There are few things that will make you homesick quicker than remembering all the things you ate and drank at home but no longer have access to now that you moved away. Folks that live elsewhere but come back to visit usually have a list of places they stop and things they eat or take home with them when they go. Food is so fundamentally tied to our memories and to specific places that being able to find a true Usingers bratwurst when you are hundreds of miles away is akin to finding a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. Some things just plain taste like home – or just taste so much better here that it’s not even worth trying to match it anywhere else. Here are 15 iconic Wisconsin foods that every local misses dearly and craves ravenously when they move away:
Other folks may be happy to just have hot dogs from the grill, but we Wisconsinites know a good brat is far superior. There's just something about the smell of a beer-soaked brat smoking on the grill that puts you smack dab in Wisconsin. It's one of the most iconic Wisconsin foods and the one we miss the most when we are out of town.
More and more you can find fried cheese curds on menus outside of the Dairy State, but these fresh, squeaky bits of delicioiusness are pretty much only found within our borders. Sure, we love them at least as much for their novelty as anything else, but they're a treat and they're so symbolic of life in Wisconsin.
Every state has a seafood tradition around the Lenten season, but no one loves a fish fry like Wisconsin loves a fish fry. Heck, we don't care if it's spring or not, we serve them year round. Piping hot, accompanied by potato pancakes and darn near sacred on Friday nights, a fish fry is one of those Wisconsin traditions we don't even realize we take for granted until we don't have them.
Everyone has an opinion on custard, but for those who grew up on it in the southeastern part of the state, nothing is sadder than settling for froyo or ice cream when you're really craving the silky goodness of frozen custard. We still maintain that Kopps cookies n' cream would be most people's dessert of choice if they had one meal left on this Earth.
We don't necessarily find ourselves craving these year-round, but frankly summer isn't complete until we have shared a State Fair Cream Puff. The specific smell of the puffs as they bake and the ice cold fluffy whipped cream are just a quintessential part of many Wisconsinites' summers.
Thank goodness Culver's has stretched into more states, right? The delicious, melty butter burger is a Wisconsin staple and other other burgers just seem to pale in comparison.
Someone once said that kringle is like potato chips - you can't eat just one slice. Every time you pass the table it's on, you just steal another piece and suddenly you find you've eaten half the ring. This Danish specialty is pretty unique to Wisconsin and it's one you don't know how much you'll miss it until you don't have it anymore.
Spotted Cow gets all the love, but frankly New Glarus makes a ton of beer that's way more tasty than Spotted Cow. Their lambic fruit beers are some of the most interesting beers on the market and people find themselves longing for one when they have been away for too long.
Yes, these are a totally separate category than fresh curds. Because they can be frozen, you can find them more places, but we still find ourselves longing for the fresh battered ones at places like the Old Fashioned or Lakefront Brewery. That melty, cheesy goodness is so much a part of home.
The fish boil is so intrinsically tied to Door County that not having one makes you feel like you've missed out on fall. That delicious, locally caught white fish is quite the meal and finishing it off with some sort of Door County cherry dessert is just perfect.
For many, a sausage isn't a sausage without Secret Stadium Sauce on it. Lucky for us it's now in bottles and sold at local grocery stores, but at Miller Park, it's on tap right there next to the ketchup and mustard. One taste of the tangy sauce and you could close your eyes and almost feel like you're tailgating in the parking lot.
This one will be controversial, for sure, but we're of the opinion that nothing makes fresh, local apple pie better than a tangy, aged slide of cheddar on top. Sure, you can find this other spots, but nowhere else do you have access to such a wide variety of aged cheddars. It's certainly an unusual combination, but it's one that once you've tried it, you can't imagine why you haven't been eating it that way all along.
Though it is not technically a food, but if anywhere considered brandy a food group, it's Wisconsin. Old fashioneds have gained in popularity, so you probably no longer have to teach a bartender how to make them. No one loves brandy like we love brandy, and having the perfect old fashioned is like a sip of home.
For us, it's the honey-sweet taste of Sprecher, but here in Wisconsin, we've actually got a ton of amazing craft sodas, so let Sprecher stand in for whatever local flavor reminds you of summers at home. Whether it's Twigs or Baumeister or JC Grey's, that first sip is nothing but nostalgia.
We're of the firm belief that folks who've never left Wisconsin have no idea how spoiled we are about cheese. It takes moving away to realize how slim the pickin's are elsewhere. When what we can buy in a gas station surpasses what you can find anywhere in other states, you know you've got it good. Not only do we have the quality, but we've got the quantity. Good luck finding anything beyond cheddar and mozzarella elsewhere. You don't know how good we've got it until it's gone. There's a reason why Wisconsin is America's Dairyland, and it's a title we don't take lightly.
What are your favorite iconic Wisconsin foods? What dishes do you crave when you’re out of town? Let us know in the comments! Looking for more things that will make you think of home? Check out these 12 nostalgic comfort food restaurants in Wisconsin. And if you know another local eatery we should feature, nominate it on our online form here!
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iconic Wisconsin foods
Elisa Regulski|May 10, 2020
What is Wisconsin’s famous food?
When most people think about Wisconsin state food, their mind immediately goes to cheese. We are America’s Dairyland, after all! It’s true -- you really can find a wide variety of scrumptious cheeses just about everywhere you go. In down-home grocery stores and humble gas stations, delicious dairy products are always in stock. But cheese isn’t the only Wisconsin state food. Our state grain is corn, and our state fruit is the cranberry. Did you know that our state pastry is the kringle? This delicious Danish treat is difficult to say no to. Each and every bite is full of delicious flavor. Really, you could eat this as a main dish -- it’s that delicious.
What is Wisconsin most known for?
Wisconsin cuisine is definitely marked by its exceptional cheese and dairy products, but those aren’t the only things this state is known for. In addition to our exceptional eats, Wisconsin is known for The Harley-Davidson Museum in Milwaukee. Motorcycle enthusiasts come from all around to learn more about their favorite brand. We’re also famous for the beloved Green Bay Packers. You’ll be hard-pressed to find someone who isn’t a fan of the Packers in Wisconsin.
What are the best restaurants in Wisconsin?
If you’re looking for some of the best dishes in Wisconsin, you must visit The Old Fashioned in Madison. This local pub has all of the dishes Wisconsinites crave: Sheboygan brats, beer-battered walleye sandwiches, and cheese curds. Pair your meal with your favorite craft brew, and you have the recipe for a perfect Wisconsin day. If you’re looking for an upscale restaurant, visit Trattoria Stefano in Sheboygan. This exquisite eatery serves mouthwatering pastas and decadent desserts. It’s the perfect place to go for a special occasion.
