Leff's Again?? Yep, Burgers With Brothers! 03/24/2025

 It's that time again, Burgers With Brothers! It was the younger sibling's choice this time. He had recently dined at Leff,s and recalled they have a dang good burger. He wanted to put it to the test. Bring the brothers. Not that either of us is such an expert or critical thinker when it comes to burgers. We do enjoy them. I've been to Leff's plenty times. I don't always blog about the burger I had. You know I have a hard time not ordering a burger especially when they are a decent value.

Let's get down to it. Right? It was $8 Build Your Own Burger night. They offer quite a few toppings as part of the $8 deal. (see the pic of the list) I opted to have a double bacon cheeseburger because a guy near us had one and it looked awesome. So, that's the $8 BYOB with an additional patty for $4. I'm still ahead of the game financially. Their patties are 6oz each. I kept it simple, nothing but bacon and cheese. I'd add some spicy brown mustard and a drip of ketchup later after I taste the pure version. Yum! Tons of flavor without anything else on it. That's what I'm talkin' about. The condiments only enhanced it.

Rate It: 4.5 of 5 Flavor was there. Price was right. Overall a great burger.

Leff's

 

It's Gallery Night in the 3rd Ward. Must be time for some Wicked Hop! 01.17.2025

 It was the 3rd Friday in January. That means it's Gallery Night in the 3rd Ward, Milwaukee Wisconsin. Sometimes it's a very cold night. Not this time. Temps were in the 20's. (balmy for WI) I was hanging out with my friend Rob. We chose the Wicked Hop because, in the past, they've done right with the burger and beverages.

Burgers it is! "Build Your Own" Cheeseburger. Cheddar for me and Blue Cheese w/bacon for Rob. It was a quick turnaround on the order. Before we knew it, the burgers were delivered. Both of us were quite pleased with the amount of "pink". Too often, it doesn't go that way. All the toppings are on the side so you can choose what to add and where they go. I did everything but the pickle. Only a small amount of ketchup. I forgot to ask for some stone ground mustard. No matter, I pushed forward. It was pretty decent. Maybe not as good as the last 8 times. Something was different. Maybe it was an off night for my taste buds? I didn't hate it, that's for sure. Juicy, seasoned enough. The toppings were all fresh. The fries, delicious.

Rate It: 4 of 5 $18 for a very good burger has become the normal. I'm not a fan. It's the same burger or maybe less for more. That doesn't change the overall flavor. It was still great. Just not wow great.

Drifted In to the Driftless Glen Distillery-Baraboo WI 03/09/2024

 It's that time of year to head up to the Wisconsin Dells for the Oldsmobile Club of Wisconsin's annual "Holiday Banquet/Auction". Food, fun and friends! On our way up, we met up with another couple for lunch at the Driftless Glen Distillery in Baraboo Wisconsin. Quite the beautiful setting. Right on the river. Nice outdoor deck and a well designed building. Being a distillery you know they know how to mix a great drink but what about the food? They've got a decent variety of choices. I of course went straight for the burger selection.

The Driftless Burger. I did it pretty much the basic version. No extra stuff. My side was Roasted Red Potatoes. While I waited for the food, I enjoyed a Bourbon Manhattan. Delicious. The food arrived fairly quick. First impression, I'm in for something good! A pinch off the side to see how the burger stands on its own. Decent seasoning. Slice it, just a bit of pink in the middle. Could have had more but the flavor was right. Juicy, fresh veggies and just enough condiments. The roasted potatoes were a great choice to go with this burger.

I'll try not to share sticker shock because this is a re-occurring event for me. The service was great. The food as great. At least it was a decent burger.

Rate it: 4.5 of 5 The extra .5 is just to make sure it ranks above "good".

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

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

 

Time for Elder Rime-01.22.2022

It was a Saturday night and we felt like taking the night off cooking. Our son and his wife gave us a gift card for a local restaurant, a bit upscale but casual, the Elder Rime. It's housed inside of the Renaissance at Mayfair Mall shopping center. We heard some good things about the place and thought, let's go!

Super cool vibe. Especially considering it's at a super busy corner for traffic and the mall is in plain view. It's all booths unless you decide to sit at the bar but why?

We ordered drinks. I ordered the Reykr Old Fashioned. Great choice. The presentation was something else. The server brings the cocktail under a dome of smoke. The drink is perfectly mixed and has that smoked edge to it. Totally setting the scene for what's to come.

About the only offering for burgers was the E+R Burger. Described like this...wisconsin grass fed beef, Roth Butterkase (WI company), smoked onion jam, house pickle, potato bun, hand cut frites. What I know is this, when it arrived I was surprised at the bun to meat ratio. Somebody finally figured out that I like the bun but really want the burger. All the components were also in perfect ratio. The cheese was buttery and flowing out from everywhere. The beef was near perfect cooking for me. Would have liked it a bit more pink. Wonderful seasoning. Not an inexpensive burger but, presentation, flavor and balance of ingredients made it a decent value.

Rate it: 4 of 5 The patty could have been a bit more pink. Maybe they don't like to serve it that way? Maybe a bit less cheese? Really, there isn't much to pick on.

Homestyle Burger (08/31/2021)

 I'm calling this the "Homestyle Burger". I'm not going to lie, I do love the burgers I make at home. Meat from my neighborhood butcher counter, rolls from the local bakery and a stack full of Cowboy brand hardwood charcoal. My Weber kettle helps assure the flavors circulate properly. I use Ney's seasoning. Ney's is a family owned farm in Hartford Wisconsin. I haven't found a spice that can do what their spice does for steak, burger or pork.

I use a timer but, visual and a general sense of when to pull the patties off the fire and allow them to rest seems to be the favorite way to grill. The timer keeps me on track I guess.

There's not much to talk about when it comes to staff attitude. My Sous Chef, Annette is one of the best when it comes to setting up a night of burgers at our home. As for the price, an excellent meal for the price!

Time to rate it:

4.5 of 5

Service, presentation, quality, taste and of course price are all top level.

Burgers with Brothers is back. This time, Badger Burger Co.

 Hey, it's my birthday soon and I got to pick the burger joint for "Burgers with Brothers". 

Sometime back, while in Richfield WI, I passed a building with a sign that said Badger Burger Co. Never heard of it. Well, within a couple of weeks I ran into the others. Mukwanago and Brookfield. A quick look at the menu online convinced me that we needed to have a taste.

It was a Monday night at the Brookfield location. The restaurant is in a strip mall but they did a really nice job with the space. Two levels for dine-in. The upper level has tables with chairs. The lower level has several booths, a couple of larger tables for groups and a bar that looks like you can order almost anything you like. Decor is cool. Not too over the top.

We got a booth. Seats were a bit stiff. I did one of those "drops" onto what looked like a cushion. No such luck. There was a slight piece of foam at best. Not a concern. Once I got past that, it was fine.

The burgers are all sort of crazy builds. A lot of bacon and cheese variations. Go figure, Wisconsin. One brother got the Burger with sweet potato waffle fries. The other had the Smokey with chive fries. I did the Badger with steak fries. I think we all order medium.

The burgers arrived. Instant craving. It looked great. Just enough fries and a garlic dill. The burger was obviously made just for me. The meat was nice and loose, cooked just right. All the toppings worked great together. Nothing overpowering the other. I'm not a fan of Brioche buns but this worked. 

I'm not going to say the service was lacking but, it could have been a bit better. The food was all great and didn't take too long to arrive. Price, not too outrageous. I think the total bill for the three burgers and a couple of sodas came to around $35.

Rate it:

Clean, cool setting, decent service, delicious burger cooked just right. Price, not crazy. If I were the type to grab a drink on a Monday night, I bet it would have been good also.

4+ out of 5

Lost In The Woods (Birchwood Bar & Grill) 07.11.2020

When I was a teen, our family used to rent a cabin in the Northwoods of Wisconsin for a week. There were nine of us. (7 children and 2 adults plus a dog) The place we stayed was just down the road from a funky little bar and grill, Birchwood. It was classic late 70's mixed with "Up North" A jukebox, sodas all the way around. The parents enjoyed cocktails. A great place to drop into during a rainy day for sure.
After a couple of years renting, my parents bought a lodge that originally was the office with guest rooms for the Limberlost Resort. They bought it in 1979. This weekend, we were moving them out. 40+ years of memories.
We decided to head to Birchwood for dinner. Tonight's visit to Birchwood might be our last for some time. This put a little pressure on your burger eater man. I chose to take the biggest challenge, Stark Tower, a homemade burger topped with onion rings, cheese curds and American cheese, another layer of ham, green peppers, onions, diced tomatoes and Swiss cheese, finished with bacon and melted cheddar. Held together on three layers of Texas toast. $17.99
I have to say, I was expecting a "tower" of food. It was tall, trust me. (see photos) The flavors all played together, none more outstanding than the other. I pinched off a piece of the burger patty just to be sure it tasted that good. Yep, good stuff.
Over the years, Birchwood has change owners. The current owners have elevated the cuisine to a much higher level than Bar Food. You can still get some of the classics, just better. Pizzas, Patty Melts, Fish Fry.

4.5 of 5
Relative to what I got, the price wasn't too crazy. I'm sure some folks that pass through might consider a $18 sandwich at a little bar and grill in Northern Wisconsin a bit much but, what a special treat. The staff had to stop out on the patio to view the person that took on the "Tower"

A Jam Session at the Wauwatiki 07.07.2020

It was my birthday on Sunday, July 5th (thank you, thank you). We weren't in town to celebrate, nor were many restaurants open. We decided that we would celebrate on Tuesday night. Our good friends Karen and Brian gave us a gift card some time ago for Wauwatiki Bar & Grill, one of my (our) favorite places to drink and eat.
The situation with Covid-19 made the crowd a bit more sparse than usual on a Taco Tuesday. Not sure why a Caribbean/ Hawaiian restaurant would offer tacos but, what the heck. We got a booth somewhat distanced from the nearest couple or group of people. It felt special, really.
We ordered a couple of cocktails. She had a Rum Manhattan. I had a Mai Thai. Appetizer, Pork Belly. All, delicious!
Gee, what would I order if I could? A burger? Why not, it's my birthday, right?
A Bacon Onion Jam Burger for me, Hawaiian Style Fried Rice for her.
There may have been a Rum & Coke in between the ordering and delivery of the mains.
Wow!! So delicious! I'm not a big fan of covering my burger with all kinds of stuff but, dang, this was awesome. Juicy, flavors all worked together. The Crack Fries, a little too much for me. I also think it took a bit away from the main dishes. The fries on their own might be delicious but, each time I had some, I had to re-adjust my mouth to eating other foods. (sorry)
Everything was excellent. The staff was cool with all the masks and respecting our space.
I can't complain about the prices, it's worth every buck.
4.5 of 5
I will be back. Next time, outdoors on the cool patio with friends (I hope)

Cruise In to an excellent burger! 07.05.2020

It's a seasonal thing. Roadside burger stands in Wisconsin are only open for a short time so, you'd better get 'em while you can.
My younger brother Robb knows I like a good burger. He told me, if you get a chance stop at the Cruise-In. It's on highway 45, town of Marion. I've seen it but, it was never open when we drove past. Probably because it was too early or late in the year. This time, smack in the middle of the season!
I ordered the bacon cheeseburger with crinkle fries.
Delicious all the way! Not only was the burger tasty, the bun and condiments really worked well. The fries were longer and more slender than most crinkle fries, making them sort of a hybrid towards shoe string.
Total bill was less than $8. Considering the quality, that's a good price.
If I find myself driving through Marion Wisconsin during the Summer, I will stop again. Maybe I'll try something different and get some ice cream too!
4.5 of 5
I really enjoyed it. Fresh bun, tasty beef, cool location. Really fun to watch all the others that decided to stop and get something for themselves or families that were sitting at the picnic tables in the shade.

Ok at Joe's K Ranch

A couple of weeks back I was having an all Cudahy day with my great nephews. (both are great and well, great) We went bowling at Motion just off of Packard Avenue. Unlimited bowling for two hours, shoes for $8. Milwaukee area at it's best.
Generally, when I'm out with these guys, it's a burger run. Why be any different this time, right? Quite a few places offering a burger in the area were closed on Sunday. The one place, Joe's K Ranch on Whitnall Avenue suggested they have a tasty temptation. In business since 1958, surrounded by industrial buildings, auto scrap yards, upholstery shops and just down the road from Ladish Co., the location must have seen Cudahy/Milwaukee during the boom.
The interior has been modified to accommodate larger groups but, the original bar area shows a vignette of what it may have looked like before.
We all ordered burgers. One stripped of almost everything, another with cheese and not much else. Mine came with the works, raw onions.
They are big burgers. 1/3 pound and I think that's after cooking. I got the haystack onions. They were good but not amazing. The burger, cooked almost perfect. A little pink. Seasoning was just enough. The bun was griddle toasted making it a bit more tasty.
Over all, it's good stuff. Price was pretty much aligned with current market pricing.

4 of 5
I'm not going to say it was the best, certainly not the worst. The atmosphere was a little to family dining for me. The large party room wasn't separated making it less cozy. That didn't make it taste bad. It just sort of took away from the experience.

Peninsula Pub, Bailey's Harbor WI

What a weekend! Door County has so much to offer when it comes to food & drink.
Saturday evening we went to the Door County Brewing Tap Room & Music Hall. The seating arrangements make it impossible not to meet other people. Well, the people playing Sorry at the other table may have been a bit preoccupied. We sat with a couple from Indiana. They spend a lot of time in the Door and because of that they got some inside information about tasty eats around the peninsula. They suggested the Peninsula Pub, if we wanted a great burger.
The following night, we did just that.
The Pub offers the "Burger of the Day". No altering that burger. They also offer the "Build Your Own" variety. I didn't read the fine print and just ordered a Cheddar Burger with and order of Onion Rings.
The burger arrived exactly as requested. No nothing on it. Just a burger, cheese and a bun. I didn't think it was worth requesting all the other additional toppings. Just me and the cheese burger, intimate, right?
It was cooked just right. Seasoned a bit more than I like but, once my taste buds adjusted, it was all good. Served on a Kaiser roll, a nice compliment to the burger.
The onion rings we yummy, of course. Did I mention that the onion rings are served with a small dish of the Pub's Cajun Ranch Dressing. (additional yum!)
The rating:
4 out of 5
I was sort of set back by the stripped burger I ordered. I would think that staff might ask if you really want it without anything on it.
Flavor was decent. Service was fun. Dave is the guy with the personality.
The bar doesn't feel like it's in the middle of a tourist destination. I liked that.

Bayside Inn, Fish Creek WI (Repeat visitor)

I don't know why but, anytime I stop in Door County, I end up at the Bayside Inn on a Friday night.
Traditionally, Friday night is Fish Fry Night. That tradition must be someone else I was thinking of.
Cheddar cheeseburger for me!
The place was packed as usual but, a bit more this past Friday because the Brewers were on the televisions. We lucked out and found a small booth in the far back of the dinning area. No view of the game so I was sneaking a peek around the corner each time the crowd was cheering.
The food showed up pretty quick. I'm guessing the cook wanted to watch the game also.
As usual, the burger was nicely seasoned and cooked nearly perfect.
Looking back at my blog, I don't see a previous entry about Bayside. We were there last June and I just wanted to note that.
Atmosphere at the Bayside is always genuine. You get to chat with locals as well as folks from Illinois, Minnesota, Indiana etc. Just about every person we've met there is pleasant.  Last year we met a family that camps each year, it's become a multi-generational event. Because the weather wasn't so great, they decided to hang out at the Bayside for awhile.
Price makes it an outstanding value.
The ratings:
4 out of 5.
Not the best burger I've ever had but, damn good and consistent.
Sure, I snitched a bit of the fish fry, it was tasty.

It pays to ask: "Richie's Up Ur Alley", Mayville WI

It was Labor Day weekend. We just finished a two night stay at Mauthe Lake, North Kettle Moraine. We decided we would stop in Mayville for lunch. It was a bit off course but, we haven't been through Mayville in several years. Quaint little place just down the road from the Horicon Marsh.
Our first thought was the Audubon Inn. A historic hotel that has been restored over the years. All they offered was a "All U Can Eat" brunch. Brunch wasn't on our minds. We were looking for a burger.
We asked the girl at the desk at the Audubon. She said Richie's was the place for the best burger in town. For all we know, the only place that had a burger that day.
About two blocks down Main Street was Richie's Up Ur Alley. A four lane bowling alley. Actually, the bowling alley area had all the full size features, just four lanes. Really cool. They had a host of arcade games and a pool table. Amazing there was room for people dining a bar and an area dedicated to cook what is rumored (at this point of the story) to be the best burger in town.
We grabbed a table and were promptly greeted. She got a beer, I got Root Beer. I would like to say there is something special about the root beer. It's a local product. Just can't recall. No menu online.
Alright, the burgers arrive.
Cooked perfect. Just a slash of pink. Juicy. The pretzel roll is fresh as ever. I'm normally not a fan of the pretzel roll, often served sort of stale. All the flavors mixed together. The nicely seasoned patty, sweetness from the roll, condiments etc. The fries were fresh cut and cooked perfect also.
Is this a "hole in the wall" or "hidden gem"?
The results:
4.5 of 5
Quick and responsive staff. Actually, very nice folks. Quaint setting. Clean enough for me. How cool was it that they only have four lanes and run leagues! Price wasn't crazy off the charts, especially since it was great food.

3 Burger Weekend (or as I call it heaven!)

It wasn't my intention to have three different burgers in one weekend but, let me tell you how it happened.
Junior's Custard Milwaukee, WI
Hunger and nostalgia drove the first burger. Now called Junior's Custard, the food stand that's been at the intersection of 60th & Appleton Avenue in Milwaukee has been a custard stand serving Jumbo Burgers since 1950 when Elsa & Karl Kopp opened their first stand. Will Junior's deliver the same quality Jumbo burger? I had to find out. The lot was empty when I arrived. I thought maybe they weren't open yet. The menu is quite different than the days when it was Kopp's or Robert's. Chicken, Fish, Gyros, Rubens etc. I went straight for the classic, Jumbo cheeseburger. When it arrived, I so ready to eat it. I sat in my car and had the first bite. Pretty decent. I wasn't having the nostalgic taste bud reaction that I thought I would. It was different. Was it because of all the anticipation? I decided to wait until I got to a place where I could sit and just enjoy it. Not much of a difference. The burger was okay. The bun, a bit dry. The seasoning was alright but didn't really do much for over all flavor.
2.5 of 5
Price was fair. Restaurant was clean and staff was pleasant. Not amazed with burger. Actually not as Jumbo as I recalled.

Trocadero Milwaukee, WI
The next experience was truly unexpected. Dinner and the theater. We decided that Trocadero, Milwaukee would be a nice place to dine at. Their menu offered choices for all of us. Little did I know, they had a burger on the menu. Was I silly to order a burger at a place that serves Sordfish or Marengo Chicken & Lobster sandwiches? Not at all. Everybody knows that I've passed up some delicious menu items to test the burger. No regrets. The cook/chef wasn't afraid to season the patty or to cook it to near perfect for my likings. My choice, Au Poivre Burger.
4+ of 5
Pricy, Excellent flavor, Not embarrassing to eat a burger while others have the fancy stuff.

Within 24 hours, I was sitting for the third and final burger experience of the weekend.

Red Dot Wauwatosa, WI
I went straight for the Classic with cheese. I've been to Red Dot for a burger before. It was quite good. (will I have to look at my own blog?) This was per-meditated. I came seeking a burger. A burger I got. Simple and tasty.
4 of 5
Price is appropriate, scene is swell, staff took good care of us.

Factory Food (04.04.2015)

I've always wondered what happens inside of the Cheesecake Factory. A stand alone structure, usually near a mall of some kind. You might think that upon entering, you would find yourself in a Willy Wonka like environment of cheesecakes. It wasn't.
The decor is sort of like a set from Raiders of the Lost Arc. We were seated immediately in a booth in a really neat little room off the main floor. (did they know who I was? I doubt it.)
It's hard to believe how many different dishes they serve at any given time. The cocktail and wine list was even more vast. Fresh bread and refreshments to get started.
I got the Factory Burger. The description seemed closest to a regular burger. My only concern was the bread/bun. The sample piece at the table was tasty so, what the heck.
Medium rare, as usual. The burger arrived. Hold it, it wasn't a round patty? Trust them. First bite, these folks aren't afraid to season their food. Black pepper and grill flavors mixed with sauteed onions and a fresh tomato. The bread was interesting, a little crunchy. The salty edge of the bread sort of tied everything together. So, I'm not complaining.
Cooked the way I like. My only thing was the shape of the "burger". To my taste buds, this was something slightly different than a burger. I can't put my finger on it. Was it the shape or bread?

The rating:
3.5 of 5
I would almost like to call this sandwich something different than a burger just for the fact that it is elongated. Overall, I liked it. I'm not sure if I would go back specifically to have a burger. The fries were tasty and just enough quantity. Price was the same as it is all over these days. (old guy talking)

Rumpus Room - 3rd Time is a Charm? (03.27.2015)

I think it's always an added challenge to return to one of the places that I gave a glowing review. It has been some time since I was at Bartolotta's Rumpus Room. My last review on the Rumpus was a bit whiny. Must have been a bad day.
It was a Friday evening, sort of cool outside. The plan, Firefly in Wauwatosa for appetizers and a celebration for Jim Gehrke, Rumpus Room for dinner and Slim Jim Phantom's Rockabilly Circus at Potowatomi Casino Northern Light theater.
All went smooth. Keeping our schedule, we arrived at the Rumpus Room and were able to grab a spot at the bar. I ordered my burger. Medium rare and all the extra stuff on the side. I prefer to add my own amount of condiments. (talk later about that choice) We ordered drinks and only moments later, our food arrived.
I did my usual and decided to snag the burger with their name on it. Rumpus Burger. $12.50. I'm pretty sure that price had not changed since the last time. If so, maybe a $1 difference. Everything was as I remembered. Yummy. The only thing that may have boosted the flavor, just a little more cooked. Pretty red. Still, tasty.
Considering every place I go these days, including some "fast food" places charge me $10 or more dollars for a 1/3 - 1/2lb burger this is still a great value. The venue is always wonderful. The inside of the restaurant is really something else. Being downtown is always a different energy. Not something you get from a food court or stand alone chain.

The rating:
Still rocks! I would just order medium well maybe.
4 of 5
Price, venue and consistent quality and service.

A Lofty Claim-MKE Sail Loft

It's a birthday dinner. She wants their Meatloaf and says, "hunny, they are known for their burgers" Did you see the hook just get set?
Located on the river front (Milwaukee River) with a view of the Hoan Bridge it definitely seems like a great place to grab lunch on a warm Summer day. This wasn't one of those days. Raining and windy it became our refuge.
Appetizer: Rustic Bruschetta She: Karl's Meatloaf Me: Paradise (Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, American,  Brioche)
Pow! Did not expect that. Tasty and the Brioche thing, great touch.
I can't talk much about the visuals on cooking the patty but, smells were good. The place wasn't so over ventilated that I couldn't smell something cooking.
Rate it!
3.5++ of 5
$10 is not crazy these days. Location, cool. 3rd Ward Milwaukee is always fun. Everything else we had was done right. Washed down with Sanpellegrino Limonata.

Return to Fred's in Burlington WI

I can't imagine that I didn't already post about Fred's in Burlington WI. But, alas I did not.
The first time I went to Fred's was at least two years ago. Friends that live in the area were adamant about getting me to go there. As I recall, it was worth it.
Fast forward to just a couple of weeks ago. As part of helping our friends move a computer desk to their place in Lake Geneva it was suggested that we stop at Fred's. Scott & Pat both know I blog about burgers and thought it was time to blog about Fred's. To assure the best blog post, I agreed to stop. (you know they didn't have to twist my arm)
The place was hopping. Families, couples and a few stray Packer fans that decided a burger & fries my complement a game on the big screen.
I snooped around to get a better feel of things. I got a glimpse of the staff working in the kitchen area. Big patties of beef on the griddle top. Baskets of fries, onion rings etc. I was impressed that the patty looked rather fresh packed.
Cheddar Cheese Burger, raw onion and fries with a root beer for me. The wife got the Garlic Burger. Both were delicious. The Garlic Burger was a bit much once your buds adjust to it. My cheese burger was cooked just a tad too much but, flavor was still there. A wonderful and tasty bakery bun brought the flavor all together.
The staff was attentive and cheerful.
Overall, if I'm near by and had a moment, I would stop in again. And now that I know it's sort of on the way to a friend's place, I might visit Fred's more frequently.

4 of 5
Price is reasonable. Great little shop. Cheerful staff. Tasty food.