you could have owned all of this…in 1871.

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115 South 3rd Street
La Crosse, WI
For a span of horses and $82.50…you
could have owned all of this…in 1871.
When the Village of La Crosse, Wisconsin, was mapped out in 1851, the
3rd Street Wetgoods land was a part of original La Crosse. The land changed
hands often in the 1850s and 1860s. the Chippewa Saloon was the first
recorded business. In 1871 Fritz Breibach sold to John Becker
“all the fixtures, furniture, belonging and appertaining to the saloon…as
consideration for the above. John Becker ells and conveys to Fritz Breibach his
span of horses now by him owned…and agrees to pay Fritz Breibach the sum of
$
82.50.” (Would the present owners consider the same deal? Hum…)
C. P. Erbst and Martha Erbst eventually buy the land (in 1879) and
lease “the building and outhouses yard know as Chippewa Saloon” to August
Franz (another good German). Advertisements read, “you will always find
Franz’s bar stocked with the choicest brands of Wines, Liquors and Cigars!
The best and coolest lager beer always on draught, free lunch every morning,
call on Franz and satisfy yourself ”
Charles and John Michel (C. & J. Michel Brewing Company) purchased
the property in 1881 (look at the top of the building as you leave). They
owned it until 1915, when the Bijou Theatre purchased the property and brick
building (two buildings actually, both 113 and 115 S. 3rd), for $21,500.
The Bijou occupied the building beginning in about 1909, and offered live
entertainment on its stage. The combination movie and vaudeville operation
showed a reel of film before each five-act vaudeville show, and then a reel
immediately after. Will Rogers appeared, performing his gum-chewing and
rope-twirling act. Al Jolson, in blackface appeared, as well as Buster Keaton
and his parents, all acrobats. There were strict fire regulations for the theatre
in 1919. The Bijou had to “keep a friction match safe in all rooms where fires
are used; keep a plate of zinc or other equivalent safeguard, as stone or brick
under stove…deposit ashes outside of buildings and rooms…in some place of
safety.” The Bijou occupied the building a majority of the time until 1939.
During most of the next two decades, the building was a mission, clothing
store or warehouse, until 1958 when again it opened as a bar, the Madrigal
Tavern, until 1971. It’s been a bar ever since, with the Kollege Klub Tavern
and Times Square Tavern in operation until 1980 when 3rd Street Wetgoods
opened its door.
Big Al’s continues the tradition of great food and spirits begun in 1871 with
the Chippewa Saloon. Mark, Valerie and our staff thank you for visiting us.
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Battered Fried
Mushrooms
Appetizers
Crisp outside, hot and
juicy inside. $5.39
Chicken Wings
Soup of the Day
Thin cut and battered.
Served piping hot! 4.99
Cup 2.49 • Bowl 3.29
Chili (In Season)
Cup 2.79 • Bowl 3.49
Battered White Cheddar fried
to a golden brown. 5.49
Buffalo Style – Hot & Spicy
Angry Buffalo – Buffalo kicked
up a few notches!
Chicken Tenders
Sweet Asian – An old favorite
BBQ – We use Sweet Baby Rays
Just Plain Wings
Premium white chicken fillets
breaded and served with
your choice of sauce. 6.99
Mozzarella Bread
Sampler Basket
Our garlic bread smothered with
Mozzarella cheese and Big Al’s
red sauce. 5.39 •No Mozzarella 4.39
More than just a sample!
Onion Rings, Mushrooms
and Cheese Curds.
May substitute ONE item. 5.99
Mozzarella Sticks
Cottage Cheese 1.99
Baked Potato 1.75
Breaded and fried to a golden
brown. 5.49
Loaded Nachos
Cheddar-filled jalapeño deepfried to a golden brown. 5.99
Onion Rings
Cheese Curds
Big and meaty wings! 7.99
Jalapeño Bites
Nachos
A bed of tortilla chips smothered
in Big Al’s cheese sauce. 4.29
Baked Chili (In Season)
Served in a casserole laced with
grated Cheddar cheese and
chopped onions, then glazed
under the broiler. 4.49
Baked French
Three-onion Soup
Sautéed onion simmered in our
broth, layered with Mozzarella
cheese and baked to a golden
brown. 3.99
(Our own recipe)
Our nachos get loaded with seasoned taco meat, ripe olives, tomatoes,
jalapeños and more cheese sauce. WOW!!! 5.95
Salads
Big Al’s Dinner Salad
A beautiful salad mixture of crisp garden greens
topped with red onion, tomatoes, shredded Cheddar,
Feta cheese and our homemade croutons. 1.99
Grilled Chicken Breast Salad
A meal in itself! A bountiful array of greens and
vegetables topped with tender slices of grilled
chicken breast. Served with garlic bread. 6.49
House Salad
Taco Salad
A favorite among our customers! Seasoned
taco meat, lettuce, ripe olives, Cheddar
cheese, sour cream, salsa and tomatoes.
Served in our own taco salad bowl. 7.49
Turkey Salad
Our oven-roasted turkey stacked on a bed
of mixed greens and a choice of dressing.
Served with garlic bread. 7.29
Our Dinner Salad with more veggies
and hard-boiled egg. 3.49
Caesar Salad
Crisp romaine lettuce tossed with Parmesan
cheese, our homemade croutons and classic
Caesar dressing. Served with garlic bread. 4.99
Chicken Caesar Salad
Our fabulous Caesar Salad topped with
tender grilled chicken breast. Served
with garlic bread. 6.99
Groups of 12 or more, 15% gratuity added/one check
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Sandwiches & Entrées
Served with fries.
Turkey Club
Premium bacon, lettuce, tomato, mayo
and choice of cheese. Served on toasted
wheat bread. 7.49
Steak Sandwich
Seven-ounce Certified Angus Beef ®
top sirloin filet on a French loaf
with French dip. 8.99
Classic Chicken Sandwich
Tender chicken breast served with
lettuce, tomato and mayo on
a kaiser bun. 6.79
Choice of Cheese for Additional .39
Fish Sandwich
Our beer-battered Cod is fried to
perfection. Served with lettuce, our
homemade tartar sauce, and lemon
on a kaiser bun. 6.59
Buffalo Chicken
Our tender chicken breast covered in our
buffalo hot sauce, served with ranch on
the side. It’ll light your fire! 7.29
B.L.T.
Stacks of bacon piled high with lettuce,
tomato and mayo. Served on wheat
bread. 5.99
Chicken Salad
Chunks of chicken served with lettuce
and tomato on wheat bread. 6.39
Half Sandwich & Cup of Soup
Selected sandwiches with a delicious
cup of soup or chili (in season). 4.99
New York-style Reuben
Corned beef, fresh sauerkraut and our
special sauce served on dark rye with
Swiss cheese broiled on top. Try it Rachel
Style. 7.49
Shrimp Dinner
Butterflied and breaded, served with
cocktail sauce and choice of potato and
cottage cheese. 8.99
Cod Dinner
Our beer-(Corona) battered Cod fillets are
simply the best around! Enjoy it with your
choice of potato, our tartar sauce and
cottage cheese. 7.99
Hoagies
Roast Beef
Served on French bread with fries.
Thinly sliced Certified Angus Beef ® roast
beef seasoned just right and served French
dip style on a French loaf. 6.99
Try it with Cheese & Mushrooms for Additional 1.00
Hot Turkey
Oven-roasted turkey breast with tomatoes,
lettuce, mayo and melted Swiss. 6.99
Club It for Only .60 more
Hot Ham & Cheddar
Honey-sweet ham with tomatoes, lettuce,
special sauce and melted Cheddar. 6.99
Italian Sausage
A spicy Italian sausage smothered with onions and
peppers, Big Al’s marinara sauce and lots of
Mozzarella. 6.99
Meatball
Delicious homemade meatballs plus our
Original Big Al’s marinara sauce, banana
peppers and lots of Mozzarella. 6.99
Italian Beef Gondola
Tender Italian seasoned beef topped with
roasted peppers, onion, spicy red sauce and
Pepper Jack cheese. 7.49
Philly Beef
Chicken Philly
Lean, thinly sliced beef, sautéed mushrooms,
pepper, onion and Mozzarella served with French
dip just like they do in Philly. 7.49
Tender chicken strips topped with roasted
green peppers and onion. Covered with
melted Mozzarella. 7.29
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Burgers
Abundantly flavorful. Incredibly tender. Naturally juicy.
That’s the Certified Angus Beef ® brand-Angus beef at its best®.
All burgers are one-third pound
and served with fries.
City Brewery Burger
Can you handle this? Two one-third
pound patties with onions pressed
inside and served on rye covered
with American cheese. 8.99
California Burger
Lettuce, tomato, mayo and onions…
a real West Coast treat! 5.79
Add Bacon .60¢
Jalapeño Burger
Not to be taken lightly! Pepper Jack
cheese melted over a mound of
jalapeños. Served with crackers to
help with the heat! 5.99
Pork Burger
Burger
Simplicity at its best! Served with pickles and onions. 4.99
Add Cheese for Additional .39
If you have been to Iowa you know what
we’re talking about on this one! 5.99
Four Seasons Burger
Patty Melt
Sautéed onions, peppers and tomato
covered with American cheese. 6.39
An old-time favorite! Certified Angus Beef ® patty with fried
onions and choice of cheese, served on wheat bread. 5.49
Big AL Burger
Mushroom Burger
Mushrooms and Mozzarella topped
with sliced pepperoni. 6.99
Mushrooms and more mushrooms…sautéed
and covered with Swiss cheese. 6.49
Olive Burger
Our fresh burger with green olives smothered with Cheddar cheese, topped with
lettuce, tomato, onion and pickles. 6.49
Wraps
Add Fries for Additional 1.00
B.L.T.
A classic all wrapped up in our pita wrap
with lots of mayo, bacon, lettuce and
tomato. Try it! 5.99
Chicken Wrap
Seasoned chicken breast with special
sauce wrapped up in a pita wrap with
lettuce and tomato. Served warm. 5.89
Chicken Caesar Wrap
Same as our Chicken Wrap but with
Caesar dressing added to it. 5.99
Turkey Club
Sliced turkey, crisp bacon, lettuce,
tomato and mayo all tightly wrapped. 5.99
Groups of 12 or more, 15% gratuity added/one check
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Lotsa Pasta
Chicken Italiano
Our chicken breast fillet covered with
spaghetti sauce and Mozzarella cheese.
Served with spaghetti and garlic bread. 8.99
Baked Manicotti
Italian cheese filling wrapped in pasta,
covered in Al’s pasta sauce and Mozzarella
cheese, served with garlic bread. 7.49
Spicy
Chicken
Penne Pasta
Penne pasta tossed
with pesto Parmesan cream sauce, topped with
Cajun-spiced chicken breast, sun-dried tomatoes and
red bell peppers served with garlic bread. This perfect
combination will make your mouth water. 9.95
Baked Penne & Meatballs
Pasta noodles with Big Al’s sauce and two
homemade meatballs covered with
Mozzarella and baked till golden brown. 7.99
Spaghetti with Spicy Italian
Sausage
Served with garlic bread. 7.99
Pizza Baked Spaghetti
Spaghetti with our Big Al’s red sauce with our
homemade Italian sausage, pepperoni and lots
of Mozzarella baked to a golden brown.
Served with garlic bread. Add an additional
topping no charge. $7.99
Spaghetti
The traditional way! Served with
meat or marinara sauce. 5.99
Calzones
Choose UP TO THREE
Toppings 7.95
Additional Toppings Extra
Pizza
Cheese
Extra Cheese
Additional Topping
Mini
Individual
Small
Medium
Large
8”
10”
12”
14”
16”
5.45
.95
.55
8.40
1.45
.85
12.00
1.85
1.00
16.00
2.30
1.25
20.25
2.90
1.60
Original Thin Crust or Sourdough
San Francisco-style Sourdough Crust Available – No Extra Charge –
Choose Your Toppings From Our List of Fresh Ingredients
Sausage • Pepperoni • Mushrooms • Banana Peppers • Fresh Garlic
Artichoke Hearts • Spinach • Onions • Green Peppers • Green Olives
Jalapeño Peppers • Ripe Olives • Tomato • Pineapple • Ham
Sun Dried Tomatoes • Hamburger • Chicken* • Shrimp* • Feta Cheese
*Charged As Double Topping
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Favorite Pizza Combinations
Al’s Special
Our Number One Seller! A classic combination
of cheese, sausage, pepperoni, mushrooms,
green pepper, green olive and onion.
Sm. 17.00 • Med. 22.50 • Lg. 28.25
Spicy Treat
Jalapeño, pineapple, green olive, banana pepper,
garlic and lots of pepperoni on our red sauce.
Sm. 17.00 • Med. 22.50 • Lg. 26.65
Hawaiian
Ham, Pineapple, onions, green pepper. Sweet!
Sm. 16.00 • Med. 21.20 • Lg. 26.65
BBQ Chicken
Chicken Veggie
Herb-seasoned chicken, black and green
olives, fresh mushrooms, onion and tomatoes
with lots of Mozzarella.
Sm. 17.00 • Med. 22.50 • Lg. 28.25
California Veggie
Artichokes, spinach, sun-dried tomatoes,
onion, Mozzarella and Feta cheese
on our creamy pesto sauce.
Sm. 17.00 • Med. 22.50 • Lg. 28.25
Hawaiian BBQ Chicken
Ham, pineapple, chicken and crisp
bacon on BBQ sauce.
Sm. 17.00 • Med. 22.50 • Lg. 28.25
Perfect Pizza
Your choice of up to FIVE ingredients.
Dazzle us with your creativity!
Sm. 17.00 • Med. 22.50 • Lg. 28.25
Big Al’s Meat-za
Our famous sausage, crisp bacon, beef,
ham and pepperoni. For the true meat lover!
Sm. 17.00 • Med. 22.50 • Lg. 28.25
Veggie Works
For the jogging crowd: Lots of low-fat Mozzarella
and Feta cheese, plus tomatoes, fresh mushrooms,
onion, black and green olives and green pepper.
Sm. 17.00 • Med. 22.50 • Lg. 28.25
The Reuben
Corned beef and kraut on our secret sauce
with Cheddar and Mozzarella blend.
Sm. 15.00 • Med. 19.90 • Lg. 25.05
Spicy Meat Lovers
Sausage, pepperoni, ham, beef, crisp bacon,
garlic and jalapeños on our famous red sauce.
Sm. 17.00 • Med. 22.50 • Lg. 28.25
Groups of 12 or more, 15% gratuity added/one check
Hawaiian Sizzler
Ham, pineapple, jalapeños and bacon.
Tropical heat at its best!
Sm. 16.00 • Med. 21.20 • Lg. 26.65
Primo Pizza
Sausage, pepperoni and onion with
extra cheese. Simply sensational!
Sm. 16.50 • Med. 21.90 • Lg. 26.35
Pepperoni Packed
Smothered in pepperoni plus extra
cheese. For pepperoni lovers only!
Sm. 15.50 • Med. 20.60 • Lg. 25.75
Buffalo Chicken
Chicken soaked in hot sauce, celery and
banana pepper and Cheddar and
Mozzarella with our Blue cheese sauce.
Sm. 16.00 • Med. 21.20 • Lg. 26.65
Taco Pizza
Al’s taco sauce, seasoned taco meat, onion and
black olives topped with Mozzarella and Cheddar
cheeses, tomatoes, lettuce and chips.
Sour cream and salsa available upon request, no additional charge.
Sm. 17.00 • Med. 22.25 • Lg. 28.25
Island Pizza
A unique, tropical pizza feast!
Ham, herb-seasoned chicken and
chunks of sweet pineapple.
Sm. 16.00 • Med. 21.20 • Lg. 26.65
Bacon Cheese Burger
Seasoned ground beef, bacon, onions,
mushrooms, Mozzarella and Cheddar cheeses.
Sm. 16.00 • Med. 21.20 • Lg. 26.65
Pork ‘N Kraut
Ham, crisp bacon, sauerkraut and onion
topped with Mozzarella
and a touch of Cheddar.
Sm. 16.00 • Med. 21.20 • Lg. 26.65
Big Al’s Signature Item
Menu Design by Certified Angus Beef LLC (10/10). www.certifiedangusbeef.com
A tangy BBQ sauce topped with tender chunks
of chicken, onion, lots of Mozzarella and
a touch of Cheddar.
Sm. 16.00 • Med. 21.20 • Lg. 26.65
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Ice Cream Drinks
(Piled Incredibly High!) Each 7.95
Banana Banshee Crème de banana, white crème de cocoa
Brandy Alexander Brandy, dark crème de cocoa
Golden Cadillac Galliano, white crème de cocoa
Velvet Hammer Triple Sec, dark crème de cocoa
Polar Bear Kahlua, vodka
Grasshopper Green crème de menthe, white crème de cocoa
Pink Squirrel Crème de almond, white crème de cocoa
Tumbleweed Kahlua, dark crème de cocoa
Specialty Drinks
Each 5.00
Strawberry Daiquiri Served in a large hurricane glass.
Margarita Strawberry, raspberry, pineapple, mango, blue raspberry or our regular famous recipe.
Coffee Drinks
Each 4.00
Irish Coffee Irish whisky and coffee topped with whipped cream.
Venetian Coffee Brandy, rum and coffee topped with whipped cream.
Zorba Coffee Brandy, kahlua and coffee topped with whipped cream.
Wine List
Glass 3.50 • Half Carafe 9.00
Burgundy • Lambrusco • Zinfandel • Chianti
Merlot • Chardonnay • Riesling • Cabernet
Glass 4.50 • Half Carafe 10.00 • Available by the Bottle 20.00
Fat Cat Winery Merlot, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Noir
Wollersheim Winery White Riesling, Praire Fumé (also in mini’s) and Prairie Sunburst Red
Desserts
Peanut Butter Pie Our secret recipe…try it with chocolate topping…very rich. 3.50
Sundae Strawberry or chocolate with whipped cream and a cherry. 3.99
Beverages
Coke Products (Free Refills) Also Available by the Pitcher
1919 Root Beer (In a Pint) Also Available by the Pitcher
Home Brewed Iced Tea (Free Refills)
Hot Chocolate • Hot Tea • Coffee • Milk (white or chocolate)
Sales tax not included
M-V Enterprises Inc. 2010