With its culture of supper clubs and butter burgers, there’s no shortage of simple, old-school dining to be found around Wisconsin. Beyond the most popular diners and burger joints, here are a few more unassuming restaurants that might not catch your eye, but are worth adding to your Wisconsin Dining Bucket List.
Larry's Market (Brown Deer)
This quaint store front is hidden off two main streets on Milwaukee's north side and therefor overlooked. Come for the Friday grill outs, stay for the old-school deli meets gourmet cheese shop. Come back for the varied and interesting catering options. Located at 8737 N Deerwood Dr, Milwaukee, WI 53209
Nite Owl Drive In (Milwaukee)
Inconspicuously tucked in across the street from Milwaukee's airport, Nite Owl is like the secret password for in-the-know Milwaukeeans. Only open in the spring and summer and even then with erratic hours, Nite Owl is a trip back in time complete with handmade malts and scratch cooking. Bring cash and expect a wait at prime times, but know it will be so, so worth it. This quirky little join is at 830 E Layton Ave, Milwaukee, WI 53207
Pine Cone Restaurant
(Johnson Creek)
Yup, it's a truck stop. Yup, it's on the out-parcel of an outlet mall. Yup, it's a must-stop on the trip between Milwaukee and Madison. Their customers are on the road, therefore they serve big portions of homey comfort food. As a bonus, they have a huge selection of big-as-your-head bakery to nibble after your meal. Roll up to 665 Linmar Ln, Johnson Creek, WI 53038
Mickey Lu Bar B Q (Marinette)
No one seems to know where the Bar B Q is, but that's ok, you're heading here for delicious, inexpensive burgers that drip butter and most of all, taste like the flames they're char-grilled in. It's a no frills place - cash only, potato chips as a side - but the burgers, the burgers make you forget everything else. This unassuming place is located at 1710 Marinette Ave, Marinette, WI 54143
Holy Hill Cafe (Hubertus)
More than 300,000 people a year visit the shrine at Holy Hill, but if they skip out on breakfast or lunch at the church's cafe, they may have missed the best part. Incredibly cheap prices for homemade soups, breads, muffins and pies, as well as made-to-order sandwiches and griddle specialties make this a must-stop when you head to Holy Hill. Located at 1525 Carmel Rd, Hubertus, WI 53033
Kurtz's Pub and Deli (Two Rivers)
People love Kurtz's for their authentic German sandwiches and great German beers on tap, but they come back again and again for the homemade potato salad and chicken spaetzle soup better than Oma used to make. You can find them at 1410 Washington St, Two Rivers, WI 54241
Stockholm Pie Company (Stockholm)
Folks line up for the daily offerings at Stockholm Pie Company. They're sold until they are gone, so come early and watch the chalkboard to see what's available. Stop by N2030 Spring St #1, Stockholm, WI 54769
City Bakery (Sheboygan)
Locals flock here for their brat bun that's hearty enough to hold up to the weight and grease of a traditional Wisconsin bratwurst, but still fluffy and chewy enough to go down smooth. While you wait to get some buns to take with you, pick from their array of simple but delicious donuts to wake yourself up the next morning. Find them at N2030 Spring St #1, Stockholm, WI 54769
Kewpee (Racine)
One of five locations left of a small chain that began in the Depression era, Kewpee is delightfully odd while bringing house-made root beer that they turn into towering floats and cheeseburgers that have kept people coming back for decades. Check them out at 520 Wisconsin Ave, Racine, WI 53403
Bayside Tavern (Fish Creek)
The epicenter of the social scene in Egg Harbor/Fish Creek, Bayside Tavern, this is where the locals hang out and the Door County tourists come to mingle. Try the flaming Bayside Coffee and enjoy a bit of "up north" Wisconsin on the peninsula. Visit them at 4160 Main St, Fish Creek, WI 54212
Have you ever been to any of these restaurants before? What is your favorite local dive in Wisconsin? Let us know what you think should be added to the list!
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