I've never seen a White Castle with a cracked window.

On a cleaner note, I would really love a 24 hour laundromat. Pun intended.

I work the graveyard shift and my apartment does not have on-site laundry so most times I'm doing my errands online or at other 24 hour establishments. I'd like to be able to do my laundry the same way... on my time. Most of the laundries close at 10pm. Not helpful to me.

I wish this blog would be kept alive by people who wish for good things in Janesville.

And Sam's, please fix that window!!!

For cry-eye!!!

Smut 'n' Eggs is something you can do in Madison. Some establishments serve breakfast while playing adult films. Ta Daaa! Smut 'n' Eggs.

Smut 'n' Eggs?!!! What's that?!!!

Janesville could do with Smut 'n' Eggs.

I've been out of town. Has anyone noticed if the cracked window at Sam's Pizza is fixed yet?

abergstrom:
I agree with your comments about poutine. It is ubiquitous, yet I have only tried it once. That was enough for me! It's definitely a heart-attack-on-a-plate! Ironically, I would think that french fries covered with melted cheese curds and gravy would appeal to many Wisconsinites *wink*
gazettefan: Yes, Sam's delivers. I give my parents an ETA, and they have the pizza delivered and waiting for me when I walk in the door.

LOL, Canadian cuisine. Hmmm... Yeah...poutine. I've been to Canada many times and that's one thing I haven't been able to bring myself to eat. It really just is a heart attack on a paper plate.

Don't get me wrong: Other than poutine, I love Canada.

But it's served EVERYWHERE up there. Even fast-food restaurants have some version of it.

Does Sam's deliver?

Whenever I come back to visit Janesville, my parents make sure there is a gooey, greasy, cheesy Sam's pizza waiting for me ;-)

jtmek, the pizza sounds good. Too bad about that window.

Sam's pizza is very good! Cheesy, greasy, very, very tasty!

jvlparkergrad, McDonalds and all that other fast food is the American version of gruel, only without the nutrition.

I wish Sam's Pizza would get that cracked window fixed. It was cracked when I moved to Janesville 15 years ago.

I vowed I wouldn't get pizza there until someone fixes that window. Does anyone have an opinion on the pizza?

I forgot to mention:

The Sizzlin' Grill has a full compliment of Candidan cuisine.

Janesville does have a 24 hour gym. The one I know about is called Anytime Fitness and it is on West Court in the old Sentry building.

Oh, I forgot to mention that smoking is not allowed in ANY public buildings, even bars and casinos.

Hahahahahaha, very good, gazettefan!
I live in a large city in Ontario, Canada. Yes, the language barrier is difficult at times,since no one seems to understand my Wis-cahn-sin accent.
About "authentic Canadian food", have you tried poutine? It is basically a bowl of french fries covered with cheese curds and gravy. Yummmie!
I guess, other than poutine, I really don't know what Canadian cuisine is, because this city has a large immigrant population, and I have been to just about any ethnic restaurant you can name, with food prepared by people who actually came from those countries.
Unfortunately, no one seems to know what a brat is, so I am craving those, eh?
Oh, by the way, you can find an abundance of great American cuisine here as well. You know, like McD's, Subway, Burger King, Taco Bell, etc.

I wish the Sizzlin' Grill had longer hours.

No kidding, it's a great original pre-McDonalds diner on Franklin Street downtown.

Just regular food and fresh baked pie everyday, with a cozy ambiance and down-to-earth waitresses.

Sometimes you'll some of Janesville's luminaries chowing down there.

I wish Janesville had a 24 hour gym. Working out shouldn't just be for people working 9-5.

ya hey

What about exotic treats like:

Beef, fish, fowl, vegtables, fruit, and beer?

If we had Canadian restaurants down here, we wouldn't have to go up there and deal with the language problems and the culture shock.

Your references to Canadian restaurants in this log and the county fair one made me curious, so I looked up Canadian cuisine. Now I know why there are no Canadian restaurants.

LOL

unkbd, I visited Canada a few years ago and after I returned to the States and recovered from culture shock, I realized that there are no Canadian restaurants in this country.

Gazettefan....lol...Canadian Restaurant...lol
I sure hope that was meant to be funny. I would hate to think that I was missing something or that my lack of sleep was getting the best of me.

Janesville needs a Canadian restaurant.

bubbles -accepted thanks

hannah, I am sorry

we could use a caputos grocery like in cicero(elm wood park) area chicago. sorta like basics except mostly groceries, deli etc
http://caputomarkets.com/cgi-bin/customi...

http://caputomarkets.com/cgi-bin/customi...

also would be cool to have "the public market" like in seattle- but i dont think weather and all that enough fish would be consumed by janesville

major mojo- didnt know sorry

sfcm- okay court before my time- only remember memorial when i was wee won

You guys, let's do our best to stay on topic, OK? I love your comments, but if people are just going to attack each other, don't do it here. Please?

On topic: I'd love to see a place like The Wheatberry. I didn't live here when it was around, but there were places like that near where I lived in Milwaukee and in the Twin Cities. I'm super-excited to see an expanded Basics. That place is a gem.

hannah, I was only joking. I appreciate your input.

I believe they started out on Court Street, then Memorial Drive. They will be moving to the old Hancock Fabrics building on Lodge Drive. Next to Mounds Pet Food Warehouse. Almost doubling the sales floor square footage!

sfcm- do you know where basics is moving too?

great for them- i remember they started out in that tiny place on memorial drive.

I dont want bubbles to get angry at me for asking but I am curious. I do go there sometimes

MajorMojo- i am in sales and no i dont dance on poles or sell myself physically. this isnt a carry over- i am defending myself from bubbles complaining that i comment to often for his liking

I would try out such a restaurant, but I would not drive to Beloit to do it.

Okay, back to the topic (or at least closer to the topic)...

bwheelock--you commented that Beloit will be getting a store that specializes in local products and that the Beloit City Council noted that there isn't another store like that in a 30 mile radius. Basics Cooperative right here in Janesville is a natural/organic grocery that specializes in local produce and other products. Because it is a part of the National Cooperative Grocer's Association, it also carries products from all over the world (some fair trade and some not). Basics will be moving this autumn to a much larger location with a salad/soup bar, deli, and maybe a coffe shop type area. This shows that such a store is able to be supported, but I think a natural/organic restaurant is a much different story as The Wheatberry was opened by the founder of Basics and was frequented by the same clientele. Here I pose a question: would people who do NOT shop at Basics support such a restaurant in 2008? I look forward to hearing more about the Beloit store and the characteristics that will distinguish it from Basics Cooperative.

Hannah, what kind of clients? Is this a carry over from the screemin meemies blog? I guess I missed what business you are in?

also just to clear up bubbles
since you seem to making things up about me driving by and calling fusion 5. I didnt even know about this story until I read the sushi story and somebody mentioned WISH LIST Story
so when i called maybe it was around the time this story was- i didnt look at the date nor did I log the date of my call to fusion 5 so if they were around the same time guess it was a coinecidence!! I am done defending myself now to your off topic post of attacking me.

which I did look into your posts (because I like researching and the facts)and you seem to have this habit of attacking others posts and have been blamed for this in other blogs wondering why.

so maybe it is you "that needs to get a life"

bubbles if you must know "the facts"
i have commented on 98 stories since dec 17th 2007. I am quite sure there were more stories printed than that. I also have not been told by gazette that there is a cap of stories we may comment on.

also bubbles who dont you read the rules
be nice
stAY focused
harassing comment-attacking others

and NO I DONT COMMENT ON EVERY STORY

also if I wanted to anyway I could!!!!

also - I may possibly and hope to have 2 potential clients from posting so it isnt all in vaine- That isnt what i was expecting or trying to do but it has happened.

and bubbles- like i mentioed I heard about fusion 5 weeks ago- i go there sometimes and was worried that they were closing so I called and asked about it.

I did not just drive by to see IF THEY were open. While I was driving downtown to pick up wine at grapevine(oh if you must know also it was Marietta red Zinf for $20(ibought 2), I cjarged it. and i called first to make sure it was in because last time i went it wasnt in stock BEFORE I went to Speakeasy to dine and watch Cool Jazz TRIO . 4 people were going to go but my friend got a hernia wed pm and didnt feel up to it.if you must know my life detail- since"i have no life" according to you. I also dined at armory for easter i didnt call or drive by fusion 5 to see if they were open sorry. i only post AT work cause i guess i dont have time when i am not at work if you must know.

i am not an expert on eveything. i have opinions- as far as this story I think I am quite factual.

what cooment do you have about this story except complaining on when, how and why I post???????????????????????????????????

bubbles- SO WHAT. i dont see any LAW on what we can comment about

bubbles, the very tone of your post makes Hannah's posts seem even more interesting than they already were.

hannah, You really need a life. You comment on every story and seem to be an expert on everything. You investigate into personal things on the internet about people so that you "have the facts" all the time and even go so far as to make calls and drive by places of business to see if they are still open so as to keep us informed. Do you really have to comment on every single story?

Oh what a great idea. Now the economically challenged would be able to booze it up while having access to washers and dryers. This idea is just plain trouble.

A laundromat/bar IS a good idea. I heard of one being in Chicago a few years ago.

And a church/bar would get a lot of us back on the road to salvation!

ms_sassy-> I hear ya about the laundromat. I haaaaate taking my clothes to the laundromat, but sometimes it's a good excuse to get food from Panda Garden next door. :)

fusion 5-

1) price is not high compared to other like it and they feed you plenty for the price
2) it is always good and the atmosphere is great
3) i heard "the rumar" and called a couple weeks ago i was worried- i believe it was the chef that answered because of the time of day
He said it was a possiblity that they were going to Beloit but were unsure at that time.
4) drove by last night and still open.
I also wish they stay

best gyros in town believe it or not- But togo

5 POINTS gas station- small food staation has gyros right off the spit!!!!!! and only $5

one thing that I have always wanted to own, but never had capital or a business plan to actually carry forward: a NICE laundromat with a sports bar. I've had several catchy names for it, too..."sip n' suds", dirty dungarees are a couple...but for the folks who still go to do their laundry out of their home (yes, I STILL need to do that)...it would be great to have the ability to watch the big game, chat with friends, have a drink and a good bar burger, do homework, etc. without needing to leave your clothes in a machine...or hassle with the drive here and there for 2 hours.

*sigh*

the Italian House by Craig High School has great food. we prefer to carry out as opposed to dine in, but it's a locally owned/operated place that has very reasonable prices and great food..

Fox Pointe has some sandwiches and steaks--there's more to the menu than I can remember. A very good flat iron steak. If you are daring, try the chips with habanero honey!

I have never heard of the fox pointe grille. What do they serve there?

I'd love to see more people go to the Fox Pointe Grille in Edgerton--what a hidden gem. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem that people are too willing to travel out of Janesville to go there. Highly recommended--great food and cozy atmosphere!

I agree.

I don't have you wrong on that, Fusion 5 IS pricey.

For mexican food, El Jardin is great.

..and gazettefan, don't get me wrong, I am more than willing to pay for a nice meal if it is worth it. I am really sick of franchise row. When i go out to eat, it is usually Milton, Madison or Cozumel restaurant.

MajorMojo, I agree that Fusion 5 is good but pricey. The prices there seem to be along the lines of Chicago and Madison; and not justified with the considerably lower overhead of Janesville.

Also, and I'm not referring to cigarette smoke, the ventilation system there isn't very good.

I would love to open up a cajun restaurant. I am not sure that there would be enough business though. The people of Janesville tend to stick to the fast food places rather than getting a great and authentic meal from a local place.

I would love to see a cajun restaurant. Unlike the vast majority of midwestern food, cajun actually has flavor.

Jeez folks...enought. After reading these comments I'm starving...

Hmmm... somehow I knew when I wrote this, there'd be a lot of comments. That's good; it shows that people care about the city and the businesses and establishments that invest in it.

I think the discussion around Fusion 5 has been good. People DO hear rumors, and I'm glad they've come up here because it gives us a chance, as a newspaper, to clear them up. I don't believe we've harmed that business by bringing a clear point of confusion to light.

Fusion 5 isn't going anywhere. Now, we know. And that's a good thing. Let's move on. I'm glad to hear from you all, and I'm glad to see I'm not the only one out there who'd like to see some of these places come to town--especially to downtown.

By the way, I do intend to write something soon on the things I'm GLAD we DO have, because the city has a few gems I'd like to recognize.

In response to recent posts: Beloit will soon have a "Whole Foods" type store. It will feature local vendors from the farmers market, except in a permanent location (State St). When the City Council approved the lease for the building several weeks ago, it was noted that there isn't a store like this within a 30-mile radius of Beloit. I know posters mentioned an organic restaurant, but I think this is somewhat similar. Maybe once Rock County can support this sort of grocery, we'll be able to support an organic restaurant.

I would love a place like the Wheatberry. From comments I have heard, I think this could go over well if done right. And sdcm, you must go to one of the finest Italian joints around if you have found Georgio's in Milton. They have some great food, and the homemade cheesecakes are worth saving room for! Great example.

In addition, I would more than appreciate a locally-owned Italian Restaurant in Janesville. I currently have to travel to Beloit or Milton to get my local italian food.

Would anyone else support a locally-owned organic/whole foods restaurant, like "The Wheatberry" that existed downtown back in the 70s or 80s? I'm curious about whether or not a place like this would be sustainable at this time in Janesville.

I typed this yesterday, but could not post due to server problems. I am glad Stacy Vogel followed up on this with the owners, but either way here is what I wrote:
*
I think the talk about any one specific, existing restaurant should stop. While it may or may not be true, it is pure speculation until you are able to prove it beyond it's gossip status. Unless you hear it from an owner, and I am not one, you should refrain from this potentially damaging talk. A waitress does not count in my eyes. They make $2.33/hour because they are an employee, not the owner. Even if it was common knowledge, it should not be posted unless you have proof. If you are wrong, or if they decided to go another route you could potentially damage them with 'gossip'.
I can think of many reasons why one should not speculate out loud without proof. I do not know this restaurant owner, nor have I been there, but I can empathize with him/her. I "suggested removal" and would think the Gazette staff would spot the potential damage and quickly remove it. I can tell you that they would think twice if the owner of Fusion 5 decided to sue after he/she began hearing comments from potential customers that "decided to go/call elsewhere thinking it had closed or moved." That loss of business is the difference between making it in these hard times and closing up shop. The bottom line is people must like the place or they would not be open.
Rumors can put a business under. Not only what you say can hurt business, but sometimes what you don't say can be just as misleading. If you are complaining we have a shortage of local, family owned restaurants then support them. If you want the last ones to lose business and close up shop, falsely speculate out loud about them. Cast a shadow over them and see how hard it is for most ma-pa owned business' to dig out of that shadow. Come on, we are a great community here with a lot to offer. We spend great amounts of money to attract business, let's try to keep them. Support them, talk them up, quell comments that are unfounded. We play an important roll in supporting our community. Whether it is the local owned hardware store, a restaurant, drive-in theater, lumber yard, garden center, or otherwise. We may pay a bit more, but may have less to drive. We keep our local taxes lower, and also benefit by the many donations they give to charities and fundraisers.

The bottom line is this blog asked what we wanted to see in the area. It is aptly named "wish list" for a reason. I do not think anyone "wishes" any locally owned restaurant closes or leaves. If you disagree, respond via "contact me" rather than in the this blog as it will be deemed off topic.

Ugh. Janesville doesn't need any more bars!

I'd rather see a comedy club, a place to go dancing that doesn't require standing on a bar downtown, a movie theatre that shows black and white, independent and classic movies ((preferably back in the old movie theatre down town)), a Half Price Books since B&N is spendy, a Cost Plus World Market, Ragstock, and a CiCi's Pizza.

Any of those would be a welcome new face in Janesville!

The Off the Clock bloggers/reporters called the owner of Fusion 5, and here's what we found: No, Fusion 5 is not leaving Janesville. The owner, Oscar Villarreal, is thinking of taking over a second restaurant in Beloit. He has also been thinking about getting a bigger Janesville location but has had no luck yet, he said.

Fusion 5 is OK, but not worth the incredibly high prices that they charge. I would rather see more places like seafood or authentic Itallian cuisine.

There's been talk before about Fusion 5 leaving. I think we're just going to have to wait and see what happens. Let's not get bogged down with rumors. For now, Fusion 5 is here, and I'm glad, because it's good for downtown Janesville.

whydoyouask, everything you say is true. The chainsville problem here is especially bad for downtown development.

jtmek, surprizing about Fusion 5. Oscar and the restaurant always seemed to be doing well here and would've done even better with a larger venue. Maybe the low cost of a larger venue is why it would move to Beloit. Seems like it would be more successful here.

Thanks for the info.

I heard Fusion 5 is moving to Beloit. I had lunch there a few weeks ago and the waitress told me.

Gazettefan and others,
.
I would rather not name names at this point. I don't know for sure if the decision is final, but I know it has been discussed. My source is someone who sat in a meeting of people who would know about such matters.
.
I'm sorry, but that's all I will say for now. My larger point was that if the rumor I heard is true, it further proves the point that Janesville (as a whole) largely supports only large, national or regional chains.
.
Drive by certain northeast-side chains on any given night (especially weekends) and every parking spot will be full. All the while, some of the local joints, whether they have been in business two months or 20 years, struggle to pay the rent, light bill, etc.
.
Another point I wanted to stress is that people around here seem to find comfort in food they can get in other area cities. While I will admit there are some chains that serve quality food, the majority of them are no better than any other place. The fact that there is name recognition seems to win over a large portion of the population. Then again, this is the case in a lot of cities.
.
Restaurants come and restaurants go; that is the nature of the business, not only in Janesville, but everywhere. But, as more local places fail, I worry that fewer entrepreneurs will believe they can make it in this town, forcing them to look elsewhere. It's happened before, and it will happen again.

I hate to state the obvious, but we really, really need a seafood restaurant...I don't care which one, Red Lobster, Long John Silvers, Joe's Crab Shack, just something!

I wonder if it's okay to guess. Might not be fair to any of the restaurants.

I wish whydoyouask would get back to us on which one it is, and what his or her source is.

whydoyouask... i hope its not the cozy inn your talking about!!! :(

why.... Which one?

I heard today that downtown Janesville might lose one of its best independent (read: non-chain) restaurants.
.
If this is true, it sucks. It also means that the "Chainsville" moniker seems to have held true once again. When will people wake up and realize that a "good" meal doesn't have to come from a place that you can find off an interstate offramp in any city in America?

Gazettefan, there is no age limit here. We're just looking for the young at heart :)

Sorry for the breach of the age limit here but:

Janesville needs a White Castle, real bad!

California Pizza Kitchen
Weber Grill
A few healthy choices for "fast food" in business districts. Often I hear, about like, "if only we we made it just as easy to eat healthy & fast as it is to go to your typical fast food joint..."

The town did have a weird smell, though. It was noticeable.

That sounds like heaven! Let's open one! Meanwhile, I forgot to put on my list more ethnic restaurants: Indian, Mediterranean, Italian, African...mmmm...

What if there was an independent bookstore with a coffee shop that was open late? Actually, when I lived in Edinboro, PA there was such a beast, and the Boro was around 15,000 people including the college. I remember having discussions with some friends over whether we should go to the bar or the coffee house across the street. They also had live music.

1. Chipotle
2. Potbelly's
3. Chipotbelly's.

Yes.

Oh, and 4. Borders, duh.

OK, here's my list:

1. Barnes & Noble or Borders. Honestly, I can spend entire weekends at those places.

2. Half Price Books. Because I can't always afford B&N or Borders. Although I've really been meaning to check out that used bookstore on Milwaukee Street.

3. Chipotle and Potbelly's. Yes, those are nods to my college days and the only chain restaurants I'll list here.

4. a movie theater that shows independent films

5. a museum, aquarium and/or zoo

In retrospect, I'm kind of ashamed at how many chain/corporate entries this list includes. I'd like to think I'd be happy with the independent equivalents of these places too.

Well, I also vote no on $12 martinis. Actually, I think the one I get there is about $7, though I usually cozy up to a simple vodka tonic. So that's why The Speakeasy is a special treat. I was talking more about the ambiance, anyway.

right on with the barnes and noble. However, the $12 martini's can go away as far as I am concerned.

No more fast food!!!
Fine dining is desperately needed as is family dining.
My daughter says a roller rink (she's still crying over the loss of Skatin' Place), something like that would be nice. There's nothing for families to do together and we always had a good time.