Wagon Wheel Bar & Grill

Good food, cheap beer, friendly staff.
Stopped by here on a drive home from Indy to Chicago and needed a place for lunch with a TV. Perfect place. The Wagon Master burger hits the spot and they had free soup as well.
Definitely worth checking out if you’re in need of a place while driving down I-​65 in the area or if you’re ever in town.

I’ve known Rennselaer since I was a kid and have visited it nearly every year or two, on and off. Until I looked on Unilocal for nearby restaurants, did I know this place existed. Asking relatives about it, I realized the reputation and tradition it’s established for the nearby college, and how long-​time memories exist of it; long before things like Unilocal existed, to review it.
This is what I know about it; though the ‘Wagon Master’ is worthy of it’s reputation as a burger, and that this is a standout place somewhat hidden obscurely in a town like Rennselaer, and I am pleased to know that it has preserved it’s establishment, which in this day and age would often sink under the modern cookie-​cutter mindset for business models and «modernity»; the reality is it is a somewhat insular and local-​catered establishment. This might stem from the fact that people aren’t to be trusted unless they are «known» and can be gauged accordingly. Things might have changed to the local surroundings to make some of the Rensselaer I knew and grew up with, change in it’s way it could be perceived.
It might be that anyone that comes in and doesn’t sit at the bar is assumed to only be there for a carry-​out, and nevertheless would be one to be by themselves; just passing through vibe. One basis for the assumption of this interpretation, is that they don’t offer incentive to stay and drink at the bar, and nor do they insure that people that come in to eat are able to entertain themselves at the arcade machines requiring coin slots. It may just be that the arcade machines pander to competetive spirit, that much of any college-​catered nearby atmosphere tends to address, and for that reason a lone-​spirit type of individual is given something of a nod to go on about there way once they come out to give the order; perhaps.
Irregardless I see it as something of an oversight in how the business functions/​operates, even though I likely was the only person that entered the establishment 40 minutes after they opened, because they were just getting the grill heated up. Granted it is a single individual that was operating it, from whom I know to be the owner’s Wife whom wasn’t yet ready for business, to be able to offer the option of receptive business practice.
Now to the Wagon Master burger review. I’ve cooked on charbroil grills before so I’m familiar with how the grease tends to «stick» to the burger when grilled, as the grease doesn’t usually get the chance to separate away from it; it’s one of the secrets of why charbroiled burgers tend to be known for their «flavor,» which is imbued with the spirit of dead cow meat sizzling and charring, much as how iron skillets are left to stay greasy and do much the same. One thing I would do is try to ensure that the grease wasn’t as apparent, usually by pressing down on the burger to keep it somewhat free from the grease, and that the wrapper wasn’t soaked beyond ability to handle it (which is often a forgotten luxury of old-​school burgers; this might be nothing to complain about for those with nostalgic traditions.)
The first observation I made of it was that the hamburger meat might be filled with filler such as

Ahhhh, Benny’s…one of the best little dive bars that ever was. I too am a college alumni and have had many fun times here. 5 stars for the memories.
We actually got Benny to tell us «most» of the ingredients in the legendary «Down on One Knee» one night. And we all thought we would be able to remember it the next day. Yeah right.
During senior year, my entire marketing class skipped our last class and came here at 10am. This was also the first place the party bus stopped after I was married. The bridal party had several «Down on One Knees.» Yum.
I’ve never had a Wagonmaster sober but I know 1) it’s a sandwich 2) it tastes delicious when you’re intoxicated 3) it’s not healthy 4) it’s always a good idea after 1am.
Cheers!