Minong, Wi – Jack Links Beef Jerky Outlet Store

We used to drive down US 53 out of Superior Wisconsin for winter family ski trips to Telemark resort, or some jaunts to various Wisconsin lakes.   At the time, Minong, about 30 miles south, was a one horse town with a car dealer, grocery, gas station, and a small butcher shop and cattle pen called… Continue reading Minong, Wi – Jack Links Beef Jerky Outlet Store

Arcadia, WI – Detox Bar and Grill

Winding our way through the backwoods of Wisconsin, back and around my old stomping ground of LaCrosse, where I had my first job after college.  Cruising up US 53 north out of LaCrosse, and feeling a might puckish as the noon hour was approaching.   We had passed through Sparta, WI, earlier, home of F.A.S.T. Enterprises,… Continue reading Arcadia, WI – Detox Bar and Grill

Elgin, IL – Prime Burgerhouse

Prime BurgerHouse is one of the restaurants inside the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin, IL. It’s my recollection the Grand Vic was one of the original casinos in Illinois, back when they were limited to being on water and having to take small cruises multiple times a day, during which time gamblers could play. Those… Continue reading Elgin, IL – Prime Burgerhouse

Palermo’s Classic Frozen Pizza

If the frozen pizza industry has “class” or “segment” descriptions (like ‘value line’, ‘premium line’, ‘gourmet’), I’m not aware of it.  Of course there are all manners of self-descriptive phrases used for marketing, whether it’s “pizzeria style” or “rising crust”.  “Classic” has come to mean, by and large, I believe, the look, shape, feel, and… Continue reading Palermo’s Classic Frozen Pizza

Cher-Make Natural Casing Wieners

1928, Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and Emil Chermak had a bunch of old world sausage recipes which he decided to share with this friends and neighbors.   80 some years later, Cher-Make is a good sized producer and supplier of smoked and fresh  sausages in the Upper Midwest. With a wide variety of summer sausages, ring bologna and wieners, … Continue reading Cher-Make Natural Casing Wieners

All You Can Eat Pizza Benefit – Chicago Area

The 29th annual “Pizza Blast” to raise money for the Quentin Road Christian School, Lake  Zurich, IL, is scheduled this year for April 19 -20th, 4p – 8p.  Children are $3, adults $5.   At the Quentin Road Bible Baptist Church, in Lake Zurich, IL. Great pizza, a good cause.  Please attend. Map.  

Cary, IL – Bambino’s Beef

Just like in the Pacific Northwest where you’ll see innumerable small restaurants with the word “Teriyaki” on them, in Chicagoland, you’re apt to see countless outlets with the word “Beef”, which is a reference to “Italian Beef”,  thin sliced, slow-simmered, seasoned roast beef served on a roll.   Make it a “combo” and they add an… Continue reading Cary, IL – Bambino’s Beef

Barbies Primo Burgers Review, Mojave, CA

(From our travel archives) Saw a billboard for this place, and as it was the right time of day, pulled into Mojave (pop. 3763) to give it a try.  Mojave is an interesting place.  Middle of nowhere, far north end of Edwards Air Force Base, and home to one of America’s parking lots for misfit… Continue reading Barbies Primo Burgers Review, Mojave, CA

Hyde Park on the Hudson – A Movie About Hot Dogs

I don’t usually write about movies, but when a feature comes along that so clearly demonstrates the importance of hot dogs, I feel compelled to opine. “Hyde Park on the Hudson” is the story of King George and Queen Elizabeth’s visit to President Roosevelt’s summer White House on the eve of the outbreak of World… Continue reading Hyde Park on the Hudson – A Movie About Hot Dogs