| Although I usually write about new restaurants, I wanted to give a shout-out to the oft-overlooked Papa Bear’s BBQ, which resides in a small strip mall on Cottage Grove Road. Madisonians tend to think of places like Smoky Jon’s when asked about barbecue joints, and that’s a shame because they’re missing a gem in Papa Bear’s.
It starts with the ribs. I ordered the full slab ($19 for the meal), which is served with the individual ribs pre-cut. The meat is extremely tender and there’s just the right amount of Papa Bear’s homemade BBQ sauce to enhance the flavor. In my opinion, that sauce is better than anything found at Smoky Jon’s, Fat Jack’s, Famous Dave’s or Brickhouse BBQ. I also loved the corned beef brisket ($7.25 for small; $10 for large). The thin-sliced corned beef (misspelled as “corn beef” on the menu) works well outside its usual home inside two slices of rye bread, though I was tempted to stuff some inside the biscuit. The flavorful pork shoulder ($6.95 for small; $9 for large) was sliced instead of shredded and again served on its own. There was just the right amount of fat on each slice, though that may be a turn-off to some people. I combined bites with the creamy cole slaw, which I also enjoyed. All meals are served with a biscuit and two sides. My only disappointment was the hot links ($5.25 in a sandwich), not because they weren’t tasty but because they weren’t really that spicy hot. Other items on the menu include smoked chicken ($8.25), oven-fried chicken ($8.25) and the Papa Bear Burger ($5). Papa Bear’s BBQ is open Monday-Saturday for lunch and dinner. While there is space inside to dine-in, I would recommend calling ahead and carrying out. |
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Papa Bear’s BBQ
May 13th, 2012
I like processed foods
May 6th, 2012Food processing is just one of those parts of our society that I know about but don’t think about. Really, do I want to know that beaver anal glands (castoreum) is in my vanilla ice cream?
No, all I care about is that because of processed foods, I have more choice and convenience. Think of frozen or canned vegetables. Of course their fresh counterparts taste better, but I don’t have time to go grocery shopping every day, and I also appreciate being able to buy any vegetable year-round instead of in-season only.
The Huffington Post had a story earlier this year titled “Top 10 Reasons to Avoid Processed Foods” but doesn’t make a compelling argument. For example, I’m glad meat is tested for stray wires (#6). And guess what? Processed foods actually can reduce food allergens (#2).
If you’re so against processed foods, just think about what you would eat for breakfast: Cereal? Nope. Toast? Nope. Bacon? Nope. Coffee? Nope. I could go on and on.
So bring on those additives and preservatives! And if I keep damaging my brain cells for learning and memory (#4), then I’ll … um … what were we talking about again?
For more information, check out these articles:
- The Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations
- European Food Information Council
- Wikipedia
- Asian Food Information Centre
Salvatore’s Tomato Pies
April 28th, 2012
Sun Prairie has another dining hit on its hands with Salvatore’s Tomato Pies. It’s a wonderful contrast of simple and complicated (in a good way): the whole menu is almost entirely pizza and only in one size (16″); however, each type of pizza is a masterpiece.
Take, for example, The Fat Uncle Tony ($18.99). It’s topped with smoky premium bacon, homemade sausage and spicy pepperoni. You can really tell the quality of the meat used is high, and it just may be my new favorite pizza–I mean, pie–in town.
Salvatore’s also has weekend specials, and one particular week I got to try the Thai curry pie ($22.50; it’s now on the regular menu as One Night in Bangkok). I enjoyed the ensemble of flavors, from the chicken to the mushrooms to the red onion and more. Helpful hint: order early, since the specials are likely to sell out quickly.
Next on my to-eat list is the plain Tomato Pie (mozzarella, provolone and basil for $14.79), to which I’ll add some prosciutto ($3). I hope they bring back the Duck Goat Pizza, which was a one-time special I heard about after the fact.
You can dine in, as there are some tables inside, but I’d call ahead for carryout. Salvatore’s is open from 4:30-10 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday. According to its website, Salvatore’s hopes to be “open for lunch soon.”
Weird Al’s food songs
April 22nd, 2012Even if it was never “cool” to admit that you like “Weird Al” Yankovic, you have to admit that many of his songs, especially as music videos, were funny. Plus, the man is really talented, able to play guitar and accordion and hit high notes like Bono (see “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me, Kill Me” / “Cavity Search”).
This being a food blog, I have to talk about his food songs. Al tried to limit his albums to having just one food song each (even Kurt Cobain of Nirvana was worried “Smells Like Teen Spirit” would be a food song). Eventually, most of those songs were compiled into “The Food Album.”
My favorite food song is “Fat,” a parody of Michael Jackson’s “Bad.” The song won a Grammy award in 1988; I’ve pasted the video below.
A close second for me is “Theme from Rocky XIII” (“Eye of the Tiger”). It’s got memorable lyrics such as “But he’s no bum, he works down the street / He bought the neighborhood deli / Back on his feet, now he’s choppin’ up meat / Come inside, maybe you’ll hear him say …”
Other “Weird Al” food songs I like are “Lasagna” (“La Bamba”), “Eat It” (“Beat It”) and “Taco Grande” (“Rico Suave”). What are your favorites? Don’t be shy.
Grilled cheese sandwich month
April 15th, 2012Seriously? We need to dedicate a month to celebrating the grilled cheese sandwich? Wikipedia says that Woman’s Day came up with the idea, but the magazine says “someone (somewhere) has proclaimed this popular comfort food worthy of a monthlong celebration.”
In its most ordinary (re: lazy) form, you take two slices of white bread, stick a Kraft single in between and brown both sides in butter. Simple? Yes. Tasty? Sort of.
Admittedly, I had an about-face back in 2006 while watching an episode of “Ham on the Street” on the Food Network. The host had people randomly select bread (e.g. wheat, rye), cheese (e.g. Havarti, brie) and jelly (e.g. apricot, hot pepper) and turn them into a grilled cheese sandwich. Every single person was pleasantly surprised how good their concoction tasted.
I’m in the camp that believes you shouldn’t add things like ham, onions or eggs to a grilled cheese, otherwise it isn’t a grilled cheese. However, I’m willing to let jelly be an ingredient.
Like any dish, grilled cheese sandwiches are better with better ingredients. Since upgrading the individual parts, I’ve come to enjoy the occasional grilled cheese. And of course, I enjoy spicy cheese bread, which is somewhat related.
Hungry? Here are the recipes from “Ham on the Street” as well as the Los Angeles Times’ Test Kitchen.
Jade Mountain Cafe
April 8th, 2012
Before I stepped foot in Jade Mountain Cafe, I was trying to remember when was the last time I had bubble tea, the specialty here. Sadly, it may have been several years ago, when the bubble tea place at the old University Square existed (I never went to Bubble Island at the now-defunct food court).
I’m guessing it won’t be years in between sips again, as the bubble tea at this small cafe not too far from Ella’s Deli is fantastic. You can order from the milk teas (e.g. black, oolong, etc.) or from the iced fruit teas (e.g. peach, mango, etc.). Prices are $2-$2.50 for small, $2.30-$2.80 for medium and $2.50-$3 for large; just add 50 cents for the tapioca or lychee jelly bubbles.
I immensely enjoyed the passion fruit, lychee and red bubble teas, in that order. They’re just so refreshing that I could see myself slurping them on the outdoor patio on a hot summer day. Word of caution: don’t slurp too quickly, or you may choke.
Jade has a full coffee selection as well. There also are a few appetizers, desserts and pastries (provided by Stella’s) on the menu. I had the 10-piece chicken pot stickers ($4.99), which appeared overcooked but actually were quite flavorful. I wouldn’t order the pork steamed bun ($3.25) again, though delicious as the filling was, there was just a tiny bit of it (95 percent bread otherwise).
Jade Mountain Cafe is open every day. You can find parking on the street, or there’s a small parking lot nearby, though the stalls aren’t marked well.
Nonna Rita’s
April 1st, 2012
If you ever have both sweet and salty cravings, then Nonna Rita’s may be the place for you. The small store that boasts empanadas and pastries in its name opened in January in the space formerly occupied by Milio’s not too far from the intersection of East Johnson Street and East Washington Avenue.
I ordered the beef and chicken empanadas ($2.50 each). Instead of frying them, Nonna Rita’s bakes them. The crust was nice and flaky, but I didn’t care for the beef (too much cumin) or the chicken (a bit dry). You also can try taco, ham & cheese, spinach, corn and tuna; one dozen costs $25.
The small pastries are based on traditional Argentine baking techniques and are either topped or filled with dulce de leche (similar to caramel in flavor), a custard-like cream or both. I really enjoyed the dulce de leche–it’s a wonderful alternative to the typical chocolate topped/filled pastries you find at other bakeries.
I also liked both the butter croissant and the “saltier” croissant (as it was described to me). Both have so much flavor that you don’t need to add jam or anything. I paid $7 for a dozen pastries, but I got that as a discount since they were about to close for the day.
The only other item on the menu are the pizzettas ($2.50, $3 or $3.50), personal-sized pizzas that can be topped with pepperoni, heart of palms or tomato basil, for example.
Nonna Rita’s is open Tuesday-Saturday. There’s usually ample street parking right in front. Credit cards are currently not accepted.
Mad Men cocktails
March 25th, 2012After nearly a year-and-a-half without a new episode, “Mad Men” returns for Season 5 tonight. Here’s a list of cocktails you can serve at your viewing party, based on what the characters drink on the show:
| Cocktail | Ingredients | Notes |
| Old Fashioned | Muddle together bitters, Splenda, a splash of club soda and an orange slice. Add ice, brandy, rye or whiskey and top with club soda (optional). Stir. | Don’s drink of choice, and the first drink you see any character consume in the series premiere. |
| Gibson | Fill shaker with ice. Add dry vermouth, shake, then strain out the vermouth. Add three shots of vodka (e.g. Yahara Bay) or gin (e.g. Tanqueray 10), shake. Add two cocktail onions to a chilled martini glass. Pour vodka/gin over the onions. | Roger prefers to drink clear liquids, and in one episode, calls for a “Gibson! Up!” |
| Vodka-Mt. Dew | In a glass, add two parts vodka, three parts Mt. Dew. | The creative staff is figuring out a cocktail using Mt. Dew. Peggy suggests they need three ingredients, as “vodka and Mountain Dew is an emergency.” |
| Vodka Gimlet | In a shaker, add ice, 1 oz. fresh-squeezed lime juice, and 1-2 shots of vodka. Shake and strain into a glass filled with ice. Garnish with a slice of lime. | While Betty Draper usually drinks wine, her cocktail of choice is the gimlet. |
| Sambuca con la Mosca | In a brandy snifter, add 2 shots of sambuca and three coffee beans. | Salvatore Romano explains to a client, “literally, with flies.” |
Wisconsin restaurants on TV
March 18th, 2012I’ve compiled a list of restaurants and bars in Wisconsin that have appeared on national television shows. Admittedly, I’ve only been to a handful of them, but I hope to visit some of these places this year.
Anchor Bar and Grill, Superior, “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” – This was a viewer’s choice, so Guy Fieri didn’t actually go here in person to sample the burgers.
Franks Diner, Kenosha, “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” – Guy Fieri stops by for breakfast and tries the Garbage Plate.
Ian’s Pizza (State Street), Madison, “Bizarre World” – Andrew Zimmern orders slices of Mac and Cheese and Lasagna pizza in his only Madison stop.
Mercado El Rey and Polonez, Milwaukee, “Bizarre World” – The former is a grocery store where Andrew Zimmern ate beef tongue. At Polish restaurant Polonez, Zimmern ate pierogies and duck blood soup.
AJ Bombers and Sobelman’s Pub and Grille, Milwaukee, “Food Wars” – In the battle of best cheeseburger, AJ Bombers was crowned king.
Old German Beer Hall, Milwaukee, “Appetite for Life” – Wearing lederhosen, Andrew Zimmern does the chicken dance with a polka band.
Elegant Farmer, Mukwonago, “Throwdown with Bobby Flay” – Usually Bobby doesn’t leave the New York area, so I was really shocked to see him in Wisconsin to have a pie throwdown.
Martino’s Italian Beef, Benji’s Deli, Red Rock Saloon, Milwaukee, “Man v. Food Nation” – Last year, Adam Richman visited Martino’s for the Italian combo and Benji’s for the Hear-O-Israel sandwich. At Red Rock, he coaches a contestant to take on the Unforgiven Challenge, which is a burger, fries and hot wings in 23 minutes.
Kroll’s West, Curly’s Pub, Champions Sports Bar and Grill, Green Bay, “Man v. Food Nation” – Apparently Adam Richman enjoyed his time in our state, as he also went to Green Bay, where he enjoyed the buttered double cheeseburger and prime rib sandwich at Kroll’s West and the beer brat at Curly’s. At Champions, he coaches two contestants who get one hour to finish a six-pound burger in the Gravedigger Challenge, named after Gilbert Brown.
Solly’s Grille, Bacchus-Bartolotta Restaurant, Milwaukee, “No Reservations” – In his “Heartland” series, Anthony Bourdain learns about the buttery burger at Solly’s and eats, among other things, the beer cheese soup at Bacchus.
The Old Fashioned, Madison, “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” – Troy Johnson raves about the cheese curds at The Old Fashioned as his All-American dish.
St. Patty’s Day in Madison
March 11th, 2012When you think of a city that really celebrate’s St. Patrick’s Day, you think of Madison, right? Even though we’re not at the caliber of a Chicago or a Boston, we have a surprising amount of events. Here are some highlights:
WJJO/Miller Lite .10K Run/Walk: Each year on the Saturday before St. Patty’s Day, 1,200 people “race” from State Street Brats to Brothers Bar. This takes place after they’ve been drinking since 9 a.m. of course. The partying continues throughout the day at Kollege Klub, Wando’s and Whiskey Jack’s.
Shamrock Shuffle: If you want to do a race longer than one block, Saturday’s trot through campus is for you. The 5K/10K run and 2M walk to benefit the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County starts at 10 a.m. at the Overture Center and includes a pre-race concert by the Kissers.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade: I actually had class with Katie O’Phelan, the originator of the annual march around the Capitol Square, now in its 15th year. The parade starts at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, and the grand marshal is Patrick Gallagher of 105.5 Triple M.
Bud Light St. Patrick’s Day Regent Crawl: Bagpipers will lead this bar crawl that starts at 6 p.m. at Stadium Bar and heads east to Buckingham’s. There will of course be specials on Bud and some giveaways, too.
Endless live music and performances: Pick a bar, any bar, and you’ll likely find live entertainment. For example, Erin’s Snug has the Rowdy Prairie Dogs, the Majestic has 80s vs. 90s St. Patty’s Day edition, Club Tavern has Mighty Short Bus and the Overture Center has the Trinity Irish Dancers.
Find more details on some of these events on the MADISON page, and don’t forget to use the “St. Patrick’s Day” search box on the DRINK page. For ideas on where some of the big parties are, watch this video:
