Have you ever had one of those days that you didn't feel like waiting? You were just too tired, or too hungry or perhaps a bit too crabby to deal with a crowd of people? If you answered yes to those questions, you will identify with how I was feeling Friday night. So, you can imagine my disdain when I made the short drive to North Lake from Hartland and saw the North Lake Inn was completely packed, or at least that was the impression with the cars in the street and the full parking lot.
Now I realize that's all a part of a Friday Fish Fry and usually I'm all for sitting around, having a couple of drinks, laughing and engaging in fun conversation, but this past Friday night, I wanted to hang out with a friend, get my food and get on to the next part of the evening. So, while I'm sure you're disappointed in my lack of commitment to blogging on the NL Inn, I decided to drive the half block to the next best thing -- Woody's Bar & Grill, W314n7788 Kilbourne Rd., North Lake, WI 53064.
I'm familiar with Woody's, I'm comfortable with Woody's and I knew I wouldn't be disappointed, and I wasn't. Fortunately for my friend Shannon and myself, as soon as we walked in, we saw an open table in the very small dining room adjacent to the bar in the front of the building. We grabbed it, and within seconds the waitress was at our table taking our drink order. I even think this might have been the same waitress we had the last time we visited Woody's in November, 2009.
We glanced over the menu, although I knew what I was going to have before I even walked in, it was the bluegill plate ($12.00). I ordered the homemade potato chips as my side and as always, just waited on the coleslaw and bread that came with my dinner. Shannon picked the Cod Diablo (the exact entree I had in 2009).
My bluegill was delicious, it was lightly breaded in a breadcrumb/cracker coating and most of my pieces were done perfectly. Although the breading could have used a tad more seasoning (but again, I like heavy seasoning, and I also dig salt) the fish itself was done well -- there were a few straggling small pieces that were rubbery, but that's sometimes the problem with bluegill, you have to be aware of the size of the fillets, because when you're cooking them, the smaller ones will be overdone. That was the case for me, but it wasn't hard for me to just put them aside as the portion size was more than enough. My homemade potato chips were a tad soggy, but I've had them numerous times before with a better outcome.
Shannon's cod diablo was fantastic -- see blog 2009 http://fishfryblog.blogspot.com/2009/11/lake-country-fish-fry-week-1-woodys.html -- as her comments were very much the same as the ones I made over a year ago!
I'm going to give Woody's a slightly lower rating (7.5 out of 10) than last year, just because my bluegill could have been better, but to be honest, overall Woody's has a great little thing going and it shocks me there aren't more people taking advantage of it. Their service is BEYOND amazing, each and every one of the wait/bar staff people are incredibly easy to get along with and super friendly. I've only been there a handful of times, but each experience has been pleasant and I love going there. I really think that if you plan on going to the North Lake Inn one night, that you drive about a block and a half to the north on 83 and stop at Woody's instead. I don't think you'll be disappointed.
Well, until the next time, I hope you enjoy the blog. For obvious reasons we will be taking a few weeks off, but cannot wait to continue the journey to find the best Fish Fry in Lake Country. Don't forget to check out www.lakecountrynightout.com for other fun things to do in Lake Country as well.
Can you believe 2010 is almost over? It's mind-boggling to me how fast time flies as I get older (and wiser, of course). Another fish fry blog year is in the books and I couldn't have had a better time, it's so fun to put my opinion out there and for the enormous response I've got in 2010. Thank you for that.
Merry Christmas and the happiest of Holidays. I wish you all a very healthy and prosperous 2011.
Peace.
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