Rocky’s Supper Club has been on my radar for a long time. People know how much I enjoy deep fried cheese and are appalled I haven’t made the scenic drive, along the Mississippi River, down to Stoddard to chow down on the Tri-State Area’s “original batter fried cheese curds”. They are so popular that they regularly win in the cheese curd category of the “Best of La Crosse County Awards” despite actually being located in Vernon County. So, did they live up to the hype?

Rocky’s was born in 1959 after a remodel to the original tavern that had stood in that location since back before the invention of the paper clip. When you enter, it feels like you’ve taken a step back into a different era, in a way that is comforting and as if your problems have dissolved away. The friendly staff were flexible and happy to seat us out on their fenced patio, complete with yard games, garden and small pond.

I ordered my cheese curds, which came as a jumbo sized serving for $8, along with a brand old fashioned – as God intended. They arrived in a red plastic root beer stand style basket, on waxed paper, which is a sure sign you’re about to eat something delicious.

The beautiful, golden brown coating covered the curds, which were in a variety of shapes and sizes, and had A+ batter protrusions. There was a subtle sweetness to the smell and taste of the medium thickness batter that was in perfect harmony with the briny-ness of the white cheese. The batter was crisp, but not crunchy, and melted away satisfyingly against the inside of my mouth. These were quintessential Wisconsin cheese curds, think fair style but crafted to the highest quality and without the grease. Rocky’s sells about a ton, literally, of these deep fried masterpieces every year during Riverfest (local Fourth of July celebration) and I can certainly understand why.

4.8 curds out of 5.0

Cheesy Fact of the Day:

A power plant in Albertville, France generates enough electricity to power a community of about 1,500 people using waste from the production of Beaufort cheese. Whey is not necessary to make Beaufort cheese so bacteria is added to the whey to create biogas. This gas is burned and heats water to near boiling temperatures to power turbines which produce electricity.

What’s O’Curd to Me:

In 2019, or 1 BCE (Before Covid Era), my sister Grace was finishing up law school and interviewing for a position as a public defender. Each organization handles the hiring process a little differently, but I found this particular approach to be thought-provoking. When they reached out to schedule an interview they requested that she prepare a story to tell the panel. The only parameter was it had to be a maximum of five minutes long.

The first thing that comes to mind when I hear the word “story” is something you might tell a small child if they agree to go to bed without a fuss. But, to believe stories are no more significant than that would be like thinking Michael Jordan became famous from his crying meme. If you really consider it, stories are possibly the most fundamental element to the experience of human life. Stories are what connect us to others. With them we make our friends laugh, pass on lessons, learn about the world and get our entertainment. They are our memories and our legacy.

By that logic, there are an infinite number of stories to tell. But, just because something occurred doesn’t make it interesting, the storyteller bears that burden. Crafting a tale, and making it worth consuming, is an art. It can be presented through writings, the spoken word or visuals in the form of satire, allegory or metaphor – to name a few. Grace’s task, to spin a yarn for her interrogators, was simple enough on its face. However, when everything you’ve ever seen, read, heard, felt, imagined or experienced is its own story, zeroing in on any one thing is highly challenging. Especially without knowing what a prospective employer wants to hear.

What story would you tell? Would it be more beneficial to try to be funny or inspirational? Maybe you would deliberate over sharing an anecdote about a celebrity encounter you’ve had or recount some important historical event. You might decide to recite something from one of your favorite books or movies. Perhaps, the wisest strategy would be to create a narrative that shines a positive light on something you’ve accomplished – you could even make it up because nobody said it had to be true. On the other hand, knowing you will be under the pressure of an interview, should you narrow your focus down to something you know you will remember and be able to deliver correctly? Luckily, telling stories in everyday life is a lot more stress free. 

The challenges of this past year have taught me a lot about gratitude and renewed my appreciation for the people in my life. Over the coming months, and beyond, I hope to reconnect with folks I’ve lost touch with, and strengthen relationships with those I’m already close to, by using the power of stories. I urge you to do the same. Actually follow through on one of those “we should get together sometime” statements to bullshit with friends. You can write a letter sharing the latest news or do something as simple as exchanging a few messages with updates on each other’s lives. Spend some time thinking about cherished moments with people who live far away and treasure the memories you have of those who are no longer with us. Our days on Earth are finite; share your stories, listen to the experiences of others and reminisce on the good times.