Leff's @ Tosa Tonight 06/28/2023

 It's that time of the year again when all of Wauwatosa attends the "Tosa Tonight" events at the Rotary Performance Pavilion. Warm Summer nights, great music and food.

There are a few different vendors ranging from pizza by the slice to down home southern cooking. I landed somewhere in the middle at Leff's Luckytown. Leff's offers some straight forward options, hot dogs, brats and burgers. Simple fare at a reasonable price. You know that I went for the burger. (Duh)

Trust me, the other vendors offer up Jambalaya, Mac & Cheese, Pulled Pork Sandwiches etc. but, if you follow my blog, you will know that I'm a fan of Leff's burgers. This time I got a cheeseburger. Leff's doesn't dumb it down for the outdoor event, it's still up to standards. Priced at $9, potato chips included. The flavor was on par with the brick and mortar version. 

Rate it: 4 of 5

It was very tasty, fairly juicy, just a bit of the "kept warm until sold feel". Otherwise, great deal for the buck. It would be hard to find such a deal and taste from any other mobile kitchen.

Let's Go To Sluggo's! 06/27/2023

So many burgers, so little time!

For 40 years, Sluggo's in Brookfield Wisconsin has been cooking up grub for it's loving public. The proof is verified by the large crowd on a Tuesday night in Summer.

My brother-in-law had driven past Sluggo's several times and noticed that, no matter what day or time for that matter, Sluggo's lot was pretty full. They must be doing something right to make them that popular. For that reason, he wanted to celebrate his birthday there. His vision, a Sluggo Burger. My kind of vision!

I chose the Cheeseburger with bacon. (there isn't a bacon cheeseburger) It's a 1/2 pound patty, hand formed as far as I could tell. Nicely charred on the outside, pink inside. Just the way I like it. I ordered it Medium Rare. Everything about it was on spot. Just enough bacon and cheese leaving the burger to shine. The seasoning was really good, done with confidence that it would enhance the flavor and not over power it. The brioche roll was fresh and buttered up a bit, yum.

Prices have gone up quite a bit over the past couple of years at Sluggo's but the burger stepped up to the plate. At $14.99, it isn't a cheap burger but, I've had less tasty ones for just as much or more. The bar/restaurant itself is a throw back, nothing fancy but well kept. The crowd added to the experience.There's a lot of hungry people in our town.

Rate it: 4.5 of 5

It's one of the better burgers I've had recently. Sorry, I didn't get a picture.

Cancery Restaurant-Legendary? 03.07.2023

 Wow, the Chancery Restaurant. I can't recall the last time I went to one for a burger. There used to be several in the area when I was growing up. The Pub Burger was sort of a staple in my diet because my friend was a cook at the one just half a mile away from where I lived. Up until all but one of the restaurants closed down, the Pub Burger was my answer to the question "What's your favorite burger?" I never said it was the best, just consistent. It was a $6 burger back in the day when places like Culver's, Five Guys etc hadn't even started selling in the Milwaukee area. I'm not sure they were even around.

It was lunchtime on a Tuesday. Part of the morning was spent with my son, his wife and my grandson. They know I've been thinking about heading to the last remaining Chancery to see about the burger offerings. So, they suggested we head there to have some lunch. I had the Bucky with cheddar cheese. It was listed as a Classic on the menu. Sweet potato fries as my side. The food arrived. It looked decent. I snagged a little pinch of meat without anything else. Seasoned nicely. Cut it open. Not bad. A bit less cooked would have been better. Taste, pretty good. Not a mind blower. I wasn't expecting it to be. Was it the burger I knew when I was younger? That's a tough one. I have to believe that they honor the history of the burger. I should have ordered the regular waffle fries.

Rate it: 4 of 5 Pricey in my opinion. It's a $10 burger even in modern times. $12 after adding cheese. So, not a huge discretion on price. Overall, just sort of decent burger. That's what I expected.

https://www.thechancery.com/

Grabbing food on a "hot lap" to Indiana 03.04.2023

 Our niece lives in Indiana. She's a creative person. Recently, she created a piece of art for the "Love and Chocolate" show at Studio 659, in Whiting Indiana . The show was ending and we wanted to see the artwork in person. It's a 2+ hour drive to Whiting. We decided to drive down, check the show and head back home after grabbing a bite. The show was great. So many different interpretations of the theme. Ashley's artwork was fabric but looked like it was a painting. Amazing.

After viewing the show, we headed down the main street to the Grillers for a bite to eat. Ashley mentioned that they serve a decent burger. Really? It's difficult to look at a menu without a burger bias after such a statement. Grillers is cool little joint. There's big menu board behind a counter that's staffed with folks ready to take your order. The menu is quite expansive. Behind the staff at the counter is a guy at a griddle cooking up a storm. Piles of veggies, burger patties etc. sizzling away. The cheese on burgers gets the steamed under a lid trick. I'm not sure why the menu says "broiled" because I'm pretty sure it was all flat top stuff. No matter, good food. I got the "Talk of the Town". Fries were my side. The wife got tots. The burger brought some of the flavors from the flat top which was okay. All fresh ingredients, cooked almost exactly the way I like it, a little pink. The fries were okay. I'm sort of a straight forward shoe string or regular waffle fry guy.

Rate it: 4 of 5 Decent price. Pretty darn good burger and fries. 

https://studio659.org/ and http://www.grillersrestaurant.com/

 

 

Friday Fish Fry Burger Night-State Fair Inn 03.03.2023

 Hey, it's another Friday Night Fish Fry in Milwaukee! That's cool. I had my fish fry a couple weeks ago. How about a burger? 

The State Fair Inn has been owned and operated by the same family for more than 100 years! Formerly a Schlitz Brewing company bar up until 1921, State Fair Inn hasn't changed much in some time. No need. They do what they do well.

My review might have a bit of skew to it because Fish Fry doesn't always equal yummy burgers. This burger was decent. Spiced up right, juicy. The bun was fresh and went well with the burger. I think the burger set me back about $12. Fries included.

Rate it: 4 of 5 I wouldn't go out of my way to get a burger at the State Fair Inn but, if you happen to stop by, it's a decent bet you'll like what you get.

Just remember, they are closed on the weekend and only serve food between 5-8:30PM when they are open. 

http://www.statefairinn1921.com/aboutus.html

Contracted Lunch-Bliffert Contractor Event at Potowatomi Casino 03.03.2023

 This isn't going to be any kind of super burger experience. It's more a documentation of a burger consumed. Again, the meal was part of a free event that Bliffert Lumber/Hardware does for contractors each year. It's a day long event that offers breakout sessions about decking, siding, roofing, insulation etc. Vendors hawk from behind tables to get you to look at their stuff. Lunchtime is a time to connect with others and discuss the day's activities and eat.

That being said, Potowatomi Casino has decent catering and a decent burger for the masses. I could have enjoyed some kind of brat but really, there's burgers! It was the classic case where you get the plain burger in a warmer. Making it a cheeseburger means putting a cold piece of cheese on top of a fairly warm burger. A side of  Mac N Cheese and a delicious brownie. Price wasn't a factor. Atmosphere wasn't bad considering we were in a massive conference center. Staff was pleasant and helpful when the ketchup ran out on one of the buffets.

Rate it: 3.5 of 5

I don't have a picture to share. I think the others at the table would have thought I was weird. ;) Here's the sponsor's logo anyway. Great lumber, knowledgeable staff.

Back at Leff's Lucky Town 02.16.2023

 Hey, it was Valentine's Day 2023. What better way to celebrate but to consume a burger at Leff's. The past couple years we've bought our Christmas tree at Leff's because it's a fundraiser for a local baseball league and we get a coupon for a "Buy One Get One" meal. There's a hitch, you need to use the coupon before March 1st. Valentine's Day is one of those days that we respect the idea but just aren't fans of the actual day's activities. Overpriced flowers, no chance to dine out etc. So, we adjust the day. Thus the celebration two days later. Same intent. Just more convenient. A bit of a bonus, it was lousy weather helping keep the crowds down! (selfish?)

What about the burger? It was the classic tasty burger I get almost every time I go to Leff's. It was cooked a bit more than I prefer but still had all the flavor and fresh tomato, onions etc. The bun is just enough to manage the burger patty and also fresh and tasty. I can talk about the price, even though we got a free meal. Still priced in the appropriate range for a burger at a place like Leff's. (a bit classy for a bar) I don't think I'll ever have a bad burger at Leff's. Consistent, priced right, clean place and always a great staff. I had the Cheeseburger, add bacon for $2.

Rated: 4 of 5