Traverse Lodge-Breckenridge,CO 09/18/2025

 It wasn't my intention to have a burger while visiting Breckenridge Colorado but, here I go. After traveling for six days it was time for somebody else to cook and clean up. We had looked up places ahead of traveling and the Traverse Lodge looked like a wonderful location. They also had a special called Beer & Burger Wednesday. Well, it was a Thursday evening so no deal. The lodge dates back to the 1970s but has been updated and upgraded since. As you approach it the entrance gives you the vibe of a cozy ski lodge somewhere in the mountains. Which, I guess it is. The bar/restaurant space opens up to a view of the mountains through large windows. It must really be something during a snowfall.

There is only one burger on the menu, the Traverse Burger. It's an 8oz. Chuck Brisket blend, Churchill Sauce, Lettuce, Tomato, Pickled Onion, Pork Belly, Smoked Gouda. Fries were included. Just looking at the description makes my mouth water again. The 8oz is fully in tack when the burger arrives. Juicy, flavorful. Nothing is over the top. All the different layers mix well together. Just a bit pink, perfect. 

Rate It: 4+ of 5 This burger really came close to a 4.5. I can't recall why I couldn't except the price. It did include fries for what that's worth. Everything was delicious. 

The Lodge at Breckenridge  

 

Feeling A Little Bleu @ Cunningham's Journal-Kearny NE 09/14/2025

It was the second day on the road to Colorado and our last overnight would be spent in Kearny Nebraska. The drive from Iowa to Nebraska was mostly good except the wicked storm that almost brought traffic on the interstate to a halt. Our hotel was one of several in a cluster just off the freeway. There were all the usual offerings, Godfather's Pizza, Red Lobster etc, only a short walk away. We did a quick search of the area for something more local. Cunningham's Journal showed up. They had two locations, one was just behind our hotel, less than a block away. The menu looked good. They had quite the list of burger offerings. The restaurant also has a really nice deck/patio space that overlooks a "lake". Another storm was approaching so, no patio. 

Let's talk burger. I ordered the Ole Bleu Burger. 1/2 pound ground chuck patty, bleu cheese, crispy bacon. My request was to be cooked medium. It came as described, a bit of pink in the center. I did my traditional pinch of the patty without all the stuff on it. I couldn't help getting a bit of Bleu Cheese with. Very nicely seasoned, juicy. The bacon was a thicker cut than usual. The bun, sweet and it had a "split" in the center almost suggesting I cut it there. When I bit in to it, all the flavors came together. 

Rate It: 4+ of 5  Priced at $16, it's not crazy money for a decent burger at a nicer restaurant. The burger as a whole was really nicely done. I might go to the 4.5 level on a different day.

Cunningham's Journal @ The Lake 

 

Made It To Wayne's Drive-In!!! 10/02/2025

 The Summer season goes so fast here in Wisconsin. One of my favorite places to go for a burger is Wayne's in Cedarburg, WI. Throughout the Summer they host a Classic Car Night every Thursday. The last official cruise night was last Thursday, September 25th. I missed the cruise season. Wayne's will close for the season in early November. I didn't want to miss a chance to have one of their burgers so I decided that I would take my "classic" 1997 Toyota Celica GT convertible out tonight. To my surprise, there were several true classics parked in their lot. ('57 Ford Fairlane, '63 Ford Galaxie, '72 Javelin) It was after 7PM, Wayne's closes for the night at 8PM. The place was hoping. Almost all the seats inside were full. People sat outside at the tables below the neon glow of the WAYNE'S sign (see picture). 

I ordered a single cheeseburger, cheddar cheese, onion (raw), tomato, lettuce and a pickle. My side was their Crinkle Fries. It was all tasty. The burger didn't have as much flavor as I remember from other visits. I just enjoy the scene. The staff is always helpful and friendly. Prices are still within reason.

Rate It: Not this time. I was just getting my Wayne's fix.

 

Living the High Life in IOWA? el Bait Shop 09/13/2025

It was time to hit the road again. We were on a three day journey to Colorado. The first stop was Des Moines IA. Someone suggested that we try el Bait Shop for a delicious burger. Personally, I think it's a bit over the top, in the most loving way.  The menu, whoa! The burger is only part of the whole menu. They have Pot Roast, Liver and Onions and more. It's vast. 

Nestled in the downtown of Des Moines, IA is a friendly pub that would most likely be a destination for any beer lover. From the outside el Bait has a vibe of a crusty old warehouse converted to a grab some food and a beverage. There's an open bar off the parking lot. A patio and of course the main building. When you first enter the first thing you will notice is all the tappers. I can't even count how many taps they have for beers both local and national. Next, almost every surface has something stuck on it. Stickers from all kinds of breweries, ads from the decades for beer, toys etc. A huge mural that looks like an Ed Roth (Rat Fink) plus a wall with "Where the Wild Things Are"! The staff is on constant move checking in and following up. We had Kayla. She helped us navigate the beer list to create the perfect flight. 

How about the burger? I chose the Highlife Burger-Double. My wife had the single. The burger came out relatively quick. I pinched off a chunk. Not Bad. Plenty of flavor. I cut it in half. No pink? It was still juicy. They were frozen patties brought back to life. First bite, all the flavors. Cheese, onion, pickle, tomato,. The bun was nostalgic, similar to a George Webb burger. Not a wow but tasty. Comfortable. I probably could have done the single. The fries and tots were tasty.

Rate It: 3.5 of 5. Service, price, atmosphere and the choices of food and beers were amazing. The food was very good. Staff, worked hard.

el Bait Shop 

 

Being Crafty Again. Crafty Cow-Tosa 09/07/2025

Let's say you are celebrating your birthday like my sister-in-law. What better place to go than the Crafty Cow, Tosa. It was her suggestion, but you know I really enjoy a good burger. So, twist my arm! I'm not sure how many times I've had a burger at one of the Crafty Cow restaurants, 5? maybe more.

I went with the Classic Cow. 1/3 lb Crafty Beef Patty, American, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Pickles, Special Sauce. I've mentioned before that I'm not a big fan of "special sauce" in the description but that's how it's built. The Cow always does a decent burger. This wasn't one of their best but it was still a good one.

Rate It: 4 of 5 Crafty Cow is a consistent burger. The price is starting to out pace the sandwich. Service is always good. 

 

 

Season Tradition & Favorite: Nite Owl Drive In 09/27/2025

 In Wisconsin we have quite a few "seasonal" things. Outdoor (Drive-In) theaters, Outdoor Farmer's Markets, Dining El Fresco, Beer Gardens and Burger Stands. The Nite Owl falls into the last. I'm never sure when Nite Owl might open or close for the season. I'm sure it's similar each season. I guess I like to be surprised. The season passes faster than I like. I've got a couple of other burger stops that are similar. Wayne's in Cedarburg has a similar season. Nite Owl is just a bit more quirky. Not only do they have a short season, their hours are challenging. On top of short hours, you can never know if they "sold out" for the day. They grind all the meat fresh daily. When they run out, they shut down. Some days that can be just a couple of hours.

This post is mostly about the "joy" of Nite Owl. I think they make a great burger especially for $8. There is a certain value to standing in the parking lot waiting for your order. The crowd is usually pretty friendly. Yes, they too are waiting for their order which on certain days can take a while. It's "cash only" so don't try your fancy charge card, paypal, apple pay or whatever you like to use at other places.

This time I got a cheeseburger with onions and a pickle. No ketchup or mustard. Simple. It's a hefty patty placed on a decent roll. I'm not going to say it was packed with flavor but it was a good mix between the cheese, onion, meat and bun. Cooked nearly perfect for my tastes. The fries were a bit soggy.

Rate It: 4 out of 5 Still a great burger. Always cool to get the old school vibe. You pay when you get your order. Is that because they might run out before they get to yours? I'll be back next year. Hopefully more than once.

 

Nostalgia Is Still On the Menu ... How About Some Dog N Suds? 08/29/2025

We were headed to the Volo Car Museum in Volo Illinois. In the back seat, our grandson. He's 6+ years old and he's pretty crazy about cars. (understatement) The museum has 5+ buildings loaded with cars and other things with motors. I'd been there before, a long time ago. That time, we stopped for a burger at the Dog N Suds in Richmond, IL. It is a total throwback. I wanted to share D n' S with my grandson, so the stop was included in our journey. We arrived shortly after they had opened. The menu is pretty much the same as it has been for sometime. Chicago Style Dogs, Italian, Burgers, Pizza Burgers, Fries, Onion Rings etc. Don't forget all the ways to enjoy ice cream, Shakes, Blenders, Sundaes. Yum!

My grandson was feeling "burgered out" so he got Chicken Strips, Tots and sauce. I got a Char Burger 2, Char Burger with double patty, Ketchup, Mustard, Lettuce, Tomato, Onion, Pickle, American Cheese (extra). My wife got a hot dog and a small tot order. The kids meal came out in a cardboard 1955 Chevy. I thought my grandson was going to flip! He did, sort of. "These people know me!" he said.

I knew when we were ordering that the food is not gourmet. It slips in somewhere around fast food fun. My burger was just like it should be. A simple piece (2pcs) of meat. I'm not going to get involved with fancy descriptions of the texture etc. It was wonderful to be at the Dog N Suds eating a better than mediocre double cheeseburger while my grandson got to experience a different time in fast food dining.

Rate It: 3of5 on a good day. It's not about an awesome burger. Although, that would make it that much better. It was a sunny day, on a trip to a fun place with our family. Worth every penny!

Dog N Suds Richmond, IL