Santander wrote:What I really want to know is, how is the Western Style Barbecue Beef Sandwich, and has G Wiv tried it?

No and I probably never will as my bride frowns on me going 'Bobby' in Five Easy Pieces in public.

I went on my annual cheese run to Wisconsin yesterday. Had a great time as usual. Added a few more cheese stops (as recommended in this thread). Really enjoyed Maple Leaf (cheese shop). Had fun diving around in the bargain bin coolers of cheese. You can't go wrong when you can get a hunk of cheese for a $1.00! However, all the cheese seemed like a bargain compared to what I pay for it here in Illinois. (Note: a bonus was that gas was $2.49).

Now this is what I wanted to respond to earlier in the thread

We started our day at the Ratskeller restaurant in the local Turner Hall establishment. One of the few remaining Turner buildings in the country (there's another in Milwaukee), the Monroe branch is the only one to feature a Swiss theme as opposed to the more typical German versions.

Our meal there consisted of raclette served with red potatoes, and pickled Brussels sprouts and asparagus, a slice of Schaffhausen onion tart, and a Swiss side sampler that included rosti potatoes, Alpler macaroni and cheese, and spatzle. When we stepped outside, we grabbed a big fat smoked bratwurst from the sidewalk cafe before heading into town for the main event.

Buddy Baby....I don't know how your meal was, but mine was way far to the left of good. My onion tart was dried up and skimpy, the raclette was lukewarm and bland. My niece insisted on the Italian buffet (special of the day) ...overcooked noodles and pizza sauce. When she asked for bread, they brought her hot dinner rolls (still frozen in the center). The only thing that was slightly passable was the cheese pie that one of my sisters got. Still, the portion was really tiny. The building is very interesting, but I'd never go back for a meal. I had a local recommend the Swiss House for sandwiches. I think I’ll try that next time. Has anyone tried that place?

My all time favorite place is still Decatur Dairy. They were just shoveling fresh cheese curds into bags when we got there…cheese nirvana!

Yeah, I guess I should have been more specific in that post about the Turner Hall Ratskellar. Our meal was just OK, nothing to get excited about (maybe that's why I didn't write anything), and pretty much over priced. On the other hand, the sausages we picked up at the Ratskellar's sidewalk cafe were quite good. It was only the "sit down" fare inside that was lacking.

That was actually my second experience with Monroe's Turner Hall, the first one being not much better. Trouble was, I forgot how unremarkable the first visit was which led to the second. The only bright spot in that first visit, aside from the company, was a couple of hunks of complimentary chocolate cake offered by the head chef who was just happy that Cheese Days had ended. Neither the chef nor the free cake were anywhere to be seen on this visit. In future visits to Cheese Days I think we will make a beeline to the al pastor taco guy and not waste our money on the warmed over Swiss food at Turner Hall.

My experience at the Turner Hall in Milwaukee, as long as you stick to the "authentic" German menu or the fish fry and don't bother with the typical pub grub also offered, has generally been the exact opposite. Excellent food, served in large portions, at a fair price. Great vintage building, too. And unless there is an event going on at the Bradley Center across the street, easy, cheap parking right next door to boot.

Buddy

Buddy, where is that al pastor taco guy? I thought maybe he was a one hit wonder during Cheese Days. Does he have a store front?

The family has a little garden level grocery store on one of the side streets off the main square. I don't know if he sells those al pastor tacos on a regular basis or if they just do it during special events. The procedure for getting a taco involved going downstairs to the store's cash register, paying for your order, at which time they gave you a slip of paper with the hand written number of tacos you've paid for, going back upstairs, presenting the taco man with the slip of paper resulting in the procurement of your tacos. I can't believe they do this every day, but if they did open a tiny taqueria in Monroe, I bet they'd maker a better living than at that walk down bodega.

Buddy

I'm getting ready to make my annual cheese run to Wisconsin (Brodhead to Monroe) Does anyone know if there are any new resturant finds in that area? I've been to Baumgartner's and Turner Hall. I'm pretty sure my mom would not like to eat at a taco (no matter how good it might be).

In Monticello there's a "destination dining place" that's preety good - The Dining Room at 209 Main. Their website is: [url]http://209main.com
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Allison, that sounds really nice, probably too nice for what we are looking for. We are looking mainly for just a nice diner, a place for a good lunch. Anyone?

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Thanks for that link Cathy!

Went on my annual cheese run and found some new places to visit in the Monroe area. I will post these with photos (if I can get the photos to load). However, what I'm most excited about is the grilled cheese sandwich that I got at Decatur Dairy. They have started serving various grilled cheese sandwiches and hand dipped ice cream. Anyway, The Monster Grilled Cheese was awesome. Oozing with perfectly melted cheese and butter. I shared it with two other people and it still was over the top. Check it out next time you visit! I'm sad to say it was consumed before I thought to take a photo. Next time!

razbry wrote:Buddy, where is that al pastor taco guy? I thought maybe he was a one hit wonder during Cheese Days. Does he have a store front?

The al pastor taco guy has been MIA the last couple of Cheese Days. Even the lower level bodega was missing back in 2012. But we managed to find them this year, relocated to a ground level storefront, just off the town square. Sadly, the taco cart was still absent.

I inquired inside and, from what I understood, there were permit issues that couldn't be overcome at present. The lady working the counter said it was an issue they were trying to resolve for future Cheese Days events.

Fingers crossed for 2016!

Buddy