In the early days of Great Lakes shipping, a young Italian immigrant named Rosa Brochi opened a boarding hours for sailors near the entrance of the Duluth, MN ship canal. She operated her business with the philosophy that every customer would leave feeling they had exemplary customer service. In 1976, entpreneurs Andy Borg and Mickey… Continue reading Duluth, MN – Grandma’s Saloon and Grill Valentine Dinner
Category: Hamburgers
Italian Beef Sandwich – A Chicago Icon
If you’ve walked around Manhattan, you’ve surely seen a pizzeria with some variation of the word “Ray’s” on the sign. The first Ray’s Pizza opened in Greenwich Village in the 50s, the owner eventually opened a second location which he later sold. The new owner retained the name, and subsequent sales and openings have created… Continue reading Italian Beef Sandwich – A Chicago Icon
Cadillac Ranch Review
Cadillac Ranch was spawned a few years ago outside of Washington DC, and is on a fast growth track with five restaurants in the East and one outlet at the Mall of America in suburban Minneapolis. Their aim is to bring great from scratch food in a fun rock and roll atmosphere. The menu features… Continue reading Cadillac Ranch Review
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
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
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
Reminiscing about Kwik Trip Convenience Stores
Sherman, set the wayback machine for 1974, destination LaCrosse, Wisconsin. My first job out of college, I was selling radio advertising for a local AM radio station, WIZM. One of my clients was a small group of convenience stores called “Kwik Trip”, which I believe was part of Gateway Foods Distributors at the time,… Continue reading Reminiscing about Kwik Trip Convenience Stores
Superior, WI – Keyport Lounge Review
On Belknap (“bell-nap”), one of the main drags in Superior, WI, two blocks west of the other main drag, Tower Avenue, you’ll run into one of the area’s largest liquor stores, the Keyport, which has an attached bar and grill of the same name. If you’re driving around looking for it, it’s in the outlot… Continue reading Superior, WI – Keyport Lounge Review
An Open Letter to Restaurants Using Groupon and Similar
As a consumer, I totally get Groupon, Living Social, Amazon Local, and the host of other services like this. I get a good deal (if I ever actually redeem the coupon) (I have a bundle of expired ones), I am (hopefully) introduced to someplace new, and will (hopefully) return again and spend real money. Does… Continue reading An Open Letter to Restaurants Using Groupon and Similar
Duluth, MN – Clearwater Grille Review
Amble up the North Shore of Lake Superior, you’ll be treated to some gorgeous scenery as well as a choice of hot spots for haute. The Clearwater Grille strives to serve ultra tasty food in a casual atmosphere; it’s located in the building locals know as the former “Lakeview Castle.” Boasting a large area for… Continue reading Duluth, MN – Clearwater Grille Review