skip to main |
skip to sidebar
Well burger lovers we may have lost a burger joint for good. Al's Hamburger in Green Bay WI had a fire last week. The owners at this time do not know if they will re-open. The funny thing is I was just there 3 weeks ago. I went to Al's while I was in Green Bay to see the Packers Training Camp. I also was there a couple years ago and did a post about Al's and Kroll's. Second trip to Green Bay .
If you want more information about the fire go to the Green Bay Press Gazette.
You also can search related stories on the Gazette page, just type in Al's Hamburger in the "search" to see the articles. It is always sad when a Burger Joint is lost. (Picture is from the Press Gazette.)
Ok I know it has been awhile since I posted. Don't think I gave up on my Burger Runs. I have been enjoying burger joints around Wisconsin and in Chicago. I just have not posted about my Burger Runs. I have even been on Burger Research with George Motz. Two things I need to inform you Burger Lovers. Pete's Hamburger in Prairie Du Chien WI opened for the season. They are only opened Fri-Sunday Pete's Also you can now order the Revised and Updated Version of Hamburger America! 50 new Burger Joints added!
I am once again behind my post. I did Sobelman's way back at the start of December. I went there because it makes Milwaukee's best list and other blogs have mention it. Once again my GPS gets there with no problems. I wonder how the pioneers got anywhere without GPS! The first thing you will notice is the building. Talking to Dave the owner, he informed me that the building was built in the late 1800's. It was one of Milwaukee’s original Schlitz taverns. When I got there it was close to 2 pm on a Saturday afternoon. Well I had to wait in line that is how busy it was. The tables I could see were all full, I could not see into the side room. The bar was even full with customers. I was second in line and got a seat with in minutes at the bar. The staff at Sobelman's is so friendly and courteous. They know their stuff. I don't think I have been called "Sir" that many times before. Well I get my seat and I am ready to order a burger. I sometimes go with a basic Hamburger or Cheeseburger or with the most popular burger. Well I went with what is the most popular, a Sobelman Burger. The burger is fresh Black Angus beef patties, fresh of course. The patty is put on a freshly baked country butter rolls made just for Sobelman's. The buns are beautiful, as you can tell in the photo.
Now here is what makes a Sobelman Burger special. There are three different cheeses on the burger. Then the burger gets topped with jalapenos and fried onions. I have had burger with jalapenos and they were hot. The Sobelman Burger had heat but more on the mild side, it added to the flavor, not dominate the burger. That is my opinion, someone else may think they are hot. As I wait for my burger I can watch the cooks on a small flat screen TV. Yes they have a camera over the grill so you can watch them cook burgers!! This is when I start talking to the owner Dave. He started the conversation because he saw my Hamburger America notebook (I got it for Christmas a couple years back) He gives me the history of the place and talks about their second location called Sobelmans Tallgrass Grill. They use beef from the Tallgrass Beef Company. With how busy they were, I did not wait that long for my burger. My burger was good and it hit the spot. I was glad I made the trip. This place has it right,
a great product and a staff that wants you to enjoy your visit there. I really have to get back and try other burgers they have. I also have to get to the Tallgrass Grill. If you ever need a burger fix and are in the Milwaukee area, get to Sobelman's.
Sobelmans Pub & Grill is located at 1900 W. St. Paul Ave. Milwaukee WIMap
Part II of my trip, Kewpee Lunch (Hamburgers.) For my trip, I was planning swinging through Southeast Wisconsin. Then drive down to Chicago. Once in Chicago area I would hit Top Notch, Kuma's and Billy Goat. Well I only did my first two stops. My little voice said" lets save Chicago for another time." After Fred's I was off to Kewpee in Racine WI. It was a quick 30 minute drive from Fred's.
My GPS got me right to the front door. Once inside you are taken back to the early years of diners. I take a seat at the counter. I order a Double Hamburger with everything (onions, pickles, mustard and ketchup.) Before I can open up a newspaper that is next to me my burger is in front of me!!! 30 seconds sure beats the 50 minute wait at Fred's !!! Yes they had about 8 or so burgers warming on the griddle in the corner. Sort of made me sad that I was getting a "Fast Food Burger" The burger had dried out a bit sitting so long on the griddle but still hit the spot. My total time there was 10 minutes. I did not get up and look around but if you do want a good look check out Kewpee Racine. I know there are others, mostly in Lima OH and one in Lansing MI. The location in Racine is new, it was built in 1997.
Not my best or most fun "Burger Run" but I can check off two places off my list. On my way home I drove through Milwaukee. I have a bunch of places there to visit. One being Sobelmans.
Kewpee Lunch
520 Wisconsin Ave. Racine WI
Once again behind on my post, sorry guys. It was Black Friday I was itching to do some burger research. Just as I did last year same time with George. We did Zwieg's in Watertown last year. Well this time I was in Burlington WI to try Fred's. It is 1 pm the usual time I try to get to a place. I try to miss the lunch rush so I can ask questions etc... Being Black Friday I thought everyone be shopping so I woud be safe. WRONG! The place is packed. Ten tables....full. Each table sits 4-6. Thirteen stools full. A lot of people so that means a lot of burgers going out. I am lucky to get a stool. I can see the griddle in the back and the cooks are very busy. I was told to go with the 1/2 lb. but I go with the 1/4 lb. Doing other stops and did not want to fill up. I go with a cheeseburger with fried onions and a tap beer. George would love this place it has Sprecher Root Beer on tap. Fred does all the woodwork for the bar and it shows. The bar is beautiful and everything is wood. As I look around I read the signs. Did you know you can get your name to replace Fred's for just $25 Million. I make small talk with a woman that is there with her husband and kids. Thank God she is there my burger is taking forever.
Now on to the burger. The meat is ground fresh daily and comes from a grocery store called Goose Berry's, with the buns also coming from there. You can get 1/2 lb or 1/4 lb which they call a slider. Now if you remember my order it was just a cheeseburger no side. Two reasons I just ordered a burger by itself. One I don't want to get full (other stops) and two it should get pushed towards the front of the orders somewhat I thought. I was wrong. My cheeseburger comes 50 minutes later. I am in the bar business and you do get busy but I guess they have a policy of cooking them as they come in. My order was simple. Did not have to use a fryer for a side and it was a single patty, it should have been moved up. Not to the front but it shouldn't have taken 50 minutes to cook a single patty. I know it was busy but come on.
Fred's has a special blend of seasoning they use making these "The World's Best Burgers." I even bought a jar of it. Although I have not used any of it yet at home. World's Best, I don't think so. It was a good burger but I would not travel just to go have one. Which I have been know to do. Yes I have driven a hour + for a burger. I guess I got my hopes up too high from how many people were there and word of mouth. If you do make it there when it is busy turn around and go back out the door. This burger is not worth waiting 1/2 hr + for.
Next Stop Kewpee in Racine WI
Fred's Parkview
596 N Pine Street Burlington, WI 53105
Once again I am trying to catch up on my post. I visited the Tamarack II back in September. Once again I was going of an article that listed some burger places north of Madison WI. (see last post) Well this time I have my Brother with me. He has done a couple Burger Runs with me. The Tamarack II (I guess the original is in Portage WI.) is in Morrisonville WI. Frogtown U.S.A is it's nickname.
Going off the article we were there to try the Jumbo Burger with bacon and cheese. I order mine with Swiss, my Brother goes with American. The Tamarack grinds it meat daily and this burger will be a 6 ounce patty. The patty will be grill pressed and once done topped with cheese and a healthy amount of bacon. My Brother and I liked the burger a lot. It had a real peppery taste to it. I have come across places that use a lot of pepper in it's patty. The Post #67 in Lake Mills and Wedl's come to mind. They should be similar they get it from the same place! The burger at the Tamarack must be good. I met some guys there that eat at my place!! I called them traitors!! Next time they came into eat at my place they asked what a traitor like me is doing at the Tamarack II !!!
Back in August I visited Spring Creek Tavern in Lodi WI. I got some information about the place in a local magazine that did a burger article on places North of Madison. I am not talking the North woods of Wisconsin. Places that are a quick 30 minute ride from Madison. Like most places I visit for a burger in Wisconsin this is a tavern. Tavern burgers usually get good word of mouth. Once again my girlfriend was with me, perfect time to go to the Spring Creek Tavern on a Monday. Two for one burger special on Monday. We walk in about 6:45 pm. The place was packed. Well I was there to try the Tavern Burger. This Burger is 80/20 ground chuck, "fresh never frozen." That phrase is getting old. Lets say a 80/20 blend of fresh ground chuck. The bun of this burger is baked daily across the street at Weber's Bakery. Spring Creek Tavern cooks it's burgers on a flat top grill. Once the Tavern Burger is done on the grill, it gets it's toppings. The burger is topped with cheddar cheese, sour cream and lettuce. Oh the burger is not finished yet, it gets a heaping pile of fried shoe string onions. In the picture that heaping pile to the left of my burger.... was on top of my burger!! This burger was a a mess!! shoe string onions falling off it. The sour cream and lettuce sliding all over the place. It was a good but I think I need to go back and try a "traditional" burger. The shoe strings and other toppings masked the burger. I still got two burgers for the price of one!!
Editors note: As I said I went to Spring Creek Tavern in August. I was doing some finishing touches on this post and came across this article Spring Creek Tavern. If you don't want to read it I will give you the short version. Spring Creek Tavern is closed. I guess I won't be going back to try another burger.
