A Hidden Gem... Chef Santiago

In September the kitchen inside of Ziggy’s started humming again. Wait… what… but Ziggy’s is long gone. You bet it is but if I referenced The Stone Pizzeria & Pub would you know where I was talking about? If not, then this series of articles is for you. Once a month I want to focus on new restaurants or places the reader MAY not be aware of. The idea came from Las Islas, a little known but highly remembered restaurant that served Coast Rican & Puerto Rican cuisine, once located where Throwback Pockets now calls home.

              So let’s start this article over. In September the kitchen inside of The Stone Pizzeria & Pub (this location will be the focus of December’s article) started humming again. Inside that kitchen we find Chef Santiago, an up-and-coming restauranteur with some amazing dreams, a catalog of exceptional recipes and a drive to one day start his own restaurant. I met Chef Santiago on his first day in The Stone’s kitchen, his charisma and culinary brilliance shined though immediately. With a somewhat rotating menu I’ve seen Tortilla Soup, a Won Ton Mozzarella Stick Burger, Steak Fajita Pasta and Pork Schnitzel all come and go but the stable of permanent offering are just as gorgeous with items ranging from Philly Cheesesteak Quesadillas, Mac N Cheese (insanely popular the night we stopped in to eat), smash burgers, Pizza Burgers and more. There is only one “catch” this menu is ONLY available on Wednesday’s and Thursday’s.

What I recommend: The Cheese Curd Burger… hands down the best curd burger I’ve ever had, and I have eaten a lot of curd burgers in my life! The burger consists of breaded cheese curds, beef patty, garlic spread, pizza sauce, Grande cheese melt & a Brioche bun with more garlic spread on top before getting lightly toasted. I’m not going to lie I thought the garlic spread was going overpower everything, but Chef Santiago brilliantly balances it with the other ingredients. From the first bite I was surprised at how well balanced everything was and instead of hiding in all the other ingredients the flavor of the beef patty shined which is something I crave but rarely get in a burger. The picture may not show it properly, but the burger was large enough for 2 meals (almost 3) plus my wife had part of it too. The thing that surprised me the most was the stability of the ingredients while re-heating in a microwave including the bun which did not get soggy and was just as good as the night before. Currently comes with fries or chips. We got the fries.

Where, Who, What, When: The Stone Pizzeria & Pub 213 S Main St, Fond du Lac (formally Lighthouse Wine Bar & Bistro, formally Ziggy’s Pub). Chef Santiago’s menu of burgers, pastas and quesadilla’s only available Wednesday’s & Thursday’s.