Pink Heifer

Pink Heifer BBQ Saloon

After opening in Monticello a few years ago, Pink Heifer BBQ Saloon expanded to State Street this year. However, the new location doesn't have the full menu, full bar, ample dining space and charm of a historic building as the ...
Crazylegs race

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Beach Cocktails

Beach Cocktails: Pours, Drinks, Sips, and Bites

I recently vacationed in the U.S. Virgin Islands and enjoyed drinking fun, fruity cocktails throughout the week. Thus, I was happy to accept an offer to review Beach Cocktails: Pours, Drinks, Sips, and Bites ($21.99, Gibbs Smith), edited by Allyson ...
Midwest Horse Fair

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Treads

June 5th, 2016

MT Treads opened last October in Verona only to close a month later. The restaurant that took the space that held Michael’s Frozen Custard for 20 years reopened in February as Treads.

It’s got a 50s feel with the decor, but I would classify this as a bar over a restaurant. That’s because of the limited amount of tables inside (lots outside in the patio, though) and the townie-bar games such as pull tabs and dice. Each bar seat faces at least two TVs.

A diner-like menu: Treads features melts, burgers, wraps and breakfast items. It also has a fish fry on Fridays and ribeye (not prime rib) on Saturdays.

  • The SuperBird melt ($8.99) is grilled or crispy chicken topped with bacon and cheddar cheese on a ciabatta bun, for some reason. The crispy chicken had thick breading that is well-seasoned–one or two bites reminded me of KFC original recipe–meaning you don’t have to use the side of ranch (although it adds a nice touch).
  • The Cadillac burger ($8.99) is topped with ham, bacon, onion, cheese and a fried egg. Despite the egg being cooked over-hard instead of over-easy as requested, I enjoyed the ensemble of breakfast items on the fresh beef patty.
  • The clam chowder ($2.95 cup, $3.99 bowl), which is served on Fridays, was surprisingly dense and a little on the salty side, but it was still enjoyable, especially for its unique flavor. I actually wanted the chili ($3.99 cup, $4.99 bowl), which on the menu says it is supposed to be served “everyday [sic],” except it’s not offered on Fridays.

Bar appetizers, too: Since Treads is a bar and not a diner, you’ll find the expected wings, nachos and mozzarella sticks.

  • The cheese curds ($7.99 or $1.50 as a side) are the kind that are super greasy with very little cheese yet are still so tasty.
  • The onion rings ($3.99 half, $4.99 full or $1.50 as a side) were fairly standard.

Treads is open for lunch and dinner every day and breakfast Friday-Sunday.

Treads Bar and Grill Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Memorial Day dining and events 2016

May 26th, 2016

This is a re-post and has been updated for 2016.

I love Memorial Day because to me, it signals the start of summer here in the Midwest. If you plan on heading out of town, here are some events, restaurants and bars within a two-hour drive that I suggest checking out:

Lake Geneva area

  • I’ve enjoyed the all-you-can-eat fish fry at Popeye’s On Lake Geneva. Champs Sports Bar and Grill and Hogs & Kisses are some fun places to grab a drink or watch the game. You can find excellent steaks and fine dining at Geneva Chophouse (which is exponentially better than its sister restaurant, Capitol Chophouse) at Grand Geneva Resort.
  • On the other side of the lake is Fontana, which features the Abbey Resort. If you’re looking for a spa, the on-site Avani Spa is definitely the place to go (you may not want to leave!).
  • Not too far from Lake Geneva is Burlington, home of the annual ChocolateFest (Friday-Monday), complete with live music (including Pat McCurdy), chocolate and wine pairings and a chocolate eating contest. It’s a fun event, but I really mean this: there needs to be more chocolate! For example, most of the food vendors don’t sell chocolate.
  • The Lake Lawn Resort in Delavan is a step back in time (very 1950s/60s-esque). Its annual Lakeside Lawn Party and Pig Roast will take place on Sunday.

Galena, Ill.

Kohler/Elkhart Lake

  • Unfortunately, the annual Kohler Festival of Beer moved from May to April. However, the Midwest’s only AAA Five-Diamond Resort, the American Club, is hosting “Shake and Stir Saturdays” this month in which participants make three craft cocktails.
  • Speaking of the American Club, the Horse & Plow is a pub and grill in the same complex that’s open to the public. Sorta has a Boston feel to it.
  • The Osthoff Resort, which will be wedding central this weekend, has its own set of restaurants, but there are plenty of other choices nearby. Enjoy the contemporary feel of Siebkens Resort or the laid-back atmosphere of Barefoot Bay Tiki Bar.

Green Lake

  • If you haven’t been, Green Lake is like Lake Geneva but without the constant gridlock. The place to stay is the Heidel House, which sports a fancy restaurant called Grey Rock and a big bar with live music and outdoor seating called the Boathouse Pub.
  • A fun bar–and basically one of the few in Green Lake–is the Goose Blind. Make sure to try the brick oven pizza.
  • Take a quick, 20-minute trip over to Ripon, where you will find delicious fare at J’s BBQ. The brisket is incredibly tender.

Have a great weekend!

Comparing value meals

May 22nd, 2016

This year has become the year in which you can eat very cheaply at fast food restaurants, as several of them have enhanced their value meal offerings. Let’s take a look at each of them. You’ll see that KFC offers the most choices (five), while Hardee’s offers the most calories for each dollar you spend.

DQ: $5 Buck lunch

  • What you get: Regular order of fries, medium drink and small sundae, along with either two crispy chicken wraps, three chicken strips or a deluxe cheeseburger.
  • Calories: 290 (fries) + 300 (sundae) + 650 (wraps) or 360 (strips) or 460 (burger) = 1,240 or 950 or  1,050.
  • Calories per dollar: 190 to 248

Wendy’s: 4 for $4

  • What you get: Four-piece chicken nuggets, small fries and small drink, along with either a Jr. Bacon Cheeseburger or Crispy Chicken BLT
  • Calories: 180 (nuggets) + 320 (fries) + 390 (Jr.) or 440 (chicken) = 890 or 940
  • Calories per dollar: 222.5 to 235

KFC: $5 Fill ups

  • What you get (excluding the pot pie and Famous Bowl versions): Cookie, biscuit, “larger” mashed potatoes and medium drink, along with either three chicken tenders, chicken breast, or drumstick and thigh
  • Calories: 170 (cookie) + 180 (biscuit) + 150 (estimate for “larger” mashed potatoes) + 410 (tenders)  or 320 (Original Recipe breast) or 420 (Original Recipe drumstick and thigh) = 910 or 820 or 920
  • Calories per dollar: 164 to 184

Burger King: 5 for $4

  • What you get: Cookie, four-piece chicken nuggets, small fries, small drink and bacon cheeseburger
  • Calories: 160 (cookie) + 190 (nuggets) + 340 (fries) + 290 (burger) = 980
  • Calories per dollar: 245

Hardee’s (Carl’s Jr.): $4 Real Deal

  • What you get: Small fries, 16-oz. drink, spicy chicken sandwich and double cheeseburger
  • Calories: 300 (fries) + 490 (chicken) + 850 (estimate for burger) = 1,640
  • Calories per dollar: 410

Note: McDonald’s just ended its McPick 2 (was two for $2, then became two for $5).

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