The Wienery

Breakfast ALL DAY. Get it?

Drive-In Dog w/Slaw

On The Road...MPLS
Nestled in the heart of the West Bank section of Minneapolis is the Wienery, a small eatery that packs a lot of flavor and flair. The setup is about 4-5 tables and chairs plus another 10-12 seats at a bar. Breakfast is served ALL day. I emphasize that because there were enough signs mentioning it and people still asked. Reading is not fundamental, it's overrated.

The food, yes, the food. The dogs were Vienna Beef and that's an automatic 4-stars because them doggies run the Midwest. I went dogs only on this trip because I was anticipating more eating (turned out to be Matt's and that delicious Jucy Lucy) and the doggies did not disappoint.

Decision time and it was not easy. Their menu runs deep, much like my appetite but not like my wallet so I had to make some tough choices. I opted for the Tasmanian Devil because I wanted the hottest of the hot chili on top of my doggy and then I went for more chili and some slaw on the Drive-In Dog, a nod to my days in Charleston.

Both hit the spot perfectly and someone please tell me why it's so hard to find a poppy seeded hot dog roll here in NYC? I mean, this is NYC! Let's get on the ball. It's for the children, just ask this guy.


Rating - 5/5. I had perfection at the Wienery. Them doggies were so good and the chili was amazing, nice and spicy and that slaw. WOW! I loved the slaw. I loved it so much I would have let them make a beard of slaw on my face to pick it while riding the light rail back to the airport. That would have been fun to explain to the TSA folks.

Their site - www.wienery.com

**If you want to make some slaw at home the way the Wienery does out in MPLS, have a look here for the recipe!

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Matt's Bar

Matt's Bar - Exterior Sign

On the road..Minneapolis, MN (aka MPLS)
Today we're on the road in MPLS - home of the Twins, Vikings, Atmosphere, Target, the T'Wolves, TARGET, the Mall of America, Fifth Element, and most importantly the Jucy Lucy. Ironically, while I did see the homes of the Twins, Vikings, and T'wolves plus the Mall of America during my recent jaunt to the Twin Cities, I did not see one Target. Disbelief aside, my mission was food and it was mission accomplished. Oh and there's an NHL team called the Wild that calls MPLS home too.

Traveling up and down the light rail brought me to a number of places I absolutely had to try but the one place I enjoyed the most was actually an accident. I knew of the "Jucy Lucy" prior to my arrival in the Twin Cities however, I did not know just where I wanted to get one. That, my friends, is where fate comes in. I was waiting for the 22 bus and I was just chattin' it up with the bus driver. Destination - unknown. Fortunately, his route took me to Matt's Bar and at his urging, and the urging of another passenger, Matt's was a can't miss. Can't miss means must do so I did it and WOW! For followers of my tumblr you have seen the pics posted from Matt's, featuring the Jucy Lucy I enjoyed there. What I have for those who do not know is video of my Jucy Lucy Experience, behold:

Legend has it that a customer didn't want a run in the mill burger or cheeseburger so he had them form two patties and stuff cheese in the middle. The Jucy Lucy was born and it's been a hit ever since. Having this still of burger is a must in the Midwest. Visiting Matt's, where the burger was born just takes the experience to another level. Mine was enjoyed with some chopped onion and a pickle and I wish I was there right now to have another, and another, and maybe one more for the road.

As I was eating this and the cheesy goodness burned my hand, I could not help but wonder if Slug of Atmosphere was referring to this Lucy on their hit F&%K You Lucy because I know it was on my mind...


Rating - 5/5 - concept, nostalgia, and freshly cooked deliciousness. 

Their site - http://www.mattsbar.com/

For more visit 5boroughfoodguys.tumblr.com and don't forget to follow me on Twitter - http://twitter.com/#!/5BoroFoodGuys