Fish Fry Fridays

Two years ago, we started going out on Fridays for Fish Fries.  The number of places we dined grew and grew.  I took notes at many but not all.  Some have turned into our favorite place to go, others not so much.  This is just my opinion, and my notes were very vague when I started.  Did we like the place enough to come back or not?  Did they offer anything unusal?   Read my reviews and maybe you will find a new place to dine or a place to avoid...

Burke’s Landing    3728 Valley Road, Oconomowoc.  We ate here soon after it reopened.  It is located across from Silver Lake and is very pleasant inside with a lot of dark wood, and large booths.  The fish fry was well priced, and we received a small loaf of bread beforehand, which was good.  The fish was ok, batter a little heavy but overall good meal.

5 O’Clock Club  N28 W26658 Peterson Drive.  This restaurant is located above Pewaukee Lake, you can see the water but it’s not on the lake.  We have eaten here quite a few times, and we suggest you get there early for the Fish Fry, it’s a very popular place and it can be quite a wait if you show up around 6pm.  Coleslaw and bread is served as you are seated.  You get Fish and French frys, not AYCE (All You Can Eat).  Scott ordered seafood chowder but thought it was mostly cream soup without much in it. 

Historical Red Mill Inn, 1005 South Elm Grove Road.  This restaurant is located in a residential area, and looks like a home.  Crunchy Beer Battered Cod or Perch or Baked, A choice of Potatoe: sweet potatoe fries, Garlic tator tots, Potatoe pancakes (not always available).  Regular cole slaw, marbled bread.  Not AYCE.  Food was good, it isn’t very big but we came early so did not have to wait. 

Tess  East Side, 2499 N Bartlett Avenue, Milwaukee.  Small restaurant on the corner.  There are a few tables in the bar area already taken, and they had a wedding rehearsal party in the main dining room, so we were ok to eat at the bar. (14.95) Panko Lake Perch or Tempera Battered Talapia, sweet potatoe fries, crispy cole slaw.  Not AYCE but good size portions.  Bartender very friendly, it was good, different from most of the places we have eaten at.

Bluemound Gardens.  There was too long a wait at the new Crowne Restaurant so we (along with Heather and Scott) dined at the Bluemound Gardens on Bluemound road.  No atmosphere to speak of, and the booth we sat in had a rip in the cushion..but if you are looking for the most bang for your buck…this is the place to go.  For 8.95  you get: soup or salad, fries or potato pancakes, egg bread, fried cod or perch and a dessert (pie or cheesecake).  Everything was ok, and service was good.  I would think the perfect place for a family with kids.

Golden Mast  W349 N5293 Lacy’s Lane, Oconomowoc.  This is Scott’s favorite fish fry.  They only take walk ins on Fridays and if you come by 5:30 the cost is $12.95 ($15.95 after).  Potato salad and cole slaw are on the table as you are seated.  Fried (AYCE) or baked cod.  Very fast service and a fantastic view of Okauchee Lake.  

Michaels: 1400 south Grand Avenue, Waukesha.  Italian-American restaurant.  There were quite a few salad and fish options besides the basic Fish Fry and a large menu as well.  We have visited on other days besides Fridays, and their pizza has a nice thin crust.  We get Michael’s coupons in the mail with those discount packs, and are really a great value.  Overall very good.

Serb Hall  5101 W. Oklahoma avenue, Milwaukee.  Go early to avoid the crowd.  This place fills up fast and is a buffet style.  Fish, other seafood options, variety of potatoes, salad are all offered.  You end up with a lot on your plate.  There was also a dessert table.  Scott like the basic fish fry the best, since I liked the baked cod overall.

Sand Bar  W278 N2315 Prospect Avenue, on the south shore of Pewaukee Lake.  Outside dining with your feet in the sand.  Not fancy but very enjoyable.  I had a cod fish sandwich which was good, Scott had the basic fish fry Cod $10.00 (also Perch is $12) which was average.  Service a little slow but since you are sitting next to the marina, there is a lot of activity so it’s all good.  I have also eaten here on other nights, and their Burger on a pretzel bun  and sweet potato fries  is really good.

Foolery  N52 W35090 Lake Drive.  Just over the bridge from Golden Mast on Okauchee Lake.  Once again outdoor dining is available (but in early spring we stopped here for lunch on a Sunday and sat inside with a great view of the lake).  The Cod Fish Fry had crunchy batter which I really liked, with baked vegetables, and small potatoes.  The setting outside is so relaxing. 

Brookfield Suites  located inside the Brookfield Suites on Moreland.  The first time we ate here we were the only people which surprised us because the food was extremely good.  First you visit the soup and salad bar which was very good.  Baked or Fried Fish and fries or potato pancakes.  This was the first place that offered syrup for the pancakes rather than applesauce, and I loved it.  We have gone back a few times, and though never crowded, there usually is a fair amount of people dining.

Hoggs Alley 2008 N Venice Beach Road, Oconomowoc.  This place has a following.  We went early but not early enough and had a long wait.  Too long, over an hour and a half and the main reason is because the restaurant is very small.  We finally sit and are almost rubbing elbows with the table next to us.  They offer Cod $10.00, Walleye $12.00, Perch $11.00 and I tried the BlueGills $11.00 which had a heavy flavor to them and I did not like it.  Scott had the Cod and it was ok but the crowded noisy room just was not relaxing.  We would not go back.

Curly’s Waterfront Bar & Grill.  On Pewaukee Lake by the boat launch.  The Bar & Grill is located on the 2^nd floor and we ate out on the patio that surrounds the whole bar & grill.   Cod $10 or AYCE $12.00.  I had the fish sandwich which was good and Scott liked the Cod.  Fries no other extras.  It’s not directly on the water but sitting in the shade watching the boat launch was relaxing.

Bubs Irish Pub   On Main Street in Germantown.  I liked this place more than Scott did.  There were five choices for potatoes: steak fries, buffalo fries, baked potate, seasoned fries, Potate pancakes.  You can choose from Batter Fried Haddock (I had), Seasoned Haddock or Baked Haddock (scott had) AYCE  all for $10.00.   We were there early, there were not a lot of people there yet but service was a little slow.   This place is very large inside and listed many specials on other days of the week.

Johnny Manhattan  3718 Hubertus Road, Hubertus.  We both liked this place a Lot!  We have been there a couple times and once with Joe and Julie.  There are a lot of rooms, so it seats more than it looks from the outside.  There are lots of old rat pack pictures, but I don’t know the history there.  After you are seated you get potato salad, cole slaw, and pasta salad to nibble on as you decide on what to order.  AYCE Fish fry, bake or fried or a combo of both.  I had the baked once and the combo both are very good.  I also had their French onion soup which was fantastic. 

Delafield Brewhaus   3832 Hillside Drive, Delafield  Their Wisconsin Fish Fry is amber battered cod, fries or potato salad or baked potato.  Other options breaded perch or broiled cod.  We had the battered cod and it was crunchy, the way I like it.   Heather and Scott had dined here before we did and did not have a good meal.  Their fish fry was not cooked thoroughly.  Ours was fine. 

7 Seas  1807 Nagawicka Road, Hartland  Similar menu to Golden Mast but without the early eating discount.  AYCE Cod, baked or Fried or Chicken.  Potato salad and cole slaw also similar for $15.95. Variety of rooms to dine in, we had a view of the lake.  Fish was not exactly the same, a little greasier maybe. 

Weissgerber’s Gasthaus and Beer Garden  2720 N Grandview Blvd.   Grouped with 7Seas and Golden Mast, Weissgerber’s has the same sides (cole slaw and potato salad) AYCE Fried Cod, and Baked Cod for $15.95 but like  7Seas, they don’t offer the early dining discount.  The German décor is very appealing, and puts you in the mood for a stein of beer.

Schwabenhof’s    Large hall, lots of people, 10.95 Fish Fry or Fried Chicken or combo.  It must be the price that brings in the people because the fish was just so-so. 

Waukesha’s Elks   2301 Springdale Road.  Everyone once in a while they put up a sign that says Fish Fry this coming Friday.  I saw the sign coming home and we tried it out.  It was very popular with Elk’s members.  You order as you walk in, go to the bar and buy yourself something to drink, then find a seat.  Definitely an older group of diners.  Fish was just so-so, would not go back.

American Legion  3245 N 124^th street, Brookfield.  Similar to the two above, this place has a following, and the greeters are extremely proud of their members.  Here you find a seat and someone comes and takes your order, which is basic fish fry, fries, and rye bread.  Fish was just so-so (which if you haven’t figured out is my way of saying we didn’t really like it). 

There was another American Legion place we stopped at in Waukesha.  You order as you come in, and they lost our order.  There were only a hand full of people in the place, 45 minutes after arriving, someone came up to us and asked what we ordered.  DUH.  A half hour later we finally got some fish, which was bland.  We were happy to leave.

That’s it for this segment.  I apologize that I did not include prices for everything or even the specific fish offered, but when I started taking notes they were very general.  I would like to continue reviewing restaurants, but may do reviews of more than just for Fish Fries and will establish some kind of rating system.   Until then:   Eat, Drink, and Enjoy!

For Suzie's bachelorette party we went to Hamburger Mary's.  Located at 2130 Kinnickinnic Avenue in Milwaukee, Hamburger Mary's is a "bar & grille for open minded people".

The first one opened in 1972 in San Francisco and though that particular one is no longer in operation, there are 12 Hamburger Mary's located across the US.  You can stop in for lunch or dinner or on Saturdays or Sundays they offer a brunch or come later in the evening and enjoy cocktails and one or two shows.  Cross Dressing or Drag shows are the theme of the evening and the "Mary" in the title is a slang descriptor used for gay men as far back at early
1900s. 
Hamburger Mary's is listed as the Bachelorette and Birthday Headquarters.  
If you are the birthday person, or bride to be, you get extra attention during the show by the performers.
The food was good, drinks arrived quickly and our waiter was very attentive.  I felt it took longer than usual to first get our appetizers, and then the food.  Our food arrived just before the show started, an hour after arriving there.  Our hamburger was good (I split one with Amy and it was nicely cut in half with fries divided evenly on both our plates, which was a nice touch).  
So, the show..hmmm, what can I say, when a picture can say it all:

 The shows were loud, with music blaring, people laughing and shouting, performers performing.  Harmony Breeze and Shannon DuPree are two names of performers this particular evening.

I can not post any pictures from the later show. It was more risque.  There were a few see through outfits, so use your imagination.

These shows are probably not for everyone but we laughed, drank, and watched a lot of body parts shaking.  Overall, it was a lot of fun!

Retzler Nature Center

Its been a while since Jackie, Kathy and myself had an outside adventure.  We decided it was time to enjoy the 70 degree weather by hiking somewhere.  Retzler Nature Center is located in Waukesha and was the destination we settled on.  I checked the Retzler Nature Center website, and found only vague information.  It was mentioned that there are hiking paths at the center, but not much else was described.  There is also a planetarium at the center and it's a hot spot for elementary school field trips.  The center is very easy to find, and well marked.  We found a bench, ate our lunch then checked out the map at the site.

Quite a few paths were indicated, we decided to start with the Red Nature Trail and it turned into a path that worked its way around the whole area.  There were a few hills but nothing challenging.  The whole area was mostly prairie land but did have a nice overlook of the countryside.  In no time we were back where we started and decided to follow the Blue Prairie Pond Trail.  

We came upon a coral of snowshoes which means during the winter they must rent them out for hiking.  Sounds like fun, another idea for a future blog!

At the pond we found a lot of frogs, but I would hardly call them active.  Actually they seemed like they were still in a hibernating trance.

 The tadpoles were active though, swimming in pools along the shoreline.

Overall, I would rate this hike just average, a 5 out of 10.  The topography was pretty much the same everywhere.  Easy walking as its mainly a large prairie with some trees here and there.
I believe this Nature Center is more geared towards teaching school kids about prairie life and the environment as it had a large display on composting and compost bins.   The whole area was extremely clean, and there is no parking fee.  Entrance fee for the Planetarium for the general public is $4.00.  Retzler Nature Center is located off Hwy 18 (Summit) then south on Madison Street/Co Hwy T, watch for Retzler Nature Center sign.

Matthew and Gunnar's salute to Ricky Nelson

Kathy invited me to join her at Potawatomi's Northern Lights theater featuring Matthew and Gunnar Nelson's salute to Ricky Nelson.  Of course, besides just reviewing the show I wanted to share a few things I learned while enjoying the evening.

 I can honestly say I was never a fan of the Nelson brothers, but I do remember Ricky Nelson, first from the  Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet, then of course when he became a "teen idol".  Now I am not quite old enough to be a groupie from his early days I have always enjoyed his songs and his charming persona.
If you don't know Matthew and Gunnar, they are Rick Nelson's twins, born in 1967, who grew up among singers and celebraties and when they were teenagers made their own band called Nelson.  When they introduced themselves to the audience, they said.. "maybe you remember when we looked like swedish girls."

 When entertainers can laugh at themselves you know they are enjoying what they are doing and they couldn't stress enough how much they loved and admired their father and grandparents.

This concert was full of film clips of the Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet which aired from 1952 to 1966, with Ricky as a young boy on the show with his older brother, David.  Ozzie and Harriet were their real life parents.  When you look at it now, The Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet was similar to today's reality shows that follow the everyday life of a family.  Ozzie liked to take things from their real family life and add them to the shows story line  One day Ozzie saw Ricky singing and playing the guitar in his room, before long Ricky started singing regularly on the show and his teen star status took off.

 Here he is on the show impersonating Elvis.

 He also starred with John Wayne, and Dean Martin in Rio Bravo.

Matthew and Gunnar sang a lot of songs, starting with Ricky's earliest hits, Mary Lou, Its Late, Its Up To You, Here She Comes, and others... then did a few of the songs they did as Nelson, Can't Live Without Your Love and After the Rain.
When Nelson's song Can't Live Without Your Love, hit number 1 in September 1990, they became the only family to reach number one record status in three generations beginning with Ozzie (In 1935 Ozzie Nelson and His Orchestra had a number one hit with "And Then Some") and are listed in the Guinness Book of World Records.
Matthew and Gunnar then did the songs Rick recorded in the late 70s, Traveling Man and one of my favorites Garden Party, which Rick wrote after a Madison Square Garden reunion show in 1972 where he was booed because he sang his newer country-tinged songs rather than his old hits.  Rick Nelson died in a plane crash December 31, 1985.

Matthew and Gunnar were very impressed with the Northern Lights Theater, they have performed here numerous times,  They are looking forward to their next concert here this fall which is away from the Salute to their father and will center on music that took place when they were Nelson, along with other performers from that time that they called "Big Hair"?

The last thing they told the audience was more about their extended family.  That their brother Sam looks exactly like their dad, that their sis Tracey is an actress (she was in Square Pegs in 1982, A League of Their Own, and played a nun in the Father Downling Mysteries series.)  Their mother's brother/their uncle is Mark Harmon.

There were around 200+ people in the theater which was the 2nd of a two night concert. They offered to meet everyone after the show and the line was pretty long for those that were excited to meet them and take a picture.  Overall, a very entertaining night, great songs and great performers.

Hawaiian Restaurants, Beaches and Wildlife

We had some wonderful meals in Hawaii.  There are so many restaurants to chose from, and we were lucky to make some good choices.
Happy Hour.  We absolutely loved Huggos on the Rocks in Kailua-Kona.  Sitting with sand at your feet, watching the sunset, listening to some really good music with a Mai Tai...doesn't get much better.
They have Mai Tai's for $4.00 and other drink specials, their appetizers were (we had a quesadilla) good size, but we did not ever eat a full meal here.  Music starts around 5:15.

 

Restaurants:
Bite Me   Honokohau Harbor Marina.  Casual setting, outside picnic tables, great seafood.

Island Hopper Steak and Seafood.  Across from Kailua pier.  Open air.  Scott felt this place had the best shrimp cocktail of all the places we ate.  There was a Hawaiian singer (singing Hawaiian classics).

Bubba Gumps  Kailua Kona, on Alii drive, on the water.  Very nice atmosphere, with average food and it's family friendly.

Kona Canoe Club  in the Kona Inn shopping village.  Average food, open air seating along ocean.  They also have a happy hour from 2-5 pm.

Kona Inn Restaurant  in the Kona Inn shopping village.  Outdoor tables, good food, view of ocean.

Pancho & Lefty's Cantina.  Mexican restaurant.  We were here early so I had Macadamia pancakes which were very good and Scott had a variety platter.  A nice view of all the activity along Alii drive.

Jolenes  In Honoka'a, corner restaurant on main street that we stopped at after viewing Waipi'a valley.  There aren't many restaurants to choose from, but this one turned out to be quite good.  I had a teriyake burger, and Scott had a Okazu Platter as we watched locals walk by.  This restaurant advertised that Honoka'a was the site of an episode of Hawaii 5-0.

 Sam Choys           By the name I was thinking Chinese, but this was mainly a seafood restaurant.  Open air, some outdoor seating.  All meals between $20 and $30.  Fresh bread was placed on the table, which was very good but what was really interesting was everyone got a small salad and a cup of soup as we waited for our orders.  Everything was very good!

Courtyard King Kamehameha's Kona Beach Hotel Restaurant.  They advertised a seafood buffet on Fridays so Scott and I checked it out.  A large selection of food, the king crab legs were excellent, but overall a good but not superior seafood buffet.  

BEACHES in Kailua-Kona

(my underwater camera got sand in the lens so the pictures are grainy)

Magic Sands Beach Park:  Really nice sand beach.  Reef along one side with snorkeling good when the waves are overpowering.  

I saw a Trumpet fish along with some colorful pools of fish

Kahalu'u Beach Park   further south on Alii Drive.  The beach has an offshore reef and has better snorkeling since its in a protected bay, but the beach is somewhat rocky.  Here I saw a Helmut Gurnard fish.  (the Helmut Gurnard fish actually grunts when it feels threatened and the name Gurnard is french for grunt).  Also a large turtle swam by me so fast that I only could capture part of it, but it was so cool!

Helmut Gurnard

Turtle swims by

The best area for snorkeling is about 22 miles south of Kailua-Kona.  It is across from the Pu'u Honua O Honaunau (City of Refuge) National Historical Park which we didn't visit.  It was a place of sanctuary in the early 15th century either for those who broke the law against the gods or for women and children and defeated warriors.  Visitor center open daily.

This beach is located in Honaunau Bay and has a small shallow section that allows easy access into the water but you have to swim deeper out or around the rocks to get to the coral reef.  You can also enter the water from the rocks since the water is pretty deep but I suggest wearing water shoes because of the slippery rock surface and the coral reef.  Also the water current can be strong so if you are not a good swimmer wearing a life jacket or vest is recommended.

Shallow beach area

Rocky area overlooking bay

The best snorkeling is at the northeastern section of the bay, Ka awaloa Cove.  This is where the water ranges from 5 to 120 feet deep with a huge diversity of technicolor fish and coral.  This is also the area the spinner dolphins frequent mid afternoons.  I have never snorkeled in such deep water before and it was exceptional.  When the dolphins made their appearance, I was too far away but just knowing they were in the same cove made it really cool.  

Cornet Fish

Kekaha Kai State Park Beach   Manini Owali section.  North of Kona International airport.  Nice sand beach but you must climb down about 4 feet of lava rock to get to the beach.  Nice waves made body surfing very popular here.

Then off in the ocean I noticed people pointing, and there was a water spout, a few minutes later another another spout.  A whale was making its way north.  I climbed up the side to where people were taking pictures, unfortunately I took pictures of the same area but could not capture the whale spouting water.

Lava Tube in Mike and Lynn's backyard.

Mike's Banana Trees

a smaller lava tube

 Makalei Golf Club

Breakfast view

In the Wild:

Feral Cats at the Old Kona Airport State Recreational Center

Wild Goats

Wild Kalij Pheasants

Mongoose found all over Hawaii.

I hope these blogs were informative but mostly entertaining.  There is so much to see and do in Hawaii where the weather is always wonderful.  We want to thank Mike and Lynn for allowing us to crash at their wonderful home, and also to do a little lava rock landscaping.   Volcano National Park and Mauna Kea Summit are a must for visitors.  Waipio'o Valley is breathtaking and exhausting if you choose to walk down into the valley.  The beaches were great!  This is a land of diverse topography, from desert to tropical rainforest and everything in between, Hawaii is truly paradise!

Let's end with a sister/brother picture!