What's on the stove, oven, or crockpot today?

[Gunner55]

  Heard lots of differing opinions on those 2 out by the Pokegama/169 bridge, Zorbas & The Pickled Loon. We like Sammy's in GR.

[Jrasmussen]

Hmm might have to check it out one of these trips

[glenn57]

Heard lots of differing opinions on those 2 out by the Pokegama/169 bridge, Zorbas & The Pickled Loon. We like Sammy's in GR.

yea have no comment on the Zorbas there but i wouldnt spend another penny in the pickled loon up there.

i've ate at other pickled loons and where good!!!!

[Gunner55]

Hmm might have to check it out one of these trips

It's usually the noon buffet, 11-2, at Sammy's for us. The Grand Buffet on Hwy 2 across from M & H gas in the mall is good too. Of course, Sportsman's Cafe in DR is another favorite. Parking can be an issue at the Chinese place if you're pulling a trailer but it's usually better on the north side of the mall.

[glenn57]

Hmm might have to check it out one of these trips

It's usually the noon buffet, 11-2, at Sammy's for us. The China Buffet on Hwy 2 across from M & H gas in the mall is good too. Of course, Sportsman's Cafe in DR is another favorite.

yep, i dont want to agree with Gunner alot,  it'll ruin my reputation.  but he's spot on there!!!!

[Jrasmussen]

Thanks for the run down on the food options in the area. My problem is when I'm headed up fishing I just don't take the time to stop for anything but something quick as I'm always in a hurry. 

[Gunner55]

For a sit-down place Sportsman's in DR is usually pretty quick. Not too hard to be in & out in ~ a 1/2 hour, even if they're kind of busy.

[fishwidow]

No argument about Sammy’s lunch buffet. It’s pretty good. Also we like to get there half baked pizzas and finish them off at home.
Not much of a fan of Zorbas. Used to stop at what was Pier 65 north of McGregor, but Zorbas took over and after a couple visits we dropped them from the schedule.
Personally I think The Pickled Loon is over rated—average food at above average prices. It was better for real supper club type food when it was The Harbor.
As for Chinese, we think the New China buffet is better than the place in Central Square Mall.

For sushi, Fuji is pretty good,

Just my humble opinions on the GR dining scene.

[Gunner55]

  Is that 1 down by the river?  If it is, we tried that once back during Covid & decided we liked the 1 in the mall better. Maybe, it's changed & we should give it another shot?

[Bobberineyes]

When we met up with Glenn and Gunner, we stayed in DR and had some grub n beverages at the outpost I believe.  We thought it was good, and a good place. But I agree Rasmussen when we head to the cabin it's only stopping for something important,  and while we're lakeside the last thing I'm doing is going out to eat..lol.

[Jrasmussen]

When we met up with Glenn and Gunner, we stayed in DR and had some grub n beverages at the outpost I believe.  We thought it was good, and a good place. But I agree Rasmussen when we head to the cabin it's only stopping for something important,  and while we're lakeside the last thing I'm doing is going out to eat..lol.

Yep lake time is my therapy. I do not own a cabin, maybe some day. So I rent a a few times a year and nothing could drag me away unless the weather is real crappy.

[fishwidow]

Is that 1 down by the river?  If it is, we tried that once back during Covid & decided we liked the 1 in the mall better. Maybe, it's changed & we should give it another shot?

Hey, Gunner. It’s a block west of Pokegama and a block south of 3rd Street. On 4th Street.

[Gunner55]

 

Thanks for the run down on the food options in the area. My problem is when I'm headed up fishing I just don't take the time to stop for anything but something quick as I'm always in a hurry. 

It used to be that way with us too................... when were still working. Other than 2019 when Mom passed away, we've been up here 8-10 months a year since 2012. That normally means 1 trip to town on Wednesday morning for groceries & such. Some lunch is usually included before we get past Deer River on the way home then too.

[Gunner55]

Is that 1 down by the river?  If it is, we tried that once back during Covid & decided we liked the 1 in the mall better. Maybe, it's changed & we should give it another shot?

Hey, Gunner. It’s a block west of Pokegama and a block south of 3rd Street. On 4th Street.

Yeah, that's what I thought. Do they have a buffet, I don't remember? I do remember that part of our meal wasn't very warm the day we were there though. I think we might've been kind of early that day, closer to 11 than noon.

[glenn57]

When we met up with Glenn and Gunner, we stayed in DR and had some grub n beverages at the outpost I believe.  We thought it was good, and a good place. But I agree Rasmussen when we head to the cabin it's only stopping for something important,  and while we're lakeside the last thing I'm doing is going out to eat..lol.

Yep lake time is my therapy. I do not own a cabin, maybe some day. So I rent a a few times a year and nothing could drag me away unless the weather is real crappy.

same here even though i'm retired and can spend all the time i want up there, and having been going there since i was a kid.......its still from point A to point B as soon as possible. only on very rare occasions to i go out to eat or to a bar up there.i can do that at home.

but.........i've been thinkin of an ecxuse to head to grand rapids to hit Sammy's!! since the one in st cloud closed!

[Jrasmussen]

Does anyone know if the Sammy's up there is affiliated with the one in Coon Rapids?

[glenn57]

Does anyone know if the Sammy's up there is affiliated with the one in Coon Rapids?

i would think they are, but not sure. i've ate at the st cloud, grand rapids and duluth Sammy's and they all seem to use the same ingredients...especially the sausage from what i could tell.   

[Cooperman]

Don’t forget to get your corned beef and veggies for st. Pats day.
This one is 5.5 lbs. think I’ll make pastrami in the Reqtec with half.

[mike89]

nice sized!!!   

[Jrasmussen]

Cub has them on sale $4.99 lb for tip cut and $5.99 for flat. Made one last weekend and it turned out great.

[LPS]

Darn, just got home from the store.  I wanted to get me a couple of corned beefs and forgot. 

[fishwidow]

Does anyone know if the Sammy's up there is affiliated with the one in Coon Rapids?

i would think they are, but not sure. i've ate at the st cloud, grand rapids and duluth Sammy's and they all seem to use the same ingredients...especially the sausage from what i could tell.   

I believe they are all somehow related. Not sure if it’s franchised or common ownership. I know the original one is the one in Hibbing, and they branched out from there. The Duluth stations air a commercial that has family members from the Grand Rapids one. I’ve never seen a commercial for the Duluth ones.

[Jrasmussen]

I probably should give this one a try then. From the googler it says it was started in 1954 the Hibbing location and now has 14 locations all run by close relatives.

[mike89]

Darn, just got home from the store.  I wanted to get me a couple of corned beefs and forgot.

good excuse to go back to the store!!!   

never had Sammy's pizza... 

[Gunner55]

Cub has them on sale $4.99 lb for tip cut and $5.99 for flat. Made one last weekend and it turned out great.

Aldi's in GR had corned beef points on sale for $2.99 & flats for $3.96 today, so we stopped a little earlier than normal. Most everybody was giving 'em a gander & quite a few were grabbing 2.

[mike89]

going to get some flats tomorrow...

[glenn57]

Fried nords    with noodles and Maters. There meant for each other.  Same with PB&J's!

[mike89]

maters on the noodles!!!!   

[tangle tooth]

      PB&J is almost an edc for me. I like peanut butter, banana and mayonnaise, too.

[mike89]

      PB&J is almost an edc for me. I like peanut butter, banana and mayonnaise, too.

just pb and mayo here....