It really is as good as it gets. Joe, the owner, insists that he's doing nothing special here. He says that he just makes regular food that everyone makes, but he makes it from scratch and that's the way it should be made. Well, right there is the specialty. Here in central WI there is just not enough of that in a restaurant. When you come across it though, prepare for a ride that really is in its own league.
Even if Mr. and Mrs. P's was located amongst many options in a big city, it would STILL be my go-to. My wife and I had our first experience the other day, and we will be going back this weekend again. I have to have more. Here is the thing here: you have to understand a sandwich is not a sandwich, fries are not fries..... they are the BEST sandwich and the BEST fries you've ever had. Think about it: how many of each have you had? They are run-of-the-mill anymore. Now listen to me: what would it take to top all of the many many different ones you've experienced EVER? You just have to hit this next-level kind of place.
The specifics then. My wife had the lobster roll special. The brioche bun was perfectly butter-toasted. The lobster salad inside had the right mix of creamy to meaty. Then the FLAVOR! How they do a lemon/tarragon orgasm I don't know. They do it. The dish comes with homemade cucumber salad and homemade chips. Ever sliced a potato, flash-fry them, and season perfectly? That is THIS. I ordered the all-you-can-eat haddock. The loins were hand breaded in corn meal, they were fried up perfectly, and the delicious tangy tartar set it off. The fries???? Man. Fresh cut potatoes and they are cooked up in DIFFERENT oil than the fish. Thank you God and baby Jesus. Care and skill. My dish was complemented by sweet red cabbage. Tasty like a German made it. Then I chose the chicken noodle soup to start. How do I describe the best soup you'll have? All fresh, big chunks of carrot/onion, seasoned stock, tiny bit of cream, FRESH noodle. Oh man you don't even know.....
OK then I need to talk about the pies. Kathy does those and you can tell she is professionally trained. We pre-ordered a french silk and a banana cream to take home. There is freshness, flavor, richness, and NOTHING overdone. All the right crusts were made (chocolate for the silk, graham for the cream), the custards were RIGHT, and the cream tops had the flavor you'd expect from a professional gourmet chef. Guys- remember we're talking about Ripon, WI here.... this isn't the big city but rest assured you are tasting the most high-end foods you'd have anywhere.
My suggestions? Drive out of your way if you have to. Get to this restaurant. To me it's worth a 30 min drive each way...literally. Next we are doing breakfast. I count the days. I might boycott breakfast until I have Joe's. read more