Let me be clear that I absolutely love The New York Times, which I think is the greatest newspaper in the country. That’s why my disappointment is so very deep when they swing hard and miss the ball on a story that strikes close to home.
Recently, The Times’ Robert Simonson did one of his "36 Hours in … " pieces, visiting Green Bay. The gig is that he spends 36 hours in a particular city, hits the high spots and then writes about it.
He got a lot of it right. The National Railroad Museum is great, as is The Libertine (a bar that makes craft cocktails), Beerntsen’s Candies and dinner at the Union Hotel.
But where in the heck was Kroll's West?
If you’ve never been to Kroll's, you have missed what may well be the best cheeseburger in the entire world. Kroll's is directly across Lambeau Field on Ridge Road. Players who are trying to sneak something the team nutritionist doesn’t want them to eat stop in and either hide in a corner or get something to go.
The first burger hit the grill in 1936. Ever since, it has done bustling business with a varied menu but with burgers at the heart and soul of the restaurant.
The classic Kroll's butter burger is a quarter-pound patty of fresh ground beef, extra sharp American cheese and a toasted crisp bun unlike any I’ve had elsewhere. The french fries are crisp on the outside and fluffy inside, and with a very cold glass of milk, it’s a meal fit for a king. Or for a quarterback (Don Majkowski used to drop by). Or for a president (Bob Harlan did, too).
I love The Times, but my faith is shaken by what I think is a terrible omission.
With a history in Milwaukee stretching back decades, Dave tries to bring a unique perspective to his writing, whether it's sports, politics, theater or any other issue.
He's seen Milwaukee grow, suffer pangs of growth, strive for success and has been involved in many efforts to both shape and re-shape the city. He's a happy man, now that he's quit playing golf, and enjoys music, his children and grandchildren and the myriad of sports in this state. He loves great food and hates bullies and people who think they are smarter than everyone else.
This whole Internet thing continues to baffle him, but he's willing to play the game as long as OnMilwaukee.com keeps lending him a helping hand. He is constantly amazed that just a few dedicated people can provide so much news and information to a hungry public.
Despite some opinions to the contrary, Dave likes most stuff. But he is a skeptic who constantly wonders about the world around him. So many questions, so few answers.
