Eats Archives - Olio in Iowa

February 7, 2018

Beloit Bites: 5 Fantastic Places to Eat in This Southern Wisconsin Town

Disclosure: Visit Beloit hosted my trip to Beloit, WI, and my meals at the restaurants mentioned below. However, all opinions are my own.

Welcome to Wisconsin—the land of beer, cheese, and supper clubs! During my visit I embraced what many would consider to be true Wisconsin favorites like prime rib and cheese curds. But I was also surprised to discover the variety of places to eat in Beloit, Wisconsin.

While all of the state’s staples were present, many of the places I visited also put their own creative spin on fan favorites. On this trip I dipped my cheese curds in beet ketchup, and sampled the Badger State’s version of a Juicy Lucy. When it comes to finding delicious places to eat in Beloit, Wisconsin, I discovered that you certainly won’t be disappointed.

From hearty breakfast options locals swear by to fresh, innovative eateries, you won’t want to miss these five spots to grab a bite in the Beloit area.Continue Reading…

February 2, 2018

The Wisconsin Supper Club: A Midwest Dining Tradition

Disclosure: Visit Beloit and the Janesville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau hosted my trip to Wisconsin and dinner at the restaurants included below. However, all opinions are my own.

If you’re not from the upper Midwest, chances are you may not have heard of a supper club. While the name gives some indication of what you’re in for—a club where you eat, you guessed it, supper—these unique eateries are attractions in and of themselves. But across the Midwest, nowhere does it better than a Wisconsin supper club.

These vintage restaurants are as full of delicious comfort food as they are kitschy charm. Known for their hearty portions, stiff drinks, and retro decor, supper clubs are a delightful blast from the past.

December 4, 2017

7 Sensational Places to Eat in Rockford, Illinois

Disclosure: The Rockford Area Convention & Visitors Bureau hosted my trip to Rockford, IL, and some of my meals at the restaurants mentioned below. However, all opinions are my own.

When I travel, I always enjoy seeing how a city’s restaurants represent its community. When it comes to finding places to eat in Rockford, Illinois, it’s easy to see that this community is one that’s proud of its heritage and the legacy it has created.

Not only does Rockford have an incredible variety of restaurants to enjoy, but I was also delighted by the amazing stories behind so many of them. While some have been community institutions for more than 50 years, others have sprung up more recently in places that are historically significant to the city.

From fresh, seasonal fare to traditional family favorites, you won’t want to miss these seven sensational spots the next time you’re searching for a restaurant in the Rockford area.Continue Reading…

October 6, 2017

A Foodie Guide to Fargo, North Dakota

When we first started planning our trip to North Dakota I reached out to a few friends for restaurant recommendations. I have to admit that I was a little surprised when I was flooded with responses. For some reason I didn’t expect Fargo to be a culinary destination.

But after spending only a few days in the area, Fargo proved my taste buds wrong. Not only did we enjoy some truly delicious local delicacies, but the variety of food this community offers is truly impressive. Before you head north on a culinary adventure, be sure to plan your meals with this foodie guide to Fargo, North Dakota.Continue Reading…

September 11, 2017

Enjoying a Made in Iowa Meal with Travel Iowa & Harvestville Farm

Disclosure: I attended Harvestville Farm‘s farm-to-table dinner on a freelance assignment for Travel Iowa‘s Made in Iowa series. Travel Iowa covered my expenses and I was compensated for my writing. However, all opinions are my own.

Earlier this summer I had the opportunity to experience an incredible farm-to-table dinner on assignment for Travel Iowa as part of their Made in Iowa series. After stepping out of my car in the rolling hills of southeast Iowa, it didn’t take me long to realize that Harvestville Farm is one of the state’s true hidden gems.

Based in Donnellson, Iowa, this farm is a local food lover’s dream. For the past few years, the fifth generation family farm has hosted a series of fabulous farm-to-table dinners with rotating featured chefs.

Read about my Made in Iowa experience on Travel Iowa!

On the evening that I visited, Burlington, Iowa-based Chef Shawn Foehring was in charge of the menu. In the heart of July, our meal highlighted Iowa’s staple summer vegetables. The best part? Many of the vegetables grew literal feet from where we dined. If you’re considering attending a Harvestville Farm dinner yourself, I’m not exaggerating when I say this was truly one of my favorite meals from an Iowa chef with local ingredients.Continue Reading…

May 22, 2017

A Foodie Guide to Kenosha, WI

Disclosure: The Kenosha Area Convention and Visitors Bureau provided us with gift cards to enjoy some of the restaurants included below. However, all opinions are my own.

When you think of foodie destinations, Kenosha, Wisconsin may not automatically spring to mind. But not only is this lakefront community teeming with local history, it’s also home to some truly delicious food. From upscale eateries and Wisconsin favorites like fried cheese curds to cozy coffee shops and heavenly smelling bakeries, Kenosha has it all.

The next time you find yourself exploring this stretch of Lake Michigan’s waterfront, make time for a meal in Kenosha. Not sure where to eat? I’ve compiled a foodie guide to Kenosha restaurants and shops that visitors of all ages are sure to love.Continue Reading…

December 9, 2016

Eats: Saved by the Max

As a child of the ’90s, I grew up watching reruns of classic TV shows like Saved by the Bell. Even now, the big hair, DayGlo colors, and sitcom cheesiness is fun to rewatch.

Earlier this year, my equally ’90s-loving best friend sent me an article about Saved by the Max, a Saved by the Bell-themed pop-up restaurant in Chicago’s Wicker Park neighborhood. So obviously when we learned they’d added additional dates to the restaurant’s sold-out calendar, we jumped at the chance to enjoy a throwback dinner there together.Continue Reading…

October 26, 2016

Eats: Hi-Lo Diner

I am an enthusiastic lover of breakfast. Sweet or savory—it doesn’t matter. I love the ritual of diner breakfasts in all of their comfort and regularity, full of worn vinyl booths and steaming cups of coffee. And nowhere is that love better personified than in one of Minneapolis’ newer eateries, the Hi-Lo Diner.

Housed in an original 1957 Fodero Diner, the Hi-Lo’s building traveled from Gibsonia, Pennsylvania all the way to Minneapolis to bring the beauty of breakfast to Minnesota. Today the retro diner serves up diner favorites with an inspired twist alongside creative cocktails and seriously tempting pie.

September 12, 2016

Everything We Ate at the Minnesota State Fair

state Disclosure: Our trip to fair was hosted by the Roseville Visitors Association and the Minnesota State Fair. However, all opinions are my own.

When we first started planning our trip to the Minnesota State Fair, I knew we would spend a good amount of our day focusing on one thing—the food. While we’re regular Iowa State Fair goers, I have to admit that I was beyond impressed by the Minnesota fair’s fare.Continue Reading…

August 10, 2016

A Beginner’s Guide to the Iowa State Fair

Before I moved to Des Moines, I had never been to a state fair before. Sure, I grew up just one state east in Illinois, but we lived close enough to the city that agricultural contests and friends in 4H were never part of my reality. Then I relocated to Iowa and was introduced to the Iowa State Fair.

While I’ve never been one for big crowds and still don’t have the stamina to spend days on end at the fairgrounds, I do look forward to spending an afternoon at the fair each August. Naturally, over the years I’ve slowly collected a list of must-eat foods and must-see attractions during the limited amount of time I actually enjoy spending at the Iowa State Fair.

If you’re a beginner (and, let’s be honest, even if you’re not), the fair can be overwhelming. So I decided to share my list of fair highlights sure to occupy your afternoon or evening adventure to the Iowa State Fair without leaving you in a corndog induced coma.Continue Reading…