Has anyone checked out these new spots?

[Robin Garr]

We're looking over the list of new eateries for the coming Food & Dining, and ran across a few that are new to me and that I don't think have been mentioned on the forum.

Are any of you familiar with any of these?

<b>Hero's New York Pizza</b>, 10509 Watterson Trail, Jeffersontown, 261-9339.
(New York!? Can it be!?)

<b>The Lancaster Café</b>, 223 W. 5th St., New Albany, IN, 944-2400.
(Associated with Tommy Lancaster's?)

<b>Woody's Pub & Grill</b>, 12205 Westport Rd., 327-8002.
(Former Hoops Pub?)

Robin, I haven't been to the new Lancaster's. It's in the former Pigasus building between the Holiday Inn Express and Main (casino route if you exit 64 eastbound).

But ... the owner (Troy) is the original (Tommy) Lancaster's grandson, but since the family no longer owns the 50's-feel Market Street business, there's no commercial connection I'm aware of.

The cafe supposedly is doing much the same food as Tommy's or the now defunct South Side -- comfort steam table fare, buffet, etc.

[Robin Garr]

Thanks, Roger, very helpful.

Woody's is the former Hoops place. They have done some remodeling inside and out, but I haven't ate there.

I have and the menu really did not change that much.....The one negative...Hoops used to have really good pizza made fresh to order....They even twriled the dough in the air....but no more the new place does not offer pizza anymore...found out the oven went bad and they decided not to repair it....but if you had food there when it was called Hoops....it is just about the same now....but the inside has really been redone nice...They not have booths to sit in along with tables.

Woody's is the old Hoop's. The main difference in the physical appearance of the place are some booth areas along the west side of the interior. Other than that, it hasn't changed at all. The menu is also almost exactly the same. They offer plates meals for lunch and the regular bar menu one would expect. It's neither very good nor very bad, just so so.

[Robin Garr]

Woody's is the old Hoop's. The main difference in the physical appearance of the place are some booth areas along the west side of the interior. Other than that, it hasn't changed at all. The menu is also almost exactly the same. They offer plates meals for lunch and the regular bar menu one would expect. It's neither very good nor very bad, just so so.

Thanks, that fills in another blank.

I drove by Hero's NY Pizza today ... it's not open yet, but it looks promising. A storefront in that nicely historic row of shops that face Watterson Trail on the northwest corner with Taylorsville Road. Looks very nice inside. If it really is NYC-style pizza, it's going to be a keeper.

But ... the owner (Troy) is the original (Tommy) Lancaster's grandson, but since the family no longer owns the 50's-feel Market Street business, there's no commercial connection I'm aware of.

My sources tell me that there is no connection between Tommy Lancasters (as Roger said, now owned by someone completely different) and Lancaster's Cafe (again, owned by Troy-the-grandson and his business partner). The owners of Tommy Lancaster's are reportedly a tad concerned about potential confusion, but my faith in humanity (still have some) tells me it will work out in the end.

Lancaster's Cafe is supposed to be cafeteria-style, and they are supposedly getting their liquor license right now. I haven't tried them out yet, though.

I heard that the liquor license might be tough sledding -- the Lancaster Cafe sits about 20 yards from one of the least congenial churches in the West End (by that I mean that they're the same guys who've been fighting the smut shop across the street, and aren't said to be very enthused by alcohol in the neighborhood, either).

Last Friday I didn't have much time but got a pepperoni slice to go from Hero's in J-town. I didn't think I was in New York, but this slice was as close to it as any other place I've been to in town. The crust was thin enough but a little more chewy than crispy. Good flavor. Light on the moderately spicy sauce, cheese, & toppings. Since mine was a carryout slice at the tail end of lunch hour, it seems likely that anything fresh would be even better.

I have eaten at Lancaster's a couple of times. As Roger said, it is very similar to the now defunct Southside Inn. The owners (there are 2) are Troy Lancaster and David Jacobs. Troy is Pat's son and he used to work at Tommy Lancaster's before it was sold. David is new to the food world and has a construction background. The fish on Fridays is worth stopping in for IMHO. There are outdoor picnic tables which are nice when the weather cooperates.

I have eaten at Lancaster's a couple of times. As Roger said, it is very similar to the now defunct Southside Inn. The owners (there are 2) are Troy Lancaster and David Jacobs. Troy is Pat's son and he used to work at Tommy Lancaster's before it was sold. David is new to the food world and has a construction background. The fish on Fridays is worth stopping in for IMHO. There are outdoor picnic tables which are nice when the weather cooperates.

To me, that indicates a need to get to the other end of the county for a visit to Mike's, as in Mike Linnig's. Ain't none finer for the overall experience.