Take a March Madness munchies tour of Downtown Indianapolis restaurants

Sports without food is like nachos without beer, and downtown Indianapolis is sports-lovers central.

If you're hitting some Big Ten action, looking to watch college basketball at a sports bar or hoping to find restaurants near Bankers Life Fieldhouse or Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis serves up some of the best places for your favorite snacks and a some twists on game-day eats.

Liz Biro knows where you should eat:Don't miss a single restaurant opening

From late-night food to daytime noshing, this walkabout in Downtown Indianapolis is worth every bite.

Spicy garlic calamari at Capital Grille

40 W. Washington St., 317-423-8790, thecapitalgrille.com

I like my fried calamari straight up, no garnish PLEASE! These tender breaded and fried rings and tentacles tossed with garlic butter and hot cherry pepper slices changed my mind. I love the spice — and the grilled lemon half on the side.

Cheese-crusted tacos at Yard House

49 Maryland St., 317-681-5615, yardhouse.com

That little bit of cheddar that sticks to the skillet when you're frying a cheeseburger? Man, it tastes good. That kind of cheese coats the entire crunchy tortilla, hugging tender, slow-roasted pork plus bacon, chorizo, chipotle salsa, roasted garlic, cumin crema, guacamole and cilantro. Dare I say you don't even need the pork?

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Meatball sliders at Mimi Blue

874 Massachusetts Ave., 317-737-2625, mimibluemeatballs.com

I'm a sucker for a from-scratch meatball. My mother was Italian, so my standards are high. She made the best, of course, but Mimi Blue's beef meatballs with marinara are a close second. I like the vegetarian balls, too, especially with garlic cream or cilantro sauce.

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Brisket nachos at Tavern at The Point

401 Massachusetts Ave., 317-756-9609, tavernatthepoint.com

The game is on, and the nachos are HUGE! They're loaded with brisket burnt ends, beer cheese and all the fixings, including fresh cilantro, radishes and jalapenos. Don't go into a plate of these alone.

Chicken tenders at Basey's Downtown

419 S. West St., 317-602-6900, baseysdowntown.com

What can I say? #deathofafoodsnob. Cooks batter fresh chicken and fry it to order. I like to dip these chicken tenders in blue cheese dressing, and Basey's is cheese-loaded. The kitchen here always surprises me. I discovered Basey's when I was on the Whole 30 diet. The place had a great spaghetti squash special on the menu.

Prime rib pizza at Harry & Izzy's

153 S. Illinois St., 317-635-9594, harryandizzys.com

Hearty but somehow elegant. I adore this pizza hot, cold, at room temperature, with red wine, with beer, with a cocktail, with friends. It's one of my favorite Indy eats. A half-pound of sliced prime rib, horseradish ricotta and roasted onion marmalade cover a thin crust. Gluten-free crust is available.

Sticky ribs at Rebar

20 N. Delaware St., 317-685-5100, rebarindy.com

Pack some Wet Wipes. You'll need them for chef Charles Mereday's sticky ribs in plum sauce with sour apples. He does sweet hot and sticky jumbo shrimp, too. And the beer is pour your own form the taps.

Gyros, tacos, barbecue and popcorn

222 E. Market St., 317-634-9266, indycm.com

Every local Hoosier has his or her favorites at this historic food market full of stands serving quick bites. I'm nuts for Amazing Potato Chip Co.'s cheese popcorn and vegan spot Three Carrots' seitan gyro with cucumber dressing. Don't miss the monster pulled pork sandwiches at Gomez BBQ. And I'm always on the look-out for a slice of signature Indiana sugar cream pie from Jazzy Doris. Stick around and you'll hear pie maker Doris Castillo belt out a tune.

Pork belly steamed buns at Rook

719 Virginia Ave., 317-759-5828, rookindy.com

Pickled cucumber, crunchy, ground peanuts and fresh scallions balance a thick, rich pork belly slice in hoisin sauce, all tucked inside a fluffy white bun. Asian fusion heaven. Have three — or more. They're only $3.50 each.

Jamaican meat pies at Chatterbox

435 Massachusetts Ave., 317-636-0584, chatterboxjazz.com

Fans love the meat pies as much as the nightly live music. Even Mick Jagger and Ron Wood stopped in once to hear a band. Thin pies hot from a little pizza oven behind the bar are no-brainer late-night munchies at two for $3.50. Ground beef fills the delicate shell, flavorful thanks to beef fat. Hot sauce is available. Owner David Andrichik has been getting the pies from Indy institution Patties of Jamaica since it and Chatterbox opened more than 30 years ago.

Burgers at Workingman's Friend

234 N. Belmont Ave., 317-636-2067

No nagging, no complaining, full-on unconditional love and a good listener to the last bite. There's no better chum to hard workers — and revelers — than the double cheeseburger. Ground chuck patties get their lacy edges from being "smashed" on the griddle. An American cheese slice goes on each patty. Freshly battered onion rings won't let you down either. An Indy institution — off the beaten Downtown track a bit — but definitely worth the adventure.

Ember Urban Eatery wings

435 Virginia Ave., 317-340-1868, emberurbaneatery.com

“My vote for most-underrated wings in town: Ember Urban Eatery Restaurant and Bar in Fletcher Place. They’re served with Alabama white barbecue sauce. Delicious!” Second Helpings communications manager Rob Peoni said on my foodie Facebook group Indylicious. Lots of folks agreed with him when it comes to the marinated-and-then-smoked wings at this hardly noticeable restaurant tucked into a first-floor corner of The Villaggio at Page Pointe apartment tower.

Call Liz Biro at 317-444-6264. Follow her on Twitter @lizbiro, Instagram @lizbirodish and Facebook.