Category Archives: Restaurant

Coffee Shop

Annie Lode Coffee Cabin, Hill City, SD

Annie Lode Coffee Cabin, 23828 US-385, Hill City, SD 57745

If you need a quick fix of caffeine while in Hill City, SD you can go to the Annie Lode Coffee Cabin.  It is a drive thru type place.

Coffe Cabin, Hill City SD May 2016 215

You pull up and tell the person inside what you would like.  They make your special coffee drink and hand it to you happily.

I didn’t try it myself, and the person who did likes their coffee strong so it is hard to say if it is good or not.  It is convenient.  The people are very nice.  Try it yourself if you need a specialty coffee in the middle of nowhere.

Restaurant

Monks Bar & Grill, Wisconsin Dells, WI

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Monks Bar & Grill, 220 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Monks Bar & Grill is basically a large sports bar with really amazing food.  I was so glad we ate at this restaurant and I got a new shirt.

The cheese curds were amazing.  Three people could barely finish them.  The sandwiches were excellent.  I had a pretty basic burger and fries.  OK, it had jalapenos on it.  What can I say I love jalapenos.  The burger was done perfectly and the fries had a really good seasoning on them.  They even toasted the bun.

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My dinner companions also enjoyed their food.  They each ordered something odd in the menu and both ate every bite.  One had beans on it and and other one had something that looked very messy to eat.  I cannot find the items on the regular menu.

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If you are looking for some typical burgers or something a little more than that try Monks.  They know how to cook good food and how to put together great combinations.  When you read the descriptions the toppings sound really good, not odd and experimental.  You get the felling someone has made this before even if you have never heard about it.

Go to Monks, eat, and enjoy!

Restaurant, Travel

Macs, Wisconsin Dells, WI

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Macs, 208 Broadway, Wisconsin Dells WI 53965

Macs May 15 2016 173

Imagine macaroni and cheese made with real Wisconsin cheeses.  Yep, that is pretty much all you need to know about Macs.  My mouth is watering just thinking about this place.

It is like a fast food macaroni and cheese restaurant.  You walk up to the counter, order the type of macaroni you want and size, and they bring it to your table.

It comes in a skillet and the top is slightly crusted.  The small was the perfect size for me, but I can imagine taking down the larger size.  I literally was away from this place for all of two hours before I had a craving for it.

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I went with the Jalapeno Popper Mac which is basically a jalapeno popper in macaroni and cheese form.  Delicious, seriously, I was in heaven.  The loaded baked potato mac only comes in the larger size.  I wasn’t daring enough to eat that much food.

If you are anywhere near this place check it out.  It is just the most amazing macaroni and cheese you will ever taste.

 

Restaurant

Branding Iron Supper Club, Preston MN

Branding Iron Supper Club, Hwy’s 16 & 52 North, Preston, Minnesota.

Bland, this is the best word to describe the food and the Branding Iron Supper Club.

Branding Iron Supper Club 6

From the outside you think everything will be great and even when you walk inside the environment is perfect.  The large glass windows are so grand.  Everything is very nice.  A lot of people eat here, but I must ask why.

Branding Iron Supper Club 2

They bring you butter soaked bread to start.  It is greasy and yet oddly lacking in flavor.

I ordered a jalapeno burger and fries.  I was so excited to see the fries were the thin kind that I love so much.  The color struck me as odd.  They were barely done which may have added to the lack of color.  They were completely unseasoned, not even a drop of salt.  they were utterly disappointing.

Even the burger itself was lacking.  If I had not had jalapenos on it I am not sure it would have been good.  I would call it good, but the eating companion thought his was a hockey puck.

Branding Iron Supper Club 4

Maybe the other dishes were better on the menu, but I truly am left scratching my head on how someone could fail so completely on those fries.  You would think that frying them would have given them at least some flavor.  How can a restaurant not put some sort of seasoning on its food?

If I were you I would pass on the Branding Iron Supper Club and try one of the other restaurants in the area.  It just isn’t worth it unless you enjoy bland food.

Restaurant, Travel

Crossroads Delicatessen, Hopkins, MN

Crossroads Delicatessen, 2795 Hedberg Dr, Hopkins, MN 55305

Crossroads Delicatessen is a Jewish deli and it is delightful.  It helps if you are about fifty, but they do not card at the door so enjoy.  It reminds me of my grandmother for some reason.  It is just good old fashioned food, yum.

When you walk in the door there are items that you can buy to the left.  Wait to be seated and you will be taken into the dining hall on the right.  There are two eating areas that I could see.  You will find some booths and some tables.

I ordered a cream soda.  Specifically Dr. Browns cream soda.  It was pretty good.

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They start you off with bread and butter.  They bring a variety of breads:  white, wheat, and rye.  I took the white and having bread and butter really took me back.  It is such a simple thing, but also amazing because the bread is fresh baked, not something sitting on the shelf.  Yes, absolute joy from simple bread and butter.

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I then ordered the beef n’ borscht because why not?  It smells funny (cabbage) , but wow, the beef was so tender, the sauce was tangy.  It all tastes so good.  I do not think that I have ever had borscht before, but I have to say it reminded me if eating a meal with my grandmother.  They were going for this feeling and the nailed it.  Delicious.

Cross Roads, Borscht

Everything is priced very reasonably.  It is really a great place.  The crowd is older, but they know what good food tastes like.  I really like this place.  I think you will too.

Restaurant, Travel

Snuffy’s Malt Shop, Minnetonka, MN

Snuffy’s Malt Shop, 17519 Minnetonka Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55345

“I just can’t find a great, old fashioned, malt and burger shop.  You know the kind that existed back in the 50’s with great burgers, fries, and shakes.”

“Have you tried Snuffy’s?”

Snuffy’s is the place that you dream about.  The burgers are good and greasy and not too big.  One order of fries is all you need for both of you.  The malts are amazing.  The half is perfectly adequate.  I cannot even imagine what a full shake is like.  You can choose from tons of flavors.  I stick with strawberry.  It is my favorite.

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Did I mention the fries.  The single is plenty for two.  The family will feed your whole family.  The fries are so good, perfection really.

Snuffy's fries

Pick your burger.  Choose a single or a double.  The Snuffy burger is really goo with its lettuce, tomato, bacon, and choice of cheese (cheddar, why would you get anything else).  You can build your own or add toppings as you like.

Snuffy's burger

There are others items to order as well, sandwiches and such.  Soups and salads.  Sodas, Sundaes, and Floats to boot.  You could order any of these items, but why when you can order a burger, fries, and a malt?

Snuffy’s can be a little difficult to get into right away, but it is worth a little wait, not too long.  Minutes really.  Just sit down and wait, really.

Restaurant, Travel

Thai Curry House, Burnsville, MN

Thai Curry House, Burnsville, MN

Thai Curry House storefront

The Thai Curry House on 13 in Burnsville, that other part of Burnsville, is amazing.  It sits in a strip mall near a pool hall.  You won’t think much of it from the outside, but the inside is very nice.

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Above it the display as you enter.  You do not get to sit there, but the seats are okay.  They are basic tables and chairs.

You wait to be seated unless you are getting takeout then walk straight to the back.  Good luck calling.  If you are lucky enough to be able to order their takeout is the way I like to go.

Eating there can be nice.  The presentation is very nice.  They ask you how hot you want it 1 -5.  5 means 5, no Minnesota weak.  Your nose will run.  Everyone is sniffing so it is not a big deal.

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The Tom Tom soup is very good.  I asked for a 5 on that.  The second sip hit the back of my throat and nearly killed me, but yum, so good.  Their curry has milk in it, beware.  I cannot remember if it is actual milk or soy milk, but it is creamy.

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You can add whatever meat you want with your dish.  I like the drunken noodles the most.  Find your favorite.

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Did I happen to mention that this is the second best restaurant in Burnsville?  Second only to Porter Creek which is possibly the best restaurant in the twin cities.  The food is high quality at the Thai House.  At least the chicken is.  The duck wasn’t the greatest.  Enjoy.

Drunken Noodles, Thai Curry House 3

Restaurant

Porter Creek Hardwood Grill – Burnsville, MN

Porter Creek Hardwood Grill, 14201 Burngarten Dr, Burnsville, MN 55306

Porter Creek is what I think of when I describe a high end restaurant.  Not a trendy restaurant.  A genuinely high end, great food, high quality restaurant.

The seating is nice.  You are surrounded by other people, but you feel like your space is your own.  You can hear the person you came with speaking and easily converse with them.  I think it is the multiple levels that keeps the noise down, combined with all of the wood.  There are also walls of wine.  I wish my wine rack was that large and that full, WOW.

The food is incredible.  They make a pork chop that is so tender you won’t believe it.  The sauce they serve with it make the meal.  Toss in a large portion of mashed potatoes and your meal is complete.  I went bold and ordered the duck two ways.  They cook it to a medium which was fine for the dark meat portion of the duck.  It made the breast too chewy for my liking.  The meat fell off the bone on the leg and thigh piece.  I heated the breast up the next day and let it cook a little longer.  Incredible.

Porter Creek Duck two ways

They have some Scott tasting flights that looked very tempting.  The Scott that I knew where all very good.

I cannot wait to go back and try this place again.  The prices are upscale, but so is every aspect of this restaurant.  If you want a great night out with an incredible meal try Porter Creek Hardwood Grill.

Tried the Salmon, amazing.

Porter Creek Salmon

Restaurant

Green Mill – Eagan, MN

Green Mill, 1940 Rahncliff Court, Eagan, MN 55122

Green Mill is basically a pizza place with Italian food, sandwiches, and fish.  It has a very unique pizza.  Their deep dish pizza has the sauce on top.

I like the pizza, but never seem to order it when at the restaurant.  I like to order their desert fire pasta.  Then I ask them to make it spicy.  Since this is Minnesota they have no idea what that means.  Generally I get a side of the mildest hot sauce in the world with it.

I have tried the fish.  It is ironically difficult to get a good fish in Minnesota.  It wasn’t bad.  It just wasn’t very good.  I have high fish standards.

The sandwiches and wraps are pretty good.  I really like their calzones.

Try their pizza, their calzones, or their sandwiches and you will find something that you like.  Everything else on the menu is just Okay.  Even my dessert fire pasta.  Although I keep ordering it so it must be pretty good.

The bar is pretty fun.  They also have an outdoor area in the summer.

If you are looking for an average place to eat with average prices Green Mill should be on your list.  If you really want a sandwich or wrap definitely eat here.

Restaurant

Ansari’s Mediterranean Grill & Lounge – Eagan, MN

Ansari’s Mediterranean Grill & Lounge, 1960 Rahncliff Ct, Eagan, MN 55122

Ansari is in the running for one of the top restaurants in Eagan, MN.  Especially for the south side of Eagan.  It is one of two or three great restaurants.

Taste of Jerusalem

The taste of Jerusalem is amazing.  Their hummus is to die for.  I had it once when it wasn’t the most incredible thing ever, but normally it is a testament to hummus.  The taste of Lebanon isn’t very good.  I assume the items prepared taste as good as those items can taste.  I just do not like eating grass very much.  I do not know what is in it, but that is what it taste like to me.

They Gyro meat is some of the best I have ever eaten.  I am generally not a huge fan, but I actually enjoyed theirs.

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I ordered a chocolate martini as Ansari’s.  Word to the wise, this martini contains dairy.  Overall it was a good drink with a great presentation.

Ansari's Mediterranean Grill & Lounge Martini

Everything at Ansari’s has a great presentation.  They not only know how to cook, but how to display the meal.

There is a large bar area that you can sit and enjoy a drink or some food.  The belly dancer is located in the main dining area, but you can see her from the bar.  I have not been there to see the show, but the stage is always intriguing.

Ansari's Mediterranean Grill & Lounge Mojito

Great food and a great atmosphere.  It is easy to talk at this restaurant.  If you are looking for a place to take a date I would suggest Ansari’s.  If you think she will be offended by the belly dancer I suggest going early in the night apposed to later in the evening.

Get the hummus!