29 Pines

• Date Visited: January 3, 2020
• Location: 33rd Ave., Eau Claire
• Restaurant Type: restaurant/hotel/truck stop
• Fish Types Offered: beer battered, flour breading, or broiled
• Sides Offered: mashed potatoes, hash browns, vegetables, fries, house-seasoned chips
  • Sub sweet potato fries, cheese curds, or onion rings for $1.99
  • Add salad bar for $1.99
• Cost: $10

29 Pines is on the west side of Eau Claire, off of highway 29 toward Menomonie. It has a gas station/truck stop, hotel, and restaurant. They have recently revamped their menu, so we wanted to check it out. Upon walking in, we were immediately helped by an energetic waitress and were taken to a private booth; there are also regular low-top tables available, too.

We decided to start with the combo platter which included cheese curds, onion rings,
chicken tenders, and green beans. It was big, greasy, and most things were covered in a pretty heavy batter, but overall, we thought it was a pretty decent spread and taste. The cheese curds had a light batter and some sort of green seasoning (parsley maybe?). While some of us thought the curds were appetizing and pretty standard in this area of Wisconsin, others thought the green seasoning might have been ruining the curds. The green beans were different and pretty good, and the tenders were large and had good flavor as did the onion rings.

While we were enjoying the apps, we also started on the salad bar. The salad bar was pretty large and well stocked, but some things, mainly the lettuce, seemed a little over-ripe – it was a bit wet. The croutons were also homemade but salty beyond the point of enjoying them. On the salad bar, there was also a soup option and a few pasta salads, one creamy, one a vinaigrette. Dinner rolls were also provided to us by  the waitress, and they were very soft and pleasant.

Very quickly our fish fry showed up as well. The beer battered had a very thin, dark batter, and the flour breaded fish was lighter in color and crispy; both fish were flaky and tasty. We also really like the mashed potatoes as an accompaniment to the fish; they were very well seasoned and thick, without clumps. Overall, the fish was the true winner of the evening, even if some of the other items fell a little bit flat.

The new menu at 29 Pines seemed worth a second look, even beyond the fish special we enjoyed on Friday. They have all day breakfast, which looked great, and an assortment of sandwiches, salads, and entrees. Perhaps the salad bar will even be better on a different day.

out of 5

 

44 North

• Date Visited: December 13, 2019
• Location: Front Porch Place, Altoona
• Restaurant Type: restaurant
• Fish Types Offered: Half lb. or full lb. of beer battered or broiled cod, beer battered shrimp
• Sides Offered: pub chips or fries
• Cost: over $10

44 North has a bar and arcade on the lower level as well as a restaurant upstairs. While it’s a little weird to have a set up like this, the restaurant upstairs has cool decor and ambiance and was fairly busy on this Friday evening.

Our waitress approached us quickly, and we decided to start with some cheese curds. They came out in good time and had a cute presentation in a silver, upright container.

The curds had a bready batter, which wasn’t our favorite, but the inside was hot and creamy.

We next tried the French onion soup and classic side salad. The French onion was baked with cheese on top and croutons inside. It had a good consistency, and there were lots of onions; the onion were sweet, though, which seemed a bit odd. The side salad was very good with egg, cheese, and homemade croutons.

Just as with the other items we had tried, 44 North put their own special twist on the staple of a Wisconsin fish fry. The fish had an airy batter that was a little sweet and a little lemony. It was different but decent. While the fried fish was a bit mushy, it was still held together by the batter. The coleslaw was

grated finely and had a little bit of flavor, perhaps from apple cider vinegar or lemon. It was a little mushy. The fries were battered wedges, which we liked, and the tartar and ketchup were clearly homemade, which was a nice added touch.

Overall, we felt like the prices at 44 North were a little high for what we received, but the food was something different, and the atmosphere was fun (though the booth seats are oddly skinny). The rest of the menu might also be something to try as I’m sure it’s as varied as the traditional fish dinner.

1/2 out of 5

The Great Escape

• Date Visited: November 9, 2019
• Location: Bongey Dr., Menomonie
• Restaurant Type: VFW/bar
• Fish Types Offered: fried cod and perch dinners, 1, 2, and 3 pc. dinners
• Sides Offered: coleslaw, cottage cheese, or salad bar; choice of beer battered or krinkle cut fries
• Cost: under $10

The Great Escape is just a minute out of town. The place is large with small and large low top tables along with seats at the bar. Upon arriving we were happy to receive service promptly, and we were also pleased that we had a hard time narrowing down what we wanted to order – they have a large menu!

We decided to try cheese curds, mac ‘n cheese bites, and the pizza fries to start. We also couldn’t wait to start with the salad bar; it was large and included salad, bread, and dessert (scotcharoo bars!). Our drinks and appetizers arrived quickly. The $3 old-fashioned Friday special hit the spot, and we also were not at all disappointed with the food. The mac ‘n cheese bites were especially of note as they were a bit decadent; they were heavily deep fried and were like dessert. Very tasty! The pizza fries were also unique; they had a garlic cream sauce under layers of cheese. They could have used garlic or seasoning, but they were definitely rich and cheesy, and overall, we liked them. The curds were also good; they were lightly battered and weren’t too greasy.

Our fish arrived quickly after we had enjoyed our apps. The perch was crispy, and the breading, though not seasoned, fit fairly well with it. The same batter on the cod, however, wasn’t as appealing. The cod were huge, round pieces, and though cooked all the way through, they lacked a certain taste that we thought would have benefited them. The battered fries, however, were a hit. The coleslaw was also pleasant; it had a light,

vinegar flavor with crispy slaw and no spice. The cottage cheese was slightly frozen, though. One of our guest reviewers also ordered the chicken wrap, which was more like a chicken pita: huge and great flavor.

Overall, the Great Escape is a nice place for a family dinner. The service is great; they have a lot of options, and meals come with large portions for a low price. The fish wasn’t our favorite, but we have a feeling other entree items on the menu would hit the spot.

 

 

 

 

 

 

1/2 out of 5

 

Grizzly’s

• Date Visited: September 13, 2019
• Location: Golf Rd., Eau Claire
• Restaurant Type: restaurant
• Fish Types Offered: baked and fried fish
• Sides Offered: choice of two sides: cup of soup, side salad, coleslaw, cheesy hasbhrowns, mashed potatoes, fresh veggies, fries, pasta
  • Sub waffle fries, sweet potato fries, onion rings, or Grizzly skins for an additional fee.
• Cost: over $10

Grizzly’s was really busy around 6pm when our group of four arrived for dinner. Good thing, though, that they have a really large dining area! Booths in the bar and in the dining room, low top tables, high top tables, and seats at the bar are all spots available for dining at Grizzy’s.

Our server came over right away and was very knowledgeable as to the menu and to the Friday fish special. We had two coupons for free appetizers (sign up for their e-club!) so we started with cheese curds and the hot artichoke dip. The curds were big blocks of cheddar, but even though this isn’t our favorite type of curd, they were cooked all the way through and were very tasty. They weren’t too dense, were a bit stringy, and had a greasy, seasoned batter that appealed to us. The artichoke dip was also cheesy and greasy; it came with grilled bread and chips, was very garlicky, and was creamy, not chunky. We enjoyed it.

Our meals took a little while to show up, but we were happy with the complimentary bread that Grizzly offers. Buns and cinnamon butter are hard to pass up. We wished that our side salads had come earlier, though, so that we could have them before our entrees. The house side salad had goat cheese, raisins, and a blood orange dressing that was great. The regular side came with choice of dressing and an assortment of cut veggies. Both were fresh, and it was something different to have the choice between the two. One of our guest reviewers also tried the soup of the day, the Manhattan clam chowder, and described it as a savory pizza sauce — really good!

As for our meals, we enjoyed the fried fish. It was well seasoned, a little greasy, and flaky. It had a medium heavy batter. The baked was too dry, though. We enjoyed the sweet potato fries which were thin and crispy but still meaty. They had a great sweet seasoning and were a bit like dessert. The cheesy hashbrowns were also great – very cheesy and yummy. The veggie side was broccoli and carrots; the broccoli wasn’t mushy and was well seasoned; the carrots were firm yet soft. A guest reviewer also got the patty melt. The hamburger was medium well, a little greasy. The bread was well toasted and the caramelized onions were tasty, though a bit mushy.

Part of our order was incorrect – we never got our coleslaw and our side salad choices had been wrong – but overall, the service was good at Grizzly’s, and the atmosphere was pleasant. Be prepared for the charbroiled chicken smell to linger on your clothes, though! Grizzly’s also makes their own cheesecake with special flavors of the day, so be sure to check them out for their large
menu. It’s definitely an Eau Claire favorite.

 

 

out of 5

Eagle’s Club

• Date Visited: August 9, 2019
• Location: Hallie Rd., Chippewa Falls
• Restaurant Type: bar and banquet hall
• Fish Types Offered: baked and fried fish dinners, buffet
• Sides Offered: coleslaw and choice of: potato salad, cowboy beans, cucumber salad, macaroni and cheese, steak fries, waffle fries
• Cost: around $10; buffet $13.99

The Eagle’s Club was busy on Friday night. When we walked in, we noticed a bar to the right and a banquet hall to the left. Within the banquet hall, we were sat by a waitress at a large, round table, and we were told that most guests choose the large buffet (they do, however, serve two and three piece meals). We checked it out and were happy to see that things appeared fresh, so we decided to go for it.

Starting on the salad end, we were very happy with the awesome veggie and side salad choices. The veggies were numerous and fresh cut, and there were many different types of side salads – potato salad, cowboy caviar (minus the chips), fresh fruit, and pasta salad to name a few. No complaints from us.

Next we tried the hot food. Along with baked and fried fish, the buffet had popcorn shrimp, meatballs, baked chicken, macaroni and cheese, red potatoes, soup, and buns. The macaroni was a big hit as it was creamy and stringy with great flavor.

While everything looked great, our main focus was the fish. The fried fish had a medium batter that was a little bland but was, overall, very pleasant. The fish was also moving quickly – when a new batch was brought out, minimal pieces remained after only a minute – but we didn’t mind, because it meant that the food was fresh and hot. The baked fish was a little bit overcooked but still moist. There were small and big pieces, which was also nice, so that we didn’t overeat (too much). After the hot food, we tried the various dessert salads as well. A cheesecake salad, banana pudding, and an Oreo fluff, the Oreo was the best. It definitely hit the spot after a nice meal.

We also ordered some cheese curds, because we always do, and these came about 10 minutes into our meal. The curds were overdone – most of the cheese was cooked out of the breading – but the ones with cheese that we could find were good. They had a heavy batter and semi-squeaky cheese.

Overall, we could tell that the Club was a popular spot. It was really busy, and the buffet was clearly the reason why. It was huge, and things were fresh. We also enjoyed that once a month, starting at 7pm, the bar hosts a trivia game with DJ Trivia. We had a good meal and then played a fun game. We even won some free drink tickets since we got third place! Be sure to check out this versatile space if you’re into the buffet-style meal or are looking for some fun.

 

 

 out of 5

Double Barrel Inn

• Date Visited: August 2, 2019
• Location: Main St., Alma Center
• Restaurant Type: bar
• Fish Types Offered: baked and fried cod, broiled or fried jumbo shrimp
• Sides Offered: choice of: baked potato, fries, or hashbrowns (add onions and cheese); choice of: coleslaw, cottage cheese, or salad bar (for $2.00)
• Cost: about $10

The Double Barrel Inn was about a 45-minute drive from Eau Claire, but it was a nice night, so we decided to venture. We also had a great coupon rom the infamous My Local Deals book, so it seemed like a no-brainer. On a very small but cute Main Street, the Inn was one of two bars that we could see. We quickly found a seat, and a waitress came over immediately. There were high-top seats at the bar available as well as low-top seats at tables within the small dining room.

We went with the fish dinners and an order of cheese curds. While waiting for our meals, we started with the salad bar. The bar included lots of veggies as well as a coleslaw that was pretty unique. It was sweet and vinegary.

Our meals came out within a few minutes. The fried fish had a light, dark batter that had good flavor, and the fish was flaky. The baked fish was a little mushy and not too hot, but overall, it was decent. Both types were large pieces. The French fries were crunchy, skinny, and salty; they reminded us of McDonald’s fries, and we enjoyed them. The hashbrowns were also great. They were greasy, tasty, and were a large portion. The cheese on top was, perhaps, Kraft’s singles, but that’s okay… The tartar wasn’t our favorite as it was very creamy. As for the cheese curds, just like other aspects of the meal, they were unique. They were yellow cheese with a light batter that had a cornmeal texture; it wasn’t overpowering but lent well to the cheese.

One thing to keep in mind is that the Inn charges a $1.00 fee for credit card purchases. The place was pretty busy with fish fry attendees, and we enjoyed ourselves. It was small-town and low key, but the food was good and quick.

out of 5

 

 

Wisco’s Eau Claire

• Date Visited: July 19, 2019
• Location: S. Hastings Way, Eau Claire
• Restaurant Type: restaurant
• Fish Types Offered: baked and fried cod
• Sides Offered: French fries or side salad
• Cost: around $10

Wisco’s is the new Bug-Eyed Betty’s on Eau Claire’s Hastings Way. While the location next to Starbucks is the same, the inside of the restaurant is vastly different than any of the other restaurants that have occupied the space in the last ten years. Wisco’s removed the hostess stand, immediately noticeable upon walking in, and instead, created a wide open, late-night-bar-style restaurant with booths spanning the exterior walls and games in the middle. Pool, shuffle board, and a basketball free-throw game are all options to occupy your time when you’re not eating.

Upon arriving, we were immediately taken to a booth where we perused the extensive drink and food menu. We ordered a Bloody Mary which was flavorful. Coming in several flavors (dill, garlic, and spicy), the Bloody was pretty thin, a little spicy, and came with a huge cheese or meat skewer. Jumbo sized mimosas were also a tempting option on their drink menu. Alongside our drinks, we went with an assortment of appetizers. We asked the waitress for her opinion as to guest favorites and ultimately, went with the cheese curds, dippers, and the giant pretzel. She also recommended the egg rolls.

Our appetizers arrived quickly, and we were so happy. The curds had a medium-light batter with a creamy white cheese. They were great. Next, the pretzel was as large as we expected. It came with a beer cheese dipping sauce as well as a good, spicy mustard. The pretzel was a tad overcooked but had it been a little more doughy, it would have rivaled one of our all-time faves, the Celtic Knot from Dooley’s on Water Street. Our favorite appetizer at Wisco’s, though, was the dippers. Basically a garlicky cheese fry, we weren’t quite sure what to expect from their menu description but ended up being delighted with the result. They were a medium-thick fry with lots of cheese and flavor. Yum!

Next, along with our fish fry guest reviewer, we tried the fried and baked fish dinners. The fried was a seasoned filet, battered but not bready, salty, flaky, and great! The baked had a dill flavor, was also flaky, and… was also great! Both fish options were awesome choices that we would highly recommend.

The tartar sauce was a strange color that we assumed must have been from the pickle relish. The accompanying fries were battered and crispy. The only really disappointing part of the meal was the side salad. The lettuce was wilted as were the limited veggies on top. The coleslaw was also not great; it was very creamy and a bit warm. Despite this, however, we really enjoyed the dinners and the appetizers.

The service at Wisco’s was great, the atmosphere was definitely something to check out, and the fish was good. Check out Eau Claire’s new restaurant!

 

 

out of 5

 

Dean & Sue’s Bar & Grill

• Date Visited: June 28, 2019
• Location: Midway Rd., Menomonie
• Restaurant Type: bar
• Fish Types Offered: fried cod
• Sides Offered: coleslaw and choice of potato
• Cost: about $10

Dean & Sue’s is a favorite of the Menomonie folk. On a Friday night around 5:30, the main dining space was pretty full… though we were the only ones brave enough to sit on the patio! Their patio was large and beautiful, with a view of the large volleyball and socializing areas. The bartender served us outside, which we appreciated, and was quick to bring us drinks and menus.

We started with cheese curds like we usually do, but the curds at Dean & Sue’s were beyond the average curd that we enjoy. They were amazing. Squeaky with very little, if any, batter, these curds were so fresh and so delicious. The cornmeal for texture was an added bonus. We also tried their garden salad and were, again, very happy. The salad was large, green, and wonderful. (Although, watch out for the honey mustard. It was definitely a dipping sauce.)

Our fish arrived quickly. While the beer battered fries were great – very hot and very good – the fish was not. It was uniform in size with a fairly heavy, light colored batter. It just wasn’t great. The tartar was also underwhelming – very mayo-based – as was the coleslaw, though the slaw wasn’t bad with large chunks of cabbage and some sort of seed which added texture and flavor. The pizza fries, as well, were good. They were greasy and may or may not have been homemade, but we enjoyed them nonetheless. They could have perhaps used more garlic. We noticed that a cauliflower crust for pizzas is also available, which we thought was cool.

The service was fast and great, and the atmosphere was fun, a little out of the city and beautiful. The fish, however, wasn’t something we’d recommend. We’d go back for their other specials and, of course, for their amazing cheese curds.

 

 

 

 

out of 5 (for the fish)

Brackett Bar

• Date Visited: June 21, 2019
• Location: Beaver Creek Rd., Fall Creek
• Restaurant Type: bar
• Fish Types Offered: baked and fried cod, shrimp dinner, seafood dinner (cod, shrimp, clam strips)
• Sides Offered: French fries, homemade potato chips, cottage cheese, potato salad, baby red potatoes, side salad
  • seasoned waffle fries for additional fee
• Cost: around $10

Brackett Bar is just a little bit outside of Eau Claire, south on 53 beyond the Madison and Minneapolis exits. When we arrived on Friday night around 5, we were surprised to see a surprise party in action. We were not the birthday girls that these guests were looking for, but we were able to find a seat at a high-top table, and we watched as the events unfolded.

The waitress was able to make her way through the crowd to take our order. We

started with cheese curds, a $5 Brackett salad, and a couple of drinks. The old fashioned and bloody Mary passed the test, and we enjoyed the curds as well. They had a medium better around white cheese, and the cheese was pleasantly creamy. The salad was also a win; it was big and full of fresh greens and veggies. The honey mustard hit the spot.

Our fish came out quickly. We had tried both the fried and baked cod (they allowed us to split our meal) and the seafood dinner. The fried cod was unusually small with a heavy batter; it was unlike anything we had seen before, but it was still good – just small. The baked cod was also pretty good. The seasoning was yummy, but it was a tad dry.

The seafood basket had tasty shrimp; they were well battered, a little greasy, but overall, what we were looking for. The clam strips were also appetizing, though a bit skinny. As for our sides the seasoned waffle fries were a hit, and the crinkle cut were per usual… a little boring (never our favorite!). The tartar was thick, good, and definitely seemed homemade.

The service was good at Brackett Bar, and clearly the locals enjoy it, as it was packed during the dinner hour as well as the chosen location for a large party. The drinks were tasty, and they highlighted that they do have an outdoor eating space in the back. Their additional menu is also rather extensive; the pizza, burgers, and wings looked great. We’ll be back!

1/2 out of 5

Log Jam

• Date Visited: April 26, 2o19
• Location: S. Broadway St., Menomonie
• Restaurant Type: restaurant/bar
• Fish Types Offered: fried or broiled cod
• Sides Offered: baked beans, coleslaw, ciabatta bun, and choice of: waffle fries, battered French fries, homemade chips, mashed potatoes, rice pilaf, sweet potato fries, soup
• Cost: $11 four piece/$13 all you can eat

The Log Jam is a popular Menomonie spot, right in the center of town and close to Stout University. It was pretty busy around 5 on Friday night, but we were able to get a table right away – a window-seat booth, which is our favorite. They also have low-top tables and high seats at the bar. Their patio is also great on a summer day.

We started with old fashioneds and cheese curds. The curds were crunchy but soft and were just what we wanted. Our waitress was super friendly and brought our food out quickly. 

We enjoyed the two types of cod as well as the coconut shrimp basket. With the basket, we were able to get a side and chose the seafood bisque. It was just the right amount of creamy and had chunks of seafood. The shrimp were large, sweet, and came with a pina colada sauce that was very strong and creamy.

As for the fish, the baked fish was moist and well seasoned. It came with a butter sauce but didn’t need it. The fried fish had a light batter that had a nice beer flavor and texture. The waffle fries were not battered, so we wished we had gone with the other fry option; the beans were also good but typical, and the bun was deep fried and something special.

We enjoyed this trip to Log Jam and have had success with other things on their menu as well. They are open late and convenient to highway travel as well as local attractions.

 

 

 

 

1/2 out of 5