On our way to Minnesota, we logged on to "the site" with a portable phone and were pleased to find Monk's coming up in 20 miles. While driving through downtown in the off-season, we imagined how crazy the small tourist trap of a town must be when it's in full swing. The Dells is to water parks what Gatlinburg TN is to the breakfast show. Spring was in the air and there were already some locals walking the sidewalks and cruising the streets.
As everyone noted, the smell is the first sign that you're close to Monks. Right in the front of the long narrow building is the small kitchen with a window front for all the window-lickers to admire. The grill hood pumps the sweet smell of the burgers cooking on the ancient grill out to the passersby on the sidewalk. The smell is overwhelming, scratch-and-sniff sticker strong.
My wife and I both opted for the classic with cheese and onions, medium-rare, with a side of cheese curds. The burgers are massive one-third-pound handmade patties made from fresh, quality beef. This was the burger I'd been looking for, the best burger I've had in a long, long time. It came served simply on a piece of paper right on the bar. Between the huge patty, the precise cooking temperature (nailing medium-rare), and the 50-year-old grease patina on the grill, it's simply burger perfection.
The curds are outstanding as well. Fried cheese curds are a Wisconsin specialty and these are probably the best I've ever had. The tangy, hot balls of cheese are deep-fried in hot, clean oil long enough to give them a dark, very crispy and chewy texture. The cheese is somewhat acidic, which is really nice when mixed with the great mouthfeel.
Without a doubt one of the best bar meals I've ever had. If you're in the area, make sure you go out of your way for a visit to Monk's. The bartenders are very friendly, helpful, and welcoming. It was a really nice experience and we'll definitely be back for round two.
"This is what the smell is all about. The burgers are great. This is a simple plain cheesburger, with onions of course; but there are a variety of cheeses, toppings, and sizes available. "
Neal Pritchett
"Monk's is one of the places where the locals go, after a hard day of running water parks and boat rides. "
Neal Pritchett
"Hardly anything to see from the outside; but, oh that smell."
Neal Pritchett
