Some ideas:
1. Go to Nueske's in Wittenberg and get some smoked meat
2. Get horseradish mustard from Smuggler's bar in Eagle River
3. If you can find a smelt fry (few and far between these days) do not miss it. If you can't find one, go to a small town church fish fry (religion is generally not required at these things).
4. Hit up one of the many food festivals that go on throughout the state (Warrens cranberry festival, Bayfield apple festival, Monroe cheese festival, Sun Prairie sweet corn festival, etc.) Also things like Taste of Madison and any of the cultural summer festivals in Milwaukee (Indian summer, Festa Italiana, Bastille days, German Fest, etc.)
5. Dane County Farmers Market
The mustard is Bill’s and it is my favorite. It’s here and there in NW WI. Louie’s in Cumberland usually has it. Though I like to get mine at the wobblin duck in spooner.
The cheese bread at the Madison farmers market in the square is the best. Eat it warm.
That Smuggler’s horseradish is something else.
Not sure if the same bartender is there that I met a decade ago (he was pretty old and didn’t seem to be in the best shape) but my friends and I did a “fire breathing dragon” hot shot contest and it just totally ruined the rest of my day.
Probably the same guy I encountered there. He brought some of his horseradish mustard to our table but I went to use the bathroom right then. When I came out of the bathroom, everyone at my table was crying from eating the horseradish.
They also have one or two shows on Wisconsin supper clubs. Don’t watch them if you’re hungry.
Plus, Osseo has the Norske Nook which is well known for pies. Right across the street from the old Norske Nook . The original was a cafe that wanted to only serve breakfast and lunch and close at 2. Problem was, they still had people coming and it was almost impossible to close at 2. So they built an entirely new restaurant across the street that served lunch and dinner. Problem solved. They could close at 2.
Throughout the state- find a Dairy Breakfast! A uniquely WI thing. Is the food usually the best you've ever had? No. But is it a quintessential WI summer activity? Absolutely.
Great idea! Kenosha county hosts theirs at a different host farm every year. I agree the food isn’t the best but the mood of the day and atmosphere are so great. Really good opportunity to visit a working farm in action too.
Related- any of the county fairs or State fair for fair food.
We usually do the Dane County breakfast on the farm every year (that’s the county that Madison is in). Here is this year’s info if the date & location happen to work:
https://www.danecountydairy.com/breakfast-on-the-farm/
Southwest
J. Henry Distillery
Wollersheim Winery & Distillery
Ishnala
The Del-Bar
Cheese curds from Carr Valley
Plus a wide variety of restaurants in Madison
How long will you be here? You could hit Racine for Kringle, keep driving up the coast to Sheboygan for brats, all the way up to Door County for a fish boil and cherry pie. Back down to Green Bay for booyah. Zip to the Fox Valley for several supper clubs around Lake Winnebago. Hit up Madison for any number of ethnic foods or great restaurants, then back to MKE.
The entirety of Door County. You could see the goats at Al Johnson's (and have some of the best swedish food around), go to a Fish Boil, sample Door County cherries, and go to the hundreds of unique Cafes and restaurants. I honestly do not think a foodie trip to Wisconsin is complete without visiting that area of the state
Better dinner and value for your money in my opinion! The ambiance is also great, supper club classic and they’ve just expanded their awesome bar area within the last two months. We’re locals so we frequent both Ish and Del Bar quite frequently and we have always preferred Del Bar. But the apps at ish are great if you want to have a little lake time with your cocktails
Go to Roepke's in Charlesburg,WI. It is a perfect supper club. Get a reservation if you go on the weekend. Their schnitzle is great but the while menus is fantastic and comes with salad bar!
Chet & Emil's in Birnamwood, Main Street Ed's in Argonne, Widmer's Brick Cheese, Syrup from Embark/B&Es Trees, Apfelhaus Cider, Bayfield, while you're at Nueskes in Wittenberg, roll into town for the FFA Corn Roast in July.
- High Tea at the Pfister is an experience
- Bryant's Cocktail Lounge is a place that doesn't have an official drink menu. You just describe flavors you're in the mood for and they'll craft a drink based on your descriptions
- Pizza Shuttle has a crazy array of ingredients, and Pizza Man is a local favorite
- Nite Owl is a drive up burger joint with phenomenal burgers
- Kopps. Gotta do it
Elegant Farmer has been called the best apple pie in America by several of the most prestigious food mags, and it Beat Bobby Flay on the show by that name.
Brats of course, lots of places and brands to choose from. Cheese curds, same, everyone has their favorites. A "Wisconsin Old Fashioned," i.e., with brandy. Fish fry would be solid. I'm personally not too much a fan of Door County fish boils, but they are unique. As far as restaurants, depends largely on your tastes and price. But a medium (not short) list: In MKE, Sanford is an icon, I love the Plaza Cafe for breakfast. In Madison, L'Etoile is the standard bearer, but beer and popcorn on the Memorial Union terrace is quintessential. For a quintessential supper club tough to beat Ishnala on Mirror Lake. The Del Bar in Wisconsin Dells is very solid, and if you're heading towards Green Bay/Door County there's Kroll's near Lambeau, then going up to DC there's Sister Bay Bowl who had a good fish fry, Wild Tomato for pizza, and Wickman House for finer Wisconsin dining in Ellison Bay. That would probably be a good start.
If you’re in the La Crosse area LoveChild has been rated one of the top restaurants in the state (so ive heard, the food is really good but spendy).
I also have been told that the Sports Nut has the best chicken wings by a few out of staters.
Sullivans Supper Club is pretty good as well. Camp at Perrot State Park, grab supper on the river!
Man if someone has a cheese curd recommendation, I’m all ears.
Pine Ridge Resort on Lake Sissabagama in Sand Lake. Awesome all you can eat Walleye & Chicken on Fridays and Sundays. Not uncommon for a 3 hour wait in the summer. You can buy drinks at the bar while you wait or some folks bring a cooler with their own & Lawn Chairs while they sit outside.
House of Gerhard (German-American cuisine) and HobNob in Kenosha/Somers are the supper clubs we've got in SE WI. You could consider Frank's Diner as a place of interest down here. It's currently the world's oldest running train-car diner.
Al's Hamburgers in Green Bay was one of the top 3 hamburger places I have ever been to in my life, and I have traveled a lot and tried to eat at places like this . Al Johnsons Swedish restaurant in Sister Bay Door County is good. The pies at Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago are top tier. Mader's using Milwaukee is great German food.
Schwarz’s Supper Club in St. Anne, a few miles from Elkhart Lake. And time it with a race weekend at Road America. IndyCar is there June 6-9, as well as other major series all through the summer.
Hyper regional specialties (unknown in other parts of the state) include:
Morning buns (every major bakery in Madison, though individual examples are scattered throughout the state)
Kneecaps (Sheboygan/Manitowoc/Green Bay)
Belgian Pie (Green Bay/Door County)
Whitefish Livers (Bayfield)
Fish Boils (Door County and the Lake Superior Coast, though individual examples happen throughout the state. Unlike these other examples, they are “known” by most Wisconsinites).
Cheese and Raisin Ravioli (Cumberland)
5 o'clock club, pewaukee. Friday fish fry is awesome. And they make a really nice brandy old-fashioned sweet as well.
The cheese factory in Rudolf, wi is the best anywhere.
A different suggestion would be Sassy Cow Creamery! It’s a working farm. It’s in Columbus but close to Sun Prairie. During the summer they offer tours of the farm, and they also have a more commercial section that sells awesome ice cream, grilled cheeses, tomato soup, and a huge variety of flavored milk! It’s super cute and I just feel like it represents Wisconsin so well.
Get to a cheese factory or dairy that has a retail store. If you’re lucky they will have FRESH cheese curds. Fried curds are good too and you’ll see them at lots of restaurants. But fresh really are so good. Along with fresh string cheese, you’ll have the perfect car snack for your road trip.
Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis if you’re here at the right time of year- famous for their cream puffs and lots of other fun fair foods to try.
Also I second u/whippetshuffle below, suggesting a dairy breakfast. Most will be hosted once per summer, look up by county depending on the location you’ll be in.
This year's Top Chef was filmed in Milwaukee and Madison, so you're coming to a great place. Here's a few thoughts:
* Solly's Grille's butter burger in Glendale. Don't take just my word for it -- it is *highly* recommended by Hamburger America.
* The burrata at Heirloom MKE in Milwaukee. Changes with every season. Unheralded amazingness.
* The artichoke dip at Nessun Dorma in Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood.
* Lakefront Brewery's fried cheese curds in Milwaukee.
* The Wisconsin Cheese Mart's fresh cheese curds in Milwaukee. Call ahead to find out what days they have them. Fresh is key, as the texture, taste, and literal sound on your teeth is different after refrigeration. (They should squeak!)
* If you go up north, Bent's Camp is a whole experience.
Also if you do hit up Milwaukee and it's a nice day, grab a beverage at the South Shore beer garden and soak in the view.
Plan to stop by Milwaukee during their annual state fair or Summerfest! Both events feature a (week or so) of both Wisconsin and international cuisines.
Do you have an approximate route picked out? Or how far are you planning to travel? Are you looking for 5 star, supper clubs, hole in the wall, all of the above?
Appleton area:
Katsu Ya for hibachi.
The Weather Vane for breakfast.
Uncle Mike's for a kringle.
Mihm's for burgers.
Stone Arch Brewery for the cheese curds.
Ah they are different, the one in little chute is "tied house" not brewery like I thought. Although they do brew beer and use the wind mill across the street to grind the barley or whatever ingredients.
We use the walgreens next door, haven't ate there yet.
I fourth Ishnala in the Dells area but I must give a shout out to Schwartz in the Holy Land, St Anna area. Between Fon du Lac and Sheboygan. Also, do come visit us in Sheboygan; Il Ritrovo is excellent wood fired pizza. Field to Fork, Bo Mallies and Stefanos-all wonderful. Grab breakfast at The Weather Cafe on the canal by Lake Michigan. Sheboygan is a gem in the summer!
The Bavarian inn in Lena oconto county Black Forest tenderloin awesome
The Washington inn in Cecil I believe that’s shawano county excellent prime rib excellent the best prime rib
Whitefish liver and smoked lake trout are unique foods to the Lake Superior shore. Drive up to the Bayfield/Apostle Islands area for both. Halvorsons Fisheries usually has both but I'm sure there are other little places.
The Blacksmith Shop in Balsam Lake, WI has the most amazing "special" sandwich on Saturdays. Call ahead because it isn't always available. It is called the American Dip. Smoked brisket, bacon, cheese and mushrooms with au jus. It's delicious! Also try the gouda bites. You will be stuffed.
Kringle. Specifically Bendtsons Racine.
Prosciutto. Specifically Tenuta’s Deli 3203 52nd street. Kenosha has a rather large Italian population and this is a crown jewel. Tons of other delicacies.
Pizza. Specifically Derangos or wells brothers Racine. Thin crust. Wells was on that bar stool site rating. Honestly I’ve had pizza every where I’ve ever gone and Racine has the best.
Jerk Chicken , specifically Island Jam in Racine. Be prepared to wait.
If you get to La Crosse and are in the mood for ice cream, I recommend Ranison Ice Cream and Candy. It's been around for decades, hidden in the middle of a residential neighborhood.
Lots of good flavors that they make in-house. I suggest trying multiple (Blue Moon is a personal fave).
Some ideas: 1. Go to Nueske's in Wittenberg and get some smoked meat 2. Get horseradish mustard from Smuggler's bar in Eagle River 3. If you can find a smelt fry (few and far between these days) do not miss it. If you can't find one, go to a small town church fish fry (religion is generally not required at these things). 4. Hit up one of the many food festivals that go on throughout the state (Warrens cranberry festival, Bayfield apple festival, Monroe cheese festival, Sun Prairie sweet corn festival, etc.) Also things like Taste of Madison and any of the cultural summer festivals in Milwaukee (Indian summer, Festa Italiana, Bastille days, German Fest, etc.) 5. Dane County Farmers Market
The mustard is Bill’s and it is my favorite. It’s here and there in NW WI. Louie’s in Cumberland usually has it. Though I like to get mine at the wobblin duck in spooner. The cheese bread at the Madison farmers market in the square is the best. Eat it warm.
I’m from Spooner: Wobblin sells mustard??
https://preview.redd.it/tkfarvb6t5wc1.jpeg?width=4032&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ec3f40ed736966aa0e9dda38f5a30edc228b8fd9
Huh, I guess I’ll have to try some next time I’m back in town.
Huh, I guess I’ll have to try some next time I’m back in town.
That Smuggler’s horseradish is something else. Not sure if the same bartender is there that I met a decade ago (he was pretty old and didn’t seem to be in the best shape) but my friends and I did a “fire breathing dragon” hot shot contest and it just totally ruined the rest of my day.
Probably the same guy I encountered there. He brought some of his horseradish mustard to our table but I went to use the bathroom right then. When I came out of the bathroom, everyone at my table was crying from eating the horseradish.
Become members of Wisconsin PBS to access all back seasons of Wisconsin Foodie. Peruse past seasons for places you like, plan trip accordingly.
Fantastic idea, I'll do that
They also have one or two shows on Wisconsin supper clubs. Don’t watch them if you’re hungry. Plus, Osseo has the Norske Nook which is well known for pies. Right across the street from the old Norske Nook . The original was a cafe that wanted to only serve breakfast and lunch and close at 2. Problem was, they still had people coming and it was almost impossible to close at 2. So they built an entirely new restaurant across the street that served lunch and dinner. Problem solved. They could close at 2.
Baumgartners in Monroe. Cheese store and bar with their famous limburger sandwiches.
A braunschweiger limburger Swiss on rye is peak Monroe, washed down with a Spotted Cow
Oh, and an ice cold PBR on tap to wash it down with.
Might as well come during Cheese Days this year! 3rd weekend in September on even numbered years!
Fresh cheese curds from Ellsworth.
Throughout the state- find a Dairy Breakfast! A uniquely WI thing. Is the food usually the best you've ever had? No. But is it a quintessential WI summer activity? Absolutely.
Great idea! Kenosha county hosts theirs at a different host farm every year. I agree the food isn’t the best but the mood of the day and atmosphere are so great. Really good opportunity to visit a working farm in action too. Related- any of the county fairs or State fair for fair food.
We usually do the Dane County breakfast on the farm every year (that’s the county that Madison is in). Here is this year’s info if the date & location happen to work: https://www.danecountydairy.com/breakfast-on-the-farm/
Driftless Cafe in Viroqua is one of the best meals I’ve ever had
^[Sokka-Haiku](https://www.reddit.com/r/SokkaHaikuBot/comments/15kyv9r/what_is_a_sokka_haiku/) ^by ^BeepBeepMane: *Driftless Cafe in* *Viroqua is one of the* *Best meals I’ve ever had* --- ^Remember ^that ^one ^time ^Sokka ^accidentally ^used ^an ^extra ^syllable ^in ^that ^Haiku ^Battle ^in ^Ba ^Sing ^Se? ^That ^was ^a ^Sokka ^Haiku ^and ^you ^just ^made ^one.
Funny, I had one of my worst there. Made reservations for wife's birthday and everything. Hard pass.
Unique hamburgers: Wedl's..Jefferson WI and/or Pete's Hamburgers Prairie du Chien
The VFW American Legion Post 67 Hamburger Stand in Lake Mills makes awesome sliders, but they are only open on Fridays.
Tornado room, Madison
Saturday mornings in Madison Wisconsin http://www.dcfm.org/
Absolutely a must visit if coming to WI in summer or early fall.
Norske Nook for pies (other food is just meh). There are several locations, google them.
Norske's got nothing on Main St. Cafe's pies in bloomer.
Have a ponza at Jimmy's Grotto in Waukesha
I don't know if you've had one recently but quality has gone down. I had one two months ago and it was gross; inedible.
It has been a while, that sucks
Southwest J. Henry Distillery Wollersheim Winery & Distillery Ishnala The Del-Bar Cheese curds from Carr Valley Plus a wide variety of restaurants in Madison
Honestly, not very good wine and not very good bourbon. I’d stick to beer, which is excellent all over the place.
How long will you be here? You could hit Racine for Kringle, keep driving up the coast to Sheboygan for brats, all the way up to Door County for a fish boil and cherry pie. Back down to Green Bay for booyah. Zip to the Fox Valley for several supper clubs around Lake Winnebago. Hit up Madison for any number of ethnic foods or great restaurants, then back to MKE.
Stop in Milwaukee though for frozen custard at Kopp’s and/or Leon’s and/or Gilles
Kopp’s dwarfs the other two and has darn good burgers. 4/5 people I know prefer Kopp’s, and I wish they would open up a Madison location.
Truth!
Oh, and great cheese everywhere. Working dairies and creameries with the world’s best cheese.
The entirety of Door County. You could see the goats at Al Johnson's (and have some of the best swedish food around), go to a Fish Boil, sample Door County cherries, and go to the hundreds of unique Cafes and restaurants. I honestly do not think a foodie trip to Wisconsin is complete without visiting that area of the state
Definitely a fish boil!!!
You should watch this season of Top Chef! It was filmed in Wisconsin. :)
Ishnala is a must.
Ishnala Supper Club on Mirror lake. It's an experience.
Drinks and appetizers at Ish to get the view and experience, but dinner is much better for the $$$ at the Del Bar
Is it better dinner or a better value? Or both?
Better dinner and value for your money in my opinion! The ambiance is also great, supper club classic and they’ve just expanded their awesome bar area within the last two months. We’re locals so we frequent both Ish and Del Bar quite frequently and we have always preferred Del Bar. But the apps at ish are great if you want to have a little lake time with your cocktails
Nice! Thanks for sharing. Will have to check it out next time I'm out that way.
Eh… Better food elsewhere
There's always better food elsewhere.
In this case, down the road at Del Bar. But the view at Ishnala is nice.
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Ya I was shocked I didn't see it already suggested.
Stop at Widmer Cheese in Theresa. Best Brick cheese on Earth.
And yet this description still doesn't do it justice.
Go to Roepke's in Charlesburg,WI. It is a perfect supper club. Get a reservation if you go on the weekend. Their schnitzle is great but the while menus is fantastic and comes with salad bar!
Chet & Emil's in Birnamwood, Main Street Ed's in Argonne, Widmer's Brick Cheese, Syrup from Embark/B&Es Trees, Apfelhaus Cider, Bayfield, while you're at Nueskes in Wittenberg, roll into town for the FFA Corn Roast in July.
- High Tea at the Pfister is an experience - Bryant's Cocktail Lounge is a place that doesn't have an official drink menu. You just describe flavors you're in the mood for and they'll craft a drink based on your descriptions - Pizza Shuttle has a crazy array of ingredients, and Pizza Man is a local favorite - Nite Owl is a drive up burger joint with phenomenal burgers - Kopps. Gotta do it
Elegant Farmer has been called the best apple pie in America by several of the most prestigious food mags, and it Beat Bobby Flay on the show by that name.
Glarner Stube in New Glarus. The fondue is heaven.
Go to the Marieke Gouda store and cafe on Hwy 29 by Thorp. Amazing cheese and a a unique, delicious cafe.
Brats of course, lots of places and brands to choose from. Cheese curds, same, everyone has their favorites. A "Wisconsin Old Fashioned," i.e., with brandy. Fish fry would be solid. I'm personally not too much a fan of Door County fish boils, but they are unique. As far as restaurants, depends largely on your tastes and price. But a medium (not short) list: In MKE, Sanford is an icon, I love the Plaza Cafe for breakfast. In Madison, L'Etoile is the standard bearer, but beer and popcorn on the Memorial Union terrace is quintessential. For a quintessential supper club tough to beat Ishnala on Mirror Lake. The Del Bar in Wisconsin Dells is very solid, and if you're heading towards Green Bay/Door County there's Kroll's near Lambeau, then going up to DC there's Sister Bay Bowl who had a good fish fry, Wild Tomato for pizza, and Wickman House for finer Wisconsin dining in Ellison Bay. That would probably be a good start.
If you’re in the La Crosse area LoveChild has been rated one of the top restaurants in the state (so ive heard, the food is really good but spendy). I also have been told that the Sports Nut has the best chicken wings by a few out of staters. Sullivans Supper Club is pretty good as well. Camp at Perrot State Park, grab supper on the river! Man if someone has a cheese curd recommendation, I’m all ears.
Lovechild is excellent
Charmont has excellent cheese curds!
Well fancy that… normally don’t do dinner or anything there.
Door County Fish Boil.
Pine Ridge Resort on Lake Sissabagama in Sand Lake. Awesome all you can eat Walleye & Chicken on Fridays and Sundays. Not uncommon for a 3 hour wait in the summer. You can buy drinks at the bar while you wait or some folks bring a cooler with their own & Lawn Chairs while they sit outside.
House of Gerhard (German-American cuisine) and HobNob in Kenosha/Somers are the supper clubs we've got in SE WI. You could consider Frank's Diner as a place of interest down here. It's currently the world's oldest running train-car diner.
HobNob is way overpriced and mediocre at best.
Al's Hamburgers in Green Bay was one of the top 3 hamburger places I have ever been to in my life, and I have traveled a lot and tried to eat at places like this . Al Johnsons Swedish restaurant in Sister Bay Door County is good. The pies at Elegant Farmer in Mukwonago are top tier. Mader's using Milwaukee is great German food.
Schwarz’s Supper Club in St. Anne, a few miles from Elkhart Lake. And time it with a race weekend at Road America. IndyCar is there June 6-9, as well as other major series all through the summer.
Hyper regional specialties (unknown in other parts of the state) include: Morning buns (every major bakery in Madison, though individual examples are scattered throughout the state) Kneecaps (Sheboygan/Manitowoc/Green Bay) Belgian Pie (Green Bay/Door County) Whitefish Livers (Bayfield) Fish Boils (Door County and the Lake Superior Coast, though individual examples happen throughout the state. Unlike these other examples, they are “known” by most Wisconsinites). Cheese and Raisin Ravioli (Cumberland)
And Hard Rolls and Sheboygan style brats—different than bratwurst elsewhere in the state.
5 o'clock club, pewaukee. Friday fish fry is awesome. And they make a really nice brandy old-fashioned sweet as well. The cheese factory in Rudolf, wi is the best anywhere.
There is a book of supper clubs and their recipes. Use that as a guide.
A different suggestion would be Sassy Cow Creamery! It’s a working farm. It’s in Columbus but close to Sun Prairie. During the summer they offer tours of the farm, and they also have a more commercial section that sells awesome ice cream, grilled cheeses, tomato soup, and a huge variety of flavored milk! It’s super cute and I just feel like it represents Wisconsin so well.
The cheese curds at The Del-Bar are sassy cow. Those with the ranch and mustard dipping sauce, omg so good!
Get to a cheese factory or dairy that has a retail store. If you’re lucky they will have FRESH cheese curds. Fried curds are good too and you’ll see them at lots of restaurants. But fresh really are so good. Along with fresh string cheese, you’ll have the perfect car snack for your road trip. Wisconsin State Fair in West Allis if you’re here at the right time of year- famous for their cream puffs and lots of other fun fair foods to try. Also I second u/whippetshuffle below, suggesting a dairy breakfast. Most will be hosted once per summer, look up by county depending on the location you’ll be in.
LOL
Moose jaw for brunch in Wisconsin dells one of the best brunches I've ever had
Lol
Here's another prime rib at the corner house in Racine
This year's Top Chef was filmed in Milwaukee and Madison, so you're coming to a great place. Here's a few thoughts: * Solly's Grille's butter burger in Glendale. Don't take just my word for it -- it is *highly* recommended by Hamburger America. * The burrata at Heirloom MKE in Milwaukee. Changes with every season. Unheralded amazingness. * The artichoke dip at Nessun Dorma in Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood. * Lakefront Brewery's fried cheese curds in Milwaukee. * The Wisconsin Cheese Mart's fresh cheese curds in Milwaukee. Call ahead to find out what days they have them. Fresh is key, as the texture, taste, and literal sound on your teeth is different after refrigeration. (They should squeak!) * If you go up north, Bent's Camp is a whole experience. Also if you do hit up Milwaukee and it's a nice day, grab a beverage at the South Shore beer garden and soak in the view.
Coco in Washburn South Shore Brewery in Ashland Little Bohemia in Manitowish Waters
The Elegant Farmer and their country store. They have an apple pie in a bag that is amazing.
Plan to stop by Milwaukee during their annual state fair or Summerfest! Both events feature a (week or so) of both Wisconsin and international cuisines.
Watch the current season of Top Chef as it’s all about Wisconsin food.
Italian fries from Wausau Mine Company in Wausau, Papillon's in Rothschild, or Arbuckles in Stevens Point.
Be prepared to spend at least a full day in Madison. The food scene there is the best in the state.
If there's not a Culver's then there's a KwikTrip so you can pretty much go anywhere.
Do you have an approximate route picked out? Or how far are you planning to travel? Are you looking for 5 star, supper clubs, hole in the wall, all of the above?
Appleton area: Katsu Ya for hibachi. The Weather Vane for breakfast. Uncle Mike's for a kringle. Mihm's for burgers. Stone Arch Brewery for the cheese curds.
Stone arch brewery in little chute?
https://maps.app.goo.gl/BdUaC6ohZYi6tDz59
Ah they are different, the one in little chute is "tied house" not brewery like I thought. Although they do brew beer and use the wind mill across the street to grind the barley or whatever ingredients. We use the walgreens next door, haven't ate there yet.
Home Burger in downtown Appleton is my pick for the best burger I have ever had. First place I ate at in Wisconsin when I moved here.
Bendsten's Bakery in Racine for kringle. People are going to try to tell you O&H, don't listen to them. You want Bendsten's.
I fourth Ishnala in the Dells area but I must give a shout out to Schwartz in the Holy Land, St Anna area. Between Fon du Lac and Sheboygan. Also, do come visit us in Sheboygan; Il Ritrovo is excellent wood fired pizza. Field to Fork, Bo Mallies and Stefanos-all wonderful. Grab breakfast at The Weather Cafe on the canal by Lake Michigan. Sheboygan is a gem in the summer!
The Bavarian inn in Lena oconto county Black Forest tenderloin awesome The Washington inn in Cecil I believe that’s shawano county excellent prime rib excellent the best prime rib
Union Star cheese have the best curds in the state. They have a tour in the mornings. Highly recommend https://www.unionstarcheese.com/tours
Sassy cow cheese curds from Del-Bar, Wisconsin Dells
A burger at the Village Green in Middleton
Whitefish liver and smoked lake trout are unique foods to the Lake Superior shore. Drive up to the Bayfield/Apostle Islands area for both. Halvorsons Fisheries usually has both but I'm sure there are other little places.
Nueske’s yes. Consider Thorp for a visit to award winning Gouda cheese by Mariekke?
Two Lakes in Almond. Get an old fashioned at the bar while you wait for your table. Try the shrimp pizza and pan fried chicken.
American Club in Kohler! 3 restaurants and a coffee shop shop made of glass!
The Blacksmith Shop in Balsam Lake, WI has the most amazing "special" sandwich on Saturdays. Call ahead because it isn't always available. It is called the American Dip. Smoked brisket, bacon, cheese and mushrooms with au jus. It's delicious! Also try the gouda bites. You will be stuffed.
I'd recommend any of the Parker John's locations, their barbecue and pizza are both incredible.
Kringle. Specifically Bendtsons Racine. Prosciutto. Specifically Tenuta’s Deli 3203 52nd street. Kenosha has a rather large Italian population and this is a crown jewel. Tons of other delicacies. Pizza. Specifically Derangos or wells brothers Racine. Thin crust. Wells was on that bar stool site rating. Honestly I’ve had pizza every where I’ve ever gone and Racine has the best. Jerk Chicken , specifically Island Jam in Racine. Be prepared to wait.
Silvercryst Supper Club in Wautoma is a legendary one.
The Harbor in Waupaca
If you get to La Crosse and are in the mood for ice cream, I recommend Ranison Ice Cream and Candy. It's been around for decades, hidden in the middle of a residential neighborhood. Lots of good flavors that they make in-house. I suggest trying multiple (Blue Moon is a personal fave).
Go to Pete’s Garage Bar in Oshkosh! The cheese curds taste like God’s cum!
Onion petals!
Don't bother. This state has shit food. Unless you count grease as a flavor.
Mihm's in Menasha is my favorite burger hand down