Van de Kamp Crispy Haddock Filets Review “TV dinners” (frozen, pre-cooked, heat and eat meals) have been around for more than 70 years. In all that time, very few manufacturers seems to have mastered having fried food emerge from the oven or microwave with any semblance of “crispiness.” Why is that? Van de Kamp’s brand… Continue reading Van de Kamp Crispy Haddock Filets Review
Johnsonville Italian Meatballs Review
Johnsonville Italian Meatballs Review My Johnsonville Italian Meatballs Review – they are pre-cooked and run about $6 for 28. That’s very competitive pricing. They are pretty flavorful for a mass-market product. Maybe Johnsonville could come up with a “sweet” and “hot” version like Italian sausage? I heated them in my own sauce and served… Continue reading Johnsonville Italian Meatballs Review
BBQ King Smokehouse Review – Huntley, IL
BBQ King Smokehouse Review A friend wanted to check this place out, had never had brisket before and wanted to see what all the hubbub was about. So we drove out to the Huntley edition of the BBQ King Smokehouse, we could have opted for his other location, in Woodstock IL, as well. This… Continue reading BBQ King Smokehouse Review – Huntley, IL
Wendys Pretzel Burger Review
Wendys Pretzel Burger Review I haven’t been in a Wendy’s in years, but their new offering, the Pretzel Pub Bacon Cheeseburger caught my eye. I like bacon. And cheese. And pretzels. How bad can it be? The “official” ingredient list: Fresh, never-frozen beef, warm beer cheese sauce, Applewood smoked bacon, smoky honey mustard, crispy fried… Continue reading Wendys Pretzel Burger Review
Petes Hamburger Stand Review
My Petes Hamburger Stand Review. For over 100 years, 112 to be exact as of this year, Pete’s Hamburger Stand has been opening Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, summers only, to sell their unique hamburgers to a hungry public. Why unique? Because they are BOILED. But in the interest of accurately, I think “simmered” (in water)… Continue reading Petes Hamburger Stand Review
Golden Dome Cafe Review – Fairfield, Iowa
Back in the “before times” I was making one of my annual treks through Iowa, and the route took me thru Fairfield, population 10,000 and home to Maharishi International University (MIU), is a private university in Fairfield, Iowa. It was founded in 1973 by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi and features a “consciousness-based education” system that includes the practice of… Continue reading Golden Dome Cafe Review – Fairfield, Iowa
Asadoras Argentinas Burgers Review – Oswego, IL
My Asadoras Argentinas Burgers Review comes with a spoiler. It’s terrific! I’ve had a great deal of satisfaction lately in exploring unique restaurants in small towns in the Upper Midwest. You stumble on to them and are almost tempted to say “what the heck is that doing here?” Such was the case in Oswego, IL,… Continue reading Asadoras Argentinas Burgers Review – Oswego, IL
Smokin Coop BBQ Review
Smokin Coop BBQ Review Smokin Coop BBQ Review Belvidere Illinois. Out in the West Texas town of El Paso, I……wait. Never mind. On a country road between Chicago and Rockford, IL, there’s a guy doing BBQ every summer, Mon-Sat, lunch, and dinner. Completely “al fresco” there are picnic tables and chairs scattered under the trees… Continue reading Smokin Coop BBQ Review
Taylor Maid-Rite Review Marshalltown
Taylor Maid-Rite Review Marshalltown “Maid-Rite” restaurants started as a single outlet in Muscatine, Iowa, in 1926. For those unfamiliar with the term, the “Maid-Rite” is a loose meat sandwich, cooked on a steam table with onions, mustard, and “secret seasonings,” piled on a steamed bun with mustard and pickles. Locations come and go, but as… Continue reading Taylor Maid-Rite Review Marshalltown
Sicilia Italian Bakery Chicago Review
In this neighborhood that I have written about before, with great businesses like The Original Nottoli & Son, Italian-centric merchants flourish. One is the Sicilia Bakery, which sells all kinds of delicious goodies as you’ve never imagined, creative takes on the traditional Italian cannoli, plus cookies, Italian ices, coffee, a multitude of breads, and sandwiches.… Continue reading Sicilia Italian Bakery Chicago Review