35… 35… what were we thinking (in our best Doc from “Back to the Future” mode when he realized how many gigawatts were required to send Marty… well, you know and if you don’t, we suggest a “Back to the Future” trilogy watch party). We left off at 21, but a promise is a promise. Again, this threepart series was triggered by a social media comment stating there is nowhere to eat in Hastings or Cottage Grove. If you missed the first two parts, you would have to track down the past two weeks of the Hastings or Cottage Grove Journals.

In Hastings, we still have not talked about The Smokin Oak Express which features woodfired, rotisserie meats, which is like BBQ but in a world all its own. The chicken is phenomenal and if you are feeling healthy, they have a few awesome salad options as well. DineIn, Take Out or Drive Thru… convenience and a friendly staff. The owners, who also have a place in Red Wing, are top notch folks. Keep going south on Vermillion Street and an Applebee’s date night might just be the thing you’re looking for if you are “Fancy Like” Walker Hayes. If you have no idea what this means, you should Google it… cute song.

Another one of Hastings favorite spots is next on the south on 61 trek at Dugarels at 3475 Vermillion Street. If you are looking for great burgers and wings, with a huge assortment of beverages to wash them down in a true sports bar type environment, this is it. The staff is phenomenal, the food is great and if you are looking for a place to watch the big game, Duggies is it. Not looking for the sports bar, or for that matter, the bar type atmosphere? No worries because Hastings has a few places that define nonsports bar.

The Hastings Public House (formerly the Hastings Country Club) at 2015 Westview Drive is anything but a sports bar and provides venue spaces for various meetings, events, weddings, and such. Their menus are top notch and their chef inspired and prepared meals run the gamut of options. The lunch menu is a bit lighter fare with the dinner menu starting at 4pm. Their Sunday Brunch is excellent and shoots down those social media warriors about not having any breakfast options. Worth putting on your plan of places to try if you haven’t yet. Another nonsports bar place would be Carbone’s just off Highway 55 on the North Frontage Road. Pizza, hot hoagies, salads, pastas, and more are all yours for the eating with plenty of beverage options. The décor is nice with a signature fireplace on the west wall. This is also a great option if you do not want to leave the house. On the other side of Highway 55, you will find Pub 55 is more of an American Bar and Grill versus the sports bar theme. They have a long list of appetizers; some not so standard burgers and sandwiches and they also serve breakfast on Sundays. A dual location is Las Margaritas in both Hastings and Cottage Grove. The atmosphere at both locations is what would be expected at a Mexican restaurant as are the menu items. The signature Margarita’s are top notch, and to be expected considering it is right in their name. Their food comes out hot, fresh, and fast with friendly smiles on the faces of the servers. The chicken fajitas can be heard sizzling long before they reach the table. We are at 29… can we find six more places to eat in Cottage Grove that we have not talked about yet?

In Cottage Grove, the Muddy Cow at 7350 Hardwood Court is a fun place to get together with friends for a few beers, burgers, and wings… but they’re more than that. Their duck wontons are a delicious change of pace for those who love an appetizer to kick things off and walleye sliders are quite a tasty treat. The house salad is huge, and they have no problem grilling up a chicken breast to make it even better. They have some interesting and unique burgers as well. Carbone’s Kitchen & Pub, located at 7155 Jorgensen Lane is another great “get together” spot and while they are part of a wellknown Pizza hangout, they serve many other items that you will not find at any other Carbone’s. They also cater… this one is worth a look. If you are in a hurry and want to combine grocery shopping with grabbing a bit to eat, there is always Wahlburgers at the HyVee grocery store. Is it corporate? Yes. Is it more of a bar setting? Yes. Is it a place to eat… when you are shooting for 35, it most definitely is. The burgers are fresh and quite tasty and, who knows, you might see Donnie or Mark there (or at least their pictures). 32… we are at 32.

Some will argue that St. Paul Park is not Cottage Grove and you may be right, but for the sake of this feature, it is and guess what, we make the rules. The Broadway Bar & Grill website says it best, “Two Beers Away from a Beautiful Day!” They have some great specials with “Home Cookin’ Tuesday” featuring chef choice items such as an excellent openfaced roast beef sandwich and a Sunday brunch until 1pm with some incredible breakfast items. The Park Place Sports Bar, which is a sports bar as described by their name, offers breakfast favorites from 10am until noon, a long list of fun starters, flatbreads, salads, burgers, and more. Not only that, but they offer BOOT HOCKEY during the winter which sounds fun but be sure to stop at the pharmacy first for a firstaid kit. The 328 Grill at the Legion is another hot spot for burgers and sammiches including the “Chuck Norris” which packs a punch.

We are fortunate to all places to eat in our reading area… and for the person who said on social media we have no where to eat… here ya go. For the person holding our beers… please return them promptly. Next week… entertainment opportunities while “Out and About.”