Whenever we’re in Carmel, Indiana, we try to make a stop at a great neighborhood pub called Woody’s. It’s located in the basement of the old Carmel Library building in the beautiful and quaint downtown Arts District. (Upstairs houses an upscale restaurant called, appropriately, The Library.)
As you may have figured out by now, we gravitate to BARS, where we can meet the “locals” and enjoy conversations and new experiences. When I want “fine dining”…I’ll cook it myself and save that extra money for more “dives” along our way. That’s just how I roll…to each his own, I say.
On our last visit, we tried their wings. (You know me…they are MY weakness!) We were impressed by the fact that even though the wings were large, they were still completely cooked and CRISPY. We also loved the fact that we were served an actual SERVING of celery along side…instead of several one inch pieces as an afterthought…like most bars serve. The waffle fries were also good, and their dipping sauces are delicious, too.
We were happy to see that Kerry, our favorite Woody’s bartender, was working. And even though the bar was packed, she still found time to laugh and joke with customers. And she is a whirlwind of energy behind the bar! I love to watch her work…she is amazing! She can do the work of THREE people! (I hope her salary reflects that skill!)
A focal point of Woody’s is the huge aquarium located above and behind the bar. But on a sad note, we discovered during our last visit that the dogfish named Puffer, the bar’s locally famous mascot, had recently died. That fish was AMAZING! Puffer would actually come to Kerry when she motioned for him!!! She had him trained to press himself against the glass of the aquarium and she would “pet” him…and he really seemed to like it! Kerry was quick to tell us that she is now training Puffer II, and he is already learning to “come when called” just like a puppy! (Maybe those fish are easier to train since they are dogfish??) Just sayin…
So if you find yourself in downtown Carmel, stop in the basement bar called Woody’s. And make yourself at home. The beer is cold, the food is good and the “locals” are friendly. It’s a great place to unwind.
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