Wagon Wheel Bar & Grill

My California liver started shaking once we crossed the state line.  My husband's hometown boasts the infamous Wagon Wheel, Home of the "Wagon Master".  It wasn't very good but I scarfed down two because I had an inexplicable increase in hunger once we got there.  The pinnacle of the happy hour can be encapsulated in four words:  Down on one Knee. 5 stars because it is the least pretentious bar that I have been to in a LONG time.

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!

This review is written from the perspective of a former college student from this town. With that bit of knowledge you must also understand that this was one of the 4 bars within the town of Rensselaer, and the one closest (stumbling distance) to the college. Now that you have a background for understanding my biased review of the local college favorite known lovingly as "Benny's" I'll tell you this place has a legendary cheeseburger. It's known at the Wagonmaster and it's been known to bring hungry alumni back from across the country to see if it's as good as they recall. In this reviewers opinion it shouldn't be the only reason you come back to visit your alma mater but it also should not be an overlooked stop on your homecoming tour. In addition while there you need to make sure you order a pitcher of "Down on One Knee", another Benny's trademark. Students have for years tried to steal/copy/extract the recipe to no avail so for now order a pitcher a few frozen shot glasses and make your toasts! Benny's is another small town bar with nothing out of the ordinary about it. What makes the Wagon Wheel special is the memories that college students have created in this bar. The owner looks tough but definitely has a soft spot for his regulars. The regulars look tough but generally keep to themselves. Benny's is a part of what made Saint Joseph's College special, and if you're just passing through Rensselaer, IN on US 65 take a short break and have yourself a Wagonmaster. (Be careful with the Down on One Knee though...)