Author: charlene.selbee

This month, Just Around the Bend Travel is featuring Little Miami, 5349 County 49, located in the village of Freeburg, MN. Another five-star small-town bar-restaurant combo. The first question that comes to mind of first-time visitors. A Cuban-style restaurant in Minnesota?

The upper Midwestern style menu is reason enough to visit, but there is so much more to experience.

Location, location, location

Your first visit to Freeburg might leave you with the impression that the town is in the middle of nowhere, but it really isn’t. Freeburg is located just 12 minutes southeast of Caledonia, Minnesota on Houston County Hwy. 249, anywhere from 30 to 41 minutes from La Crosse, Wisconsin depending on the route you take, and 12 minutes from Brownsville, Minnesota. Caution: When using Google Maps, you might be directed to take gravel roads through some very desolate areas, so make sure your gas tank is filled, and you have a paper map as you will probably lose cell service. If you do end up following Google Maps’ shortest route on gravel roads, you are guaranteed to love the scenery.

Caledonia is at 1,181’ above sea level and quickly drops to 686’ as you enter the community of Freeburg. Hwy. 249 not only has a hilly grade, but is also curvy. Some of the curves are tight, so make sure to watch your speed.

No matter which way you travel, the drive never gets old as the scenery is breathtaking.

Crooked Creek runs through the ancient river valley surrounded by steep wooded hills. If you want to make it a day trip, bring your fishing gear and poles to fish in the stream.

As you are driving, remember to watch for deer, rocks, and fallen trees.

Rich history

Freeburg has a rich history, and so does the restaurant. The name, chosen by proprietor C.C. Michelson, has nothing to do with food but everything to do with swimming. Michelson built a sand bottom pool and kids and families flocked to Freeburg to swim, many even took the train to Freeburg to swim. The menu provides a brief synopsis of the bar/restaurant’s interesting history.

To get an in-depth look at the havoc flooding caused in 1946 to the small vibrant community of Freeburg and Little Miami, read the following three articles written by historian Lee Epps, published in the Fillmore County Journal in 2023.

Part 1 – http://fillmorecountyjournal.com/peering-at-the-past-most-of-the-sows-and-their-babies-came-back-home/

Part 2 – http://fillmorecountyjournal.com/peering-at-the-past-it-was-all-downhill-into-crooked-creek-valley/

Part 3 – http://fillmorecountyjournal.com/peering-at-the-past-unless-something-was-done-things-were-getting-worse/

Upper Midwestern food

Now for a description of the tasty Midwestern food.

Little Miami is known for its large adult ice cream drinks. One drink is more than enough for two adults, especially after eating dinner. Little Miami also offers non-alcoholic ice cream drinks for young diners. The drinks are not only huge but delicious. Signature drinks include Brandy Alexander (Brandy and Crème de Cacao), Grasshopper (Crème de Memthe), Caramel Apple (Apple Pucker Schnapps, Butterscotch Schnapps), Dreamsicle (Peach Schnapps, Orange Juice), Golden Cadillac (Galliano), Heath Bar (Kahlua, Butterscotch Schnapps), Pink Squirrel (Crème de Noya (Almond)), Polar Bear (Kahlua, Irish Cream), and Slippery Nipple (Irish Cream, Butterscotch Schnapps).

Fried cheese curds are a family favorite, especially with the New Mexico grandkids. Tony enjoys the hamburgers, which he rated as ‘damn good’. Another favorite of my NE Iowa boy is the Saturday night prime rib special. Broasted chicken, a Wisconsin invention and a healthier frying option than fried chicken, is a favorite among locals. You will find me enjoying the walleye with a side salad including red onions and tomatoes topped with either the champagne vinaigrette or the orange balsamic dressings, which are both homemade. Tony orders a side of coleslaw, which he describes as having a unique taste. Haven’t asked but wonder if it is a homemade dressing. For French Fry connoisseurs, you can order thin-cut fries, crinkle-cut fries, or sweet potato fries. If you are feeling like a cup of soup, try the beer cheese soup, which is not only tasty but hardy.

Exceptional service

There is room in the two dining rooms for large groups. There is also a patio where you can enjoy Minnesota’s pleasant weather.

The service at Little Miami is exceptional, plus the customers are always very friendly. There are always lots of families and visitors from all three states enjoying a meal, plus a handful of locals sitting at the bar. On April 26, 2023, all the customers were wearing camouflage clothing, even the two little girls with permanent smiles on their faces were dressed in camouflage clothing. One of the little girls even held the door open for us, demonstrating that Minnesota Nice is alive and well in Freeburg.

Little Miami is open Wednesday and Thursday night from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., and Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., closed Monday and Tuesday.

Follow Little Miami on Facebook.

The plan going forward is to feature at least one small Midwestern town bar every month, population less than 2,000. It is not unusual for a rural town located in the middle of farm county to have a bar that serves tasty traditional bar food, but some bars will surprise patrons with their expanded menu. Included on the menu is a selection of food and drinks that you would find in a five-star restaurant in a large town or city.

This month Just Around the Bend Travel is featuring Alpha Tap located in the NE Iowa town of Alpha. The unincorporated community of Alpha located in the Township of Eden, Fayette County is a typical small farming community. Visitors will find a church and cemetery, a grain silo or two, a bar, and Victorian-style homes. The population of Alpha in 1925 was 100 and almost one hundred years the estimated population has not changed much. Alpha, a one-road town, is located 38 minutes south of Decorah, IA, and 53 minutes north of Waterloo, IA. It is easy to miss the small directional signs pointing to Alpha, located one mile off County Rd. V68 3 miles south of Waucoma, IA, two-lane highway in Fayette County.

The sign on the front of the restaurant is a dead giveaway to what visitors will find on the menu. Alpha Tap serves seafood, including a perfectly cooked cold-water lobster tail from the seas of Australia and South Africa, mouth-watering sea scallops, and delicious jumbo shrimp. Finding seafood that is not fried in rural NE Iowa is ‘slim to none’. In addition, patrons can enjoy cod and Canadian walleye.

Doesn’t this look sumptuous? This French ‘fryaholic’ loves her french fries.

For those looking for a hamburger and fries or the usual bar food like tasty fried cheese curds, you will not be disappointed. Specials include wings on Tuesday night – 4 pounds and 1 pound of fries for $45+, enough to feed a family, rib-eye on Thursday night, all-you-can-eat cod on Friday night, and prime rib on Saturday night. Alpha Tap truly does offer something for everyone. The restaurant proudly proclaims that they serve a full menu all day, every day!

Chefs in fine restaurants are known to come out and converse with the customers to find out how the food is. When the owner comes outdoors to talk with you is rare and a special treat. What an example of first-class service?

What else makes Alpha Tap special? Besides the quality and variety of food and the exceptional customer service, Alpha Tap is open on Sundays as well as the other six days of the week. This makes Alpha Tap unique in this area, as most restaurants close on Sundays.

Hours of operations: Sunday from 12-10 p.m., Monday through Thursday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., and Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.

Watch for more stories on small Midwestern town bars that offer a five-star menu on Just Around The Bend Travel. You are in for a tasty surprise!