Bacon is my first love. Shrimp is a close second.

The folks at Agave Kitchen have done it again. Look at this work of art! The Surf and Turf! One of the feature burgers of the week. 2 third pound burgers cooked to order, Pepper Jack cheese, Arugula, Popcorn Shrimp, Chef's signature cocktail sauce, tomato, and onion. I first saw this burger because Paul the owner likes to do weekly videos to let people know what the specials are. I just knew I had to try it. It lived up to my expectations to say the least. I could barely fit this beast into my mouth to eat it! The cocktail sauce and shrimp were a perfect pairing with the burger and veggies. Another good thing about the burger was the stray shrimp falling off of it, a wonderful dessert after the burger was done. I think Im going to need a nap. FOOD COMA! 

I seriously love this place. The staff is amazing, the bartenders know how to pour a good cocktail, and the cooks know what they are doing. 

Agave's slogan is "See you tomorrow" and rightfully so, with food like that I could eat there every day. 

Sorry for being a slacker these last couple months. Ive been eating lots of awesome food, but Im pretty sure you do not want to read about the same places over and over again. So while I will do my best to bring you news of awesome eats at random places, I am trying to get some guest bloggers. And I have my first! My good friend Gabe who I have known for years recently moved in across the hall. And if there is a fatty bigger than me, its him. I once witnessed him eat 17 cupcakes in 3 minutes, 16 of said cupcakes where in the first 2 minutes of that eating competition! Gabe came up with this brilliant idea for Kozy Korner's late night menu. (Its not on the menu... Yet!) I had the pleasure of having a bite of this sandwich and it was AMAZING!!!! I must say it was either sheer genius on Gabe's part, or just the fact he will eat anything. Either way here is the first guest blog submission, I hope you enjoy!

Kozy Korner is a place to finish the night with its late night menu. From the sloppy joes to the chicken nuggets, the fried goodness is almost unbeatable. Until you get the idea to chose three of the selections and put them on a hoagie. This time I choose buffalo strips,jalapeno poppers and fried cheese curds topped with ranch dressing. When you first bite in you taste the spice, heat and slight vinegar taste of the buffalo sauce covering the juicy chicken strip. Nicely complemented by the creaminess and heat of the jalapeno poppers exploding across the sandwich. With all this crunchy goodness in a sandwich you have to love the softness and textual difference the salty deep fried cheese curds brings to the table. The ranch dressing covering it all brings some great flavor of black pepper and creamy sauce that tames out the heat to bring all the flavors together without pain. Without doubt one of the best sandwiches I've ever had and can't wait to try the next sandwich. I believe I'll go with Chicken nuggets, french fries, and my fav sloppy joe. I can't wait! - Gabe

Hope you guys enjoyed the first guest blogger! If you want to take pictures, and write up a lil sumpin sumpin for the blog please do and send pictures and a write up to me at 64keys@gmail.com

Cheers!

Going interactive! FOOD ON A STICK STYLE! AKA Minnesota State Fair edition.

Walleye on a stick!

Hello folks! As we all know the Minnesota State Fair is coming up in a few weeks. I will be back from Las Vegas just in time to endulge in some gluttony with *fill in the blank* on a stick. I talked to my buddy Jon over at Live Young Die Fast about doing a collaborative blog and it got me thinking. I want you guys to do a food review about one food item you eat at the Fair! And I will make a HUGE post after the Fair is done.

It will be super simple, here is what you need to do

1. Go to the Fair
2. Find a food on a stick that you have never had
3. Take a picture of what you get
4. EAT IT!!!!!
5. Go home and write up your opinion on what you ate (I do not like to put bad reviews on here so if you did not like what you ate, find something else you liked and repeat steps 1 - 4)
6. Email me the picture and write up. (I'll put up my email address once the State Fair starts)


I honestly think this is a great idea!

Eat meat! Because the west wasn't won on salad.

Last night was a very fun night at Uncle Mikes M Pour E Yum. Where do I begin? Mike came and picked me up from the tattoo shop last night at 8 because my starter is out on my Saturn. After a short drive up to exit 4 we got to Uncle Mikes. Every Thursday is steak night at this establishment and let me tell you, it is the best steak in the area PERIOD! They also have acoustic bands that play every thursday so you can enjoy your steak with some music. As soon as you walk in your nose is assaulted with the wonderful smell of smokey goodness from the grill. Oh man, writing about this makes me want to go get steak again haha.

Here is the price list for the steaks. There are also other things on the menu that you can get to accompany your steak like shrimp skewers and crab legs.

All cuts of steak are hand cut at Uncle Mikes, so if you want a bigger steak ask and you shall receive! Also I think that ups the quality of the meat as well, because they are taking the time to trim the parts of the steak that you don't want to eat.

This right here is Wisconsin's largest indoor wood fired grill! The man with the tongs is a true "Renaissance Man" when it comes to grilling steak! I didn't have to tell him how I wanted my steak, he just cooked it. PERFECTION! I know some people are freaked out by bloody steak, but with certain cuts of meat a nice medium rare to medium is the way to go for maximum flavor.

Here was my steak. An 8 oz. BACON WRAPPED Fillet Mignon searing to perfection. Ugh, my mouth is watering just looking at it. By far one of the best steaks I've ever had in a restaurant! I asked for A1 steak sauce like an idiot, I never even touched the bottle. The steak alone was so flavorful I didn't need to ruin it by adding sauce.

Ah the final result. Steak, shrimp skewer and drawn butter, sauteed veggies, and homemade pepper jack mac n cheese. As you all know I love shrimp so I attacked that first. Perfectly grilled and the butter made it even better. Next was the steak. Juicy, flavorful, tender. Just like a steak should be. Then I had a few bites of veggies and moved on to the mac n cheese. Homemade mac n cheese is a favorite of mine. The pepper jack cheese had a little kick in the heat department, but it wasn't overpowering. A very good mac n cheese indeed!

After I stuffed my face with all that goodness, I tried fending off the food coma that was starting to set in. Had a few beers and margarita bombs (try them, the are fantastic) with Mike, Justin, and Troy. Then I had the chance to meet this character. Meet Wild Bill, a 66 year old Marine who hasn't shaved his beard in 40 years. THAT BEARD IS OLDER THAN I AM! He is also a Viet Nam veteran and a lover of Chumbawamba. You heard me right, the Tubthumping band! He told me about the first time heard the lyrics "pissing my life away" was in jail. He said it was his wake up call to stop being an idiot. The poor guy's house was destroyed during the North Minneapolis tornado. But talking about it, he didn't seem to mind at all. Just a man enjoying life and not letting anything get him down. I wish more people were as optimistic as Bill.

Uncle Mikes is a pretty awesome place for food, fun, and sports! They have a pretty badass set up for bands and also show's all the UFC fights on a 12 foot screen! There is a cover, but you get some free drinks and its better than trying to find a spot to sit at Buffalo Wild Wings and getting shitty service and overpriced drinks!

Check them out on facebook Uncle Mikes M Pour E Yum

GOOD EATINGS FRIENDS!

Prosciutto is Bacons Italian cousin. At least it doesn't fist pump!

One thing I like about writing this blog and having friends in the food business is they always want to make food for you! Today's blog is from Bricks Neapolitan Pizza right next to the tattoo shop. My good friend Wes decided to make me these AMAZING dishes for me today.

First up is probably my new favorite appetizer. 2 stalks of asparagus, fresh house made mozzarella, wrapped in prosciutto. OH EM GEE!!!! I would seriously go to Bricks and get 2 orders of them and just make it a meal.

Bricks Pizza is a traditional Neapolitan pizza, on a thin crust and baked in a wood oven. On this one Wes put on some salami, prosciutto, onion, pepperoncini peppers, cream sauce, and red sauce. The saltiness of the meat with the cream sauce is a nice balance of flavors, and the pepperocini's add a nice little kick of heat to the mix.

They also have amazing salads, and their Panini sandwiches are fantastic as well. Check out their facebook page here Bricks

On a side note, my buddy John over at Live Young Die Fast is having a sale on his clothing line! Hop on over to check out the deals on some sweet shirts here
LYDF

"You haven't lived till you put my meat in your mouth." Rich Raley

We've all been there. Late at night, drunk at the bar, hungry and no place is open for food. Rich Raley just saved you a trip to McDonalds and a possible DUI ticket. From midnight till 3 am Rich has set up a food cart on the patio of Dicks bar and grill. You get 2 options of awesomeness! A Philly cheese steak and a chili cheese dog. Lets take a look at what he has to offer.


Mmmmmmm Philly steak just simmering in its own juices, I would seriously drink a cup of the au jus...

Then we have the chili and *dramatic pause for effect* FREAKING REAL CHEEZ WHIZ!!!! IT IS NOT A PHILLY IF IT DOES NOT COME WITH CHEEZ WHIZ!!!!

Mr. Raley ever so gently stuffs your bun with a generous portion of his meat.

Oh this picture makes my knees weak. Cheez Whiz how I love you.

Oh hey there hot dogs, are you ready to go in my belly?

Rich again putting his meat in your buns.

Now when it comes to my chili cheese dogs, any cheese will do. But for some odd reason I don't think I can eat another one with out Cheez Whiz. That shit is like heroin.

And to top it off a nice scoop of chili

Im not sure of what Colette got, I think it was the Philly cheese steak. But either way here is a picture of her stuffing her face. I know she liked what ever it was she was eating.

I had the chili cheese dog. Pretty sure someone was telling me to stop eating so fast in this picture. I got the look of "Bitch, don't tell me how to eat my damn food."

He also has condiments on the cart if you want to add some more things to your food. Save some room for food, because you will seriously want to try both of these. Sorry for all the sexual innuendo's but Rich is kind of a dirty old man. What am I saying? He is a dirty old man! But the man knows his food! Also if you are at the bar's around the St Croix county look for Raley's Pizza! The Buffalo Chicken is great!

"Food has replaced sex in my life, now I can't even get into my own pants" - Unknown

So this week I started biking to work and found that I am WAY out of shape. So I started working out and I went to the grocery store and got a bunch of fruit and veggies. I also picked up some of those healthy choice steamers. I was surprised, they are really good! In the middle of eating a rosemary chicken and potato steamer I got a visit from my buddy Justin with a little present.

I am a HUGE fan of spicy food, my bowels however are not. But I sacrifice the well-being of my anus for food that makes my mouth feel like a volcano. The hotter the better! Alright enough rambling...


The wings you see here are Raspberry Habenero wings from Barkers Bar and Grill. Justin used to make these a few years ago, but they were never put on the menu as a permanent item. On a side note, I do not eat at this establishment for personal reasons, but please do not let that stop you from checking the place out. The service is awesome and the food is great. I think Justin brought them over so I would put them on the blog. Such an attention whore!

On to how tasty these are!

When you bite into these wings the first thing you taste is the sweetness of the raspberry, then a slow warming sensation with a hint of habenero. Now this blows my mind because any one who has eaten a habenero knows there is no slow warming sensation with that pepper, it usually goes from zero to HELLO! THIS IS HOT! But with these, its a tolerable heat. Even a person who doesn't really like spicy food can handle these wings, unless you think ketchup is spicy. Im usually a bleu cheese guy when it comes to wings, but with these I like ranch. Something about the creaminess and flavor of ranch dressing really brings out and compliments the flavor of these wings. A+ Justin!

http://www.facebook.com/barkers.barandgrill

Any way, try and stay cool over the next few days! Hopefully it starts cooling off or at least one could hope for the humidity to go away.