Pssst. Andi, Wisconsin is *thisaway.*

Deb, I've succumbed to the last minute costume shop. I picked up a pair of strap-on (get yer mind outta there) butterfly wings and a pair of fishnets. Still have to find a skimpy wrap skirt of some kind to show off ze legs. I'm no Betty Grable, but what the hell, it's Halloween and we're supposed to be scaring people, right?

Grumble. Okay, so the place I wanted us to go for brunch on Saturday doesn't take reservations, and I know they get super-busy on the weekends. Question: do we want to stay the course and go to the funky, small, local-proud, near-the-tattoos, can-be-inexpensive place and take our chances, or do we want to go to the BBQ and Blues brunch that's $16 a head, but has excellent fruit and an omelette station and kick ass waffles/pancakes/french toast? Both places serve wonderful mimosas and Bloody Marys.

I like both a lot - I go to both places as often as we can afford. I'm just trying to keep expenses down for peeps and making sure things are as easy as possible.

If neither of those please, I'll turn my search wider. Opinions? Please?

juliana, with the first place, is it just a horrible long wait? If one of us volunteers to go over early get our group on the wait list so the others can mosey over later, would that work? Personally, I'm up for either.

I remember that BBQ place. It was tres nummy.

I don't find sixteen bucks pricey for a meal.

juliana, with the first place, is it just a horrible long wait?

Well, it's also small. Large enough to probably accommodate us, but small.

Deb, that's right. I took you there last time you were here, didn't I? I always go to Famous Dave's for brunch. Is tasty.

I'd vote for the less expensive place.

I'm one of the budget-eers, but $16/head doesn't sound that expensive for me (hazard of living on the coast!), so I'm good with either. How early would we have to get to the smaller place to get a table, do you think?

Andi, if we do end up at the BBQ place, I'd be delighted to cover you. I'm bringing money, and what Jessica said about living on coast leading residents to not thinking $16 is a lot for a meal.

How early would we have to get to the smaller place to get a table, do you think?

Meh. Not sure, and they're in the middle of lunch rush, so they're not very communicative right now.

Dreamhaven Books (of Neil Gaiman fame) is just down the street and will be open at 10, so it's not like it will be a hardship for some people to wander in and out, but I just want to make sure we all get to sit together and whatnot.

Dan and I have not really discussed budget (other than Yay! lower gas prices, and Yay! fuel-efficency car repairs) for the upcoming portion of the month, so I was voting cheap on principle rather than knowledge.

Y'all realize I haven't the faintest idea what to get him for his birthday, and it's on Monday! Ok, I did threaten him with some shirts that would be more to my taste that what he wears, but that's not the world's greatest prezzie, really.