Cheap Eat'n


Photo courtesy of Wikimedia

Cheap Eat'n


If you are like most moms and dads, every once in awhile you are on burn-out mode when it comes to cooking. This is especially true on long, hot summer days when walking into the kitchen and turning on the stove seems like too much of a chore. And restaurants are fun, but the price mounts up quickly when you have kids. Enter the "Kids Eat FREE" slogan into your vocabulary. You can pretty much feed those munchkins for FREE every day of the week if you know where to go.

As someone who doesn't have kids yet, I'm always surprised, and a little jealous, by how many restaurants have this promotion. This list certainly could come in handy whether it is just another Tuesday that you don't feel like cooking or if you are planning travels to a nearby town.

Houghton

Sunday
Joey's Seafood- kids eat FREE with purchase of adult meal

Tuesday & Saturday
Perkins- kids 12 and under eat FREE with purchase of adult meal from 4- 10 p.m.

Iron Mountain Area

Monday
Maria's Cantina, Kingsford- kids eat FREE with adult entree (combination must be $10 or more)

Thursday
Country Kitchen- kids eat FREE with adult entree

Marquette Area

Sunday
Buffalo Wild Wings Kids Night 7-9 p.m. $2.25 for kids 12 and under, dine in only

Monday
Aubrees- kids eat FREE with purchase of adult meal
Applebee's- kids eat for $.99 all day with purchase of adult meal

Tuesday
Applebee's- kids eat for $.99 all day with purchase of adult meal
Perkins- kids 12 and under eat FREE with purchase of adult meal from 4- 10 p.m.
Wild Rover- kids 13 and under eat FREE with purchase of adult meal

Wednesday
Applebee's- kids eat for $.99 all day with purchase of adult meal
Buffalo Wild Wings Kids Night 7-9 p.m. $2.25 for kids 12 and under, dine in only

Thursday
UP North Lodge, Gwinn- kids 10 and under eat FREE with purchase of adult, 4- 10 p.m.

Saturday
Perkins- kids 12 and under eat FREE with purchase of adult meal from 4- 10 p.m.

Green Bay

Everyday
Golden Corral- kids three and under eat FREE everyday with purchase of adult meal
Old Country Buffet- kids three and under eat for $1.99, kids 4- 7 years old eat for $3.99 every day with purchase of adult meal

Sunday
Buffalo Wild Wings Kids Night 7-9 p.m. $2.25 for kids 12 and under, dine in only
Dickey's BBQ- kids eat FREE with purchase of adult meal
Pancake Place- kids eat FREE with purchase of adult meal, 4- 8 p.m.
Moe's - kids eat FREE with purchase of adult meal

Monday
Applebee's- kids eat for $.99 all day with purchase of adult meal
Buffalo Wild Wings - kids 12 and under eat for $1.99
Gilly's WYB Combo meal, get a Kids combo meal FREE
Happy Joe's Pizza- pay just $.45 per year
Huhot - kids eat FREE with purchase of adult meal
IHOP- kids eat FREE with purchase of adult meal, 4- 9 p.m.

Tuesday
Applebee's- kids eat for $.99 all day with purchase of adult meal
Denny's- WYB one adult entree, receive two kids entrees for FREE from 4- 10 p.m.
Fazoli's Kids Night WYB 1 adult entree, get 2 kids entrees for $.99 each, 5- 10 p.m.
Fajita Republic- kids eat FREE with purchase of adult meal
Julie's Cafe- kids eat FREE with purchase of adult meal, 4- 9 pm
Perkins- kids 12 and under eat FREE with purchase of adult meal from 4- 10 p.m.
Pizza Ranch- kids eat FREE with purchase of adult meal, 4- 8 p.m.
Texas Roadhouse- $1 mini cheeseburgers and hot dogs from kids menu

Wednesday
Applebee's- kids eat for $.99 all day with purchase of adult meal
Buffalo Wild Wings Kids Night 7-9 p.m. $2.25 for kids 12 and under, dine in only
IHOP- kids eat FREE with purchase of adult meal, 4- 9 p.m.
Julie's Cafe- kids eat FREE with purchase of adult meal

Thursday
Golden Basket- kids eat FREE with purchase of adult meal
Green Bay Distillery- kids eat FREE with purchase of adult meal

Saturday
Denny's- WYB one adult entree, receive two kids entrees for FREE from 4- 10 p.m.
Perkins- kids 12 and under eat FREE with purchase of adult meal from 4- 10 p.m.


Cheap Eat'n

This week's restaurant selection for Cheap Eat'n takes us to a little place with a fantastic waterfront view and great bar food in Curtis, Michigan.
Curtis, perhaps best known for the "biggest little parade in the U.P." for the Fourth of July or home of the Fish & Hunt Shop, is tucked between Big Manistique Lake and South Manistique Lake in the Eastern U.P. The Whitefish Inn, in downtown Curtis, is well worth the 40 minute drive from Manistique or Tahquamenon Falls.
I'll be honest. If you read the online reviews of this place, you probably wouldn't go there. Customers claim they've had slow service and that the atmosphere is dark.
But my experience of being there several times over the last several years is one completely contrary to what's out there in cyberspace. Perhaps new management has something to do with it.
Customer service has always been good when I've visited. I think perhaps whoever wrote about the slow service was a City Mouse and didn't really understand U.P. "take-it-easy" culture.
As for a dark atmosphere, obviously the online reviewer didn't look out the sliding doors at the gorgeous South Manistique Lake views. Customers may choose to eat outside overlooking the lake on the patio.
In the winter, customers can cozy up to the fireplace or watch the game on one of the several TVs. Last November, my husband and I soaked up the Packers/Lions rivalry as we snacked on appetizers.
Have the kids along? They can play ping-pong or pool or listen to the juke box while waiting for your order.
I have found that the Whitefish Inn is the perfect Curtis restaurant experience, giving out-of-town visitors a chance to interact with locals while chowing down on luscious burgers and fries, some of the BEST perch and whitefish caught locally, good Mexican entrees and a local favorite- whitefish dip with chips.
Photo courtesy of WikiMedia
And did I mention the prices? They are very good at giving a lot of food for very little money. On a trip there last week, my husband and I ordered a bowl of steaming hot chili, two large iced teas, a HUGE wet burrito smothered in cheese, and a lightly-breaded perch sandwich and fries basket. It came to just under $25. We both were very full by the time we left.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia
Every time I walk into this week's Cheap Eat'n restaurant pick, I feel like I'm at home. I am greeted by a warm smile and hello from the friendly and hard-working manager, Gus.
I've been going to Green Bay's location of Golden Basket on Military Ave. since I moved to the area ten years ago. My husband's family has been going there since it opened in the early 1990s. Why do we and so many others (the parking lot is always full) return time after time? Great service, delicious food, a clean, an aesthetically pleasing atmosphere and CHEAP prices.
Golden Basket, by far, has the best soup in town. This East Sider will go ALL the way over to the West Side (shudder the thought) just for a bowl of chicken noodle. They have Greek, Mexican, Chinese, breakfast, sandwiches, salads and traditional family restaurant foods like broasted chicken, pork chops and meat loaf all day long. You can tell that the food is home-cooked.
The menu reads like War and Peace... it seems like they serve everything under the sun. The daily specials include a bread basket, salad or soup, entree (won't leave you hungry) and a dessert choice for less than $8.
Golden Basket was renovated in 2010, giving it a open, bright, airy-feel without being pretentious.
The location is fantastic too. In town for a Packer game? Golden Basket is just blocks away from Lambeau Field. Do you live in the Fox Cities? There's a Golden Basket on Richmond St. in Appleton.
For more information check out the restaurant's link here.

Cheap Eat'n: Taco Burrito Mexico







For the last several Cheap Eat'n installments, I've gone with a few of my favorite burger spots. This week, however, I thought I'd spice it up a bit for those of you who are a bit tired of burgers after the Fourth of July. Maracas, please! It's Taco Burrito Mexico in Green Bay.

Despite having several locations in Green Bay, Taco Burrito Mexico tends to float under the radar. This is probably because it doesn't advertise or make coupons available like some of the other Mexican restaurants in the area do. But, this place doesn't need coupons to draw people in. Their fresh, authentic food does that. Tacos, burritos, tortas, breakfast, and Mexican colas and beers make this one of Green Bay's mexican cooking gems.

Taco Burrito Mexico restaurants are located on E. Mason St., Oakland Ave. (old Storheim's building near Green Bay West High School) and the newest location at 238 S. Webster Ave., between the hospital district and Downtown Green Bay.

Whether it's the Latin American soccer on TV, the sizzle of the steak on the grill, or the vivid Mexican murals on the wall, Taco Burrito Mexico transports you out of Green Bay to the heart of Mexico. Choose to eat in or carry out.

While you are waiting for your food, feast on complimentary chips and FRESH homemade salsa. Tacos, available with steak, chicken, chorizo or vegetarian, are only $1.75. That is comparable with Taco Bell but SOO much better. The burritos are HUGE and are available with whatever ingredients you want. Quesadillas, tortas, and chimichangas are also available with sides of rice and beans. For the adventuresome, you can try menudo (cow's stomach), horchata (a drink made with rice and milk), or one of their yummy desserts.

My go-to is the chicken taco, chips and salsa and a strawberry (fresa) Jarritos. YUM! If I ever moved out of the Green Bay area, Taco Burrito Mexico is definitely one of the places I'd miss.
Cheap Eat'n

Since I live in the Green Bay area and travel back and forth to the U.P. often, I've found myself at various restaurants along the way. All of these have two things in common: quick and cheap. How coincindental! Every week Great Lakes Clipper review restaurants with these same qualities.
For those of you who are familiar with the trek on U.S. 41 between Green Bay and Escanaba, it is likely that you've seen, if not stopped, at our latest Cheap Eat'n location- Mickey-Lu's- BBQ in Marinette!
Mickey-Lu's has been around for almost 70 years. It's a tiny white building with a large "EAT" sign stuffed between the railroad tracks and the busy highway. Not much has changed inside. A creaky door leads diners into a restaurant with about six tables and a counter. It has been described many times over as nostalgic.
Behind the counter, owner Chuck Finnessy, is busy using a charcoal grill to serve up some of the best burgers around. These burgers are special. They are served on a grilled roll with ketchup, onion, pickles and a pat of butter which melts all over the place.
Oh, and did I mention that the burgers are pocket pleasing as well? That's right, at my last check, a burger costs just $1.80!
Keep in mind that Mickey-Lu's does not have a fryer so don't expect fries with that. But you can get delicious hot dogs, grilled cheese sandwiches, shakes, malts and sundaes.
Also, if you are fond of brandishing a credit card, it won't work at Mickey-Lu's. Cash only please.
Cheap Eat'n 

This week's selection for the Great Lakes Clipper Cheap Eat'n restaurant review has been an institution for great treats in the Eastern U.P. for over 40 years. Clyde's Drive-In has been open since 1969 with locations in St. Ignace, Manistique and Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan.
 For many downstate Michiganders, Clyde's in St. Ignace (just off US 2) is the first mandatory vacation stop after crossing the Mackinac Bridge. It is a true drive-in with car hop service and only a few booths and stools inside. The red tray mounted on your car window is a symbolic reminder that summer is here, even if you have to roll up the window to stay warm or avoid pesky mosquitoes in your car .
The Sault location is on Riverview Ave. just off the beaten path of tourist-lined streets and locks and has a great view of Sugar Island. Sea gulls entertain customers as they land on car hoods and feed on left-over french fries.
The Manistique location, on Chippewa Ave. the only one open year-round, is less tourist-oriented and more of a secret of locals. It is right next store to Manistique Papers so it tends to be a factory-worker's burger oasis.
I've been to all three locations over the last 30 plus years and have never been disappointed no matter what I've ordered. Delicious burgers reign here. My favorite is the Pizza Burger which isn't what you'd typically get elsewhere. It is a pizza burger patty but instead of the marinara sauce, Clyde's puts whatever burger toppings  you want- ketchup, mayo, or even lettuce. Sounds strange but mayo and lettuce on a Clyde's pizza burger is delish. My husband loves their Olive Burger. He's also enjoyed Clyde's famous "Big C". This is the famous burger that has long been considered the "best burger in the U.P." These burgers are made with 100 percent ground beef. I've also been impressed by their pasties. Their cheese curds and fries (with gravy) are fantastic.
What's amazing is that even with throngs of tourists, Clyde's is always fast and cheap.
Check out their FaceBook page to view a menu.


Cheap Eat'n


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.

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