TnT's Diner West Fargo North Dakota

West Fargo North Dakota TNT's Diner. Tim n Tammy Hagensen Owners

This was a great find when I was in Fargo. Located just west of fargo at 405 w main ave the place was packed, looks like its been added onto every few years. the food the wait staff and the pies are great. had the swedish meatball special with soup (corn chowder). it was more then anyone should eat at one time for any meal. then the table next to me ordered the bread pudding. The Greatest Bead pudding I have ever had (soft spot for the BP) Homemade just like everything here, like the long list of pies apple crisp and of course the Bread Puddin. When going to or through the fargo area this is a must stop. Open from 7am-8pm m-f and sat 7am-3pm Like the signs says this is "home cooking at its best 701-277-7062

Jennie's Original State Fair Grinder Des Moines Iowa

Jennies original state Fair Grinders hwy 6 East between Des Moines and Altoona IA.

Small taco stand that has been resurrected into a state fair stand in the neighborhood. The grandson of the woman who invented and pattend the "Grinder" a loose meat sausage sandwich with cheese, is running this small but great place. The Grinder is what they serve at the Iowa state fair but here you can get more.Giant pork tenderloins hand cut and breaded fresh daily. The bun is as big as your head and the tenderlion hangs out on all sides. If you can't make it to the fair stop here, they opened in May of 2010. Been a must have at the Fair from the 40's when Grandma Jennie pattend the grinder. Great Food from people who love to make Great food!

George & Nicks Pizza and Steaks Centerville Iowa

George & Nicks Centerville Iowa

This is main street USA! a huge square with the perfect court house in the center. I drove into the square and thought I would be in the middle of an event or parade. Lawn chairs lining the streets all around the square. tents being set up and children practicing a pageant of some kind. stopped a couple that was putting out there chairs "Its Pancake day Saturday!" Free pancakes and one of Iowas largest parades. The fest is on the last Saturday in Sept every year. I was there Wednesday night all ready saving there spots. I have only seen this when you want twins playoff tickets. The couple also told me to eat at George and Nicks Pizza and Steaks pointing in that direction, a place located on one side of the square. They have the pizza ovens going and a large grill for the steaks right at the door when you walk in. everyone is very friendly like everyone in the town. The Wed special was Rib eye dinner. so that's what I had. my server asked if I wanted steak sauce and then said she didn't think I would need it, and I didn't it was cooked perfect Med Rare. very fast service and great people make this a must do in Centerville Iowa. I was told the pizzas are all made from scratch even the sausage. They have been family owned for 40+ years.

Dows Mercentile Dows Iowa

Dows Mercantile on the main street of Dows Iowa just 2 miles west of 35W. In side there is a special place Creme de la Creme Ice cream and snacks. Great Bowl of homemade Chile and a ham salad sammy. $4.50 Hard and soft ice cream I had to have a malt before I left. just like you would make at home. Traveling down 35w go to the Dows exit and follow the signs to the visitors center. Make sure you stop there a great little museum and black smith shop next door. After you have a treat look around the antique shop they have a bit of everything there. Great town with a great spot to stretch the legs. easy on easy off.



http://www.dowsiowa.com/Mercantile.html

Bandanas BBQ Ankeny IA

Bandana's BBQ Ankeny Iowa

A chain BBQ restaurant based in St Louis MO 31 stores in 3 states and growing. I had a "pick 2 combo" with the ribs and sausage, tater salad, fried corn on the cob and garlic toast. all very good for a chain. your choice of 6 sauces they serve the ribs dry with a great rub and great smoke ring. The fried corn was really good corn on the cob deep fried!. you can smell the smoke they really do smoke and prepair all the food fresh ever day. the bread is made fresh and delivered daily. This was the best rib sausage platter I ever had in a big time restaurant. if your in the Des Monies area their are 3 Bandana's BBQ's and one coming to Iowa City. you won't go wrong for you BBQ fix. www.bandanasbbq.com and they cater besides.

Jim's Barb-IE-Q shack Wisconsin Rapids WI

Not just a shack any more. Barb and Jim Schmidt have been serving great Hickory smoked ribs for years out of a great southern yankee smoker with a shack that Jim built around it on a traveling trailer. This is truly a family run BBQ place. They have now moved into a great place on 8th street in Wisconsin Rapids. They still do wedding and events with the catering biz but are focused in on making this the "go to" place for BBQ in the Wisconsin Rapids area. I had the Rib tip dinner with 2 sides. The tips here are more like Rib nuggets they put allot of work into taking the little bones out no left over parts here. I had the beans and cheese potatoes. they use a sauce from Des moines Ia Ray and Franks the Sassy was very good. Stop in and see Barb and Jim When in WR call 715-424-0880 Don't forget to get some ice cream from the ice cream shop at the same counter

Jim's Barb-IE-Q Wisconsin Rapids WI

Not just a shack any more. For years Jim and Barb Schmidt have been smokin Ribs in a traveling shack on wheels in thw Wisconsin Rapids area. jim researched the sokers and found a great looking Southern Yankee smoker he put on a flat bed and built a shack around it. Now they have moved into a nice building on 8th st in Wisconsin Rapids. along with rib they have a great ice cream selection. Skoked with hickory wood I had the Rib tip dinner more like rib nuggets, They have worked hard to get rid of the little bones usualy in Tips. you can taste the hickory smoke and with the ray and franks sauce from Des moines Ia they were a treat. Worth the trip to have Barb and Jim's dream of the best BBQ in the area. A Great family run BBQ shack They do catering also. 715-424-0880

Chinese Palace Green Bay WI

Neighborhood Chinese food with 100's of items to choose from on the menu. Way too much food and great pork fried rice. they have a menu for eating in and one for take out. If your by yourself ask for half orders or smaller portions other wise split the order with some one. I had hunan Beef was to be hot bust it was only midwest hot. They also have a large lunch buffet.

Skips Dinner Green Bay, WI

A dinner in the shadows of Lambo Field in Green Bay. All the fancy sports bars and fancy grills can't compete with Skips. I ordered a Burger just a burger well CJ (I think her name was) my waitress asked do you want a combo? whats with a combo? Fries or Soup? I took the home made (by CJ) Chicken Rice soup and the burger Total Bill $4.22 with tax Why is there a Mac & Ds down the road? it must be a Green bay thing (like worshiping the Packers) Before a Packer viking game go here for breakfast or a quick lunch CJ is a Viking fan Too. It couldn't get any Greater then this.

Rouix Orleans Down town Waterloo IA

Rouix Orleans Downtown Waterloo IA  Too Bad it Closed in 2011  try Newtons Cafe across the street get the pork tenderloin!

This great Downtown Waterloo restaurant is classy and casual fun just like Bourbon street in NOLA

A great variety of Orleans food along with some American dishes. I was served the white bass with crawfish sauce. it was a great twist. The gumbo was excellent and the side of Jumbolia was OK. service is great with a nice atmosphere. if your in Iowa and need to get a bit closer to NOLA get you fix here.

Totten Trail Historic Inn

Devils Lake area best kept secret place to go. Rooms a in the old staff building of fort Totten Built in 1867. Later turned into a Indian bording scool no a Great bed and breakfast. well worth the trip to Devils lake area lots to see and do here. Go to www.tottentrailinn.com for more information

James Super Chikan Johnson @ Palmers Bar Mpls 3/16/10

James "Super Chikan" Johnson at Palmers Bar March 16 2010. Good friend and all around Mpls music guru Charlie Lawson finally got me to see one of his finds in the Mpls area. Palmers Bar on the West bank in Mpls MN was the site of a great Mississippi Blues concert. James "Super Chikan" Johnson played on his home made electric guitars It was the greatest. He writes most of his own songs , playing them with a homemade guitar and a gold toothed smile. "some buddy shoot that thang" Roosters on his jeans. if you ever get the chance to see him don't pass it up you will be sorry. for more go to www.superchikan.bandzoogle.com/home

St Brendan's Inn Green Bay WI

St Brendan's Inn Green Bay WI Found this gem buy fate. Booked a room at the quality Inn Green Bay on washington Ave. Wanted to get something to eat, the front desk guy was new and only heard that the 2 pubs across the street were good but had never been there. I walked out the door turned to the left then the right the St Brendan on the right is a great looking Irish pub from the out side and the inside is even better. It looked like the kitchen was closed and it was (closes after 9 pm) BUT "we do have Irish stew until midnight" OK am in. The best Irish stew ever. Brought in a giant bowl with a heap of real mashed potatoes in the center, huge chunks of beef and vegie's. I was glad i didn't have a choice because I would not have picked this off the great Irish menu. I didn't think there was any place but Curlys pub at Lambo field and a million small bars to go to in Green bay. This is the greatest. I had an Irish Coffee for desert it was near perfect only thing wrong was it was made with wiped cream from the can not fresh. I will be back to this Island of a pub along the river in Green bay

Zippy's BBQ Cedar Falls IA

Zippys small building but mighty good ribs and brisket. Cooked in a stone pit smoker just out side the door.

Stacks of smoking wood stand along side the small fast food looking building. They have a drive up window and setting for maybe 4. the ribs and the service is the best I have ever had. If your in the Waterloo Cedar Falls IA area you need to get to Zippy's you will enjoy every thing on the menu. Located just South of down town Cedar Falls on 2010 Main street just stick you head out the window and follow your nose. I ordered to go and had them in my hotel!

There web site is http://www.zippysbbq.com

Grandma Patty's Cafe Brandon MN

Brandon MN small town Cafe Grandma Patty's Best service with a Italian Sausage and Egg Breakfast special. All locals here, they have a very good thing going. I had the special and Carol had the eggs Benedict breakfast super fast and friendly. We will be back!