Best Wisconsinite Foods
Frozen custard comes from the "Custard Capital of the World", Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where it's sold more than anywhere else around the globe. It is a gourmet ice cream treat made with eggs, cream, and sugar, and it originated from Coney Island, New York, when it was a popular carnival treat.
As the popularity of frozen custard grew, it quickly spread to the Midwest. As there is far less air added than in other similar treats, the result is a thick and dense custard with tons of flavor. A lot of frozen custard fans believe it is better than ice cream since it is served before being refrozen and mantains a soft, yet heavy consistency, so it is a unique regional treat in which you can really feel the difference when talking about flavor.
MOST ICONIC Frozen custard
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Fish fry refers both to the meal and the popular Friday night tradition in Wisconsin. The fish is battered or breaded, then deep-fried, which is the fastest way to cook large quantities of fish. The Friday night event dates back to the medieval Roman Catholic times.
Friday is connected to the crucifixion of Christ, so the day signifies abstinence - in this case, from meat, but fish got a free pass since it is considered that it doesn't come from a warm-blooded creature. The fish fry practice came from Irish, Polish, and German Catholic immigrants who had settled in Wisconsin.
MOST ICONIC Fish Fry
View moreMAIN INGREDIENTS
Also known as Wisconsin's soul food, beer brats are a unique American addition to German cuisine. As there was a large number of German immigrants in Wisconsin, the German sausage known as bratwurst became very popular in the region, especially during the 1920s.
They quickly became a staple at sports matches. Beer brats are poached in beer before grilling, to seal in the juices so the sausages stay succulent and moist. They are served in brat buns or hard rolls, usually accompanied by potato salads, chopped onions, ketchup, mustard, or sauerkraut.
MOST ICONIC Beer Brats
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Wisconsin's messy contribution to the world of burgers is called butter burger. For some, butter burger is authentic when the ground meat is combined with butter. For others, it's when the bun is buttered, toasted, and topped with some more butter before serving.
The only thing that everyone can agree on is that there must be enough butter to drip off the meat, which will usually form a small pool of butter on one's plate. A theory says that the name comes from a place called Solly's in Glendale, Wisconsin, operating since 1936, where the butter is added to the meat that is, again, fried in butter, and served with a side of stewed onions.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Burger
MOST ICONIC Butter Burger
View moreWisconsin kringle is Wisconsin's official state pastry, brought over to the USA by Scandinavian settlers in the mid-19th century. The kringle (a Danish word for pretzel) is a buttery and flaky pastry that's filled with fruits or nuts. These pastries were originally shaped into pretzels, but the bakers in Wisconsin opted for the oval shape.
Each kringle should have at least about 30 layers of flaky dough, while the top is typically covered in white icing. Some of the most traditional flavors include raspberries, pecans, and almonds, but there are also other fillings such as apples, blueberries, cherries, and apricots.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Kringle
MOST ICONIC Wisconsin Kringle
View moreColby Jack or Cojack is an American cheese originating from Wisconsin. The cheese is a combination of Colby and Monterey Jack. It has a semi-soft, smooth texture and an appealing marbled visual appearance. Its flavor ranges from mild and sweet to sharp and tangy.
Colby Jack is usually used in omelets, sandwiches, sauces, and soups, and it is recommended to serve it with baked potatoes, pears, apples, and steamed vegetables. Due to its good melting properties, it is also used in casseroles and with nachos.
OTHER VARIATIONS OF Monterey Jack
Colby is an American cheese originating from the city of Colby in Wisconsin. This semi-hard cheese is made with cow's milk and has a firm, springy, and open texture. Its flavors are mild, creamy, and sweet, so Colby is often used in hamburgers, grilled sandwiches, fajitas, or served with apples, pears, and rye bread.
Colby is sometimes compared to cheddar, even though these two cheeses taste different – Colby is softer, it has a higher moisture content, and the curd is washed, which reduces the acids in the cheese, making it less tangy.
Brick is an American cheese hailing from Wisconsin. When pressed with coal-fired bricks to let the moisture out, it is also shaped into a brick, hence the unusual name. The cheese is made from pasteurized cow's milk and it's smear-ripened with bacteria.
Underneath the washed rind, the texture is smooth and open with small eyes throughout the body. The aromas are rich and pungent, while the flavors range from mild and sweet when young to tangy and intense with nutty hints when aged. It's recommended to serve Brick with pickled vegetables and au gratin dishes.
Pair with
Cave Aged Marisa is an American cheese hailing from Wisconsin, where it's produced by Carr Valley Cheese Company. The cheese is made from sheep's milk and it's left to age in cellars for a minimum of 90 days before consumption. Underneath its natural rind, the texture is semi-hard and firm.
The aromas are sweet, while the flavors are sweet and tangy with creamy and lactic notes. It's recommended to pair Cave Aged Marisa with a glass of Rioja or sherry.
Daphne's Alpine Cheese is an American cheese hailing from Wisconsin, where it's made by Daphne's Creamery. The cheese is made from raw cow's milk and it's left to age for at least 60 days before consumption. Underneath its natural rind, the texture is smooth and semi-soft.
The flavor is nutty and grassy. Daphne's Alpine has great melting properties, which is the reason why it's perfect for grilled cheese sandwiches or grating over salads and pasta dishes. It's recommended to pair the cheese with crisp and fruity wines and beer.
Best Wisconsinite Food Producers
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2023, 2019, 2018, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2022, 2018, 2016, 2014
BEST Hidden Springs Creamery Cheeses
The Artisan Cheese Exchange, based in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, specializes in exporting high-quality American cheeses, focusing on creating distinct cheddar varieties for the international market. Founded by Chris Gentine, who is a trained Wisconsin Master Cheese Grader, the company utilizes his expertise to select and age cheddars that meet rigorous quality standards.
Their offerings include unique products like The Stag, a mature cheddar aged for at least 17 months, noted for its rich flavors and complex profile. The Exchange is renowned for its contributions to the cheese industry, with their products like the Indigo Bunting, a luxurious blue cheese, having won accolades such as Best USA Blue at international competitions?.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2022, 2019
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2023, 2022, 2019, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012
BEST The Artisan Cheese Exchange Cheeses
BelGioioso Cheese, based in Wisconsin, USA, is renowned for its production of Italian-style cheeses since 1979. The company operates out of multiple facilities and crafts over 27 different varieties of cheese. BelGioioso is known for its commitment to quality, using fresh, local milk and traditional cheesemaking methods.
This commitment is evident in their practice of processing milk into cheese on the same day it is collected from local farms to ensure freshness and flavor. BelGioioso has been recognized widely in the cheese industry, receiving numerous awards from prestigious competitions like the World Cheese Championship and the American Cheese Society.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2021
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2024, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2003, 2002, 2000
BEST Belgioioso Cheese Cheeses
Uplands Cheese located in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, is renowned for its artisanal cheese production, particularly the Pleasant Ridge Reserve and Rush Creek Reserve. The company operates on a dairy farm that has been milking cows for over a century. The farm is uniquely situated on Pleasant Ridge in the Driftless region of southwestern Wisconsin, which is ideal for the diverse range of grasses that contribute to the high-quality milk produced by their cows.
The farm is managed with a focus on sustainable, seasonal, and pasture-based systems. This approach includes rotational grazing, which ensures fresh pasture for the cows daily, contributing to the exceptional flavors of their milk. The company's commitment to traditional cheesemaking methods, combined with innovative approaches to enhance the unique flavors of their farm, has established Uplands Cheese as a leading example of artisanal cheesemaking in the U.S..
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2005, 2001
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2016
BEST Uplands Cheese Cheeses
Carr Valley Cheese is a family-owned cheese company located in Wisconsin, known for its traditional cheesemaking techniques passed down through generations. It produces a wide variety of cheeses, including artisanal and specialty cheeses, that have won numerous national and international awards.
The company operates multiple retail stores across Wisconsin.
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023, 2022, 2019
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2020, 2016, 2012, 2010
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002
BEST Carr Valley Cheese Cheeses
Klondike Cheese, based in Monroe, Wisconsin, has been producing cheese since the late 1800s. It is operated by the Buholzer family, who are into their fourth generation of cheese makers. The company specializes in Greek-style feta cheese but also produces other varieties such as Havarti, Muenster, and brick cheese.
Klondike Cheese has won multiple awards for its products at national and international cheese competitions.
AWARDS
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2024, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2012, 2010
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2024, 2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2004
BEST Klondike Cheese Cheeses
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2002, 2001, 2000
BEST Roth Käse Cheeses
Widmer's Cheese Cellars, located in Theresa, Wisconsin, specializes in producing Brick, Cheddar, and Colby cheeses. Established in 1922 by Swiss immigrant John O. Widmer, the company is noted for its traditional cheese-making techniques, particularly its Brick cheese, which is crafted using a process passed down through three generations of the Widmer family.
The factory continues to use original bricks to press their Brick cheese, maintaining a link to its historical production methods.
AWARDS
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2024, 2020
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2023, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2012, 2010, 2007, 2005, 2002
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
BEST Widmer's Cheese Cellars Cheeses
AWARDS
International Cheese Awards - Gold
2023, 2019
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2024, 2022, 2020, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2012, 2010
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2024, 2023
BEST Marieke Gouda Cheeses
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2024, 2023, 2022, 2018, 2017
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
BEST Landmark Creamery Cheeses
Best Wisconsinite Food Products
Pleasant Ridge Reserve from Uplands Cheese in Dodgeville, Wisconsin, is an acclaimed Alpine-style cheese crafted exclusively from the summer milk of grass-fed cows. Its unique taste profile includes a rich and salty flavor with a fruity finish, which develops through a natural, washed rind process.
This cheese is particularly notable for being the most awarded in American history, having won the American Cheese Society’s Best of Show three times and the U.S. Cheese Championships in 2003.
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2024, 2023, 2022, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2005, 2001
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
Deer Creek The Stag is a distinctive bandage-wrapped Cheddar cheese from the Artisan Cheese Exchange in Wisconsin, aged for a minimum of 17 months. This cheese is known for its bold, nutty flavor enhanced by strong notes of toffee and butterscotch, which develop a crystalline crunch as it ages, adding an intriguing texture?.
The Stag has received numerous accolades, including multiple first-place awards at the American Cheese Society and has been featured as one of the “101 Best Cheeses of the Year” by Culture Magazine.
AWARDS
World Cheese Awards - Gold
2023
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2019, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013
The Crema di Mascarpone is characterized by its soft, creamy texture and a slightly sweet, buttery taste. It maintains a white and creamy appearance and is produced using cow’s milk. The product is versatile in its use, suitable not only for desserts but also as a rich spread.
For those looking to incorporate a gourmet touch into their dishes, BelGioioso Crema di Mascarpone offers a delightful taste of Italian cheese craftsmanship right from the heart of the USA.
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2023, 2022, 2018, 2017, 2014
Gran Queso is a cheese crafted by Roth Käse, a renowned cheesemaker based in Wisconsin. Inspired by the Spanish Manchego, it is however distinctly original, being made entirely from cow's milk. Aged for a minimum of six months, Gran Queso boasts a firm texture and a rich, sweet profile with hints of nuttiness.
The rind of the cheese is rubbed with a blend of spices, including cinnamon and paprika, which adds an additional layer of flavor, distinguishing it further from its Spanish inspiration. Gran Queso has received accolades in cheese competitions, underscoring its quality and appeal.
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004
Farmstead Feta made by Hidden Springs Creamery is a handcrafted cheese produced from sheep's milk. This feta is known for its creamy texture and tangy flavor profile that sets it apart from mass-produced offerings. It is created on a small family-owned farm where the sheep are pasture-raised, allowing for high-quality milk that contributes to the distinct taste and quality of the cheese.
Farmstead Feta is often celebrated for its artisanal methods and the farm's commitment to sustainable and humane practices.
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2023, 2018, 2011, 2009
Cocoa Cardona is a unique cheese crafted by Carr Valley Cheese, a renowned cheesemaker based in Wisconsin. This product is a goat cheese that has been aged and rubbed with cocoa powder, lending it a distinctive appearance and flavor profile. The addition of cocoa adds a slight sweetness and complexity to the cheese, making it a standout in terms of both taste and visual appeal.
Cocoa Cardona is often celebrated for its creamy texture and the delightful contrast between the tangy notes of the goat cheese and the rich, savory hints brought by the cocoa. Perfect for pairing with fruits or bold red wines, this cheese offers a gourmet experience suited for various culinary applications, from cheese boards to inventive dishes.
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2011, 2009, 2007, 2004
AWARDS
World Championship Cheese Contest - Best of Class
2016
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2015, 2014, 2010, 2009
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2023, 2019, 2018
Culture Cheese Magazine Best Cheeses issue - Best
2023
BelGioioso Black Truffle Burrata is a specialty cheese product crafted by BelGioioso Cheese. This product features a combination of classic Italian-style burrata with the added infusion of black truffle. The burrata comprises an outer shell made of mozzarella cheese, which encases a creamy interior filled with stracciatella mixed with delicate pieces of black truffle.
This cheese is celebrated for its rich and indulgent flavor profile, blending the mild, milky freshness of burrata with the earthy, aromatic notes of black truffle. It is typically used in gourmet dishes and is best served fresh to maximize its complex taste and texture.
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2023, 2015, 2014
The Traditional Washed Rind Brick Cheese made by Widmer's Cheese Cellars, Inc. is a celebrated cheese with deep roots in Wisconsin's dairy craftsmanship. This cheese is known for its distinctive orange-brown washed rind, which is achieved by regularly washing the cheese with a special solution during the aging process.
The interior boasts a smooth, creamy texture with a robust, tangy flavor that becomes more pronounced as it ages. Its aroma is pungent, which is characteristic of true artisan washed rind cheeses. Widmer's Cheese Cellars, a family-owned and operated business, has been producing high-quality cheeses since 1922, ensuring traditional methods and recipes are upheld.
AWARDS
American Cheese Society Judging & Competition Awards - 1st Place
2022, 2019, 2018
TasteAtlas food rankings are based on the ratings of the TasteAtlas audience, with a series of mechanisms that recognize real users and that ignore bot, nationalist or local patriotic ratings, and give additional value to the ratings of users that the system recognizes as knowledgeable. TasteAtlas Rankings should not be seen as the final global conclusion about food. Their purpose is to promote excellent local foods, instill pride in traditional dishes, and arouse curiosity about dishes you haven’t tried.