Aug 21, 2025 - News
How Butler Blue would spend his Best Day Ever in Indianapolis
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Photo: Courtesy of Evan Krauss
Classes start at Butler University next week, which means Butler Blue's social calendar is about to be very full.
Lucky for us, we caught up with the school's live bulldog mascot and his handler, Evan Krauss, during the summer break for our second anniversary event.
Zoom in: Here's how Krauss said he and Blue would spend their Best Day Ever in Indianapolis.
🍳 Breakfast: Cafe Patachou or Ripple Bagel and Deli
- Krauss joked that since Patachou sponsors Butler's live mascot program, they're "contractually obligated" to start the day there.
- "Get the eggs in purgatory," he said. "It's delicious."
🎣 Morning activity: Fishing
- "I think one of the absolute hidden gems of our city is our park system and Eagle Creek is just my absolute favorite way to start the morning."
🥪 Lunch: Illinois Street Food Emporium
- Krauss said he loves the old school, mom and pop shop on the edge of Butler's campus for its sandwiches and salads.
- "When you go in there, you can tell people have been going there for a long time," he said. "It's just got an amazing energy about it that I love."
- If it's an early game, though, Krauss is sticking with a "Healthy Elephant" peanut butter and coffee drink from nearby Hubbard & Cravens.
🏀 Afternoon activity: Butler basketball game
- Because Blue's best day ever absolutely includes a game at Hinkle Fieldhouse.
- "There's lots of behind-the-scenes stuff … with the dog," Krauss said. "We gotta make sure his RC car is charged, so he can ride around the court. We gotta make sure he has a fresh game day bone."
🍗 Dinner: 317 BBQ
- After a Butler win, Krauss said they're going to 317 BBQ for a big platter of wings and brisket.
🦒 Evening activity: The Indianapolis Zoo
- Krauss and his wife, Kennedy, welcomed their first (human) child last year and have been making the most of their new zoo membership with him.