We are not making this up... McDonald's New Zealand launched the “McMullet,” a cheeseburger with an extra slice of cheese placed so it hangs out the back of the bun. The result is a burger that mirrors the mullet haircut: neat in the front, messy in the back. The company picked this up from a social media suggestion and ran with it.
NASCAR’s Martinsville Speedway still sells chili cheese dogs for $2, unchanged for decades.
NJ Transit round-trip rail tickets from New York’s Penn Station to MetLife Stadium for 2026 World Cup matches will cost $105. That was reduced from an initial $150 plan, following sponsor support. This usual fare is $12.90 round-trip but New Jersey saw the World Cup as a chance to fleece tourists. MetLife Stadium cooperated by closing down its parking lot for World Cup games alone, so that the train is the only reasonable way to get to the games.
Clarification In our Tuesday Tout of Oak Park Pastry Chef Jess Robertson, we wrote about her creations being featured in a store planned on Ingersoll a half block west of Oak Park. That store will feature Oak Park branded products, like the granola Jess makes. Anything more than that was speculation on our behalf. Further plans are still undecided.
Weekend deals • Marianna's (1305 University Ave., Des Moines) offers green enchiladas combos for $10 Fridays and Saturdays and four shrimp tacos for $12 Sundays.
• Talk Shop Lounge (3357 St. Charles Road, St. Charles) has a steak dinner deal Friday $16.
• The False Nine Social Club (206 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has wings on sale Fridays for $8.
• Waveland Cafe (4708 University Ave., Des Moines) offers a chicken and rice bowl special today.
• Paula's (524 Elm, Valley Junction) has a Friday special meat loaf dinner, $14.
• Friday lunch special is $12 Italian beef with fries and soda, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Striking Sparrow (1930 S.E. Sixth St., Des Moines).
• Friday is ramen day at Wilson Orchard & Farm (3201 15th Ave., Cumming).
• Most Hy-Vees offer $5 fish and chips Fridays, $14 ribs Saturdays and eight-piece chicken buckets for $10 on Sundays.
• Sale Barn Cafe (Lamoni) is offering reuben specials today.
• Machine Shed (11151 Hickman, Urbandale) offers smoked prime rib on Saturday only. Whatcha Smokin? (Luther) offers smoked Dino beef ribs on Saturday only.
• Shrimp basket is today's special at Crouse Cafe (115 E. Salem, Indianola). Creamed chicken on a biscuit is Saturday's special and fried chicken is Sunday's.
• Saturday is wine sampling day at Graziano Brothers.
• ShortE's BBQ (8805 Chambery Blvd., Johnston) offers "kids eat free" deals on Friday and Saturday.
• Amruth (9974 Swanson Blvd., Clive) has 20 dishes on their Saturday and Sunday buffet, noon to 4 p.m. Of course, there will be dosas.
• Waterfront stores' Saturday special includes cocktail shrimp or raw oysters on the half shell for half price until 4 p.m.
• Guesthouse Tavern and Oyster (9500 University, West Des Moines) offers Surf & Turf specials Fridays and $33 prime rib dinners Saturdays.
• Gilroy's (1238 Eighth St., West Des Moines) does Saturday and Sunday brunch buffets for $24.99 for adults. Kids 6 and younger eat free.
• Rube's steakhouses offer a prime sirloin special on Sundays only, $29.
• Beaver Tap (4050 Urbandale Ave., Des Moines) offers $9 Philly cheesesteaks or hot honey chicken plus $8 biscuit and gravy breakfasts on Fridays.
• Smoking Goat Pub (3015 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines) offers walleye or steak dinner specials tonight and karaoke after 9 p.m. They have a 10 for $10 wings deal on Sundays.
• Jethro's Sunday special is burger baskets with fries for $9.95. Fridays they have Buffalo turkey sandwiches with a side for $9.95.
• G Mig 's (128 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has Friday Bordelaise sirloin dinners with au mashed potatoes and broccoli for $32 or walleye picatta for $28.50.
• Heavenly Asian (225 Fifth St., Valley Junction) has an all-day Friday sale on orange chicken served with soup, crab Rangoon, egg roll and rice, $14, available for dine-in and phone carry-out.
• Destination Grille (2491 E. First St., Grimes) has a $40 prime rib dinner special Friday and Saturday.
• Court Avenue Brewing Company (309 Court Ave., Des Moines) hosts Saturday and Sunday breakfast buffets for $23.99.
• Fareways have specials through Saturday on Fareway bacon at $4.99/pound, beef rump roast at $6.99/pound and bananas for $.49/lb.
• Whole Foods (4100 University Ave., West Des Moines) offers $1 oysters on Fridays with good selection and free shucking.
• Aldi stores have sales through Tuesday on mangos at 69 cents, whole chicken wings at $2.29/pound and avocados at $.59.
• Fresh Thyme (2800 University Ave., West Des Moines) is running a sale through Sunday on whole briskets at $5.99/pound and wild snow crab clusters at $10.99/pound and through Tuesday on baby backs at $2.99/pound.
• Price Choppers have sales through Monday on blueberries at $2.50/pint, eight pieces of fried chicken for $9.99 and frozen perch fillets at $5.49/pound.
Dinner with a show Jake Schrodt & Taylor King play Kelly's Little Nipper at 7 p.m. Friday... El Toreado Mexican Bar & Grill on EP True has live music from The Juan and Only on Friday from 6 p.m... “The Roomate” plays The Ingersoll at 5:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday… Willie Shay plays Simon’s at 7 p.m. Friday... Soul Collision plays Exile Brewing Sunday at 5 p.m.... 33 & The Boys play Mickey's Irish Pub, Waukee, at 8:30 p.m. Saturday.
— Jim Duncan, jd91446@aol.com |