I have found it.

That’s all that I could think after eating at Locally Grown Gardens (1050 E 54th St) for the first time. This is THE Indy food Mecca. Located on a sleepy stretch of 54th street just down from the hot SoBro neighborhood on College Avenue, Locally Grown Gardens is all about local and healthy food. But while this place is good for those hitting the gym, it does not lack at all on flavor. While simple in nature, the food dished out at LGG reaches another level of freshness, flavor and intensity. Locally Grown Gardens is the nirvana of eating in Indianapolis.

Upon arriving at the very European-hipster market, one is immediately hit with the freshness of ingredients. As you cut through the aisles of stylish silverwares and honeys, you can’t help but notice the signs. Peaches, spreads, breads, all from local or specialized sources. As you make your way up to the counter to order, you just know you are going to be getting something very special. It has a very laid back atmosphere with a distinct vibe that only can be described as Southern California and the European Countryside having a beautiful baby. After ordering, you take a seat either at one of the lovely communal tables outside or in their small, but Bon Appetit ready, indoor section.

They change their menu based on the season, and let me tell you their summer menu was nothing to mess with. Blessed with the options of a fresh salad, grilled salmon, free range chicken or open faced pork sandwich, this institution of 8 years delivers. I ordered the salmon which came with a ginger cole slaw. Not only did the fish deliver on flavor, but also on the texture. The crunch on the outside combined with the silkyness of the inside are perfect. My friend ordered the fresh salad, which came with an assortment of grilled vegetables so fresh it was as if they were just picked out of the ground. Paired with unbeatable local peach and lemon drinks, this is the perfect summer meal.

Dessert was amazing. No other way to describe it. Cheap. Local. Artsy. Delicious. Move over every other Indy dessert, because this is the star of the show. The sugar cream pie is not to be missed. They also serve many others ranging from blueberry pie to cinnamon rolls, but you will make a mistake if you do not get the sugar cream pie. The crust was warm, the pie was sweet, it was perfect. It was simply just a perfect experience.

On top a very cultured and European market curated by the owner Ron Harris, Locally Grown Gardens does deliver in terms of food, experience and environment. You should all get here before the cold weather sets in because this is not an experience that you want to miss. The dedication to local ingredients is astounding as is everything else. Simplicity equates to deliciousness in this situation. I look forward to happily returning to this restaurant very soon.