Mall of America & US-61/WI-35 south?

Re:Mall of America? (easydoesit)

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 14:58:52 GMT

stricken_detective

Is Piggy's still open in LaCrosse?

Yep, sure is. Open each evening, and also Monday - Friday for lunch, where they have an abbreviated menu, but a teriffic soup and salad bar. There are several very full office buildings within a couple blocks, and at noon the place is always packed.

They have a nice website, too, if you wanted to check out their stuff.

Re:Mall of America? (stricken_detective)

Tue, 25 Sep 2012 01:30:20 GMT

Is Piggy's still open in LaCrosse?

Re:Mall of America? (BuddyRoadhouse)

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 18:33:29 GMT

Sounds like a nice trip. Doesn't seem like Monroe will be part of your plans though. Have fun!

Buddy

Re:Mall of America? (Davydd)

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 17:19:21 GMT

We will be near Tomah at the Hixton/Alma KOA through Sunday for a Class B camper van RV social with people we know from all over the country. We will probably come home via La Crosse to stop off and see our son and grandsons.

Last spring our group gathered in Van Buren, MO. Last fall in Lake o' the Pines, Texas; and spring last year, Tombstone, AZ. We do this a couple of times a year. I waylaid all the way over to Pewaukee for that Contingent brat cookoff before heading up to Grand Marais, MN to host a B Social. Been on the road a lot this year. Just got back from a two month trip to Alaska and back. 35,000 miles in just a little over a year so far. This coming social is like being in our backyard.

Re:Mall of America? (BuddyRoadhouse)

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 13:04:24 GMT

Davydd,
How long will you be in Wisconsin? Are you aware that the biannual Cheese Days celebration is taking place this weekend in Monroe, Wisconsin? We'll be there on Sunday looking for artisan cheeses, deep fried cheese curds, bratwurst from the local Turner Hall, and The World's Longest, Worst Parade Ever! Also, a Limburger sandwich or two from Baumgartner's, and a couple of fresh from the spit al pastor tacos at the bodega just off the main square.

We're hoping to get there in the early afternoon. Monroe is almost due south and just slightly west of Madison, about six miles north of the Illinois border.

Maybe we'll see you and Nancy if you're in a cheesy state of mind.

Buddy

Re:Mall of America? (Davydd)

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 10:54:11 GMT

Maybe we'll pass you on the highway. We are heading into Wisconsin tomorrow.

Re:Mall of America? (ScreamingChicken)

Tue, 11 Sep 2012 09:07:42 GMT

Things are starting to round into shape. It looks like we're going to be able to take WI-35 to get there and then US-61 to get home, which should allow us to stop at both Stockholm Pie Company and Bev's Cafe (and/or any other interesting places) without having to do so on the same day. Thanks for all the help!

Re:Mall of America? (easydoesit)

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 13:58:08 GMT

I mean vinegary....if that's a word.

Re:Mall of America? (easydoesit)

Thu, 06 Sep 2012 13:57:03 GMT

pineyhill, too bad you didn't get to the Train Station. It was really good, and in my opinion, many steps above Famous Daves (although I like Dave's just fine, as far as it goes).

They had a thinner sauce, and more vonegary, which, I have learned here, is more like a North Carolina sauce than the so many others. And, from looking at Roadfood menus from everywhere, TS prices were very reasonable.

The only thing about Happy Joe's is that, yes, it's a chain, but a well done one, and people seem to get excited about their 'famous' taco pizza.

Re:Mall of America? (Davydd)

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 10:48:05 GMT

Famous Dave's was indeed started in Hayward, WI which is a good 6 hours or more away from La Crosse. Famous Dave's corporate offices are now in Minnetonka, MN and their flagship restaurant now is just down the road from me a mere three hours away from La Crosse. I wouldn't consider Famous Dave's as being "local".

Re:Mall of America? (pineyhill)

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 09:46:30 GMT

Easy, I never had a chance to try TS BBQ. Everyone who tried that I talked to said it was good. Sorry that I missed my chance. Now as far as Happy Joe's that isn't really much of a loss.

Re:Mall of America? (ScreamingChicken)

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 09:44:05 GMT

Thanks for the updated suggestions. If Google Maps can be trusted there's a wide variety and ample quantity of eateries within walking distance of our hotel, so we're not going to go hungry. We've even discussed leaving Friday morning and picking up some cheap tickets to the Friday night game, which would allow us to make a lunch stop as well.

Re:Mall of America? (kland01s)

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 09:30:12 GMT

Actually Famous Dave's is almost a local place for you. Dave Anderson opened his first restaurant not all that far away in Hayward Wisconsin in a resort on Big Round Lake.

Re:Mall of America? (easydoesit)

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 02:57:30 GMT

You can skip anything further about the Train Station Barbecue, they closed down two weeks ago due to a lack of business. After six years of trying, the town did not support them. Yet, Famous Dave's is doing fine. This town does seem to love bland food. Although I really feel Train Station problem was picking the wrong location. They needed to be near the biggest mall, where the money is.

Meanwhile, as if we didn't have enough already, Mexican and Asian places are popping up all over.

Can also skip anything about Happy Joe's pizza, we no longer have a franchise. The manager had some falling out with corporate. He is still running the place in similar fashion, but it is now called Pizza Pros.

Re:Mall of America? (totillie)

Wed, 05 Sep 2012 00:55:46 GMT

A sincere and hearty second to The Tap. We ate there in May. It was good. It was better than good. If you can swing this [pun intended], please go.

Re:Mall of America? (Davydd)

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 20:04:08 GMT

Gluek's is plain and simple bar food. Good place to hang out. When I worked downtown I had many a lunch there. For hanging out downtown in a bar I preferred The Local, an Irish Pub; Brits, an English Pub or Lyon's on 6th, where the bartenders actually knew my name and I influenced and introduced the breaded pork tenderloin sandwich to be put on the menu. :)

But I am pretty much 5 years removed from the downtown scene. My bar haunts now are on or near Lake Minnetonka - Hazellewood Grill & Pub, Jake O'Connor's Publik House, Maynard's on Excelsior Bay, McGarry's Irish Pub in Maple Plain, etc.

Re:Mall of America? (ces1948)

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 19:05:41 GMT

Never been there but both those places sound great. Very interesting menu's

ScreamingChicken

Looks like our plans have changed a little and we're going to be staying downtown within walking distance of Target Field instead of out by the Mall. Hopefully we'll still be able to make the drive home on 61 and hit a few places, but the lodging relocation has also given us some additional options. Gluek's has a Friday fish fry that sounds pretty good and Firelake would be nice place for dinner on Saturday.

Brad

Re:Mall of America? (Wintahaba)

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 14:57:32 GMT

The Train Station BBQ is closed and listed on Craigslist for sale.

Re:Mall of America? (ScreamingChicken)

Tue, 04 Sep 2012 14:43:38 GMT

Looks like our plans have changed a little and we're going to be staying downtown within walking distance of Target Field instead of out by the Mall. Hopefully we'll still be able to make the drive home on 61 and hit a few places, but the lodging relocation has also given us some additional options. Gluek's has a Friday fish fry that sounds pretty good and Firelake would be nice place for dinner on Saturday.

Brad

Re:Mall of America? (Davydd)

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:15:36 GMT

We are in La Crosse about once a month but we rarely go out to eat since our grandsons are 3 and 6. We end up babysitting while the beleaguered parents get a night out.

Re:Mall of America? (easydoesit)

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:10:55 GMT

No, Brad, Ive not even heard of Pier 4, but their menu looks good. I am going to have to get in there, but BB's description of the pies in Stockholm, plus Pier 4, means a little drive up the beautiful river is in the very near future.

My wife is a true chicken pot pie lover, so we know what we'll be buying.

Just for info, with everyone talking about how good the KFC pot pie is, she had one yesterday, and was quite happy with it. I got a platter with breast and wing, and beans and slaw. It was OK, but local places do better. Some of them, anyway.

Re:Mall of America? (buffetbuster)

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:56:10 GMT

ScreamingChicken

buffetbuster

Brad-
If you do drive down along the Mississippi River, can I convince you to drive along the Wisconsin side? The reason is to visit the Stockholm Pie Company, which very well may be my favorite pie shop in the country.

Let's see...we could hit Bev's in Red Wing, cross the river on 63, and drive down 35 on the Wisconsin side so that's certainly possible. I see that SPC sells frozen homemade chicken pot pies so I could pick up a couple to have for supper when we get home that night. That just might be a plan!

Brad, if it works out with your schedule, I hope you do get a chance to stop in Stockholm. I would be very curious how their chicken pot pies are.

Re:Mall of America? (ScreamingChicken)

Fri, 13 Apr 2012 10:37:21 GMT

easydoesit

But it sounds like you are interested in making time to get home. Instead of chicken pot pie to take home for dinner that night, how about barbeque? We have a very good place in La Crosse, Train Station Barbecue. It's very well done by an accomplished chef, and leaves Famous Dave's way back in the dust.

Speaking of barbecue, have you ever been to Pier 4 Cafe & Smokehouse in Alma? It popped up as I was Googling my way down WI-35 and it looks interesting, although I suspect we might still be pretty full from breakfast at that time.

I was planning on visiting La Crosse last fall and The Train Station had been suggested to me, but the trip fell through.

Re:Mall of America? (easydoesit)

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:51:31 GMT

And just to mention, we recently spent several nights in that area, and stayed at the Hyatt Place, Minneapolis Airport South, at 7800 International Drive in Bloomington. Very nice and good size room, for just 99.00 a night, and tax of course. We liked the price very much, but it's sad that they don't offer a microwave in the room. They have a small fridge and etc, but no mike.

But they are just a few blocks away, and a nice straight shot, to the Mall. Location for the Mall is super.

Re:Mall of America? (easydoesit)

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 14:41:12 GMT

Brad, if you do come down the Wisconsin side, and if you do indeed get to La Crosse, here are a few suggestions you might like:

In the small town of Fountain City is the Golden Frog, a restaurant and bar that has been around for many decades. I grew up in the area, and remember going to that place in the late 1950's with my folks. Very good food, and it's really more like a supper club, except they are open for lunch too.

Motorcyclists in the Twin Cities area have a yearly thing they call the Flood Run, where hundreds of bikers, of all kinds, real outlaws and regular riders, ride up and down the river from Twin Cities to Winona and back. The Golden Frog is a regular stop, and is a real hoot when all those rowdies are there. But no one is looking for trouble, they are all out for fun.

www.thegoldenfrog.com

Immediately across the street (Hwy 35) from the Frog is a lefse place, homemade right there. Can't get it any fresher. Don't remember the name. But really nice people...well, of course they are. They're Norwegian.

Ten miles south on Hwy 35 is the Hillside Fish House, a very good supper club (not open until 5 PM), but they have been there for well over a century, and the menu explains trading with the Indians for fresh fish. This place I remember with my folks since the early 50's, always been good, and looks just like it always did. But it would be an hour stop for your family if you were to eat there.

www.hillsidefishhouse.com

You will probably be going through Trempealeau on your way south. If you feel like making a stop, there is the Hungry Point, a combination boat dock, bait shop, and bar and grill. I have not been there for a couple years now, but they had great burgers and fries and onion rings, and it is a true Roadfood place, filled with local color and characters. Great view of the Mississippi and the local lock and dam from their bar area.

But it sounds like you are interested in making time to get home. Instead of chicken pot pie to take home for dinner that night, how about barbeque? We have a very good place in La Crosse, Train Station Barbecue. It's very well done by an accomplished chef, and leaves Famous Dave's way back in the dust.

The name is probably too much to explain right now, but they are a drive-thru place and very fast. And reasonably priced.

They serve their meat dry, with sauce on the side, the perfect way. They have great sauce, but the food is so good you don't need much.   I've always liked Bone Sucking Sauce for it's thinner, vinegary flavor and texture. This place goes in that direction, but in a much better way. When I have their sauce, Bone Sucking suddenly seems too sweet.

Besides the sauce, their beans are incredible. Get a pint for sure.  The corn bread is also good, but the cole slaw is kind of large chunks and flavorless, and the potato salad is pretty good, but no eggs in it, which I like.  I will usually add some at home.

But they are made for takeout, and everything they do travels well. I do love their rack of ribs, and pulled pork.

www.thetrainstationbbq.com

But La Crosse also has the famous chains Maidrite and Happy Joe's pizza. The Maidrite store in La Crosse is a great throwback to older times, not at all the plastic kind of places they are now producing. Talking Roadfood style, you'd love it. Old style local building, local neighborhood, local people, no one else even seems to know about it. But they have all the Maidrite menu, and more. Great breakfasts, and steaks too!

Happy Joe's is the home of their well known taco pizza, and mighty good. Where Train Station and Maidrite will require you to go into town a little, Happy Joes is right close to I-90, and you will see it (on your left) in the suburb of Onalaska if you are coming down Hwy 35. Then it's just a half mile or so to I-90.

Depends on what your family feels like eating, and your schedule, but I would really recommend Train Station Barbecue. I can't go near there without getting a half-rack and some cornbread. My wife is a big fan of their pulled pork.

Good luck! I hope these links work, if not they are all just a google away.

Re:Mall of America? (joerogo)

Thu, 12 Apr 2012 08:20:38 GMT

Hey Brad, I usually come up with this formula in your situation:

Daughter + Wife + Shopping Mall =

Re:Mall of America? (ALLGOOD)

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 23:19:27 GMT

wanderingjew

Brad

Since everyone else is making suggestions for places in areas that you didn't request
I'll throw in my suggestions too
Carol's Restaurant a classic Roadfood Restaurant that was in the pre-website Roadfood Book. I had a superb hot meatloaf sandwich and their hot turkey looked amazing too.
http://www.myspace.com/blainecarols

Allgood

does anyone ever read my trip reports?

A true worthy stop in Red Wing is Bev's Cafe
http://www.bevscafe.com/

I had Tater Tot Hotdish the last time I was there- it just happenned to be their daily special and it was good
however I had their Hot Pork Sandwich the time before that was really good.

Wandering, trying to check out Bev's tomorrow. With a group of unruly men so trying to convince them!!! Thanks for the tip. Here until Fri. Any other suggestions will be appreciated. !!! Try to read all posts, just busy with corporate edicts. Maybe I should just build a doomsday bunker near the best foodie locale. Any suggestions ??
Might start a good new string ....

Re:Mall of America? (ALLGOOD)

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 23:16:07 GMT

ScreamingChicken

buffetbuster

Brad-
If you do drive down along the Mississippi River, can I convince you to drive along the Wisconsin side? The reason is to visit the Stockholm Pie Company, which very well may be my favorite pie shop in the country.

Let's see...we could hit Bev's in Red Wing, cross the river on 63, and drive down 35 on the Wisconsin side so that's certainly possible. I see that SPC sells frozen homemade chicken pot pies so I could pick up a couple to have for supper when we get home that night. That just might be a plan!

And speaking of Red Wing, I see there's a restaurant called The Smokin' Oak that features a wood-fired rotisserie. Allgood, maybe this is a place you could check out.

Dude-It's in the parking lot of my hotel... but, really good food, no kidding. Anytime you're around Red Wing it would be worth the trip. Real WISCONSIN fried curds. Feels like home! Soups are great too.

Re:Mall of America? (Davydd)

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 19:15:21 GMT

The "Jucy Lucy" was coined by Matt's Bar. Everyone else calls it "Juicy Lucy". It is nothing more than a cheese stuffed hamburger and until the food network shows started proliferating and coming to the Twin Cities it was pretty much confined to Matt's Bar, The 5-8 Club and the Nook. Now every restaurant wants to get in on the action and it has exploded in and around the Twin Cities probably more so than other cities.

Re:Mall of America? (Tedsrfs)

Wed, 11 Apr 2012 17:03:13 GMT

There are some interesting and local food concessions available at the Twins stadium. Avoid the florescent yellow cheese.

Jensen's Supper Club has Popovers !!

There is a newer place across the street from MOA, Redrossa's Italian Grille located in a Best Western Motel across from the Bloomingdales side. It's a chain "wannabee". This is their first venture outside of Sioux Falls, and the prices are much better than inside the MOA.
darn website doesn't want to display -- it's RedRossa dot com