Rick from Point's Profile
Margaritas in Milwaukee
Haven't heard anything about this place, but your description sounds like it might be the winner. Especially the outdoor patio, with all this ridiculous weather we've been having.
Margaritas in Milwaukee
They plan on going to Glorioso's, so Cempazuchi would be a good fit. It seems to be every foodie's favorite Mexican place in MKE (I like Jalapeno Loco myself), but I've yet to get there. Maybe my wife can give me the full report.
Margaritas in Milwaukee
My wife is showing one of her work buddies from up nort' a good time in Brewtown this weekend. The friend really likes margaritas - good cocktails with 100% agave tequila are critical, but a good deal would definitely be a plus.
Any suggestions on a place with a fun margarita menu (cucumber or hibiscus margarita maybe?) and perhaps a ridiculous Friday 2-4-1 special? They're eating, too, so the food has to be edible - decent tacos al pastor would be nice - but once they've got a couple of spectacular margaritas in them, the food might be an afterthought.
Racine, Wisconsin
I'm with NYtaste on the Douglas Ave DeRango's bandwagon, but I'm biased as a nortsider. Objectively, Wells Bros on Mead St is probably the definitive Racine pizza experience - crisp yet oily and cut in squares as it should be, but in a classic downtrodden trattoria in a suitably tough neighborhood.
For real local flavor, though, you have to get to DeRose's Bar on the near northside at Blake and Kewaunee. Their lake perch dinner - served Weds, Friday and Saturday if memory serves me - is the single best fish fry on the planet. You can get pasta in red sauce, either mostacciolli or spaghetti, instead of french fries, and their oil and vinegar cole slaw alone is worth the modest price you'll pay for the whole meal.
Racine, Wisconsin
Webb's? White Castle? Yeesh! In Racine there are two places for a burger - one is the legendary Kewpee's if you like them fried, and the other is the legendary Yardarm if you want what the late critic Dennis Getto called the best burger in Wisconsin. http://www.kewpee.com/
http://www.foodspot.com/Clients/WI/Racine/YardarmBarGrill/default.aspx?accid=17367
Hayward Wisconsin
A few miles east of Famous Dave's on Hwy B is the Chippewa Inn, where we go for every year for our pre-Birkie protein binge (while everyone else is carbing up). This is your classic supper club with the lounge, the relish tray, the kitschy decor. The added bonus is the German specialties, including one of the best schnitzels I've had.
You might also try the Club 77 - the relish tray includes a cheese fondue, and the steaks were excellent as I remember (but it's been a few years). For lunch, I like the Angry Minnow brewpub in town (perhaps more for the beers than the food, though. And the food is decent). And for breakfast, you gotta get to the Robin's Nest on Hwy B just east of Round Lake. Great omelettes, and the best potato pancakes anywhere. Not cheap, but worth every penny.
http://www.chippewainnsupperclub.com/
http://www.angryminnow.com/
http://www.robinsnest-hayward.com/
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Angry Minnow
10440 Florida Ave, Hayward, WI 54843
Bagels
I would not kick any of these three bagels out of bed, but having been to all 3 places my preference would be:
3. Kaufman's
2. Bagels Forever
1. New York Bagel & Bialy
I love pumpernickel bagels and the caraway in the NY Bagels is the deciding factor. Only had Kaufman's bagels once and they didn't leave a lasting impression.
Looking for Breakfast/Lunch along hwy 63.
Our annual post-Birkebeiner ritual is to stop for breakfast at the Robin's Nest, about 12 miles east of Hayward. It's not just our favorite breakfast in the Northwoods, it's our favorite breakfast just about anywhere. The potato pancakes are a special treat - the best I've ever tasted.
http://www.robinsnest-hayward.com/
October Weekend in Milwaukee
At the risk of getting censored for non-Chow content, let me suggest you check out nearby Kochanski's Concertina Bar if you're into dives and immersing yourself into the essence of Milwaukee. No food there that I'm aware of, other than maybe pickled eggs and candy bars, but the El Rey Grocery Store and its snack bar are 2 blocks away and may still be open post-concert.
Downtown Milwaukee for a week-- recommendations?
For "subsistence," try Real Chili. There's one within about a block at 4th & Wells, and another at 16th & Wells near Marquette U. Jane and Michael Stern extol its virtues as one of the best examples of Green Bay style chili, which is something you won't taste anywhere outside of Wisconsin (to my knowledge). Don't freak out that it's served over spaghetti - this ain't no chili mac.
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Real Chili Restaurant
1625 W Wells St, Milwaukee, WI 53233
Best Restaurants in Northern Michigan and UP?
That's it! Fifteen years later and they changed the name but not the wallpaper in the dining room. I can't vouch for the accomodations, but the fish was the goods. If you do eat there, let me know if anyone remembers the fried Menomonee.
Best Restaurants in Northern Michigan and UP?
I was in Newberry about 15 years ago and ate lunch at the historic Newberry Hotel downtown. I don't know if it's still serving food or even standing, but they served one of the best fish fry dishes I've ever eaten: something called "fried Menomonee", which I've never heard of since and which brings up absolutely nothing in a Google search. Meaty fillets, lightly breaded. Anybody heard of this?
Pickles of the Great Lakes!
I was crushed when Milwaukee Pickles discontinued their Polska Wyrob Ogorka z Koprem. Anybody familiar with them and whether somebody sells something similar in the region? I'd drive a good ways, maybe even all the way to Pittsville, for a pickle this good.
Between Rockford, IL and Steven's Point WI
Can't argue with any of David Z's suggestions, but I'd add a few more. Like the Silver Coach, Christian's Bistro features elcetic Cajun-influenced cuisine. Both are great and very popular; I prefer the Silver Coach but the newer Christian's has gotten rave reviews. It would be smart to make reservations at either place.
For quality casual food in a pub atmosphere I'd add Grafittis on the Square and Mikey's in Plover. They each have more interesting chow than the Hilltop, although the Hilltop is fun in a lot of ways. Best place this weekend, though, is Clancey's Stone Lion just east of Point. Clancey's is celebrating St. Patty's week, and is offering Irish food specials in the most authentic Irish-style pub in town.
Your Great Lakes Restaurant that you would take on a deserted island!'
Silver Coach, Stevens Point, WI.
BTW, now that we've jettisoned those Favre-worshipping, thermal-undies-wearing, Guthrie Theatre-attending, Lutefisk-eating Minnesota Hounds from our board, how will Rick from Point keep up with JFood's third-person reviews? The horrors!
Suggestions for road trip from Twin Cities to Door County ??
There's an insinuation in this thread that between the Cities and Door County lies a vast culinary wasteland, and that's just not true. Granted, you won't find much in towns like Wausau and Green Bay that you can't get in MSP, but to dismiss this region as "uneventful" is to miss out on some unique adventures. As the proverb says, the reward is in the journey, not the destination.
Wausau has recently seen a boom in Mexican restaurants, mostly pretty bland except for the outstanding El Tequila Salsa. You'll find authentic foods like tacos al pastor and chicken in molé verde here along with more familiar fare for the less adventurous. Fun atmosphere, too - airy and bright, usually pretty lively.
Wausau has two brewpubs and I can recommend both. Madison-based Great Dane opened a location here and has a huge, diverse menu with items like African Peaunut Stew and Brats & Mash. Locally-owned Red Eye specializes in funky, wood-oven pizzas with toppings like squash and carmelized onions (no - it was actually really good). Beers at both places are top-notch - but if you're driving, maybe that's not a big draw. Kids aren't out-of-place at either pub, but I don't believe there's anything special for them to do here.
One place the kids will get a kick out of is the Wausau Mine Company, which was constructed to look and feel like a ramshackle mine shaft. The architectural design is really cool - whimsical and inspired - but the food, unfortunately, is less so. Not terrible, just ordinary.
I'm no expert on Green Bay chow - you can find other posts on this board from people who are, however - but I can attest that there is one place, just blocks off of Hwy 29, that is a unique culinary treasure not to be missed: humble Chili John's restaurant, progenitor of one of America's five indigenous varieties of regional chili according to the Jane and Michael Stern. Don't freak out cuz it's served over spaghetti noodles; this sumptuous, oily, spicy, meaty glop is one of a kind. Not everyone's cup of tea, but you haven't lived until you've tried it.
Towns along the way like Menomonie, Chippewa Falls and Shawano I don't know as well, and can't tell you whether these places are "eventful." Maybe some day I'll get off the highway and learn more. Hope your journey is a rewarding one - I know the destination will be. Door County is a great place to visit in June.
Knishes in Milwaukee
Thanks for the suggestions. I didn't know about the Kosher Store, and I'll check it out when I'm in Brewtown over the holidays. Zabar's knishes have a thin crust, but it's an easy drive to Skokie and I'd be willing to give the thicker crust a try if frozen knishes won't do.
Knishes in Milwaukee
Brought back potato and spinach knishes from Zabar's in NYC last month - as many as would fit in my carry-on - but alas! they have all been devoured. Anyone know where I might find a passable knish in Milwaukee?
Quick WI Trip - Door County, Green Bay, Waupaca Updates?
D'oh! The actual name of the last establishment is TW Martin's. Where was my head? Their website is twmartins.com.
Quick WI Trip - Door County, Green Bay, Waupaca Updates?
I don't regard Waupaca as a great chow town, but for vacationland ambience it can't be beat. Simpson's is a good choice for solid supper club fare and a friendly and gregarious bar crowd - weekends, anyway. I'll second the Wheelhouse for good casual dining, and if it's nice out, the deck beneath the red pines is one of the best places to waste an afternoon or evening. One place nobody's mentioned is TW Murphy's downtown, an Irish-themed grotto with a diverse menu and a spectacular choice of microbrews on tap. The host (owner?) is ridiculously friendly and accomodating. Have fun in our neck of the woods, hey, and go Pack!
Weekend in Manitowoc
The Santa Rosa sounds interesting, and it's only a few blocks from our hotel. If it's not on the menu, I'll ask if they can whip up some tacos al pastor or anything mole. Appreciate the tip.
Thanks too for the heads up about Sundays and the Courthouse - it was on my itinerary, but it'll have to be Saturday I guess. Sunday's still up in the air; hoping to do a little better than Friar Tuck's.
Weekend in Manitowoc
Looking for suggestions in Mantwoc; I'll even drive to Trivers if necessary. My wife is in a conference all day Saturday, so I'm by myself. Good pub chow? Weird ethnic joint? Local treasure? I've been to Kurtz's and it's fantastic, but is there someplace else I should try? Sunday we're looking for a sumptuous Wisconsin brunch - any ideas? We like the Alaskan, but it's a little out of the way.
Central Wisconsin, Chowishness in General
Scott, you found the best restaurant in Stevens Point and ordered my favorite dish - although I order it with the blistering-hot Los Alamos sauce, which isn't on the menu. And it shouldn't be, because this is way too hot for all but the freakiest 5% of the nation's top chiliheads. Even on the regular menu, the Silver Coach doesn't bland-down its food to local standards, yet it's continously busy in its, like, 60th year in business. If anyone knows another place as fun or as good in Wausau, or anywhere else in the state north of Madison or west of Green Bay, let me know.
I hope you saved room for dessert and that they were offering the key lime cannoli with raspberry sauce. This is the one dessert I'd order if I was so full that I'd risk the ugly situation at the end of Monty Python's Meaning of Life. It would be worth it.
One Dinner in Duluth (MN)
Pickwick. I would have the lime & garlic pork chop with smashed red potatoes and wash it down with a good German beer on tap. No, two good German beers on tap.
Wisconsin Rapids?
I also highly recommend Jamaican Kitchens. But when I'm in Rapids I almost always end up at Pasquale's Pizza, which has my absolute favorite pizza in Central Wis - great cracker crust, terrific sauce, plenty of cheese without being overwhelming. Bill's in Point and Sam's in Wausau are good, but Pasquale's is best. And good imported beers on tap to boot! And no smoking even at the bar! (There's a separate smoker's bar in the back.)
Pasquale's
2830 8th St S
Wisconsin Rapids, WI
715-421-4743
Any good restaurants right off I-94 between Libertyville, IL and Ocomomowoc, WI?
Leave Libertyville hungry and don't wait until Milwaukee - get off I-94 at Hwy 50 in Kenosha and head north on the east frontage road to Little Europe Schnitzel House. Have the sampler platter if you've never been here before - you'll get their sublime Old Prague Schnitzel, some home-made sausages, spaetzle and red cabbage. Wash it down with a couple of large Koestritzers unless you're driving. If I still lived here, I would be here once a week and alternate between the Old Prague Schnitzel and their sauerbraten.
Manitowoc, WI-MSP
US Highway 10 is a straight shot from the Cities to Manitowoc, and among the places I'd try to hit in towns along the highway are the Norske Nook in Osseo (famous for its pies); two places in Stevens Point: Bernard's for white tablecloth continental cuisine, and the Silver Coach for innovative cajun-inspired food; TW Murphy's in Waupaca for Irish pub fare (among other things); and the Stone Cellar Brewpub in Appleton for its huge, diverse menu in a historic pub setting.
food in St Lukes area MKE
The Royal India, about 2 blocks south on 27th, is my favorite Indian Restaurant in Milwaukee, although others will disagree. I'm pretty sure it has the obligatory lunch buffet.
Kenosha???
Sorry it's too late to help you, Lawn Boy, but if you find your way back to K-town try one of the following: Mangia for 4-star, innovative Italian, Ray Radigan's or the Hob Nob for classic, well-prepared supper club fare, TG's Sports Bar for great food and a friendly, unpretentious crowd, Ron's Place for solid food and a fun bar & grill atmosphere, The Spot for what many claim is the best fast food burger (although I'm more of a Kewpee's guy myself), or go where I go - Little Europe Schnitzel House right on I-94, and have the Old Prague Schnitzel or the sauerbraten. I hope you had a decent trip!
