Potosi Brewery Pub & Restaurant

Potosi Brewery Restaurant

Potosi Brewery Pub Restaurant Dining Review

Potosi Brewery Tap Room
The Potosi Bar and Tap Room is a beautiful combination of old and new.

One of the attractions along the Wisconsin side of the Great River Road north of Dubuque is visiting the historic Potosi Brewery. A worthwhile visit for a brewery tour and the fantastic National Brewery Museum, but they also have a great restaurant.

Potosi Brewing Hospitality Bar
Jo enjoying a stein of Gandy Dancer Porter in the tap room.

Located in the southern end of the historic Potosi Brewery, the pub and restaurant is a blend of old and new with modern furnishings and an artisan-crafted bar walled by the old sandstone block foundation decorated with old Potosi Brewery signs. Up to 8 Potosi brews are on-tap, offering a variety of styles. We were pleased to see their Gandy Dancer Porter was among the featured on-tap brews.

Potosi Brewery Restaurant, Pub & Beer Garden Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

The restaurant menu features sandwiches and wraps plus a few entres. Jo had the grilled chicken breast with walnut sauce and I had their Reuben sandwich. We both elected steamed broccoli as our side dish. The Reuben served on wonderful marbled rye bread with melted Wisconsin Swiss Cheese and sauerkraut on corned beef was served hot and delicious. Good thing the table setting included lots of extra napkins because the Reuben was finger-licken good! The broccoli side dish was perfect – crispy fresh florets served hot but not overcooked. Jo loved her chicken breast covered with walnut seasoning and served on a bed of rice, a combination she will want to try at home. Very large portion sizes, so Jo got to take home half her meal for a snack the next day. Her serving of broccoli was as perfect as mine. Price-wise the menu was reasonable as were the tap beers. Some brew-pub restaurants seem to charge a premium just for the experience of eating and drinking there. Potosi is the exception.

Potosi Brewing Reuben Sandwich
My tasty Reuben sandwich overflowing with mouth-watering goodness!

Had the day not been so hot (91 degrees) we would have enjoyed dining in the outdoor beer garden.

Service-wise, the bar and table service was above par. I think the staff enjoys the Potosi working environment and this shows in their service.

One tip for prospective diners. If you take the Brewery Museum tour prior to dining, you can get a chit for a free 12 ounce tap brew in the restaurant after your tour.

Potosi and Great River Road Links

Our Article on the Potosi Brewery Brewing Museum

Potosi Brewery Website

Potosi Brew Pub Menu

Great River Road Scenic Drive – Savannah to Dubuque

Breitbach Country Tavern – Iowa’s Oldest Pub

Away from the World | Cedar Key

Away from the World Bar Cedar Key Florida

Restaurant Review: Away from the World Burger Bar, Cedar Key, Florida

Formerly named “Away from the World Cafe” Away from the World Beer and Burger Bar has expanded its menu and beverages. It is located on the top story of one of the commercial buildings along the Dock Street Pier looking out on the Gulf. Their expansive deck dining offers great views of the water and you can catch a decent breeze that is welcome on a hot day. If it is too cold or rains, there is plenty of dining room inside. Prior to arriving at Cedar Key we hadn’t done any research on best places to eat so we picked “Away from the World” simply because it looked like they had a decent dining deck with a terrific view of the water.

Away from the World Cedar Key
Great views and nice breezes from the dining deck.

While it took a while to get served, the Mahi-Mahi sandwich and the tossed salad were very good. Worth waiting for.

Away from the World Cafe Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

The weather was ideal, sunny and about 10 degrees above normal for a late February day. Almost too hot for our Wisconsin bodies tuned to winter temperatures. It was Tuesday afternoon mid-week and the town was only moderately busy. Yet apparently the staff at Away from the World wasn’t ready for several people descending upon them for lunch. We had to stand around for a while gawking at the bartender before we got a waitress to seat us. But then we did get profuse apologies, saying “sorry, we are really slammed today” which was a phrase we’d hear her repeat often to other customers. When our Mahi-Mahi Sandwiches did arrive, they were pretty good. I thought mine was a little dry, but Jo thought hers was excellent. The side salad was very good, a nice selection of fresh greens and veggies. The beer was decent and a good selection on tap. Our wait staff had only been working there for two weeks and was trying hard to keep up with her customers, but only partially succeeding.

Perhaps the manager of the operation was in the kitchen humping to get out the food. My impression was there wasn’t anyone taking charge of dealing with the chaos. So 3 stars for service and maybe too generous. But they did produce half-way decent food – 4.5 stars for that. 5 star view and atmosphere on the dining deck. Overall I’d give them a 3.5.

Travel and Restaurant Links:

Cedar Key Florida Beach
See our article on things to do and see in Cedar Key, Florida

Steamers Clam Bar & Grill | Cedar Key

Steamers Raw Bar and Grill Cedar Key Florida

Restaurant Review: Steamers Restaurant & Grill, Cedar Key, Florida

Steamers is a fun Clam Bar and Grill is on the second story of one of several buildings along the Dock Street pier overlooking Suwanne Sound on the Gulf of Mexico.

Steamers Cedar Key
Great views of the water from the upper deck, but you are lucky to get a seat out there.
steamers
Steamers is located on the top floor above the Island Trading Post.
Steamers Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

While there is a small outside deck with great views of the water, there isn’t much seating available for dining there. So we dined inside but still had views of the water due to the open ceiling and expansive window walls. Even though it was a busy, beautiful Saturday afternoon we got very attentive service; the wait staff and bartenders must be well schooled in customer service. The afternoon we dined there a trio of older guys were picking guitars, playing and singing some Texas country classics – Waylon, Willie, Jimmy Buffet tunes – and doing a pretty good job of it. 

One of our favorite stouts, Oatmeal Stout, was on tap so we ordered a pair of steins while we waited for a table to clear. Good beer, good tunes, good views of the water (Out on the water you could watch the porpoises jumping), beautiful day, great to be retired and enjoy the good life. The wait wasn’t too long til we got seated.

Jo stealing one of my sweet potato fries!

While Cedar Key is Florida’s Capital of Farm-raised Clams, we aren’t Raw Bar fans; if we have Clams or Oysters it will be in a soup! So Jo and I elected one of our Gulf Coast seafood staples – Mahi-Mahi Grilled and Blackened Sandwich Basket with a side of Cole Slaw and Sweet Potato Fries. The Mahi-Mahi fillets were a decent size and served on a square ciabatta bun, a nice upgrade from the big hamburger bun we’ve gotten at some places. Lettuce, tomato, onions, and tarter sauce were on the side so you elect how you wanted them – in or out of the sandwich. The fries were decent, a generous serving. We thought the Cole Slaw was exceptional. Crisp Red and White Cabbage with Carrot slices in a light tangy, balsamic sauce and a decent-sized bowl. Nice contrast to the blender-chopped stuff in a heavy mayo sauce in a tiny paper cup you get some places.

The meal was great, the Oatmeal Stout outstanding, the ambiance terrific, and a beautiful day looking over the water. Hard to top. 4.5 stars. Looking forward to return visit next year.

Gulf Drive Travel and Restaurant Links:

Grayton Seafood Co | Grayton Beach

grayton seafood co

Restaurant Review: Grayton Seafood Company, Grayton Beach, Florida

On our previous visits to Grayton Beach we’ve eaten at The Red Bar so on our most recent visit we were looking to try something new. A search on “Google” provided some positive reviews for the Seafood Company located in the main entertainment and shopping portion of Grayton Beach that is located along Scenic Highway 30A away from the beach itself. So we decided to give them a try for dinner.

A warm, comfortable, uncrowded dining atmosphere. Neat little bar area.

My Grayt House Salad topped with grilled chicken breast.

It was a little too cool for us to dine outside in their intimate patio.

We were camping in our RV at Grayton Beach State Park, about a mile walk or bike to the restaurant from our campsite so we decided to burn off some calories walking vs driving. There’s a paved bike & jogging path that runs adjacent to the highway. If you are staying along the beach in town, it’s about the same distance, a mile walk, bike, or drive to Grayton Seafood Co.

While the sign outside indicates “since 1890” the restaurant itself is of much more recent vintage (opened in 2015), although they have done a nice job decorating the interior paneling with weather-worn planks, beer signs, old photographs on the walls, etc. Owned by Kenny Griner it is a family run operation. In addition to Kenny are his daughter, his son, and his son-in-law on-site working in the restaurant. While there are some standard menu items, they pride themselves on locally sourced seafood so current catches drive the menu. They also enjoy trying new selections, often using their Sunday Brunch as a testing ground for new items. For example, through their fun experiments, they discovered customers really liked their “chicken and waffles” combo breakfast-brunch selection!

I was feeling the need for some good “roughage” so I chose their Grayt House Salad that comes with romaine & Iceberg lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, carrots, croutons & cheese. I added some grilled chicken breast to the mix. The salad was terrific, nicely blend, fresh ingredients and a huge quantity. I’m generally a clean-plate guy and it was a challenge to accomplish it with the size of this meal. Jo went with the Fish of the Day recommended by our server: grilled Amber Jack, a fish she has never tried before. The Amberjack dinner was four or five fillet pieces with a choice of two sides; Jo went with the House Salad and baked potato slices. The fish was delicious and the house salad quite generous. On tap are beers from three local craft breweries: we had the Hooter Brown Ale from Oyster City Brewing Co (in Apalachicola).

Service was friendly and attentive; and we didn’t have to wait too long for our food to arrive. In conversation, we discovered our server, Grayson, has Wisconsin roots – his father founded Trek & Trail in Bayfield, Wisconsin one of our favorite towns along the Lake Superior Scenic Circle Drive.

Overall we give high marks to Grayton Seafood Company, casual dining with artisinal attention to food preparation and menu offerings that “foodies” will appreciate yet at a reasonable price.  In summary, very good quality food, good service, pleasing dining atmosphere, good tap beers, and we love family-run places where the owners are in the kitchen and serving customers.

Travel Links:

 

Red Bar | Grayton Beach, FL

Downtown Grayton Beach Florida

Restaurant Review: The Red Bar, Grayton Beach, Florida

Our favorite Red Bar beverages. Check out the interior decoration in the background!

Red Bar Mahi-Mahi sandwich basket
The Mahi-Mahi sandwich, not quite as exceptional as I remembered from previous dining visits.

Red Bar’s huge and unique blackboard menu is easy to read. Prices shown are 2016. Note cash or check – no credit cards accepted.

The Red Bar Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

This was our third opportunity to dine at the unique Red Bar in Grayton Beach, Florida one of our favorite stops along the Gulf Coast Scenic Drive from Pensacola to Apalachicola. It is the nearest bar or restaurant to the actual sparkling white beach that the town’s name references, so that is one reason for its popularity. Another is its crazy funky interior decorations covering every square inch of ceiling and walls with odd collectibles and notices. It is a fun place to dine and drink and the food ain’t bad either!

My favorite adult beverage at the Red is their signature Bloody Mary, now going for $7 (2018). It is the literal “meal in a glass” having in addition to the Bloody Mary Mix and Vodka, you get a large stalk of celery, a couple of pimento olives, a few dilly green beans, a slice of lemon, and 2 kinds of sweet, mildly hot peppers. Jo had their famous Mimosa, sweet and suitably powerful.

We both ordered the Mahi-Mahi sandwich basket, one of the Red Bar’s specialties we’ve previously enjoyed. Jo found her sandwich as tasty as she remembered and would give it 4.5 stars. However, I felt mine was too dry and a little chewy. I also was surprised it was served on a rather ordinary hamburger bun and the “greens” were iceberg lettuce vs a higher quality loose-leaf lettuce. I’d give my sandwich a 3.5 rating. The service was friendly and prompt. We did have a little trouble understanding our menu options as explained by our server. (After dining at The Red Bar in three different years, it is apparent they employ guest workers or exchange students as wait staff so you can get a mixed bag in expertise in spoken English.) I’ve noticed in checking the reviews on the Zomato website that some of the more recent reviews mirror our recent less enthusiasm for the quality of the food itself.

Slide Show – The Red Bar


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Dining at the Red Bar is always enjoyable and especially when they have live music. If you’ve never been there before, it is must-experience when you visit Grayton Beach. But dedicated “foodies” may want to also check out the Grayton Seafood Company (see our review), located away from the beach along Scenic Highway 30A.

grayton beach florida
The “beach” at Grayton Beach is one of the finest along the gulf coast. Learn more about visiting Grayton Beach here.

Travel Links:

Jaco’s Bayfront Bar & Grill | Pensacola, FL

jacos grill pensacola

Restaurant Review: Jaco’s Bayfront Grill, Pensacola, Florida

One of Pensacola’s Best places to eat, Jaco’s is upscale casual dining, overlooking Pensacola Bay and the Palafox Pier Marina. Spacious, comfortable tables and seating with cloth napkins, lemon-slice in the water, and more substantial eating utensils give it a touch of class.

Jaco's Bayfront Grill
Jo getting ready to dig into her tasty Pesto Flatbread.

The overhead heaters and transparent wind screens allow customers to enjoy dining outside even in cooler weather.

Jaco's Bayfront Bar and Grille Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Service was also classy. Competent, friendly and attentive wait staff. Refilling my water glass and stopping by frequently to check in during the meal is one of my service check marks and Jaco’s staff did well hitting these marks. My glass of Yuengling tap was served in a frosted glass and had a decent head of foam on it, another mark of quality service. Finally it was not a long wait for our meal to be delivered and it arrived hot so it had not been sitting under heat lamps for long. We give 5 stars for Jaco’s service.

I had their blackened Mahi-Mahi Taco, a dish I often use as a benchmark to compare restaurants. Jaco’s offering was a little different from many others in that it was served in a hard shell taco vs. a soft shell. I found the hard shell easier to consume without a mess of ingredients squeezing out. My previous Mahi-Taco at another dining establishment necessitated lots of finger-licking! Jaco’s Taco is nicely prepared and presented, as good tasting as I’ve had in the past. Instead of fries, chips, or hush puppies, Jaco’s Taco came with an ample combination of brown rice and beans as a side dish plus a mango salsa relish serving. Nice change of pace from the usual side I get.

Jo had their Pesto Flat Bread that came with Kalamata olives, Italian sausage, tomatoes, roasted red peppers, fresh basil, spinach and Pesto Spread. She found it very tasty and filing.

Jaco’s outside dining deck had overhead heaters which allowed us to be comfortable eating outdoors on a very nice sunny day that otherwise would have been too cold and windy to eat out on the deck.

Decent quality food, top service, pleasing dining atmosphere, all for a relatively modest price. Jaco’s is an excellent value; we rate it among the best restaurants we’ve experienced in Pensacola and Pensacola Beach. And reviewers on Zomato also rate it among the top 5 restaurants in Pensacola.

Links:

Fat Mama’s Tamales | Natchez, MS

Fat mamas tamales

Restaurant Review: Fat Mama’s Tamales

Jo reviewing the menu before placing our Fat Mama’s order.

Huge Taco Salad, Roast Beef PoBoy, and Mama’s Tamales.

Fat Mamas Tamales Natchez, Mississippi
Jo enjoying her Fat Mama’s Margarita out on the dining deck.

Fat Mama's Tamales Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

Fat Mama’s originally opened in Natchez in 1989 and have been at their current Canal Street location since 2008. Its colorful fun atmosphere, fast and friendly service, good homemade food, and decent prices have made Fat Mama’s a favorite Natchez dining institution.

You place your order at the counter, get your beverage, leave your name and take a seat in the restaurant or out on the dining deck. A server will bring your meal when it is ready.

Jo ordered the Taco Salad, a crispy tortilla shell filled with lettuce, seasoned chicken, shredded cheese, sliced black olives, diced tomatoes and onions, but held the jalapeno peppers. Very fresh and crisp and a generous quantity of ingredients. She liked that the chicken and all the ingredients were nicely distributed throughout the salad versus being layered like you find at some eateries.

I had the huge Roast Beef & Gravy PoBoy sandwich. Served on French Bread and a generous quantity of hot thin-sliced roast beef with shredded cabbage, sliced tomatoes and pickles. Served with a side of homemade potato chips. Very filling and tasty. The chips were exceptional.

Because she had no idea what a Tamale was Jo ordered a half dozen to go with our meal. They were served hot wrapped in corn husks. Too spicy for Jo’s tastes; I found them good but could only eat one as my Roast Beef PoBoy filled my tank to the top.

Jo ordered Fat Mama’s signature Margarita and found it suitably powerful and brain-freezing chilled. I had a chilled glass of amber ale tap; one of 8 specialty beers on tap.

We give Fat Mama’s high marks for fun, comfortable, casual dining, plus great food, and good service. Zomato.com rates it in the top 5 Natchez restaurants. We had previously dined and enjoyed the food and service at The Camp restaurant, located along the river in the Natchez-Under-the-Hill neighborhood. Other top-rated Natchez dining spots on our future list of places to try are Roux 61, Mammy’s Cupboard, and the historic King’s Tavern.

Natchez Links

Hot Springs Restaurant Reviews | Ohio Club

Ohio Club Hot Springs

Restaurants & Pubs Hot Springs National Park

Some of Hot Springs most favorite restaurants are located a good distance from the National Park Bathhouse Row and downtown Hot Springs. But when we visit we are there for the camping, hiking, and history that the National Park offers so when we eat out, it is downtown near the park headquarters.

Ohio Club Hot Springs AR
Famous and Infamous people like Babe Ruth, Tony Bennett, Sammy Davis, Jr., Al Capone, Bugsy Segal and others have sat at this historic bar.

Restaurant Review – The Ohio Club

Located across the street from Bathhouse Row, the historic Ohio Club has been doing business since it opened in 1905 as a Casino and Saloon, with brief periods of closure due to fires, floods, and illegal gambling. During prohibition it disguised itself as the Ohio Cigar Store and continued to offer gambling and drinking services to those who knew the password. Over its history, the Ohio Club has served many notable figures in entertainment as well as infamous gangsters who were drawn to its casino operations and clandestine betting parlors.

Both in its exterior and inside, the Club maintains the character of 100 years ago. Its opulent back bar goes back even further than its 1905 beginning, estimated to have been made around 1880. The story is the bar was originally in a Cincinnati tavern and was purchased by the Club’s original owner and transported to Hot Springs where it became the back bar of the Ohio Club. The bar and the interior furnishings give the Club an A+ for atmosphere.

Burgers at the Ohio Club
Service Grade A, Food a B+, and the Beer a B.

The service from the wait staff was excellent and very attentive. Grade A. My water glass was refilled without having to ask, one indicator I use to gauge if the wait staff is on the ball. We had sandwiches and beers. Jo ordered her signature Mushroom & Swiss Cheese burger, topped with lettuce and tomato. I had the Portobello Mushroom Veggie Burger. Both came with a helping of thick fries and a dill spear. Adequate size portions and served on a tasty bun. Loved the fries. We rated the food a B+, decent quality for an under $10 burger basket. Our tap beers were a Porter and a Milk Chocolate Stout. OK, but I felt a bit pricey for tap beers – $6 and $7.

A fun place to stop in, soak up some neat atmosphere, and have a sandwich and beer. And if you like live music, they have it seven nights a week.
Ohio Club Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato


Other Good Restaurants in downtown Hot Springs near Bathhouse Row

Another Hot Springs Restaurant we like a lot is Steinhaus Keller. They are on Central Avenue a few blocks south of the bathhouses. They have a decent selection of brews, great German cuisine, and a unique Biergarden. We’ve dined there a couple of times and always came away very happy with the food and the service. See our earlier Restaurant Review of Steinhaus Keller here.

Another unique pub is the Superior Bathhouse Brewery, located in the actual National Park, along Bath House Row and across the street from the Ohio Club. Their beer is brewed with the same 144 degree thermal spring water that serves the other bath houses and the water fountains that are along Bathhouse Row. The Brewery also offers a selection of pub food to accompany your craft brewed beer. Two years ago, we stopped in there shortly after the Brewery first opened and the food service was limited. From reading reviews in Zomato, the menu has expanded dramatically and is getting some very favorable comments. So next time we are Hot Springs, we must eat there (as well as sample the brews).

Rolando’s Restaurante is another downtown restaurant that gets good reviews for its atmosphere and food. If you like Southwestern, Latin and Central American dishes this is the place you should try.

If you are Irish or like Irish dishes, try the Copper Penny Pub. We’ve only had a few brews there during the very crowded post-St. Patty’s Day Parade Celebration (see our video). In the reviews, some have liked the Fish & Chips and other Irish fare, but others not so enthused. So we’ve got to try them ourselves on the next visit.

Other Hot Springs Visitor Links:

Best Restaurants Natchez MS

The Camp Pub Natchez, MS

Our Reviews of Best Restaurants and Pubs in Natchez, Mississippi

In March of 2017, we spent a few days sampling visitor attractions in historic Natchez, Mississippi including food and drink establishments. Here’s some reviews of places we tried, plus some we missed and plan to sample the next time we are in town.

Reviews on this page: The Camp Restaurant, Bowie Tavern, Steampunk Coffee Roasters, and Fat Mama’s Tamales.

The Camp Restaurant Review

camp restaurant, natchez, ms
Great river views from the outdoor dining deck of the Camp Restaurant

We wanted to dine within view of the river and found The Camp was listed among the Top 10 Natchez Restaurants in Zomato so we gave them a try. Great location on Silver Street below the bluff and on the waterfront in an area called Natchez Under-the-Hill. It is part of a collection of historic old buildings set off from the rest of Natchez (Natchez proper is on high ground above the bluff). Their website tag line is “Cold Beer. Good Food . . . at one of the best restaurants in Natchez.” We agree.

They have outdoor seating in their beer garden in back and out front on the porch overlooking the Mississippi River. Inside there are two or three dining rooms including one that has a wall that kids can draw on. So it’s a family friendly kind of place that also has a sport bar character.

Their intimate tap room commanded by friendly bartender Mike offers 18 beers on tap, mostly from southern breweries. Finding out we were dark beer lovers, Mike recommended a coffee porter from Natchez Brewing Co. An excellent choice, stands up to the best of porters we’ve had.

camp restaurant, natchez, ms
18 beers on tap in the Camp’s cozy bar.

While more of a sports bar, The Camp takes a great deal of pride in its food service. They make their own bread for burgers and sandwiches, cut their own potatoes for frys, and hand-form their own patties. Food is made to order, not pre-made and then microwaved. The menu includes a wide variety of sandwiches, burgers, taco baskets, soups, salads, and choice of three entre dinners with fresh side veggies. As we had a mid-afternoon snack, we weren’t ready for a large meal so were attracted to their “Slider Menu.” These are mini versions of their regular burger baskets. The Sliders have all the fixings of their big brother version and the pattys were thick and juicy even though small in diameter. Likewise the bun was very tasty but scaled down in size fitting the burger. They came with an order of fries and cole slaw. Jo had her signature Mushroom & Swiss burger and pronounced it excellent. She could tell fresh mushrooms were used vs. ones coming from a can. I had the Brisket Slider – sliced smoked brisket, Sweet Heat BBQ sauce, cole slaw, house pickles. We loved the sliders and the “concept.” It gives you a smaller portion but in every other way its quality and amendments matches the full menu version. A tasty meal that was surprisingly filling.

BTW For younger readers, the name “slider” comes from the famous mini-burger produced by the White Castle hamburger palace, a fast-food chain that pre-dated McDonalds. The burgers were about the size of your palm, the pattys were square with a holes in the middle so they could cook fast. As a teenagers, we found a bag of five sliders would be about the right meal size! Link to their menu.

We look forward to returning to Natchez and The Camp Restaurant.
The Camp Restaurant website


Bowie Tavern Review

Bowie Tavern, Natchez, MS
Bowie’s Tavern occupies the former 1840s warehouse, across the street from Bluff Park.

We were attracted to Bowie’s Tavern because of its historic architecture and it was located on Broadway Street across from the Riverwalk Promenade and Gazebo that overlook the Mississippi River.

It was too early in the day for dinner, so we opted for some brews and a Nacho basket on their outdoor patio overlooking the park. Inside the interior is highlighted by a huge antique mahogany bar and other appointments that give a clue to the building’s history in Natchez, originally a cotton warehouse built in 1840.

Bowie Tavern, Natchez, MS
We dined at Bowie Tavern’s outdoor patio overlooking the Mississippi River Bluffs.

Not everything inside is old-tyme due to several large flat-screen TVs creating a sports bar atmosphere. Their menu also reflects their sports bar theme, featuring wings, burgers, Po’Boys, seafood platters, soups and salads, and some specials. Rated by TripAdvisor #18 out of 66 rated Natchez restaurants, it gets some good recent reviews . . . but also a few disappointed customers. I’d rate it as a fun place to have some brews, watch some games and have good to passable bar food. Reviewers noted happy hour prices are very good.

Bowie Tavern website


Steampunk Coffee Roasters Review

Steampunk Expresso Bar. Natchez, MS
Have coffee and pastries inside or if the weather is nice, enjoy the attractive outdoor patio at Steampunk Expresso Bar.

Steampunk isn’t a full service restaurant, but rather a coffee house/expresso bar that does serve some bakery items, chocolate, and yogurt to accompany your fresh roasted coffee drink (see the menu here). As their coffee is roasted in the back room of the cafe, you can be assured it is fresh roasted and have a nice selection of brews. You can also get your coffee in a variety of brewing concoctions (expresso, cappuccino, latte, french press, turkish, iced, etc.). We had a dark roast, traditionally brewed with two huge blueberry muffins. They roast and brew a decent cup of coffee and the muffins very good. Comfortable, cozy coffee house atmosphere and good service. Located in a re-purposed historic 1868 cabin, they also have an attractive patio for outside service.  Steampunk gets almost a perfect 5.o rating on Trip Advisor so they have lots of satisfied customers. Great place for excellent coffee and light breakfast or afternoon snack.

Steampunk Coffee Roasters Website


Fat Mama’s Tamales Restaurant & Pub

In March of 2017, our RV was parked at the Natchez Visitor center. From there we walked to the downtown and historic district and passed Fat Mama’s on Canal Street only a few blocks from the Visitor Center. But every time we went by them either we weren’t ready for a meal or had already eaten. They had an attractive looking outdoor patio that seemed an appealing place to dine. It looks like a fun place to eat and I regretted not including it during our visit to Natchez.

Fat Mamas dining deck Natchez, MS
Jo enjoying her Fat Mama’s Margarita out on the dining deck.

But we corrected that omission on a later trip. See our Fat Mama’s Restaurant Review.  Rated 3rd best Natchez Restaurant on Zomato, people generally love the Tamales, although their menu also includes Po’Boys, Salads, and Casseroles so you aren’t limited. People also rave about the Margaritas, but if that isn’t your favorite, there are also several tap beers and other mixed drinks available.


More Best Natchez Restaurants and Pubs We Must Try on our next Visit

Kings Tavern

A place we somehow missed on our walk through the Natchez historic district, King’s Tavern is the oldest standing building in Natchez, dating back to 1789. In addition to its history, Kings is noted for its specialty mixed drinks and exceptional flatbread cuisine. The menu doesn’t offer a broad variety of items but what is available is as several reviews have commented “awesome.” But it isn’t a restaurant in the conventional sense. More properly it is a Pub that serves food, which you order at the bar itself. King’s is the #2 rated Natchez restaurant by Trip Advisor, The second floor of the tavern has some ghost history exhibits plus a small gift shop. For the history, ambiance, and a lighter meal, we will make sure to stop here the next time we are in town.

Roux 61 Seafood & Grill

Roux 61 isn’t actually located in Natchez proper but south of town on Route 61. Its rural location offers lots of parking and is an attractive setting. Lots of seating inside and a very popular place with both locals and Natchez visitors. It seems to be the consensus place to go for Seafood and Cajun and Creole dishes in the Natchez area. But if seafood or Cajun isn’t what you want, they get rave reviews on their steak, chicken, pasta, burgers and a wide variety of other dishes. Superb, friendly service. It rates out at the #2 of Best Natchez restaurants on Zomato.

Natchez Trail and Historic Natchez Visitor Links:

What’s your favorite restaurant or pub in Natchez, Mississippi. Leave your comments below.

Your Scenic Traveler: Ross Reinhold

Breitbach Tavern Balltown Iowa

Breitbach Country Tavern – Restaurant Review

Billing itself as “. . . Iowa’s oldest food & drinking establishment” Breitbach’s was originally built in 1852 and has been run by six generations of the family since 1862. Current owners Mike and Cindy Breitbach have several of their children on site working in the kitchen, waiting tables, washing dishes, or tending to the bar ensuring that in time there will be a seventh generation continuing the family tradition.

The dining area is spacious and comfortable with a few antique touches.

We first discovered Breitbach’s in 2006 while taking our first trip along Iowa’s Great River Road north of Dubuque. At that time the original structure, built in 1852, still existed. (See photos below). It was a neat old building filled with 150 years of antique furnishings and memorabilia collected over the years. Besides a step-back-in-time to a genuine old fashioned country tavern, the food itself was genuine home-cooking. In addition to the delicious Iowa Pork Chops, I recall the most extensive and flavorful salad bar I’d ever experienced.

Since that original visit we’ve returned several times. Unfortunately, in 2007 the original Breitbachs burned to the ground in a gas explosion and fire. Almost all the antiques and collections from several generations were destroyed. A new Breitbach’s now occupies the original foundation. The dining area is much larger and is finished in beautiful oak beams and trim with some nice touches of antiques here and there. But nothing could replace the charm of the old 1800s era building and its contents.

All you can eat Buffet draws people from long distances to tiny Balltown Iowa.

However what hasn’t changed is the Breitbach family is still there running the place. Great small town service and excellent home cooking featuring famous Iowa Beef and Pork. On our most recent visit in October 2017 we caught their fantastic all-you-can-eat Dinner Buffet. We had a choice of beer battered cod, beef tips, popcorn shrimp, and broasted chicken. All excellent tasting, hot and moist. Jo particularly loved the homemade noodles, reminding her of those her grandmother used to make. Mashed potatoes, gravy, and corn rounded out the main course. But then there’s the exceptional soup and salad bar completely homemade by Cindy Breitbach and her kitchen crew. Still the best and most varied salad bar I’ve ever had. So much delicious food and even though I stuffed myself I couldn’t sample everything. Well that leaves more for next time.

From the Balltown scenic overlook, looking towards the Mississippi River bluffs. Wisconsin in background at top of picture.

Next to dining at Breitbach’s Balltown’s most notable attraction is the scenic lookout over the Mississippi River valley. At 1185 feet in elevation it is the second highest point in Iowa. Our latest visit was mid-week so we missed the music and Octoberfest celebration in the beer garden behind the restaurant. We caught that one year and it was lots of fun. In October you can also catch some good color and scenic river overlooks along the Iowa River Road Scenic Byway from Balltown to Guttenberg.

Link: Breitbach Country Dining


Here’s some photos of the original Breitbach Country Tavern that stood on the same site for 150 years as the current more modern version.

 

Two months before the big Dec 24, 2007 fire. The current restaurant sits on the same site as the original.

The old dining room was very cozy and chock full of antiques and memorabilia everywhere!

My wife Jo loved this antique quilt hanging on the wall in the dining area off the bar.

The Beer Garden out back was the only structure that survived the fire.

Traveling the Great River Road Scenic Drive. We have several articles featuring travel along the Great River Road Scenic Byway(s) from Rock Island, Illinois to Red Wing, Wisconsin.

Brewery Creek Pub Mineral Point Wisconsin

Brewery Creek Inn and Pub – Restaurant Review

According to Zomato reviews and recommendations from friends, Brewery Creek Pub is one of Mineral Point’s most popular places to eat. The Inn and Pub are located in a restored 1854 Warehouse. In the pub the original thick limestone walls, exposed hand-hewn timbers, solid oak tables and chairs, and classic bar complete the intimate and genuine old time pub atmosphere. The dining area and its adjacent bar are not very spacious, yet you didn’t feel crowded. Something to do with how the space was arranged with an eye towards good use of space and providing variety. Perhaps it was also the high open ceilings exposing the thick old floor joists of the floor above and the rough sandstone rock walls did a nice job of cushioning conversation from the bar or adjacent tables.

Their own beer is brewed on-site and they offer a limited but diverse selections of brews. They were temporarily out of their Porter so we chose their Dark Amber ale instead. While advertised in their menu as “mild” we found the brew had good body and a full taste. And it was darker in color than the usual amber brew. Perhaps the “mild” referred to alcohol content, which we didn’t miss, particularly on a day when the temperatures were headed above 90 degrees!

Jo ordered their California Burger and I had their Wild Sockeye Salmon sandwich. Each came with a choice of sides; we both elected the fries. Brewery Creek touts their use of fresh, locally sourced ingredients, and injects an home-cooked artisan approach to their pub menu. The California burger came with tomato and red onion and their specialty garlic mayo sauce. Jo gave it good marks for taste. The hand-made patty was moist and not over-cooked and just the right size for a filling meal but not over-board.

Brewery Creek Brewpub Menu, Reviews, Photos, Location and Info - Zomato

In contrast, my Sockeye Salmon sandwich was a disappointment. All the ingredients were right. Nice sesame seed bun, adequate size salmon fillet, crisp fresh lettuce and tomato, decent sauce, etc. But as I picked up the bun, I could feel the top slice was chilled! And when I removed the tooth pick with the mini-cucumber at the end the mini cuke itself was chilly too. Undeterred I took my first bite, the salmon was room temperature, not at all hot. I was too hungry to send the dish back for a replacement, so I finished my meal. Something weird must have happened to my salmon sandwich because this is not the usual customer experience. Perhaps the finishing procedure of preparation is to flash microwave the entire sandwich once all the ingredients are assembled and somehow mine never got this final treatment. Perhaps the cold bun and cuke fresh from the fridge served to cool off the salmon which sat too long before served. A mystery.

Our waitress was friendly and courteous but only gets about a C+ compared to what one would expect from Brewery Creek’s reputation. She wasn’t attentive in asking how things were going mid-meal, nor noticing that my water glass was empty. She didn’t inquire how we “liked the meal” until we just about done. When I told her about my salmon sandwich, she’d said she’d have to tell the kitchen staff about it. But she never came back later with any mention of my complaint. It was as if I never said anything. Our dining at Brewery Creek was on a Sunday lunch time. They were busy but not over-crowded, still a few empty tables. Considering its reputation and neat ambiance, this dining experience was a disappointment. We’ll do a re-visit sometime and hope our next experience rises to their reputation.

Ross Reinhold, Sept 2017

2023 update. Since our earlier visit, Brewery Creek was converted into Commerce Street Brewery & Hotel

Links

Best Pensacola Beach Restaurants

Peg Leg Pete's Oyster Bar Pensacola Beach

According to Trip Advisor, the Grand Marlin is the number 1 rated restaurant in Pensacola Beach. But as it is also listed as the most expensive restaurant in Pensacola Beach we’ve not dined there. But considering its good rating, perhaps we ought to find out “how expensive” it is! 🙂

But we have had a chance to sample some of the Beach’s other top rated restaurants.

Our Reviews of Best Restaurants in Pensacola Beach

Below are reviews of:

  • Flounder’s Chowder House
  • Red Fish-Blue Fish Restaurant
  • Native Cafe.

Review – Flounders Chowder House

Flounders is a beach front casual, seafood dining and entertainment emporium that has been in Pensacola Beach since 1979. It is full of nautical paraphernalia, antiques, and fanciful creations. A former world record 980 lb Blue Marlin hangs from the ceiling of the Marlin Bar. Adjacent to the street-side entrance is the 55 foot former shrimp boat, the M/V Flounder named after its owner Captain Frank Flounder. Frank’s three sons opened Flounders Chowder House after serving their tours shrimping.

Diners have a choice of seating: an open-air outdoor deck adjacent to their beach, a covered outdoor deck, and inside seating. There’s also a separate, cafeteria style Sushi Bar. The stand-up Tiki Bar is out on beach and the more spacious Marlin Bar is in the open-air covered area.

The sand beach fronts on Pensacola Bay and includes a long pier with boat docking facilities for guests arriving by water. The large beach area also hosts a volleyball court and a kids playground area within view of the restaurant so Mom and Dad can keep an eye on the kids while they dine. The entertainment stage looks out over the the deck, but no one was performing the day we were there. But Jamaican music played in the background on their PA system.

flounders bar and grill
The former Flounder’s Shrimp Boat welcomes visitors to the restaurant.
Beach Volleyball at Pensacola Beach
Beach volleyball in front of Flounders Chowder House
Founders Restaurant Pensacola Beach
Dining on the deck at Flounders Chowder House.

Rating Flounders Food & Service

I had the Grilled Mahi Taco Salad and Jo chose her favorite burger basket, a Mushroom & Swiss Burger w fries. The food portion size was large and the quality good, but not outstanding. We’ll give it Four stars. The wait service was prompt and friendly. A fun, family friendly, entertaining place to spend an afternoon or evening. Next time I’ll have to try their signature Floyd Flounder’s Phenomenal Chowder, a past winner of the Great Florida Chowder Cook-off.


Red Fish, Blue Fish Restaurant

Red Fish Blue Fish is another funky beach front dining and entertainment also located on the Pensacola Bay side of the island. Like Flounders it has an extensive white sand swimming and lounging beach, in fact maybe a little larger than Flounders. As with Flounders you can be in the open-air patio, the covered deck, or inside away from all the elements. There’s no volleyball court but there are corn-hole game sets on the patio and on the beach.

The day we were there a country-pop trio was performing on the outdoor stage. They had a Simon & Garfunkel style of close harmony and a wild electric fiddle that I loved. It was an idyllic afternoon, good food, good music, sun, beach, ocean breezes, and a very tasty Bloody Mary.

Our lunch was Grilled & Blackened Mahi on a bed of steamed asparagas, rice & spinach. Excellently prepared and decent wait service. We’ve had and enjoyed Grilled Mahi at other Gulf Coast eateries and the dish served up by Red Fish Blue Fish didn’t disappoint us.

Red Fish Blue Fish Pensacola Restaurant
Relax on this funky bench outside the entrance to Red Fish Blue Fish
pensacola beach
The Patio of Red Fish Blue Fish Restaurant in Pensacola Beach is where everyone wants to be.
Red Fish Blue Fish Seafood Grill
Some great tunes out on the Patio of Red Fish Blue Fish

Native Café

Also a bit away from the hustle and crowds is the best breakfast spot in Pensacola Beach (also serves lunch until 3pm). Nestled in a plain jane strip mall east of Pensacola Beach’s entertainment center, Native Café is easy to miss unless you know about their reputation. We found out about them on Trip Advisor where they are rated the #2 Restaurant in Pensacola Beach behind the Grand Marlin, which is the top rated place to eat in the Beach – but is also the most expensive.

Their artsy marquee was matched with a funky, artsy and intimate interior. Some light jazz played in the background adding to the unique café atmosphere.

Native Café is family run, operated by fifth generation Pensacolians, Joyce and Charles Brown and their children, Josef Wiggins, Jesse Brown and Arin Brown. Their commitment to good food, a fun atmosphere and good service has people like us going to an effort to find them.

Native Cafe Pensacola Beach
Native Cafe’s South Western Motif
Native Cafe Fish Sandwiches
Delicious Mahi-Mahi Tacos in the foreground, Mahi-Mahi PoBoy background.

Rating the Native Cafe

We were there for a late lunch. Jo had their signature PoBoy Mahi-Mahi sandwich basket that included a side of fresh veggies. I had their famous Florida Fish Tacos, which contains sautéed Mahi which chopped cabbage, tomato, and bell peppers and 2 kinds of sauce. Excellent taste, large portions left us stuffed. Great food coupled with fast, friendly service stands up to their #2 rating. Love the artsy coffee shop atmosphere and their choice of music. 5 stars. We look forward to returning the next time we are in Pensacola Beach.


Other Top Rated Pensacola Beach Restaurants.

Peg Leg Petes Pensacola Beach (pictured at the top of the page)
Bustling, pirate-themed seafood restaurant featuring a children’s play area & raw bar

We’ve driven by Peg Leg Pete’s several times on the way to and from Fort Pickens. The parking lot was always full so we never stopped as we figured there would be a long wait for a table. They get good reviews on Google and Trip Advisor so one of these days we have to give them a try. (We finally did in 2020 – see our review)

Grand Marlin
The Grand Marlin is at the tip of peninsula that juts out into Santa Rosa Sound with a terrific panoramic view of the cove between the island and the Gulf Breeze peninsula. Highly rated by Trip Advisor for the quality of their food and service. But warning you also pay top dollar for that four star rating. With extensive docking facilities it is a popular dining and entertainment spot for boaters. One of these days we’ll dig into the Piggy Bank and stop there for dinner or lunch.

The Pensacola News Journal recently posted some announcements of new Pensacola Beach Restaurants recently opened that included The Drift Casino Beach Bar & Grille.

Pensacola Beach Links

shotgun house
Pensacola’s historic district is loaded with beautifully restored homes from the 1800s.

Pensacola Visitor Links

See More Florida Gulf Coast Restuarant Reviews

What are your favorite Pensacola Beach Restaurants & Bars? Let us know in the comments below.

Your Gulf Coast Travel Guide, Ross Reinhold

Historic Shullsburg Wisconsin

Shullsburg, Wisconsin

Shullsburg, Wisconsin – Driftless Area Scenic Drive

Shullsburg History

Founded in 1827, Shullsburg’s early development, like many communities in SW Wisconsin, came from lead mining. The Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad established rail service in the 1880s which added more impetus to the development and prosperity of the town. Most of the brick buildings that now occupy the Water Street Historic District were built from 1880 to 1900. Mining remained an important economic mainstay to the Shullsberg economy well into the 1940s but ceased altogether by the 1970s.

Visitors can learn about Shullsburg’s mining history at the Badger Mine and Museum. Several exhibits and artifacts illustrate Shullsburg’s mining history and guided tours are available through what is said is the only primitive lead mine open to the public in the country.

Cheese Factory & Store

Dairy products and cheese is another lynchpin in Shullsburg’s development in the 20th century. The Shullsburg Creamery began operations in 1934 and continues to this day manufacturing and selling Shullsberg Cheese.

Shullsburg Creamery

The Shullsberg Cheese Store is the factory outlet for the Shullsburg Creamery products. They also package products from other area cheese producers in their private label. Like many other factory outlet cheese stores along the Cheese Country Scenic Drives, the Shullsberg store offers an array of other artesianal food products, including craft beers. You can purchase pre-packaged cheese products or have your cheese cut to your desired amount from their deli case.

Shullsburg Creamery Factory Outlet Store
The Creamery Outlet Store also has many other artisanal products and unique gift items

Beginning in the 1980s local business people and civic minded entrepreneurs began restoring the old and abandoned commercial buildings along and near Water Street, the main downtown thoroughfare. Today there are 44 buildings that are part of Shullsburg’s historic district that now contain interesting retail shops, artisan galleries, gift boutiques, antique stores, restaurants and pubs, inns, and of course cheese shops. See our slide show below from some of the historic buildings in downtown and lower down the page see our link to the “Walking Tour of Historic Shullsburg.” 

Slide Show: Walking around Downtown Shullsburg


  • shullsburg creamery
    The 1881 Brewster Hotel building currently hosts the Shullsburg Cheese Store and Brewster House Restaurant.
  • Kingsley Crossing
    Located in the 1887 former Hillenmeyer general store, Kingsley's is a unique shop offering home decor, gifts, coffee, ice cream and other attractions.
  • Risken Lee Building Shullsburg
    The 1842 Edward Vaughn building is now home to the Risken-Lee Gift Shop in the lower level
  • water street market
    Built in 1894 and for many years a grocery store, it is now the home of the Water Street Market, an eclectic emporium of antiques, house and garden furnishings, etc.
  • Water Street Place
    The 1883 building was the former home of the Douglas Bank is now a Restaurant-Pub with a B&B rooms on the second floor.

A unique Shullsburg Attraction: See our video of coasting UP the amazing Gravity Hill


Shullsburg Restaurant Reviews

Newly remodeled for the Burg Tavern, this buildings was originally a three shop building built in 1886.
Newly remodeled for the Burg Tavern, this location was originally part of a three shop building built in 1886.

Dining Review The Burg Tavern.

We first dined at the Burg Classic Tavern on a late Sunday afternoon when the other popular dining establishments were closed. The Burg opened in November 2015 after remodeling a space that had served a variety of business enterprises since 1886. The ceiling was raised and plaster removed from the walls to reveal beautiful brick stone work. The high ceiling and brickwork present a nice combination of historic and new, offering spacious and comfortable dining with a touch of sports bar atmosphere provided by several large flat screen TVs. Jo had her favorite sandwich, a ½ pound Mushroom and Swiss Burger that came with a fresh portabella mushroom vs the canned stuff you sometimes get with this style burger. While the burger was large, the bun wasn’t overly big which made it easier to eat. Taste-wise it rivaled some of the best she has had. I had the Chicken Ceasar Wrap which came nice and hot, good portion size, and very tasty. We loved the sweet potato fries side dish. Service was super-friendly and efficient. Price was decent for the quality. The Burg menu, in addition to sandwiches, wraps, and pizza also offers a good variety of traditional dinner entrees – steaks, seafood, chicken, and ribs.

The comfortable interior melds century old brick walls with modern sports bar interior.
The comfortable interior melds century old brick walls with modern sports bar interior.

Second impressions. We did a return visit on the first Saturday in November of 2016 to see how things were going at The Burg. Upon arrival we were greeted by the friendly bartender as soon as we were in the door. I ordered a Leinie Oktoberfest while Jo sample tasted the cabernet and merlot (eventually picking merlot) while we deciding on our late lunch. We decided to split a 12 inch veggie pizza and each order a salad bar add-on to go with it.

The pizza was decent, but what we found exceptional was the salad bar, offering a wide variety of salads and fresh vegetables. It would have been easy to make a meal from the salad bar alone. Jo felt it was one of the best salad bars she’s had in ages. And as an add-on to a sandwich or pizza for only $3 more it was a terrific deal.

Later one of the owners, Jeff Doyle, whom we met a year ago, returned to working behind the bar. That’s another thing I like about the place – ownership is on site and working side-by-side with the staff. So the Burg continues to get high marks from us for service, good food, and a comfortable atmosphere.

Two other restaurants in Shullsburg get very good reviews in Trip Advisor (see below). We’ll have to try them the next time we are in town.

Brewster House Restaurant & Cafe
Located next to the Shullsberg Creamery, in the former 1886 Brewster House Hotel. It gets strong favorable reviews on the Internet with many repeat customers who make it part of their tradition in visiting Shullsburg. The restaurant is connected to the Shullsburg Creamery Cheese and Gift Shop, another favorite stop for Shullsburg visitors.

Water Street Pub & Restaurant
The Water Street Pub is part of the Water Street Place Inn originally built in 1883 and for a time served as the First National Bank of Shullsburg. The bank ceased operations in the Great Depression and later was home to variety of professional services and offices. In 2001, after being vacant for 20 years, it was purchased and remodeled by Chuck and Jill Staab, experienced Inn Keepers and Restaurant Managers. The Staabs continue to run both the historic hotel and the Pub & Eatery. It gets 4 ½ stars from Trip Advisor. Reviewers particularly like their Reuben Sandwich and enjoy the old time atmosphere including the old bank vault which has been re-purposed as part of the Tap Room.



More Shullsburg Visitor Attractions Links:

Cheese Factory Scenic Drive – Mineral Point to Shullsburg

Cheese Country Travel Map & Article Directory

Cheese Country Scenic Drive Map with notes on cheese factories, golf courses, RV camping, and other attractions.
Article Directory & Map Cheese Country Scenic Drive with notes on cheese factories, golf courses, RV camping, and interesting towns and other attractions.

Fall Cheese Country Scenic Drive

Scenic Fall Drive, Mount Horeb to Monroe, Wisconsin

Featured attractions in this article: Yellowstone Golf Course, Toy Train Barn, Monroe Town Square

On beautiful October fall day, we decided to take a trip to Monroe, Wisconsin following rural roads through one leg of our Wisconsin Cheese Country Scenic Drive (see our Map). Our trip began at Hwy 78 west of Mount Horeb (Wisconsin’s Troll Capital) and proceeded south. We experienced some decent views of Blue Mounds and some nice color shots along the ridge heading towards the burg of Daleyville and later along the route to Blanchardville.

Fall color along highway 78 south of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin
Fall color along highway 78 south of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin
Fall color along Highway 92 south of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin
Fall color along Highway 92 south of Mount Horeb, Wisconsin

Argyle, Wisconsin

We continued south on Hwy 78 another 8 miles to the village of Argyle. A little northwest of the village is the Yellowstone Golf Course and Gnarly Oak Restaurant. We had read online of their “senior fall special” green fee and cart for $13 so Jo and I packed our clubs to give the course a try. A bonus was some nice color in the trees surrounding the course.

Slide Show: Yellowstone Golf Course Argyle, Wisconsin


  • yellowstone golf course
  • yellowstone golf course
  • yellowstone golf course

Yellowstone Golf Course Review. It is a links style course with only a sprinkling of trees here and there lining the fairways. But the course is surrounded by woods so it is not as open as some links style courses. They have 3 sets of tees (Blue – 3158 yards for longer hitters; White – 2766 yards for the regular Men’s tees; and Red – 2324 for Ladies Tees) . We found the fairways, tee boxes, and sand traps were in decent condition and the greens offered some challenge but had fair pen placements. Overall a well-maintained course and I liked the variety of holes, each one with a distinct character. The #1 handicap hole is the Par 5 #6 playing 545 yards from the Blue Tees and 512 yards from the White Tees. I saved some of my best drives and shots for this hole and managed to par it! Every tee box had a nice graphic of the hole layout but we found a few gave mis-information, indicating a fairly straight shot towards the green from the tee when the hole actually had a pronounced dog leg. So some golfers new to the course will get some surprises. The club house is the Gnarly Oak Restaurant and Bar, set in an attractive log chalet style building on a hill overlooking the course. They have Friday Fish Frys 12 months a year; we plan to catch one of them next golf season as we do plan to return for golfing; it’s a fun course and decent rates. By the way, the restaurant also offers Ribs, Steaks, and Shrimp dinners as well as occasional buffets. http://yellowstonegolf.com/

toy train barn argyle wi
Kids can actually operate the trains at the Toy Train Barn

Another interesting Argyle attraction is the Toy Train Barn, about 3 miles east on Highway 81, provides fun for the entire family and an ever-expanding layout. Here, you’ll see an extensive collection of model train layouts in the barn, plus a 12″ gauge railroad that visitors are able to ride known as the Argyle & Eastern Railroad, built on 18 scenic hilly acres (near the highest point in Green County) that include a natural springs and creek. The Argyle & Eastern Railroad features a turntable, water tower, depots. There are many curves and trestles, semaphore signals, wig-wags etc. Retired train engineer Buck Guthrie built and runs the attraction. Among other trains, the museum features Buck’s extensive collection of American Flyer model trains (which is the model train I ran as a kid). We were anxious to get to Monroe before the Minhas Brewery closed so we didn’t have time to stop on this trip. But the Toy Train Barn is on our must see for the future.


Update: We made good on our promise to visit the Toy Train Barn!
See our pictures, article, and video on Visiting the Toy Train Barn


Our main Cheese Country Scenic Drive route continues through Wiota to the village of Gratiot and then to the historic town of Shullsburg (see our Scenic Drive Map below). On this day, however, we drove to Monroe (via Hwy 81) which is Wisconsin’s Cheese Capital. Along the route you’ll see several large dairy farms nestled in the hills. You’ll also pass the Klondike Cheese Co http://www.klondikecheese.com/ a huge operation producing Muenster, Brick, Havarti and Feta Cheeses as well as Greek Style Yogurt. Unfortunately there is no retail store at the facility nor do they offer tours due to sanitation, health and safety standards.



Arriving in Monroe Wisconsin

1891 Green County Courthouse with its 120 foot high clock tower (that actually works)
1891 Green County Courthouse with its 120 foot high clock tower (that actually works)

Monroe, the unofficial capitol of Cheese Country and a town steeped in Swiss Heritage, has done an excellent job preserving the viability of their downtown square, anchored by the historic courthouse. Some of Monroe’s  best shopping, dining, and entertainment venues are located around the square. One of our favorites is Baumgartner’s Tavern and Cheese Store, a Monroe institution.

Baumgartner’s Cheese Store and Tavern is located across from the courthouse in the city square. Baumgartners offers a large variety of cheeses produced under their private label by a number of Monroe area Cheesemakers. They are Wisconsin’s oldest cheese store, open since 1931. The adjacent Tavern, offers a ton of atmosphere & nostalgia, some terrific Swiss and German sandwiches, and 24 beers on tap. Fast and friendly service. In the past I’ve had their terrific Reuben sandwich. On our latest visit I went with their smoked bratwurst with kraut and onions. Jo elected their all beef hot dog with a side of cole slaw. The sandwiches came with a dill pickle and a hunk of Muenster cheese. Both were tasty and topped off with cold pints of beer. Funky atmosphere with Swiss and beer memorabilia hanging from everywhere. Good food, good brews, superb service, and a fun experience.


Edelweiss Gifts Monroe WIrainbow confections Monroechocolate temptations MonroeBaumgartner's Tavern & Cheese Store Monroe, WI

Cheese lovers will also want to stop at another Monroe institution, the Alp and Dell Cheese Store, 657 2nd Street. Here you can peruse a wide selection of locally produced cheese and sausages. From a total of over 100 different cheeses you are able to taste many of them in their store. They are also the flagship store for Roth Kase Cheese Factory. Viewing windows provide an opportunity to see Roth cheese being made.

See our more extensive profile of things to see and do in Monroe, Wisconsin with pictures and links to attractions.

Southwest Wisconsin Scenic Drives

Cheese Country Travel Map & Article Directory

Cheese Country Scenic Drive Map with notes on cheese factories, golf courses, RV camping, and other attractions.
Article Directory & Map Cheese Country Scenic Drive with notes on cheese factories, golf courses, RV camping, and interesting towns and other attractions.

Grayton Beach Florida

Grayton Beach Florida

The Best Small Town Beach Community along the Florida Gulf Coast

Number 1 in Grayton Beach attractions is the “Beach” that fronts the village and the adjacent Grayton Beach State park. This beach is regularly voted among Florida’s top beaches. And according to beach aficionado Dr. Beach, who is also Professor and Director of the Laboratory for Coastal Research at Florida International University, Grayton Beach is one of the top 10 beaches in the World! In his annual ranking of Best Beaches World-Wide based upon 50 criteria, Dr. Beach has ranked Grayton Beach tops for 2020.

Along with Apalachicola, the village of Grayton Beach is our favorite small town resort communities along the Florida Gulf Coast Scenic Drive. In contrast to slickly landscaped condo communities in South Florida, created by a myriad of developers, little Grayton Beach has retained it’s character of quaint cottages, some of which are over hundred years old. Aided by a community of artists and artisans, the town retains a unique character and whimsy. As the town’s website says “Grayton Beach is a state of mind. Our town is a funky little beach town full of free-spirited folks with a laid-back attitude. The narrow roads are shaded by southern magnolias, towering pines and moss-draped oaks. The salt air is ever present and so is the fine white sand covering the worn floors of our old beach cottages.”

grayton beach boardwalk
Jo finds a bench to empty the sand from her shoes after a stroll on Grayton Beach’s famous beach.

One of Florida’s Top White Sand Beaches. The beach itself is a treasure, especially for those who have the special beach passes that allow them to drive on the beach itself. And since the town is actually surrounded by Grayton Beach State Park, there’s always plenty of room on the beach. (see Beach Scenes of Grayton Beach beaches here)


Best Grayton Beach Restaurants & Bars

Red Bar Grayton Beach
The funky Red Bar is the lynch pin of Grayton Beach’s tiny downtown.

There are two bars near the beach, The venerable Red Bar (see our review), with its crazy interior decoration motif and signature blackboard menus, and the recently remodeled Chiringo bar down the street. In 2015 we were introduced to the Red Bar, its fantastic Mahi-Mahi basket, signature Bloody Mary, and super-service from the Wait Staff. We also caught some great musical entertainment. The Red is a very popular place and if you can’t get a table right away, rather than wait in line, I’d give its neighbor Chiringo Bar down the street a try. Looks like it would be a fun place. We hope to do a review on our next visit.

Another good dining option is away from the beach itself along Scenic Highway 30: The Grayton Seafood Company (see our review here).


Slide Show – A few of Grayton Beach’s Unique Cottages


Grayton Beach CottageGrayton Beach Cottagegrayton beach cottagesgratyon beach homesgrayton Beach cottage





Their tongue-in-cheek “Grayton Beach: Nice Dogs, Strange People” bumper sticker misleads a little bit because the people are also really friendly. As their website says “Grayton Beach is a state of mind. Our town is a funky little beach town full of free-spirited folks with a laid-back attitude.”

Grayton Beach Visitor and Travel Links: