Finest Finds!

Our "Finest Finds!" page highlights what we consider to be some of the finest premium products, services and experiences culled from our travels across this great country... our Next Grand Adventure!  We suggest that you scroll down to the bottom of this page and work your way up to review some of our most treasured discoveries!

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TURN KEY SUPPER CLUB




Jer is passionate about supper clubs, a Wisconsin tradition of dining that include two-finger pour old fashions, fish fry and dead animals on the paneled walls! So when our cousins Anne and Mike decided to visit in Madison we made a point of visiting a new take on an old tradition.  The Turn Key Supper Club has some of the old standards with with flair (relish trays, fried chicken etc.).  Reese and MJ went out of their way to welcome us and make our visit memorable - and yes, they make an excellent Brandy Old Fashioned! 

The Illinois Railway Museum, Union IL






The Illinois Railway Museum has the largest collection of historic railway equipment in America. The main  Museum campus in Union, Illinois, features more than twenty structures spread out across 100 acres of land. The Illinois Railway Museum is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization which is owned entirely by its volunteers. The museum receives no state or federal money for its operations. All capital and operating costs are paid by individual donations and revenue derived from tickets and on-site sales.
Well worth the ticket price - especially when we can get a VIP tour with Linda and Ken who volunteers at the Museum.  We found the tour particularly interesting after visiting the world's largest model train museum in San Diego! 







At 27,000 sq. ft.,  the museum is one of the largest such indoor exhibits in North America and the world. The museum is located on the lower level of the Casa de Balboa Building on the Prado in Balboa Park.  The minutely detailed dioramas are just as impressive as the trains. 
 

Wyomissing Family Restaurant & Bakery PA




This buffet/restaurant is a hidden treasure that we discovered while visiting Reading, PA. We each had the breakfast buffet and the food was so good and fresh that it was evident this establishment is owned and run as a family - the pride in product stood out with every item. If you're in that area of Pennsylvania, this restaurant is a 'must' stop!

Sierra Nevada Mills River, NC




Sierra Nevada Brewing in Asheville, NC is the seventh-largest brewing company in the US and is the third largest privately owned brewery in the United States. The view from the tree-lined brewery is something special no matter the season. Cool down in the Taproom with a farm-fresh salad and small plates, or soak in the sun on the Back Porch with a beer and a snack.

Goo Goo Clusters, Nashville, TN



In 1912, in a copper kettle at the Standard Candy Company at Clark & First Avenue in Nashville, TN, America's first combination candy bar was invented. A roundish mound of caramel, marshmallow nougat, fresh roasted peanuts and real milk chocolate; its renegade shape was more difficult to wrap than the conventional rectangular or square shapes of the day. More importantly, this was the first time multiple elements were being mass-produced in a retail confection. Previous to the advent of the Goo Goo Cluster, candy bar manufacturing consisted of bars solely using chocolate, caramel or taffy. The Goo Goo Cluster represented the first time a bar consisted of more than just one principal ingredient. (our favorite is the Peanut Butter Cluster)

Shady Maple Smorgasbord, East Earl, PA




No trip to Pennsylvania is complete until you dine at Shady Maple, the the largest buffet in the USA and enjoy over 200 feet of delicious hand-prepared dishes and then you'll need to walk some of it off by exploring the 44,000 square feet gift shop downstairs!




Only found in Pennsylvania - in the deli section, the original, the champ, Cooper Sharp! Made with Milk and carefully curated aged cheeses, Cooper Sharp White is creamy, indulgent, and more perfectly melty than you can imagine - particularly for processed cheese! This is THE cheese for the tastiest cheese steaks and stuffed pretzel logs (we've found the best at Amish markets).

Primanti Bros, Uniontown PA




Primanti Bros.' signature sandwich is made with two slices of Italian bread, grilled meat (Jer got the pastrami, Phyl the corned beef) melted provolone, coleslaw, tomatoes, and french fries, and some say it's traditional to top it with a fried egg and hot sauce - so we did!


Wander Folk Spirits, Guthrie, OK




WanderFolk Spirits is located in the heart of historic downtown Guthrie, Oklahoma. WanderFolk is Oklahoma’s first legal distillery established in 2012.  Sign on for the tour with Lead Distiller, Jeffrey Cole, who provides an immersive look into the history & science of recipe creation, distilling, blending, & so much more at Oklahoma’s original distillery.


In-N-Out Burger, Redwood City CA



The In-N-Out Double-Double. Made with two 100% beef patties, two slices of American cheese, hand-leafed lettuce, vine ripened tomato, and classic spread all stacked high on a freshly baked bun. With fries... And don't forget the Chocolate Shake! 2023. In-N-Out celebrates three quarters of a century with 394 restaurants open throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, Texas, Oregon and Colorado. In its 75th year, the In-N-Out Burger family reaches over 38,000 dedicated Associates. The family-owned company carries the founding philosophy forward with a rigorous commitment to quality and freshness.

Draeger's Market, San Mateo CA


In operation for over 90 years, Draeger's remains family-owned and operated to this day. A "marketplace" where customers can find the highest quality specialty and gourmet items, produce, meat, wine, liquor, prepared bakery and deli foods and flowers.  It's kind of a mix of Nordstroms meets a Michelin restaurant - the food is almost exotic - try the cherry pie!  

Duke’s Malibu, Malibu CA


Surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku taught surfing in Malibu and spent time in the area where he was a lifeguard, competed in water sports and also appeared in over 28 Hollywood movies. Duke’s Malibu honors Duke, but also pays tribute to the early days of surfing in Malibu. Adding to the lore, Kathy Kohner Zuckerman, the inspiration for the Gidget novel, movie and TV series that sparked the California surfing craze, works at Duke’s Malibu as our Ambassador of Aloha. No visit is complete without having a DUKE’S MAI TAI!

Tillamook Creamery, Tillimook OR



Tillamook County Creamery Association is a farmer-owned co-op. Always has been. This means that a group of farming families in Tillamook County, on the coast of Oregon, own the company and benefit directly from its growth and success. The headquarters, ownership and heritage, are rooted in Tillamook, Oregon. Dine in the cafeteria - and make sure to get a CHEESE burger and ice cream!  Stop in the shop before you go to pick up some select "makers reserve" vintage - can't buy these in the supermarket!

Portage Bay Cafe, Seattle WA



Seattle's University neighborhood is home to the original Portage Bay location. Bordering Seattle's University District, Portage Bay Roosevelt offers local, organic, sustainable breakfast and lunch with ingredients sourced from PNW farmers & distributors. The BEST coffee, fresh fruits and awesome French toast!

Voodoo Donuts, Vancouver WA




Voodoo Doughnut has been featured in a variety of outlets, including The Travel Channel, The Cooking Channel, MTV, Good Morning America, The Today Show, The Tonight Show, Wheel of Fortune, Portlandia, Grimm, Leverage, The Amazing Race, and Access Hollywood. The stores frequently have queues that stretch out the door and around the block. Jer's favorite is the Bacon Maple Bar!


Kalaloch Lodge, Olympic Peninsula WA




Perched on a bluff where Kalaloch Creek flows gradually into the driftwood-lined beaches of the Pacific Ocean, Kalaloch Lodge is the only coastal lodging in Olympic National Park.  We were fortunate enough to stay in Lodge #1, known by the staff as "the proprietor's room" because the original owner of the Lodge stayed in that room.  This is one of the most tranquil places to unwind - and you don't have to worry about text and voice call - as there is no cell service - only a couple pay phones in the parking lot!

Salty’s on Alki Beach, West Seattle WA 




Founded in 1980, Salty’s is beloved around the world by locals and prime ministers alike for our stunning locations, menus celebrating seasonal seafood & local fare, and uncommonly warm service. And... THE place to dine for special occasions!  We celebrated our Wedding Anniversary at Salty's - the service was impeccable, seafood fresh from the pier - and even was given a personally signed card from the staff!

 Edgewater Beer Garden, Edgewater CO: 




You can feel the history in this laid back local establishment, as the building is nestled in the middle of a neighborhood and was once home to the Edgewater Fire Department.  All the staff were bright and attentive on both of our visits, the GM even came  to our table to make sure we were good with the food and drink - And we were! We sampled a variety of grilled cheeseburgers, sweet potato fries, Al pastor tacos, giant pretzels and sauces - all  accompanied by a variety of local craft beers and ciders.  What also made this place unique was the way management compensated it's staff - an automatic 18% was added to every tab and evenly distributed to all the staff - and the effect was evident in their faces and pride. This is a neighborhood watering hole well worth visiting!

Wall Drug, Wall SD:



The New York Times described Wall Drug as "a sprawling tourist attraction of international renown [that] draws some two million annual visitors to a remote town."  Well, their countless roadside signs along Route 90 absolutely got our attention!  While it certainly can be considered a tourist road stop, it is so much more; from their homemade creamy ice cream (try the butter pecan & caramel swirl), Sioux City Sarsaparilla, and 5 cent coffee, to riding the giant Jackalope or getting your fortune told by Zoltar (made famous in the movie "Big" with Tom Hanks) - this one of a  kind enterprise can easily take up half a day just browsing through the many themed shops, restaurants and entertainment activities - and yes they do still have a drug store!

The Village Bar Supper Club, Kieler WI:



 Supper Clubs are a 'midwestern thing' centered in Wisconsin and we LOVE them!  Jer even developed a qualitative grading system called "The Radish Rating" which evaluates a number of unique qualities found in Supper Clubs including: vintage bar, dead animals on paneled walls, "two- finger" pour old fashions & manhattans, homestyle menu items including steaks, chicken, fish, and (very important!) a Relish Tray. 

We had the pleasure to visit the The Village Bar Supper Club with our tour guides Guy & Becky from Dubuque, IA. Like the best Supper Clubs, it is small, quaint and friendly. A lovely old bar, with vintage ceramic liquor decanters and a bright and happy bartender who greeted us with a smile. She served up a traditional Old Fashioned and, like the sign said outside, it was a very generous pour!

 The food was outstanding, and had the homestyle quality and vibe that one expects in a supper club. We had thick cut pork chops and chicken chardonnay (delish!). When you go, don't forget to order the bacon wrapped cheese curds - one of the most tasty and unique appetizers we have ever had!  And while there were no dead animals on the wall or vegetables on the relish tray (excellent liver & cheese pates though!), there was a wonderful and attentive staff and we give The Village Bar a 4 Radish Rating!     


The Twisted Rose, Algonquin IL: 

THE best pizza we have ever tasted - bar none (and we both are VERY picky 'bout our pizza)!  Teresa's handcrafted pizza crust (flatbread thin & crispy) is topped with her homemade pizza sauce (which she simmers on the stove for at least three hours) is accented with an assortment of fresh meats and vegetables that truly meld into a symphony of flavors!  She also utilizes special pizza serving pans that have a raised grate to keep the crust crispy - right to the last slice!  When you're in Algonquin Illinois make sure to stop - you won't be disappointed - and will most unlikely have any leftovers to take home!

Betty's Hot Chocolate, UK:

 This is THE best hot chocolate we have every had!  
And we're not big hot coco fans - but this import from the UK is the most silky smooth luxurious  composition of "Venezuelan cocoa beans and infused with Madagascan vanilla," just mix up with a hot Iowa diary heifer (the milk, not the cow) and we assure you will agree!  



 We discovered this salt during our first housesit.  The homeowner is an international flight attendant and found this treasure during one of her trips to London.  It is by far the best "finishing salt" (meaning all-natural and unrefined) we have ever tasted.  Sprinkle on your steaks, fish & poultry just before serving.  Also great on our Whirly Popcorn! 












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