This event happen on May 4th 08'
Solly's Grille (pg. 296-297 Hamburger America, Motz) Well I am a very lucky Guy. One of the places mentioned in the Documentary Film Hamburger America is just a hour + drive for me. Solly's Grille is in Glendale WI, a burb' of Milwaukee. A chance to use my new GPS Garmin. I am glad George but addresses in his book!! My Garmin got me to Solly's with no problems, even the arrival time was right on the money.
The first thing you will notice is the yellow horseshoe counter. I take my seat at the counter. Now I try to get to places after their lunch rush, so I get there at 1 pm. There are about 6-8 customers counting myself. Once again I go on what my Hamburger Bible (Hamburger America) says.... I order a Butter Burger "without." That is no stewed onions. I also get a Coke and a side of fries. A couple is to my right a few stools down. She is eating a Butter Burger. He is eating a Cheesehead. The Cheesehead burger has grilled mushrooms, stewed and raw onions, swiss, american cheese. I got full just looking at it!! There is a good picture on Solly's website in the gallery section. Speaking of pictures.... The Butter Burger is a tough model to take pictures of. So sorry no pics of the Butter Buger, yet.
Well within a few minutes my order arrives. Just like the picture in the book. Cut in half on a small white plate. I take a bite.....................
Have you ever ate food that takes you back to a time when you were younger. Well this bite did!! I thought of my grandmother's cooking, real butter with everything she made. By the time I come out of my hypnotic trance, I have one of the halves gone already. Let me tell you something. BURGER LOVERS MUST EAT THIS BURGER!!! It is soooooo good you will want another one, which I did. "Another Butter Burger please." "This time with stewed onions." Again the first bite is heaven. You wonder if you have to eat fast because the butter is melting, which is a good thing. Lets just say you don't have to scarf it down to avoid a mess. Oh you will clean your plate. Save some of the burger to wipe the plate clean!
I have my book to for the owner Glenn Fieber to sign. Bad luck again for me, Glenn is not there. The waitress says he will be in on Tuesday. Well I have her sign my book anyway. I tell her I will drive the hour + to catch Glenn. The waitress tells me about a guy that takes a train up from Chicago once a month to get a sack full of Butter Burgers. Well having the book makes customers around me ask questions about the book and the film. I sit and talk with them for awhile.
Fast forward to Tuesday May 6th. I get there about the same time as I did on Sunday. Glenn is already gone!!!! Oh well " A Butter Burger without and a Coke please." As I wait customers again ask me about my book I have with me. One of the customers is a 80 year old woman. She has been eating at Solly's since she was 15 yrs old. The customers and I talk burgers. They tell me about other places to try around the area. What a fun time and a great burger. I can't wait to have another one. Like I said any burger lover or fan on Hamburger America should visit Solly's Grille!
On the drive home I took a side trip to Jefferson WI to go to Peterson's (pg. 294-296 Hamburger America, Motz) I get there and the name is now Wendl's. The Peterson's sold it to the Wendl's in 07'. Two young men are inside, one is Robert Wendl. He is the one in pictured in the shack on pg. 295. I order a single to go. While I wait I have Robert sign my book. I get my burger and walk with my brown paper bag back to my car. I take a seat in my car and take a bite. George hit it on the head when describing the taste... Peppery. I like pepper and this was not too much for me. I finish the burger in no time, which means I love it.
What a great day!! I missed Glenn at Solly's but I had a Butter Burger plus a Single from Wendl's. Life is Good!
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