Mike Ditka, ex professional football player, ex NFL coach, has been on a licensing spree lately; in addition to his restaurants, Ditka is now rivaling Donald Trump (including questionable hair) for an expanding product line: wine, steaks, cigars, and now Chicago style foods. I don’t know shit about football; the closest I ever came to… Continue reading Mike Ditkas Italian Beef Review
Mystic Pizza Frozen Review
From the oven of a small town pie shop in Mystic, Connecticut, comes this frozen version which their publicity states is made from the same ingredients and in the same manner as the restaurant pizzas. Many people became aware of this pizzeria from the Julia Roberts vehicle, “Mystic Pizza.” The pies have been available in… Continue reading Mystic Pizza Frozen Review
Bellatoria Ultra Thin Pizza Review
One of the brands from Minnesota pizza manufacturer Bernatellos, the Bellatoria Ultra Thin Sausage Italia promises “Italian sausage is piled on top of Mozzarella, Asiago, and Parmesan cheese with a rich Italian sauce on a crispy Ultra Thin Crust.” A friend of mine had tried this and described the sauce has being “slightly off.” That wasn’t my experience, but… Continue reading Bellatoria Ultra Thin Pizza Review
Johnsonville Polish Kielbasa Review
A derivative of a Polish word, “kielbasa” refers in certain parts of Europe as a particular type of sausage, while in the U.S., it has come to be indicative of what most Americans refer to as “Polish Sausage,” a pork and garlic concoction generally in a natural casing. Johnsonville’s version is pure pork, with flavorings,… Continue reading Johnsonville Polish Kielbasa Review
Parkview Beef Wieners Review
I have written about Parkview brand before, the in-house mark for processed meats at the discount grocer Aldi. These hot dogs are produced at a plant in Albert Lea, Minnesota, which was previously owned by Minnesota old-timey brand Schweigert’s, who make the official hot dog of the Minnesota Twins ( nearly 600,000 sold at the… Continue reading Parkview Beef Wieners Review
Fulton Beer Minneapolis
Just a couple years ago, Fulton Beer was a gleam in the eyes of some young Minneapolis entrepreneurs, playing with home brew in their garage; today, they are in the midst of a major expansion, building their second brewery in Minneapolis while successfully operating their first brewhouse and tap room in downtown. Fulton is on… Continue reading Fulton Beer Minneapolis
Duluth, MN – Restaurant 301 Review
A few years back, a newly built luxe hotel went up in Duluth, a mid-rise Sheraton at the eastern end of downtown. It’s across 3rd Avenue from the former Hotel Duluth, which opened with 500 rooms in 1925. The lobby and dining rooms were very ornate, heavily decorated in a Moorish style. While Duluth has many… Continue reading Duluth, MN – Restaurant 301 Review
Sweet and Savory Fried Chicken Recipe
As you can probably surmise, I’m always screwing around in the kitchen, looking for a different way to do prepare something. Today I stumbled onto a method that I think is good enough to share. Someone gave me a canister of “honey wheat” pretzels, which ordinarily I wouldn’t think of buying or consuming, I generally… Continue reading Sweet and Savory Fried Chicken Recipe
Parkview Cocktail Sausages Review
I love cocktail sausages; not if they are swimming in barbecue sauce in a chafing dish mind you, but as a breakfast meat, or an anytime, low carb snack. Most brands are generally smoked, so if you’re inclined, you could eat them right out of the package. For me, I prefer them a little crispy,… Continue reading Parkview Cocktail Sausages Review
Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups Review
I don’t think I have ever reviewed a candy bar. But there has been so much advance marketing for Butterfinger’s new product, I felt compelled (that’s what is supposed to happen, right?) to give it a whirl. I admire the candy companies, which seem to be taking a lead from Taco Bell (in my opinion).… Continue reading Butterfinger Peanut Butter Cups Review