I admit this with great shame, but the wife and I paid our inaugural visit to Shady Lane last night. I know, I know.
What saddens me more is to think of the calendars full of meals lost due to our sluggishness. Tragedy I tell you. Bill and Susi cannot be more welcoming and amazing people. It was like we had been invited to their home for a meal. And oh what a meal. My wife went with the original Burger because, honestly, that's just what you do on your first visit. It guarantees many returns. The burger was perfect, as advertised. I'll not waste words trying to describe it, but suffice it to say that when you imagine what you want a burger to be, this is what you are thinking of. Get it fully dressed, anything less is an insult. Since the wife was getting the burger and I was guaranteed to get at least a bite, I went with the Meatloaf Sandwich (despite eyeing that Reuben and several other menu choices really, really hard) with potato salad. I'll get to the meatloaf in a second, but let me say a couple of words about this potato salad. Dear lord. I want to find the bowl they keep it in and find it's bottom, slowly. (By stark and horrible contrast, we picked up a tub of Meijer red potato salad today for an impromptu grill session. brrrrr
) Now about this meatloaf. My wife makes a mean loaf of three meats herself, but we both had to agree that Shady Lane's sandwich was of the highest quality. I'm not sure, but I could swear there was some lamb in there. The sandwich is served with Henry Bain sauce, but honestly, it doesn't need it. The grilled onions on top provide all the extra love you need. (I dipped my chips in the Bain, sorry Henry).
So we are smitten. The hype is real. Don't be like us, don't wait, go. Go as soon as you can. Stand outside the door until they are open again. Do it. We're very excited to go back for Saturday breakfast very soon and see many, many satisfied returns in our future. I'm only sorry we waited this long. There is something wrong with us.
Thank you Bill and Susi!