Category Archives: thick

April 14, 2009 · 12:05 am

Burger Baron

In an ongoing effort to try to pay more attention to details around me, I continue to wonder about places I pass on an almost daily basis. Like Burger Baron. It’s one of those breakfast, lunch, dinner, salad, gyro, burgers (duh), chicken, hot dogs, “beefs” places that seems too good to be true, yet I have never ventured inside. Easily mistaken for Burger Barn, the Baron is never empty, so someone’s eating there. If you actually have, give me the scoop. In the meantime, I do like how their Web site tells you to “have fun,” but the highly random music reminiscent of Enigma circa 1997? Um. Yeah, you’re going to want to turn down your speakers. Burger Baron, 1387 W. Grand Ave., 312.733.3285

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Filed under ..and more, quick lunch, random spottings, thick

April 13, 2009 · 12:05 am

Mars Cheese Castle

The sun shines over the Mars Cheese Castle sign, an I-94 landmark

How many times do you have to drive past the Mars Cheese Castle in Kenosha, WI before you finally venture in? I had stopped into the haven for all things Wisconsin (from cheese to beef jerky to stuffed cow kitsch) once in high school, but not again until this past weekend. It’s looks like a poor man’s Medieval Times marred by a slew of random, mismatched signs (namely the massive one everyone notices from the I-94) on the outside. Instead of knights, falcons and jousts going on inside (yes I have been to Medieval Times too, don’t hate), there are aisles stocked with Wisco-produced products from Door County wines to local jams, beer, smoked sausages, specialty sauces, bakery, cooking products, and of course lots and lots of cheese. Not to mention a cafe, bar, deli and fully stocked gift shop. A fellow Milwaukee native swears by the 9-year-aged Cheddar, but there were dozens of other varieties to choose from. I resisted the cheese, but reached instead for a packet of beef jerky sticks by Klement’s and a Mars-brand raspberry kringle. Not exactly Kosher for Passover but my family devoured them nonetheless. At check-out I learned that the Castle has actually been in the same location since 1947, but will be relocating to a new 25,000-square-foot space (directly behind the current one) as soon as the freeway expansion project gets underway starting in July. The new location will include a wine shop, the original sign (phew), and some sort of “draw-bridge” thing that shouldn’t be tacky at all. In the meantime, don’t just wonder what goes on inside the Castle, pull over next time and stop in for all the cheesy Wisconsin goodness you crave and more. Mars’ Cheese Castle, 2800 120th Avenue, Kenosha, WI 800.655.6147

Beer sausage (literally)

Curd you die?

Apple and cherry wines from Northeastern Wisconsin-based Von Stiehl Winery

Really, can anyone resist a Wisconsin kringle? I mean...

If I had to guess, this trippy sign was designed in the mid-'60s. I love the planet hovering over the castle, but isn't Saturn the one with the rings?

If I had to guess, this trippy sign appeared in the mid-'60s. I love the planet hovering over the castle, but isn't Saturn the one with the rings?

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Filed under eliz-a-trip, I like to eats, random spottings, thick

March 7, 2009 · 9:02 pm

A question of calories…

One of WordPress’s nifty functions is revealing what search engine terms led readers to the blog, and they range from the obvious (cupcakes at Sweet Mandy B’s) to the awesome (Fruity Pebbles cupcakes). For some reason, a search for “salted caramel hot chocolate at Starbucks” was coming up like once a day for months, and other popular ones have been “ice box cake,” “chef Frank Brunacci” (of 16 restaurant in Trump Tower) and “Berry Chill.” But I found it especially interesting when a search for “calories in Twin Anchors ribs,” led a weight-watching soul to my bloat-promoting blog. I write about the Twin a lot, but the reader must’ve been pretty disappointed to find nary a mention of the nutritional facts of their rib dinner. All they need to know is that it equals fatty fatness. And when you’re talking Twin’s zesty sauce, really, who’s counting?

Big sandwiches at Farmerie 58

The Bistro Burger

The Big Sandwich Tuesday crew lived on the edge this week, and gathered on a Wednesday to take advantage of the surprisingly big sandwiches on Farmerie 58‘s lunch menu. They offer a pretty nifty lunch special of $18 for two courses, and you definitely won’t leave hungry with first course options like lobster bisque and a chopped salad. Second course options include two-fisters like a bistro burger with applewood-smoked bacon, Amish chicken sandwich and a salmon BLT with tarragon aïoli and red wine vinaigrette. I loved that the salmon sandwich came on toasted multi-grain, the fish was perfectly cooked and the aïoli added herby flavor and juiciness without the soggy. My companion, a Big Sandwich Tuesday veteran, tried to devour his bistro burger but only got half-way through. Our third companion went the route of wild boar pasta, a homey hearty mix of wild boar, Italian sausage, rapini, tomato, basil and pecorino. But he couldn’t keep his hands off the truffle frites that come with our sandwiches. At first glance they look like those crunchy, salty shoe string potatoes that just make you crave a classic wedge or waffle fry, but they are surprisingly good, crunchy only on the outside and soft inside with a hint of truffle oil essence. Farmerie’s lunch special is pretty decent, but I can’t say the same for the room. Granted, it was about 3-degrees outside, the space feels a little cold and sparse, with a lot of room for what doesn’t look like a lot of tables. I didn’t see it in its previous life as Republic Pan-Asian Restaurant, but I think I expected a more vibrant milieu. My dining companion referenced a random raw bar on the second floor, but we never ventured upstairs. Cold spaces aside, the truffle fries, pasta and big sandwiches warmed us up nonetheless. The dinner menu looks more striped bass and short rib ravioli than sandwiches, so I’ll definitely be back for what may be a totally different vibe at night. 58 E. Ontario, 312.440.1818.