Hopped in to the Wicked Hop (Again!)

 It's tough to be in downtown Milwaukee's 3rd Ward without a stop at the Wicked Hop. They make an awesome Bloody Mary as well as an outstanding burger. Again, I'm not sure how many times I've had a burger at the Hop, a lot. There's never been a time that I didn't want to write about the experience. The staff is always wonderful. The bar is cool. There's an additional space called the Jackalope Lounge that is a chill space for hanging with your friends and having a drink. I've seen live acts, participated in a version of Karaoke.

I had some time before a meeting at a gallery down the street so, time to grab a Cheeseburger and maybe a Jack N Coke. I had the Hop Burger with Cheddar cheese and all the regular veggies (tomato, lettuce, onion) A half pounder is a bit much sometimes. Well, I ate it all anyway! From the first bite to the last, glad I indulged.

Always great service. Always great food. Prices are within the normal range. Parking can be a problem but, walking down Broadway is always interesting.

4 of 5

Sorry, no picture. :(

Here's a stock one...

Hollander Tosa Made Me Happy (finally) 01/10/23

 Don't get me wrong. Hollander and Lowlands Group do fine food. I'm just not always blown away buy it.

We went for lunch which is a bit different. It should be soup and salad or some kind of wrap, right? I still look at what kind of burger I can have. This day I notice something a bit different listed for sandwich choice. "The Rye Swiss and Shroom". Sort of sounded like a Patty Melt. What the heck! I was really glad I chose it. Other than being a bit over cooked, the flavor was really different. I think the shrooms, onions and horseradish really made it happen. There was a strong cracked pepper finish. I had to share some with my son and my wife.

A bit overcooked but flavor was there. Love the Rye roll. Price, eh, what can I do these days?

4 of 5

 

Cloud Red. Sort of self serve. Great burger. 11/2022 (BWB)

 I'm still trying to get used to "Cloud Red" instead of "Red Cloud". I didn't ask or research the name. Maybe I should before writing this? No matter, Cloud Red is a cool little joint in Shorewood Wisconsin. It's got very subtle signage. I drove past it twice. The inside is sort of a funky/cool vibe. There's a huge handwritten menu on the wall near the bar. They didn't seem to have printed menus. Maybe because they have to change the menu too often? I think the food is somewhat reliant on seasons.

It was a Burgers with Brothers outing. The elder brother chose the location. We started with the Buffalo Cauliflower. Really tasty. Plus, you can act like you are eating healthy! I ordered a bacon cheeseburger. I must say, it was done near the way I like it with just a bit of pink. 

I'm still having a hard time with doing most of the work except cooking and still having to pay/tip like they are doing it. The new normal.

I'll admit, price shock and the demand for 15% tip automatically added are still tough to adjust to. It was very good food. They offer quite a few dishes you might not find elsewhere. They use Ney's meat, a local farm & family.

4 of 5 Self serve hasn't settled in for me. 

https://cloudredmke.com/

 

 

Back in the Winner's Circle 01/05/23

 This is a quick one. Oscar's Winner's Circle has yet to let me down. This time I had a straight up Cheddar Cheese Burger. Near perfectly cooked-just a little pink, seasoned to perfection. These folks know what they are doing. Everything seems fresh from the veggies to the roll. The price is spot on.

4.5 of 5 Consistently delicious. Sorry, no picture this time.

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