Archive for the ‘Restaurant and Bar Reviews’ Category

Dahmen’s at Hawks Landing

Sunday, October 2nd, 2016

20160930_173613There’s really not much beyond housing surrounding Hawks Landing Golf Club, so you have to make a special trip if you’re going to eat at Dahmen’s at Hawks Landing. In fact, the vast majority of diners appear to be either nearby residents or members of the club.

But now, with the recent closing of Dahmen’s Pizza Place, it’s worth a trip to get that delicious thin-crust pizza.

One you may want to try is the gyro pizza ($13 small, $15 medium, $18 large) because it truly resembles a gyro. It comes with a generous portion of lamb and just the right amounts of onion, cucumber and tomatoes, plus there’s a nice, slight char to the bottom of the pizza.

Other pizzas on my hit list include the volcano pizza (includes jalapenos and crushed red peppers) and the chicken bacon ranch pizza. You may also build your own pizza, and Dahmen’s offers an extensive list of toppings.

20160930_173557Dahmen’s Famous Breadsticks ($4) are warm and fluffy, with a very mild garlic flavor. The marinara sauce needed to be thawed more–it was served as a solid block. Still, they’re a nice way to start the meal. The other apps, such as wings and nachos–are what you expect at a clubhouse restaurant.

Speaking of garlic, there’s SO much of it on the Bunker burger ($10) that I couldn’t discern the grilled patty, sauteed onions, aioli or cream cheese on the toasted bun. Consider this your warning if you can’t handle garlic.

Next time I’ll get the Eggstraordinary burger ($9), which has a safe combination of eggs, bacon and cheese. Either that or I’ll go for the fried lake perch ($14) during a Friday fish fry.

Dahmen’s at Hawks Landing is open every day for lunch and dinner.

Dahmen's at Hawks Landing Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Billy Goat Tavern

Sunday, September 25th, 2016

20160921_174338I had a chance recently to eat at the original Billy Goat Tavern in Chicago.

If you’re not familiar with the legend, many years ago the owner wasn’t allowed to bring his goat into Wrigley Field and stated “the Cubs will never win a World Series so long as the goat is not allowed in Wrigley Field.”

To find it, head south on Michigan Avenue just past Illinois Street, and then head downstairs to the underground portion of the street. I would never think to go down there unless I knew the restaurant was there. It’s such a contrast from the busy, bright world above it.

By the way, the Billy Goat Tavern was lampooned in a 1978 “Saturday Night Live” skit. It’s odd that in the skit they say, “No Coke, Pepsi,” while the restaurant has it in reverse.

 

For the most part, I did eat the meal in the skit. Instead of a cheezborger (“The Original”) I had a double cheezborger (“The Best,” $5.35). I was wondering why it was fairly inexpensive (for Chicago), and then I realized it’s because the two patties were paper-thin (at least they only took a minute to cook on the griddle). Worse, the patties were swallowed inside a massive bun, which meant all I tasted was bun.

20160921_172326My choice of cheeps (chips) was the Vitner’s barbeque, and I had a tiny whiskey-Diet Coke ($6). Oddly, the cashier where you order food took credit cards, but the bar takes cash only. Speaking of the bar, it’s pretty robust, and it seems like many people come here just to drink.

The rest of the menu includes hot sandwiches (e.g. ribeye steak, grilled cheese), egg sandwiches and breakfast.

Besides the original restaurant, Billy Goat tavern has five other locations in the city, plus one in O’Hare and two others outside Chicago.

Billy Goat Tavern Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Lupe’s Taqueria

Sunday, September 18th, 2016

20160915_113834Lupe’s Taqueria opened in May in the Middleton Hills Center. It’s a tiny restaurant that serves simple but for the most part tasty Mexican staples, meaning that it needs to make a few improvements here and there.

Get in line and build your entree. Burritos, tostadas, quesadillas, nachos and salad bowls are $7.25, tortas are $8.25 and tacos (corn or flour tortillas) are $2.25.

For meats, choose from shredded chicken, chorizo, picadillo, roasted pork and beef. Toppings consist of Mexican rice, black beans, pinto beans, cilantro, onion, tomatoes, shredded lettuce, pico de gallo, diced jalapeño and cojito cheese.

The pork in my burrito was tender but a little bland. Fortunately, it was helped by the mild green sauce. The jalapeños added no discernible heat, probably because they were overly diced. Overall I would say the burrito was fine but certainly not satisfying.

Just the opposite, the diced beef in my taco was slightly tough (overcooked) but flavorful, and the hot sauce was actually hot. Meanwhile, the corn tortillas were under-heated, which partially ruined the taco.

If you work or live in the area, Lupe’s is not a bad destination for Mexican food, but otherwise there’s nothing on the menu that would draw me away from other taquerias in town.

Lupe’s Taqueria is open every day for lunch and dinner. For some reason, the restaurant has added team trivia on Thursdays.

Lupe's Taqueria Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

    Madison Symphony Orchestra Urban Air

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