We have been visiting “The Tav” (Tavern on the Avenue) regularly for over 20 years.   It was one of our favorite places to go in college at MSU and as a young married couple.  When our daughter was born 13 years ago, our favorite server Tasha (now a Mankato Independent Originals business partner), used to carry her around for us so we could enjoy a little “alone” time as a couple.   She was fantastic.  :)

If I’m being truthful, I’d have to say it’s lost a little bit of its charm over the years.  The days of that personalized service are gone.  I miss the menu classic “Blackjack Melt” and “Blue Whale” cocktail (the souvenir whales doubled as tub toys for our kids!).  I wonder if the Tav is resting on its laurels just a bit.

That said, it is still one of our favorite local spots.  They still offer free popcorn and board games to keep kids busy while we wait.  The menu has a little bit more diversity than the typical Mankato bar/grill, which we appreciate.  Our new favorites are the Cubano, the Thai Lettuce Wraps, and the Sashimi Ahi Tuna.  The wings are arguably the best in town.

A Mankato favorite, you really can’t go wrong.

Frugal Tip:  Go before 6 p.m. on weeknights to hit Happy Hour.  You’ll enjoy beer specials and half-price appetizers.

Tav on the Ave

1120 Madison Ave Mankato, MN 56001
(507) 345-3308
Web: http://www.thetavontheave.com/

View more of my reviews on Yelp.

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Without Yelp, we probably would have walked right by Dee’s Hangout.  Located in a strip mall, it’s not exactly a high-profile location.  That’s OK.  The tourists can hit Pineapple Willy’s down the block while the true foodies can join me at Dee’s.  We enjoyed it so much the first time, we made it our last stop before heading home to Minnesota.

Both our starters were fantastic.  The she crab soup was out-of-this world, and rivaled one served at the Bubble Room on Captiva  Island (which is also fabulous).  I wanted to lick the bowl when I was done.  The BBQ shrimp was also swimming in flavor.  The sauce, with its Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice and butter base was tangy and delicious as well as unique.

My husband ordered the beans and rice.  It’s a simple dish, but since the roux takes a long time to get just right, not one we have too often.  My blackened redfish was also delicious.  Surprisingly, I really enjoyed the fried mac and cheese balls.  With two kids, mac and cheese is usually the last thing I want to order when eating out – but this doesn’t even compare to the orange stuff in the blue box.

Our server, Kaylee, was outstanding.  Not only was she friendly, she was knowledgeable about the food and the area.  We will definitely be going back, and recommending it to anyone who makes the trip down to PCB.

Frugal Tip:  Don’t forget to check in on Foursquare.  When we did, we got our appetizer for 1/2 off.

Dee’s Hangout

http://www.deeshangout.com/

10440 Front Beach Road
Panama City Beach, Florida 32407
850-249-4264

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The Brauhaus:  Authentic German Food in Northern Minnesota

Situated between tiny Nevis and Akelely Minnesota in the heart of lake country, you’ll find a hidden gem known as The Brauhaus German Restaurant.  Despite its remote location, visitors flock here year after year for authentic German food they can’t get anywhere else.  We’ve been going there for over twenty years.  It’s as much a part of our summer cabin tradition as taking the dock in and out of the lake.  Owner Gabriele Kirschman, known to everyone as Gabi, always greets us warmly when we walk in.  The hospitality is second only to the great food.

Everything on the menu at The Brauhaus is good, but our family’s favorite dish is the jägerschnitzel: a delicious, lightly-breaded pork cutlet served with green peppers, mushroom and onion gravy.  We always order it with a side of spaetzle noodles (great with the gravy) and red cabbage. The spaetzle noodles are so good, we started making them at home years ago.  The kids have been raised having them at least once a month or so (here is our own spaetzle noodle recipe).   All the entrees are under $20 (with the glazed duck at $21 as the one exception) and the portions are large; so there’s no arguing about the value.  Other restaurant specialties include sauerbraten and schweinhaxe; as well as desserts like schwarzwälder kirschtorte.  If you’re in a group, the hostess is likely to bring you a free plate of liver pate (pictured below).  If you’ve got picky eaters or kids in your group, there are plenty of American specialties to choose from as too – although I believe you’d be doing yourself a disservice by not ordering anything German.

The decor is homey with a bit of kitsch, but stays true to the experience:  waitresses dressed in old-fashioned German dresses, posters of Germany, and the bar stocked with German beers.   It’s definitely a family favorite and worth the trip if you’re ever in the area.

Frugal Tip:  The portions here are huge.  For lighter appetites, the side dishes can be ordered a la carte.  Sometimes, I simply order a side and have a few bites from my husband’s plate.

The Brauhaus German Restaurant
http://www.brauhaus-german.com/
Akeley, MN 56433-8024
(218) 652-2478

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Sally’s Restaurant and Seafood Kitchen

The outside of Sally’s Restaurant is warm, pink, and inviting. Kitschy pink decor is everywhere: from the pink walls to the plastic pink cups. The Victorian dolls in the curio cabinet next to the giant bear plaque are an eclectic touch.  Is jewelry your thing?  Not to worry!  You can pick up a heart necklace for just $5 when you check out.

Listening to the locals tell their alligator stories added to the mom and pop vibe of the joint (definitely something we don’t get to experience as Yankees). Even the waitstaff stopped what they were doing to join in the conversation (putting cooking and cleaning temporarily on hold, I might add).   I don’t think I’ve ever been to a restaurant where the entire restaurant participates in one group conversation.  That was definitely a first!  Everyone made us feel very welcome.

Overall, the food was good, tasty and cheap.  Grits were creamy, bacon was crisp. Sally’s is definitely a no-frills place. You’re not going to find eggs benedict or rye bread on the breakfast menu.   My daughter is turning into a bit of a foodie herself, as she noticed the cheese on her omelet was processed, not “real” Cheddar.  I would like to come back sometime and sample the burgers and seafood, as that’s what Yelpers raved about.

Now for the negatives:  The place could be cleaner. Half the tables had dirty plates left on them waiting to be bussed, and my flip-flops stuck to the floor as I walked. Bathroom walls needed a good scrub-down. Note to greasy spoon restaurant owners: If you’re going to decorate with ceiling fans, chandeliers, and artificial flowers– make sure they’re not dusty. Customers like me notice when they are, even if you do not.

Another minus:  All of our four meals arrived at different times.  To me, that’s basic restaurant operation 101.  Two of us had completely finished our meals before the fourth was brought to the table.  My husband commented, “Maybe Sally can only cook one thing at a time.”

Sally’s restaurant is not going to win any food service or culinary awards.  It’s old fashion(ed) in every way (according to their sign pictured below, and I’d have to agree).  However, if you’re looking for a good value on simple food with local color, this is your spot.

Sally’s Restaurant
1594 Hwy 90
Ponce De Leon, FL 32455
(850) 836-4403

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17th Street Grill:  Home of BBQ Champ Mike Mills

When we stumbled upon the 17th Street Grill in Marion, IL we had no idea of Mike Mills’ status as a legendary BBQ cook. We were just looking for a good bite to eat close to our hotel.  When we walked in the door, we were greeting by walls of his accolades and mentions in nationally-known publications from Food & Wine to Vogue.  This guy knows his stuff (check out all of Mike Mills’ credentials)!

Like with most southern BBQ restaurants, the sides don’t play second fiddle.  My husband liked the beans (not the canned stuff) and the kids liked the Macaroni and Cheese.

For lighter appetites like my own, I’d highly recommend the ribs sampler.  They were a delicious way to taste what Mike Mills is known for, and the onions served with them were delicious too.

17th Street Grill
2700 17th Street
Marion, IL 62959

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Bruce Cafe:  Where the Locals Eat

If you want a real mom-and-pop “retro” experience in the south, Bruce Cafe is your place.  We came here on the recommendation of a gentleman we spoke to outside of a gas station.  He told us it’s where all the locals eat, so we were intrigued.  Eating here is like stepping back in time. I suspect this fare would be what any southern Granny would serve up for Sunday dinner. Plus, the inside is filled this kitschy decor likely to be found in Granny’s house (if Granny was into taxidermy and plate collections).

At just $7.50, the Daily Special plus three sides advertised on the table placards is a good value. I had the beef tips and my husband had the chicken and stuffing. Given the choice, I’d recommend the chicken and stuffing. The chicken was tender and the cornbread stuffing was flavorful.   Portions were generous.  While the beef tips were tender, they were bland. Salt and pepper helped a little, but good food shouldn’t require additional seasoning.  All of this was served up by a waitress with the highest blonde hair and brightest blue eyeshadow this side of 1988.

On the downside, I am not so sure Bruce’s would pass any food safety inspections. My daughter swears she saw the waitress reuse the biscuits on the table next to us for new patrons (I can’t make this stuff up, y’all). Plus, the restrooms are outside just past the two Shop Vacs and box of slightly rotten apples. That said, we were glad to have the authentic southern cafe experience, and for us it was worth the risk.

Bruce Cafe
Hwy 20
Ponce de Leon, FL
(860) 835-2936

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When we’re on a road trip, one of our Foodie Road Trip Rules is to NEVER eat at chain restaurants.  Another one of our self-imposed rules is to try a new Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives location when we’re on the road.  When we were in Memphis, we stopped in at Tom’s BBQ.   Not only was Tom’s featured on the show, Guy Fieri mentioned their famous rib tips again in his Best Thing I Ever Ate special.

Tom’s is located in an industrial area near the airport and isn’t fancy by any stretch of the imagination.  When you pull up, you notice the AC units and steel bars on the windows.  Walk past that and the seating looks like your Southern Granny’s front porch (that is, if Granny lived in the ghetto).   The staff is welcoming and friendly.

The seasoning blends at Tom’s are complex and unique, leaning heavy on the oregano and cumin.   Their seasoning, smoking, and grilling process has been well-honed over thirty years.  Tom’s isn’t messing around. We actually liked the ribs better than the rib tips as they were meatier and more tender, but everything was good.  The sides were delicious and rried bologna has never tasted so upscale.  What really sealed the deal was that the host, Adam, brought us an extra basket goodies to sample.  I notice and appreciate that kind of hospitality, and I believe it’s one reason why restaurants like Tom’s BBQ in Memphis gain such a loyal following.  It’s worth the detour off the interstate to enjoy some of the best ribs in Memphis.

Tom’s BBQ Memphis

http://www.tomsbarbq.com/
4087 New Getwell Rd
Memphis, TN 38118
901-365-6690

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Sweetie Pie’s is soul food heaven. Being from the north, I didn’t grow up on sweet potatoes, fried chicken and okra – but this place makes me wish I had. Given both the Guy Fieri Triple-D and Oprah seal of approval, how could it not be good? Plus, with its own show, Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s, (on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN Network) at the very least the cast of characters would be interesting.

We read on Yelp that the line to eat at Sweetie Pie’s can be up to 90-minutes deep. We re-arranged our schedule to hit the restaurant during off-peak hours to avoid the wait. Arriving at around 2:30 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon seemed to do the trick. The restaurant was full, but there was virtually no line.

Instead of ordering from a menu, guests at Sweetie Pie’s grab a tray and go through a cafeteria-style line. First, you’ll choose your meat and then move along to select sides to go along with it. The cornbread is gratis, and comes with all combo meals. The meat + three sides combo runs around $10-$15, depending on the meat you order. It’s enough food so that nobody leaves hungry, and most will either be stuffed to the gills or have a lot left on their plate.

I tasted my husband’s fried chicken, but my favorite main course was my own braised oxtail. It was flavorful and falling off the bone, with the kind of flavor that reminds you of Sunday dinner at Grandma’s house. Sides don’t play second fiddle at Sweetie Pie’s. My favorite side was the macaroni and cheese. Far from cafeteria-style mac and cheese, Sweetie Pie’s was a rich blend of real cheddar and spices, not processed, bland goop. It reminded me of my own macaroni and cheese (if you’re looking for a copycat Sweetie Pie’s Macaroni and Cheese, try my recipe and let me know what you think).  The sweet potatoes were also divine, and sweet enough to be eaten as a dessert.

Staff was friendly and added to the fun, casual atmosphere. I admit I have not seen Welcome to Sweetie Pie’s, so I didn’t recognize anyone – although they were happily taking pictures with guests that did.

Sweetie Pie’s at The Mangrove
4270 Manchester
St. Louis, MO 63110
314.371.0304

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Black Angus Burger at Minetta Tavern

Bone Marrow at Minetta Tavern

Black Label Burger at Minetta Tavern
It goes without saying I believe you don’t have to spend a lot to get a good meal. Good, cheap food is pretty easy to find in the city; but there are also plenty of splurges worth the cost. It’s all about value and getting the biggest bang for your buck.   The Black Label Burger at Minetta Tavern is one of them.  At $26, it’s the priciest burger I’ve ever ordered.  With the quality of the meat comparable to a steak where I live, it also puts it in the range of great value.  It was definitely tasty, and as one of my friends described it, “The best burger in NYC.”   However, I think the best thing we ordered was the Bone Marrow.  Rich, salty goodness spread on top of a crispy baguette and shallot coulis (which, surprisingly, reminded me a little bit of cranberry preserves).  The entrees at Minetta Tavern are in the $17-$34 range, which is certainly affordable for a New York City landmark restaurant.

Frugal Tip:  We’ve been wanting to eat at Minetta Tavern for years, but are too short-sighted to place a reservation before we go and can never get in. This time around, we rolled the dice and headed down to the West Village to see if there was room for us at the bar.   With about a ten-minute wait, we sat down.  Often times, you’ll find the hard-to-get-into establishments offer the same menu options at the bar, with little-to-no waiting time. This is also how we got into The Girl and the Goat in Chicago.  Many times, the service you get at the bar is more attentive than the tables.  Not only that, their recommendations are often more honest.  Plus, watching good bartenders mix drinks is a fun performance.

Minetta Tavern
http://minettatavernny.com/
113 MacDougal St. (Betw. Bleecker & W. 3rd Street)
New York, NY 10012
212-475-3850

Chicken and Rice from The Halal Guys

Chicken and Rice from The Halal Guys
You really can’t go to New York City without trying some street food. It’s easy, cheap, perfect for on-the-go eating and in most cases pretty tasty.  The Halal Guys food cart is the cream of the crop. They’re located in Midtown but move around during the day (see The Halal Guys locations and times), and often the line to get their middle-Eastern fare wraps around the block. Trust me, it’s worth the wait.   You can’t go wrong with the chicken and rice with white sauce:  Basmati rice topped with perfectly-seasoned tender chicken and a delicious white sauce (ask for extra sauce).  My mouth is watering just thinking about it.  If anyone knows of a copycat recipe circulating in the blogosphere,  please let me know.  I know I’ll be craving this again sometime very soon.

The Halal Guys
http://53rdand6th.com/
6th Ave & W 53rd St.
New York, NY 10019

Pig’s Ass Sandwich at Casellula

Cheese Sampler at Casellula

Pig’s Ass Sandwich at Casellula Wine and Cheese Bar
We chose to sit at the bar here as well, although there were tables available.  Since food preparation took place behind the bar, we didn’t want to miss out on the action.You can hardly go to a restaurant with a Pig’s Ass Sandwich on the menu without giving it a try.  Everything at Casellula Wine and Cheese bar was fabulous, and yes – it was a great piece of ass.  I’d recommend starting with the cheese sampler plate.  The choices were foreign to us, even though we’ve tried many “exotic” cheeses.  We told our server what types of cheese we like most, and she brought out five selections suited to our palate. All of them were delicious, and the presentation was gorgeous (isn’t the starfruit pretty?).  I had never tried pickled quail eggs, so with that I added another notch to my foodie belt.

Frugal Tip:  Hell’s Kitchen is one of our favorite foodie neighborhoods in New York City. Yelp has lead us to some of our favorite places there, including Kashkaval.  Sort by price to find great places to fit your budget.

Casellula Cheese and Wine Bar
http://www.casellula.com/
401 W. 52nd St.
New York, NY
212-247-8137

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