Wadsworth, IL – Captain Porkys Seafood and BBQ Review

Within spitting distance of the Wisconsin border, on US 41 north of Chicago, Captain Porky’s is one of those delightful gems one hopes to discover but doesn’t run into all that often. A combination restaurant and seafood market, the three Kallianis siblings started the restaurant in 1984, having settled in the suburban Chicago area after… Continue reading Wadsworth, IL – Captain Porkys Seafood and BBQ Review

Black River Falls, WI – Mocha Mouse Review

Toodling up I-94 in Wisconsin, one runs into a raft of cheese chops and cranberry emporiums. About halfway between Madison and Eau Claire sits the burg of Black River Falls, and off the interstate you’ll find the Mocha Mouse, a fairly unique combination of retailer, with a cheese shop, wine, locally made canned goods, gifts,… Continue reading Black River Falls, WI – Mocha Mouse Review

Duluth, MN – Midi Restaurant and Wine Bar Review

The venerable Fitger’s Brewery Complex, in Duluth, Minnesota, dates from the late 1800s, and when beer production ceased a few decades ago, local businessmen saved the series of buildings and turned them into a boutique inn, shops, and restaurants.  The 62 room inn offers great view of Lake Superior, and easy access to downtown, as… Continue reading Duluth, MN – Midi Restaurant and Wine Bar Review

What’s Wrong with Crackle.com

Founded in the early 2000s as “Grouper” the company streams movies, television shows, and some original programming over a wide variety of hardware platforms. Grouper was purchased by Sony Entertainment in 2007 and rebranded as Crackle after the purchase. With Sony’s support, the ‘channel’ has access to a large library of video product from both… Continue reading What’s Wrong with Crackle.com

Amazing Advance in Pizza Boxes

Surely you’ve purchased hot crispy food for take out, gotten home, opened the box, and whatever crispiness was present at the shop has disappeared completely – you have a limp, soggy pizza, or onion rings, or french fries.  This is due to the heat from the food creating steam inside the box and having nowhere… Continue reading Amazing Advance in Pizza Boxes

Hardees Monster Biscuit Review

First opened in Greenville, SC, Hardee’s is a ‘semi-national’ chain, mostly in the Eastern United States, and part of CKE (Carl Karcher Enterprises) which operates Carl’s Jr. in the Western US; the two share some menu items. Hardee’s places a big emphasis on their breakfast menu, and offers a wider variety of choices than most… Continue reading Hardees Monster Biscuit Review

Kettle River Pizza Review

I’ve written often in the past about the plethora of frozen pizza brands manufactured in Minnesota and Wisconsin.  There’s Totinos, Jenos, and Red Baron, Tony’s, Freschetta, Roma, Bellatoria, Brew Pub, Orv’s, Palermo’s, and many others that have reached national and super-regional distribution status.  In addition to these, there are a host of smaller manufacturers which… Continue reading Kettle River Pizza Review

Wendy’s New Look and the Portabella Bacon Melt

The fine folks at Wendy’s suggested I try their new Portabella Bacon Melt, which is a 1/4 pound of their fresh beef, bacon, two slices of American cheese, sliced portabellas, cheddar sauce, on their new brioche bun.  The LTO brioche has replaced the LTO pretzel roll, which was a damned fine bun. The burger is… Continue reading Wendy’s New Look and the Portabella Bacon Melt