Big Timber, MT – Country Skillet

Montana has no shortage of casino/gas stations, and each one seems to have a diner attached. One I stopped at was in the small burg of Big Timber. It was high noon on a weekday, and the cafe had more workers than customers. My fellow diners included one senior couple, two elderly levels, and two… Continue reading Big Timber, MT – Country Skillet

Duluth, MN – Big Daddy’s Burgers

One has to admire start-up mom & pop diners in these days of big chain saturation. Big Daddy’s has stirred up a big storm with their quality burgers and hand-cut fries. Not only can you eat well, but if you polish off their 3# + burger, they’ll name it after you. Many have tried, all… Continue reading Duluth, MN – Big Daddy’s Burgers

Duluth, MN – Sammy’s Pizza

Sam Parella started Sammy’s Pizza on Minnesota’s Iron Range over 50 years ago. Today, Sammy’s locations are scattered across the Upper Midwest, and although each restaurant is independent, they are all owned by a relative of Sam or his best friend Nick Jerulle. You’ll find no fancy artisan crusts, or fusion ingredients here. Sammy’s is… Continue reading Duluth, MN – Sammy’s Pizza

Tomah, WI – Kwik Trip Truckstop

What better place to get a burger at 2:30AM? What better place that you can still have a cigarette smoldering in the ash tray in front of you, next to a cup of joe? This truckstop, where the I divides in Wisconsin (see several previous posts about this town), serves a mean burger day or… Continue reading Tomah, WI – Kwik Trip Truckstop

St. Paul, MN – Cecil’s Deli

What’s this BurgerDogBoy, a blip about a regular old sandwich? Well, you know my philosophy, if it’s meat between bread, it’s a burger in disguise! Cecil’s has been around a half-century or so in the Highland Park neighborhood of St. Paul. I probably first walked in there 35 years ago, and it hasn’t changed, thank… Continue reading St. Paul, MN – Cecil’s Deli

Tomah, WI – Culvers for Cheese Curds

I’ve written about Tomah before (where the “I” divides!) and also about Culver’s, home of the Butter Burger. But what if you just want a small plate, can Culver’s fit the bill? Hell yes, check out their deep fried real Wisconsin Cheese Curds. Can’t beat it for a fast, hot, healthy (cough) snack. I love… Continue reading Tomah, WI – Culvers for Cheese Curds

Minneapolis, MN – The Original Slider

There’s a gaggle of White Castles in the Twin Cities, and the one on Lake Street is one of the original locations (altho the building has been rebuilt). I think I have a different definition of “dives” than many people. I think a place doesn’t qualify as a dive unless it’s in a neighborhood you… Continue reading Minneapolis, MN – The Original Slider

Upper Midwest – Caseys General Store

Starting with a single Iowa location in the 50s, Casey’s has grown to nearly 1500 stores. I’ve seen many of them in very small burgs, where they were the only commercial business, a lifeline to the community for groceries, gas, pizza, and baked goods. Pizzas are prepared on site, and I’ve been eating their slices… Continue reading Upper Midwest – Caseys General Store