Anthony's Chophouse

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Family Vision, Rooted in Carmel

Anthony's Chophouse is a family-owned restaurant on West Main Street in downtown Carmel, Indiana, conceived as an innovative take on the traditional American steakhouse. Owner Anthony Lazzara is a Carmel native who wrote his first business plan for a fine-dining restaurant during his senior year of high school. After earning a degree in Entrepreneurship from Ball State University's Miller College of Business, he founded LRG (Lazzara Restaurant Group) in 2016 with a clear purpose: to impact the community and give employees a place to do their best work. Anthony's Chophouse and the adjacent 3UP Rooftop Lounge make up the LRG portfolio today.

The Team Behind the Experience

The kitchen is led by Executive Chef Karl Benko, who brings more than 40 years of culinary experience to the role. A native of Akron, Ohio, Benko trained under celebrated chef Kamel Kassem in Detroit, worked alongside four Certified Master Chefs, and competed at the Culinary Olympics in Frankfurt, Germany as part of the U.S. Culinary Team. He also cooked at the James Beard Foundation's Chef's Night Out in New York City in 2003 and has helped open more than 50 restaurants across 25 cities — a depth of craft that shows in every plate.

Overseeing the front of house is Executive General Manager Colin Atterson, a sommelier with over 15 years as a wine and spirits buyer. His experience spans some of Indianapolis's most respected establishments, and it is his careful stewardship of the beverage program that earned Anthony's Chophouse the Wine Spectator Award of Excellence in 2023 — a recognition that reflects the thoughtful pairing of wine with the restaurant's American fine-dining menu.

What's on the Plate

The menu stays true to classic steakhouse cuisine while adding a distinctive spin. Starters include Ahi Tuna Cones — crisp black sesame cones layered with shoyu citrus, seaweed salad, and wasabi tobiko — and a Crab Cake built around jumbo lump crab, preserved lemon butter, and fennel slaw. Featured cuts like the tomahawk steak anchor the dinner menu, complemented by signature cocktails and a wine list curated to match.

The main dining room carries an elevated dress code — no ball caps or athletic wear — while the bar and lounge offer a more relaxed setting for the same quality of food and drink.

Private Dining and Events

Two dedicated private rooms make Anthony's a practical choice for gatherings of any scale. The Glass Chimney Room accommodates up to 30 guests; the more intimate Board Room seats up to 16. Both are equipped with flat-screen TVs, Wi-Fi, and AirTame capabilities, suited equally to corporate meetings and family celebrations. Outdoor seating and a full lunch service Tuesday through Friday round out the options for those who want to experience this corner of Carmel's dining scene at any hour.