Hot Box coming to Carmel

November 25, 2008
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Hot Box PizzaThe Hot Box pizza chain has reached a deal with a pair of veteran local restaurateurs to open two new locations in Carmel. The first, scheduled to open in January, will be at the corner of Carmel Drive and Rangeline Road. It will feature beer, wine and salads in addition to the chain's signature pies. No location has been chosen for the second store. The franchise owners are Pete Watson, who operates 14 Buffalo Wild Wings locations in Indiana, and Steve Wechter, who owns Famous Jack’s Burgers ‘n Brew. Hot Box won approval earlier this year to sell franchises in several states, including Indiana, Michigan and Texas. HotBox already has stores in Broad Ripple, downtown, Fishers and West Lafayette.
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  • ShaneNovember 25, 2008 1:46 PM
    I think I've been to their location near IUPUI in that strip-mall-o-food........it wasn't bad.
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  • cschoutenNovember 25, 2008 2:32 PM
    Two other notes:

    Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom has opened at Circle Centre.

    And beware of liquidation sales at Linens & Things, Circuit City and Steve & Barry's. The liquidators often raise prices before marking them down.
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  • BTOWNNovember 25, 2008 2:33 PM
    it seems very similar to pizza express....................................
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  • NicoleNovember 25, 2008 2:34 PM
    Finally! A HotBox in Carmel! My office orders from the Downtown location all the time! Their pizza is amazing!
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  • DaveNovember 25, 2008 4:52 PM
    Yessss, finally a box up north! Bring It!
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  • Da HooeyNovember 25, 2008 6:05 PM
    Hot Box is local. HQ in BR and they are planning to exapnd biggie in the next 2 years.
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  • Hard RockNovember 25, 2008 8:22 PM
    I never knew there was such a thing as a Hot Box in Carmel. I thought they were all ice queens.
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  • mobyheadNovember 26, 2008 10:08 AM
    I never knew there was such a thing as a “Hot Box” in Carmel. I thought they were all ice queens.

    Thanks for the laugh, I needed that.
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  • TimNovember 26, 2008 3:18 PM
    I know everyone really likes Hot Box - and I think their breadsticks are good - but I really don't dig their pizza. Just don't think its that good. Hope they do well at their new locations, anyhow.

    Besides that, they really need to do a better job of keeping the BR location clean. I've been in there a couple of times where I honestly didn't feel like it was sanitary. The floors in the eating area were gross, and you could tell that the floors in the kitchen (and especially bath) were even more gross. Maybe its just me, but when people have their hands all over my pizza crust and toppings, I like to feel like the place is clean.
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  • idyllic indyNovember 27, 2008 12:18 AM
    Breadstix = above average
    Pizza = mediocre, i.e. similar to Domino's, but with a bit more flavor.
    Final analysis = whoop-dee-doo!
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  • idyllic indyNovember 27, 2008 12:23 AM
    BTW, for some good local pizza, try Maria's in Fountain Square. MMMM MMMM Good!
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  • thundermuttNovember 29, 2008 11:29 AM
    For some good local non-franchise pizza try Bazbeaux, Some Guys, or Jockamo's. Conveniently located downtown & BR, 62nd/Allisonville, and Irvington respectively.

    Really, no franchise system is any better than the manager in the kitchen. Nothing beats a good restaurant with the owner in the house (though by itself that is no guarantee of excellence or of success).
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  • parkershadeDecember 1, 2008 4:34 PM
    I guess all business is local, but for the life of me, a pizza place opening in Carmel??

    Why is this worth a mention...even a post?

    Yikes...I just did!
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  • JCMDecember 2, 2008 10:05 AM
    There is also a Bazbeaux in downtown Carmel and a Some Guys at 126th & Gray Rd. in Carmel.
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  • ShaneDecember 2, 2008 11:11 AM
    I wish Puccini's would put a location in donwtown Indianapolis........I love their Bar 20 pizza!
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  • MatthewDecember 2, 2008 1:39 PM
    Wow, these really are slower times. . .this post has been up for 8 days.
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  • TMHDecember 16, 2008 2:42 PM
    let's hope their health department inspections in Carmel go better than they did in Broadripple.
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