L A Cafe

4 S. Main St., Whitestown, IN

317-769-7503

Overall:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Value:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Atmosphere:A+(5.0/5.0 stars)
Service:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Taste:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Presentation:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
L A Cafe

Reuben Details

Sandwich Name: New York Style Reuben ($6.50)

Menu Description: Hot corned beef and sauerkraut, and Swiss cheese stacked on grilled marble rye with 1000 island dressing on the side.

Included Side Items: Chips and pickle slices

Presentation: The sandwich was presented on a white plate next to the side item, a few pickle slices, and a cup of thousand island dressing. The sandwich was cut diagonally and at through a 45 degree angle from the top to the bottom slice of grilled, marbled rye bread. Each sandwich half was pierced with a colorful toothpick. The sandwich had corned beef against the bottom slice of rye, followed by sauerkraut and Swiss cheese under the top slice of rye bread.

Dimensions: 770 cm3 (14 cm x 11 cm x 5 cm)

Bulk-to-Cost Ratio: 118 cm3/dollar


Review -

Review Date: Feb 22, 2005

Overall:A+(5.0/5.0 stars)
Value:A+(5.0/5.0 stars)
Atmosphere:A+(5.0/5.0 stars)
Service:A-(4.2/5.0 stars)
Taste:A+(5.0/5.0 stars)
Presentation:A-(4.2/5.0 stars)

I wasn't quite sure what to expect from the L A Cafe, having never spent time in Whitestown nor with motorcycles, but I felt welcome and found it an enjoyable place to eat. The black and orange walls with motorcycle themes were attractive and not overly imposing for us non-motorcycle types. The decor had a chrome look which works really well. The bread was beautiful, the sauerkraut was abundant, and there was a huge quantity of corned beef. I would have to proclaim this one of the top 5 Reuben sandwiches in the Indianapolis area. The experience was a little slow, but the quality of the product made it worth it. The only thing I didn't like was the pickle slices which weren't dill but probably bread & butter--not a favorite of mine. It's worth the drive to Whitestown to have this sandwich.


Review -

Review Date: Feb 22, 2005

Overall:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Value:A-(4.2/5.0 stars)
Atmosphere:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Service:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Taste:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Presentation:A(4.5/5.0 stars)

L A Cafe was much more elegant than I was expecting. Okay, the walls are bright orange and corrugated metal, and adorned with motorcycle paraphenelia, but in a classy sort of way, and the tables in the dining area were even decorated with candles. There's a deck off the dining area that looks rather nice, but it was too cold today. From the outside you can see a balcony too, but I'm not clear how you get up there, or if customers are allowed. The bar area is nice too, with neon lighting, and motorcycles standing on a balcony over the bar. I didn't notice much of a smoke smell in the dining area, but others said they did. 80s music played overhead. The men's room was a bit worn, but clean, and even had a diaper-changing station (a feature I still appreciate, though I no longer have need of it). Table service included metal flatware, glass glasses, and china plates. The waitress said, after taking our orders, that it's hard to find a Reuben as good as theirs, and she was right. It was a big sandwich, served on pretty swirled rye bread which was nicely cut and of good consistency. There was no shortage of beef or kraut, and both had good flavor which totally overwhelmed the Swiss cheese. The pickle slices seemed a bit strange compared to the more typical spear, but they were irrelevant: after the sandwich and the onion rings (tasty but maybe a bit overdone) I had no room for them anyway. Overall this was the best Reuben experience I've had in quite some time, and I'd be glad to return to Whitestown for another.


Review -

Review Date: Feb 22, 2005

Overall:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Value:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Atmosphere:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Service:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Taste:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Presentation:A(4.5/5.0 stars)

L A Cafe is one of my favorite "out-of-the-way" places to eat. The food is almost always beyond expectations leading to a good experience. Upon arriving, we were set up quickly, and served our beverages. The atmosphere is unique and there is always something new to look at. After our orders were taken the food arrived in reasonable time (this is not a "fast food" place, but it comes up quick enough). The Reubens were presented sliced on the bias (as discussed at the table, this would be called a "compound miter cut" in woodworking terms). The presentation showed-off the contents of the sandwich. It was chock full of thinly sliced corn beef (lunch meat style...urghh), sauerkraut (the best tasting I've had), cheese, etc. The bread was a showy marble rye grilled to perfection. The bread held up well while eating. My sandwich basically tasted perfect and very satisfying. I ordered onion rings as a side, and most of them were great, a few got a little over cooked, but I cleaned my plate anyway. The service was attentive and included a visit from the manager (as is normal here and appreciated).


Review -

Review Date: Feb 22, 2005

Overall:A-(4.2/5.0 stars)
Value:A-(4.2/5.0 stars)
Atmosphere:A+(5.0/5.0 stars)
Service:A-(4.2/5.0 stars)
Taste:A-(4.2/5.0 stars)
Presentation:A(4.5/5.0 stars)

What a cool place to eat!! Which is pretty impressive thing to say after you tell someone you're going to downtown Whitestown to eat. From the outside the place looks old and rundown, almost something you expect to see in an old ghost town out west. But once you step through the door you do a double take and you'd think you walked into a hip LA or Miami art deco Harley biker restaurant/diner. Totally worth the trip itself just to see the expression on people's faces when they walk in. The service and food was outstanding. The sandwich was crisp and juicy. The O-Rings turned out to be an excellent side choice as well! Combined the kick ass art deco / Harley (yep.. as odd as art deco and Harley sound together it works!) atmosphere with great food in a totally odd location and you get a highly recommended Reuben eating adventure.


Review -

Review Date: Feb 22, 2005

Overall:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Value:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Atmosphere:A+(5.0/5.0 stars)
Service:A+(5.0/5.0 stars)
Taste:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Presentation:A(4.5/5.0 stars)

Great decor. Has the Harley black and orange look going for it. The added diamond plate accents give it just enough chrome to be perfect. Reuben was great--the onion rings were tops as well. Should have known it was going to be good food when we saw the cops and firemen walk in for lunch. If you are in this area you must eat here.


Review -

Review Date: Feb 22, 2005

Overall:B+(4.0/5.0 stars)
Value:B-(3.2/5.0 stars)
Atmosphere:C(2.5/5.0 stars)
Service:B(3.5/5.0 stars)
Taste:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Presentation:A(4.5/5.0 stars)

Servers are a little slow. Small town mentality, but the food was great AND they give you all the extra thousand island you want... is there anything better than that?!! LOL!


Review -

Review Date: Feb 22, 2005

Overall:A-(4.2/5.0 stars)
Value:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Atmosphere:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Service:A-(4.2/5.0 stars)
Taste:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Presentation:B+(4.0/5.0 stars)

Excellent Reuben and nice atmosphere. The waitress was excellent, but the Reuben did take a while to arrive.


Review -

Review Date: Feb 22, 2005

Overall:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Value:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Atmosphere:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Service:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Taste:A(4.5/5.0 stars)
Presentation:A(4.5/5.0 stars)

Excellent sandwich! Beautiful presentation--yummy bread! The balance of the various ingredients was just right and the bread wasn't soggy. Generous portion. Very enjoyable experience.