10/02/22 - Wayne's Drive-In, Cedarburg WI - Seasonal Favorite

Wisconsin like the rest of the upper midwest has a restricted outdoor dining season. Over the years, businesses like drive-ins have adapted their property to serve all year round. Others, they just keep it seasonal. Wayne's is one of them. No complaints. I hope they enjoy the time off.

Wayne's is one of my seasonal must haves. Is it because it's the best burger? Not really. I think that because Wayne's is seasonal and I can only have it during the warmer months, my mind associates them with that warm feeling of the sun shining down while you lean against your car munching a cheeseburger fresh off the griddle. The building adorned with memories of the history of Wayne's and all the kitschy items new and old that cover the walls. Generations come for meals together to share this. The staff is always working hard, friendly and helpful. It would be interesting how many of the current staff may have a link to past staff members. See what I mean? You got to support this stuff! Families, generations of friends and neighbors. 

Oh yes, I did have a burger. Well, a cheeseburger. With American cheese, tomato and raw onion. It was dang good. They don't use words like grass fed or organic. I think they just get the best beef patties they can. I'm cool with that. Fresh condiments, bakery (buns) are a plus. It was really juicy.

Rate it: 3.5 of 5 Always a decent burger, good price, great service (could be a 4 of 5?)

Wayne's website

09/29/22 - Nite Owl - Time Capsule and Burger Time

Every year as part of this whole burger thing I do, I have a couple of places I "have" to go to for a burger to keep my burger health on course. The Nite Owl is one of those places. Sometimes elusive because the seasonal situation or because of the hours they keep and my ability to be there during those times. Even if you get there during the prescribed time, you may not be able to order anything. I tried early in the season and thought I would miss the lunch hour group. I arrived at around 1pm. There had to be at least 15 or more people standing around. One guy told me they weren't taking any more orders. I didn't believe it. But as I got closer to the building I saw the hand written sign (chunk of cardboard) "No More Orders Today". Whoa! I survived to come back another day. My son Daryl and my grandson Theo met me there. We ordered our food and chatted while we waited. It had been two seasons since we were there. Covid kept it closed and us away. 

My son ordered a double cheeseburger to split with his wife and a hot dog for the kiddo. I got the single cheese burger and fries.

Rate It: 4 of 5 Really decent burgers, price is still in the ballpark. I'll be back next season!

*the other places I "have" to go to? Wayne's-Cedarburg, Hefner's-Cedarburg, Nite Owl-Milwaukee

Nite Owl

09/24/22 - Wedl's Burgers, Jefferson WI - Swap Meet/Burgers

It's been a while since I've written up Wedl's in Jefferson. I blogged about them back in 2011. I know I've been there since.

Anyway, it was that time of year again. The Fall Jefferson Swap Meet and Car Show. I hadn't been there in a few years. Covid being the most recent reason. The show was cancelled for a couple of seasons. Now, it's back! I had to go, for more than one reason. Yes, there's the swap meet with all the cool cars, piles of stuff for sale, crazy vendors and crazy prices but, on the way home, Wedl's. After walking a couple of miles over a couple of hours, I deserve a decent meal. Don't judge me. Burgers and fries cover a couple of food groups if you get all the extras. I did the single cheese burger with raw onions (vegetable) and American cheese (Dairy). An order of fries (more veggies/startch) 

Half of the fun of stopping at Wedl's especially during the swap weekend is that the wait time is fairly long. The conversations you have with others waiting for their order and others around you chatting really makes it special. I met a guy from Rockford IL. He knows a guy that vends at the swap. He and his family come up a couple of the days and spend time just hanging out at the meet. Then, head to Wedl's for Burgers and ice cream. A tradition. His son and grandson were along.

I like to watch the folks working in a building the size of a Fotomat Booth. The gal at the griddle had to have a least 20+ burgers cooking at the same time. They start as a wad of beef and get "smashed" on the griddle top. Some break apart, she re-forms them. Cheese, bacon etc gets added. A person steps out the door of the building or yells out the window "Order for Dan!" You have to sort of watch for the people in front of you to pick up there order. That means your in the que.

3.5 of 5 The burger is good. The price is climbing but, still reasonable. Nostalgic. Family owned. Small town.

 

Sorry no picture this time. :(

Their website

08/19/22-Cafe Hollander Wauwatosa, WI - Lunch with the Kirchens!

 It's always a treat to get together with our son Daryl and his family. I will admit, hanging out with our grandson Theo really makes the day special. After a morning of playing at the park we headed to the Cafe Hollander in the village of Wauwatosa. Theo's choice. I guess he thought they had something for everyone, including grandpa. He knows I like a good burger. I've had a burger at almost all the Lowland owned restaurants. (Hollander Tosa, Hollander MKE, Benalux, Centraal) They are usually very good. No difference this time. Served close to the way I like it, could have been just a little more pink. I know that can be tough to get based on timing etc. Just a moment longer and poof! No complaints. It was delicious. The company kept added to the experience.

I think they serve what I would consider a fairly consistent burger. I've never been bummed that I ordered a burger while at their restaurants.

Rate it: 4 of 5 Decent price. Tasty. Consistent.

*this post was created several weeks after the actual date.

08/15/22-Cruize the Spur Elm Grove, WI

 Another gorgeous night to be in Elm Grove for a "Cruise the Spur". Cars, food and comrade. We took the '60 olds convertible to the cruise in. We decided to enjoy a sit down style dinner rather than doing the car show cuisine. They offer a less expensive smaller menu on the area where the cars are parked. Sort of nice. Otherwise, attending a car show can get expensive without even calculating in the fuel cost!

The Silver Spur has always served decent food. Not "wow, this is delicious" but, pretty decent. For some reason, maybe the cook was in a better mood, fresh spices who knows? The food was extra tasty. Not much of a story to tell. I went to the show with the intention of consuming a burger. All the toppings were fresh and flavorful. 

I'll be honest, I'm writing this some time after the fact. Details fade unless I write them down. I just remember, it was pretty remarkable. 

Rate it: 4 of 5 Decent price. Tasty.

09/07/22-Sister from another mother birthday outing @ Double Bs BBQ/MKE BBQ

 It was time to go out and celebrate my sister-in-law Therese's birthday. Being the considerate person she is, she chose a place that offered a lot of choices, including burgers! That's pretty cool.

I've been to BB BBQ before for the BBQ. It was delicious. So I figured the burger might be as good. I was right. My order was the 1/2 Fresh Angus Burger w/Cheese. I had American. They describe it like this: A fresh, lightly pressed, char-broiled patty, served on a toasted brioche bun with your choice of cheese: American, Mild Cheddar, Swiss, or Pepper-jack.I describe it like this: Yummy! If you read any of my posts on this blog you will find I'm not a big fan of the Brioche bun. In this case, it worked out well. The flavor complimented the burger instead of detracting. The burger itself could have been just a little less cooked. Still it was moist and flavorful. No need for all kinds of extra stuff loaded on. I did have raw onions and added a bit of ketchup and stone ground Düsseldorf mustard. Fries were the side.

Relatively inexpensive according to today's pricing. Delicious. I don't know if I will go back for the burger specifically because they do so well with the BBQ. Great atmosphere.

Rate it: 4 of 5 Price and quality are a value. Atmosphere adds to it.

Sorry, I don't have a picture of the sandwich. :( 

Here's their menu