Here in Milwaukee, food and drink are not merely avenues in which you replenish the body — they’re our way of life. Many traditions are tied to food and drink, and we take it very seriously. Here are 11 staples in any Milwaukeeans diet, and you better believe we do them best!
- Cheese Curds
Camino / Facebook It’s inevitable that anyone living in Wisconsin will have an affinity for really good cheese, but Milwaukeeans have it down. There’s not many bars or restaurants that don’t offer the cheesy goodness, and it makes us completely spoiled.
- Beer Cheese Soup
Thomas Cizauskas / Flickr What better of a food than the combination of two of our favorites? Add the cold weather, and this meal is everything a Milwaukeean needs.
- Frozen Custard
Best Food Milwaukee / Facebook Forget ice cream, frozen custard is our favorite dessert here in Milwaukee.
- Bratwurst
David Wright / Flickr No cookout is complete without a brat, and if you pronounce it wrong, you will be shunned for the rest of the night.
- Butterburgers
Osteria Tulia / Facebook This one might further the stereotype of Midwesterners eating unhealthily, but we don’t even care. What’s better than a greasy cheeseburger? One that’s cooked with loads of butter.
- Fried Fish
County Clare Irish Pub / Facebook Fried fish isn’t just a meal here, it’s a community event every Friday. Milwaukeeans have a tradition of eating fish together and dancing to polka music. It can’t be beat.
- Hot Ham and Rolls
Jen’s Sweet Treats / Facebook Another tradition is waking up on Sunday mornings to snag the hot ham and roll special at your local bakery. This simple sandwich makes a Milwaukeean’s Sunday complete.
- Corned Beef
Jake’s Deli / Facebook Milwaukee is obsessed with corned beef sandwiches, and we will always fight you if you disagree that we have the best! Hop on over to Jake’s Deli or McBob’s and you’ll be in corned beef heaven.
- Old Fashioneds
Oscar’s Pub and Grill / Facebook The Old Fashioned is a drink loved by many, but we do it differently here in Wisconsin. Made with Brandy, always, and made sweet! We’re obsessed.
10 Bloody Marys
Sobelmans Pub and Grill / Facebook Here in Milwaukee, a Bloody Mary isn’t just a drink, it’s often a whole meal. With garnishes like bacon, peppers, cheese, and perhaps an entire cheeseburger or fried chicken, you’ll never go hungry. Don’t forget your beer chaser!
- Beer!
Quinn Dombrowski / Flickr Yup, we’re Brew City. We incorporate beer wherever we can, and we take brewing seriously. The staples like Pabst and Schlitz are tried and true, but there are so many craft brewers trying new ways of brewing, and it’s truly an art in itself.
There you have it, 11 of the foods and drinks Milwaukeeans could never do without. Is there anything you would add to the list? We’d love to hear your suggestions in the comments!
Camino / Facebook
It’s inevitable that anyone living in Wisconsin will have an affinity for really good cheese, but Milwaukeeans have it down. There’s not many bars or restaurants that don’t offer the cheesy goodness, and it makes us completely spoiled.
Thomas Cizauskas / Flickr
What better of a food than the combination of two of our favorites? Add the cold weather, and this meal is everything a Milwaukeean needs.
Best Food Milwaukee / Facebook
Forget ice cream, frozen custard is our favorite dessert here in Milwaukee.
David Wright / Flickr
No cookout is complete without a brat, and if you pronounce it wrong, you will be shunned for the rest of the night.
Osteria Tulia / Facebook
This one might further the stereotype of Midwesterners eating unhealthily, but we don’t even care. What’s better than a greasy cheeseburger? One that’s cooked with loads of butter.
County Clare Irish Pub / Facebook
Fried fish isn’t just a meal here, it’s a community event every Friday. Milwaukeeans have a tradition of eating fish together and dancing to polka music. It can’t be beat.
Jen’s Sweet Treats / Facebook
Another tradition is waking up on Sunday mornings to snag the hot ham and roll special at your local bakery. This simple sandwich makes a Milwaukeean’s Sunday complete.
Jake’s Deli / Facebook
Milwaukee is obsessed with corned beef sandwiches, and we will always fight you if you disagree that we have the best! Hop on over to Jake’s Deli or McBob’s and you’ll be in corned beef heaven.
Oscar’s Pub and Grill / Facebook
The Old Fashioned is a drink loved by many, but we do it differently here in Wisconsin. Made with Brandy, always, and made sweet! We’re obsessed.
Sobelmans Pub and Grill / Facebook
Here in Milwaukee, a Bloody Mary isn’t just a drink, it’s often a whole meal. With garnishes like bacon, peppers, cheese, and perhaps an entire cheeseburger or fried chicken, you’ll never go hungry. Don’t forget your beer chaser!
Quinn Dombrowski / Flickr
Yup, we’re Brew City. We incorporate beer wherever we can, and we take brewing seriously. The staples like Pabst and Schlitz are tried and true, but there are so many craft brewers trying new ways of brewing, and it’s truly an art in itself.
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