Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern Menu (Update 2025)
Welcome to Rusty Bucket Restaurant and Tavern, your cozy spot for American comfort food in Indianapolis. Nestled on W 86th St, this inviting eatery combines a lively pub atmosphere with a menu that delights the senses.
Indulge in fresh salads, such as the Salmon Double Nickel Salad with crispy bacon and blue cheese, which has garnered rave reviews. Starters like Brussels Sprouts and Peel & Eat Shrimp pave the way for a substantial meal. Main attractions include the infamous Juicy Lucy burger, hailed as one of the best in the city, and various chicken dishes that showcase their culinary creativity.
With an engaging bar scene and attentive service, Rusty Bucket has become a favorite for both casual gatherings and special occasions. Whether you're enjoying a happy hour special or a full meal, there's no shortage of delightful flavors to explore.
Starters
Double Stacked Quesadilla
So nice we stacked it twice. blackened chicken breast, shredded cheddar-jack, black bean- tomato and corn salsa
Chicken Fingers
Fresh cut chicken breast, hand dipped in our house made beer batter and golden fried. Served on bed on French fries.
Spinach Con Queso
Homemade Liquid Gold queso, chardonnay, spinach, diced tomato, served with house fried corn tortilla chips
Deep-Fried Pickles
handed dipped beer-battered dill pickle spears, served with house made cilantro ranch
Peel & Eat Shrimp
New Orleans style boiled shrimp, served chilled, tossed in Old Bay, with cocktail and crab louie sauces on side.
Brussels Sprouts
Fresh brussels sprouts, roasted and tossed in parmesan, served with lemon aioli
Rusty Bucket Wings
Fresh wings crispy fried, served with choice of house made sauce: Sauce choices: Our Signature Joes Regular Sauce (Medium),Traditional BBQ (Mild), Habanero (Hot) Or our Limited Time Feature Sauce: Korean BBQ (Medium spice) served with blue cheese & celery
Double Nickel Salad
mixed greens, grilled bacon, tomato, onion, blue cheese crumbles, served with our signature Double Nickel dressing
Chicken Nickel Salad
Fresh grilled chicken breast, mixed greens, grilled bacon bits, tomato, onion, blue cheese crumbles,with our signature Double Nickel dressing
Salmon Double Nickel Salad
Fresh seared Atlantic Salmon, mixed greens, grilled bacon bits, tomato, onion, blue cheese crumbles,served with our signature Double Nickel dressing
Simple Salad
mixed greens, carrot, cucumber, tomato, sharp cheddar, crouton,choice of dressing
Chicken Simple Salad
fresh grilled chicken breast, mixed greens, carrot, cucumber, tomato, sharp cheddar, crouton, choice of dressing
Salmon Simple Salad
Seared Atlantic Salmon, mixed greens, carrot, cucumber, tomato, sharp cheddar, crouton, choice of dressing
Caesar Salad
roma crunch lettuce, garlic croutons, parmesan, Caesar dressing
Chicken Caesar Salad
fresh grilled chicken breast, roma crunch lettuce, garlic croutons, parmesan, Caesar dressing
Salmon Caesar Salad
Seared fresh Atlantic Salmon, roma crunch lettuce, garlic croutons, parmesan, Caesar dressing
Blackened Salmon Salad
Blackened fresh Atlantic Salmon, mixed greens, shaved brussels sprouts and fennel, strawberries, avocado, goat cheese, candied pecans, homemade honey vinaigrette
Cobb Salad
mixed greens, bacon, avocado, egg, cucumber, marinated grape tomato, blue cheese, all tossed with fresh grilled chicken and served with our house made red wine vinaigrette
BBQ Chopped Chicken Salad
fresh grilled BBQ chicken breast, mixed greens, black bean-corn-tomato salsa, pepperjack cheese, tomato & tortillas strips with house made Ranch dressing
Fresh Salads
Soups
French Onion Soup
Sirloin Chili
Buffalo Chicken Sandwich
The Legend. Panko-crusted fresh chicken breast, slathered in the Famous Joe's Buffalo Sauce, Blue Cheese Crumbles, lettuce, tomato, mayo. Served on our toasted Sesame Brioche Bun.
Reuben
slow-braised corned beef brisket, swiss, 1000 Island, sauerkraut, grilled artisan rye bread
El Cubano
Braised pork carnitas, tavern ham, swiss cheese, pickle chips, house made mustard served on our pressed bay city bread.
Philly
shaved ribeye, green and red peppers, carmelized onion, mushroom, melted provolone
Turkey Club
sliced hot turkey and cheddar cheese piled high and topped with tomato, lettuce, bacon, and mayo on wheat toast
Beer Battered Fish Sandwich
Hand dipped in homemade beer batter and golden fried. American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion Served on our toasted Sesame Brioche Bun.
Hoosier Daddy Pork Tenderloin
Indiana State Fair Classic!Pork Tenderloin, breaded and crispy fried, lettuce, tomato, pickle, onion, on our toasted Sesame Brioche Bun. side of mayo
Sandwiches
Burgers
The Rusty Bucket Burger
The Original Half-Pounder. Our proprietary blend ground beef, Topped with melted American cheese, Mayo, Sweet pickle Relish, Dill Pickle slices, Lettuce, Tomato, and Onion served on our toasted Sesame Brioche Bun.
Turkey Burger
Fresh ground turkey, melted American cheese, mayo, pickle chips, LTO (Lettuce, Tomato, Onion) **100% Whole-Wheat Bun available upon request.
The Imposter Burger
Plant-based patty, American cheese, Mayo, Relish, Pickle, Onion & Tomato. 100% Whole Wheat Bun
Bacon Cheddar Burger
Double the Bacon- Grilled Bacon on top of a 1/2 pound fresh ground beef & bacon patty, Sharp cheddar, caramelized onions, lettuce, tomato, house made garlic aioli. Served on our toasted Sesame Brioche bun.
Sliders Entree
4 mini burgers, caramelized onions, American cheese, pickle chips on special recipe potato buns, served on a bed of Seasoned French Fries
Baja Tacos
Blackened mahi mahi, pico de gallo, shredded cabbage, avocado lime crema on flour street tortillas served with a side of Mexican Street Corn.
Meatloaf
Ma! The Meatloaf! House blended seasoned meatloaf mix, baked with Mom's special touches, French Green Beans, Mashed Potatoes, Homemade Wild Mushroom Demi sauce
New York Strip
Seared 10-oz NY Strip, basted in Garlic Butter, and topped with fresh wild mushrooms. Served with Seasoned French Fries.
Cincinnati 3-Way
garlic buttered spaghetti noodles, covered in sirloin and bean chili, melted cheddar, onion, tomato, sour cream, scallions.
Soy Glazed Salmon
Fresh Atlantic Salmon chef-cut in house, Seared & slathered in Soy Sugar-Cane glaze and topped with Toasted Sesame seeds. Served with Sticky Rice & Stir-Fried Green Beans.
Beef Stroganoff
Supper is ready. Slow-roasted & pulled pot roast, fresh mushrooms, and wild mushroom cream sauce tossed with pappardelle pasta, topped with sour creamand scallions and served with garlic cheese bread
Fish 'N Chips
1/2 Pound of hand dipped pilsner-battered cold-water Haddock, served with seasoned french fries
Chicken Parmesan
panko-crusted to order fresh chicken breast, house recipe marinara, melted provolone& mozzarella, served on a bed of pasta alfredo with garlic bread.
Shrimp Scampi
white wine garlic sauce, lemon & herb compound butter, roasted tomato, fresh spaghetti, parmesan with garlic bread
Main Plates
Pizza
Margherita
House made fresh dough, roasted tomatoes, garlic infused oil, fresh mozzarella, and torn basil
Pepperoni & Peppers
House made fresh dough, Ezzo pepperoni & fresh Hungarian peppers, fresh shredded mozzarella & provolone topped with our special pizza seasoning blend and fresh herb mix.
Veggie
House made fresh dough, Sauteed spinach, fresh wild mushroom blend, house roasted tomato, green and red peppers,onion, green olive, house shredded mozzarella & provolone cheese blend topped with our special pizza seasoning and fresh herb mix.
Wild Mushroom
Super Mario's Favorite! house made fresh dough, truffle oil, roasted garlic, fresh wild mushroom blend, caramelized onion, spinach, fresh shredded mozzarella & provolone
The Big Sicilian
House made fresh dough, crumbled Italian sausage, Ezzo pepperoni, tavern ham, bell peppers, caramelized onion, house shredded mozzarella & provolone cheese mix, topped with our special pizza seasoning and fresh herb mix.
Cheese Pizza
House made fresh dough, Fresh Shredded provolone & mozzarella cheese blend, topped with our special pizza seasoning blend.
6-Pack Miller Light
6-Pack Coors Light
6-Pack Bud Light
6-Pack Rhinegeist Truth
6-Pack Sonder You Betcha
6-Pack Madtree Psychopathy
Beer ToGo
Wine ToGo
Seven Daughters Moscato
Beringer White Zinfandel
Chateau Ste Michelle Reisling
Honig Sauvignon Blanc
Sonoma Cutrer Chardonnay
Chapoutier Belleruche Rose
Hangtime Pinot Noir
Susana Balboa, Crios Malbec
Red Diamond Merlot
Imagery Pinot Noir
EOS Cabernet
Fresh Fruit Cup
Onion Rings
Cole Slaw
Sweet Potato Fries
Mashed Potatoes
Mac 'n Cheese
Mexican Street Corn
French Fries
Sticky Rice
Broccoli
Stir Fry Beans
Garlic Bread
Side of Garlic Bread
Kettle Chips
Sides
Kid's Menu
Kids Mac 'n Cheese
Fresh made to order, melted American cheese, heavy cream, and elbow macaroni noodles.
Kids' Chicken Fingers
BBQ Or Honey Mustard
Kids Pepperoni Pizza
Kids Cheese Pizza
Kids Spaghetti
Served with Garlic Bread
Kids Cheeseburger Sliders
2 mini burgers made with our fresh ground beef and American cheese on our artisan potato buns.
Sticky Bun Bread Pudding
Our special Butter Croissant bread pudding topped with caramel and pecans.
Chocolate Ice Box Cake
rich chocolate cake, butter cream frosting, and chocolate sauce.
Strawberry Cheesecake
New York Style Cheesecake with Macerated strawberries and whipped cream
Desserts
Gluten-Free Friendly
Gluten Free Double Stacked Quesadilla
blackened chicken breast, shredded cheddar jack, black bean-tomato-corn salsa & corn tortillas
Gluten Free Peel 'n Eat Shrimp
New Orleans style boiled shrimp. Served chilled, tossed in Old Bay, with cocktail and crab louis sauces on the side.
Gluten Free Double Nickel Salad
mixed greens, fresh grilled bacon, tomato, onion, served with our signature Double Nickel Dressing.
Gluten Free Rusty Bucket Burger
American Classic Burger! 1/2 pound of our proprietary blend ground beef, topped with melted Amercian cheese, Mayo, Sweet Pickle Relish, Dill Pickle and LTO (lettuce, tomato, onion) and served on a Gluten Free Bun.
Gluten Free Turkey Burger
Fresh Ground Turkey Breast, Melted American Cheese, mayo, pickle and LTO (Lettuce, Tomato, Onion) on a gluten free bun.
Gluten Free Bacon Burger
Double the bacon- Grilled bacon on top of a 1/2 pound ground beef & bacon patty , cheddar, caramelized onion, lettuce, tomato, garlic aioli, served on a Gluten Free Bun.
Gluten Free Baja Fish Tacos
blackened mahi mahi, pico de gallo, cabbage, avocado lime cream, corn tortillas
Gluten Free Pan Seared Salmon
Fresh Atlantic Salmon, chef-cut in house, Seared and served with mashed potatoes, stir fry green beans
Gluten Free Sides
Gluten Free Strawberry Cheesecake
Gluten Free Friendly New York style cheesecake topped with a house-made strawberry sauce and fresh whipped cream
Gluten Free New York Strip
Seared and garlic butter basted, topped with wild mushrooms and served with garlic whipped potatoes,
Extras Gluten Free Sauces
Extras Gluten Free Dressings
Sauces
Dressings
Extra Sauces & Dressings
Extras
Utensils
Ketchup Packets
Ketchup Packets
Mayo Packets
Mayo Packets
Bag Ice
A bag of pellet ice.
Bottle Nickel Dressing
16 oz bottle of our fan favorite, our Double Nickel Dressing!
Brussels Sprouts Platter
parmesan, lemon aioliServes 8-10
Peel 'n Eat Shrimp
chilled, Old Bay, crab louis, cocktail sauce Serves 8-10
Sliders Platter
Caramelized onion, American cheese, pickleServes 8-10
Double Stacked Quesadilla Platter
blackened chicken, cheddar, pepper jack,black bean & corn salsaServes 8-10
Double Nickel Chicken Salad
mixed greens topped with our special dressing, chopped bacon bits, blue cheese crumbles, tomatoes and red onions. Serves 8-10
Platter Simple Salad
Platter Simple Salad with Chicken
carrot, cucumber, tomato, sharp cheddar, crouton,choice of dressingServes 6-8
Platter Simple Salad with Salmon
carrot, cucumber, tomato, sharp cheddar, crouton,choice of dressingServes 6-8
Beef Stroganoff Platter
pot roast, wild mushroom cream, scallions,sour creamServes 6-8
Chicken Parm Platter
panko-crusted, tomato ragout, alfredo noodleServes 6-8
Fresh Fruit
Macaroni 'n Cheese
Serves 8-10