Ben Borgert
Latest Reviews
Angry Trout Cafe
Been going to the Angry Trout for years and always try to stop by at least once a year when I'm in the area. I'm a creature of habit so I can only speak to the Fish and Chips basket, and it's always amazing. While I haven't tried one, their salads look amazing, and I've always heard really good things.
Pros:
- You're right on the lake! They expanded a few years back so there's more internal seating for those blustery and cold days and the interior is nice and cozy, with lots to look at all around you.
- They really try and support local businesses as much as possible by working with local artisans for tableware, salt/pepper shakers, napkins, even tables and chairs. They get as much locally caught fish as they can, source as much fruit and vegetables from local farmers when the season allows, and really just try to be as connected as possible to the local community.
- Food is always fantastic. Fish is fried to order and steaming hot when it comes out, waffle fries are also consistently really good, and their cranberry coleslaw is always a winner.
- Condiments: an odd category, but their tartar sauce is home made and remains my favorite tartar sauce; when I eat there I slather it all over everything and love every bite that much more.
- I've not encountered anything but really friendly staff, and have always had a pleasant experience.
Cons:
- Price I guess? Even when I was a poor college student I felt their food was worth the price, but it is on the slightly spendy side at $20-$30 per person for food and drink. The money is at least supporting local people and local businesses, so again, it doesn't seem out of line.
Pros:
- You're right on the lake! They expanded a few years back so there's more internal seating for those blustery and cold days and the interior is nice and cozy, with lots to look at all around you.
- They really try and support local businesses as much as possible by working with local artisans for tableware, salt/pepper shakers, napkins, even tables and chairs. They get as much locally caught fish as they can, source as much fruit and vegetables from local farmers when the season allows, and really just try to be as connected as possible to the local community.
- Food is always fantastic. Fish is fried to order and steaming hot when it comes out, waffle fries are also consistently really good, and their cranberry coleslaw is always a winner.
- Condiments: an odd category, but their tartar sauce is home made and remains my favorite tartar sauce; when I eat there I slather it all over everything and love every bite that much more.
- I've not encountered anything but really friendly staff, and have always had a pleasant experience.
Cons:
- Price I guess? Even when I was a poor college student I felt their food was worth the price, but it is on the slightly spendy side at $20-$30 per person for food and drink. The money is at least supporting local people and local businesses, so again, it doesn't seem out of line.
Town Hall Brewery
TL;DR - Really good burger, great curds, and great selection of beer
Atmosphere - nicely decorated and welcoming atmosphere that doesn't feel cramped. I came during early dinner hours and everything was clean and, to my eyes, well organized. Bonus: they actually put effort into their restrooms as they were super clean and just... Nice.
Service - immediately greeted and seated upon arrival, drink order taken within a couple minutes and food not long after. Appetizer came out in about 5 minutes and food was about 29 minutes later. All in all service was prompt attentive, and friendly
Food - so much good going on in the food category. Started with the some Cheese Curds and an appetizer and they delivered! A light and crispy beer batter encapsulates a wonderfully fresh and gooey curd; definitely the top-5 cheese curds I've had, possibly the top 3.
For a main course I got the Penthouse burger which, on top of having multiple cheeses and caramelized onions, uses a perfectly complimentary Parmesan-crusted sourdough. The burger comes with pickled jalapenos as well but I omitted those as a personal preference. Still, the resulting a crunchy yet soft bred made for a wonderful pairing with a flavorful patty prepared at a perfect 'Medium'. Overall a fantastic burger experience that makes me excited to try their other offerings!
Atmosphere - nicely decorated and welcoming atmosphere that doesn't feel cramped. I came during early dinner hours and everything was clean and, to my eyes, well organized. Bonus: they actually put effort into their restrooms as they were super clean and just... Nice.
Service - immediately greeted and seated upon arrival, drink order taken within a couple minutes and food not long after. Appetizer came out in about 5 minutes and food was about 29 minutes later. All in all service was prompt attentive, and friendly
Food - so much good going on in the food category. Started with the some Cheese Curds and an appetizer and they delivered! A light and crispy beer batter encapsulates a wonderfully fresh and gooey curd; definitely the top-5 cheese curds I've had, possibly the top 3.
For a main course I got the Penthouse burger which, on top of having multiple cheeses and caramelized onions, uses a perfectly complimentary Parmesan-crusted sourdough. The burger comes with pickled jalapenos as well but I omitted those as a personal preference. Still, the resulting a crunchy yet soft bred made for a wonderful pairing with a flavorful patty prepared at a perfect 'Medium'. Overall a fantastic burger experience that makes me excited to try their other offerings!
Five Guys
TL;DR: Excellent fast-casual burger at a steep price.
Five Guys does a REALLY good basic burger along with some family good fries. In truth it's one of my favorite burgers because of how consistently good they are and I always leave thoroughly enjoying my meal.... But...
The price/value, this is where my only problem with Five Guys comes, and is more a reflection on the chain than this location. With just a small burger, small fries, and a small drink your talking a lunch that exceeds $20 which, for that money there are a number of full service restaurants I can go to and that's where the Five Guys came preposition fails for me, and from what I've noticed, a lot of others as well.
This place used to be packed at lunch times and for the last couple years it's been steadily seeing fewer and fewer patrons and it's not because of the service or food (because both are always great), it's 100% because Five Guys is pricing themselves at full-service levels for a fast-casual experience.
Five Guys does a REALLY good basic burger along with some family good fries. In truth it's one of my favorite burgers because of how consistently good they are and I always leave thoroughly enjoying my meal.... But...
The price/value, this is where my only problem with Five Guys comes, and is more a reflection on the chain than this location. With just a small burger, small fries, and a small drink your talking a lunch that exceeds $20 which, for that money there are a number of full service restaurants I can go to and that's where the Five Guys came preposition fails for me, and from what I've noticed, a lot of others as well.
This place used to be packed at lunch times and for the last couple years it's been steadily seeing fewer and fewer patrons and it's not because of the service or food (because both are always great), it's 100% because Five Guys is pricing themselves at full-service levels for a fast-casual experience.