Restaurant Reviews : Mill Town Café and Mackinaw's

Hello!

I absolutely LOVE going out to eat for breakfast on the weekends. The hardest part is finding good places in the area - sad but true!

Here are 2 that I really enjoy:

Mackinaws - East Green Bay:

(click on the above link to visit Mackinaw's website)

I heard their advertisements on the radio for a few weeks. They have been pushing their Sunday Breakfast / Brunch Buffet. My biggest issue in trying this out was that I have NEVER been impressed with the food or service at Mackinaw's. I have tried several different dishes and just never walked away thinking, "Wow! What a great meal!".

That being said, I thought I would at least TRY their Sunday Buffet. A small group of us went around noon - it made me more than a little nervous that there were not many cars in the lot. We were seated immediately and saw the big dry-erase board as we walked in: "Sunday Buffet $10.99". We were seated and a friendly waitress greeted us and invited us to walk by the buffet to decide if that was our choice or if we were going to order from the menu.

Impressive Selections:

* Scrambled eggs, potatoes, bacon, sausage and all the typical basic items

* Breakfast enchiladas. They looked good and tasted even better!

* Omelet bar - made to order!

* Lunch items such as mashed potatoes, prime rib (carved to order), chicken and more

* Salad bar - great looking lettuce!

* Fruit Bar

I ate WAY too much, but wanted to try as many items as I could! Everything was excellent. The waitress checked on us, regularly, and the omelet chefs were very accommodating and friendly.

Some in our group mentioned that the dessert section was weak, but everyone gave the experience 2 big thumbs up! We will definitely go again and I would recommend it to all of you.

MillTown Café - East Green Bay:

803 Klaus Street (take University to Quincy, north to Klaus - can't miss it!)

This is by FAR my favorite breakfast spot in Green Bay! I go at least twice each month and love it.

The atmosphere is the stereotypical diner layout: Small and cozy - there are even the little round stools by the counter, just as you would expect. The staff is comprised of very friendly peeps and the owners are always around - usually making wise cracks with the regulars. The place is perfectly outdated, which gives it that "diner feel" and extremely clean.

The menu provides many options that would satisfy just about anyone. My two favorites are the Mexican Omelet and the Western Omelet. Both are made with fresh ingredients - and the eggs are always perfectly cooked. The coffee is hot and tastes great. Upon request, the server will bring you homemade jam for your toast. Yeah, it is awesome!

The prices are very reasonable, as expected. They even have a frequent client card you can use to get your 10th meal free. You almost feel bad even USING it with the prices being so reasonable!

They do not have a website, but stop in and check it out. If a lady wearing an apron walks out of the kitchen comes up to talk to you (that's Bonnie, the owner) tell her Todd and Robb from Shenanigan's sent you in. She will probably smile and make some remark that will make you laugh! ;)

Thanks for reading! More to come soon!

Cheers!

Robb

A couple bar reviews - some quick hits!

Hello!

Here are a few brief bar reviews:

Firehouse:

Let's face it.....that place just hasn't been the same since Becky left to work at Shenanigan's, right? The new owners are currently struggling and the staff turnover has been high. I have noticed the hours have been shrinking and rarely see much of a crowd when I drive by. Personally, the lack of TV's always turned me off to the place. The bar clearly has an *image* and it is decked out appropriately for that image - it is now just lacking some key faces to give it that draw a bar needs.

Cranky Ape (formerly Liar's Club):

As many of you know, Liar's Club went down due to some.....well, let's say "mishandling of cash and tax dollars". A new owner has come in. He has several other bars outside of Green Bay and surely has the experience to make this little bar work. Nothing really changed, inside. The stripper poles are gone, but it is basically the same bar with new faces. The crowd is younger (lower 20's age), but you still find a few middle-agers lingering. The music selection is good and not too loud. The owner could have done more with the Cranky Ape theme, internally, but it works with the minimal effort he gave. Overall, there is nothing too exciting about the place that would draw me back to it. The bartenders weren't super hot or super friendly - it is just another bar.

Cock N Bull:

I won't go on my rant about the things that turn me off about this bar - most of you already know. The deck was a MAJOR investment for Daryl (owner). Rumors are it ran near $250k due to the type of deck, furnishings, tv built into the brick wall and a high expense for major electrical changes going into the building. It makes sense to have a party deck - especially with the upcoming smoking ban. The biggest issue now is that nobody is ever ON the deck. Clearly, it hasn't been the draw that was expected. With no bartender, outside, and no cocktail waitress, I am not a bit surprised. My visit there 2 weeks ago was typical: Music too loud, men's toilet over-flowing with ....well...you don't want those details, overpriced drinks and not a thing to draw me in except Ashley and Cindy (great and good looking bartenders!).

Bomb Shelter:

This bar was purchased just over a year ago by Richie Sinclair and Howie (of Highland Howie's). It doesn't make a killing, but since they have other bars that share Administration costs, it doesn't need to make too much to be a little profitable. The bar is rather small and run down, but the concept is pretty creative. The wall decor is consistent with the name and having 100 different *bomb* shot recipes on the wall is a catchy idea. The service is always good and most of the time the bartender is a hottie! Their staff turnover has been high, lately, but that can be expected from a bar that isn't always busy. I have never had a bad experience at this bar, but the crowd that hangs there doesn't draw me to visit more than once or twice each month.

That's it for today! Thanks for reading and I look forward to your comments, here, or on Facebook.

I am still compiling a mailing list to send you notifications that a new blog is posted. Please send an e-mail to jalapeno.mail@gmail.com and you will be added.

(no spam or junk mail....ONLY new blog notifications. You have my word!)

Cheers!

Robb

Willi's and Ricky T's [bar reviews]

Hello!

Here are 2 quick bar reviews for you.

Ricky T's - Green Bay, WI:

This bar is located on Riverside Drive right near the Allouez Ave. intersection. It has been several different bar names over the years, but is now owned by Rick (aka Ricky). Sorry, I didn't catch his last name.

Ricky seems like a good dude! We (Shenanigan's Tues dart team) shot at Ricky T's a few weeks back. The bar is small....like REALLY small and the dart boards are in the back room. The back room fits 8 comfortably.....15 UNcomfortably, we found. Food is served with a very simple bar-food menu of everything you would expect. Prices are reasonable for food and for drinks. The staff and regulars are .....how do I put this....not "trendy", by any means. The staff was friendly and helpful, certainly, but it isn't the kind of place you would order anything other than a beer or a simple mixer. Some areas seemed a bit cluttered and unfinished, yet the place (including the restrooms) were clean. They just built a pretty sweet outdoor seating/patio area. It is all screened in - clearly they are ready for the 2010 smoking ban! I would not consider this a "dive bar" - it definitely was a step above that ranking.

Overall, it wasn't a bad experience, but I personally prefer a place with more room, better sound system and a more young and trendy clientelle.

Willi's Bar a Grill - DePere, WI:

Owners:

Dave Williquette

Michelle Williquette (Dave's daughter)

Matt Williquette (Dave's son)

Willi's is located across the street from the Brown County Fair Grounds in a property shared with a BP Gas Station. The bar isn't very big, but it is super clean and a full menu is available. There are a handful of older regulars, but on key nights you will find a mass of younger peeps loading up the jukebox and pounding shots.

The menu is bigger than you would expect. The burgers are great! I can't think of a better burger in town, actually! The soups are different each day (booyah and chili....oh yeah!) and there is a different meal special each day. The Friday fish will surprise you with price and quality! The menu is the same for lunch and dinner and the prices are also the same.

The staff is always super friendly and respectful whether you are there alone to just have a quiet drink to wind down of if you want to shake dice and scream at one of the 4 flat screen TV's as your favorite sports team is getting their butts kicked!

You will find a full selection of gambling machines and there are always pools and contests to participate - especially NASCAR! Recently, an outdoor drinking area was built. This was to compliment the 2 new horseshoe pits, behind the bar. Pretty cool! Leagues run a few days each week and everyone is encouraged to play at anytime! The outside drinking area will be key to accomodating smokers in 2010 after the smoking ban takes place.

Whether you are looking for a simple meal for lunch or dinner or looking to party it up on ANY night - I highly recommend Willi's. You WILL be satisfied!

By the way, there is a huge outdoor bash (Customer Appreciation Weekend) coming up August 21 - 23. DJ on Friday (Joel and Robb) and Lumpy's Karaoke on Saturday Night! Huge tent outside and prizes and events all weekend. Stop in!

Thank you for reading! There are a TON of reviews I have to share and promise to try hard to get them to you asap! Please comment here or on Facebook - the feedback is appreciated!

Cheers!

Robb

Panera vs. Atlanta Bread Company

Hello!

This is the first of several upcoming blogs providing reviews of area bars and restaurants.

As many of you know, I eat out a lot....like a REAL lot! Normally I would review only 1 restaurant at a time, but I recently had great experiences at 2 places that are similar. Perhaps you have tried them or maybe thought about - here is my take!

Panera - Oneida Street in Ashwaubenon:

First, it is almost always busy - especially lunch time. That is good! The place is very clean and somewhat trendy. Well lit and quality furniture. The order counter is staffed with friendly people who do a great job of greeting you and will offer suggestions on soups and sandwiches. After placing your order, they ask for your name and you make your drink and find a table. Your name is called over a P.A. when it is ready.

Being provided real silverwear and having your soup in a glass bowl is a nice touch. Every soup experience has been great! You can order a full or 1/2 sandwich (awesome) and the sandwiches are not small. Free refills on beverages, fresh lemons for your iced tea and additional silverwear at the beverage stand makes the experience terrific.

There is an outside patio area - just a few tables. It is right at the main entrance, which isn't attractive to me.

Overall, it is a great place and the food is fresh and tasty with several healthy options. The prices are good. 1/2 sandwich and soup is about $7.00.

Atlanta Bread Company - West Mason Street in Green Bay:

There are many similarities to Panera - same basic food concept. There are some key differences. One is the atmosphere of the restaurant. It is more inviting and cozy than Panera. There is a sitting area with big leather couches and chairs and the booths are large with high backs and comfortable padding. The order process is the same, but someone actually brings your food to you. Nice touch! The beverage area is much larger and in a better location than Panera's choice to put it back in a corner with high traffic behind the pick-up area. There are several condiments and more beverage choices. Being an iced tea fan, I was thrilled at 3 flavor choices of fresh brewed tea! The condiments were all individually displayed - not all crammed together on a little table.

The one thing that was rather unimpressive was when I went to the restroom and a door to the back room was open. I really didn't need to see that area of boxes, mop buckets and supplies. Also, at the entry area to the restrooms, I nearly tripped over a broom and other items - should have been properly stowed out of site, in my opinion.

Pricing was slightly more than Panera, but the overall quality of food and dishware was better. The staff was very friendly and took our dishes when we were done - little step up from bussing the table, myself, as with Panera. Overall, it was a great experience and I will go again.

Thanks for reading I look forward to your comments - either here or on Facebook!

Cheers!

Robb