Whereas some State Fairs focus on the agricultural aspects of a state, displaying animals and farm implements galore, the Wisconsin State Fair seems to exist solely for mile after mile of food stands for the pleasure of roaming cheese heads. You’ll get no complaint from me. Sure, there were the usual animal farms, cows, sheep,… Continue reading Wisconsin State Fair Food Stand Pictorial
Home Cookin’ – Greenridge Farm’s Black Jack Sausage (New Product)
I spotted these a couple weeks ago, but didn’t pick any up until yesterday. They are a premium sausage, clocking in at about a buck each, and their dark color and a natural casing were the draw for me. These are apparently so new that they aren’t described on the manufacturer’s website, a suburban Chicago… Continue reading Home Cookin’ – Greenridge Farm’s Black Jack Sausage (New Product)
Global Fast Casual Chain – Chili’s
The first Chili’s opened in Dallas, TX in 1975, and after a short run and a sale to Norman Brinker, a former executive of the restaurant division of Pillsbury, who used it as the foundation to build a global restaurant company. There are 1400 Chili’s worldwide, and while most are in North America, there are… Continue reading Global Fast Casual Chain – Chili’s
Screamin Sicilian Frozen Pizza (new product)
The Screamin’ Sicilian is so new, even the website ain’t working yet. It’s so new, that even a Google or Bing search of the terms brings you nowhere figuring out what the deal on this pie is. (2014 Update: site and search now operable). There’s a clue on the box, though, this new effort springs… Continue reading Screamin Sicilian Frozen Pizza (new product)
Woodman’s Foods – Wisconsin and Illinois Grocery Stores
If there’s one thing that will get me into any business, it’s the phrase “employee owned.” Especially grocery stores. There’s a chain near my west coast digs, “Winco”, that’s employee owned. I like shopping there because they cater (it seems) to a budget conscious grocery shopper, but also have a selection of hard to find… Continue reading Woodman’s Foods – Wisconsin and Illinois Grocery Stores
Advance News on a Bite of Oregon
Celebrating its 30th year, a Bite of Oregon, the state’s largest culinary event, is slated for August 9-11th this year, and will feature several new events. The Oregon Craft Beer Gardens will have two locations, at either end of the best, and feature fifteen different local brewers serving about thirty different kinds of beer. As… Continue reading Advance News on a Bite of Oregon
Chicago, IL – Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ
Heading over there Wednesday nite, will let you know what I find. I didn’t know this was a Chicago company, or that the sauce of the same name was created by some local guys. Curious note on the SBR’s menu, that some of the dishes have “Louisiana” names, and ‘cue isn’t a big thing in… Continue reading Chicago, IL – Sweet Baby Ray’s BBQ
Home Cookin’ – Old Wisconsin Wieners
I had previously tried and noted my thoughts on Old Wisconsin Brand Polish Sausage, and I thought I’d give their weenies a whirl. I’m glad I did. This is a great dog, made with pork, beef, and less than 2% of all that other stuff. They come 14 to a package at around $7. This… Continue reading Home Cookin’ – Old Wisconsin Wieners
Barrington, IL – Wool Street Sports Bar and Grill
Normal Rockwell lives in Barrington. Or at least I thought he did when I picked it as the town to raise my family and keep them safe. Seems it worked. A quiet burg an hour by car or train from downtown Chicago, Barrington has been around since the 1850s. Today it’s a cute little village… Continue reading Barrington, IL – Wool Street Sports Bar and Grill
Home Cookin’ – Vito and Nicks II Frozen Pizza
Last in a series of testing out the various local brands of frozen pizza in Chicago. Vito and Nicks II is an offshoot of a 70 year old business, that started as Vito’s Tavern on the far south side of Chicago. They toiled hard, added a few food items, and son Nick joined Vito Barraco… Continue reading Home Cookin’ – Vito and Nicks II Frozen Pizza