What makes a dish go from good to great? Whether it’s the tangy kick of a housemade ranch, the sticky heat of a signature wing sauce, or a perfectly balanced dressing that transforms a simple salad, the right sauce can make all the difference. We’ve all had that moment—you take a bite of something and it’s good, but then you dip it in a sauce, and suddenly you’re raving about the meal to the whole table. That’s when you know you’ve found it: a sauce that makes the dish. Some entrées are defined by the flavors drizzled, dunked, or smothered on top, turning the dish into a must-order.
It’s no secret that Indianapolis is home to some of these elusive secret sauces. After all, how could we at Edible Indy write an article about sauce without a nod to some of the greats, like St. Elmo’s Cocktail Sauce or Ale Emporium’s Herman Sauces?
We went above and beyond these classics to find four standout dishes around Indianapolis where the sauce isn’t just an afterthought—it’s the reason you keep coming back for more.
1. CULINARY DROPOUT’S BBQ SAUCE
1320 E. 86th St., Indianapolis
culinarydropout.com
New to the Indianapolis food scene, Culinary Dropout is an elevated yet approachable restaurant known for its made-from-scratch, eclectic menu that’s sure to satisfy any taste. When it comes to sauces, there’s a wide variety. With unique offerings such as orange miso sauce, gochujang, and yuzu soy caramel, many dishes have a flavorful finishing touch.
“A lot of people come in not knowing what to expect,” said Joe Zukrel, senior executive chef at Culinary Dropout, when describing the menu’s variety. “It’s hard to define but also hard to forget. Doing everything from scratch isn’t easy, but it’s part of what sets us apart.”
The slow-braised 36-hour pork ribs, a standout on the menu, cure for 12 hours in a house-made rub, cook for another 24 hours, before getting grilled and then served. The result is a tender, flavorful rack of ribs. But what really makes the ribs shine is, you guessed it: the sauce.
Culinary Dropout’s house-made BBQ sauce is sweet and savory at the same time thanks to flavors from bacon, jalapeños, and garlic. Vinegar, ketchup, and Worcestershire sauce add a tanginess that brings the sauce together. The same signature sauce can be found on the restaurant’s chopped chicken salad alongside house-made ranch.
2. TWENTY TAP’S WASABI MAYO
5408 N. College Ave., Indianapolis
twentytap.com
As the name suggests, Twenty Tap is best known for its selection of craft beers on tap. What many might not know is that the restaurant also features a surprising variety of house-made sauces and aiolis. Prominently featured on the menu, Twenty Tap has 11 unique sauces on display, serving up everything from curried ketchup to chimichurri and roasted garlic aioli.
The menu is full of appetizers with sauces that take center stage, like the poutine with veggie gravy, Bavarian pretzel with house-made mustard and beer cheese, and house seasoned fries and beer-battered cheese curds (both of which come with a choice of two house sauces).
While all of these sauces are noteworthy, it was the unexpected flavor of the wasabi mayo on the grilled salmon BLT that was the star of the show. While the wasabi adds some spice, the mayo balances it out nicely to ensure you aren’t tearing up during dinner. Plus, the added cucumber pulls the entire dish together, making this one to try for the sauce alone—even with the juicy salmon and crispy bacon in the mix.
3. GUGGMAN HAUS BREWING CO.’S BEER CHEESE
1701 Gent St., Indianapolis (second location in Broad Ripple)
guggmanhausbrewing.com
It’s no surprise that a microbrewery has mastered the art of beer cheese. With a nod to Guggman’s wide selection of beers on tap (all brewed onsite), its beer cheese is house-made with the taproom’s bestseller: Guggenweizen, a traditional German Hefeweizen.
The beer cheese is featured in several dishes on the menu, including:
- The pretzel, which also comes with house-made wholegrain mustard for dipping
- The haus fries, which also comes with house-made garlicdill aioli for dipping
- The pulled pork nachos, drizzled alongside crema and BBQ sauce on a bed of tortilla chips, pulled pork, and green onion
Whether you enjoy it drizzled or dipped, the beer cheese is a standout on each of these dishes. Whichever you choose, we recommend pairing your appetizer with a Guggenweizen to see why this beer makes for a full food and beverage experience.
4. 101 CRAFT KITCHEN’S LEMON HERB SAUCE
9708 District North Dr., Fishers (second location in Carmel)
101craftkitchen.com/fishers
Known for its elevated comfort food, 101 Craft Kitchen has no shortages of dips, spreads, and sauces that elevate every bite with bold, house-made flavors. With unique options such as mango mint aioli, sherry vinegar, and hot pepper sauce, this restaurant clearly knows how to spice up a dish.
One example of this is the parmesan breaded lemon chicken. This dish is served on a bed of potatoes and green beans, both of which are first tossed in a housemade basil pesto and lemon vinaigrette. But what brings it all together is what’s drizzled on top: the house-made lemon herb sauce.
The lemon herb sauce is an aioli with hints of shallots, garlic, and fresh lemon. Finished with whole grain mustard and fresh herbs, this creamy, bright sauce balances tangy citrus notes with rich, savory flavors and Guggman Haus Brewing Co. subtle pops of texture thanks to the mustard seed.
