About

Anthony Lazzara was born and raised in the hospitality industry. He has more than 15 years of experience working in all aspects of the restaurant and catering industry. Anthony founded LRG (Lazzara Restaurant Group) Restaurants in 2016 with aspirations to impact the community and provide employees a place to influence others. LRG is comprised of Anthony’s Chophouse and 3UP Rooftop Lounge. As a new entrepreneur, Anthony aspired to create a restaurant that was different than the traditional restaurant. He focuses heavily on the employee’s personality, buy-in and drive to be the best.

A Carmel native, Anthony graduated from Carmel High School, where he wrote his first business plan his senior year about a fine-dining restaurant. He went on to graduate from Ball State University with an undergraduate degree in Entrepreneurship from the Miller College of Business and minor in Hospitality Management as well as competing four years on the Ball State Golf Team. He is married to former Ball State Gymnast Kayla (Kmiecik) Lazzara, and they have three young boys: Vincent, Gianni, and Enzo. 

Anthony serves as a mentor and evaluator for the Ball State Entrepreneurship program and serves on the Miller College of Business Executive Advisory Board. Outside of Ball State, Anthony served on the Heroes Club Board, the Discovering Broadway Board, and has assisted in fundraisers for many local and national Charities like The Jimmy V Foundation. Anthony’s dedication to his community and passion for impacting guests an employees is a commitment he has made to LRG Restaurants.

Colin has been working in restaurants since the age of 15, with stints in the kitchen, support and in the front of house over the past 25 years.  That tenure has been a variety of concepts that range from volume dining, independent ventures to upscale establishments featuring ultra-fresh seafood and or prime steakhouse fare. Colin wholeheartedly embraces Anthony’s vision, leveraging his decade of expertise in fine dining to deliver an unparalleled experience to our customers.

Colin’s journey through the food and beverage industry, spanning top establishments such as Dunaway’s, The Oceanaire, Mesh on Mass Ave, Late Harvest Kitchen, and Eddie Merlot’s, has been nurtured by the mentorship of impactful individuals. His commitment to hospitality and dedication to hard work have shaped his career. Over 15 years as a wine and spirits buyer, Colin has not only tracked industry trends but also attained sommelier certification, guiding our team in curating a beverage menu that highlights the synergy between beverages and cuisine. Colin’s journey from classrooms to wineries and distilleries has fueled his passion for a variety of beverages. His travels to top establishments nationwide have refined his vision for beverage programs and service standards. With a focus on service details and commitment to hospitality, Colin’s leadership will cultivate a strong work ethic, ongoing education, and pride among our staff, ensuring exceptional experiences for our community and guests.

Colin attended Indiana University and has lived in Indianapolis for a vast majority of his life.  He has three boys of his own that Colin will tell you are the only thing that will keep his attention from his local sports teams and his love for food and wine. 

Executive Chef Karl Benko brings more than 40 years of culinary expertise to Anthony’s Chophouse and 3UP Rooftop Lounge. A native of Akron, Ohio, Karl first discovered his passion for cooking in his sister’s tavern, sparking a lifelong career in food and hospitality.

After studying at the University of Akron, Karl trained in Detroit under a celebrated chef, Kamel Kassem, and later worked alongside four Certified Master Chefs. His dedication and skill earned him a place on the U.S. Culinary Team, where he competed at the renowned Culinary Olympics in Frankfurt, Germany. Over the years, he has helped open more than 50 restaurants across 25 cities and was honored to cook at the 2003 James Beard Foundation’s Chef’s Night Out in New York City.

When he’s not leading the kitchens at Anthony’s and 3UP, Karl enjoys time with his wife, Carrie, their son, AJ, and their three pets. The family loves escaping to their Brown County cabin to relax and enjoy the outdoors.