Check in each week for Cheap Eat'n, the Great Lakes Clipper restaurant review. We'll feature one restaurant a week from either Northeastern Wisconsin or the Upper Peninsula. Each restaurant we pick must be 1.) Friendly to your wallet and 2.) Really tasty.
With so many great restaurants that fit into both categories, it took me awhile to choose which one I'd feature first. But I decided to go with one of the oldest... Al's Hamburger's in downtown Green Bay.
I'll admit it. I lived in Green Bay for four years without even knowing that Al's existed. And I think that's the case for a lot of people. It's so small that if you get distracted on your way into the Meyer Theater a few doors down on Washington St, you'd miss it the big blue "EAT" sign. But that's okay. It's part of Al's charm.
Al's Hamburgers has been around since 1934. Yes, folks, that's before Vince Lombardi and friends ruled Green Bay and sidled up to Al's counter. My husband's grandparents ate at Al's as teenagers. My in-laws ate at Al's as teenagers. My husband ate at Al's as a teenager. Al's is a true Green Bay tradition that only the locals know about. That's why when Al's burned down in 2011, there were many customers praying to the hamburger gods for a comeback. And in 2012, they did with the same burgers, curds and onion rings that Grandma used to eat.
If you are the quinoa and flax seed type, I'm guessing this is not the place for you. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel called Al's "the definition of a greasy spoon". My sentiments exactly. There are only a few booths and from the looks of the outside, you'd probably think twice before entering. But the scent of steamed burgers and fried onions pulls you in like a Siren.
So what makes Al's so special?
First of all, the breakfast. For less than $15, two people can chow down on huge plates of eggs, bacon, toast, coffee, juice, and my husband's favorite, hash. Downtown office workers can start their day with Al's at 5 a.m.
And from the name of the restaurant, you can probably guess what the other must-have food is- hamburgers. Watch as your waitress throws your hamburger patty down on the grill alongside strings of caramelized onions and steams your bun. Be sure to pair it with onion rings or cheese curds. Pure perfection and totally worth the calories!
If you don't eat beef, that's okay. Al's also offers soups, lunch plate specials (meat, potato, vegetable and bread for $5.95), chicken and pork chops. Just be sure to get to Al's before 3 p.m. when they close.
Check out their Facebook page.
http://www.urbanspoon.com/r/63/680014/restaurant/Downtown/Als-Hamburger-Shop-Green-Bay">
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