I am completely overwhelmed by this week's blog. When I posted on Facebook asking friends' for suggestions, I had narrowed it down to a few places and by mid-week last week I decided to go to Stolley's Hogg Alley, 2008 N Venice Beach Rd., Oconomowoc, WI 53066-5047. I never expected the response after my decision.
This is where the take-off of the Lake Country Wisconsin Fish Fry happened. I went from around 80 friends to nearly 135 "likes" in a week and had people anticipating this very review. There's a little pressure for this blog, but as like my other entries, I'm going to tell it like it is and the bottom line is Stolley's Hogg Alley is good!
Ann, Dave, Mike and myself arrived at Hogg Alley (I had been to breakfast here before and I 100% recommend you do too) at around 7:15pm and the place was insanely packed, this place isn't very big, so people fill up fast. Once we made it through the front door and around the bar area, we were greeted by a server who gave us the "drill" - which is...write your name and number in your party on a dry-erase board just outside the dining room. It's a unique way to keep track of potential diners, but it works!
We realized the wait was going to be at least an hour, so this gave us plenty of time to catch up on the week's events and unwind with a few drinks. The bar staff was amazing, sometimes you see people get frazzled with such a demanding crowd, but these two were full of smiles and made one hell of a drink. In fact, everyone at this place was amazingly friendly (servers & patrons) and I was a "stranger" -- I never did tell anyone who I was and why we were there. But, when someone posted on facebook that they treat you like family at Hogg Alley, they were not kidding.
Now onto the food. By the time we were seated it was closer to 8:45, so unfortunately they were out of potato pancakes, baked cod and German Potato Salad. However, the nice waitress found us a small portion of the German Potato Salad -- and it was very good, but I was more impressed with her shuffling through the "to-go" orders to get us the small sample.
I ordered the deep fried Walleye ($12.00) while the rest of my table opted for the AYCE Deep Fried Cod ($11.00). Along with the fish, the servers bring out coleslaw and rye bread prior to the meal. The Slaw was amazing, creamy and full of flavor, we all enjoyed it, the bread was very average.
I'll start out with my first and only negative comment of the day. I was disappointed in my Walleye, while the breading was amazing and the fish itself cooked beautifully it tasted very, very "fishy" – and I couldn't eat much of it. I had a few bites, passed it along to the others at the table who all whole-heartedly agreed with me. However, once we all dug into the cod, it made us quickly forget about the walleye disaster. The breading on the cod was seasoned perfectly, just the right amount of flavor to compliment the fish. It was probably some of the best breading I've had in the area and we all truly enjoyed our dinners (once I made the switch from the Walleye).
As far as ambiance, like I told you earlier, it's literally like going to a family gathering at the local greasy spoon. They pack you in the dining room pretty tight, but that's all part of the thrill when you go out to eat at one of these places and it's the joy of the experience. I had a lot of fun.
I will give Stolley's a solid 8 out of 10 for their fish fry. I can't overlook the fishy Walleye, but other than that the meal was delightful and the friendly, over-the-top service was a treat. I think we all know good service is really hard to come by these days. I will definitely be back to Stolley's Hogg Alley and I suggest if you haven't tried it, to do so in the near future.
The blog is taking a little break as we head towards the Thanksgiving holiday -- and I will be on vacation in Texas. We will be back reviewing the fish fries on December 10.
Have a great week everyone. And as the holidays fast approach us, think about helping out someone less fortunate this season, whether it is in donations or time. Even if it's throwing loose change in the Red Cross pail, it's helping to make someone else's life a little brighter.
Hugs to all and never forget to give Thanks for everything you have!
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Fox & Hounds in Hubertus never lived up to the billing
I've been dreading writing this blog since Friday. I have not been put in a predicament like this since I started the blog last year, but it happened, and I knew some day I'd have to suck it up and write my first crappy review.
This week my friends Mike and Shannon joined me at the Fox & Hounds, 1298 Friess Lake Road, Hubertus, WI. I was told how great the fish fry was and even though it was outside the Waukesha County/Lake Country radius, I was excited to try it. It was recommended by a few friends and some reviews online suggested we were in for a real treat. I was seriously disappointed.
First of all, let me say something positive, the setting in the middle of nowhere with the rustic decor and living room atmosphere was pleasant, even though this place is huge, it still felt like you were in a comfortable atmosphere. My glass of Pinot Noir was excellent and we were ready to head to our table. This is where the fun ended for me.
Mike and Shannon opted for the all-you-can eat deep fried cod and shrimp for $9.99, I decided to have the baked cod for $14.99. This is my first real disconnect with pricing. I realize that baked fish is normally priced higher, but usually a dollar or two, but FIVE dollars? I would like every restaurant to know that I KNOW it doesn't require $5 dollars worth of work to put loins of cod into a broiler with water/butter, rarely is baked fish prepared to order, and I'd challenge anyone to correct me if I'm wrong. (Along with your fish you are given a side of french fries (baked potato for $1 extra), creamy cole slaw and a slice of rye bread. You were not treated to any potato pancakes at the Fox & Hounds and again, to charge $1 extra for a baked potato is absurd.)
There is only one way to describe my baked cod, BLAND. While the fish was perfectly cooked, it was grossly under-seasoned with a hint of paprika. It seemed like there was nothing else, and I definitely gave my own healthy dusting of salt and pepper before I doused it in butter. I had about half of my dinner and decided to stop trying. I figured the meal Shannon and Mike ordered had to be better. I was wrong. Their shrimp was nothing more than a Vande Kamps frozen fish stick shaped like a shrimp (with a tail) and thrown into the fryer and the cod pieces were small, over-cooked and the breading, again, was under-seasoned.
I will keep this blog on the shorter side, as I hate to harp on imperfection, but when you boast a Friday Fish Fry special, I believe you're obligated to provide the best meal possible, because it's your "special." I also realize we might have just got the one bad meal that night, but unfortunately it's all I have to write about.
The rest of the menu at Fox & Hounds looked intriguing and I think I'll definitely stop out again to try a two-for-one weekday meal, or a two-for-one Prime Rib "special" on Saturdays. I also recommend you call ahead for reservations, as the wait was over an hour when we got there (which I know is typical).
I'm not going to come out and say "don't go to the Fox & Hounds" -- but if you're in the mood for a fantastic fish fry, I would opt for a different location. Perhaps, The Phoenix in Hartland (I know I'm obsessed, but folks, it's that good).
The Fox & Hounds gets a solid 2 out of 10 this week, those two points are solely based on good service and halfway decent cole slaw.
Next week is a toss up, we have no idea where we're going, so stay tuned to the facebook page to find out where we decide to dine.
In the meantime, have a great week -- enjoy these last bits of sunshine and warmth this fall, it's absolutely gorgeous. Have a great weekend, and as always, do not forget to let those important people in your life know how important they are.
I'd also like to wish my dear friend Karen a Happy Birthday on the 10th. What an incredible person, I hope you have many more healthy and happy birthdays in the future. Love you!
This week my friends Mike and Shannon joined me at the Fox & Hounds, 1298 Friess Lake Road, Hubertus, WI. I was told how great the fish fry was and even though it was outside the Waukesha County/Lake Country radius, I was excited to try it. It was recommended by a few friends and some reviews online suggested we were in for a real treat. I was seriously disappointed.
First of all, let me say something positive, the setting in the middle of nowhere with the rustic decor and living room atmosphere was pleasant, even though this place is huge, it still felt like you were in a comfortable atmosphere. My glass of Pinot Noir was excellent and we were ready to head to our table. This is where the fun ended for me.
Mike and Shannon opted for the all-you-can eat deep fried cod and shrimp for $9.99, I decided to have the baked cod for $14.99. This is my first real disconnect with pricing. I realize that baked fish is normally priced higher, but usually a dollar or two, but FIVE dollars? I would like every restaurant to know that I KNOW it doesn't require $5 dollars worth of work to put loins of cod into a broiler with water/butter, rarely is baked fish prepared to order, and I'd challenge anyone to correct me if I'm wrong. (Along with your fish you are given a side of french fries (baked potato for $1 extra), creamy cole slaw and a slice of rye bread. You were not treated to any potato pancakes at the Fox & Hounds and again, to charge $1 extra for a baked potato is absurd.)
There is only one way to describe my baked cod, BLAND. While the fish was perfectly cooked, it was grossly under-seasoned with a hint of paprika. It seemed like there was nothing else, and I definitely gave my own healthy dusting of salt and pepper before I doused it in butter. I had about half of my dinner and decided to stop trying. I figured the meal Shannon and Mike ordered had to be better. I was wrong. Their shrimp was nothing more than a Vande Kamps frozen fish stick shaped like a shrimp (with a tail) and thrown into the fryer and the cod pieces were small, over-cooked and the breading, again, was under-seasoned.
I will keep this blog on the shorter side, as I hate to harp on imperfection, but when you boast a Friday Fish Fry special, I believe you're obligated to provide the best meal possible, because it's your "special." I also realize we might have just got the one bad meal that night, but unfortunately it's all I have to write about.
The rest of the menu at Fox & Hounds looked intriguing and I think I'll definitely stop out again to try a two-for-one weekday meal, or a two-for-one Prime Rib "special" on Saturdays. I also recommend you call ahead for reservations, as the wait was over an hour when we got there (which I know is typical).
I'm not going to come out and say "don't go to the Fox & Hounds" -- but if you're in the mood for a fantastic fish fry, I would opt for a different location. Perhaps, The Phoenix in Hartland (I know I'm obsessed, but folks, it's that good).
The Fox & Hounds gets a solid 2 out of 10 this week, those two points are solely based on good service and halfway decent cole slaw.
Next week is a toss up, we have no idea where we're going, so stay tuned to the facebook page to find out where we decide to dine.
In the meantime, have a great week -- enjoy these last bits of sunshine and warmth this fall, it's absolutely gorgeous. Have a great weekend, and as always, do not forget to let those important people in your life know how important they are.
I'd also like to wish my dear friend Karen a Happy Birthday on the 10th. What an incredible person, I hope you have many more healthy and happy birthdays in the future. Love you!
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