Wisconsin is well known for its delicious and unique burgers. The state is home to several burger varieties that have become culinary icons over the years. Here’s an overview of some of the most famous Wisconsin burgers and where you can find them.
Butter Burgers
The butter burger is arguably Wisconsin’s most famous burger variety. As the name suggests, the patties are cooked in butter on a flat top grill, giving them a lovely crispy exterior and tons of rich, beefy flavor. After cooking, the bun is lightly buttered and toasted before serving.
Butter burgers originated in the 1920s at Solly’s Grille in Milwaukee. The diner smash-cooked beef patties in butter, creating a juicy burger that was an instant hit. The concept spread to other restaurants and now butter burgers can be found all over the state.
Some of the best-known spots for butter burgers include:
- Solly’s Grille in Milwaukee
- Bunzel’s Old-Fashioned Meat Market in Milwaukee
- Oscar’s Pub and Grill in Milwaukee
- Kopp’s Frozen Custard in Milwaukee, Greenfield, and Brookfield
- Culver’s restaurants statewide
Juicy Lucys
The Juicy Lucy is a cheese-stuffed burger that oozes molten cheese with every bite. It’s essentially a cheeseburger turned inside out, with the cheese sealed inside the patty during cooking.
The Juicy Lucy was invented in the 1950s at either Matt’s Bar or the 5-8 Club in Minneapolis. Both bars still claim to have created the original. Due to the proximity to Wisconsin’s western border, Juicy Lucys became popular at bars and restaurants in that part of the state.
Some top spots for Juicy Lucys in Wisconsin include:
- Duke’s on the Lake in Milwaukee
- Sobelman’s Pub & Grill in Milwaukee
- Point Burger Bar in Pewaukee
- Smoky’s Club in Madison
- Stubby’s Gastrogrub in Richfield
Beer Burgers
Given Wisconsin’s love affair with beer, it’s no surprise burgers cooked in beer are popular. Beer burgers feature patties cooked in an iron skillet of beer, which keeps them incredibly moist and infuses them with malty flavor.
Using beer when cooking burgers likely originated with home cooks experimenting in their kitchens. But several Wisconsin restaurants have popularized beer burgers on their menus.
Hot spots for beer burgers include:
- Lakefront Brewery in Milwaukee
- Camino in Madison
- Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry in Madison
- Brewed Cafe in Green Bay
- Tipsy Cow in Madison
Fried Cheese Curd Burgers
What’s better than a burger or fried cheese curds? How about combining them! Fried cheese curd burgers can be found at many burger joints and gastro pubs throughout Wisconsin.
These burgers are built with a beef patty and classic toppings, along with a generous portion of crispy fried cheese curds. The combination of hot melted cheese and fried cheese is indulgent but absolutely delicious.
Some popular fried cheese curd burger options:
- AJ Bombers in Milwaukee
- Crafty Cow in Oconomowoc
- Dexter’s Pub in Madison
- Old Fashioned in Madison
- Packer Bar & Grill in River Falls
Custard Burgers
Given the popularity of frozen custard in Wisconsin, it’s only natural to find custard-topped burgers around the state. These feature a basic beef patty topped with custard instead of traditional cheese or condiments.
Some of the best-known custard burger joints include:
- Kopp’s Frozen Custard
- Oscar’s Frozen Custard
- Leon’s Frozen Custard
- Curly’s Pub & Grill in Rio
- Culver’s
Brandy Old Fashioned Burgers
Wisconsin’s unofficial state cocktail, the Brandy Old Fashioned, also inspired burgers. These unique burgers are infused with brandy, just like the iconic drink.
Options for Brandy Old Fashioned burgers include:
- Ward’s House of Prime in Milwaukee
- Sobelman’s in Milwaukee
- Brule River Cookhouse in Brule
- Mr. B’s – A Bartolotta Steakhouse in Mequon
Conclusion
From buttery and cheesy to boozy and custard-topped, Wisconsin offers a wide range of unique and creative burgers. Using local ingredients and flavors, these iconic sandwiches reflect the culinary heritage of America’s Dairyland. So next time you’re craving a good burger in Wisconsin, try one of these famous specialties.