On the Road with I.M. Hungry

The Trempealeau Hotel Walnut Burger

I'm always looking for a good weekend getaway -- and a good veggie burger. Unfortunately, my two passions by no means go hand in hand. I've fully resigned myself to the fact that when on the open road, my meatless sandwich choices will generally be limited to "white or wheat?" on grilled cheese. So it was with a sense of high anticipation that I hit the road for the Trempealeau Hotel in the historic river town Trempealeau, on the Wisconsin side of the Mississippi, famous for The Walnut Burger. A friend claimed it was as good a meatless burger as she's ever had. Could I really pursue both of my passions at the same time? It seemed too good to be true.

I was already hungry when I hit the Wisconsin border at Prescott, but the beautiful scenery along the Great River Road took my mind off of my stomach. The sun was just setting as I rolled into Trempealeau two hours later. By now my stomach was rumbling up a storm, so I grabbed a table in the restaurant's screened-in porch. When my server arrived, I asked about the Walnut Burger.

"It's made with walnuts, cheddar and mozzarella cheeses, eggs, onions, bread crumbs, tamari, canola oil and spices," she began. "It's all natural and a good source of omega-3s. We have an extensive menu, but the Walnut Burger is our top-seller every year. It's served on a whole wheat Kaiser Roll with sprouts, tomato and mayo."

Before long I was sinking my teeth into The Walnut Burger, and I was not disappointed. As I looked out across the Hotel's courtyard and watched Ol' Man River flowing lazily along, I knew that at last I had found the perfect melding of my passions: a great road trip destination and an excellent meatless burger.

The good news didn't end there. I told my server that I wanted to load my trunk with Walnut Burgers for the trip home, but she assured me that was not necessary.

"Are you going to tell me I can get them at the Wedge?" I queried.

"You betcha!" she replied.

Check www.walnutburger.com for great recipe ideas!