For the City Times

Kathy’s Drive In concession stand will offer fans a taste of former owner’s famous specials

After serving the Wisconsin Rapids community for 10 years, Kathy Hanneman ended her run as owner of Kathy’s Drive In last October.

Members of the community who are missing Kathy’s food won’t have to yearn for some of her famous specials any longer. The Rafters and Hanneman have announced that she is coming out of retirement for 36 days this summer as the Rafters plan to create a Kathy’s Drive In concessions stand at Witter Field for the upcoming season.

“I’m looking forward to seeing many familiar faces and meeting some new faces,” said Hanneman, in response to what she’s looking forward to most about the summer. “Good food, good baseball, what more could you ask for? My grandkids are looking forward to watching Rosco attempt to eat the famous full order of Hot Beef!”

The Rafters and Hanneman have decided to scale back from her traditional full menu to offer a limited number of customer favorites at every Rafters home game. The nightly features will include: Kathy’s Famous Hot Beef over homemade bread with mashed potatoes and gravy (full or half order), Ground Beef BBQ Sandwiches, Cheeseburger Baskets, Chicken Bacon Ranch Wraps, along with Kathy’s Fish Fry, which was voted the #1 fish fry in Wisconsin Rapids four years in a row.

Sides will include Kathy’s home fries and her homemade coleslaw and potato salad.  Fans can wash all of the delicious food down with a glass of Point Root Beer or a Point Root Beer Float.

“We’re excited to partner with Kathy to bring back some of her popular staples for the community to enjoy in conjunction with Rafters games this summer,” said Rafters general manager John Fanta.

The season and home opener for the Wisconsin Rapids Rafters is May 30 at 7:05 p.m. against the Kenosha Kingfish.

Solarus Founders Club, bleacher nine-game ticket packages, and group outing packages are on sale now. Call 715-424-5400 or stop by the Rafters Front Office Monday–Friday from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. to purchase a ticket package or book a group outing.