I like stumbling across (still) prosperous small towns. 30 miles east of Rockford, IL, and 40 miles west of Chicago’s O’Hare airport, you’ll find the burg of Marengo, established in the mid 1800s as a regional commerce center for the surrounding farmers. Original industries included a flour mill, carriage factory, and a quarry. A lot… Continue reading The Spot Review, Marengo, IL
Category: Hamburgers
Thorntons Gas Station Food Review, Part 3
This is my third look at the hot food side of Thornton’s gas stations, a medium size chain in the South and Midwest. I previously looked at their pizza and breakfast biscuit. My “beef” with all this food is primarily its value proposition, as well as the manner in which its preparation is marketed (previously discussed).… Continue reading Thorntons Gas Station Food Review, Part 3
Busy Burger Review, Chicago, IL
Americans have been in love with burgers arguably since the first fast food chain (White Castle) launched in the 1920s, but the current infatuation is thought to have come to the forefront around 2011. There are several theories as to why the burger business amped up at that point in time, but many feel it… Continue reading Busy Burger Review, Chicago, IL
5-8 Club Juicy Lucy Review
Minnesota claims to be the birthplace of the “Jucy Lucy” (sic), two burger patties smashed together stuffed with blistering hot melty cheese in the middle. Beyond being identified as an official state food, the actual ‘birthplace’ is subject to dispute, with two different bars on the bar south side of Minneapolis claiming to have originated… Continue reading 5-8 Club Juicy Lucy Review
New Mexico – Green Chili Cheeseburgers Review
New Mexico’s ubiquitous burger is the Green Chili Cheese variety. It’s everywhere, as green chilis are a mainstay of New Mexico’s agricultural crop. Extending past burgers, you can find green chilis on just about every type of food you can imagine. Blake’s Lotaburger is a New Mexican burger chain, which, like the green chili, appears… Continue reading New Mexico – Green Chili Cheeseburgers Review
Culvers Walleye Sandwich Review
I try and say something positive in every review I post. Even if something went wrong, or I don’t like something, I still try and remember to say “while this isn’t to my preference, you may enjoy it.” Such is the case at Culver’s today, “Home of the Butterburger,” a Wisconsin-based regional burger and custard… Continue reading Culvers Walleye Sandwich Review
Dog n Suds
From humble beginnings in Champaign, IL, in 1953, Dog n Suds grew to be one of the formidable fast food chains in the early 60s, peaking at over 600 locations in more than 30 states. The restaurant featured drive-up service, coney island style hot dogs, and ‘charco-broiled’ burgers. A series of events, a couple of… Continue reading Dog n Suds
Parkers Restaurant and Bar Review, LaGrange, IL
Your dilemma, searching for this restaurant online, is that it is known, for some peculiar reason, by different names. The name on the building is Parkers’ Restaurant and Bar. The domain name for their website is “ParkersAmerican.” On different sites around the web, you’ll see a reference to “Parker’s Ocean Grill.” I’m confused and I… Continue reading Parkers Restaurant and Bar Review, LaGrange, IL
Dennys Review Update
I’ve had some pretty dreadful meals at Dennys; usually I have dined there as a matter of geographical convenience, and such was the case recently in downstate Illinois, waiting for a prescription to come through at WalMart. They were incredibly busy, and while we were seated promptly, service fell apart after that, with the first… Continue reading Dennys Review Update
Wendys Gouda Bacon Cheeseburger Review
Years ago, I was somewhat of a regular at Wendys; I was especially hot for them during the period they had the burger fixin’s bar along with salad, pasta, and tacos, I think. The “Superbar” it was called, and I found a TV commercial for it. In recent years, I’ve only stopped in when they’ve… Continue reading Wendys Gouda Bacon Cheeseburger Review