forget about it! Wash it all down with a hand dipped milk shake and your day is complete. As a side note, you can walk or ride your bike to Bub's as it is situated upon the Monon Trail in downtown Carmel. You will not regret this trip to the Home of the Big Ugly Burger.

Stephen K.

Just OK. I'm 28 years old and have no kids so I will preface this review by saying that. I felt like I was at a Chuck E. Cheese. I wanted to take my girlfriend out for a date and just have a good hamburger. What I got was a group of preteens whom had their parents dress them. It was so loud with kids that in an effort to communicate - my girlfriend and I resorted to playing cell phone games like "draw something". The elk burgers we got were decent but nothing to write home about. The day care center atmosphere really ruined it for two young adults. I was looking for a cubbie hole to place my shoes so that I could jump into the ball pit which I looked for, but could not find. I will not be coming here again.

Brandon M.

The Elk burger is sandwich! I have long wanted to try and ELK burger and the main reason for my trip to Carmel was to eat here and grab a Big Ugly so I hit two nails with one swing. This place was packed, and parking oh boy was it difficult however taking the walk through town was very enjoyable who can resist posing for pictures with the ceramic statues!? It was quite enjoyable. Only having a party of two we were placed at a pub table rather swiftly and placed our simple order just a elk burger and fries for the two of us to share. The burger was good it's the only elk burger I have ever had so I don't know it may been great, (if there is a next time I will try a regular burger) the fries were amazing and the drink menu is very large for a little burger stand. The front entry to the restaurant has (or is) a ice cream parlor with no seating and very little to choose from as far ordering is concerned. There is also no rhyme or reason as to how the line is to be formed when ordering ice cream up here which is the reason for the 4 star rating. Over all the staff was great and I am in the area again I will be sure to stop by.

Scott N.

There is a reason there is always a line out the door along the Monon... this is by-far the best burger in the city (maybe one of the best I've ever had, but my memory isn't good enough to make that sort of assertion). The burgers are all very flavorful and the portions are extremely generous. All of the weights are as-served, so you're eating 1/4-1 lb of cooked burger! I have never walked out of Bub's feeling less than stuffed. The meat is well seasoned and the buns are buttered, you really can't get better. The ice cream is also amazing. I highly recommend everything! Deal with the hype, deal with the line, there is a very good reason it's popular.

Andrew S.

My favorite burger joint. All the food is awesome and fresh hand made milkshakes bring all the boys to the yard. Very causal experience. Friendly and fast service is always great as well.

Adrienne G.

OK, I'll be honest. I did not want to try this place. The long lines that other reviewers talked about scared me away. Also, I'm not really interested in places that have eating challenges. They are over-hyped and who really needs to eat that much food?! With that being said, I stopped in here with some friends about a week ago. We got there about 2:30 and waited about 15 minutes to get seated. Our waitress was friendly and prompt with the drinks. I ordered the "settle for less ugly" burger which is their quarter pound burger. I also got pepper jack cheese and bacon on it. My boyfriend and I split a basket of their waffles fries. After eating, all I have to say is YUUUMMMMMM! Seriously, the best burger I have had in a long time! It was juicy, flavorful and the bun had just the right amount of crispiness to it. The waffle fries were amazing as well. Crispy and just the right amount of seasoning. I can now say that I am a believer! Writing this is making me want one of their burgers RIGHT NOW! Don't be scared away like I was, go now and enjoy a great burger!

Erin D.

Saw it on Man vs Food and since we were in the area to visit family, had to check it out. The burgers were great! Even the 1/4 lb "settle for less" was too much to finish, it was delicious. They also do a great job on onion rings, waffle fries and chicken chili. Even though it is frying, there is some precision to make sure it comes up crisp and not tasting completely of oil---they know how to do it! Our server was extremely friendly and made our visit great. I will be back next time we are in town.

Kati T.

AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!!! Great food!! Good price. If I had one nitpick it would be that service was slow but the amazing food overrides that. Awesome food!!!!!

Kathy S.

After watching Man Vs. Food, I had to visit here to try the ugly burger. The reason I did not give this place five stars was the long wait to get in plus the long wait for a waitress to even get us drinks! eek! Anyhoo, the burger was probably one of the best I've ever eaten and yes I ate the entire thing and it was delish all the way through. The bun was even just as good! The place is tiny and perhaps that is why there is a long wait but I would go back just to try other things on their menu.

Travis H.

If you want a great burger, this is the place to go...I suggest the Elk version. My only downfall to this place is while its slighly overpriced for a burger, you're paying for the experience, however, the service is the area I've always had issues with. If you want a quick meal (an hour or less) don't go here, it will always take longer than you'll expect and all the tables are close together so that causes it to seem even longer. Great area in downtown Carmel and something you should experience. Also, if you do the Big Ugly challenge, don't get the egg on the burger as it makes it over the top...however, if going with any other burger, the egg is delicious!!!

Brandon S.

Just this week there was an article on yahoo telling dinks (double income no kids) to get the heck out of the suburbs. Really?! You're the one with the annoying kid... We don't however live in the burbs (Carmel). We simply decided to take a nice bike ride up the monon trail to Carmel on a nice Saturday afternoon. We went to an amazing craft brewpub on the way called union brewery... Loved it! Then the bubs happened. We put our name in and were told 30 mins... 30 seemed high for a 2 top, but we obliged.... An hour and a half later we got seated!! 2 people! This place is all about making money! Lets move tables together to seat the most amount of people together to get the most amount of money... Boo! The food - burgers are good, especially the elk burgers. Hope you like worchestershire though. Fries nothing to write home about. Def nothing to wait an hour and a half for though...

John W.

$2 ice cream cones!

T D.

We moved to the area a couple of months ago and remembered seeing Bub's on Man Versus Food so we thought we'd make our way over. We had a party of 9 and not one of them was impressed. We went on a Sunday afternoon and the wait was over 45 minutes. We were finally seated outside in a shaded area - but the flies were ridiculous, we were constantly swatting our drinks and food, to the point that we were getting a little grossed out. I understand an outdoor venue has elements to work with but it seemed a little out of control. The place is a bit run down which was okay as it is just a burger joint, but I think we were expecting something a bit nicer because of the television show and being in the Arts and Design District. The food...took forever to get to us. We easily waited another 45 minutes to be served after the 45 we waited to get seated...the thing is - this place isn't that big and there is no reason I could see for it to take so long. Once the food arrived we were really disappointed. The salad was similar to something I might get at McDonalds...with even cheaper Ranch dressing (this actually ruined the meal and I ate off of someone else's plate). None of the burgers come with sides (think fries) so that's an extra cost. When the burgers arrived the cheese was sweating on all of them, that is not something that you want to see on you plate - how long had it been sitting...and were the flies inside too (it is not air conditioned)? The location is prime, nestled against the Monon Trail, and the outside waiting area is suitable for families, there were even several dogs waiting with families. And the server that we had was wonderful. It was just the wait, the bugs, and the food that were sub par. After our meal we ventured to the adjoining ice cream shoppe. This shop was also very run down and cheap looking. In addition, it didn't seem to carry any traditional flavors so a few of our guests didn't partake. No chocolate, vanilla, strawberry that we could see. The server was pleasant. Overall - I might not have been disappointed if I hadn't seen the place on t.v. and heard so many people talking about how great it was. But my expectations got the best of me and I'll never go back now. All in all...having a giant cheeseburger (The Big Ugly) that frequently causes your guests to pass out from carbo-nap isn't enough to keep this lady as a customer...especially when that burger sweats more than the man holding it.

Marcie M.

I am upping the stars. We went back today and I ordered a hot dog for the first time EVER in this restaurant. I just wasn't that impressed with their burgers, so I needed to try something else. The hot dog was divine, all beef and made very well! The bun was toasted perfectly and they gave me the option of nacho cheese or shredded. I asked our server and she said the nacho was the way to go... and she could not have been more right! It also was NOT busy today...I was quite pleased. We got right in on the bottom level, which was cooler than the upstairs where we sat last time. All the staff members came by to ask how we were and my ham of a son smiled and cooed at all of them whenever they walked by. We were VERY well taken care of, our food came out hot and fresh and my chocolate milkshake was DIIIIIVINE. If nothing else, this is where I shall go for any ice cream craving I might have in the future! Overall, I am now much more pleased with Bub's. Who knew I could and would enjoy a chili dog!! YUMMMO!

Eli T.

Stumbled on the place by serendipitous chance and was not disappointed. Prompt service, friendly and full of excellent suggestions. I arrived with a GRUMPY toddler (late lunch) and they brought a "busy bag" for little guy with goldfish crackers and fruit chews. I ordered the Not So Nasty 1/4 lb elk burger and was amazed. The bun was fresh and delicious and the meat was lean, well-seasoned and cooked to perfection. The 1/8 lb kids burger was perfectly sized, too, and came with a PILE of their excellent waffle fries. The final bill was less than $20, which was a total shock, given the location and quality of the food. I've paid more than that for lunch at Panera and not had as much food!

Betty B.

What's happening? Burgers good but wait with kids too long from time of order. The flies were swarming as soon as food arrived. We had to cover our dishes and drinks with napkins. I was afraid that the flies were going to get more of the burger than we were.

Jeremy R.

Four stars only because it's not my favorite burger in town. I ordered the 1/2 pound bison burger because I've visited Fogo a few too many times, and I'm sure the plaques forming in my blood vessels needed a break. As expected, it was a little drier than the regular beef burger, but I still thought it was delicious. The spices on the outside made my taste buds dance. I'd pass on the sides, though. The onion rings were "eh, okay." Sitting outside on the monon on warm evenings is great but expect a looong wait. You can thank that heart attack waiting to happen on Man v Food for that, but it's nice to see local businesses thriving.

Carly M.

Love Bubs. They have great burgers and milkshakes. It's always crowded on weekends and on a warm day, but they have outdoor seating right along the Monon Trail, and there is always a ton of people waiting.. which is a good sign. I got a burger with a fried egg on top, it was awesome! I was unsure about ordering it, but I have ordered it multiple times since then. The atmosphere is loud, but expected. A lot of families and very kid friendly. Very affordable and decent service. They have good ice cream too!

Denise L.

One word. YUM! A little pricey, but SO good! This place was featured on man v. food, & a friend of mine told me she had tried to go a few times, but could never get in . Which made me want to go more. My cousin & I went about 1:30 on a Wednesday afternoon. We were quickly seated, & the waitress was promptly at our table taking drink orders. It did take a while for the food to get out, however it does say online on the menu "will not compromise quality for speed" You also have the option of getting grilled red onions & mushrooms on your burger if you please, as well as a few different types of cheese. I ordered the Elk not so ugly burger, & onion rings. They brought it out & it was huge this fat girl had to cut the burger in half. I believe the buns were toasted, & I requested grilled onions, & it was on the burger along w/ the pepper jack cheese. All the other fixing's were on the side. I bit into it & it was paradise. The onion rings were freshly battered. They also have beer & wine. I'm not big on burgers, but I guarantee you it was the best at a restaurant that I've had in a while. My total came to $15 something, for a big ugly elk burger, onion rings, & an ice water. I believe it was about $3 extra for the elk. Still worth it though...just not somewhere I would go often. The only downfall is the ice water was the nastiest water I've ever tasted in my life.

Kylee W.

Wow, I was surprised at how good the burgers are here! It's so hard to pick the best burger in Indy, but this definitely is in the competition. The buns are amazing and the burger is so perfectly juicy! It's everything a good burger should be. The fries were also great, and we had perfect service. I can't wait to go back and get some ice cream maybe too. My husband did the challenge and now has his picture on the wall. Not sure how to feel about that.

Benjamin R.

Pretty good burgers, can't beat the location on the monon

Edward D.

Had lunch with my daughter and her husband. Burgers were excellent. Onion rings were great. The staff were very friendly and helpful. No room for an ice cream dessert after such a huge meal.

Annette M.

Thanks to fellow Yelpers' reviews, I knew to call and put our name on "the list" when we were 20 minutes away. We still waited a while, but for a place that been on Food Network, that's to be expected. The quarter-pound burger was delicious, and cooked exactly as I'd requested. We were there with two guys who got Big Uglies, and they certainly are something to see. There are games on the tables and a cute ice cream shop up front (like you'll have room for THAT). Drawbacks: 1. No place to sit while waiting (because every chair in the placed was being used). 2. Carmel.

Jenn B.

My mother and I had heard that this place had been featured on the Travel Channel so we ventured over to check the place out. Here is what we found Pros: Charming building, Outdoor seating, Friendly Staff, Quickly seated (even durring rush hour) Games to play on the table while you wait, Photos of the burger challenge winners on the walls, Unique menu items Cons: No/Improper air conditioning, Over crowded, Wait Staff was young and somewhat lacking much personality. Our server changed in the middle of our meal so we weren't sure whom to tip. My biggest con was that my mother and I split our plates so that we could both try something different & share the experience. Therefore I'm not sure if it was the chicken or the elk burger that made us sick. :(( Which was really a shame because the food tasted delicious. Perhaps I just have a weak stomach for elk?

Craven M.

Elk Burger and waffle fries were amazing!! Went during the summer time and sat outside...good place to eat in carmel!!!

Travis T.

Got the half lb elk burger and waffle fries. Maybe the best burger I have had.

Dawn T.

Settle for less? I always "settle for less", less burger because that's all I can manage to consume at Bubs. All of the other burgers are too much for me. However, settling for less at Bubs certainly applies to size only. You are not settling for anything less than great by eating a burger at Bubs. Moreover, I can drink an Upland Wheat Ale with my burger and that makes me even more happy. I had heard that the hotdogs are great too, so I tried a chili dog. It was very good, but did not please me as much as the burgers do. My son also swears the mahi mahi is "amazing". Bubs fries are great and the onion rings are also very good. There is often a wait a Bubs, however, once you are seated the service is always great.

Mia M.

The burgers = excellent The coney dogs = excellent The wait = not ideal, but not surprising The staff comprised of people all under the age of 19 = not so excellent (they're slow and often overwhelmed) The abundance of screaming children = opposite of excellent Still, the proximity of Bub's to my house, the prices and the great food make it worth the wait and the irritation. ETA: The last two times we've eaten here, my husband and I have both had "stomach monkeys" to contend with afterwards. I guess going here again will mean having Immodium on hand for the aftershocks.

Tanveer S.

Flippin' AWESOME! There's literally NOTHING I don't like at this place. The burgers...AWESOME, the chicken sandwich...AWESOME...the hot dog...AWESOME, the chili fries...take a guess...AWESOME! Oh and of course, the shakes....BLOODY AWESOME! I think that wraps it up. I miss it, and whenever I hit my home town I hit it up no holds barred.

Kimberly F.

I think this place is supposed to be known for the best burgers around. Maybe that's true, but my husband and I didn't have the best experience. It was a Friday night, so we knew there would be a wait. We put our name in and were quoted a 50 minute wait time. They said they'd call our cell phone when the table was ready. We went back to our friends (across the street) to kill some time, and came back 45 or 50 minutes later, thinking we'd be called any minute. We were quoted another 25 minute wait, which ended up being about 40 minutes. Seriously?!? Our wait time was over 90 minutes, and it would have been nice to have been quoted that from the beginning. When we finally got our table, everything was OK. My water glass was dirty, but I was too thirsty to notice or care until after I'd chugged it. Oops. I ordered the elk burger, which was good. My husband got a regular burger and said it was great. We tried the sweet potato fries, which were pretty standard as well. Good, but not spectacular. The best part of my meal was the chocolate malt. It was perfect! And though I ordered it to go, they brought out the extra that didn't fit in the cup. How nice. I want to give this place more than 2 stars, but when I think about the experience, "Meh" is the only thing that comes to mind. Sure, I'd give it another shot when I'm in town. I mean, the food and service were good...I just wish I had a better first experience with this place.

Paul B.

I went to Bub's for one reason, to try my hand at the Big Ugly Burger Challenge. I was part of a large group, some of whom have been to Bub's before so the wait was known about and was not a problem. Three of us in the group were going to try the challenge, but I was the only one who planned on eating more than one. I went in thinking (foolishly) that I could handle at least 3, and possibly 4. I really wanted that life size cutout LOL. My experience as far as the seating and such was the same as other yelpers have reported, the wait was not as bad as expected, about 45 mins on a Sunday afternoon. Once seated, as soon as the server found out that there were 3 of us trying the challenge he laid out the ground rules for us, which are pretty straightforward actually: No Time limit, you can have whatever you want on your burger, but must eat whatever you order as well, you can go to the restroom during the challenge, you can drink as much as you like, and get up and walk around as much as you like as well. Sounds pretty easy, right? I thought the same thing too as I sat there. I ordered my first Big Ugly with pepper jack cheese and pickles. The burger really doesn't look that big, until you start eating it, then it seems like every bite gets regenerated magically and you never put a dent into it. I was about 3/4 done with the first burger when the waiter came by and asked if I wanted to go for the second one with the same toppings. I felt like I could do it so I said yes. It came out about 5 mins after I finished that first one, and that was my mistake. I should have waited a half hour or so to start on the second one, because I got about half way through the second burger and hit the food wall. From that point on every bite was a struggle, and it took me almost an hour to finish it, at which point I could not have eaten another bite of anything, period. So, I got a pretty big picture on the wall, not life size by any means, but bigger than the one given for eating one Big Ugly, and it will stay up for as long as they are open, so I am ok with that for the time being, I will try again though, I think that if you block out the whole afternoon/evening, and space out the burgers more, three is not out of the question, now four is another story altogether.

Tracy K.

While I was disappointed that Adam Richman didn't get more of those Big Uglies down, he still got me to try this place. The location is great being right next to a walking trail in the cutest little suburb. I also really like places that have outdoor seating options. The burger was surprisingly tasty for being so huge and the bun was nice and toasted. The service, however, was not at all impressive. Our waiter got our order wrong and then took forever just to get us a knife. I ended up asking another waitress who promptly brought one out for us. Due to some previous gastrointestinal difficulties, we didn't get to try the ice cream but definitely will next time!

shanna r.

As I was walking the monon the other day I discovered this burger place right off of the trail. It smelled so delicious and the crowd was so large that I decided to go back and try it for myself 2 days later! I was not disappointed. The outdoor seating is fantastic. It has a very layed back feel. The menu is simple and everything we tried was delicious. Our service was great. We ordered water to drink but it did not taste very good so the server gave us soda's on the house. We really enjoyed our first experience at Bub's and can't wait to go back!

Matt M.

Everyone's order was incorrect and this was at 2 in the afternoon. I get that it happens during a rush but get off your high horse and actually try to make it right other than saying sorry and charging full price for a messed up order. This place has gone way down hill ever since they were on TV.

Chris B.

This place is a gimmick. I saw it on Man Vs Food and we had to check it out. The burger was marginal at best. The sides were pre frozen kinda things and just ok. They have 1/4 lb, 1/2 lb and the 1 lb burger. Nothing impressive. The patio facing the bike path is neat and the ice cream is decent. The one thing I learned is that you can't count on Man Vs Food for GOOD food, just quantity. If that's what you're down for- there's another mass food contest (I think it's a mega-hero sandwich) across the bike path. Shesh! This place will not be on my "when I return to Indy" list- sorry guys.

Dave C.

Bub's is one of my favorite places in Carmel. My favorite is the Elk burger. The best is when you are able to get a table outside. Since the Monon trail goes right by it's fun to just sit outside on a nice weekend, enjoy some good food and people watch. If you have to sit inside, then its an okay experience but not the same as being outside. The menu is somewhat limited but really, when you go to Bub's you're really only going for one thing, the burger. I haven't yet taken the Big Ugly challenge but have seen several people try and succeed. I've never been to Bub's where it wasn't busy so you can plan to wait if you go at peek time. Parking isn't usually a problem as they have a small lot behind the restarunt and there is plenty of street parking.

Steven S.

Great food but they HAVE to do something about all the flies (larger than fruit flies / smaller than horse flies). We ate inside and spent entire meal waving them away from food and drinks. Come on Bub's - you're making a fortune on $15 burgers. Spend some of it on the sanitation of your eating area/kitchen.

Torrey R.

Yum, yum, yum! I'm doing my first triathlon this Sunday and I've chosen Bub's as my reward meal afterwards. Their bison burger is to die for! I can't wait to sink my teeth into their juicy, made to order, melt in your mouth burger.

Stephanie P.

Bubs makes a good burger, but they've never blown me away. They're known for their Big Ugly Challenge, and they offer a variety of different size burgers for a mega feast. The burgers don't come with sides- they're extra- but they make some decent onion rings. They don't really have drink specials, but offer a selection of beer (no drafts). It always draws a huge crowd, so there can be wait, but it is a fun atmosphere, especially next to the Monon. Definitely a fun place for a good burger, especially if you want it big, but I've never quite understood the hype.

Scott L.

I saw this place on Man Vs. Food. And...Thank you, Adam Richmond! This place was fantastic. My buddy, Alex and I (along with our ladies) took a roadtrip (The Big Ugly Roadtrip) from Cincinnati to Carmel, IN to jump into the Big Ugly Challenge! It was a task...it was a fight...but, I'm proud to say, WE ARE ON THE WALL! We were told to call in when we were about 20 minutes away to put our names in. We got there, and still had about a 40 minute wait, but that just gave us some time to walk around the city and check out the cool/weird statues one of the amazing antique stores. But, then they called us and we were sat. We ordered, we sat and played a 20 questions game that was on our table and we waited for the goodness to begin. When the burger was delivered to the table, I was sort of disappointed. It didn't look nearly big enough. But, after about 40 minutes to an hour...I realized it was just the right size to make me doubt myself and get the meat sweats! But, in the end me and my good buddy, Alex made it through. VICTORY! The burger itself was DELICIOUS! I even added bacon on to the 22 ounce amazingness! The bun was amazing, the bacon...well, I didn't really taste the bacon through the sheer amount of burger! But, I assume it was delicious as well! I had a great time on this trip. It was full of good friends, good music and a scrumptious burger! ...oh...also, the guy who waited on us was one of the people in the episode of MVF cheering Adam on! So, I thought that was pretty awesome too! All in all, it was ONE FANTASTIC TRIP!

Julie M.

Great food, fun (but noisy) atmosphere. If you're from the east coast and you're looking for "back home" food, this is it!

Min H.

some personal background-starting in college I gave up eating meat for a variety of reasons. I, however, have made expections for Bub's whenever I came back to Carmel because the burgers are just amazing. Everything is freshly prepared, cooked just as ordered, and of course delicious. The only "downside" of the place is it can be packed and so wait can be a bit long, but once you've tried the food, waiting for Bub's is just part of the experience.

Evan E.

Burgers and milkshakes have been an important part of my diet since I have known these items are consumable and delectable. Bub's does burgers right. And I finally have a reason to go to Carmel. Bub's offers 4 different sizes of burgers with the largest being The Big Ugly (a pound of meat). I went with the smaller, quarter pound elk meat burger (which is leaner than ground beef). I also ordered a strawberry milkshake and waffle fries. The burger was incredible! One of the best in town. The milkshake was also top notch. The waffle fries were disappointing. They tasted like perhaps the oil they fried them in was dirty, although my friend ordered onion rings and those were much better, so who really knows. The location is nice, for Carmel. It's located off the Monon in the Main St. area. The wait time to eat, and the service time for food to get to the table can be slow, however, I have grown to not expect much when dining out on less than $15 a meal.

Claudine S.

I had a bacon cheeseburger with sweet potato waffle fries. Yummy. I did not attempt the challenge as the burger was gigantic. the staff were friendly, helpful and the building is so cute. I absolutley love man vs. food so seeing Adam Richman's life size cut out was awesome. This place is small but a lot of fun. My chocolate malt was so rich and creamy also. Love Love love it.

Brittney C.

Very enjoyable place to eat. Definitely will go back.

Kelsey R.

My boyfriend and I came in to Bubs today at around 3 pm. Don't get me wrong, I am in food service, so I know how it gets between 2-4. However, just because business is slow does not mean that service should be slow as well. In this case, we were greeted promptly and got our beverages quickly and placed our orders... however, this is where it goes wrong. The food runner gave us our food and walked away. Never again did anybody come over to us. The iced tea was awful so when our server came back I had planned to order a coke... but she never came back. She never asked us how we were doing or how everything was. We had both finished eating by the time she showed up (we were literally the only people in the dining room). I requested to see a manager and when our waitress came back she said her manager was "talking to someone" and didn't know when he would be done. Extremely disappointed... not only did the wait staff not give a crap how our experience was but apparently the management is too busy to speak with dissatisfied customers. We hoped to speak to a manager and make the situation right, instead we spent $30 for flies to crawl all over our burgers and virtually non-existent service. We won't be back.

Nancy K.

Having visited probably a dozen times, I would say the service is what keeps us coming back, above the food. The food is good, but not extraordinary. We've had beef, elk and bison. All seem to be dry. Kids love that they can customize sodas with syrup.

Christina P.

I sincerely believe that the Carmel renaissance happened because of Bub's. When this place opened, EVERYONE from the high school went after school for milkshakes and juicy burgers. It is packed on sunny days, so you might have to wait a century for a table, but it is all worth the wait. Try the Big Ugly burger if you dare :)

Tim H.

Visiting relatives in Carmel...we always come here. Despite all the fanfare about the big ugly, the burgers are decent and it's a loud, kid friendly place. Good milkshakes as well and always love a true cherry coke. Recommend.

Daniel B.

Ate at Bubs tonight and I can just tell you one thing......Bring a fan, because it was 89 degrees inside the restaurant, no shades and ok food. I would have been a bit more forgiving if the food was excellent, but it was just a plain old burger with an order of waffle fries( which had 5 waffle fries in it) skip this place if you have better options, but seeing Boogie Burger was closed and I had never been here before....I decided to give it a shot......bad decision, would

Ashley G.

Burgers were good! Waited a while for our seats and then a long time waiting for our food :( we sat outside and the flys were terrible! So not that great of an experience but a good burger!

WILLIAM P.

Loved the Elk Burger, 1/2 lb, Mahi Mahi Sandwich and Waffle fries! Two Sam Adams Summer Ales made the meal. Very busy even for a late lunch in the middle of the week! Will return. No room left for ice cream!

Robert G.

Run by a bunch of lazy kids. A whole bunch of open tables but a 45 minute wait as they did not schedule enough servers during lunch. After 20 minutes, a couple sat down at an empty table and were served immediately. When questioned, the young hostess said they were bring rude and that our table would be another 15 minutes. This place needs to hire a better staff, not a bunch of cheap and inexperienced high school kids.

T Z.

Had a quarter pound cheeseburger. The bun must be homemade. They were soft and dense with good flavor. The meat was good, but could be more seasoned. Skimpy on the toppings. I had two rings of red onions which were thin and wilty. The onion rings were good, but nothing spectacular. Their big gimmick is a 22 oz burger.

Kelly T.

Best burger you'll ever pay for. Go for the Elk Burger, you can do no better!

Brian B.

i give it five stars because it's exactly what you would expect from a good burger place. the service was FANTASTIC! quick and attentive. i ordered my burger rare and the cooked it perfectly! extremely juicy and delicious. the price is perfect; in fact i definitely felt as though i were getting a deal. during the week, if you are getting lunch, you need to arrive before 11:30--which is when carmel high school lets out. the place was PACKED by 11:30.

Chuck C.

Great place! Great Burgers! Great Cold Beer! Great Sloppy Fries! The key is fresh, fresh, and the best! Remember to eat well and live well and please no chains!

Jim X.

Bub's how you have disappointed me. I visited your establishment approximately a year ago and while the meal was good the service was absolutely awful. We waited for over twenty minutes for our waitress to take our order, the food came out slow, and we had to flag down another waitress to get our check. I was profoundly disappointed with the service, but, decided to give you another chance a year later. My daughter and I visited your establishment today 12/30/13. Our table was right behind the hostess stand. After waiting for twenty minutes without an acknowledgement by our waitress we decided to leave. While your establishment may have experienced some limited financial success just imagine how successful you could be if your restaurant were run with some degree of professionalism! You had three hostesses on duty, or at least three people standing around the hostess stand, while we waited. Some attentiveness to your customers instead of their personal conversations may have resulted in them addressing our lack of service and may you could have kept a customer.

Tim W.

Was in a bit of a hurry in order to get toa movie and while they were busy, they were able to accomodate us to get out on time. Love the burgers and fries. It's exactly what you want a place like this to be.

Omar S.

Did the bub challenge and it was a great burger and great service

Lloyd R.

Just ate the Big Ugly burger(and won!), and it tasted great! And so did the sweet potato fries! I also ordered a milkshake to go and it was really rich and creamy. Probably gained a pound all in one sitting, but it was worth it. The only big problem was the waiting time, but that could be forgiven, because they were busy, plus the food was worth the wait. The waiters were nice to us and got our orders right. Would definitely eat here again soon! Next time, I hope to try the Elk version of the B.U.

Brandon A.

To give a fair review I was going their to break the record so I had one thing on my mind. But I remember the Big Ugly being incredibly delicious well seasoned and well cooked. I was impressed that they could cook that big of a burger in such a short amount of time without burning it to a crisp on the outside. Bub's definitely has the recipe down. Also people I went said the Ice Cream was amazing and that it was their favorite part. Don't be shy go try the challenge and get your face on the wall it is worth the money and definitely so much fun make sure you go with a group of people.

M S.

Wear loose pants and enjoy a helluva burger! Nuff said.

Tally B.

Bubs is amazing every time I go even the hot dogs are amazing!

Jessica S.

I love that I can order the 1/8 lb mini-bub burger from the kid's menu, since even the 1/4 lb is more than I need. I only wish I could order it in elk, then it would be Bub-nirvana. Grilled onions, lovely. I'm a loyal fan.

Todd S.

We were at bubs yesterday around 3pm for late lunch burger. I ordered the half pounder medium rare and was rewarded with medium well. I gave them another chance and they botched that one as well. They usually do pretty well , but they failed miserably this time. I would have given them another try, but I didn't have all day to spend in the very , very loud dining room. Disappointing !

Johnny B.

Johnny Chitown went to never ever land Sat AM. I took my list of good eateries in & around Indy. Havng been in and around there over the last 15yrs, it's slim pickings. But seeing the Man vs Food challenge of Bub's Big Ugly, whetted my appetite. Checked in just adjacent to the Monon trail and the lovely said 35 minutes. So my son and I took a tour of the town.Cute! Enuf said! Then ventured to the Trail for some heart pumping. Got back and we were next to be called. No fuss, no mess, just good food. I did notice that the burgers size was weight after cooking. Having been a chef, that means at least 2 to3 oz of additional meat. Went with the not somUgly medium rare, with bacon and cheddar. The son had a almost Ugly Dog. It had to be 10". A good 2 to the pound. While we waited, we oogled the waitstaff loaded with cute college girls. I tip on food, service, & looks of service staff. They were 9ers. My semi Ugly was a perfect medium. We shared an order of waffle fries. Enough for 2 guys. I looked at the milk shakes some people were having and they looked really good. We were tapped out for room. Next trip. Sure enough beats the franchise mania in & around Indy. JohnnyC

Bill S.

Went with group. Service so-so. High school students as waitresses who can't serve liquor. Onion rings very good. Salad nice. Everyone else had the elk burger.Deserts served in styrofoam cups. Too loud Muzak playing. However, with the new places in the Arts District, this is no longer the only game in town. OK to good.

Steve P.

We love this place. It is probably the best place in Carmel to eat with kids. It is always loud, with plenty of families. They give the kids gift bags, with crayons and treats, upon arrival. The elk burgers are great and the cherry coke is the real thing, with the syrup! If you can grab a seat outside, it is nice to watch the walkers, runners and bikers on the Monon Trail. The staff is always very nice. It gets busy on the weekends, so plan on waiting a few minutes and relaxing on the front patio.

Robert W.

slow service. they do not care about you. you are on your own. young kids giving the service. mr. and mrs. so and so. good luck. good burgers. you are screwed. wait for like hours. when you get in there. they do not care about you. I even talked with the owner. he does not care about you.

Cooper D.

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and we decided to try Bub's Burgers & ice cream. We knew there would be a wait (after yelping) so it was no surprise how difficult it was to find a parking spot. We eventually found one quickly down the street. The hostess told us the wait would be an hour and we were okay with that since our 2 toddlers were fast asleep in their stroller. We found a shaded patio area near the ice cream parlor. It was nice to people watch on the monon trail. 30 min later our name got called and we were happy to see it didn't take an hour. The burgers are delish! Everything is fresh from the meat, bun, and all the toppings. I would avoid the waffle fries. The hubby and I thought it tasted like it came from a frozen bag from the grocery store, but the regular fries were yummy! We tried them off our son's kid's meal and wished we had ordered the regular fries instead. Afterwards, we walked next door to the ice cream parlor and were hesitant to have ice cream since we were soo full, but I told him we should try since after all its called bub's burgers & ICE CREAM. We shared the cookies and cream and it was soo yummy! This is totally worth trying! Atmosphere and food are great and staff are nice!

Johnny N.

Came here while visiting a friend who lives in the area. Tastewise, the burgers were delicious. I'm happy that they list the weights of the patties after cooking, so the 1/2 lb. "Not So Ugly" was just fine for me. I do agree that it's a tad bit overpriced, but it's a nice place to sit and chat. I also like the fact that it's sort of off by itself, along the Monon Trail.

Jesse V.

Get the not so ugly burger and sloppy waffle fries!!

Katherine T.

We waited half an hour to get a table at lunch and then it took forever for the food to come. The burger I got was definitely a bit dry, but I liked the way they had grilled the bun. The sweet potato fries were yummy though. Overall, I probably won't go back when I'm back in Indy.

Dave R.

Took the Big Ugly Challenge...and failed! This is a lot of delicious hamburger! Tell them to lighten up on the red onion and you should be good to go, 3 other people that were with me took the challenge and defeated it! Burger & Beer, Yummo!

Reginald M.

For a burger joint, you can't beat it. we were a party of 5 and were told we'd have a 40 minute wait. We went and grabbed a drink down the street, came back 25 minutes later and found we had already been called. but within 2 minuted we were sat outside on a beautiful 80 degree day. I had the Not So Big Ugly elk burger which was half a pound. The server suggested not ording it more than medium or it would be dried out. taking her advice I ordered medium and it was perfect. The service was great, the staff very friendly and patient. One of the reasons for being in Carmel Indiana was to visit Jersey's Cafe (another review, another time) but I'm really glad we were turned on to this little spot. Will definitely return here if I'm ever back in the area.

Kalyee H.

Smelt good, and my boyfriend raved about this place... but I never got to try it thanks to the hour wait. We went else where. Maybe I'll try them again when I move to Carmel, but I'll update it then.

Dav W.

Great burgers! Anytime I'm in the area I try to find an excuse to eat here.

J A.

Do the big ugly once,... Only once. Good elk burgers. And rather accommodating staff. Thank you bubs!

Julie J.

Really good burgers--nothing fancy or pretentious, just good food!

John J.

I must admit,when Bubs first opened I could not get enough of it.The food was great,service was excellant.Fast forward a few years.The place has been found by the masses.The wait can be very long and the service and product quality is not like it used to be. If you eat inside,be prepared for alot of noise.

Jen M.

My brother told me before we went to Bub's that the burgers aren't the greatest but they are good. Well, I didn't even order a burger when I got there--I ordered the blackened mahi mahi sandwich. Ordering fish at a burger joint is like ordering popcorn at Dairy Queen, I know, but I needed protein. I was really surprised at how good the sandwich was. It was seriously one of the best-cooked pieces of fish I've had in a long time. And their coleslaw is delicious (KFC is still #1 in my book but this is a close runner-up). Great atmosphere for adults and kids alike.

Jeff M.

Good burger and an interesting overall establishment. I highly recommend a summer lunch or dinner here.

Howie H.

After the publicity of being featured on "Man vs. Food" I was confident Bub's would not live up to its hype. I was in the area on a Wednesday early afternoon and stopped in to experience a Bub's burger. Not being in competitive eating mode I selected the "Not So Ugly" version (only a half-pound fully cooked) and had pepperjack cheese to complete. I found the burger quite tasty...not the best in the area...but certainly well above average. I was pleasantly surprised with the fries...these were quite underrated and a fabulous complement to their burgers. It is a small and crowded restaurant and I believe I was fortunate only to have waited 15 minutes before being seated. The owner and wait staff were extremely friendly and focused on ensuring customer satisfaction and seemed genuinely interested in getting my feedback. If you are a burger fan, you must check out Bub's. If you are seeking an eating challenge...try to eat two or more of the "Big Ugly's"... if successful your efforts will be memorialized on their wall.

Paul D.

Great burgers! I'm going back soon.

Nicole L.

First time I've ever had an elk burger. I was a little nervous when I ordered it, but was told I HAD TO. I'm so glad I listened. AMAZING! Best burger ever. Period. Can't wait to go back!!! Such a wonderful place all around.

Robert B.

If you want a great burger (beef or elk), this is the place. I love restaurants that chose a specific niche and just do it very well and this fits the bill. They offer burgers from the generous (1/4 lb.) to the ludicrous (22 oz.) with buttered buns and the fixings. The fries are good and the onion rings even better. My favorite is the 1/2 pound elk burger done medium rare with one of their myriad of brews. In the summer the patio on the Monon is great.

Jon T.

One of the BEST burger places I have eaten at in a VERY long while!! Very cool place to go and hang eat a burger, have some fries and grab a beer.....There may be a wait but that's for very good reason - PEOPLE LOVE THE JOINT!! Also, IF there is a wait grab a beer and sit on their comfy chairs outside.........Get the brownie sundae too!!!!! My two year old loves BUB's

Brad P.

This was a cool place. Friends took us here when we were visiting. Stupidly, I had the chili dog and not a burger. Dog was huge but just ok. Burgers looked great. Sweet tater fries were yummy. Best thing I ate here? My son's mini grilled cheese that he didn't want.

Mike E.

I registered on Yelp just so I could write this review. We went to Bub's for lunch on the day before the Indy 500. It was pretty busy with the bike/walker traffic from the trail. But we only had to wait about 20 minutes and the wait staff made sure we had drinks and were taken care of as we wated. We even went into the ice cream shop and tried some samples to pass the time. If you like classic burgers, cooked to order with fresh toppings, this is the place for you. I love that the burgers sized by their post-cooked weight. I had the 1/2 pound burger with bacon, cheddar cheese and fried onions. It was one of the best burgers I have ever eaten. The meat was seasoned well, cooked to medium just like I ordered it and I loved that the bacon was under the cheese so that it didn't just all fall off after the first bite. Everyone in our group agreed that the burgers, shakes and sides were all excellent, the service was great and the atmosphere was the icing on the cake. Bub's will definitely be on our "race weekend" itinerary every year from this day forward.

Richard H.

The kitchen takes a long time to get the food out, but the wait staff is very friendly and attentive, and the restaurant itself is a lively, fun place. (Although the restaurant was freezing cold the day we were there.) The location cannot be beat -- right on the Monon -- and the outdoor seating is great in season. The food? It's OK. The hamburger is tasty but certainly not very juicy, and the hot dog chili was merely passable. The fries are fries. You can get better burgers in Indy at the Tie Dye Grill or even Scotty's.

allison s.

Burgers are great here... where else can you eat a full pound of meat and get your pic up on the wall? I love Elk burgers and they have them here! This place is usually staffed by local kids so service does not seem to be a priority. The milkshakes and malts Rock!!! You choose the weight, the meat (beef or elk) and the cheese and they do the rest. If you need to satisfy your carnivorous cravings this is the place! Happy Dining!

Zach O.

Bub's has the best burgers for miles. Price is a little steep, but the atmosphere is good. Waffle fries are awesome, but a regular is about 6 fries, skimpy. The buns are nothing special, improvement could be made there. Overall I think its a great place to go in the summer and the food is great.

Andy W.

Not the kind of place you expect to find in Carmel. Expertly located right off the Monon, this is a local favorite. Great burgers for anyone. You can get your picture on the wall for eating the giant burger or, if you're of the healthier persuasion, you can order a buffalo burger. The fries are tasty and the ice cream is excellent. The wait is insane, especially on a nice day. While the burgers are great, I'm not sure they're worth waiting two hours for. If you don't have the patience, try going for a late lunch or very early dinner some time.

Adam P.

I ate here for lunch and liked my burger and fries. Good burger but not great. The bun is nothing original and the fries are a bit average... I didn't stick around in Carmel long enough to find out if there was a better place to find a burger, so if this is your only choice you should be ok. Great patio (which makes the place in my opinion) atmosphere, cheery service, and not bad food.

K M.

Waited forever to get food after ordering it was so slow. Then when we got food it was cold. They weren't overly busy given we were seated in less than 10 minutes

B. B.

What to say about this place, other than WOW! This place Rocks! The atmosphere, the food, the service it was all amazing! I went with the Family, and we all got a different variety of food.During my visit to Bub's I got the 100% All Beef Chili Cheese dog with a side of Battered Onion Rings, and let me tell you! PHENOMINAL! As Bland, and commin as it sounds, it was far from it. It is by far the best Hot dog I've ever had. Hands down, and the onion Rings were very fresh and Crisp.I've only been to Bub's once, but I really hope I can make my way back up there fairly soon. As much as I want that hot dog again, I may just have to switch it up. Only because I don't make it up to the Carmel area very often!

Pat H.

Bub's is a fun restaurant and they have great prices, along with outdoor eating for a lot of the year since they have a heater on their patio. Their chicken sandwich and fries is my favorite. The bun is really good - sort of like garlic bread.

Rob H.

The burgers rock and the kids love to go there for ice cream. It's right on the trail. Nothing like sitting outside at Bub's and people watching. The menu looks like your basic burger joint, but it's all fresh and prepared expertly. The service is good too. The only downside, if it could be considered that, is that it's soooo busy you usually have to wait. I'd recommend waiting, because it's worth it.

John M.

Bub's (Big, Ugly, Burgers) is awesome. I eat here often & since I live real close I am usually never there during the rush hours. I have managed the one-pounder -- once, for dinner, but I was really hungry and had not eaten anything since breakfast. I reccomend the Angus beef or the Elk, and also their large Angus beef hot-dogs. They have the best, most friendly & courteous servers I have ever encountered. It is worth the wait!

Lora F.

We stopped in for ice cream on a Saturday evening. The place was packed and the line for ice cream was long but it moved quickly. I tried the the caramel pretzel ice cream and it was delicious. We are on the porch out front and did a little people watching. I definitely want to go back and eat at the restuarant next time.

Rudmila C.

Been here twice now and enjoyed the burgers and ice-cream! However, I'm giving it 4 stars only because we sat outside and there were way too many flies and fruit flies and mosquitoes that we were afraid we were going to swallow one. Thankfully I put on mosquito repellent before I went but we still had to move inside because they didn't have a working fan to keep them away. That kind of bummed me out because the weather was beautiful outside! We got the elk burgers both times. I first got the quarter pound but this time I got the half pound with sauted onions and mushrooms and swiss cheese. It was so juicy! My brother-in-law got the big ugly one pound elk burger and it wasn't too bad. He was able to finish it. I will be trying it next time hopefully. The onion rings and sweet potato waffle fries were the best!!! And I got the carmel pretzel ice-cream both times but I forgot it's actual name. It was good tooo! This place will definitely fulfill your burger cravings!

Christian D.

Burger blog entry #183. Do this! Order any burger; for the normal weight eater, you'll want the "Not So Ugly". Here is the skinny. These folks k ow how to make a burger. I asked for medium rare and it was perfectly pink and juicy. The seasoning tastes like salt and pepper. The burger had grill marks on it, so probably cooked over fire. I asked for cheddar, and they have lots of choices. The bun is substantial, so don't worry about it breaking down in your hands; but, be warned that the patty is bigger than the bun. Now the best part: this thing is awesome. If you've seen DDD and you crave that juicy burger from the intro, here it is. It's not a double decker, but it is juicy and full of flavor. Head in now. Oh, I ordered the "Big Ugly", and finished it in about 30 minutes. I skipped on the fries, but my dining compadre said they were good. Did I mention there is an ice cream shop in the building?

Diego O.

So I saw this place on Man vs Food on the Travel Channel so I had to come and try it out. Let me just say Carmel looks beautiful during the Fall. No back to the burger, I didn't go with the Big Ugly which is a burger made with a pound of ground beef. Instead I went with the Not so Ugly burger.Topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, and all the other fixings this burger was amazing! I also got a side of waffle fries with cheese sauce on the side to make matters worse concluding in the perfect cheat day! I am definitively coming back here to try the ice cream next time. My service was awesome as well, the waiter took damn good care of me especially when he learned it was my first time here. I kinda wanna get my picture on the wall which requires me to eat a Big Ugly which is a burger the size of a plate... hmmm Bucket List!

Marie N.

We visited Carmel for my 55th birthday and decided to go for a late lunch at Bub's based on the good reviews. We were lucky in that there was no waiting for one of the outside tables. We both had the 1/4 lb. burger with cheese and bacon. Really enjoyed the burger and the soft bun. Yes, the prices are a little on the higher end but being from Chicago, we are used to an $8.00 burger without sides. The cole slaw and waffle fries were excellent. The private parking lot was convenient for us as we strolled down Main street after our lunch and enjoyed the various small businesses. And BTW, very clean bathrooms.

April K.

Bub's is a solid '4-star' for me. The location is excellent -right on Main Street by the Monon. I always worry about parking in this area but there is some parking in the back for the restaurant, in addition to the street parking. Anytime I have gone, there is plenty of staff, so service is pretty great. And since I have kiddos, I like that they have little kiddie bags and games at the tables to entertain when the food is taking a little long. The menu is limited in choices but they make what they got right. Try the potato salad! -just don't forgo the fries to get it (they are both pretty delicious). Overall -it's super tasty, and the location is perfect. Waits can be long but there is plenty of people watching to do.

Andrew D.

I love the big ugly burger amazing to do and amazing taste but I have like hundreds of pictures of me eating and almost two but I enjoy this place a lot and it has fun little history to it even though I can't stand carmel

Jack S.

The burgers are the best around! Paired with a great location and friendly staff makes it a must-do for locals and tourists! The ice cream shop is a great way to top off your meal (pro-tip: milkshakes). It's a busier, louder place than most other restaurants. Not bad, but something to keep in mind.

Steve P.

Burgers are great, wait time is long (because burgers are great). However.... it never fails to surprise me how many kids people have in IN (and bring to Bub's). We just moved from out of state and my wife and I started discussing how families at Bub's probably think we have fertility problems (with just 1 kid). Also, I once came with two gay friends and, I must say, the entire restaurant was staring at us. I felt weird. Anyways, welcome to Carmel IN, where the neighbors will call the cops asking them to "check out" a suspicious car (AC repairman in this case) parked on the street late at night (8:15pm).

Amy E.

Great place to grab a burger in carmel. The Big Ugly is-- very very large, and more power to you if you decide you want to undertake that challenge. I tried the elk burger which was delicious. I liked the sweet potato fries but personally, the marshmallow sauce was too sweet. The loaded fries were a perfect mix of gluttony and deliciousness. I like the different sized burgers you can get. Next time I'll check out the ice cream as well.

Taylor P.

So lets start off by saying we had to wait about an hour and a half for a table.. didnt mind so much since it was nice out and we went walking around all the little shops. So the second thing, all the staff are REALLY nice. Our order consisted of the following; Mild wings Small basket of onion rings, and sloppy fries. 2 small burgers 1 big ugly 1 coney dog And chicken strips for my baby sis. I loveeee wings, guess this was the wrong place to come to for my craving. They were really juicy but lacking in flavor. My burger was too... it needed salt. & by the time I bit into the other half the bun was very soggy, not the good kinda soggy.. but just wet. Not very tasty. The mushrooms i asked for that they charged extra for.. they were flavorless. & not to mention there was only like 3 or 4 slices of em on my burger. The chile is veryyyyy good though. If i ever come here again, i'll probably stick with that and some onion rings because they were delicious. This place wasn't that great really. Especially for the very long wait! Steak and shake burgers are tastier in my opinion!

Dan D.

My first time at Bubs today. Staff was super friendly and atmosphere was good. Burger was way too salty. I asked our server if that was normal and he said Yes. He suggested u ask for less salt the next time. Wish I would've known that when I ordered.

Jessika O.

Overall, my experience was lacking something. I tried the original Bub's burger, sweet potato fries, regular waffle fries, chili, and soup of the day. I'm not saying it wasn't good, but there was definitely something missing. The chili was by far the best, And I usually don't even like chili. I didn't get to try the ice cream because the line was too long, but maybe I'll give this place one more shot.

Sarah P.

LOVE this place! I love the atmosphere, the location, and the food. The mahi mahi burger is deeeeelish! The elk burgers & sweet potato fries are amazing as well.

Aaron R.

One of the best burgers I've ever had! The bun is made fresh each day. I tried the elk burger with pepper jack cheese. The sweet potato waffle fries with marshmallow dip is a must order!!

Linda M.

You don't see elk burgers around at restaurants much. So for about $8 with tax, the little ugly size (quarter pound) was worth it for my health. I'm only a fan here because the servers guaranteed me that medium done will not have any pink and it would not dry out the meat. I don't care if it is dry as I don't use condiments regularly either. However, I told them I wanted it cooked completely. Then I get home and did see some pink.

Abdulrahman A.

Wow!! I tried the Elk burger! One of the best burgers I have ever tried. Great service!! Very clean. Good for group meals. The prices are good. You will love the food.

Sam M.

Holy Smokes Yelp fans! If you are starving and looking for that big piece of meat to fill your mouth...(Minds out of gutters if you please)...then definitely check out these delightful folks! Their menu? Everything a burger joint should be. Large, extra large, and ridiculously large choices of either beef or elk (for those of us looking for a leaner option) that come with all manner of cheeses and toppings. I myself chose the smaller elk burger topped with pepper jack cheese, grilled onions and mushrooms, veggies, and bleu cheese. My burger was delicious, as where my sweet potato fries that were my side. The staff? ROCK STARS! Now Yelpers, having been in the food service industry myself for so long, I am a stickler for friendly, attentive staff. I do no use terms of high praise lightly in this department. When I tell you our waitress was an absolute blast, I mean she was hysterical, extremely attentive, and even provided us with free samples! This gal knew we were a bit pressed for time and got our order moved up in the line so we could enjoy our meal. She refreshed everything before we even thought of needing a refill and was there in a flash to remove empty plates. Give that gal a klondike bar!! The venue? Overall it was a goofy, laid type setting where one can rock a pair of blue jeans or a blue suit; they take all walks of life! I would caution Yelpers that the indoor seating is limited and can therefore get crowded on busy nights...so come early! So why the 4 stars? Well Yelpers, though I will hold a special place in my heart for Bub's, it takes a special kind of burger joint to achieve the coveted 5 star rating. Bub's is almost there, and I have no doubt that with future visits, they may yet squeeze one out of me! Thanks guys for a great night!!

Cliff H.

Location location location. Right on the Monon in "downtown" carmel. Watch the bicyclists, joggers and everyone go by while you dig into one of their burgers. The menu has a chicken sandwich, salad and a fish so there is something for just about everyone. Why three stars? Well other than location the food isn't that great. It's basically Red Robin on the Monon. Your mileage may vary.

Cole S.

Bub's is a place where everyone has to go. The atmosphere is the best part of it all. The service is fabulous with smiling waiters and customers. Food comes out fast and everything is fresh. The patties are juicy and tender and their buns are awesome as well. The only problem is that Bubs is always busy no matter what day of the week you go. However it is worth the wait. The ice cream at bubs is also wonderful. They always have tons of different flavors which range from vanilla to birthday cake. There are freshly baked waffle cones or you can get it in a cup. I always get the root beer float because they don't cheat you on the ice cream and they have great root beer. For anyone who visits Carmel Indiana you need to go to Bubs. Not just for great food, but for a great experience.

Chris Y.

Basic menu - primarily burgers and hot dogs with a few other sandwiches. Burgers are offered in 1/4 pound, 1/2 pound and the one pound BIG UGLY. Dive burger joint with great burgers. For me the ideal order is a 1/4 burger and share a basket of fries. That's plenty for most people. The burgers are great - fresh beef made to order. The buns are fresh baked and tasty. I got my burger with bacon and swiss. The bacon was good stuff - nice and smokey. We opted for the waffle fries and they were fine - freshly cooked, hot , and crispy, but nothing exceptional. Service was great as our drinks were never empty. I've ridden my bike past Bub's many times on the Monon until I finally stopped in to try it. It's most convenient to arrive by bike. From what I've seen they're always busy, so expect a wait most of the time.

Dave W.

Used to love this place. Went again a few days ago. The wait was an hour. Wanted to get a beer for myself and wife. Waited 15 min for the beer girl (the only way you can get a beer before seated) to come. She was nice but it took another 8 min to get it. Not sure why. Asked if I could go to the counter to buy one and was told no. Then got sat in an hour and 20 min. No big deal but the food took 40 min. The server was nice and asked if I'd like the creole burger. It was a blackened burger with pepper jack and a side of Cajun mayo (mayo mixed with blackened seasoning). I said sure. Sounds good. I was shocked to realize the burger just with cheese and other seasoning (that probably cost .10 cents) would jack the burger price from $11 to $15!! We also ordered two large baskets of fries and got two small 1/2 full baskets for (I believe) was $4.95 a basket. I get it, you need to make money but keep jacking up the prices will soon result in less ppl. I could see $12-$13 for the burger with fries but come on, the fries I ordered was about the amount you would add to a burger for a side. That meal alone would have been $20 for one person. Bubs, you aren't that good! As well, it took over 2:30 min for dinner all in. Kinda ridiculous. We will head elsewhere. There's just as good of food all around you.

Christian S.

one of the best burgers I've had. Chocolate shake was great as well!

Daniel H.

The Elk patty was pretty good and quite juicy, and the optional Bleu Cheese topping did a great job of adding enough kick that ketchup/mustard condiments weren't necessary. The onion rings were without question the best I've ever had; so good, in fact, that they needed no sauce at all! The waitress was friendly and fast, and the atmosphere was quite casual. It was rather loud, so don't expect to have intimate or deep conversations.

Christopher P.

Wow! The burgers in here are great. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The burgers maybe known for being "ugly" but it's sure as heck taste good. Tip- sit inside. Too many bugs on the outside can get very annoying.

Vivian B.

Me and my husband met with family from out of state at Bubs yesterday and most of us had never been in before. We sat outside and it was very nice, the food was very good! Me nor my husband needed take home boxes we ate all of our quater pounders and the cheese waffle fries! Everyone was very pleased with their quality and tastes of the meals they received. However, my cousins wife and another family member both received meals that were incorrect. She received a plate with a bun that had no meat and he received one of their giant burgers. While someone at the table had ordered one of these large burgers he had not. My first issue with this is people other than our waitress brought our food out and just set it down and walked away. Leaving everyone confused on what had happened with their correct orders. Then our waitress returns to the table, we tell her that the order is wrong and that A she did not receive any meat on her patty and B he had received a much much larger burger than he had ordered. She apologies in frantic and runs away. We are then setting outside and those of us who had the right orders with our food eating. She had taken away the empty patty and left the giant burger on the table. She was gone for what seemed awhile so they cut the giant burger in half and started eating that because who really goes out to watch everyone else eat!?!? So when she returns to the table she ask if they would like her to pay for PART of the burger!?!?! She exclaimed "technically it's my fault, but they make us pay for it from our checks" WHAAAAAAT!!!?? First of all this poor girl should be smart enough to know not to even ask that question even though they are nice people and paid for the FULL burger. But secondly what kind of company treats their employees like that to begin with?? That they need to pay for mistakes out of their own check? It's a restaurant these things happen! And some people even lie about stuff like that!! But she or us had to pay for it!? What if it was the kitchens fault or even expo!? Regardless no one should have been paying for it not us and not her. So I'm guessing this is either a terrible company or business to work for or there is some awful management involved. If it wasn't for the fact the food was great and I hadn't seen my family in literally a decade I probably would have boiled over. The entire situation was handled wrong and very poorly. I hope that your employees receive better customer service training in the future to handle situations like that and that maybe Bubs changes their policies requiring employees or guests to pay for kitchen/food mistakes. Unfortunately even though the food was great being in restaurants as a server through high school and college I can not support a place that has such low ethical standards and poor customer service as such. Your employee should have never been placed in that situation.

T W.

Our first time at Bub's was when we visited Carmel for July 4th. The place was busy, but we got seated in about 5 minutes. Our server was prompt, friendly, and attentive. We ordered the 1/4 lb burgers and one 1/2 lb burger. They were flavorful and filling. We also ordered the sloppy waffles and the sweet potato waffles with marshmallow dipping sauce. Both were delicious. We topped it off with kiddie size ice cream. They pack it in the cup, so its still a decent serving, and all we could manage after the burgers. We would definitely return again!

Angela W.

Good Elk burger with egg & bacon. A little peppery, but I like it that way, so no big deal for me. Good onion rings, but standard. My boys liked the shakes. Favorite was the chili. Next time, I'll just get that. Loud and looooonnnngggg wait on a Saturday at 6:30, though.

Bob S.

I recently visited Bub's when I was in Carmel for business. It came highly recommended so I decided to give it a try. It was much smaller than I thought it would be but still accommodated many patrons (and there is also additional seating outside). The waiter was awesome! He was friendly and shared a lot of information about Bub's. The food was great and I had a milkshake that was amazing! You cannot go wrong with this place!

Nolando T.

I thought the food here was good, not great. But what gives them an extra star was their service. Practically every employee greeted me when I got there and acknowledged me when I left. The guy who helped me was very kind and very helpful. The food, like I said was good. I had an elk burger which didn't taste any better or worse than a regular burger. Also had the sweet potato fries and likewise, they were good. While I have had better overall, that service really did it for me. The food is good enough to keep me coming back but it's the service that put them over the top for me.

Kevin K.

I can't comment on the food, even though I've heard great things. Also the service was great in the short time we were there. So why only 2 stars? In today's day and age of food allergies it's a bit ridiculous that Bubs has ZERO options for food allergies. My wife has a gluten allergy and they have absolutely nothing she could have. No gf buns. All fried items are fried with other gluten items so those are off too. We should have checked beforehand, but thought a place on the Monon in the middle of Carmel would have been sensitive to a gluten allergy. Consequently we had to leave, and are disappointed we couldn't try. The fix is as simple as a gf bun, which we'd happily pay extra for.

Kaitlyn S.

Nice little place on the Monon trail. Burgers are fairly good and the ice cream is awesome. Fun place to visit in the summer and spring months. As a resident of carmel I don't go here on a regular basis but it is fun to take friends and family visiting too. Everyone should go at least once.

Lisa B.

Just recently tried this place, what we ate were 2 burgers and waffle fries with cheese and bacon. The burgers are ok, they are nothing special about them and extremely over priced. . The flavor of the burgers are something you can cook at home for a lot cheaper, save your money and time. The waffle fries were ok, they would have been better without the cheese. The cheese didn't have a great flavor. The wait staff was good, no issues there. We ate inside and there were flies all over the place, I would hate to see what it looks like in the kitchen. I will not be back to eat here and not worth the money.

Mark V.

I went here with my nephew, and I had decided ahead of time that this was going to be another waste of money overpriced burger experience. It's in the middle of cultural district in Carmel. We get there early today about 11 am and get seated right away. Burgers were priced around $6 for a quarter pound, $11 for a half pound and $19 for a whole pound the "Big Ugly". Well I can eat at a bunch of places under the $11 price point and get most anything I want at a price point under $19. In regards to a direct comparison of some of the best Indy has to offer, this place is way overpriced. Better quality meals can be had elsewhere at a much better price point. However, in regards to the stupid trend of overpriced gourmet burgers over $10 this was acceptable. I ordered the half pound and with a few additions it was about $14.00 as everything but pickles, onions, lettuce and tomatoes are an add-ons, which is crazy due to the original cost of $11 for the burger. As a patron of Five Guys, I like a price where everything is included and no up-charge for most toppings. What is good, the bun, burger and toppings. Everything was perfect. The fries were reasonably priced at $2.50 for a large. However, the fries are frozen and not fresh, but were decent none the less. Five Guys has fresh fries, but at a higher price point. What is bad, the prices. However, I don't hold this against the owners as we live in a supply and demand world. Bub's burgers are in high demand and the burgers they produce are above average in their category. I give Bub's a 2 on price and a 4 on food. Thus my conclusion of three stars for this place. I wouldn't recommend going to Bub's burgers for the experience. There is much better food with a greater flavor profiles that have blown me away. Your money can be better spent elsewhere and at a lower price point. However, if you are craving a burger and you don't want to eat at a cool local joint like "Workingman's friend bar and grill" with quality burgers about 1/3 the price, I guess I would recommend this place. It sure beats most of the boring overpriced chain restaurants. If you are bored of chain restaurants and think for yourself and are not manipulated by millions of dollars in TV commercials to make yourself believe you have to eat average to below average overpriced food at some chain restaurant, I am one of you. Let's all keep supporting the true food scene in Indiana.

Ami H.

Great burgers, onion rings and ice cream. Servers were nice and quick. We were upsstairs and I really prefer it to downstairs, especially with kids. Spot it game at the table was a nice touch to keep kids occupied!

Kristin F.

This is one of the worst restaurant experiences I have had in a long time. We travel frequently and do not have overly high expectations, however this was beyond terrible. We waited 75 minutes for sub par food that I could have had at Dairy Queen. The burger was supposed to be plain but had some type of southwest type seasoning....onion rings were greasy and worse than fair food. Service was poor the food was barely edible and I do NOT get why this place is popular. First and very last trip to Bubs.

Rick G.

If a restaurant is hyped, I avoid it. Seriously. I've not had very good luck with overly hyped restaurants. Bub's is like that. Or it WAS, until yesterday. As an avid cyclist, I've ridden by Bub's hundreds of times....maybe more. It's ALWAYS crowded, but I just couldn't bring myself to give it a try because of the hype. A burger is a burger, right? Yesterday, I was out riding with my friend, Sean, and he said he was treating me to lunch at Bub's. I kind of rolled my eyes, mentally, and prepared myself for a letdown of epic proportions. Boy, was I wrong. That burger was legen-----wait for it----dary. Amazing. Cooked EXACTLY as I ordered it, dressed perfectly, nice, flavorful, juicy...everything a burger should be. Sean suggested I try the sweet potato fries with the marshmallow dipping sauce. Huh? MARSHMALLOW dipping sauce? For fries? That's just wrong. Nope. It was AMAZING. Oh, my gosh...so, so good. I topped it off with a chocolate banana milkshake. Oh, so tasty. We had ridden up on our bicycles, and were enjoying our meal, when we noticed the sky getting dark. We pulled up the radar on our phones, and....uh oh. We were far from home and about to get hammered. That's where our server, Adam, went above and beyond the call of duty. Having seen us ride up on our bikes, he came out with an assortment of zip lock bags for our gear, so it would stay dry on the way home. Well done, Adam...you got a nice tip for that, and Bub's earned repeat customers from that simple act of kindness. Bub's, I feel confident in saying...see you soon! :)

Chris S.

Is all the HYPE worth going? Of course it is! They are known for The Big Ugly one pound burger. It was featured on Man vs Food. I went for the "settle for less ugly" elk burger. Yes I said Elk! "Settle for less ugly" means 1/3 pound burger. Very good burger and that comes from a guy that has had a lot of burgers in my life. I also went with the sweet potato waffle fries. You get the option of a marshmallow dip for these. Go for it! It's like a freaking dessert. TRUST ME! If there is one tip I can give you is get there early because they are always busy.

Bart K.

Sun King Wee Mac on tap, great burgers, good fries, and very clean bathrooms, -- what is not to like? The only complaint is the games on the table send the message that you should expect slow lousy service and they gross me out (how many grubby hands of thousands of customers touch those things?). Please remove those things from the table and let people who want them ask for them.

Erik F.

I went to a burger place intending to get a burger and instead I end up eating the angus beef foot long coney dog with fries. On my next visit I'll get a hamburger or maybe on of their bison burgers. The friends I was with really enjoyed both burgers. The coney dog was excellent as were the fries. I really enjoyed sitting outside along the Monon trail. On a cool summer night, it was the perfect location for a dinner with friends. When you go, try to sit outside, you won't be disappointed. It's definitely a must visit again type of restauant.

Jared D.

Food was great. Burgers are seasoned excellently. Waffle fries were good...as was the apple pie. Pretty neat with the pictures of people on the walls of those who were able to finish the one pound burger. The more burgers you can eat in one sitting, the larger your picture.

Ronnie W.

WOW, one of the best burgers I have had. They were very busy on the night I went there, but the burger was hot and juicy. Wish I saved room for ice cream, yeah they have that too. I hear they serve breakfast now? We also had Bubs cater our Christmas party, mini burgers, bison burgers, and the regular beef ones, whooo. I'll be having dreams of the big ugly for a while.

Todd R.

There is a first time for everything, and for me, it was the first time having elk! Slightly different from beef, but I certainly did not have that food coma experience. Bub's service is uber friendly in that down to earth tavern style, yet also quite thoughtful in going above and beyond. Since I had little ones in tow, the little goodie bags of snacks and the table games were the perfect distractions to make it to dinner. The onion rings are as good as advertised. I didn't think I would need my own large size basket, but I almost ate them all, and between the table they were gone before the rest of the meal. A thoughtful gesture instead was an actual sample of their chili and their soup of the day. If I had not had my mind set on a burger, I would have definitely gone for their meaty chili! I can safely say that I will choose this place again when in Carmel.

Jeff S.

Delicious. Food was great. Service was great. The Carmel, IN scenery was great. Try the Waffle Fries with bacon and cheese.

Andrew J.

This place is the real deal. All the weights of their burgers are the post cooked weight of the meat. They don't have a ton of choices but they do burgers right. Everything is very well seasoned. They get meat temperatures right on the first try. Their burgers are big fresh and delicious. They have some good french fries, especially their waffle fries. They do a very good chili cheese fry as well. I also like that they bring out their soups and chilli when you walk in as an amuse bouche. The soups are very good and everything is served pipping hop. Great spot for lunch or dinner

Amanda W.

I love their milkshakes. We carried out our burgers since they were too crowded. I love the location (We drove 50 miles to get there). He had the elk burger and I had a big ugly and we had left over for the next day.

Steve S.

I had my first Bub's experience yesterday with members of my family. Being a life-long resident of Hamilton County, I keep wondering why I have not visited Bub's Burgers & Ice Cream before. I always wanted to go (even before the episode of Travel Channel's MAN v. FOOD featuring Bub's "Four Pound Challenge"). I went for the burgers, naturally. It is their speciality, after all. I tried the elk burger (the "Not so Ugly" -- Half pound). Why not. It is lower in calories, fat, and cholesterol, and high in protein. All the weights are the "After-cooked" weight. If you order a quarter pound burger, you get a quarter-pound burger. For example, the "Big Ugly" (the One Pound burger) starts off as a 22 ounces pre-cooked. The wait staff is very welcoming and extremely knowledgeable on the menu. Again, being that this was my first time there, it was welcoming to have a waitress that was very knowledgeable on the menu. It also helped when choosing the elk burger. Not ever tried elk, myself. If you choose the elk burger, you can't tell the difference in taste. You could believe you're biting into a normal hamburger. The burger is cooked to order. Our waitress suggested that the elk burger be cooked to a "medium". It was very juicy. In the end, the bill was higher than anticipated. I will be back, for sure. I would show off this little gem to family that come in from out of town. That said, I was surprised to see that Bub's Burgers & Ice Cream has expanded intto two new communities -- Bloomington, IN and Zionsville, IN. So, Carmel's little gem has grown.

Jason A.

Hands down one of the best tasting burgers I've had, cooked perfect! The bun was even great tasting. Ordered the Big Ugly and gave my g/f a third and worked out perfect.

Suer_one ..

Liked it, but I have been in better places.

Mustafa A.

It's an amazing place to eat ... no no no, it's an amazing experience. You'll really meet a really nice staff and experience being in the best burger place in Carmel. The food is very good, they don't have a lot of choices, because it's a burger place only, however they offer few types of meats for their patties beside beef. They might have added some more option recently that I'm not aware of, I haven't been there for a while, because i'm on diet hahaha. The other good thing about Bub's burger is its location, it's located in the center of Downtown Carmel (Carmel Arts and Design District) which is another experience if you're not from here. Enjoy!

Meagan B.

I ordered a 1/4 lb elk burger. Definitely NOT the best burger I've ever had. If you want just a burger this place is fine, but it's really not worth the hype.

Ben B.

How could a place with a burger named the big ugly not be 5 stars? I've been here twice and both times they made my burger to order. I added onion rings on my burger, which is not on the menu but they did it anyways...good stuff!! two bonuses: flavored coke (vanilla), and chocolate malts. parking is a pain

Bethany S.

Bub's is exactly what you'd expect - a standard American burger place. Not really meant for a vegetarian, but I live nearby and have heard so much hype that when my British coworker came to town who is a fan of Man vs Food (they visited Bub's at one point), I decided to go. I ended up just getting the sweet potato waffle fries and a peanut butter shake. I've had better sweet potato fries, but the milkshake was delicious. It seems like everyone liked their food well enough but it just wasn't a mind-blowing experience. It probably didn't help that they didn't have any room inside, so we had to sit outside on a blisteringly hot day. The service was pretty good though.

Candace Z.

Best burger I have ever had. I suggest the sweet potato waffle fries with marshmallow dipping sauce. Amazing!

Crystal K.

What a great restaurant! The atmosphere, the shakes, mmmm!! I don't eat burgers but the meatless burger and the fries were great. I was really there for the shake :)

David F.

Some of the best burgers in the area! Bub's is a Carmel and Northside favorite. Great, juicy, flavorful hand-pattied burgers made from fresh beef and yummy fixins. They have their buns specially made as well. If you are a burger lover, try the Big Ugly. One pound of beef AFTER it is cooked, this burger is what Bub's is famous for. Not for the timid. Try the "Settle For Less Ugly" 1/4 pound burger (that's what I eat) for a more heart and waistline friendly meal. My friend had the Elk burger, which comes in the same 3 choices of sizes as the burgers. It's better for you, but I find it a bit dry for my tastes. Still an unusual offering for the middle of Old Town Carmel. This is a family-friendly

Marianne G.

Best burgers in Indy by far with excellent buns. The onion rings were also fantastic. We went there once last year and totally forgot about them because they're not nearby for us. We'll definitely be back sooner.

Viviana F.

Took a road trip so my brother could try The "Big Ugly"â„¢ One Pound burger challenge. He did good, finished and got his picture on the wall! I was a wimp and got The "Settle for Less Ugly"â„¢ Quarter Pound burger. Very tasty but the best part was the BUN! My brother made the same comment. We will definitely road trip back again. Next time, we want to try The Giant Bub Dog!! When you do the challenge, they give you a bucket in case you can't keep the huge burger down, LOL! I missed it, but my brother saw a poor teen up-chuck his burger shortly after he finished it.

Jason S.

Bub's serves up the best burger I have ever tasted. Amazing place that I always look forward to visiting again and again.

Jason W.

The food is awesome. But the hostess staff is terrible. Told us it would be 45 mins but turned out to be over an hour and a half wait. The staff left tables empty for 15 mins at a time while they were chatting instead of seating people. As good as the food is it's not worth the bad service or the long wait times.

Amanda G.

Hamburgers are delicious! The grilled chicken sandwich was one-of-the best! The indoor dining room is very noisy which makes conversing very difficult.

K G.

I worked at Bubs for a brief time and i'll let you in on a little secret... the beef is absolutely frozen. It's almost as cold as Bub's owner Matt Frey who treats his staff like absolute crap. MOST days I would walk out of Bubs with less than $30 in tips all while getting paid $2.13 an hour. During those slow hours we were expected to participate in non stop cleaning because Mr. Frey was to cheap to hire a cleaning service like every other restaurant in town. His Bloomington store is even worse where he exploits college students and gets as much labor as possible out of them. Overall the the food is good... they do lie straight to their customers face though when they say "never frozen".

Amelia M.

Was not very impressed. Had to wait a long time to be seated then waited for our food for a while. They did have a few things for the kids ti play with which was nice. But the restaurant was too loud inside with the music blasting. The burger was a little dry. I did love the sweet potato fries and my chocolate shake was great.

Seth M.

To keep it short, best burgers I've ever had. Bub's is consistently great food with friendly, casual service. I live close so Bub's is a staple. Again, Bub's is casual, so don't go expecting more than what it is- a really great burger joint. Service is good, but don't expect fine dining. The menu is awesome, but don't expect more than sandwiches and sides. The location is great, but don't go expecting a huge dining room with plush chairs. This brings me to my one dislike about Bub's; everyone loves it. During the summer between 6 and 7, getting a table can be a very long wait. Keep that in mind when you plan to go. The upside to this is that in the summer, in the heart of Carmel, there are so many ways to kill half an hour. A drink at the bar across the Monon, an art gallery down Main Street, a milkshake at their ice cream parlor or Auntie Em's down the street (sorry to plug, but amazing milkshakes!); all are great ways to start your evening. If, by some random chance, you haven't been to Bub's yet, correct your mistake.

Chad S.

Waaaaaaaay overpriced. I have no problem paying for a good meal, and the burgers here are good, this is true; however, the bill for four of us, one being a 7 year old, was $64.00. For a burger place, this was ridiculous. There are two main complaints I had: 1.) the menu doesn't tell you that EVERYTHING is extra. Want jalapeños? That'll be $1.50, want the advertised cherry syrup for your Coke, that's an unadvertised $.50 more. If these upcharges were listed, or, if our waiter pointed them out, I'd have less of an issue. 2.) We ordered 2 hand-dipped milkshakes. These were to be treat beverages for our kids. THEY DID NOT ARRIVE UNTIL AFTER THE MEAL. There were apologies, excuses, but no consideration by the staff, no discounted price, never an option to not receive them. This and the general over-pricing will make me not return.

Cory K.

Good burger, but always overcooked and very overpriced. Plus, with the lack of seating and always slow service, this place has gone from a great choice to not worth it, over the years of coming here. It's like 12-13 bucks for just a half pound regular burger, while the elk is like 5+ more for each burger. The big ugly is over 18 bucks now! Add a side and a drink, and a half pound meal is 20 bucks! Not worth it anymore. In all honesty 5 guys is slightly better and a third the price.

M Y.

As someone who has eaten at Bubs numerous times in the last 8 years and completed the Big Ugly challenge several times, I'm a bit disappointed by how much they've jacked up their prices. Perhaps I'd feel differently if I only found about Bubs recently, but having eaten there since around 2005, I can't help but remember how reasonable their prices used to be. Even as of ~2007-2008, their price on a "Big Ugly" was about $11. Now it's jumped up to almost $20! Same story with the 1 pound elk burger. Just a few years ago it was about $15, now it's over $26. Sure, there's been some inflation between 2008 and now, but come on, doubling the price? The burger is good, but it's not worth $20 unless this is your first time trying the Big Ugly.

Steve W.

Sigh. I really wanted to start off a new year of reviews with a glowing 5 star review. I've wanted to try Bub's for what feels like years, so it seemed like a good choice to ring in the new year. Unfortunately, the experience fell far short of 5 stars. I arrived for a lunch with friends around 12:15 on January 2. There were a decent number of customers, but not enough to cause a wait for a table of 4. At 12:35, we finally got to put in our order. Everyone ordered different Elk burgers: 2 half pound and 2 quarter pound. 3 were medium, 1 (mine) was to be medium rare. When I ordered pepper jack cheese, I was asked if I also wanted jalapeños. Sounds great, I said. Later, when teh bill came, I learned that my tiny cup of jarred jalapeños was a $1 up-charge...on top of my $14.75 Elk Burger. About 20 minutes later the burgers finally came out. The burgers are oddly round and fairly thin, leading me to believe that they may be formed by a burger press and then frozen. I cut mine in half and to my surprise, found a medium well burger. Everyone else cut theirs to reveal burgers on the low side of medium. How is it that you miss the mark so badly on the burger that was supposed to be the most rare? When the waitress stopped by for about 2 seconds to ask how everything was, one of my friends quickly said "good" and she swept away before I could even open my mouth to inform her of the burger. That was the general theme for service for our visit, pop in to refill your drink but not really take proper care of the table. Bottom line: it cost me $25 with tip for an overcooked elk burger with jalapeños, a side salad, and a water. That's a premium price for a sub par burger and sub par service.

Claire G.

Bub's is Hoosier hospitality. It is noticeable from outside to inside and everything in between. The restaurant is located along the Monon Trail in a yellow house. I like that it's on the trail, because you have an easy way to bike or run there if you want. The color of the house is bright and approachable. It's as if the yellow is asking you to come inside. From first glance you already feel welcome. There is an outdoor patio where people can eat and drink, which gives way to the casual atmosphere. The servers are young, friendly, and well-trained. You can tell how much both the employees and the customers enjoy their experience by their smiles. You can see on the walls of the restaurant how much the customers love Bub's. They are almost entirely covered by pictures of customers attempting the "Big Ugly," which is the restaurant's food challenge. There's even a life size cut out of Adam Richman from Man vs. Food, who completed the food challenge. Bub's is a family friendly sports bar. Like most sports bars, there are multiple TVs so you can watch games. But one of my favorite parts is that every time I've been there a sports team is there for a post game meal. I love that because it adds to the sports bar feel. Burgers are its staple so I always get the "Settle for Less Ugly" quarter pound burger. The quarter pound burger is filling, but also leaves room for my absolute favorite item on the menu: the basket of sweet potato waffles. They are sweet potato waffle fries served with a marshmallow dip. The salt from the waffles mixes just right with the sugar from the dip. The burgers are handmade and cooked to order. The buns are baked fresh and locally. They are also made to fit the size of the burger. It's reasonably priced for the amount of and quality of food you get. The only downside is the wait. There is always a wait, but I still think it's worth it. Go to Bub's about an hour before you regularly eat, so you're hungry after you've been seated instead of while you wait.

Mike M.

We love going to this one and enjoy the newer Zionsville outpost. It's just a great place to take friends and family because we've never had a negative experience here. We've also never had an awesome experience, either, so there you go. I've always thought their taste-test of the chili move is brilliant on a couple levels - consuming it kick-starts your appetite's pilot light so you're ready to rock when the food arrives. I don't think most people assume a burger place has chili so in the winter it's a great way to sell an extra product. My wife loves their Ice Cream. It's tough not to smile from beginning to end when you dine here. The wait staff are generally teens who seem to be 16 to early 20-ish and are always friendly and genuinely seem to enjoy working there.

Brian A.

Bub's Burgers and Ice Cream is one of the absolute best places in Indiana to get yourself one very tasty and filling burger. Known for being on the show Man vs Food, Bub's has been a staple of downtown Carmel, Indiana for many years. I have been to Bub's only twice so far and I have not had a single complaint. I have went to Bub's on both a very busy and non-busy day and with both experiences I have not been disappointed at all. The quality of their food is top notch and their service always comes with a smile. I find it hard for anyone to find anything disappointing with Bub's unless you like to nitpick at things. Also I don't think Bub's ever gets enough credit for their very delicious ice cream. The ice cream is incredible and a great treat, that is, if you have enough room after mowing down one of their famous Big Ugly burgers. If you happen to be going through Carmel or live in Carmel and haven't been to Bub's you need to do yourself a favor and check it out. I highly recommend the elk burger as it is incredibly delicious.

Kevin C.

Did a search of Man vs Food for locations that were filmed near Indianapolis, IN. This location was right on our way. Saturday around noon and the place was busy, we had about a 10 min wait which wasn't bad. The walls are decorated with pictures of people that have successfully eaten at least 1 of the 1 lb burgers. There are only a few pictures of people who have managed to down 4 of the burgers in one sitting. We both ordered the Elk burger. I got the 1/4 lb and my wife got the 1/8 lb burger (slider size), and we also ordered a large basket of sweet potato fries and added marshmallow cream sauce. The sweet potato waffle fries dipped in marshmallow was amazing! The burgers were super fresh, cooked perfectly, the bun was wonderful and it all tastes so good. I would highly recommend this place as the service was excellent and the food was amazing.

Tom B.

I'm bumping this up from 4 stars to 5. I just wanted to mention to the owner, tonight's meal was fantastic, but what really made everything perfect was the excellent group of servers. Usually, when I see a restaurant staff mostly made up of high school and college-age kids, I run the other way. However, I want you to know that your crew in Carmel is outstanding. Extremely friendly and outgoing. That's rare, trust me. Thanks again.

Sarah C.

After moving to Carmel, I found out quickly why Bub's Burgers is considered a "Carmel staple." It's located in a charming yellow house right on Main Street, with a dog friendly patio area overlooking the Monon. Perfect for people watching. Be prepared for a wait either during lunch time or on a weekend evening. As fellow yelper, Tom, stated in his review...when you walk in a restaurant and see a bunch of high school/college kids working there, you want to run. But not here. The staff here are well trained and friendly. I've never received bad service or food. One of the negatives is the food always takes awhile to come out. So stopping in for a quick lunch is impossible here, unless you have overan hour to spare. Attached in front is a charming hand-dipped ice cream shop, where friendly staff greet you upon walking in. Two regular size portions of ice cream in a cup was around $3.50 each and was more than enough, portion wise. You can sample all the flavors before ordering. Praline pecan is delicious and full of pecans and gooey caramel. Two fantastic places rolled into one charming location. You can't go wrong here.

Charity G.

If you're ever looking for a challenge and something delicious...and even some Hollywood notoriety to boot...BOOM you've got it right here in Carmel, IN, at Bub's burgers. They have a burger that is as big as a plate, one pound (AFTER cooking), and they call it THE BIG UGLY BURGER. And even the T.V. show, Man VS. Food has been here, so you know it's gotta be a challenge, right? Well, even without that bit of ego competition (that three young men have now beat his "fail", that's what he called it now me) of eating 4 Big Uglies (OMG, why?), they have a menu item called the Not So Ugly, half pound burger, (smaller ones too) for those just drooling for a great burger. So, yay, wins all around. Speaking of wins and back to the challenge, yea I'm competitive, if you take the challenge and eat 1, you get your face on a 4X6 on the wall, 2 an 8X10, and 3 a poster. Now, if you think a pound of cooked meat sounds like no big deal get this, those Big Uglies also have 1/2 a pound of bun and a whole stick of butter per burger...Haha, YES! Diets be damned (hmmm can I say that on here?)! And, they're yummy! Bubs looks inviting outside and the atmosphere inside is cozy, both the ice cream parlor and the restaurant. The staff is great and bring you tastes of their soups to try and were super friendly both visits. On our first visit it was just my husband and I, and we ordered the large but not ugly burger and were stuffed. But, I remember that first bite still! It sent me into a burger heaven, while I let the burger juice drip down my face and I shamelessly let stay there and ate away. Yep, that good people, perfection. And, yes I know you're dying to know, the second visit we took on the challenge and brought the kids with us. I forgot to mention earlier that when you order Big Uglies they bring you a bucket in case your stomach rejects your ambition's decision to continue to feed your face (we thought it was hilarious, but once we started eating, very smart) and, yes, we all failed. I was about 2 bites away, ok 3, but had I finished those 3 bites (my daughter was terribly disappointed, like, 3 small bites, really?) I might have had my picture on the wall; but, I also might have been on a room full of cell-phone cameras using those funny little buckets they gave us. Don't worry folks try-try again, three times a charm.

Nicole S.

I thought I'd give Bub's another chance, thinking that maybe the day I visited was an off day, and wasn't representative of the restaurant as a whole. Nope. For a restaurant with a limited menu that consists mainly of burgers, WHY is the service so slow? Are they butchering the cow back there to make the burgers? Is each bun handcrafted and made to order? I don't get it. Our food took nearly 30 minutes -- so long that we had to ask for it to go. People all around us were waiting for their orders, too. Then, the food. The burgers have never been cooked to order -- medium rare is rare, well done is medium rare. Why bother asking me how I want my burger if you're just going to give me a surprise? Lastly, the music. The music is too loud, Bub's. Wait, you didn't hear me over the loud strains of Kenny Chesney blaring over the speaker? I said, THE MUSIC IS TOO LOUD, BUB'S! I couldn't even talk to the people at my table, and I had to shout to order. So yeah, this is my last time eating at Bub's.

Brian L.

Amazing ice cream, burgers, and sweet potato waffle fries. I was in town for a week on business and my co-workers took me here for lunch. I owe them a debt of gratitude because without them I would never have discovered this place. Lines can be long around lunch and dinner... if you're able to take a late/early lunch/dinner then you can save yourself some time. Otherwise, be prepared to wait.

Nathan S.

Bub's is a classic burger joint. The burgers here are fantastic. They are seasoned perfectly and always cooked perfectly as I ordered. Even though they are known for the Big Ugly, I find that the not so ugly is a good size, especially if you order fries. The fries here are a must have. You can order regular fries or waffle fries. I think both are good but I do prefer the regular fries. The only downside to this place is the wait. Make sure to get here before 5pm on weekends or expect to wait close to an hour. I did not take away any stars for this because they say it even on the menu, that they will not sacrifice quality by rushing the food. On the bright side, when you are waiting they will bring you drinks, including beer.

Richard D.

Great place to stop if you're walking or riding your bike on the Monan. Service was excellent. Food was ok, but was a bit pricey. $12 for a hamburger, sides and fries are extra. The one big complaint I have is, I asked for jalapeno peppers and they charged me $1.00 for a few peppers. Really? Since when does a restaurant charge for condiments? If I'm out biking again on the Monon, I may stop but I'll stay away from the jalapenos. Stay away from the barbeque sauce too, it's .50 extra.

Brad B.

My son says "Best place ever." Wife says "great place to bring kids. I say the burgers are very fresh. Like the old Fudruckers not frozen.

Omar S.

Did the bub challenge and it was a great burger and great service

Lloyd R.

Just ate the Big Ugly burger(and won!), and it tasted great! And so did the sweet potato fries! I also ordered a milkshake to go and it was really rich and creamy. Probably gained a pound all in one sitting, but it was worth it. The only big problem was the waiting time, but that could be forgiven, because they were busy, plus the food was worth the wait. The waiters were nice to us and got our orders right. Would definitely eat here again soon! Next time, I hope to try the Elk version of the B.U.

Brandon A.

To give a fair review I was going their to break the record so I had one thing on my mind. But I remember the Big Ugly being incredibly delicious well seasoned and well cooked. I was impressed that they could cook that big of a burger in such a short amount of time without burning it to a crisp on the outside. Bub's definitely has the recipe down. Also people I went said the Ice Cream was amazing and that it was their favorite part. Don't be shy go try the challenge and get your face on the wall it is worth the money and definitely so much fun make sure you go with a group of people.

M S.

Wear loose pants and enjoy a helluva burger! Nuff said.

Tally B.

Bubs is amazing every time I go even the hot dogs are amazing!

Jessica S.

I love that I can order the 1/8 lb mini-bub burger from the kid's menu, since even the 1/4 lb is more than I need. I only wish I could order it in elk, then it would be Bub-nirvana. Grilled onions, lovely. I'm a loyal fan.

Todd S.

We were at bubs yesterday around 3pm for late lunch burger. I ordered the half pounder medium rare and was rewarded with medium well. I gave them another chance and they botched that one as well. They usually do pretty well , but they failed miserably this time. I would have given them another try, but I didn't have all day to spend in the very , very loud dining room. Disappointing !

Johnny B.

Johnny Chitown went to never ever land Sat AM. I took my list of good eateries in & around Indy. Havng been in and around there over the last 15yrs, it's slim pickings. But seeing the Man vs Food challenge of Bub's Big Ugly, whetted my appetite. Checked in just adjacent to the Monon trail and the lovely said 35 minutes. So my son and I took a tour of the town.Cute! Enuf said! Then ventured to the Trail for some heart pumping. Got back and we were next to be called. No fuss, no mess, just good food. I did notice that the burgers size was weight after cooking. Having been a chef, that means at least 2 to3 oz of additional meat. Went with the not somUgly medium rare, with bacon and cheddar. The son had a almost Ugly Dog. It had to be 10". A good 2 to the pound. While we waited, we oogled the waitstaff loaded with cute college girls. I tip on food, service, & looks of service staff. They were 9ers. My semi Ugly was a perfect medium. We shared an order of waffle fries. Enough for 2 guys. I looked at the milk shakes some people were having and they looked really good. We were tapped out for room. Next trip. Sure enough beats the franchise mania in & around Indy. JohnnyC

Bill S.

Went with group. Service so-so. High school students as waitresses who can't serve liquor. Onion rings very good. Salad nice. Everyone else had the elk burger.Deserts served in styrofoam cups. Too loud Muzak playing. However, with the new places in the Arts District, this is no longer the only game in town. OK to good.

Cooper D.

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon and we decided to try Bub's Burgers & ice cream. We knew there would be a wait (after yelping) so it was no surprise how difficult it was to find a parking spot. We eventually found one quickly down the street. The hostess told us the wait would be an hour and we were okay with that since our 2 toddlers were fast asleep in their stroller. We found a shaded patio area near the ice cream parlor. It was nice to people watch on the monon trail. 30 min later our name got called and we were happy to see it didn't take an hour. The burgers are delish! Everything is fresh from the meat, bun, and all the toppings. I would avoid the waffle fries. The hubby and I thought it tasted like it came from a frozen bag from the grocery store, but the regular fries were yummy! We tried them off our son's kid's meal and wished we had ordered the regular fries instead. Afterwards, we walked next door to the ice cream parlor and were hesitant to have ice cream since we were soo full, but I told him we should try since after all its called bub's burgers & ICE CREAM. We shared the cookies and cream and it was soo yummy! This is totally worth trying! Atmosphere and food are great and staff are nice!

Johnny N.

Came here while visiting a friend who lives in the area. Tastewise, the burgers were delicious. I'm happy that they list the weights of the patties after cooking, so the 1/2 lb. "Not So Ugly" was just fine for me. I do agree that it's a tad bit overpriced, but it's a nice place to sit and chat. I also like the fact that it's sort of off by itself, along the Monon Trail.

Jesse V.

Get the not so ugly burger and sloppy waffle fries!!

Katherine T.

We waited half an hour to get a table at lunch and then it took forever for the food to come. The burger I got was definitely a bit dry, but I liked the way they had grilled the bun. The sweet potato fries were yummy though. Overall, I probably won't go back when I'm back in Indy.

Dave R.

Took the Big Ugly Challenge...and failed! This is a lot of delicious hamburger! Tell them to lighten up on the red onion and you should be good to go, 3 other people that were with me took the challenge and defeated it! Burger & Beer, Yummo!

Josh K.

Its been a few years since I have been in but.... re visited this week and definitely enjoy Bubs burgers. I'm not one to try and eat a pound of burger to get a picture on the wall so I cant say much about that part. I stick with the quarter pounder. I like that the weight is after cooking and not before. be careful on your burger toppings. The jalapenos and mushrooms are extra. Its a bit pricy so plan on a $15 with tip lunch. The good part is its delicious!

Tom C.

A great place for a cheeseburger and a chocolate shake. Our family loves coming here. The staff is super friendly. The only draw back was the wait. It took nearly 40 minutes for a table. But it's was worth the wait. My wife and I shared the BIG UGLY and it was yummy! I was getting entertained by the people taking the challenge. After your dinner, you can head right next door for their ice cream. A nice place to bring your kids. Enjoy! #SeñorFood

Brian L.

Amazing ice cream, burgers, and sweet potato waffle fries. I was in town for a week on business and my co-workers took me here for lunch. I owe them a debt of gratitude because without them I would never have discovered this place. Lines can be long around lunch and dinner... if you're able to take a late/early lunch/dinner then you can save yourself some time. Otherwise, be prepared to wait.

Claire G.

Bub's is Hoosier hospitality. It is noticeable from outside to inside and everything in between. The restaurant is located along the Monon Trail in a yellow house. I like that it's on the trail, because you have an easy way to bike or run there if you want. The color of the house is bright and approachable. It's as if the yellow is asking you to come inside. From first glance you already feel welcome. There is an outdoor patio where people can eat and drink, which gives way to the casual atmosphere. The servers are young, friendly, and well-trained. You can tell how much both the employees and the customers enjoy their experience by their smiles. You can see on the walls of the restaurant how much the customers love Bub's. They are almost entirely covered by pictures of customers attempting the "Big Ugly," which is the restaurant's food challenge. There's even a life size cut out of Adam Richman from Man vs. Food, who completed the food challenge. Bub's is a family friendly sports bar. Like most sports bars, there are multiple TVs so you can watch games. But one of my favorite parts is that every time I've been there a sports team is there for a post game meal. I love that because it adds to the sports bar feel. Burgers are its staple so I always get the "Settle for Less Ugly" quarter pound burger. The quarter pound burger is filling, but also leaves room for my absolute favorite item on the menu: the basket of sweet potato waffles. They are sweet potato waffle fries served with a marshmallow dip. The salt from the waffles mixes just right with the sugar from the dip. The burgers are handmade and cooked to order. The buns are baked fresh and locally. They are also made to fit the size of the burger. It's reasonably priced for the amount of and quality of food you get. The only downside is the wait. There is always a wait, but I still think it's worth it. Go to Bub's about an hour before you regularly eat, so you're hungry after you've been seated instead of while you wait.

Mike M.

We love going to this one and enjoy the newer Zionsville outpost. It's just a great place to take friends and family because we've never had a negative experience here. We've also never had an awesome experience, either, so there you go. I've always thought their taste-test of the chili move is brilliant on a couple levels - consuming it kick-starts your appetite's pilot light so you're ready to rock when the food arrives. I don't think most people assume a burger place has chili so in the winter it's a great way to sell an extra product. My wife loves their Ice Cream. It's tough not to smile from beginning to end when you dine here. The wait staff are generally teens who seem to be 16 to early 20-ish and are always friendly and genuinely seem to enjoy working there.

Brad B.

My son says "Best place ever." Wife says "great place to bring kids. I say the burgers are very fresh. Like the old Fudruckers not frozen.

Brian A.

Bub's Burgers and Ice Cream is one of the absolute best places in Indiana to get yourself one very tasty and filling burger. Known for being on the show Man vs Food, Bub's has been a staple of downtown Carmel, Indiana for many years. I have been to Bub's only twice so far and I have not had a single complaint. I have went to Bub's on both a very busy and non-busy day and with both experiences I have not been disappointed at all. The quality of their food is top notch and their service always comes with a smile. I find it hard for anyone to find anything disappointing with Bub's unless you like to nitpick at things. Also I don't think Bub's ever gets enough credit for their very delicious ice cream. The ice cream is incredible and a great treat, that is, if you have enough room after mowing down one of their famous Big Ugly burgers. If you happen to be going through Carmel or live in Carmel and haven't been to Bub's you need to do yourself a favor and check it out. I highly recommend the elk burger as it is incredibly delicious.

Kevin C.

Did a search of Man vs Food for locations that were filmed near Indianapolis, IN. This location was right on our way. Saturday around noon and the place was busy, we had about a 10 min wait which wasn't bad. The walls are decorated with pictures of people that have successfully eaten at least 1 of the 1 lb burgers. There are only a few pictures of people who have managed to down 4 of the burgers in one sitting. We both ordered the Elk burger. I got the 1/4 lb and my wife got the 1/8 lb burger (slider size), and we also ordered a large basket of sweet potato fries and added marshmallow cream sauce. The sweet potato waffle fries dipped in marshmallow was amazing! The burgers were super fresh, cooked perfectly, the bun was wonderful and it all tastes so good. I would highly recommend this place as the service was excellent and the food was amazing.

Sarah C.

After moving to Carmel, I found out quickly why Bub's Burgers is considered a "Carmel staple." It's located in a charming yellow house right on Main Street, with a dog friendly patio area overlooking the Monon. Perfect for people watching. Be prepared for a wait either during lunch time or on a weekend evening. As fellow yelper, Tom, stated in his review...when you walk in a restaurant and see a bunch of high school/college kids working there, you want to run. But not here. The staff here are well trained and friendly. I've never received bad service or food. One of the negatives is the food always takes awhile to come out. So stopping in for a quick lunch is impossible here, unless you have overan hour to spare. Attached in front is a charming hand-dipped ice cream shop, where friendly staff greet you upon walking in. Two regular size portions of ice cream in a cup was around $3.50 each and was more than enough, portion wise. You can sample all the flavors before ordering. Praline pecan is delicious and full of pecans and gooey caramel. Two fantastic places rolled into one charming location. You can't go wrong here.

Charity G.

If you're ever looking for a challenge and something delicious...and even some Hollywood notoriety to boot...BOOM you've got it right here in Carmel, IN, at Bub's burgers. They have a burger that is as big as a plate, one pound (AFTER cooking), and they call it THE BIG UGLY BURGER. And even the T.V. show, Man VS. Food has been here, so you know it's gotta be a challenge, right? Well, even without that bit of ego competition (that three young men have now beat his "fail", that's what he called it now me) of eating 4 Big Uglies (OMG, why?), they have a menu item called the Not So Ugly, half pound burger, (smaller ones too) for those just drooling for a great burger. So, yay, wins all around. Speaking of wins and back to the challenge, yea I'm competitive, if you take the challenge and eat 1, you get your face on a 4X6 on the wall, 2 an 8X10, and 3 a poster. Now, if you think a pound of cooked meat sounds like no big deal get this, those Big Uglies also have 1/2 a pound of bun and a whole stick of butter per burger...Haha, YES! Diets be damned (hmmm can I say that on here?)! And, they're yummy! Bubs looks inviting outside and the atmosphere inside is cozy, both the ice cream parlor and the restaurant. The staff is great and bring you tastes of their soups to try and were super friendly both visits. On our first visit it was just my husband and I, and we ordered the large but not ugly burger and were stuffed. But, I remember that first bite still! It sent me into a burger heaven, while I let the burger juice drip down my face and I shamelessly let stay there and ate away. Yep, that good people, perfection. And, yes I know you're dying to know, the second visit we took on the challenge and brought the kids with us. I forgot to mention earlier that when you order Big Uglies they bring you a bucket in case your stomach rejects your ambition's decision to continue to feed your face (we thought it was hilarious, but once we started eating, very smart) and, yes, we all failed. I was about 2 bites away, ok 3, but had I finished those 3 bites (my daughter was terribly disappointed, like, 3 small bites, really?) I might have had my picture on the wall; but, I also might have been on a room full of cell-phone cameras using those funny little buckets they gave us. Don't worry folks try-try again, three times a charm.

Nicole S.

I thought I'd give Bub's another chance, thinking that maybe the day I visited was an off day, and wasn't representative of the restaurant as a whole. Nope. For a restaurant with a limited menu that consists mainly of burgers, WHY is the service so slow? Are they butchering the cow back there to make the burgers? Is each bun handcrafted and made to order? I don't get it. Our food took nearly 30 minutes -- so long that we had to ask for it to go. People all around us were waiting for their orders, too. Then, the food. The burgers have never been cooked to order -- medium rare is rare, well done is medium rare. Why bother asking me how I want my burger if you're just going to give me a surprise? Lastly, the music. The music is too loud, Bub's. Wait, you didn't hear me over the loud strains of Kenny Chesney blaring over the speaker? I said, THE MUSIC IS TOO LOUD, BUB'S! I couldn't even talk to the people at my table, and I had to shout to order. So yeah, this is my last time eating at Bub's.

Nathan S.

Bub's is a classic burger joint. The burgers here are fantastic. They are seasoned perfectly and always cooked perfectly as I ordered. Even though they are known for the Big Ugly, I find that the not so ugly is a good size, especially if you order fries. The fries here are a must have. You can order regular fries or waffle fries. I think both are good but I do prefer the regular fries. The only downside to this place is the wait. Make sure to get here before 5pm on weekends or expect to wait close to an hour. I did not take away any stars for this because they say it even on the menu, that they will not sacrifice quality by rushing the food. On the bright side, when you are waiting they will bring you drinks, including beer.

Steve W.

Sigh. I really wanted to start off a new year of reviews with a glowing 5 star review. I've wanted to try Bub's for what feels like years, so it seemed like a good choice to ring in the new year. Unfortunately, the experience fell far short of 5 stars. I arrived for a lunch with friends around 12:15 on January 2. There were a decent number of customers, but not enough to cause a wait for a table of 4. At 12:35, we finally got to put in our order. Everyone ordered different Elk burgers: 2 half pound and 2 quarter pound. 3 were medium, 1 (mine) was to be medium rare. When I ordered pepper jack cheese, I was asked if I also wanted jalapeños. Sounds great, I said. Later, when teh bill came, I learned that my tiny cup of jarred jalapeños was a $1 up-charge...on top of my $14.75 Elk Burger. About 20 minutes later the burgers finally came out. The burgers are oddly round and fairly thin, leading me to believe that they may be formed by a burger press and then frozen. I cut mine in half and to my surprise, found a medium well burger. Everyone else cut theirs to reveal burgers on the low side of medium. How is it that you miss the mark so badly on the burger that was supposed to be the most rare? When the waitress stopped by for about 2 seconds to ask how everything was, one of my friends quickly said "good" and she swept away before I could even open my mouth to inform her of the burger. That was the general theme for service for our visit, pop in to refill your drink but not really take proper care of the table. Bottom line: it cost me $25 with tip for an overcooked elk burger with jalapeños, a side salad, and a water. That's a premium price for a sub par burger and sub par service.

Tom B.

I'm bumping this up from 4 stars to 5. I just wanted to mention to the owner, tonight's meal was fantastic, but what really made everything perfect was the excellent group of servers. Usually, when I see a restaurant staff mostly made up of high school and college-age kids, I run the other way. However, I want you to know that your crew in Carmel is outstanding. Extremely friendly and outgoing. That's rare, trust me. Thanks again.

Richard D.

Great place to stop if you're walking or riding your bike on the Monan. Service was excellent. Food was ok, but was a bit pricey. $12 for a hamburger, sides and fries are extra. The one big complaint I have is, I asked for jalapeno peppers and they charged me $1.00 for a few peppers. Really? Since when does a restaurant charge for condiments? If I'm out biking again on the Monon, I may stop but I'll stay away from the jalapenos. Stay away from the barbeque sauce too, it's .50 extra.

Scott W.

My wife and I visited on Saturday, May 16th, for an early dinner. Arrived at 5pm and the place was already swamped. Years ago I visited Bub's a couple times and was excited to go back. I'm sorry to say this visit was a relative disappointment. I was going to give 3 stars, but recalled a comment from my wife, "I can think of several burgers I've had that were better." That pretty much sums up a 2 star on yelp, and I feel exactly the same way, including having had a couple great burgers in Indy in the past 2 months. I ordered a quarter pound elk burger, medium rare, steak and eggs style (that meant bacon and an over easy egg added to the burger). Unfortunately my medium rare burger was cooked well done. Just a bit off the mark there...The egg and bacon add on was delicious, the yoke added some much needed juice to the burger. The bun was delicious, the elk meat was good but had a slight breakfast sausage type flavor to it that I found a little off putting. I had a side of waffle fries as well (a small side is very small) and they were disappointing at best, no better than what would come out of my home freezer. My wife had a quarter pound beef burger. She said it was fine (see her comments in first paragraph). She ordered a side of potato salad and for ~$2.50, you get nothing. Just a little stingy, comes in a cup the same size as what your tartar sauce would come in for fish and chips. We did each have a milk shake and they were fantastic. Further, service was fantastic. One the whole, though, mediocre, not properly cooked burgers with mediocre/low quantity sides makes it tough to warrant saying anything more than I've had better. We live very close so I will give them one more shot; a second experience close to the first and I will take my business elsewhere for sure going forward.

Sean H.

You can't go wrong with Bubs that's for sure. Although it's loud loud loud in there and if you don't get in right when they open your going to have a serious wait it is still always worth it! Also they have great chili which many people don't know about. And there ice cream is quite delicious! We always treat iurselves to a shake with our burgers. As long as you not in a hurry this is a great spot once in a while!!!

Bob J.

I just paid over $20 (with tip) for a 1/4lb burger, small waffle fry with cheese and bacon bits and a soft drink. That's a very expensive lunch. Yes, it was good. But, $20 for that?! There are a lot of good burger options these days for half that price. I guess as long as people line up out the door, they'll keep charging those prices. I won't be parting with any more of my hard earned money here.

Kelsey A.

As a burger advocate I make sure to try a burger joint in every city I visit. Bubs burgers has always been consistently a top 3 burger country wide. The buttered buns, burger seasoning, waffle fries, marshmallow dip, and milkshakes are so delicious it's making my mouth water again! There's a good reason Man vs Food visited this place and I recommend following those footsteps.

T.j. K.

Bubs is just an all around excellent local spot to grab a burger and enjoy yourself. While not the best burger ever the Elk burger is very good and always perfectly cooked. That with some fries or onion rings always hits the spot. Also if your in the mood both the regular and vegetarian chili options are excellent. Also on the other side of the building from the main restaurant they have an ice cream shop. Indoor and patio seating along with the location directly on the Monon as well as being in the middle of the arts district make this a perfect place to stop before, during, or after a day out and about. With that said when the weather is nice the combination of the outdoor seating and excellent location can lead to some extended wait times. As long as you know that going in and plan accordingly though it shouldn't be a big deal.

Linda L.

Went here for lunch today after walking on the monon for 4 miles, and have been here a number of times before. We got here right at 11 so didn't have to deal with the normal wait. The ac was blasting inside, which felt delightful. I got the creole burger special. It was good and flavorful, but I am annoyed that they charge you extra for everything like the jalapeño peppers the server suggested was an extra dollar.. The place is good, but not the best burger ever. They have a limited menu, do not take reservations, and typically are on a wait. But it's good place to bring out of towns because it's unique. You see a lot of history and character in the pictures on the wall.

Niki K.

While the food is good, the atmosphere makes this place great. There is a lot of outdoor seating and the restaurant is located right on the Monon Trail, which makes for great people watching. Bub's is a great place to bring friends or large groups (they have a private room upstairs) to hang out and have a fun time. The milkshakes are delicious and they always make too much, leaving you with almost two milkshakes for the price of one (not complaining!). They also offer their famous one pound burger called the"Big Ugly" and reward you with your picture on the wall if you can finish it. I still have yet to complete it...

P J L.

All I can say is I tried the ice cream parlor- not the food area. Did look over the menu & it seemed pricey. The Parlor has maybe 20 flavored. I got cinnamon crumb cake! Very good stuff. And well priced for a single dip! Wish they offered a basic chocolate chip. Crazy they don't but I do not own the place. Polite well trained kids working there. They truly seem to be enjoying work.

Erika S.

Best burgers I've ever had. They also have elk burgers, which is unique. Also they put seasoning salt rather than normal salt on their fries. The problem is that they are always busy and that the service is not great.

Bodie S.

I finally made it to Bub's Burgers! I've heard horror stories of this place bursting at the seams with people during lunchtime, but coworkers and I finally made it in at a good time! The trick is to get in around 11-11:30am. There's a reason it's so packed: it's delicious in EVERY way! I, of course, ordered the half-pound "not so ugly" elk burger, cooked medium, with pepper jack, and it was beyond great. Definitely get it cooked medium--I ordered medium well and was recommended medium as it doesn't dry the elk meat out. I also ordered a small side of waffle fries and dipping cheese sauce alongside a tasty lemonade. A perfect meal to say the least. At the beginning of the meal they brought us samplers of their chili and vegetable soup, which was extremely kind and it all tasted great. They also have ample outdoor seating, so definitely check this place out on a beautiful day. They even serve beer! This place really lives up to the hype surrounding it. On top of it all, they serve some of the best ice cream around. If you're feeling like a food challenge, do their Big Ugly to see if you can get your picture on their wall of champions.

Drew P.

I was here in Indianapolis for a few days for work. I was told by others at home to try this place. I found out afterwards that this place has been featured on Travel Channel's show Man vs. Food. The place is pretty small, but was pretty busy, even during a later lunch. There are pictures all over the restaurant of those who have tackled their challenge, which includes a one pound burger (after cooking). I was not up to trying to have that much food. One thing I wanted to do was try the elk burger since it is a healthier alternative to a regular burger. Plus, we can't find places with elk burgers at home in Virginia Beach, VA, I had the 1/4 pound elk burger with waffle fries. The burger was bigger than I thought it would be, but it was very good. The taste is very similar to a regular beef burger. While eating, I was able to tell that the quality of the food was on point. I had the waffle fries with it, but only did the small size. I'm glad I did because I was definitely full by the time I was done. Service was good and is very similar to any other sit down place you would go to. After coming here, I can see why the place can be very busy. The hardest part about getting here I think is finding parking. If you're in the area, it's definitely worth coming to. I will definitely visit here again if I happen to be in that area for a visit in the future.

Patrick T.

I ordered the big ugly to see if I could handle one. The gist of it is I could handle it, but I knew I would regret it. I've started to care less about the glory of completing a challenge more about how I will feel after. The big ugly is definitely enough for two meals. The I had the elk version? which was not bad. Pretty nice flavor, just too much volume, but that's my own fault. The only thing is I should have asked for more pickles Nice selection of ice creams. I had a milkshake from this blueberry white chocolate and waffle cone ice cream flavor and it was tasty! I think I'll come back when I'm feeling more pride and less full.

Sheila M.

The Elk Burger is my favorite! So delicious, I could never tell that this is better for me than the hamburger! Both the onions and the waffles are very good, as well.

Sylvia R.

I tried a 1/4 lb Elk burger for the first time, it was quite delicious! You have a choice of a mini burger (which is super tiny) up to I think the Big Ugly which is as big or bigger than a frisbee! Get your pic on the wall if you finish it. I ordered a side of waffle fries. They don't give you many fries, but the burger makes up for it. Oh, and bacon lovers can add bacon to any burger for a few extra cents.

Amber P.

I've lived in Carmel for 5 years now and I have to say I'm ashamed that I just recently got to Bub's for one of their famous burgers. I had the mini elk burger and had them make it special with an egg and bacon. I have to say that it was delicious, but it had been talked up so much that I expected a little bit of heaven. It was shy of that. Still clearly quality ingredients though. I also tried the sweet potato waffle fries with a side of the marshmallow sauce. It was WAY too sweet. I get where they were trying to go with it, but my personal opinion is that another sauce should probably be created for more sophisticated palates. Kids would probably go crazy over it though. Overall, a very good experience with great service and a cozy atmosphere.

Zack R.

We happened upon Bub's while we were driving from Illinois to Ohio. From the outside, it's a pretty unassuming little ice cream shop. Once you walk through the ice cream parlor and into the restaurant, you quickly realize you're in Man V Food land. Adam Richman's likeness adorns several parts of the dining room, along with hundreds of photos of those brave souls thay have finished off the Big Ugly (or sometimes two or three), that is a full pound burger (weight AFTER cooking). We came in on a Monday at 2, and there was only one other customer in the place. So we had no issues with seating or service. Our host and server were both very friendly. I got a half pound burger, and my wife got the quarter pound. Both were more than we could handle, and were cooked exactly as we asked. We also split a small fry and milk shake. The shake was great. Best part of the meal. The fries were good, even though they seemed like they came from frozen. Sometimes that actually makes them better than fresh cut fries. Easier to cook anyway. The burgers were interesting. Tightly packed beef made them kind of tough. In fact, it really seemed like the meat wasn't fresh, but instead seemed like it too was cooked from frozen. It was grilled with a ton of seasoning you'd expect on a bad steak. Just way too much. Under my cheese was a pile of bacon bits which I didn't order (and wasn't charged for). Somehow, it wasn't good, so I just scraped it off. Overall, it looks like a place the locals clamor to, but don't go out of your way to get to Bub's.

Angela W.

Good Elk burger with egg & bacon. A little peppery, but I like it that way, so no big deal for me. Good onion rings, but standard. My boys liked the shakes. Favorite was the chili. Next time, I'll just get that. Loud and looooonnnngggg wait on a Saturday at 6:30, though.

Ken B.

This place is freaking awesome! I might just move to Carmel so I can be close! That's how awesome these burgers are! The service was quick and friendly. More importantly the food was absolutely delicious! I wanted to try the 22 ounce Big Ugly Burger but it wasn't the right day for me, so I settled for the half pound burger. It was so good I regretted not getting the the 22 ounce. If you do eat it, they take your picture and add it to the wall for decoration. Any place that challenges me like this is a place worth visiting. The milkshakes were also worth writing home about. The fries were fresh and seasoned just right. I can't think of one thing that was wrong with this place, other than the fact that I don't have one back home. Burger chain anyone? It's located in a nice section of Carmel and I hope it stays there for a very long time.

Brent W.

Overall I am not understanding the high demand for the place. The service was very slow / non-existent, and for the price range of burger it way under performs what I would expect. I might try this again in a while and see if it is a better experience, but that will be a while.

Dan H.

Best burger and malt in indy. It's busy so you may have to wait but definitely worth it. Amazing food and good prices

Abdul J.

No bad at all, love the area good for a walk. I like the burgers. Good service and fairly priced, convenient parking.

Mike K.

Nice hometown burger joint! My 12 year old son said it was the best burger that he's ever had. Hot wings were better than average. Staff was friendly and quick service. Manager took time to talk to my son and I about his baseball team. Ice cream was great too! Only disappointment was that we were nickel and dimed for every condiment. Server offered BBQ sauce for the fries and then were charged $1 extra. Wings had little sauce and I was charged 50 cents for extra sauce even though server never advised sauce would be extra. Will be back next time on area. Man Vs. food was there to eat The big ugly to eat the 2 pound burger!

Bob S.

I recently visited Bub's when I was in Carmel for business. It came highly recommended so I decided to give it a try. It was much smaller than I thought it would be but still accommodated many patrons (and there is also additional seating outside). The waiter was awesome! He was friendly and shared a lot of information about Bub's. The food was great and I had a milkshake that was amazing! You cannot go wrong with this place!

Nolando T.

I thought the food here was good, not great. But what gives them an extra star was their service. Practically every employee greeted me when I got there and acknowledged me when I left. The guy who helped me was very kind and very helpful. The food, like I said was good. I had an elk burger which didn't taste any better or worse than a regular burger. Also had the sweet potato fries and likewise, they were good. While I have had better overall, that service really did it for me. The food is good enough to keep me coming back but it's the service that put them over the top for me.

Jake K.

And for my 1100th review...a little bit of Man vs. Food... When my co-worker suggested Bub's, I had no clue what I was getting into. Besides being an ice cream shop the owner bought out, it's a burger joint that has several varieties of burger that will address most palates. You can choose the size so that you're eating something reasonable all the way up to the Big Ugly - a 22oz (pre-cooked) monstrosity on a dense 8oz roll. Total cooked weight (without any garnishes) is 24oz. Yes, a whole pound and a half. Challenge...accepted. The burger is...well, a burger. Seasoned with what tastes like Montreal steak seasoning, the patty is flattened and cooked to your liking. If you choose to get the Big Ugly Burger (BUB for short), then there are a few things you need to know: 1. You can vary the cheese and ingredients. I went for three slices of cheese (cheddar, pepper jack, and swiss). 2. You must eat everything on the tray that you order. 3. You cannot make a trip to 'boot' at any time or you will be disqualified. So, if you need to *ahem* make room in other ways, do so first before starting. 4. One BUB gets you a 4x6, two gets you an 8x10, three gets you something ridiculously larger, and for those gargantuan eaters, four will get you a life sized photo. I only saw one person who could do that - even Man vs. Food's Adam R. could only knock down 2.5 BUBs. Once you're done, you can sign your picture and have it hanging on the wall for all glory. Ice cream? Fries? I had no room. But, a secret is to get the sweet potato fries with a marshmallow dipping sauce. I tried one before I went to town on the BUB, I may have to get that stuff if I ever go back for a normal meal.

Kate L.

The service was very slow, it took 40 minutes to get 4 burger. The small hamburgers are $4 for a slider size and overdone. A lot of hype for less than average food , disappointed

Paul B.

Great place to eat. I had the 1/2 pound elk burger and it was wonderful! The shakes are amazing as well. I recommend the orange sherbet, goes great with summer weather.

Brea P.

This restaurant is NOT gluten free friendly at all. They may have gluten free items on their menu but if you have a high intolerance to gluten or wheat, or are celiac, it's not a good place for you. They do not have a dedicated fryer for gluten free fried items, even though that is what they told me when I called beforehand. They also cook everything together, on the same flat top. I ate the elk meat and it did not taste good at all. I would not go back.

Lora F.

We stopped in for ice cream on a Saturday evening. The place was packed and the line for ice cream was long but it moved quickly. I tried the the caramel pretzel ice cream and it was delicious. We are on the porch out front and did a little people watching. I definitely want to go back and eat at the restuarant next time.

Rudmila C.

Been here twice now and enjoyed the burgers and ice-cream! However, I'm giving it 4 stars only because we sat outside and there were way too many flies and fruit flies and mosquitoes that we were afraid we were going to swallow one. Thankfully I put on mosquito repellent before I went but we still had to move inside because they didn't have a working fan to keep them away. That kind of bummed me out because the weather was beautiful outside! We got the elk burgers both times. I first got the quarter pound but this time I got the half pound with sauted onions and mushrooms and swiss cheese. It was so juicy! My brother-in-law got the big ugly one pound elk burger and it wasn't too bad. He was able to finish it. I will be trying it next time hopefully. The onion rings and sweet potato waffle fries were the best!!! And I got the carmel pretzel ice-cream both times but I forgot it's actual name. It was good tooo! This place will definitely fulfill your burger cravings!

Christian D.

Burger blog entry #183. Do this! Order any burger; for the normal weight eater, you'll want the "Not So Ugly". Here is the skinny. These folks k ow how to make a burger. I asked for medium rare and it was perfectly pink and juicy. The seasoning tastes like salt and pepper. The burger had grill marks on it, so probably cooked over fire. I asked for cheddar, and they have lots of choices. The bun is substantial, so don't worry about it breaking down in your hands; but, be warned that the patty is bigger than the bun. Now the best part: this thing is awesome. If you've seen DDD and you crave that juicy burger from the intro, here it is. It's not a double decker, but it is juicy and full of flavor. Head in now. Oh, I ordered the "Big Ugly", and finished it in about 30 minutes. I skipped on the fries, but my dining compadre said they were good. Did I mention there is an ice cream shop in the building?

Diego O.

So I saw this place on Man vs Food on the Travel Channel so I had to come and try it out. Let me just say Carmel looks beautiful during the Fall. No back to the burger, I didn't go with the Big Ugly which is a burger made with a pound of ground beef. Instead I went with the Not so Ugly burger.Topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, and all the other fixings this burger was amazing! I also got a side of waffle fries with cheese sauce on the side to make matters worse concluding in the perfect cheat day! I am definitively coming back here to try the ice cream next time. My service was awesome as well, the waiter took damn good care of me especially when he learned it was my first time here. I kinda wanna get my picture on the wall which requires me to eat a Big Ugly which is a burger the size of a plate... hmmm Bucket List!

Marie N.

We visited Carmel for my 55th birthday and decided to go for a late lunch at Bub's based on the good reviews. We were lucky in that there was no waiting for one of the outside tables. We both had the 1/4 lb. burger with cheese and bacon. Really enjoyed the burger and the soft bun. Yes, the prices are a little on the higher end but being from Chicago, we are used to an $8.00 burger without sides. The cole slaw and waffle fries were excellent. The private parking lot was convenient for us as we strolled down Main street after our lunch and enjoyed the various small businesses. And BTW, very clean bathrooms.

April K.

Bub's is a solid '4-star' for me. The location is excellent -right on Main Street by the Monon. I always worry about parking in this area but there is some parking in the back for the restaurant, in addition to the street parking. Anytime I have gone, there is plenty of staff, so service is pretty great. And since I have kiddos, I like that they have little kiddie bags and games at the tables to entertain when the food is taking a little long. The menu is limited in choices but they make what they got right. Try the potato salad! -just don't forgo the fries to get it (they are both pretty delicious). Overall -it's super tasty, and the location is perfect. Waits can be long but there is plenty of people watching to do.

Andrew D.

I love the big ugly burger amazing to do and amazing taste but I have like hundreds of pictures of me eating and almost two but I enjoy this place a lot and it has fun little history to it even though I can't stand carmel

Jack S.

The burgers are the best around! Paired with a great location and friendly staff makes it a must-do for locals and tourists! The ice cream shop is a great way to top off your meal (pro-tip: milkshakes). It's a busier, louder place than most other restaurants. Not bad, but something to keep in mind.

Steve P.

Burgers are great, wait time is long (because burgers are great). However.... it never fails to surprise me how many kids people have in IN (and bring to Bub's). We just moved from out of state and my wife and I started discussing how families at Bub's probably think we have fertility problems (with just 1 kid). Also, I once came with two gay friends and, I must say, the entire restaurant was staring at us. I felt weird. Anyways, welcome to Carmel IN, where the neighbors will call the cops asking them to "check out" a suspicious car (AC repairman in this case) parked on the street late at night (8:15pm).

Amy E.

Great place to grab a burger in carmel. The Big Ugly is-- very very large, and more power to you if you decide you want to undertake that challenge. I tried the elk burger which was delicious. I liked the sweet potato fries but personally, the marshmallow sauce was too sweet. The loaded fries were a perfect mix of gluttony and deliciousness. I like the different sized burgers you can get. Next time I'll check out the ice cream as well.

Kristin F.

This is one of the worst restaurant experiences I have had in a long time. We travel frequently and do not have overly high expectations, however this was beyond terrible. We waited 75 minutes for sub par food that I could have had at Dairy Queen. The burger was supposed to be plain but had some type of southwest type seasoning....onion rings were greasy and worse than fair food. Service was poor the food was barely edible and I do NOT get why this place is popular. First and very last trip to Bubs.

Taylor P.

So lets start off by saying we had to wait about an hour and a half for a table.. didnt mind so much since it was nice out and we went walking around all the little shops. So the second thing, all the staff are REALLY nice. Our order consisted of the following; Mild wings Small basket of onion rings, and sloppy fries. 2 small burgers 1 big ugly 1 coney dog And chicken strips for my baby sis. I loveeee wings, guess this was the wrong place to come to for my craving. They were really juicy but lacking in flavor. My burger was too... it needed salt. & by the time I bit into the other half the bun was very soggy, not the good kinda soggy.. but just wet. Not very tasty. The mushrooms i asked for that they charged extra for.. they were flavorless. & not to mention there was only like 3 or 4 slices of em on my burger. The chile is veryyyyy good though. If i ever come here again, i'll probably stick with that and some onion rings because they were delicious. This place wasn't that great really. Especially for the very long wait! Steak and shake burgers are tastier in my opinion!

Dan D.

My first time at Bubs today. Staff was super friendly and atmosphere was good. Burger was way too salty. I asked our server if that was normal and he said Yes. He suggested u ask for less salt the next time. Wish I would've known that when I ordered.

Jessika O.

Overall, my experience was lacking something. I tried the original Bub's burger, sweet potato fries, regular waffle fries, chili, and soup of the day. I'm not saying it wasn't good, but there was definitely something missing. The chili was by far the best, And I usually don't even like chili. I didn't get to try the ice cream because the line was too long, but maybe I'll give this place one more shot.

Sarah P.

LOVE this place! I love the atmosphere, the location, and the food. The mahi mahi burger is deeeeelish! The elk burgers & sweet potato fries are amazing as well.

Aaron R.

One of the best burgers I've ever had! The bun is made fresh each day. I tried the elk burger with pepper jack cheese. The sweet potato waffle fries with marshmallow dip is a must order!!

Linda M.

You don't see elk burgers around at restaurants much. So for about $8 with tax, the little ugly size (quarter pound) was worth it for my health. I'm only a fan here because the servers guaranteed me that medium done will not have any pink and it would not dry out the meat. I don't care if it is dry as I don't use condiments regularly either. However, I told them I wanted it cooked completely. Then I get home and did see some pink.

Abdulrahman A.

Wow!! I tried the Elk burger! One of the best burgers I have ever tried. Great service!! Very clean. Good for group meals. The prices are good. You will love the food.

Sam M.

Holy Smokes Yelp fans! If you are starving and looking for that big piece of meat to fill your mouth...(Minds out of gutters if you please)...then definitely check out these delightful folks! Their menu? Everything a burger joint should be. Large, extra large, and ridiculously large choices of either beef or elk (for those of us looking for a leaner option) that come with all manner of cheeses and toppings. I myself chose the smaller elk burger topped with pepper jack cheese, grilled onions and mushrooms, veggies, and bleu cheese. My burger was delicious, as where my sweet potato fries that were my side. The staff? ROCK STARS! Now Yelpers, having been in the food service industry myself for so long, I am a stickler for friendly, attentive staff. I do no use terms of high praise lightly in this department. When I tell you our waitress was an absolute blast, I mean she was hysterical, extremely attentive, and even provided us with free samples! This gal knew we were a bit pressed for time and got our order moved up in the line so we could enjoy our meal. She refreshed everything before we even thought of needing a refill and was there in a flash to remove empty plates. Give that gal a klondike bar!! The venue? Overall it was a goofy, laid type setting where one can rock a pair of blue jeans or a blue suit; they take all walks of life! I would caution Yelpers that the indoor seating is limited and can therefore get crowded on busy nights...so come early! So why the 4 stars? Well Yelpers, though I will hold a special place in my heart for Bub's, it takes a special kind of burger joint to achieve the coveted 5 star rating. Bub's is almost there, and I have no doubt that with future visits, they may yet squeeze one out of me! Thanks guys for a great night!!

Cliff H.

Location location location. Right on the Monon in "downtown" carmel. Watch the bicyclists, joggers and everyone go by while you dig into one of their burgers. The menu has a chicken sandwich, salad and a fish so there is something for just about everyone. Why three stars? Well other than location the food isn't that great. It's basically Red Robin on the Monon. Your mileage may vary.

Cole S.

Bub's is a place where everyone has to go. The atmosphere is the best part of it all. The service is fabulous with smiling waiters and customers. Food comes out fast and everything is fresh. The patties are juicy and tender and their buns are awesome as well. The only problem is that Bubs is always busy no matter what day of the week you go. However it is worth the wait. The ice cream at bubs is also wonderful. They always have tons of different flavors which range from vanilla to birthday cake. There are freshly baked waffle cones or you can get it in a cup. I always get the root beer float because they don't cheat you on the ice cream and they have great root beer. For anyone who visits Carmel Indiana you need to go to Bubs. Not just for great food, but for a great experience.

Chris Y.

Basic menu - primarily burgers and hot dogs with a few other sandwiches. Burgers are offered in 1/4 pound, 1/2 pound and the one pound BIG UGLY. Dive burger joint with great burgers. For me the ideal order is a 1/4 burger and share a basket of fries. That's plenty for most people. The burgers are great - fresh beef made to order. The buns are fresh baked and tasty. I got my burger with bacon and swiss. The bacon was good stuff - nice and smokey. We opted for the waffle fries and they were fine - freshly cooked, hot , and crispy, but nothing exceptional. Service was great as our drinks were never empty. I've ridden my bike past Bub's many times on the Monon until I finally stopped in to try it. It's most convenient to arrive by bike. From what I've seen they're always busy, so expect a wait most of the time.

Dave W.

Used to love this place. Went again a few days ago. The wait was an hour. Wanted to get a beer for myself and wife. Waited 15 min for the beer girl (the only way you can get a beer before seated) to come. She was nice but it took another 8 min to get it. Not sure why. Asked if I could go to the counter to buy one and was told no. Then got sat in an hour and 20 min. No big deal but the food took 40 min. The server was nice and asked if I'd like the creole burger. It was a blackened burger with pepper jack and a side of Cajun mayo (mayo mixed with blackened seasoning). I said sure. Sounds good. I was shocked to realize the burger just with cheese and other seasoning (that probably cost .10 cents) would jack the burger price from $11 to $15!! We also ordered two large baskets of fries and got two small 1/2 full baskets for (I believe) was $4.95 a basket. I get it, you need to make money but keep jacking up the prices will soon result in less ppl. I could see $12-$13 for the burger with fries but come on, the fries I ordered was about the amount you would add to a burger for a side. That meal alone would have been $20 for one person. Bubs, you aren't that good! As well, it took over 2:30 min for dinner all in. Kinda ridiculous. We will head elsewhere. There's just as good of food all around you.

Christian S.

one of the best burgers I've had. Chocolate shake was great as well!

Daniel H.

The Elk patty was pretty good and quite juicy, and the optional Bleu Cheese topping did a great job of adding enough kick that ketchup/mustard condiments weren't necessary. The onion rings were without question the best I've ever had; so good, in fact, that they needed no sauce at all! The waitress was friendly and fast, and the atmosphere was quite casual. It was rather loud, so don't expect to have intimate or deep conversations.

Christopher P.

Wow! The burgers in here are great. You really can't go wrong with anything on the menu. The burgers maybe known for being "ugly" but it's sure as heck taste good. Tip- sit inside. Too many bugs on the outside can get very annoying.

Vivian B.

Me and my husband met with family from out of state at Bubs yesterday and most of us had never been in before. We sat outside and it was very nice, the food was very good! Me nor my husband needed take home boxes we ate all of our quater pounders and the cheese waffle fries! Everyone was very pleased with their quality and tastes of the meals they received. However, my cousins wife and another family member both received meals that were incorrect. She received a plate with a bun that had no meat and he received one of their giant burgers. While someone at the table had ordered one of these large burgers he had not. My first issue with this is people other than our waitress brought our food out and just set it down and walked away. Leaving everyone confused on what had happened with their correct orders. Then our waitress returns to the table, we tell her that the order is wrong and that A she did not receive any meat on her patty and B he had received a much much larger burger than he had ordered. She apologies in frantic and runs away. We are then setting outside and those of us who had the right orders with our food eating. She had taken away the empty patty and left the giant burger on the table. She was gone for what seemed awhile so they cut the giant burger in half and started eating that because who really goes out to watch everyone else eat!?!? So when she returns to the table she ask if they would like her to pay for PART of the burger!?!?! She exclaimed "technically it's my fault, but they make us pay for it from our checks" WHAAAAAAT!!!?? First of all this poor girl should be smart enough to know not to even ask that question even though they are nice people and paid for the FULL burger. But secondly what kind of company treats their employees like that to begin with?? That they need to pay for mistakes out of their own check? It's a restaurant these things happen! And some people even lie about stuff like that!! But she or us had to pay for it!? What if it was the kitchens fault or even expo!? Regardless no one should have been paying for it not us and not her. So I'm guessing this is either a terrible company or business to work for or there is some awful management involved. If it wasn't for the fact the food was great and I hadn't seen my family in literally a decade I probably would have boiled over. The entire situation was handled wrong and very poorly. I hope that your employees receive better customer service training in the future to handle situations like that and that maybe Bubs changes their policies requiring employees or guests to pay for kitchen/food mistakes. Unfortunately even though the food was great being in restaurants as a server through high school and college I can not support a place that has such low ethical standards and poor customer service as such. Your employee should have never been placed in that situation.

T W.

Our first time at Bub's was when we visited Carmel for July 4th. The place was busy, but we got seated in about 5 minutes. Our server was prompt, friendly, and attentive. We ordered the 1/4 lb burgers and one 1/2 lb burger. They were flavorful and filling. We also ordered the sloppy waffles and the sweet potato waffles with marshmallow dipping sauce. Both were delicious. We topped it off with kiddie size ice cream. They pack it in the cup, so its still a decent serving, and all we could manage after the burgers. We would definitely return again!

Kevin K.

I can't comment on the food, even though I've heard great things. Also the service was great in the short time we were there. So why only 2 stars? In today's day and age of food allergies it's a bit ridiculous that Bubs has ZERO options for food allergies. My wife has a gluten allergy and they have absolutely nothing she could have. No gf buns. All fried items are fried with other gluten items so those are off too. We should have checked beforehand, but thought a place on the Monon in the middle of Carmel would have been sensitive to a gluten allergy. Consequently we had to leave, and are disappointed we couldn't try. The fix is as simple as a gf bun, which we'd happily pay extra for.

Kaitlyn S.

Nice little place on the Monon trail. Burgers are fairly good and the ice cream is awesome. Fun place to visit in the summer and spring months. As a resident of carmel I don't go here on a regular basis but it is fun to take friends and family visiting too. Everyone should go at least once.

Lisa B.

Just recently tried this place, what we ate were 2 burgers and waffle fries with cheese and bacon. The burgers are ok, they are nothing special about them and extremely over priced. . The flavor of the burgers are something you can cook at home for a lot cheaper, save your money and time. The waffle fries were ok, they would have been better without the cheese. The cheese didn't have a great flavor. The wait staff was good, no issues there. We ate inside and there were flies all over the place, I would hate to see what it looks like in the kitchen. I will not be back to eat here and not worth the money.

Scott N.

There is a reason there is always a line out the door along the Monon... this is by-far the best burger in the city (maybe one of the best I've ever had, but my memory isn't good enough to make that sort of assertion). The burgers are all very flavorful and the portions are extremely generous. All of the weights are as-served, so you're eating 1/4-1 lb of cooked burger! I have never walked out of Bub's feeling less than stuffed. The meat is well seasoned and the buns are buttered, you really can't get better. The ice cream is also amazing. I highly recommend everything! Deal with the hype, deal with the line, there is a very good reason it's popular.

Andrew S.

My favorite burger joint. All the food is awesome and fresh hand made milkshakes bring all the boys to the yard. Very causal experience. Friendly and fast service is always great as well.

Vetta C.

Really impressed. I am so sick of the burger trend going on in California. Everyone is doing gourmet burger, yet nothing really beats In-N-Out. I went to Bub's and had medium expectation. It was so good! I had the elk burger and the medium sized one which is 1/2 pound of meat. Elk had not only a great taste, but a very good unique texture to it. The bun is soft and tastes slightly underbaked I say that as a compliment as it worked so well with the burger. Ordered some onion rings. They were just OK. Ordered ice cream. Blueberry Waffle cone and Carmel salted pretzel. It was amazing. Improve on the sides (they are still good) and get a 5 star!

Mark V.

I went here with my nephew, and I had decided ahead of time that this was going to be another waste of money overpriced burger experience. It's in the middle of cultural district in Carmel. We get there early today about 11 am and get seated right away. Burgers were priced around $6 for a quarter pound, $11 for a half pound and $19 for a whole pound the "Big Ugly". Well I can eat at a bunch of places under the $11 price point and get most anything I want at a price point under $19. In regards to a direct comparison of some of the best Indy has to offer, this place is way overpriced. Better quality meals can be had elsewhere at a much better price point. However, in regards to the stupid trend of overpriced gourmet burgers over $10 this was acceptable. I ordered the half pound and with a few additions it was about $14.00 as everything but pickles, onions, lettuce and tomatoes are an add-ons, which is crazy due to the original cost of $11 for the burger. As a patron of Five Guys, I like a price where everything is included and no up-charge for most toppings. What is good, the bun, burger and toppings. Everything was perfect. The fries were reasonably priced at $2.50 for a large. However, the fries are frozen and not fresh, but were decent none the less. Five Guys has fresh fries, but at a higher price point. What is bad, the prices. However, I don't hold this against the owners as we live in a supply and demand world. Bub's burgers are in high demand and the burgers they produce are above average in their category. I give Bub's a 2 on price and a 4 on food. Thus my conclusion of three stars for this place. I wouldn't recommend going to Bub's burgers for the experience. There is much better food with a greater flavor profiles that have blown me away. Your money can be better spent elsewhere and at a lower price point. However, if you are craving a burger and you don't want to eat at a cool local joint like "Workingman's friend bar and grill" with quality burgers about 1/3 the price, I guess I would recommend this place. It sure beats most of the boring overpriced chain restaurants. If you are bored of chain restaurants and think for yourself and are not manipulated by millions of dollars in TV commercials to make yourself believe you have to eat average to below average overpriced food at some chain restaurant, I am one of you. Let's all keep supporting the true food scene in Indiana.

Ami H.

Great burgers, onion rings and ice cream. Servers were nice and quick. We were upsstairs and I really prefer it to downstairs, especially with kids. Spot it game at the table was a nice touch to keep kids occupied!

Lauren L.

My husband and I moved to Carmel last December and we were very excited to try Bub's once the warmer weather rolled around. Our first (and only experience) left us disappointed. We love the Monon and the Art's District but Bub's fell totally flat in our expectations. There was a wait, which was to be expected, it's always a busy place so we walked the trail a little beforehand. Once we were seated our server took a while to get our orders and then our food took at least 45 minutes to get to the table. Then it was cold! I ordered a basic cheeseburger and the bun was so doughy and cold it was terrible. Not to mention expensive! The fries were delicious but couldn't make up for the rest of the meal. It was such a bummer because we were looking forward to spending many weekend nights at Bub's and we haven't been back since. I'd like to give them another chance but it's hard to justify.

B C.

This is one of the WORST restaurant experience we have had in YEARS! It took over 45 mins to get our food. By the time we got it, part of our party had to leave without eating We found out that the waiter held our order for 10mins before putting it in. When we asked what was going on we were given many excuses by the waiter and the Manager. We were told it was because it was early n the day, they were busy, they had the party room booked. We were even told it was because we didn't order at the right time. We were told EVERYTHING except that they were sorry. I gave them one star, because the did comp us one of the meals!!!! Oh but the bugs on the to go box was free!!

Christie B.

Really cute place in Carmel for a great burger and fries. We shared a Not So Ugly half pound burger with grilled onions and pepper jack cheese. It was more than enough for two. We requested it be grilled medium rare and although it came a touch on the rare side for me, it was delicious. The grilled red onions were a nice complement and the seasoned fries were savory, hot, and crispy. The only (slight) downside was the bun--not the most exciting bun bread I've had, but ok. Service was friendly and attentive and we enjoyed our late lunch meal a lot. The walls are decorated with photos of people who have finished the Big Ugly one-pound burger in one sitting. Yikes! This makes my head spin just thinking about it. Photo size was commensurate with number of burgers completed. One enterprising fellow apparently finished off 4 of the Big Uglys, in 6 hours. Impressive and horrifying at the same time.

Tammy D.

Unfortunately we had a bad experience. I tried to plan ahead because we had a group of nine which included an expectant mother. I called the day before and was told to come and put my name in and then the rest of our party could join us. My husband and I arrived thirty minutes before the rest of our party. We were then told they couldn't set up our table until half of us were there. So we waited until more of us arrived. I went back to the hostess and was then told sorry we were wrong we can't set up your table until everyone is there. I tried to explain that I had called. They offered to get the manager. When he came out, I explained the situation, including the part about the expectant mother with twins. He said that is our policy. I said, but I called and asked. He said, "I didn't speak to anyone yesterday. Have a nice day." Evidently they believe their food is so good, they don't need to treat their customers well. There were several empty tables, so seating us ten minutes before the expectant mother arrived would not have kept anyone else from getting a table. So disappointed.

Ryan R.

I had a great dinner at Bubs! First food challenge I've ever attempted. Success! Burger was tasty! I did work up a sweat but finished! We had a fair wait time for a party of six. Our server was great. Try the sweet potato fries with the marshmallow dip. Interesting restaurant and worth coming back.

Chelsea S.

Jo completed and destroyed "THE BIG UGLY" his photo is on the wall. I'm soo proud. But bring it back to reality the burgers we had a werid flavor an they were very oily.

Kayre H.

was visiting a couple friends in Westfield last month and they took me here. I had no intention of actually attempting a famous Big Ugly Burger, as i'm pretty sure I would feel bad about my life for months after. I had a "settle for less ugly" burger, which was 1/4 after cooked and plenty. It was tasty, and I got a friend egg on top because, well, eggs make everything better =). That may have been some sort of special. One of my friends got an elk burger, which was apparently good but tasted pretty much like beef. The other got a portabello sandwich, which he said was one of the best he's had. One thing I enjoyed about Bub's was that we had a game on our table, so really had no concept of how long we actually waited. It's like at Cracker Barrel - except far more entertaining than pegs. Smart.

Jake O.

Love this place. The 1 lb hamburger aka the big ugly was delicious. I've ate here 4 times now and get the same thing everytime. They also have a elk burger that I haven't tried yet but heard it was just as good.

Stephen K.

Just OK. I'm 28 years old and have no kids so I will preface this review by saying that. I felt like I was at a Chuck E. Cheese. I wanted to take my girlfriend out for a date and just have a good hamburger. What I got was a group of preteens whom had their parents dress them. It was so loud with kids that in an effort to communicate - my girlfriend and I resorted to playing cell phone games like "draw something". The elk burgers we got were decent but nothing to write home about. The day care center atmosphere really ruined it for two young adults. I was looking for a cubbie hole to place my shoes so that I could jump into the ball pit which I looked for, but could not find. I will not be coming here again.

Brandon M.

The Elk burger is sandwich! I have long wanted to try and ELK burger and the main reason for my trip to Carmel was to eat here and grab a Big Ugly so I hit two nails with one swing. This place was packed, and parking oh boy was it difficult however taking the walk through town was very enjoyable who can resist posing for pictures with the ceramic statues!? It was quite enjoyable. Only having a party of two we were placed at a pub table rather swiftly and placed our simple order just a elk burger and fries for the two of us to share. The burger was good it's the only elk burger I have ever had so I don't know it may been great, (if there is a next time I will try a regular burger) the fries were amazing and the drink menu is very large for a little burger stand. The front entry to the restaurant has (or is) a ice cream parlor with no seating and very little to choose from as far ordering is concerned. There is also no rhyme or reason as to how the line is to be formed when ordering ice cream up here which is the reason for the 4 star rating. Over all the staff was great and I am in the area again I will be sure to stop by.

Rick G.

If a restaurant is hyped, I avoid it. Seriously. I've not had very good luck with overly hyped restaurants. Bub's is like that. Or it WAS, until yesterday. As an avid cyclist, I've ridden by Bub's hundreds of times....maybe more. It's ALWAYS crowded, but I just couldn't bring myself to give it a try because of the hype. A burger is a burger, right? Yesterday, I was out riding with my friend, Sean, and he said he was treating me to lunch at Bub's. I kind of rolled my eyes, mentally, and prepared myself for a letdown of epic proportions. Boy, was I wrong. That burger was legen-----wait for it----dary. Amazing. Cooked EXACTLY as I ordered it, dressed perfectly, nice, flavorful, juicy...everything a burger should be. Sean suggested I try the sweet potato fries with the marshmallow dipping sauce. Huh? MARSHMALLOW dipping sauce? For fries? That's just wrong. Nope. It was AMAZING. Oh, my gosh...so, so good. I topped it off with a chocolate banana milkshake. Oh, so tasty. We had ridden up on our bicycles, and were enjoying our meal, when we noticed the sky getting dark. We pulled up the radar on our phones, and....uh oh. We were far from home and about to get hammered. That's where our server, Adam, went above and beyond the call of duty. Having seen us ride up on our bikes, he came out with an assortment of zip lock bags for our gear, so it would stay dry on the way home. Well done, Adam...you got a nice tip for that, and Bub's earned repeat customers from that simple act of kindness. Bub's, I feel confident in saying...see you soon! :)

Chris S.

Is all the HYPE worth going? Of course it is! They are known for The Big Ugly one pound burger. It was featured on Man vs Food. I went for the "settle for less ugly" elk burger. Yes I said Elk! "Settle for less ugly" means 1/3 pound burger. Very good burger and that comes from a guy that has had a lot of burgers in my life. I also went with the sweet potato waffle fries. You get the option of a marshmallow dip for these. Go for it! It's like a freaking dessert. TRUST ME! If there is one tip I can give you is get there early because they are always busy.

Bart K.

Sun King Wee Mac on tap, great burgers, good fries, and very clean bathrooms, -- what is not to like? The only complaint is the games on the table send the message that you should expect slow lousy service and they gross me out (how many grubby hands of thousands of customers touch those things?). Please remove those things from the table and let people who want them ask for them.

Erik F.

I went to a burger place intending to get a burger and instead I end up eating the angus beef foot long coney dog with fries. On my next visit I'll get a hamburger or maybe on of their bison burgers. The friends I was with really enjoyed both burgers. The coney dog was excellent as were the fries. I really enjoyed sitting outside along the Monon trail. On a cool summer night, it was the perfect location for a dinner with friends. When you go, try to sit outside, you won't be disappointed. It's definitely a must visit again type of restauant.

Jared D.

Food was great. Burgers are seasoned excellently. Waffle fries were good...as was the apple pie. Pretty neat with the pictures of people on the walls of those who were able to finish the one pound burger. The more burgers you can eat in one sitting, the larger your picture.

Ronnie W.

WOW, one of the best burgers I have had. They were very busy on the night I went there, but the burger was hot and juicy. Wish I saved room for ice cream, yeah they have that too. I hear they serve breakfast now? We also had Bubs cater our Christmas party, mini burgers, bison burgers, and the regular beef ones, whooo. I'll be having dreams of the big ugly for a while.

Todd R.

There is a first time for everything, and for me, it was the first time having elk! Slightly different from beef, but I certainly did not have that food coma experience. Bub's service is uber friendly in that down to earth tavern style, yet also quite thoughtful in going above and beyond. Since I had little ones in tow, the little goodie bags of snacks and the table games were the perfect distractions to make it to dinner. The onion rings are as good as advertised. I didn't think I would need my own large size basket, but I almost ate them all, and between the table they were gone before the rest of the meal. A thoughtful gesture instead was an actual sample of their chili and their soup of the day. If I had not had my mind set on a burger, I would have definitely gone for their meaty chili! I can safely say that I will choose this place again when in Carmel.

Jeff S.

Delicious. Food was great. Service was great. The Carmel, IN scenery was great. Try the Waffle Fries with bacon and cheese.

Steve S.

I had my first Bub's experience yesterday with members of my family. Being a life-long resident of Hamilton County, I keep wondering why I have not visited Bub's Burgers & Ice Cream before. I always wanted to go (even before the episode of Travel Channel's MAN v. FOOD featuring Bub's "Four Pound Challenge"). I went for the burgers, naturally. It is their speciality, after all. I tried the elk burger (the "Not so Ugly" -- Half pound). Why not. It is lower in calories, fat, and cholesterol, and high in protein. All the weights are the "After-cooked" weight. If you order a quarter pound burger, you get a quarter-pound burger. For example, the "Big Ugly" (the One Pound burger) starts off as a 22 ounces pre-cooked. The wait staff is very welcoming and extremely knowledgeable on the menu. Again, being that this was my first time there, it was welcoming to have a waitress that was very knowledgeable on the menu. It also helped when choosing the elk burger. Not ever tried elk, myself. If you choose the elk burger, you can't tell the difference in taste. You could believe you're biting into a normal hamburger. The burger is cooked to order. Our waitress suggested that the elk burger be cooked to a "medium". It was very juicy. In the end, the bill was higher than anticipated. I will be back, for sure. I would show off this little gem to family that come in from out of town. That said, I was surprised to see that Bub's Burgers & Ice Cream has expanded intto two new communities -- Bloomington, IN and Zionsville, IN. So, Carmel's little gem has grown.

Jason A.

Hands down one of the best tasting burgers I've had, cooked perfect! The bun was even great tasting. Ordered the Big Ugly and gave my g/f a third and worked out perfect.

Suer_one ..

Liked it, but I have been in better places.

Mustafa A.

It's an amazing place to eat ... no no no, it's an amazing experience. You'll really meet a really nice staff and experience being in the best burger place in Carmel. The food is very good, they don't have a lot of choices, because it's a burger place only, however they offer few types of meats for their patties beside beef. They might have added some more option recently that I'm not aware of, I haven't been there for a while, because i'm on diet hahaha. The other good thing about Bub's burger is its location, it's located in the center of Downtown Carmel (Carmel Arts and Design District) which is another experience if you're not from here. Enjoy!

Meagan B.

I ordered a 1/4 lb elk burger. Definitely NOT the best burger I've ever had. If you want just a burger this place is fine, but it's really not worth the hype.

Ben B.

How could a place with a burger named the big ugly not be 5 stars? I've been here twice and both times they made my burger to order. I added onion rings on my burger, which is not on the menu but they did it anyways...good stuff!! two bonuses: flavored coke (vanilla), and chocolate malts. parking is a pain

Bethany S.

Bub's is exactly what you'd expect - a standard American burger place. Not really meant for a vegetarian, but I live nearby and have heard so much hype that when my British coworker came to town who is a fan of Man vs Food (they visited Bub's at one point), I decided to go. I ended up just getting the sweet potato waffle fries and a peanut butter shake. I've had better sweet potato fries, but the milkshake was delicious. It seems like everyone liked their food well enough but it just wasn't a mind-blowing experience. It probably didn't help that they didn't have any room inside, so we had to sit outside on a blisteringly hot day. The service was pretty good though.

Candace Z.

Best burger I have ever had. I suggest the sweet potato waffle fries with marshmallow dipping sauce. Amazing!

Crystal K.

What a great restaurant! The atmosphere, the shakes, mmmm!! I don't eat burgers but the meatless burger and the fries were great. I was really there for the shake :)

David F.

Some of the best burgers in the area! Bub's is a Carmel and Northside favorite. Great, juicy, flavorful hand-pattied burgers made from fresh beef and yummy fixins. They have their buns specially made as well. If you are a burger lover, try the Big Ugly. One pound of beef AFTER it is cooked, this burger is what Bub's is famous for. Not for the timid. Try the "Settle For Less Ugly" 1/4 pound burger (that's what I eat) for a more heart and waistline friendly meal. My friend had the Elk burger, which comes in the same 3 choices of sizes as the burgers. It's better for you, but I find it a bit dry for my tastes. Still an unusual offering for the middle of Old Town Carmel. This is a family-friendly

Marianne G.

Best burgers in Indy by far with excellent buns. The onion rings were also fantastic. We went there once last year and totally forgot about them because they're not nearby for us. We'll definitely be back sooner.

Viviana F.

Took a road trip so my brother could try The "Big Ugly"â„¢ One Pound burger challenge. He did good, finished and got his picture on the wall! I was a wimp and got The "Settle for Less Ugly"â„¢ Quarter Pound burger. Very tasty but the best part was the BUN! My brother made the same comment. We will definitely road trip back again. Next time, we want to try The Giant Bub Dog!! When you do the challenge, they give you a bucket in case you can't keep the huge burger down, LOL! I missed it, but my brother saw a poor teen up-chuck his burger shortly after he finished it.

Jason S.

Bub's serves up the best burger I have ever tasted. Amazing place that I always look forward to visiting again and again.

Andrew J.

This place is the real deal. All the weights of their burgers are the post cooked weight of the meat. They don't have a ton of choices but they do burgers right. Everything is very well seasoned. They get meat temperatures right on the first try. Their burgers are big fresh and delicious. They have some good french fries, especially their waffle fries. They do a very good chili cheese fry as well. I also like that they bring out their soups and chilli when you walk in as an amuse bouche. The soups are very good and everything is served pipping hop. Great spot for lunch or dinner

Amanda W.

I love their milkshakes. We carried out our burgers since they were too crowded. I love the location (We drove 50 miles to get there). He had the elk burger and I had a big ugly and we had left over for the next day.

Jason W.

The food is awesome. But the hostess staff is terrible. Told us it would be 45 mins but turned out to be over an hour and a half wait. The staff left tables empty for 15 mins at a time while they were chatting instead of seating people. As good as the food is it's not worth the bad service or the long wait times.

Amanda G.

Hamburgers are delicious! The grilled chicken sandwich was one-of-the best! The indoor dining room is very noisy which makes conversing very difficult.

Cory K.

Good burger, but always overcooked and very overpriced. Plus, with the lack of seating and always slow service, this place has gone from a great choice to not worth it, over the years of coming here. It's like 12-13 bucks for just a half pound regular burger, while the elk is like 5+ more for each burger. The big ugly is over 18 bucks now! Add a side and a drink, and a half pound meal is 20 bucks! Not worth it anymore. In all honesty 5 guys is slightly better and a third the price.

K G.

I worked at Bubs for a brief time and i'll let you in on a little secret... the beef is absolutely frozen. It's almost as cold as Bub's owner Matt Frey who treats his staff like absolute crap. MOST days I would walk out of Bubs with less than $30 in tips all while getting paid $2.13 an hour. During those slow hours we were expected to participate in non stop cleaning because Mr. Frey was to cheap to hire a cleaning service like every other restaurant in town. His Bloomington store is even worse where he exploits college students and gets as much labor as possible out of them. Overall the the food is good... they do lie straight to their customers face though when they say "never frozen".

Amelia M.

Was not very impressed. Had to wait a long time to be seated then waited for our food for a while. They did have a few things for the kids ti play with which was nice. But the restaurant was too loud inside with the music blasting. The burger was a little dry. I did love the sweet potato fries and my chocolate shake was great.

Seth M.

To keep it short, best burgers I've ever had. Bub's is consistently great food with friendly, casual service. I live close so Bub's is a staple. Again, Bub's is casual, so don't go expecting more than what it is- a really great burger joint. Service is good, but don't expect fine dining. The menu is awesome, but don't expect more than sandwiches and sides. The location is great, but don't go expecting a huge dining room with plush chairs. This brings me to my one dislike about Bub's; everyone loves it. During the summer between 6 and 7, getting a table can be a very long wait. Keep that in mind when you plan to go. The upside to this is that in the summer, in the heart of Carmel, there are so many ways to kill half an hour. A drink at the bar across the Monon, an art gallery down Main Street, a milkshake at their ice cream parlor or Auntie Em's down the street (sorry to plug, but amazing milkshakes!); all are great ways to start your evening. If, by some random chance, you haven't been to Bub's yet, correct your mistake.

Chad S.

Waaaaaaaay overpriced. I have no problem paying for a good meal, and the burgers here are good, this is true; however, the bill for four of us, one being a 7 year old, was $64.00. For a burger place, this was ridiculous. There are two main complaints I had: 1.) the menu doesn't tell you that EVERYTHING is extra. Want jalapeños? That'll be $1.50, want the advertised cherry syrup for your Coke, that's an unadvertised $.50 more. If these upcharges were listed, or, if our waiter pointed them out, I'd have less of an issue. 2.) We ordered 2 hand-dipped milkshakes. These were to be treat beverages for our kids. THEY DID NOT ARRIVE UNTIL AFTER THE MEAL. There were apologies, excuses, but no consideration by the staff, no discounted price, never an option to not receive them. This and the general over-pricing will make me not return.

M Y.

As someone who has eaten at Bubs numerous times in the last 8 years and completed the Big Ugly challenge several times, I'm a bit disappointed by how much they've jacked up their prices. Perhaps I'd feel differently if I only found about Bubs recently, but having eaten there since around 2005, I can't help but remember how reasonable their prices used to be. Even as of ~2007-2008, their price on a "Big Ugly" was about $11. Now it's jumped up to almost $20! Same story with the 1 pound elk burger. Just a few years ago it was about $15, now it's over $26. Sure, there's been some inflation between 2008 and now, but come on, doubling the price? The burger is good, but it's not worth $20 unless this is your first time trying the Big Ugly.

Claire L.

Burgers are always great. However, We went Saturday night and were told a one hour wait for a table for two. We decided to wait and were finally seated one hour and forty five minutes later. The hosts really need to get a better handle on how long the wait will actually be. Burgers are great when you can finally get a table.

Courtney J.

Being the meat lover girl that I am, after moving to the Carmel IN area it was an absolute must that I try bubs. Being most popular for their burgers I opted to get the 'settle for less ugly' burger which is the quarter pound option. The largest option, "The Big Ugly" is their massive 1-pound burger complete with toppings, condiments and bun. If you devour the entire monstrous burger a picture of you goes on their wall. Sounds like fun? Sure! Sounds comfortable? Nope! :) I thoroughly enjoyed by 'settle for less ugly burger' and appreciated that they wrapped it in lettuce and left my fries unseasoned since I am gluten free. If you are looking for a fun place to go for lunch or a casual dinner with friends or family, Bub's Burgers and Ice Cream is the perfect location. With great milk shakes for dessert you will have a great and very filling dining experience! I recommend Bub's to guests constantly as a concierge and have never recieved any bad feed back. Keep it up, Bub's! And you, reader, go eat that Big Ugly Burger!

Matthew D.

I have been to this place a lot and have never had this bad. We waited 45 minutes for a table (which we are used to) to only finally sit in the one table that was open the whole time. Then besides getting eaten by mosquitoes the whole time and the old tea we got our food and really did not know what we got. There was no lighting at all on the side they seated us at and you could not see your food. We had to use our phones to make sure things looked somewhat alright and to even see the check to pay. We could not tell if the waiter ignored us where we were seated or if he could not even tell if we were out of drinks. But I only got 1 refill of water during the next hour we waited at the table. Overall, the food was not cooked right, the buns were missing part of the bread on the bottom, there were hardly any fries in the basket that we got, and there was no silverware. Very disappointed in this place and would not recommend going there in the afternoon unless you go 4 hours before the sun decided to go down.

Ashley S.

We ordered a "settle for less ugly" burger, grilled chicken sandwich and large order of waffle fries. The Fries were yummy and very crispy. The Chicken sandwich was large and well cooked (not dried out) chicken and the burger was very tasty, still juicy at medium well. There was a very nice atmosphere, we were right next to the Big Ugly eaters and Adam took care of all of our needs and questions. My only complaint was the time it took to get our food, but at least you know everything was cooked fresh!

Dustin H.

This place has the best burgers around. I had the not so ugly and it was great! Me and my wife shared a order of large waffle fries and they were crispy and tasty! The ground beef was fresh and lean, good quality beef. The only reason I gave 4 stars instead of 5 was because the service was Slow. We had to wait several minutes on drink refills. But overall great atmosphere and location, most of all great burgers. I would have no problem returning.

Emilee B.

Are you feeling "ugly"? If so, then Bub's Burgers is the place for you! Take on the "Big Ugly", and you might possibly get to add your picture to the wall. I opted for the Little Bubs (kids) menu, which was the perfect amount of food for me and included a grilled cheese sandwich, sweet potato fries, and a drink. At $4.50 it's the perfect price too! I was there with a party of 15 and our service was AWESOME! Drinks brought right away. Our food came not long after and tasted delicious. And somehow our waitress managed to stay on top of our refills and any extra requests. She nailed it when it comes to customer service! They also have an ice cream shop. Pretty sure I'm gonna have to check that out soon too.

Robin L.

One of the best burgers I have ever had-- quarter pounder with pepper jack, mushrooms and pickles. Amazing. Biggest disappointment was the sweet potato waffle fries. I love sweet potato fries but these were dry and greasy. Will stick with classic fries next time.

Tim B.

Ordered the elk burger (special, with bacon, egg, and cheese) medium. It tasted OK but was cooked well done. Absolutely no pink inside. Elk well done is bone dry, and a huge waste of money. I could only force myself to eat about half the burger. Waitstaff was helpful, offered to replace the burger. I declined -- who wants to wait another 20 minutes during a busy lunch? Disappointed. Expected much better. Doubt I'll return.

Jenn H.

Excellent atmosphere. We were recommended to try this place (and the elk burger) by some locals as we were nearby and looking for something different. This place really lived up to the hype. Excellent burgers with fresh toppings. Would have liked to have had fresh jalapeños vs the pickled kind from a jar but other than that the food was great. Neat place and service was quick. Fries were fresh and hot. Prices were reasonable for the high quality food you get.

Sara L.

Bubs has a limited menu and that allows it to focus on the things it does have, and to do them well. Elk burger in three sizes, beef burger in three sizes, a chili dog, a few kinds of fries, some wine and some beer. There ya go, that's the menu. There's also an ice cream shop, but I didn't eat in it, though I did take some photos of the creepily hyper-anthropomorphic animals adorning the walls. We rode our bikes about 20 miles to get to Bubs, so of course, being hot, sweaty and tired and seeking adventure, it all tasted a little better than it actually was. My elk burger was tasty and I look forward to going back again. The waffle fries, pretty good! The white zinfandel came served in a plastic glass and for the second round, the waitress brought out the single serve bottle and poured it right into the glass. This is all so incredibly hilarious to me. you have no idea how much I loved this! All in all I'd say it was a pretty decent and tasty meal and I will definitely be going back. The patio is killer and right on the monon, so it's an easy bike ride no matter where you start riding. I have never craved the food or thought twice about it, but I did like it and since biking is the thing of the summer, I'll definitely be going back again and be happy to do so. It's a pretty ok place that's a little more than ok with fair prices, a nice atmosphere, friendly staff, and plastic wine glasses. This all satisfies me.

Alex N.

This place is ridiculously awesome. Good burgers, great sweet potato fries, and marshmallow dipping sauce. Every time we're in Indy, we have to come here for lunch. Check out the elk burger. I find that for lunch their "Settle for less ugly" is perfect at 1/4 pound. It's a couple of bucks more than the regular burger, but so worth it. Add a side of sweet potato waffle fries and make sure to ask for the marshmallow dipping sauce. Service is always fantastic. 4 stars for my favorite lunch spot in Carmel. Watch out, it gets busy at lunch, so come early or come late.

Ed S.

This seriously was one of the best burger spots we have ever dined at. Great service, Shannon our waitress was fantastic! The food was amazing, located in a great area, and the ice cream was great, next time we are in the area we will be stopping in again. Highly recommend!

Krista R.

Just OK. Food tasted frozen and reheated, burgers (one elk and one beef) were DRY, fries were bland. Loses one star for high prices and cheesy atmosphere.

Scott H.

Great place. One of the best burgers in the Indy area. If you eat the Big Ugly burger, they'll put your picture on the wall (reminds me of the Ol' 96er). Bubs is right off the Monon. Warning: the Big Ugly is HUGE. It's painful to eat it . Don't think that you can eat a Big Ugly and then ride your bike home. The burger is too big. You will crap your pants. I was feeling pretty cocky after polishing off a Big Ugly. Then my 17-year-old female server said that she once ate a Big Ugly, fries and a large milkshake. So long, masculinity.

Tonya M.

Came in On a Monday night with my daughter. Service was great- our waiter very attentive and took the time to explain everything to us since we were from out of town. We were seated right way. Food came out promptly and burger was good. I asked for medium but it was at the high end of medium not very red. But it was still good. Tried the sweet potato fries with marshmellow dip- OMG! yum!!! I was informed that the dip would be a little extra so it wasn't a surprise. Everything was pretty great- can't wait to bring my husband along next time we are in Indy. Only thing I disliked was parking- it is in a cute little updated village area. Surroundings were nice and it was cool and modern- but it was kinda hard to find parking. Maybe I missed a parking garage somewhere- but be prepared to park a walk a touch to get there. But is worth the walk and you will walk out si full you will enjoy the walk back to care so your belly can settle!

Nina J.

Bub's is a Carmel icon, so I'd recommend at least one visit. Walls are covered in those who took on the Big Ugly Burger Challenge. The hubby's pic was tacked to a wall over a window once, but he won't be doing that again! The "small" orders are more than enough food. I prefer the Elk (less fat than beef) - be sure to order it one level less cooked than you like your Beef. Elk tends to be drier, but turns out perfect if you order this way. Nice waffle fries and juicy hot dogs. Good beer selections. Fun atmosphere attracts the crowds - great location next to the Monon Trail. Table's are close together, which isn't the best with my kids. They don't like feeling like they're sharing a table with another family. We're glad we've been & burgers are good, but would recommend a late lunch or early dinner time slot to avoid long waits. For the same quality burgers, our family always chooses Carmel Burgers on Hazel Dell and Main. Ice cream servings are too huge for any of us to finish and Carmel's got ample other gelato, frozen yogurt, ice cream options. But they do carry Superman flavor, to my youngest daughter's delight.

Quinn T.

Great customer service and great food! Off the beaten path and in a nice, quieter location than the other restaurants in town.

Dustin G.

Great friendly service. Burgers, cheese waffle fries and milkshakes are amazing!! This restaurant is a gut buster and you might need to have someone gurney you out of the restaurant because you will be completely full. Simple menu options but most options if not all are delectable.

Tim H.

This is the kind of place that you plan your trip around! Worth a little drive out of the way when you're in Indy. After my first trip, I was close to calling Bub's the best burger I'd ever eaten. Now after my second trip... and other burgers in between, there's no doubt in my mind. The burger is perfectly seasoned. You could really eat it by itself... but to do so without the grilled bun would rob you of one of the best parts! Add American cheese and bacon, and you can't go wrong! Best Burger Yet! --Tim

Taylor F.

Mahi Mahi burger was phenomenal! Service was genuine and perfect! It was genuine, great beer recommendations as well as menu recommendations and warm and friendly. What's not to love? Don't ask me why we didn't get a burger a burger place maybe it was because the mahi mahi burger looked just edgy and tempting enough for us to take a risk? Brilliant. You can totally paleo-ify this by ordering without a bun and order veggies on the side. Great pico de gallo topping. The ambiance is great with all the pictures splattering the walls with those few brave souls that attempt the fateful Big Ugly Burger and of course a near life sized photo of MAN VS FOOD. It is always nice when Camel makes the National news and Food Channel! Good experience I love sending people here!

Rebecca M.

Burgers come & go, but if you order the "Big Ugly" here, you'll have burger for miles. And long after you've finished that burger, it remains with you. It's breakfast, lunch, and dinner all in one. I go for the so-called kids menu burger - because it's normal size (I don't care WHAT the waitress says, it's not too tiny!). Burgers are fine - but I come here for cheek-cramp-inducing milk shakes! They are so thick, and so flavorful!

John D.

Small place with big food. Could not take the 1lb burger but hade a wonderful elk burger. Highly recommended.

Jemmie W.

The hype works, I guess. I had to go at least once to see what the fuss is. My answer: I don't get it. There's really not that much secret to a burger. Take some ground beef, maybe some spices, grill it, toss it on a bun, add some toppings, and it's a burger. How large exactly can the gap be between the average burger and a great burger? Not much unless you go to extremes... In Lee Iacocca's book, he claimed that Henry Ford II would only eat his personal chef's burger. The chef showed Iacocca his secret - he would grind up a quality New York Strip and use it in a burger. That defeats the whole point of a burger, no? That's like grinding up a fillet mignon to use in a hot dog. Or melting down a Ferrari to make a cannonball. Someone who is not a spoiled billionaire would just eat the New York Strip as a steak, and not a burger. So... a burger is pretty much a burger is pretty much a burger. Bub's burger is pretty much a burger. It's not bad, but it's still a homely burger. Anything better would be a New York Strip steak.

Hanna G.

Second time here - loved it the first time. Went in on my lunch hour at 11am. Three servers on. Four tables. We sat for five minutes before going to Bazbeaux's for pizza when we wanted a burger. We were not helped and the servers apparently had no interest in our money. One server was helping a table - the other two were standing next to the server stand doing nothing and talking. I don't tolerate that when I only have an hour for lunch. My husband is a chef and we are the most tolerant customers you will ever experience because he knows what they go through. But if we go five minutes when you are dead without getting our drinks or our order in - goodbye. Food was good last time. Don't know if I will ever be back.

Most awesome burger place gotta try the elk variants! What to say; good food, good prives, nice staff. Chose a big Ugly which account for 1 pound of beef AFTER being made; if you finish on your own you get your picture taken and put up on the wall :) Guten Appetit!

W. L.

I had heard about Bub's on TV and through my sister who lived in Indy for a while. Coming out of Indianapolis to northern Indiana, we decided to stop in Carmel for some ice cream. I have to say it lived up to expectations. I wish we could have eaten lunch there, but there ice cream was good enough. It also gave us a chance to walk around that part of Carmel some. The service was a little slow, but since she was alone and very nice, it didn't bother us.

Judy C.

I think I remember watching the man vs food episode of this place and who knew in this lifetime I would end up in Carmel for a wedding, so figure what the heck...why not check out Bub's....so glad we did. The waitress was super sweet and perky...she brought us samples of the chili and OMG...it was great! So we order burgers and some chili waffle fries....the burgers were well seasoned and cooked perfectly.

Lord B.

I have been going to Bubs for almost 8 years now and have not had one bad thing there. I used to get the Not So Ugly cooked medium and it was amazing. I still get the Not So Ugly; but I get the Elk version. It costs you a little more, but is much more lean and I think tastes a little better too. The waffle fries are amazing and their milkshakes are also. In the winter they usually bring on some specialty burgers which is awesome. One year they had the "Tour De Fat" where they had a new burger on the menu once a week for 12 weeks, if you ate all of them you won a prize and you were entered in a raffle. I didn't win the raffle but I ate all of the burgers and it was well worth it. This is a great place for friends and family including small children. Occasionally they have a band or a comedian. The staff is friendly and Matt the owner is open to suggestions. I wouldn't have it any other way. This is my favorite burger joint hands down. Now I'm awaiting there opening in Zionsville...

David N.

Burgers are pretty good, but be prepared to drop a dime and wait a bit. First time there, over an hour wait.... Hello Bazbeaux Pizza. Second time, got there early. Wanted to make sure I could try the Big Ugly without waiting an hour to be seated. Anyways, arrived just after Bub's opened, and were seated right away. Pretty cool to check out all of the pics on the walls and eye up your Big Ugly competition. Burgers were a bit pricey, but hey, it was a road trip for the Big Ugly. Food took a while to come out. My Big Ugly was huge. Pretty good. Decently seasoned. Wife and kid's burgers were just the same. Ordered another Ugly after I demolished the first, and ended up waiting a good 20 minutes. Not a good plan if you're involved in an eating contest more-less. Finally came out. Two Big Uglies is a helluva feat. I made it, barely. Keep a bucket handy if you feel the need to punish yourself into a meat coma. Long story short, good burgers, cool atmosphere, somewhat steep prices, and busy as hell at prime lunch hours. Grab a camera, get there early, and enjoy.

Rob G.

Best Burgers in the area. be-careful when you go. there maybe a long wait. service is slow but food is worth it. great local biz.

Bill S.

I rarely venture from downtown, but I had a show at the Simply Sweet Shoppe in Carmel and I had heard that Bub's was a must visit. I went with a group and half of us got the elk burger and the other half got the beef burger. The waitress told us that the elk was leaner and would leave us feeling less full and she was totally right. So many times when you eat red meat you have the bloated feeling after, but not with the elk burger. Their menu is diverse, but not too big. I highly recommend this place. If it's nice outside, their outdoor area is great for relaxing and watching people on the Monon trail.

Alex S.

Here's why I love my friends. When I watch an episode of "Man vs. Food" that takes places in Indianapolis, I go, "Oh, isn't that neat." When my friend Scott watches it, and see's host Adam Richman take on a giant burger, he goes, "WE HAVE TO DO THIS!" ... and so, we did. Bub's is a great little shack, but to drive two hours to get there, you're doing it for one reason - The Big Ugly burger. The concept is simple you eat a giant, giant burger and get your photo on the wall. Do two burgers and get a full-size photo. Three and get a poster. Four and get a life-size cutout. It's about a two hour drive to Carmel, Indiana from Cincinnati and off we went on a Saturday morning. I had called Bub's earlier that day to see if they were open and if we could make a reservation. Yes, they were open, but no, they did not take reservations. "You can call when you're like 20 minutes away though and we'll put you on the list if there is one," a very nice server told me. "And trust me, there will be one." Fair enough. So about half an hour from the restaurant we called and gave our names - and we were told there would be another half an hour on top of this. Damn, clearly this place was good. We got there and actually walked in the wrong door. Bub's is both a burger restaurant and an ice cream parlor, and of course we went into the parlor. They directed us to the back to the packed restaurant, where we gave our name and were told it would actually be another 40 minutes! Criminey. It's easy to see why though. Bub's is a one room burger shack with about 15 to 20 tables. Pictures of people eating the Big Ugly adorn the walls, including a giant life sized cut out of Mr. Richman himself. And yes, we were here for the Big Ugly. This monster burger is 22oz of meat uncooked and about a pound cooked. It comes with two of the most delicious buns you've ever had, which are thick and tasty and which are, I kid you not, made with a stick of butter - half stick per bun. They are thick. You can also put things on top of the burger (vegetables and cheese and bacon and whathaveyou), but know, anything you order extra, you have to eat to get your picture on the wall. After walking around Carmel for a while (where there are a series of incredibly creepy lifelike statues of people reading the newspaper and painting and riding bikes and police officers ... and of course we took awkward photos with them), our table was ready and it was time for meat. Our waiter was a very friendly dude who told us he'd done the Big Ugly six times. After giving us some suggestions about how he liked it, I decided to go with the heap of vegetables (BAD CHOICE, ALEX!) and three different types of cheeses. My friend Scott went without the vegetables but got the bacon. When the burger arrived it actually looks ... small. Ok, well, small for a one-pound burger. It comes in a giant silver pan which actually makes it look smaller than it is, but still, you want it to be as big as your head, and it's not ... What it is, though, is thick! So damn thick. This becomes apparent in your first few bites. And when you've done 10, 20, 30 bites and haven't even made a dent, you know you're in for some trouble. This is an amazing burger. It's cooked well and it's juicy and flavorful and delicious and every bite is awesome ... until you're stomach starts to hurt about halfway through. Oh god, your brain begins to send warning flashes to your stomach to stop, then it begins stabbing your stomach with a dull fork, then it begins roundhouse kicking you to your face! Pow pow pow pow POW! By the end, you hate everything about the burger. You hate all the delicious meat, you hate all the fresh vegetables, you hate, HATE the giant butter-filled delicious bun. You hate everything about this place ... And then you take that last bite ... that last glorious bite. And you realize you love this place, this glorious place. You, sir, are a champion of eating, a warrior at the table, the conqueror of all things delicious. Your picture is on the wall, a shining beacon to your success. Today, you walk away shoulders back, head held high, ready to take on anything! ... but first, a long meat-coma nap.

Kyle B.

I can't believe I haven't reviewed this place before now! I also can't believe that I have lived in Indy my entire life and never ate here until this year. If you are looking for the best burger in town, this is the place! Not only are the burgers amazing but I am particularly fond of the sweet potato waffle fries with marshmallow dipping sauce! The shakes are amazing too! Be ready to wait for a table, because this place is always super busy. The service isn't great but the food makes up for it and then some! Favorite burger place by far!

Holly G.

Right off the Monon, this is an extremely popular spot, as witnessed while passing on my bicycle several times over the years. Today we drove there to meet friends for lunch. They open at 11AM on Saturdays. We chose to eat outside, which is great for people watching and checking out all the unique and interesting bicycles on the Monon Trail. We were promptly and courteously seated and waited on the entire time we were there. Although we were one of the first groups there today, it didn't take long for the place to fill up. The burgers smelled amazing, but I was in the mood for something a little different. I ordered a side salad to start. It's a half portion of their Bub's salad. Well balanced, it had field greens, romaine and spinach - a very nice touch. I love how they give you the option of including or leaving off whatever topping you want "on the side" so you can dress your menu items as you like. For my entree, I ordered the blackened Mahi Mahi sandwich. You can also order it grilled. It is an eight ounce filet served on garlic herb foccacia bread - which is FANTASTIC...with a side of peach-mango salsa - also VERY, VERY good. I tried one of the sweet potato waffle fries that my friend ordered, which I've had before at other restaurants, but not with a side of marshmallow dipping sauce! It sounds weird at first, but you MUST try it! So yummy! I have no complaints whatsoever. Our beverages stayed filled, we were treated well, we got plenty to eat. A great first visit! I'll definitely return.

Hannah A.

The food here is great, sometimes the service is off because the wait-staff is primarily high school students on the weekends but they are very friendly. I've been here a few times and have fallen in love with the Elk burger with a side of loaded potato salad. The burger is seasoned well and tastes amazing, but the potato salad at Bubs is just about the only potato salad I will order from a restaurant. Its not the traditional southern type with egg, mustard and onion, it's fresh, with red potatoes, bacon, sour cream, and cheese. The BEST! Overall though, Bubs is reasonably priced with great food, and a relaxed atmosphere. You will leave full!

Tushi C.

Came to this burger joint, not knowing it was the home of the famous "BIG UGLY" One pound burger challenge that was on Man Vs. Food. Of course, being as petite as I am, I definitely did not try the big ugly challenge. However, I did have the 1/4 pound elk burger. It was juicy, mouth-watering, and absolutely amazing. I have never had a better burger in my entire life. The bun was so delicious as well, super fluffy but also had a dense feel to it. I have no complaints about this place. Go Try it!

Michael C.

This place has a zillion reviews, and most of them are good, so what is there to add? The highlight for me is always that 1) My kids have a good time and 2) The waffle fries are hot and crispy and have a great, distinctive corn meal sort of batter that I really like. I've never had bad food here. I have, had to wait, but you have to expect that going in. It's a small place with a good rep in a high traffic area. If you aren't in the mood to take that in stride, then you're not in the mood for Bubs. That being said, if you're in the mood, you'll probably have a good time and a good meal.

Leslie H.

The burgers are worth the wait. You can customize it and make it as ugly as you can and it will still come out delish. The milkshakes are a must try and they always have some goodie bag for the lil ones. It's so convenient since its right next to the Monon Walk.

Mark F.

While I appreciated our friends taking us to the "best burger in town," the negatively-sassy service and horribly misquoted wait times took this place from a 4 to a 2 in record time. I bet that this place is killer in the summer. There's twice as much seating. We were given about an hour wait time and it turned in to nearly two hours (HA!). Being hungry and wait-spiteful, I made a comment about wishing the wait time was more accurate and the server sniped back with, "it's a Friday night, what did you expect?" Oh snap. My burger was tasty and cooked really well. I can't figure out why it was so a la carte. It's a burger joint not fine dining. I call that nickle and diming the customer. I had a chocolate malt as well. Chunky malty-ness. Success. But, overall, the experience was pretty meh. I'd like to give this place another shot when the temps are warmer and the service is friendlier.

Foodie G.

Elk burger was tender! Choc banna milkshake was fantabuluzzz more details here: inagoodfoodmood.wordpres…

Josh H.

Really good fresh burgers. Can get very large elk burgers which are quite delicious. Service was fast and efficient. Can get very busy and loud but it's all good!

Emel S.

Finally made it to Bub's Burgers and I'd have to say that it was a success. We didn't take the Big Ugly challenge as it seems that would be more painful than enjoyable. All four of us got the "Settle for Less Than Ugly" size burger - two with elk and two with beef. I have to say that everyone was quite pleased with their burgers. You can request grilled onions on your burger and they are delicious! We also got an order of the regular fries and an order of the sweet potato waffle fries which everyone enjoyed. The staff at Bub's was very friendly. Since it was our first time, our waiter was quite useful in helping us decide what to order (like is a large fries enough for 4 people--no, it's not). We wished that we had room at the end of the meal to order milkshakes but we were all too full! The atmosphere is fun too with all the pictures on the wall with people who have taken the Big Ugly challenge and succeeded! Bub's location is also great as it's located right on the Monon Trail. We happened to go on a rainy day so we couldn't sit outside but they did have a lot of outdoor seating which I hope to take advantage of sometime this summer!

Dean F.

Good, yea very good burgers & grilled buns. The potato salad or slaw is good and fries are hot but too salty. Service is usually ok. So-so beers in the bottle. You'll want to sit outside as indoors is obnoxiously noisy and it has no redeeming virtues.

Justin M.

Great burger joint. Elk burger is amazing! Be warned, there is almost always a wait, but for a really good reason. If you have the time to wait (which could be 2+ hours during the summer), it's worth it. Sitting outside on the Monon is great.

Oscar P.

Want a great burger on a homemade bun?? Even better want your pic on the wall? Our family really enjoys The burger and the casual atmosphere. There's also a great ice cream shop right next door. We've always been happy with both the food and the service. Keep in mind, no reservations, so it can be a wait if you go at popular times.

Erin D.

Saw it on Man vs Food and since we were in the area to visit family, had to check it out. The burgers were great! Even the 1/4 lb "settle for less" was too much to finish, it was delicious. They also do a great job on onion rings, waffle fries and chicken chili. Even though it is frying, there is some precision to make sure it comes up crisp and not tasting completely of oil---they know how to do it! Our server was extremely friendly and made our visit great. I will be back next time we are in town.

Kati T.

AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!!!!! Great food!! Good price. If I had one nitpick it would be that service was slow but the amazing food overrides that. Awesome food!!!!!

David W.

Bub's backs up to a quite nifty-looking bike trail and if I lived a couple hundred of miles closer I would probably utilize it. After eating here I certainly felt like I should have. Bub's seems to be something of a staple in the burgeoning arts district of Carmel, and while visiting Indy last week, my friends insisted that we stop here. I was a bit unsure of what size burger would be filling, and, wanting to soften the bill for the person footing it, "settled" for the "Settle-for-Less-Ugly" burger. It turns out this quarter-pound burger, though less ugly, was nonetheless substantial. The menu, however, is a la carte, so don't forget to order a basket of yummy waffle fries. A friend ordered the sweet potato waffle fries (combining two ingenious inventions in one), which also looked delicious. And they serve chili in baguette bread bowls, which I am likely to order should I return. I didn't try their ice cream, the other part of their namesake, and thus cannot comment. But Bub's yummy burgers and fries should be enough to prompt a return on my next visit to the Hoosier State.

Jen K.

I like burgers. I'll try to find a burger place in each new town I visit. I am so glad my friend suggested taking me here because it didn't show up when I searched on yelp. I loved this place! The atmosphere is great, they're not trying too hard to be cool. they just are. The burgers are legit. So good! I just got the "settle for less ugly", so delicious. The sweet potato waffle fries are the BEST. I am seriously so bummed they don't have this place in OC. I don't know if I'll ever be back in Indiana again but I would go back just to have a Bub's burger. It was so good, I even went back to the next day to eat here again. (don't judge) ;) The big ugly burgers are so intense. Love it. Lots of charm, great food, great service. A+ in my book!

Hunger E.

NOTORIETY: Man v. Food (for Big Ugly Burger challenge) FOOD: Not So Ugly Quarter lb Burger: This burger was juicy, served on a good toasted bun. I did luck out when I ordered the burger to be cooked medium. I'm a fan of their boiger. Sloppy waffles: The waffle fries were good & crispy, topped w/ cheese whiz, bacon, & sour cream = tasty. Yum. OVERALL: Bub's is a nice burger joint that serves tasty burgers. It's a fun atmosphere w/ pics of Big Ugly Burger winners plastering the walls. Maybe Hunger E.'s pic might adorn those walls 1 day. RECOMMENDATION: Any Ugly burger variant & sloppy waffles TIPS: 1. While you wait for your burger, your table is equipped w/ a board game/card game. MH

P K.

Decided to stop in and try this place out. Was looking for a good cheeseburger. Definitely found it! I tried the middle sized burger with a large waffle fry and I am glad I didn't go bigger. With all the toppings on my burger I was so stuffed by time I got done with it. I give props to the guys who have eaten 2-3 of The Big Ugly burgers. Next time I am going to have to get a milk shake and enjoy the weather outside when it gets nice. The staff was very friendly and helpful with recommendations. I will definitely come back and bring some friends and family to try this place out again.

Douglas H.

Home of the Big Ugly Burger...Bub's. This establishment is not for the weak at heart. As the saying goes, "Where's the BEEF?" Bub's can say they bring it and have the home of the Big Ugly. Satisfy your beef coma with the monstrous BIG UGLY and you will land yourself on the Wall o' Fame. Not feeling up to the Challenge? Bub's offers several other meeker options and other famed sandwiches as well. A variety of toppings with 4-5 cheeses, bacon and limited edition burgers keeps you coming back for more. Bub's also has chili, hot dogs, soups, chicken and mahi-mahi sandwiches to back up the ground chuck and Elk burgers counterparts this place is known for. Bub's also has many great sides to complete your meal. I recommend the regular waffle fries or sweet potato waffle fries, the onion rings, or do it right with the "sloppy fries." Either way, your cardiologist will thank you kindly after a visit here. What did you expect...tofu? Forget about it! Wash it all down with a hand dipped milk shake and your day is complete. As a side note, you can walk or ride your bike to Bub's as it is situated upon the Monon Trail in downtown Carmel. You will not regret this trip to the Home of the Big Ugly Burger.

Brice S.

I stopped in for lunch and tried the Elk Burger with sweet potato fries. The food was good and the server was great. The Elk burger was cooked just right and tasted great on the one of a kind bun. The price may be just above the average burger joint.

Brian E.

I came here after seeing this place on Man v. Food as I am sure a lot of people did. It has a nice atmosphere and it's fun to see all the pictures on the wall of people who have defeated the big ugly burger. I myself did not try it. I don't see a need to eat that much food lol. I got the not so ugly half pound burger. It was delicious. I got mine made from elk instead. It was much sweeter than a normal burger would be so I think if I was to do the big ugly it would not be elk. The onion rings were tasty as well. You could tell they were beer battered. I wild definitely come here again if given the opportunity. My only con would be it was very busy when we went and it was a little wait for our food.

Adrienne G.

OK, I'll be honest. I did not want to try this place. The long lines that other reviewers talked about scared me away. Also, I'm not really interested in places that have eating challenges. They are over-hyped and who really needs to eat that much food?! With that being said, I stopped in here with some friends about a week ago. We got there about 2:30 and waited about 15 minutes to get seated. Our waitress was friendly and prompt with the drinks. I ordered the "settle for less ugly" burger which is their quarter pound burger. I also got pepper jack cheese and bacon on it. My boyfriend and I split a basket of their waffles fries. After eating, all I have to say is YUUUMMMMMM! Seriously, the best burger I have had in a long time! It was juicy, flavorful and the bun had just the right amount of crispiness to it. The waffle fries were amazing as well. Crispy and just the right amount of seasoning. I can now say that I am a believer! Writing this is making me want one of their burgers RIGHT NOW! Don't be scared away like I was, go now and enjoy a great burger!

Kathy S.

After watching Man Vs. Food, I had to visit here to try the ugly burger. The reason I did not give this place five stars was the long wait to get in plus the long wait for a waitress to even get us drinks! eek! Anyhoo, the burger was probably one of the best I've ever eaten and yes I ate the entire thing and it was delish all the way through. The bun was even just as good! The place is tiny and perhaps that is why there is a long wait but I would go back just to try other things on their menu.

Travis H.

If you want a great burger, this is the place to go...I suggest the Elk version. My only downfall to this place is while its slighly overpriced for a burger, you're paying for the experience, however, the service is the area I've always had issues with. If you want a quick meal (an hour or less) don't go here, it will always take longer than you'll expect and all the tables are close together so that causes it to seem even longer. Great area in downtown Carmel and something you should experience. Also, if you do the Big Ugly challenge, don't get the egg on the burger as it makes it over the top...however, if going with any other burger, the egg is delicious!!!

Brandon S.

Just this week there was an article on yahoo telling dinks (double income no kids) to get the heck out of the suburbs. Really?! You're the one with the annoying kid... We don't however live in the burbs (Carmel). We simply decided to take a nice bike ride up the monon trail to Carmel on a nice Saturday afternoon. We went to an amazing craft brewpub on the way called union brewery... Loved it! Then the bubs happened. We put our name in and were told 30 mins... 30 seemed high for a 2 top, but we obliged.... An hour and a half later we got seated!! 2 people! This place is all about making money! Lets move tables together to seat the most amount of people together to get the most amount of money... Boo! The food - burgers are good, especially the elk burgers. Hope you like worchestershire though. Fries nothing to write home about. Def nothing to wait an hour and a half for though...

John W.

$2 ice cream cones!

Kylee W.

Wow, I was surprised at how good the burgers are here! It's so hard to pick the best burger in Indy, but this definitely is in the competition. The buns are amazing and the burger is so perfectly juicy! It's everything a good burger should be. The fries were also great, and we had perfect service. I can't wait to go back and get some ice cream maybe too. My husband did the challenge and now has his picture on the wall. Not sure how to feel about that.

Benjamin R.

Pretty good burgers, can't beat the location on the monon

Edward D.

Had lunch with my daughter and her husband. Burgers were excellent. Onion rings were great. The staff were very friendly and helpful. No room for an ice cream dessert after such a huge meal.

T D.

We moved to the area a couple of months ago and remembered seeing Bub's on Man Versus Food so we thought we'd make our way over. We had a party of 9 and not one of them was impressed. We went on a Sunday afternoon and the wait was over 45 minutes. We were finally seated outside in a shaded area - but the flies were ridiculous, we were constantly swatting our drinks and food, to the point that we were getting a little grossed out. I understand an outdoor venue has elements to work with but it seemed a little out of control. The place is a bit run down which was okay as it is just a burger joint, but I think we were expecting something a bit nicer because of the television show and being in the Arts and Design District. The food...took forever to get to us. We easily waited another 45 minutes to be served after the 45 we waited to get seated...the thing is - this place isn't that big and there is no reason I could see for it to take so long. Once the food arrived we were really disappointed. The salad was similar to something I might get at McDonalds...with even cheaper Ranch dressing (this actually ruined the meal and I ate off of someone else's plate). None of the burgers come with sides (think fries) so that's an extra cost. When the burgers arrived the cheese was sweating on all of them, that is not something that you want to see on you plate - how long had it been sitting...and were the flies inside too (it is not air conditioned)? The location is prime, nestled against the Monon Trail, and the outside waiting area is suitable for families, there were even several dogs waiting with families. And the server that we had was wonderful. It was just the wait, the bugs, and the food that were sub par. After our meal we ventured to the adjoining ice cream shoppe. This shop was also very run down and cheap looking. In addition, it didn't seem to carry any traditional flavors so a few of our guests didn't partake. No chocolate, vanilla, strawberry that we could see. The server was pleasant. Overall - I might not have been disappointed if I hadn't seen the place on t.v. and heard so many people talking about how great it was. But my expectations got the best of me and I'll never go back now. All in all...having a giant cheeseburger (The Big Ugly) that frequently causes your guests to pass out from carbo-nap isn't enough to keep this lady as a customer...especially when that burger sweats more than the man holding it.

Marcie M.

I am upping the stars. We went back today and I ordered a hot dog for the first time EVER in this restaurant. I just wasn't that impressed with their burgers, so I needed to try something else. The hot dog was divine, all beef and made very well! The bun was toasted perfectly and they gave me the option of nacho cheese or shredded. I asked our server and she said the nacho was the way to go... and she could not have been more right! It also was NOT busy today...I was quite pleased. We got right in on the bottom level, which was cooler than the upstairs where we sat last time. All the staff members came by to ask how we were and my ham of a son smiled and cooed at all of them whenever they walked by. We were VERY well taken care of, our food came out hot and fresh and my chocolate milkshake was DIIIIIVINE. If nothing else, this is where I shall go for any ice cream craving I might have in the future! Overall, I am now much more pleased with Bub's. Who knew I could and would enjoy a chili dog!! YUMMMO!

Eli T.

Stumbled on the place by serendipitous chance and was not disappointed. Prompt service, friendly and full of excellent suggestions. I arrived with a GRUMPY toddler (late lunch) and they brought a "busy bag" for little guy with goldfish crackers and fruit chews. I ordered the Not So Nasty 1/4 lb elk burger and was amazed. The bun was fresh and delicious and the meat was lean, well-seasoned and cooked to perfection. The 1/8 lb kids burger was perfectly sized, too, and came with a PILE of their excellent waffle fries. The final bill was less than $20, which was a total shock, given the location and quality of the food. I've paid more than that for lunch at Panera and not had as much food!

Betty B.

What's happening? Burgers good but wait with kids too long from time of order. The flies were swarming as soon as food arrived. We had to cover our dishes and drinks with napkins. I was afraid that the flies were going to get more of the burger than we were.

Jeremy R.

Four stars only because it's not my favorite burger in town. I ordered the 1/2 pound bison burger because I've visited Fogo a few too many times, and I'm sure the plaques forming in my blood vessels needed a break. As expected, it was a little drier than the regular beef burger, but I still thought it was delicious. The spices on the outside made my taste buds dance. I'd pass on the sides, though. The onion rings were "eh, okay." Sitting outside on the monon on warm evenings is great but expect a looong wait. You can thank that heart attack waiting to happen on Man v Food for that, but it's nice to see local businesses thriving.

Denise L.

One word. YUM! A little pricey, but SO good! This place was featured on man v. food, & a friend of mine told me she had tried to go a few times, but could never get in . Which made me want to go more. My cousin & I went about 1:30 on a Wednesday afternoon. We were quickly seated, & the waitress was promptly at our table taking drink orders. It did take a while for the food to get out, however it does say online on the menu "will not compromise quality for speed" You also have the option of getting grilled red onions & mushrooms on your burger if you please, as well as a few different types of cheese. I ordered the Elk not so ugly burger, & onion rings. They brought it out & it was huge this fat girl had to cut the burger in half. I believe the buns were toasted, & I requested grilled onions, & it was on the burger along w/ the pepper jack cheese. All the other fixing's were on the side. I bit into it & it was paradise. The onion rings were freshly battered. They also have beer & wine. I'm not big on burgers, but I guarantee you it was the best at a restaurant that I've had in a while. My total came to $15 something, for a big ugly elk burger, onion rings, & an ice water. I believe it was about $3 extra for the elk. Still worth it though...just not somewhere I would go often. The only downfall is the ice water was the nastiest water I've ever tasted in my life.

Annette M.

Thanks to fellow Yelpers' reviews, I knew to call and put our name on "the list" when we were 20 minutes away. We still waited a while, but for a place that been on Food Network, that's to be expected. The quarter-pound burger was delicious, and cooked exactly as I'd requested. We were there with two guys who got Big Uglies, and they certainly are something to see. There are games on the tables and a cute ice cream shop up front (like you'll have room for THAT). Drawbacks: 1. No place to sit while waiting (because every chair in the placed was being used). 2. Carmel.

Jenn B.

My mother and I had heard that this place had been featured on the Travel Channel so we ventured over to check the place out. Here is what we found Pros: Charming building, Outdoor seating, Friendly Staff, Quickly seated (even durring rush hour) Games to play on the table while you wait, Photos of the burger challenge winners on the walls, Unique menu items Cons: No/Improper air conditioning, Over crowded, Wait Staff was young and somewhat lacking much personality. Our server changed in the middle of our meal so we weren't sure whom to tip. My biggest con was that my mother and I split our plates so that we could both try something different & share the experience. Therefore I'm not sure if it was the chicken or the elk burger that made us sick. :(( Which was really a shame because the food tasted delicious. Perhaps I just have a weak stomach for elk?

Craven M.

Elk Burger and waffle fries were amazing!! Went during the summer time and sat outside...good place to eat in carmel!!!

Travis T.

Got the half lb elk burger and waffle fries. Maybe the best burger I have had.

Dawn T.

Settle for less? I always "settle for less", less burger because that's all I can manage to consume at Bubs. All of the other burgers are too much for me. However, settling for less at Bubs certainly applies to size only. You are not settling for anything less than great by eating a burger at Bubs. Moreover, I can drink an Upland Wheat Ale with my burger and that makes me even more happy. I had heard that the hotdogs are great too, so I tried a chili dog. It was very good, but did not please me as much as the burgers do. My son also swears the mahi mahi is "amazing". Bubs fries are great and the onion rings are also very good. There is often a wait a Bubs, however, once you are seated the service is always great.

Mia M.

The burgers = excellent The coney dogs = excellent The wait = not ideal, but not surprising The staff comprised of people all under the age of 19 = not so excellent (they're slow and often overwhelmed) The abundance of screaming children = opposite of excellent Still, the proximity of Bub's to my house, the prices and the great food make it worth the wait and the irritation. ETA: The last two times we've eaten here, my husband and I have both had "stomach monkeys" to contend with afterwards. I guess going here again will mean having Immodium on hand for the aftershocks.

Tanveer S.

Flippin' AWESOME! There's literally NOTHING I don't like at this place. The burgers...AWESOME, the chicken sandwich...AWESOME...the hot dog...AWESOME, the chili fries...take a guess...AWESOME! Oh and of course, the shakes....BLOODY AWESOME! I think that wraps it up. I miss it, and whenever I hit my home town I hit it up no holds barred.

Kimberly F.

I think this place is supposed to be known for the best burgers around. Maybe that's true, but my husband and I didn't have the best experience. It was a Friday night, so we knew there would be a wait. We put our name in and were quoted a 50 minute wait time. They said they'd call our cell phone when the table was ready. We went back to our friends (across the street) to kill some time, and came back 45 or 50 minutes later, thinking we'd be called any minute. We were quoted another 25 minute wait, which ended up being about 40 minutes. Seriously?!? Our wait time was over 90 minutes, and it would have been nice to have been quoted that from the beginning. When we finally got our table, everything was OK. My water glass was dirty, but I was too thirsty to notice or care until after I'd chugged it. Oops. I ordered the elk burger, which was good. My husband got a regular burger and said it was great. We tried the sweet potato fries, which were pretty standard as well. Good, but not spectacular. The best part of my meal was the chocolate malt. It was perfect! And though I ordered it to go, they brought out the extra that didn't fit in the cup. How nice. I want to give this place more than 2 stars, but when I think about the experience, "Meh" is the only thing that comes to mind. Sure, I'd give it another shot when I'm in town. I mean, the food and service were good...I just wish I had a better first experience with this place.

Matt M.

Everyone's order was incorrect and this was at 2 in the afternoon. I get that it happens during a rush but get off your high horse and actually try to make it right other than saying sorry and charging full price for a messed up order. This place has gone way down hill ever since they were on TV.

Reginald M.

For a burger joint, you can't beat it. we were a party of 5 and were told we'd have a 40 minute wait. We went and grabbed a drink down the street, came back 25 minutes later and found we had already been called. but within 2 minuted we were sat outside on a beautiful 80 degree day. I had the Not So Big Ugly elk burger which was half a pound. The server suggested not ording it more than medium or it would be dried out. taking her advice I ordered medium and it was perfect. The service was great, the staff very friendly and patient. One of the reasons for being in Carmel Indiana was to visit Jersey's Cafe (another review, another time) but I'm really glad we were turned on to this little spot. Will definitely return here if I'm ever back in the area.

Paul B.

I went to Bub's for one reason, to try my hand at the Big Ugly Burger Challenge. I was part of a large group, some of whom have been to Bub's before so the wait was known about and was not a problem. Three of us in the group were going to try the challenge, but I was the only one who planned on eating more than one. I went in thinking (foolishly) that I could handle at least 3, and possibly 4. I really wanted that life size cutout LOL. My experience as far as the seating and such was the same as other yelpers have reported, the wait was not as bad as expected, about 45 mins on a Sunday afternoon. Once seated, as soon as the server found out that there were 3 of us trying the challenge he laid out the ground rules for us, which are pretty straightforward actually: No Time limit, you can have whatever you want on your burger, but must eat whatever you order as well, you can go to the restroom during the challenge, you can drink as much as you like, and get up and walk around as much as you like as well. Sounds pretty easy, right? I thought the same thing too as I sat there. I ordered my first Big Ugly with pepper jack cheese and pickles. The burger really doesn't look that big, until you start eating it, then it seems like every bite gets regenerated magically and you never put a dent into it. I was about 3/4 done with the first burger when the waiter came by and asked if I wanted to go for the second one with the same toppings. I felt like I could do it so I said yes. It came out about 5 mins after I finished that first one, and that was my mistake. I should have waited a half hour or so to start on the second one, because I got about half way through the second burger and hit the food wall. From that point on every bite was a struggle, and it took me almost an hour to finish it, at which point I could not have eaten another bite of anything, period. So, I got a pretty big picture on the wall, not life size by any means, but bigger than the one given for eating one Big Ugly, and it will stay up for as long as they are open, so I am ok with that for the time being, I will try again though, I think that if you block out the whole afternoon/evening, and space out the burgers more, three is not out of the question, now four is another story altogether.

Tracy K.

While I was disappointed that Adam Richman didn't get more of those Big Uglies down, he still got me to try this place. The location is great being right next to a walking trail in the cutest little suburb. I also really like places that have outdoor seating options. The burger was surprisingly tasty for being so huge and the bun was nice and toasted. The service, however, was not at all impressive. Our waiter got our order wrong and then took forever just to get us a knife. I ended up asking another waitress who promptly brought one out for us. Due to some previous gastrointestinal difficulties, we didn't get to try the ice cream but definitely will next time!

shanna r.

As I was walking the monon the other day I discovered this burger place right off of the trail. It smelled so delicious and the crowd was so large that I decided to go back and try it for myself 2 days later! I was not disappointed. The outdoor seating is fantastic. It has a very layed back feel. The menu is simple and everything we tried was delicious. Our service was great. We ordered water to drink but it did not taste very good so the server gave us soda's on the house. We really enjoyed our first experience at Bub's and can't wait to go back!

Steve P.

We love this place. It is probably the best place in Carmel to eat with kids. It is always loud, with plenty of families. They give the kids gift bags, with crayons and treats, upon arrival. The elk burgers are great and the cherry coke is the real thing, with the syrup! If you can grab a seat outside, it is nice to watch the walkers, runners and bikers on the Monon Trail. The staff is always very nice. It gets busy on the weekends, so plan on waiting a few minutes and relaxing on the front patio.

Robert W.

slow service. they do not care about you. you are on your own. young kids giving the service. mr. and mrs. so and so. good luck. good burgers. you are screwed. wait for like hours. when you get in there. they do not care about you. I even talked with the owner. he does not care about you.

Kalyee H.

Smelt good, and my boyfriend raved about this place... but I never got to try it thanks to the hour wait. We went else where. Maybe I'll try them again when I move to Carmel, but I'll update it then.

Dav W.

Great burgers! Anytime I'm in the area I try to find an excuse to eat here.

J A.

Do the big ugly once,... Only once. Good elk burgers. And rather accommodating staff. Thank you bubs!

Julie J.

Really good burgers--nothing fancy or pretentious, just good food!

John J.

I must admit,when Bubs first opened I could not get enough of it.The food was great,service was excellant.Fast forward a few years.The place has been found by the masses.The wait can be very long and the service and product quality is not like it used to be. If you eat inside,be prepared for alot of noise.

Jen M.

My brother told me before we went to Bub's that the burgers aren't the greatest but they are good. Well, I didn't even order a burger when I got there--I ordered the blackened mahi mahi sandwich. Ordering fish at a burger joint is like ordering popcorn at Dairy Queen, I know, but I needed protein. I was really surprised at how good the sandwich was. It was seriously one of the best-cooked pieces of fish I've had in a long time. And their coleslaw is delicious (KFC is still #1 in my book but this is a close runner-up). Great atmosphere for adults and kids alike.

Jeff M.

Good burger and an interesting overall establishment. I highly recommend a summer lunch or dinner here.

Howie H.

After the publicity of being featured on "Man vs. Food" I was confident Bub's would not live up to its hype. I was in the area on a Wednesday early afternoon and stopped in to experience a Bub's burger. Not being in competitive eating mode I selected the "Not So Ugly" version (only a half-pound fully cooked) and had pepperjack cheese to complete. I found the burger quite tasty...not the best in the area...but certainly well above average. I was pleasantly surprised with the fries...these were quite underrated and a fabulous complement to their burgers. It is a small and crowded restaurant and I believe I was fortunate only to have waited 15 minutes before being seated. The owner and wait staff were extremely friendly and focused on ensuring customer satisfaction and seemed genuinely interested in getting my feedback. If you are a burger fan, you must check out Bub's. If you are seeking an eating challenge...try to eat two or more of the "Big Ugly's"... if successful your efforts will be memorialized on their wall.

Paul D.

Great burgers! I'm going back soon.

Nicole L.

First time I've ever had an elk burger. I was a little nervous when I ordered it, but was told I HAD TO. I'm so glad I listened. AMAZING! Best burger ever. Period. Can't wait to go back!!! Such a wonderful place all around.

Robert B.

If you want a great burger (beef or elk), this is the place. I love restaurants that chose a specific niche and just do it very well and this fits the bill. They offer burgers from the generous (1/4 lb.) to the ludicrous (22 oz.) with buttered buns and the fixings. The fries are good and the onion rings even better. My favorite is the 1/2 pound elk burger done medium rare with one of their myriad of brews. In the summer the patio on the Monon is great.

Jon T.

One of the BEST burger places I have eaten at in a VERY long while!! Very cool place to go and hang eat a burger, have some fries and grab a beer.....There may be a wait but that's for very good reason - PEOPLE LOVE THE JOINT!! Also, IF there is a wait grab a beer and sit on their comfy chairs outside.........Get the brownie sundae too!!!!! My two year old loves BUB's

Brad P.

This was a cool place. Friends took us here when we were visiting. Stupidly, I had the chili dog and not a burger. Dog was huge but just ok. Burgers looked great. Sweet tater fries were yummy. Best thing I ate here? My son's mini grilled cheese that he didn't want.

Mike E.

I registered on Yelp just so I could write this review. We went to Bub's for lunch on the day before the Indy 500. It was pretty busy with the bike/walker traffic from the trail. But we only had to wait about 20 minutes and the wait staff made sure we had drinks and were taken care of as we wated. We even went into the ice cream shop and tried some samples to pass the time. If you like classic burgers, cooked to order with fresh toppings, this is the place for you. I love that the burgers sized by their post-cooked weight. I had the 1/2 pound burger with bacon, cheddar cheese and fried onions. It was one of the best burgers I have ever eaten. The meat was seasoned well, cooked to medium just like I ordered it and I loved that the bacon was under the cheese so that it didn't just all fall off after the first bite. Everyone in our group agreed that the burgers, shakes and sides were all excellent, the service was great and the atmosphere was the icing on the cake. Bub's will definitely be on our "race weekend" itinerary every year from this day forward.

Richard H.

The kitchen takes a long time to get the food out, but the wait staff is very friendly and attentive, and the restaurant itself is a lively, fun place. (Although the restaurant was freezing cold the day we were there.) The location cannot be beat -- right on the Monon -- and the outdoor seating is great in season. The food? It's OK. The hamburger is tasty but certainly not very juicy, and the hot dog chili was merely passable. The fries are fries. You can get better burgers in Indy at the Tie Dye Grill or even Scotty's.

allison s.

Burgers are great here... where else can you eat a full pound of meat and get your pic up on the wall? I love Elk burgers and they have them here! This place is usually staffed by local kids so service does not seem to be a priority. The milkshakes and malts Rock!!! You choose the weight, the meat (beef or elk) and the cheese and they do the rest. If you need to satisfy your carnivorous cravings this is the place! Happy Dining!

Zach O.

Bub's has the best burgers for miles. Price is a little steep, but the atmosphere is good. Waffle fries are awesome, but a regular is about 6 fries, skimpy. The buns are nothing special, improvement could be made there. Overall I think its a great place to go in the summer and the food is great.

Andy W.

Not the kind of place you expect to find in Carmel. Expertly located right off the Monon, this is a local favorite. Great burgers for anyone. You can get your picture on the wall for eating the giant burger or, if you're of the healthier persuasion, you can order a buffalo burger. The fries are tasty and the ice cream is excellent. The wait is insane, especially on a nice day. While the burgers are great, I'm not sure they're worth waiting two hours for. If you don't have the patience, try going for a late lunch or very early dinner some time.

Adam P.

I ate here for lunch and liked my burger and fries. Good burger but not great. The bun is nothing original and the fries are a bit average... I didn't stick around in Carmel long enough to find out if there was a better place to find a burger, so if this is your only choice you should be ok. Great patio (which makes the place in my opinion) atmosphere, cheery service, and not bad food.

K M.

Waited forever to get food after ordering it was so slow. Then when we got food it was cold. They weren't overly busy given we were seated in less than 10 minutes

B. B.

What to say about this place, other than WOW! This place Rocks! The atmosphere, the food, the service it was all amazing! I went with the Family, and we all got a different variety of food.During my visit to Bub's I got the 100% All Beef Chili Cheese dog with a side of Battered Onion Rings, and let me tell you! PHENOMINAL! As Bland, and commin as it sounds, it was far from it. It is by far the best Hot dog I've ever had. Hands down, and the onion Rings were very fresh and Crisp.I've only been to Bub's once, but I really hope I can make my way back up there fairly soon. As much as I want that hot dog again, I may just have to switch it up. Only because I don't make it up to the Carmel area very often!

Pat H.

Bub's is a fun restaurant and they have great prices, along with outdoor eating for a lot of the year since they have a heater on their patio. Their chicken sandwich and fries is my favorite. The bun is really good - sort of like garlic bread.

Rob H.

The burgers rock and the kids love to go there for ice cream. It's right on the trail. Nothing like sitting outside at Bub's and people watching. The menu looks like your basic burger joint, but it's all fresh and prepared expertly. The service is good too. The only downside, if it could be considered that, is that it's soooo busy you usually have to wait. I'd recommend waiting, because it's worth it.

John M.

Bub's (Big, Ugly, Burgers) is awesome. I eat here often & since I live real close I am usually never there during the rush hours. I have managed the one-pounder -- once, for dinner, but I was really hungry and had not eaten anything since breakfast. I reccomend the Angus beef or the Elk, and also their large Angus beef hot-dogs. They have the best, most friendly & courteous servers I have ever encountered. It is worth the wait!

Chris B.

This place is a gimmick. I saw it on Man Vs Food and we had to check it out. The burger was marginal at best. The sides were pre frozen kinda things and just ok. They have 1/4 lb, 1/2 lb and the 1 lb burger. Nothing impressive. The patio facing the bike path is neat and the ice cream is decent. The one thing I learned is that you can't count on Man Vs Food for GOOD food, just quantity. If that's what you're down for- there's another mass food contest (I think it's a mega-hero sandwich) across the bike path. Shesh! This place will not be on my "when I return to Indy" list- sorry guys.

Dave C.

Bub's is one of my favorite places in Carmel. My favorite is the Elk burger. The best is when you are able to get a table outside. Since the Monon trail goes right by it's fun to just sit outside on a nice weekend, enjoy some good food and people watch. If you have to sit inside, then its an okay experience but not the same as being outside. The menu is somewhat limited but really, when you go to Bub's you're really only going for one thing, the burger. I haven't yet taken the Big Ugly challenge but have seen several people try and succeed. I've never been to Bub's where it wasn't busy so you can plan to wait if you go at peek time. Parking isn't usually a problem as they have a small lot behind the restarunt and there is plenty of street parking.

Steven S.

Great food but they HAVE to do something about all the flies (larger than fruit flies / smaller than horse flies). We ate inside and spent entire meal waving them away from food and drinks. Come on Bub's - you're making a fortune on $15 burgers. Spend some of it on the sanitation of your eating area/kitchen.

Carly M.

Love Bubs. They have great burgers and milkshakes. It's always crowded on weekends and on a warm day, but they have outdoor seating right along the Monon Trail, and there is always a ton of people waiting.. which is a good sign. I got a burger with a fried egg on top, it was awesome! I was unsure about ordering it, but I have ordered it multiple times since then. The atmosphere is loud, but expected. A lot of families and very kid friendly. Very affordable and decent service. They have good ice cream too!

Torrey R.

Yum, yum, yum! I'm doing my first triathlon this Sunday and I've chosen Bub's as my reward meal afterwards. Their bison burger is to die for! I can't wait to sink my teeth into their juicy, made to order, melt in your mouth burger.

Stephanie P.

Bubs makes a good burger, but they've never blown me away. They're known for their Big Ugly Challenge, and they offer a variety of different size burgers for a mega feast. The burgers don't come with sides- they're extra- but they make some decent onion rings. They don't really have drink specials, but offer a selection of beer (no drafts). It always draws a huge crowd, so there can be wait, but it is a fun atmosphere, especially next to the Monon. Definitely a fun place for a good burger, especially if you want it big, but I've never quite understood the hype.

Claudine S.

I had a bacon cheeseburger with sweet potato waffle fries. Yummy. I did not attempt the challenge as the burger was gigantic. the staff were friendly, helpful and the building is so cute. I absolutley love man vs. food so seeing Adam Richman's life size cut out was awesome. This place is small but a lot of fun. My chocolate malt was so rich and creamy also. Love Love love it.

Brittney C.

Very enjoyable place to eat. Definitely will go back.

Scott L.

I saw this place on Man Vs. Food. And...Thank you, Adam Richmond! This place was fantastic. My buddy, Alex and I (along with our ladies) took a roadtrip (The Big Ugly Roadtrip) from Cincinnati to Carmel, IN to jump into the Big Ugly Challenge! It was a task...it was a fight...but, I'm proud to say, WE ARE ON THE WALL! We were told to call in when we were about 20 minutes away to put our names in. We got there, and still had about a 40 minute wait, but that just gave us some time to walk around the city and check out the cool/weird statues one of the amazing antique stores. But, then they called us and we were sat. We ordered, we sat and played a 20 questions game that was on our table and we waited for the goodness to begin. When the burger was delivered to the table, I was sort of disappointed. It didn't look nearly big enough. But, after about 40 minutes to an hour...I realized it was just the right size to make me doubt myself and get the meat sweats! But, in the end me and my good buddy, Alex made it through. VICTORY! The burger itself was DELICIOUS! I even added bacon on to the 22 ounce amazingness! The bun was amazing, the bacon...well, I didn't really taste the bacon through the sheer amount of burger! But, I assume it was delicious as well! I had a great time on this trip. It was full of good friends, good music and a scrumptious burger! ...oh...also, the guy who waited on us was one of the people in the episode of MVF cheering Adam on! So, I thought that was pretty awesome too! All in all, it was ONE FANTASTIC TRIP!

Julie M.

Great food, fun (but noisy) atmosphere. If you're from the east coast and you're looking for "back home" food, this is it!

Min H.

some personal background-starting in college I gave up eating meat for a variety of reasons. I, however, have made expections for Bub's whenever I came back to Carmel because the burgers are just amazing. Everything is freshly prepared, cooked just as ordered, and of course delicious. The only "downside" of the place is it can be packed and so wait can be a bit long, but once you've tried the food, waiting for Bub's is just part of the experience.

Evan E.

Burgers and milkshakes have been an important part of my diet since I have known these items are consumable and delectable. Bub's does burgers right. And I finally have a reason to go to Carmel. Bub's offers 4 different sizes of burgers with the largest being The Big Ugly (a pound of meat). I went with the smaller, quarter pound elk meat burger (which is leaner than ground beef). I also ordered a strawberry milkshake and waffle fries. The burger was incredible! One of the best in town. The milkshake was also top notch. The waffle fries were disappointing. They tasted like perhaps the oil they fried them in was dirty, although my friend ordered onion rings and those were much better, so who really knows. The location is nice, for Carmel. It's located off the Monon in the Main St. area. The wait time to eat, and the service time for food to get to the table can be slow, however, I have grown to not expect much when dining out on less than $15 a meal.

Kelsey R.

My boyfriend and I came in to Bubs today at around 3 pm. Don't get me wrong, I am in food service, so I know how it gets between 2-4. However, just because business is slow does not mean that service should be slow as well. In this case, we were greeted promptly and got our beverages quickly and placed our orders... however, this is where it goes wrong. The food runner gave us our food and walked away. Never again did anybody come over to us. The iced tea was awful so when our server came back I had planned to order a coke... but she never came back. She never asked us how we were doing or how everything was. We had both finished eating by the time she showed up (we were literally the only people in the dining room). I requested to see a manager and when our waitress came back she said her manager was "talking to someone" and didn't know when he would be done. Extremely disappointed... not only did the wait staff not give a crap how our experience was but apparently the management is too busy to speak with dissatisfied customers. We hoped to speak to a manager and make the situation right, instead we spent $30 for flies to crawl all over our burgers and virtually non-existent service. We won't be back.

Nancy K.

Having visited probably a dozen times, I would say the service is what keeps us coming back, above the food. The food is good, but not extraordinary. We've had beef, elk and bison. All seem to be dry. Kids love that they can customize sodas with syrup.

Christina P.

I sincerely believe that the Carmel renaissance happened because of Bub's. When this place opened, EVERYONE from the high school went after school for milkshakes and juicy burgers. It is packed on sunny days, so you might have to wait a century for a table, but it is all worth the wait. Try the Big Ugly burger if you dare :)

Tim H.

Visiting relatives in Carmel...we always come here. Despite all the fanfare about the big ugly, the burgers are decent and it's a loud, kid friendly place. Good milkshakes as well and always love a true cherry coke. Recommend.

Daniel B.

Ate at Bubs tonight and I can just tell you one thing......Bring a fan, because it was 89 degrees inside the restaurant, no shades and ok food. I would have been a bit more forgiving if the food was excellent, but it was just a plain old burger with an order of waffle fries( which had 5 waffle fries in it) skip this place if you have better options, but seeing Boogie Burger was closed and I had never been here before....I decided to give it a shot......bad decision, would

Ashley G.

Burgers were good! Waited a while for our seats and then a long time waiting for our food :( we sat outside and the flys were terrible! So not that great of an experience but a good burger!

WILLIAM P.

Loved the Elk Burger, 1/2 lb, Mahi Mahi Sandwich and Waffle fries! Two Sam Adams Summer Ales made the meal. Very busy even for a late lunch in the middle of the week! Will return. No room left for ice cream!

Robert G.

Run by a bunch of lazy kids. A whole bunch of open tables but a 45 minute wait as they did not schedule enough servers during lunch. After 20 minutes, a couple sat down at an empty table and were served immediately. When questioned, the young hostess said they were bring rude and that our table would be another 15 minutes. This place needs to hire a better staff, not a bunch of cheap and inexperienced high school kids.

T Z.

Had a quarter pound cheeseburger. The bun must be homemade. They were soft and dense with good flavor. The meat was good, but could be more seasoned. Skimpy on the toppings. I had two rings of red onions which were thin and wilty. The onion rings were good, but nothing spectacular. Their big gimmick is a 22 oz burger.

Kelly T.

Best burger you'll ever pay for. Go for the Elk Burger, you can do no better!

Brian B.

i give it five stars because it's exactly what you would expect from a good burger place. the service was FANTASTIC! quick and attentive. i ordered my burger rare and the cooked it perfectly! extremely juicy and delicious. the price is perfect; in fact i definitely felt as though i were getting a deal. during the week, if you are getting lunch, you need to arrive before 11:30--which is when carmel high school lets out. the place was PACKED by 11:30.

Chuck C.

Great place! Great Burgers! Great Cold Beer! Great Sloppy Fries! The key is fresh, fresh, and the best! Remember to eat well and live well and please no chains!

Jim X.

Bub's how you have disappointed me. I visited your establishment approximately a year ago and while the meal was good the service was absolutely awful. We waited for over twenty minutes for our waitress to take our order, the food came out slow, and we had to flag down another waitress to get our check. I was profoundly disappointed with the service, but, decided to give you another chance a year later. My daughter and I visited your establishment today 12/30/13. Our table was right behind the hostess stand. After waiting for twenty minutes without an acknowledgement by our waitress we decided to leave. While your establishment may have experienced some limited financial success just imagine how successful you could be if your restaurant were run with some degree of professionalism! You had three hostesses on duty, or at least three people standing around the hostess stand, while we waited. Some attentiveness to your customers instead of their personal conversations may have resulted in them addressing our lack of service and may you could have kept a customer.

Tim W.

Was in a bit of a hurry in order to get toa movie and while they were busy, they were able to accomodate us to get out on time. Love the burgers and fries. It's exactly what you want a place like this to be.