The Spot Drive In

-Got beef?
The Burgers of Wisconsin

I hate to say it but summertime is winding down but not out of the picture just yet. You still got plenty of heat and the fall season too for a road trip or two. You know we here S'C&C aka chibbqking love to travel Wisconsin and explore and consume the states glorious eats. It's also been a while since I've posted about my favorite Chicago suburb Kenosha. Hey, it's closer than other places they call suburbs of my city. Even if you only have the day Kenosha is a great spot (only 64 miles away) to spend it. Its got beaches, bars, outlet mall shopping and a handful of other things including some great Drive In's. A food friend of mine from up that way had been telling me I needed to check out The Spot Drive In and get myself one of the burgers at this local and state favorite that would be a given for a Diners, Drive Ins and Dives episode.


a locals favorite in Kenosha, WI

The Spot is a great place indeed. On my day visited spring was just starting and people were coming out and they were at The Spot by the dozens on the afternoon we were there. You can easily understand why when you realize that The Spot has been around since the middle of the 40's and has been in the same location since then too. The real hits at The Spot are everything I got but the menu is extensive and it wraps around the outside of the building letting drivers see what they offer. The Drive Up service is still available if you want to eat in your whip. Personally I love the fact its open late nite on weekends. I might have to take a late night ride up there one day soon this summer.


Part of the menu along the building outside


Since 1945 for a reason

The car hops were very friendly and well worked on my visit. The recipe for The Spots famous greasy cheeseburgers along with their housemade root beer hasn't changed since day one. On a hot summer day (or any day for that matter) the combo of these three items is another example of why the people of Kenosha and Wisconsin are lucky to have many great roadfood type spots. The onion rings are breaded in house and fried to perfection so make sure to go with them over fries as a side with your burger and root beer.


Root Beer Floats having just arrived for the car next to us


Excellent Onion Rings

The burgers have remained the same at The Spot and the grill they've been cooked on all these years has gained some mighty fine flavor. While remaining the same the burgers are still made like they were in the 30's thru the 50's and are smashed onto the grill giving them crisp edges and to top that off a nicely melted slice of cheese. Go with the classic toppings of mustard, pickles and onions and you got one of Wisconsin's many great burgers and also one of its best. They are open seven days a week from 11am to the wee hours of the am. If you don't order and eat in your car, make the short drive east down 75th and dine on Lake Michigan in your vehicle or take your food out on the rocks and listen to the waves while grubbing on some goodness.


Cheeseburger from The Spot

The Spot Drive In
2117 75th Street
Kenosha, WI 53143
(262) 654-9294

Burgers from Moody's Pub

-Got beef?
The Burgers of Chi

The burgers at Moody's Pub have been on most compiled lists of the top burger in Chicago since they started making these lists. Moody's is a cozy locals pub in the Edgewater neighborhood thats been since 1959 and always had a reputation for a great burger. It can be cozy spot in the winter when the fireplaces are burning and also a relaxing spot to enjoy a beer outside during summertime when they have the beer garden open. On the inside is an old school wood paneled bar and wooden tables for seating with peanuts at each one. The lighting is dark and it may very well be Chicago's most romantic spot to have a burger with the fireplaces and all. But how is that burger? does it live up to the hype? I haven't been to this place since I was in H.S in the late 90's and remembered liking it. Now it was time to give it a try again and see just how good the burger is.


Moody's Pub in Edgewater

Upon arrival into Moody's it feels like you have transfered from the bustling city life outside into a Wisconsin Northwoods tavern inside. Its dimly lit and the smell of the grill immediately gives a pleasant aroma inside. The wood paneled bar has a few regulars sipping beer and the tables are filled with friends and dates enjoying food, drink and banter. It was a snowy day outside so we took a spot near one of the fires and ordered a few brews, onion rings to start and some burgers. As we waited for food the atmosphere was chill and everyone was having a good time and in full holiday mode.


Moody's Onion Rings

So did the burger live up to the hype? yay and nay. I thought the burger was good and quite satisfying and enjoyed the fact it was grilled and the fresh toppings that came on top, I always enjoy a full onion slice when the onions aren't grilled. The biggest beef I had with this burger was the seasoning it just tasted very plain to me with the unseasoned meat and the lettuce, tomato and onion. The fries were very good and I liked the onion rings for the fact that there were real rings of onion inside but still prefer the beer battered variety to Moody's style. I wouldn't be surprised if the rings came from the freezer. The burger was a good one that I would return for if I lived in the area or knew someone who did and wanted to grab a beer and burger. I wouldn't call it destination driving but might call it best in neighborhood. I have had plenty of bad burgers in my eating days and this isn't one of them but its also not one of the best.


Cheese Moodyburger from Moodys Pub

Overall Grade: B-

Strengths: The fresh grilled (points for that) patty was juicy and comes with fresh toppings and is a very respectable price for a burger and fresh cut fries. Extra points for the fact you can have a beer and the atmosphere inside is great during both summer and winter.

Weakness': The burger tasted rather plain overall and the taste doesn't translate from as good as it smells. Its not a bad burger but it doesn't make you want to come back tomorrow.

Moody's Pub
5910 N Broadway St
Chicago, IL 60660
(773) 275-2696
Website

Thee Food Fest of Middle America

Eating like a local: Regional food specialties
-The West Side Nut Club Fall Fest in Evansville, IN

On a recent trip to hog heaven down in Southern Illinois this past October, one of the reasons for cruising down there was to experience one of the more unique food festivals in the nation. The West Side Nut Club fall fest just celebrated its 84th year in Evansville, IN. The festival is held yearly during the first full weekend in October and it is known for its more uncommon food items. Now im not talking about "salad of endives with crispy potato's, basil, dijon, pancetta and a poached egg." Some of the more bizzare items to be eaten include chocolate covered crickets, kool-aid brined pickles, brain sandwiches, fried just about anything including but not limited to pineapple, dandelions and olives and also Kentucky specialties: mutton and burgoo. When it was all eaten and over it was a very fun experience and the food was better than your run of the mill celebration, this isn't your local towns annual summer carnival.


WSNC (Evansville, IN)

I come from the city of festivals and I will say that as a lifelong Chicagoan who is sick of the "Taste of Chicago" and what it is (not good) that this was one of the better food fest's I have been to. Keep in mind that this is the exact opposite of the "Aspen food & wine festival" in both food and people. Sometimes pictures tell 1000 words and that is going to be the case in this post. Here are some photos from the 2008 West Side Nut Club Fall Fest in Evansville, IN. I have to say the WSNC fall fest is one of the better eating festivals in the country. I say this because you wont find any corporate food outlets because all of the booths are non-for-profit organizations.


Fried salsa & cheese stuffed black olives/fried mac & cheese


Cajun sausage


Bugs in your lollipop on purpose


Homemade stromboli's


Dumplings of all variety are very popular


One of the more amusing items- a walking taco: a waffle cone stuffed with taco meat and topped with lettuce, tomato, cheese, salsa and sour cream


Fried donut on a stick dipped in chocolate topped with whipped cream and nuts (Jeff Barzin)


mmmmm (Jeff Barzin)


Indiana's state sandwich (oversized fried pork tenderloin w/ pickles, mustard, onions)


Desserts are plentiful at the festival


Packed at high noon on Day 1 (a Thursday)


Monte Cristo Sandwich (Served with jam-click for info on sandwich)


Fried pork tenderloin sandwich


Monte cristo (ham, turkey and cheese in bread-then breaded and deep fried)


the famous brain sandwich


ask Jeff Barzin


deep fried everything


These were really good. Bars around town should should start serving them complimentary.


Pulled Pork from a big green egg


Hot Tamales!


Pretty, Pretty, Good


Steak sandwich


Brat Burgers, banana canoes, Root Beer Floats, pretzel stix dipped in white chocolate


Chocolate dipped bacon


Freid Green Beans and fried ravioli


Corn Fritters


a popular festival food item


Muddy pig's


Whats a food fest without pie?


close up of corn fritter (amazing when dipped in the syrup)


Cajun cuisine


ask Jeff Barzin


no time for rides...must eat


apple dumpling with ice cream (Jeff Barzin)


Evansville has a heavy German population


Whiskey and Cider make a nice pairing (great w/o whiskey too)


Cotton Candy...always popular


Hot ham and everything


Some of the best onion rings I have had


West Side Nut Club planning their take over of the East side acorn crew


NO? Not Kermit! Why is he missing a leg?


encased meat and onions...a match made in heaven


Shaved Ice...another festival favorite


Smoked bacon wrapped jalapeño stuffed with cheese


ribbit, ribbit...crunch, crunch...frog legs


one of the better sandwiches at the fair


Kool-aid brined pickles


Burgoo


Deep fried oreo's and twankies for dessert (Jeff Barzin)


Blueberry pie with a scoop of ice cream (Jeff Barzin)

If you enjoyed this and the Southern IL BBQ trail tour then stay tuned. During my three days down there we managed to get over to Kentucky for some BBQ right after we left the fall fest. Regional report coming soon. For more info on the WSNC FF check out their website.

West Side Nut Club Website
http://www.nutclub.org/