Out For Bloodies

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Milwaukee, WI: Mad Rooster Cafe

We recently visited Mad Rooster Cafe on Miller Park Way in Milwaukee.

We’ve previously enjoyed both breakfast and lunch at this establishment, but had not had the pleasure of trying their “Mad Mary,” described on the menu as “our special blend of homemade bloody mary with Smirnoff vodka, unbelievably garnished! A meal in itself!”

We decided we were overdue, so we ordered up a Mad Mary with our omelette.

Mad Rooster Cafe

MIX: Housemade

CHASER: a Miller High Life pony (we declined on this particular visit because it was before 10am and we were also ordering breakfast… Not that that has stopped us before)

FIXIN’S: Lime, lemon, deviled egg, stuffed olive (bleu cheese?), pickle and celery stalk

PRICE: $9 (or $8 w/0 chaser–also these are specially priced on Fridays)

The taste of the this bloody was light and refreshing and I enjoyed the egg as a garnish, even though the yolk fell out and dissolved in the beverage; however, I would not bill this drink as a meal in itself as we’ve seen much grander bloodies in our day.

They get bonus points for the salt on the rim as well.

The verdict?

There’s no question that we’ll be back here for breakfast again, as this place is one of the few good and true places to get a nice sit-down breakfast in the city and we’ll probably order this bloody mary again in the future too, but Mad Rooster Cafe not a place we’d go specifically to have a bloody mary, if that makes sense.

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: Tail Feathers at Hawk’s View Golf Course

Posted: December 8, 2015 in Uncategorized
Tags: bloody Mary, Hawk's View Golf Course, Lake Geneva, Tail Feathers

Late last fall, we squeezed in a round of golf at Hawk’s View Golf Course on a warmer-than-usual December day.

By the end of the round, the sun was setting and it was getting a bit chillier, so we stopped inside the clubhouse to warm up.

Boy are we glad we did.

Tail Feather's Hawk's View

Mix: Zing Zang, spiced up to our liking
Chaser: Yes
Fixin’s: Pickle, Beefstick, Olives & peppers; topped with Mozzarella cheese whips
Price: $5.25

“I’d like a Bloody Mary,” I told the bartender.

“Do you want our deluxe one?” he asked.

I didn’t even have to ask what that was, I just replied, “Yes.”

He then asked if I wanted it spicy. I nodded again as I watched him piece together this masterpiece.

We’re fans of Zing Zang, so we already liked the base of the drink, but the bartender kicked it up a notch by adding his own spice and flair. We appreciated all of the fixin’s offered (reminiscent of Wicked Hop almost!), as well as the chaser.

I’m not sure what I was expecting when the bill arrived, but it wasn’t $5.25, I’ll tell you that much. They could’ve easily charged double that and I probably wouldn’t have blinked. This was a great deal and we very much appreciated it.

We probably won’t be out this way again anytime soon, but we do encourage anyone who plays Hawk’s View to stop in at the 19th hole for a fantastic Bloody Mary.

Milwaukee, WI: Wicked Hop

Posted: December 8, 2015 in Uncategorized
Tags: bloody Mary, milwaukee, Third Ward, Wicked Hop

Speaking of places we can’t believe we haven’t reviewed, the Wicked Hop takes the cake!

Located in Milwaukee’s popular Third Ward, the Wicked Hop is one of the best brunch spots in the city.

In fact, it’s located at the corner of Sunday Brunch and Bloody Mary! (We love this, right outside their restaurant.)

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We’ve had their Bloody Mary several times, but somehow, we’ve failed to review it. For that, we apologize as we’re depriving you of one of the best bloodies in the city!

Wicked Hop Bloody Mary

MIX: Housemade

CHASER: From their site: “Buddied up with everyone’s favorite — Lakefront Riverwest Stein beer chaser!”

FIXIN’S: Again: “Our house recipe served with peeled coldwater shrimp, Old Wisconsin beefstick, MKE midget kosher dill pickle, mozzarella whips, Walnut Street portabella mushroom and a Spanish green olive.” They also let you purchase Extra Fixin’s for $3 more (We inquired: it’s an extra portion of what already comes on it, not additional items).

PRICE: $10 regularly (You can get a Virgin Mary, or a Topless Mary (no fixin’s) for $8)

Wicked Hop is known for their Bloodies and they also have a popular brunch. Get there early on a Saturday and sit in the bar to take advantage of this offer:

Half hoppy

Or, if you can get there during the week, we highly recommend going on a Tuesday where the Bloody Marys are $5 (sans chaser):

slider poster

On our most recent visit, we had just posted our above photo on Instagram and Facebook when we noticed a very similar photo appear in our feeds…comedian Amy Schumer, in town for a show at the Bradley Center, had visited the Wicked Hop and indulged that same day. We’re sorry we missed her, but we’re glad that someone pointed her in the right direction!

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One more thing… The Wicked Hop also boasts “The ‘Glass’ Slipper,” which is, by their description: “Our house recipe bloody mary fitted in a 96.628 oz. plastic German boot laced with all the accessories. Buddied up with 6 chasers of everyone’s favorite — Lakefront Riverwest Stein. Finish it all and we’ll give you the commemorative boot.” The price listed is: Market, whatever that means. We haven’t been brave enough to tackle this one yet, but you’ll be the first to know when we do.

Be sure you check out Wicked Hop when you’re in Milwaukee, you’ll be bloody glad you did.

Wauwatosa, WI: Mo’s Irish Pub

Posted: December 8, 2015 in Uncategorized
Tags: bloody Mary, Mo's Irish Pub, Wauwatosa

One weeknight, we stopped at Mo’s Irish Pub in Wauwatosa for Happy Hour and had a Bloody Mary, along with a wide array of appetizers.

The Mo’s in Wauwatosa is the second Mo’s Irish Pub location, with the original being downtown. Mo’s has now expanded to Texas and Indiana as well, as it is quite popular.

We’ve had Mo’s Bloody Mary in the past, but couldn’t remember reviewing it for the site. We looked back and it appears that somehow we’ve missed posting about Mo’s, so we’re making up for it now.

Mo's Irish Pub Bloody Mary

MIX: Housemade with Guinness

CHASER: Miller Lite

FIXIN’S: Lime, Lemon, Pickle, Olive

PRICE: $Unsure

We hadn’t been to Mo’s in probably over a year until we met up with friends there for Happy Hour. It’s relatively close to where we live, work and play, but not some place we frequent on a regular basis. We don’t dislike Mo’s, it’s just not one of our favorite, regular haunts.

It’s usually super-packed on the weekends, too, which can be a turn-off for us. And, as far as their Bloody Mary goes, is pretty nondescript. The flavor is decent (they’re an Irish Pub and the menu says they put Guinness in it), but the fixin’s are pretty standard and, even though we weren’t buying the round, we recall their drink prices being higher than other places.

Don’t get us wrong–Mo’s is a popular place (hence the super-packedness) and they have a nice menu–but this just isn’t one of our favorite places to grab a bloody.

Come instead to listen to some live music on a weekend, or to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day (when they really do it big).

Proud Members of V8’s Bloody Mary Society

Posted: December 8, 2015 in Uncategorized
Tags: bloody Mary, Bloody Mary Society, out for bloodies, outforbloodies, Ultimate Bloody Mary, v8

We’re honored to be part of V8’s Bloody Mary Society!

What’s the Society? According to the website, “One fateful evening (over Bloody Marys, of course) a Society was born with one goal in mind: to bring the gift of brilliant Bloodies to all! Through wisdom and quality that only Mary and V8 could provide, The Bloody Mary Society came to fruition, making the art of Mary mixing more enjoyable than ever before.”

Out For Bloodies was asked to provide a recipe to be featured in the Bloody Mary Society’s Book of Bloody Marys, a “coveted collection of cocktail recipes,” compiled by “bartenders, mixologists, and connoisseurs from around the country to ensure that only the most brilliant Bloodies grace the pages of her book.”

Our Ultimate Bloody Mary is listed under the “Mary’s Finest” Tab.

Out For Bloodies’ Ultimate Bloody Mary is featured on the Bloody Mary Society page!

We highly recommend you check out not only our recipe, but the many others that are oh-so-pretty to peruse on the sight.

Cheers to V8 for putting this Society together–we’re pleased to be part of the Band of Bloodies!

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: Hogs and Kisses

Posted: November 28, 2015 in Uncategorized
Tags: bloody bull, bloody Mary, hogs & kisses, hogs and kisses, Lake Geneva

We spent our Black Friday in the Lake Geneva area and had the opportunity to sample a couple of mighty fine bloody marys, the second of which was at Hogs & Kisses, across the lake from Gordy’s.

Hogs and Kisses is a hotspot in downtown Lake Geneva, boasting drinks and dancing.

We were pleased to find a Bloody Mary menu when we arrived:

We decided to try the Bloody Bull and the Cuke.

Mix: House (with a variety of flavors to choose from!)
Chaser: Yes
Fixin’s: Pepperoni and pickle
Price: $6

These Bloodies were extremely flavorful and there was no doubt about which version was which. We wish we could’ve had time to sample them all! This place is a must-visit in the Lake Geneva area for tourists and locals alike.

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin: Gordy’s Boathouse

Posted: November 28, 2015 in Uncategorized
Tags: bloody Mary, fontana, gordy's boat house, gordy's marine, Lake Geneva

We spent our Black Friday in the Lake Geneva area and had the opportunity to sample a couple of mighty fine bloody marys, the first of which was at Gordy’s Boathouse on the west side of the lake (technically in Fontana).

Mix: Unknown, but tasted similar to Sacramento
Chaser: Yes
Fixin’s: Shrimp, cheese, beef stick, pickle, pepperoncini, celery
Price: Unknown (approx $7)

This was our first visit to Gordy’s, but the establishment has been around in one form or another since 1955.

The menu offers a wide variety of lunch and dinner options and the dining room offers a fantastic view of the lake.

The Bloody Mary was icing on the cake, very flavorful and thick, with a healthy offering of fixin’s, as well as a chaser.

This restaurant is across the lake from the Main Street area of Lake Geneva, but definitely worth a visit!

Las Vegas, NV: Mr. Lucky’s @ The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Posted: November 14, 2015 in Uncategorized
Tags: bloody Mary, Hard a Rock Casino, Hard a Rock Hotel, Hard Rock, Las Vegas, Mr. Lucky's, The King

Oh, Las Vegas. It’s been far too long.

We took a quick jaunt to Sin City this week and managed to sneak in a Bloody Mary review on the trip.

We had heard about the Bloody at Mr. Lucky’s in the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino but because it’s off the strip, we never made it there on our previous visit.

Well, our trip started off lucky as that’s where we were staying this time around. I guess you could say lucky for us, we got to try this beast at Mr. Lucky’s:

While $19.99 may seek excessive for a Bloody Mary, in truth this might just be one of the best bargains in Vegas. When you consider that most drinks at the bars are about $10-15 a pop, here you’re also getting a meal and a souvenir.

Turn around, gorgeous:

Mix: House

Chaser: None offered

Fixin’s: Deviled egg, celery, pickle, shrimp, beef jerky, waffle breakfast slider with cheese & bacon, lime, olive

Price: $19.99 – steep but comparable in Vegas, plus you get to keep the glass!

Pro tip: Order this drink and you’ve got breakfast to boot. The waffle breakfast slider is quite possibly one of our all-time favorite fixin’s, quickly joining the ranks of Sobelman’s and the like back home. I can’t believe they don’t sell that sandwich as a stand alone breakfast item because it’s delicious. Our waiter even offered us syrup. Um sure, why not?

Down this beverage and consume the fixin’s and then you’re left with the glass, which is yours to keep. Sort of a badge of honor for tackling this monstrosity,a built-in souvenir.

The Breakfast Bloody is also not just for breakfast; it is available all the time, which puts it a step ahead of many Vegas establishments that offer similar over-the-top Bloodies, but only on weekends and what not.

Oh, and if by some small chance you’re not full after consuming this beverage, you can still order this:

The only downside is that here, what happens in Vegas will indeed stay in Vegas… We are going to miss you when we get home, Mr. Lucky’s! Well done.

St. Francis, WI: Saint Francis Brewery

Posted: November 9, 2015 in Uncategorized
Tags: bloody Mary, St. Francis, St. Francis Brewery, Wisconsin

After attending a Saint Francis Brewing Co. event at Ray’s Growler Gallery, we were inspired to take a trip to the Saint Francis Brewery for dinner.

In addition to their seven original beers on tap, the brew-pub offers an extensive menu with everything from fish frys and burgers to ribs and jambalaya.

The restaurant is spacious with a large bar area and several dining alcoves. Thus, although it was busy, we were able to get seated within 5-10 minutes on a Friday night.

While Saint Francis is known for its beer, obviously, I wanted to be sure to sample their Bloody Mary while I was there. Their menu said they have them on special on Saturdays and Sundays, so I figured they must have a good one. Plus, bonus, I’d get to sample their beer via the chaser, the best of both worlds.

So, I ordered the Bloody Mary with a pumpkin beer chaser:

Mix: Homemade mix (I think?)

Chaser: Yes–for an upcharge!

Fixin’s: Celery, pickle, olive, mushroom, lemon and lime

Price: $6 + $1 chaser

The Bloody Mary was pretty standard, but good. The pumpkin beer was spicy and delicious. We enjoyed our food as well.

The only downside occurred when we received our bill.

Much to our surprise, there was a $1 upcharge for the chaser:

Our waitress had, indeed, asked if we wanted a chaser, but she said, “Would you like a chaser?” not “Would you like to add a chaser for a $1 upcharge?”

Now in the grand scheme of things, we realize $1 is not a big deal, but the fact that this is a brewery just compounds the issue. Don’t you want people to sample your beer? Don’t you have a lot of it back there?

If they really need to turn that profit, in my opinion, they would’ve been better off charging $7 for their bloody mary than looking like they are nickeling and diming their customers for a beer chaser.

We didn’t bring this issue up at the time of dinner because, like we said, it’s not a huge deal, just something we thought very odd and something that did not sync up with the rest of our experience.

If we ever return, we’ll stick to ordering beer as our beverage of choice.

11/16/15 Update: See the comments below! St. Francis Brewery took our review to heart and is eliminating the $1 chaser charge! Good news for all the Bloody Mary lovers out there!