Cruisin' Across America
-The Mighty Mississippi thru WI
I got to
take another trip up the Great River Road thru Wisconsin as I headed for the Twin Cities area for some rest and
fun last year. I also have another place located along it that I
stopped into last Fall that I wanted to share on top of the places I
stopped at on this trip. This time around we'll start off near the top
of the state and work are way down the
river. Hope you enjoy the ride.
Hager City, WI
Located in an unincorporated place near the town of Trenton which sits opposite the
river
from Red Wing, Minnesota is the Hager Heights Drive In. There's not
much going on around here but when warm weather is in the air this is a
popular stop for folks looking to eat some of their famous broasted
chicken. You turn off the
River Road
and head up a bluff which then out of nowhere pops the Drive In. You
can pull into line and place your order when you're ready thru one of the menu
boxes or park and walk up to a window to do so. If you choose to order
thru the boxes it's basically just like a drive thru as you pull up and
pay at the window when its your turn.
"Please place your order when ready"
For
those that dont know, this from Wikipedia. "Broasting is a trademark
applied to a method of cooking chicken and other foods using a pressure
fryer and condiments. The technique was invented by L.A.M. Phelan in the
early 1950s and is marketed by the Broaster Company of Beloit,
Wisconsin, which Phelan founded". Broasted chicken seems to be a popular
eat
the further north you go.
The Drive In has been around for a while and you can see why when you
get some of their chicken. No grease but lots of crunch with juicy meat
inside.
Chicken Meal with fries, cole slaw and beans
Riding the
road south will eventually take you thru Alma, an old 19th century
river town that has been designated a National Historic District. Again, another great place to roll thru. Those that like to fish would really like this place.
Alma, WI
It was alive the day we rode thru as they have a place for people to walk over the
river on
Lock and Dam No. 4 as well as bars and places for people to go antiquing. We were there to catch a ride out to the
Great Alma Fishing Float. Owned by two brothers, its a family run biz and basically a bunch of pier docks made into one that floats out on the
river. You need to take a ferry to get out there though.
On the ferry headed to the float
During
summer hours of operation the ferry comes and goes every 30 minutes or
so. We weren't really sure what was going on as theres not much except
that sign to be seen from the mainland. Just wait there and it will
eventually show up. An all day fish pass (ride incl) is $16 and if you
dont want to fish it's $5 round trip.
Sitting on the Mississippi
A view from one of the walkways
I
dont fish (yet) so I wasn't here for that. As seen on Alton's Brown's
Feasting on Asphalt episode titled "The Lutefisk Express" this
float also features a cafe where they serve breakfast and lunch. So I
was stopping in for some of that along with the experience of having
been out on the Float. Quite the spot for a diner huh? If you get motion
sickness or are freaked out by places that arent squeaky clean then
this is not for you.
The other side of the hut on the float
Nonetheless
if you can handle all that it was a fun time as I got to try their
famous "Mess". This seems to be another popular eat found in state.
Similar to the garbage plate found at
Frank's in Kenosha. The mess comes
with sausage, bacon and ham mixed in with onions, green peppers, eggs,
potato and cheese with some chopped smoked fish added in all topped with
sauerkraut and served with Texas Toast. The brothers who run it and one
of or both their sons made it for us and it was fantastic. I got a half
order, I cant imagine a full. Could spend the whole day sitting and
fishing after that.
The Famous "Mess" from the Great Alma Fishing Float
Heading further down the Great River Road thru Wisconsin...
Rolling down we're going to be stopping in the town of Trempealeau for documentation purposes.
Trempealeau, WI
1a
which is when the Restaurant and Saloon at the historic Trempealeau
Hotel opens up shop. Being nestled on the Mississippi River, this town
was a somewhat booming place when America's original highway was the
main way around.
The Trempealeau Hotel
The
town suffered a horrible fire in 1888 and the entire downtown district
was destroyed except for the hotel which was later moved further back
from the river. The area decimated by the fire was rebuilt so nothing
precedes 1890 as far as buildings go, except the hotel. The restaurant
and some parts of the bar have been redone but they manged to keep the
charm and the inside of the space is really great. The same can be said
for the town itself which is a really pretty place. We were the first
customers of the day but there were locals and travelers coming in for
both food and drinks as soon as they opened up shop.
As we enter
The
hotel was taken over by a couple who redid the menu but kept most of
the saloon and its traditions as is. They have seats inside with views
of the river, a dining room, a porch, and an outside sun deck. There's
also a stage outside for musical acts, a full outdoor basketball court
and horseshoes and bags to play too. They still do lodging as well. The
couple that took the place over happen to be vegetarians. In the process
they wanted to create their own menu item that was both unique to the
restaurant and good in their belly. So in 1986 the '
Walnut Burger' was born.
A view from the outdoor dining deck
When
I first heard about walnut burgers I thought maybe it was beef with
roasted walnuts mixed in or something but this is a vegetarian patty
made mostly with walnuts amongst other spices and bindings to hold it
together. They became big and are now sold in grocery store freezers
across state and are offered at other restaurants too. Of course I was
never looking, so I never knew. I decided to say what the hey and try
one just to say I have. The results? Well it was better than a 'Boca
Burger' so it's got that going for it. But I wont be going veggie and
changing my login name to 'Da Beets' anytime soon. Next time I'd try the
cornmeal crusted catfish sandwich...
The Walnut Burger
Located down on the
river
near the end of it's ride in Wisconsin is the town of Potosi. It was
here back in 2008 that The National Brewery Museum and Library opened on
the site of the Potosi Brewery.
Potosi, WI
Potosi Beer was born in
1852 and then became a full fledged brewery in 1906. At their peak they
were the fifth largest brewer in state and shipped Good Old Potosi,
Holiday, Garten Brau, Augsburger and other brews throughout the country.
The Old Brewery Building
Potosi
closed it's doors and ceased operations in 1972. Then in 1995 when Gary
David bought the ruined Potosi Brewery Bottling buildings after nearly
one square block of buildings had been damaged by major fire and most of
the them were a total loss. After working three years to rebuild parts
of what had been destroyed, Gary turned his attention to the Brewery and
enlisted the help of his friend and cousin who then with his wife
brought the public on board through a community meeting. In 2000 the
Potosi Brewing Company was back in business with the help of its
neighbors.
The Good Old Days Are Back!
These
days not only do they brew beers including their beloved Summertime
brew "Steamboat Shandy" they also house The National Brewery Museum and
Library. It was chosen by the American Breweriana Association to be the
museums home over places like Milwaukee and St. Louis. I think it was a
$7 donation (with a free beer!) to see the museum and its well worth it
if you like history and beer. The place was large and there were a few
floors and rooms if I remember right. Everything is for the most part on
loan from beer memorabilia collectors.
A peak into one of the many rooms and more shots from within
So much old school memorabilia, when I was there the brewers library was just getting started...
Anyone remember Utica Club Beer?
There's not many who's bottles arent on display, era by era
Some more sights from inside
You
also get to take a tour thru the original cave which is where the beer
was stored before electricity. The founders dug into the limestone
hillside to keep their brew cool and water from the
river
still floats thru floats today. On top of all this, there's the
bar/restaurant to do too. Might I maybe suggest going to do a beer
flight before taking in the museum?
View from the bar
Anything that's currently being brewed is available for your satisfaction
As
most of the current brewery was totally redone not so long ago, the
same can be said for the restaurant. They
have an outdoor dining patio where you can eat and or drink sitting
below a big limestone bluff. It's very scenic. The menu is a little more
upscale bar food using local ingredients when possible. I went with the
"Good Old Potosi Bratwurst" made with secret seasonings and Good Old
Potosi Beer. It's locally made at
Weber Meats. A fine piece of encased meat it was. The beers were just as good.
Brat Sandwich served with Beer Battered Onion Rings, the perfect way to end our trip
See ya next time...
Hager Heights Drive In
W7866 170th Ave
Hager City, WI 54014
(715) 792-2118
Great Alma Fishing Float
35 Great
River Road
Alma, WI 54610
(651) 380-7296
Trempealeau Hotel Restaurant & Saloon
150 Main Street
Trempealeau, WI 54661
(608) 534-6898
Potosi Brewing Company
209 South Main Street
Potosi, WI 53820
(608) 763-4002
