For a decidedly un-burger, stop at Kuhtz's General Store in Stone Bank (North of Delafield along 94 - midway between Milwaukee and Madison). They serve fresh ground raw beef and onion on rye. Saturdays only. About as old-school Wisconsin as you can get.

Good to know that place is: 1) still around, and 2) still serving the raw beef.

That was THE place to get raw ground beef for holiday parties when I was growing up. I had just assumed it closed like every other ma and pa place out in that area. I am happy that they are still around and now I am going to make a trek out there to get some.

eatwisconsin wrote:Good to know that place is: 1) still around, and 2) still serving the raw beef.

That was THE place to get raw ground beef for holiday parties when I was growing up. I had just assumed it closed like every other ma and pa place out in that area. I am happy that they are still around and now I am going to make a trek out there to get some.

Surprisingly busy on Saturdays. A tad more gentrified than when I first came across it a couple of decades back (some local brews and even Wollersheim wines available). I think they've been operating in the same location for about 80 years.

Dr Dawg, my favorite cheeseburger in Miwaukee. http://bestburgersinmilwaukee.com/dr-dawg/

So speaking of sliders...Wednesday night is slider night at the Platteville VFW.


Platteville, WI

I got to stop in and try them and experience the atmosphere inside. I enjoyed my visit in doing so. The public is welcome but the average age inside on my visit had to be near 80 and this included me and the pretty young blonde bartender who the Vets obviously enjoyed shooting dice with. My first order placed was a coca cola and Spotted Cow from the tap, at $3 I felt like I could be a regular quickly if I lived near here like all the old timers inside do.


The view inside

It was around 5p and that's when slider night starts (it goes 'til 9) and so it seemed that's the reason most of the guys at the bar were there. Actually I take that back, they were there for the cheap beer and some sliders to go along with it. There's a regular menu with burgers, brats etc.. on it but no one in the place was ordering anything but the special. Three for $2.50 isn't a bad deal and so I was told these have always been made here the same way and loved by the locals. You get what you pay for and then a little more as long as you like this style of burger. The patties were steamed and so they were lighter in color than your typical burger and loaded with onions served inside steamed buns with pickles and the option of cheese. Good stuff but getting to listen the old timers go back and forth while watching and analyzing the gameshow 'Baggage' with host Jerry Springer was really great. I thought it was a fun stop with a peak inside a different old school style of 'Midwest Living'.


Wednesday Night Sliders at the Platteville VFW

VFW Bar & Grill
110 W Mineral St.
Platteville, WI 53818
(608) 348-8883

Nice pix of the sliders, but where's the "pretty young blonde bartender"?

Let's get our priorities straight, please.

Buddy

OK Buddy, I can agree with your point, but I've got to say, after following along with Da during his travels these last few years, he's pretty much got his priorities well in hand. Beef. Boeuf. Rinderfleisch. Carne de res. That's his name, and that's his game!

Da, I could see where it could get kind of addictive, sitting around with all those Ol' Timers, listening to their stories. Damn, those Olde Fartes *can* tell stories! I wonder if our generation will be successful at that game, too?!

Interesting that it's "VFW—open to the public". Most VFW lodges in small midwestern towns are only open to members. The hottest ticket in Alton IL is the VFW hall, but, man, you've got to show the service in order to get in the door. Wonder why they did it that way in Plattville? Makes it nice for all the other locals, but not so special for the vets themselves.

Geo

When it comes to the college years of life many people tend to think they already know it all and I'll admit, in alot of cases, I was one of those people. Even though I knew there was so much more to Madison than BW-3's, Pizzeria Uno and La Bamba. I knew that treats like the now gone Pel-Meni (via Alaska) were way better late nite drunken State street eats than the gyro shop and pizza place across the street down the way. I knew this because it was also really good when unstoned and sober unlike the other places. I was smart enough to walk over to one of the best Farmers Markets in the country for groceries when it was up and running. I knew where to go to grab Sunday Night Prime Rib dinner through a drive thru so I could bring it back to the crew before we watched Deadwood. I knew more about the good roadfood offerings in Madison than pretty much everyone else who was my age and living there at that time. Or did I? It turns out that Madison, from my eyes, is one of the best burger towns in America. Way better than its bigger bellied older brother Milwaukee is anyway.


Back to Mad City we roll...

On page four of this thread you'll see three "upscale" burger offerings that are well worth the double digit pricetag put on them. I need to get to adding some places to the Madison THREAD because theres some great farm to table, charcuterie, gastro pub, micro distillery and cocktail type places popping up. Which is nice to see because the bounty up there is rich. It's always been a great place to eat but its getting even better. However those places are for another time. Today we do the exact opposite of that and head to three typical locally loved 'Sconnie style taverns putting out classic tavern style hamburgers.

______________________________________


Tony Frank's Tavern sitting atop Seminole Highway

I remember passing this place now and then when I would ride around. I always wanted to stop in but never did. Time has passed and I forgot about it as the years went by until someone sent me an email suggesting that this place has the "best burger in Wisconsin". I remembered Tony Franks right away as you can see from the outside it's a unique looking place. Opened in 1929 it shifted into a tavern after serving as a farm house. The building structure itself is over 160 years old. Its said that the two trees in its backyard are two of the tallest in Madison. Also said is that the place was still in operation during prohibition. I cant believe I never stopped in. Shall we?


My views from the bar

Tony Franks has a really nice well upkept area at the bar and beyond. It's an old school place with a new look, they must of remodeled at some point. However its still got the classic feel to it. The dining room is in another room seperated from the bar. I tried lunch here on a weekday. Despite it being a Wednesday the place was still packed. Most of the people were there for lunch but every seat at the bar was filled with regulars in there for beers and baseball. The menu here is typical bar fare with a German American flair. They got sandwiches such as their Bavarian brat and a grilled ham and cheese. Reuben's too, one with a brat if you want. They all come on locally sourced rye bread. Of course they also do a Friday (and Wed.) Fish Fry and have hamburgers too. I was told not to miss their German burger which made sense to me since that's their house specialty and to go with that I also got a hot ham and cheese on toasted rye. As is typical with most neighborhood Wisconsin taverns the grill is right there behind the bar.


German Burger & Ham and Cheese on Toasted Rye

The sandwich was satisfyingly "homey" if you will with the bread being excellent. The burger? It's a damn shame I never knew about this place until now. It would of been the perfect hangover killer along with a Bloody Mary and Rhinelander shorty chaser to go with it. When the fresh patties of beef supplied by the local butcher are ready (medium rare which is nice) they place them in what I believe to be a homemade wheat bun with sesame seeds thats toasted right before. On top of that goes sauerkraut, grilled onions and Swiss cheese. Judging by how greasy and good it was I think they might of snuck some butter up in there too, maybe cooked in with the onions. This was a winner and one that I'll remember thus far on this search.


The insides
______________________________________

Da Beef wrote:

ndgbucktown wrote:This thread is truly incredible, Da Beef. But can it be that you never developed an affinity for the burger at the Caribou Bar on E. Johnson? I haven't had one in over a decade, but they still haunt my dreams. They had really spicy horseradish bottled especially for them, too. I recommend them the next time you're in the area.

Hey glad your enjoying the tour, which will continue as the weather warms. I have never heard of Caribou Bar. Damn, makes me feel less of the "know it all" when it comes to 'Sconnie burgers and also makes me wonder what I was doing those years there in Madison, how could I not know about a certain bar? I thought I did them all....

ziggy wrote:I second the Caribou (or the 'bou) rec. Great tavern burger that uses local beef. Pretty damn good curds too.

I also second the love for this thread. Top notch.

You can quote them on that and misquote me as well. As it turns out I might of been right from the get go about thinking I had been to most every bar within drunk walking reach. Although I have never had a burger at da 'bou I've definitely been there and remembered so right away when we pulled up and I saw their orange neon sign on display. I remember stopping in here a few times for some drinks late but never ate there and now I don't know why.


Local/Student favorite on East Johnson Street

Aside from one younger hefty hipster looking regular in there drinking shots of Jager by himself, it was just two ladies behind the bar chatting with him. Both as sweet as can be especially the older lady who I'm guessing was there when y'all were. She knew everyone. A little bit different of a vibe then when I was there and it was filled with people but still low key enough to enjoy a place without the ruckus for a change of pace. A place I'd be at now in my older and wiser days.


The view as you enter & then further down at the end of the bar where the grill is located

I never knew about the burgers until they came rec'd on here but I'm glad y'all did even if its after the fact I no longer live there thru most of the year. Perfectly described up above they even had some horseradish ready and although it wasn't their own product they had a selection to choose from, hot and hotter. The beef was very high quality especially for a bar like this and its price. The onions were grilled to the point where they gave off that potent perfume when you do them right and the slice of Wisconsin cheddar and a toasted hard roll made this as good of a no frills bar burger you'll find. Apologies to ndgbucktown if this haunts your dreams.


Caribou Burger...the bar not the meat
______________________________________

I'd also been past Village Green Tavern in Middleton a few times back in the day which is easy to remember when seeing it due to the big green building it sits in. Just like the last two stops though for whatever reason I never stopped in. Aside from the cool look of the place though I never had a reason to do so. Of note, however for another post, is the fact that Middleton is the new home to the National Mustard Museum. Formerly of Mount Horeb, WI it's well worth the visit if your on Team Yellow. OFF WITH REDS HEAD! Middleton is a nice little border suburb of Madison that US 12 goes thru en route to Devils Lake. I read somewhere along the lines that it's been voted 'Madison's Best Burger' by a local publication so that shot it onto my radar when so.


Middleton, WI

It's a big place but there were only three or four other people in there during the day but I imagine this place can get really full on the weekend nights when neighbors don't feel like cooking at home. The guy bartending was also cooking the burgers which was cool since as mentioned it was slow.


The view of the dining room & from my seat at the bar

The patties are pre-formed but made fresh and delivered from a local supplier. I went with a double cheeseburger which was probably a little too big. I thought I remembered hearing that these burgers were smashed but they're just placed on and then flipped. A single would of been fine and the double would of been alot better if I hadn't eaten at the previous two places. This was a pretty darn good 'local bar burger'. Nothing special but quality beef was used and alot of it at that. Served with lettuce, tomato, pickles and onions or 'picnic style' as I call it. My biggest complaint I guess was the fact they didn't have a bunch of different mustard's to choose from. The offerings of them are endless right down the street. I'll get to a fuller report on the Mustard Museum soon but the two bottles I bought are fantastic to the point I'll have to order them if I cant find a source here or get back there anytime soon. But Madison is great in the summertime so I'm sure I will. See ya next time.


Double Cheeseburger from the Village Green


National Mustard Museum & My bounty from there
______________________________________

Tony Franks Tavern
1612 Seminole Highway
Madison, WI 53711
(608) 271-2177

The Caribou Tavern
703 East Johnson Street
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 257-5993

Village Green Bar & Grill*
7508 Hubbard Avenue
Middleton, WI 53562
(608) 831-9962

*National Mustard Museum within sight

Here is a link to the REALLY GREAT burger bars long defunct in Madison.

http://paulkuehn.hubpages.com/hub/Unive ... ampus-Bars

My vote goes to the Hasty Tasty where it was a required stop on the way to Camp Randall.
I spent 9 years in Madison getting my degrees. Madison and the University are great places but I don't stop there to eat anymore.-Dick

I still love the Paradise. The food is pretty standard - frozen, from a bag items like wings, fries, and curds but when you are smashed at 11 pm and don't want to leave the bar it tastes amazing.

Count me as another Dr. Dawg fan. I finally ate there last night and was impressed with the service, cleanliness, and quality of the food. It's hard to not order a hot dog at a place called Dr. Dawg but went there wanting to try the burger and I am glad I did. I asked for it medium rare and it came out medium rare. I had blue cheese and sauteed onions on it and it was awesome. Just a tad under-seasoned but adding some salt and pepper cured that. Its got that awesome charred burger flavor (one of the things I really love about Edzo's) It was juicy and the meat (from Niman ranch) was very flavorful. The hand-cut fries were good but not on par with places like (again) Edzo's or Weiner and Still Champion. They were about the same quality as Five Guys, which is still good company.

The next time you go to dr. Dawgs, please let me know- I can walk over and say "hi"
And I think he is so much better than the five guy's locally at Bayshore. I walked out of there once because it was so dirty.

I have only been to that 5 Guys once and I agree, it was dirty. I like the one on Oakland and Locust better. Cleaner and better service.

I actually love the burgers at Bar Louieat Bayshore too. Nothing earth shattering, just a good solid pub burger.

The kid goes for burgers and calamari at Bar Louis. I usually just have the pretzels.
I had not realized they were a chain place for a long time.

I went to the Bar Louis in Bayshore when the UW Badger games were not being broadcast due to a spat between Time Warner(SCUM OF THE EARTH COMPANY) and the Big Ten Network.
Burger were ok but I'm not going back. Frankly after trying the supposed legendary Solly's once, there is nowhere in Milwaukee I would have a burger. Used to ski at Lapham Peak and stop at Kopp's for a double cheese burger on the way home but we were famished by that time but still a nice burger and of course the custard.
Now for a quick snack it's Jalsico's on 16th for Lengua tacos! Times change!-Dick

I'm trying to follow this thread, and what I've gotten out of it is Madison has a lot of great burger joints, but I'm seeing quite a bit about joints that are defunct.

I'm thinking about a little weekend trip to the Galena/Dubuque/SW Wisc area, and staying overnight in Madison. Then to Milwaukee on Sunday. For this region (NW IL, SW WI and Madison) what burgers (and what style) are the best of the best? I'm probably hitting Kopp's on Sunday, but any great custard places on that level as well?

Thanks (at the last minute).

Ram4 wrote:I'm trying to follow this thread, and what I've gotten out of it is Madison has a lot of great burger joints, but I'm seeing quite a bit about joints that are defunct.

I'm thinking about a little weekend trip to the Galena/Dubuque/SW Wisc area, and staying overnight in Madison. Then to Milwaukee on Sunday. For this region (NW IL, SW WI and Madison) what burgers (and what style) are the best of the best? I'm probably hitting Kopp's on Sunday, but any great custard places on that level as well?

Thanks (at the last minute).

As far as Madison goes, all the places I've posted about (pics included) are still in operation. Yes indeed Madison is a great burger town. Mainly bc theres some really good upper class burgers seen on previous pages ala Tornado Room, Weary Traveler and the Old Fashioned and also great real deal 'Sconnie style tavern burgers like the Plaza and the most recent three I did. I think the Weary Traveler, Tony Franks and Tornado Room might be my faves but they're all pretty damn fantastic oh and Caribou too, especially bang for buck, it doesn't get any better. Dont forget about Full of Bull for a roast beef too.

As far as the Galena/Dubuque area and burgers go, Paul's Tavern in Dubuque is an experience. The burger is ok, mac salad awesome but its a classic Midwest river town tavern and near the 4th street elevator which is well worth the $2 ticket to take the ride. And as long as were talking burgers in Madison let me add another worthwhile one to the list. These "Juicy Brewski's" from The Great Dane Pub & Brewery fall into the 'brat burger' category. A play on the famous 'Juicy Lucy' burgers from Minneapolis, these feature brat meat stuffed with bacon and Wisconsin cheese, then topped with dijon mustard and pickles. Why yes please, give me an order of them if you will. Great paired with their fantastic beers.



Juicy Brewski's from the Great Dane Pub & Brewery

Great Dane Pub & Brewing Co.
123 East Doty Street
Madison, WI 53703
(608) 284-0000

" I'm probably hitting Kopp's on Sunday, but any great custard places on that level as well?"

I once did Leon's and Kopp's within a few hours of each other and they both ad the same flavor of the day. Leon's was a poor second to Kopp's. Kopp's the best custard I have ever had, it's not ice cream or gelato but great custard. If I stop at Kopp's now that's my lunch to keep the calories down. I have had to sample some of Kopp's chicken sandwiches and they were very good but if your REALLY hungry the double cheeseburger is to die for!-Dick

budrichard wrote:" I'm probably hitting Kopp's on Sunday, but any great custard places on that level as well?"

I once did Leon's and Kopp's within a few hours of each other and they both ad the same flavor of the day. Leon's was a poor second to Kopp's. Kopp's the best custard I have ever had, it's not ice cream or gelato but great custard. If I stop at Kopp's now that's my lunch to keep the calories down. I have had to sample some of Kopp's chicken sandwiches and they were very good but if your REALLY hungry the double cheeseburger is to die for!-Dick

My experience is exactly the opposite. I find Leon's more to my liking, though either one will do in a pinch. I sampled Ted Drews (in St. Louis, post to come) yesterday and find Ted's to be inferior to either Leon's or Kopps, but better than Culver's.

It's been a few years since my last visit to Ted Drewes, but my experience is counter to both of you--sort of. While I would be more than happy to eat any of the three, I think Ted's custard is better than either Leon's or Kopp's. As I recall, it had a more distinct eggy flavor and a creamier texture and consistency than either of the Wisconsin choices.

Comparing Kopp's and Leon's, I think Leon's has the better custard (try the cinnamon some time) , but Kopp's incredibly high quality "mix-ins" gives them the edge for overall product.

Now I gotta get back down to Saint Looie to confirm or refute my memories of Ted Drewes.

This is a Burger thread isn't it?

Buddy

BuddyRoadhouse wrote:I think Ted's custard is better than either Leon's or Kopp's. As I recall, it had a more distinct eggy flavor and a creamier texture and consistency than either of the Wisconsin choices.

Creamier, yes, but creaminess at the expense of ricness and flavor, IMO. (Kind of like the diference between ice cream and ice milk).

Da Beef - I knew you'd reply first. I can see how Paul's was just ok for the burger, but the experience is cool. That 4th St Elevator is the kind of thing I love to find. Simple Americana. That Timmerman's Supper Club also looks like a nice place to go sometime. Full of Bull might actually work, but that's if we end up in Madison (see below).

As far as custard goes, I love Kopp's and I always hit it in Milwaukee. I've never had Leon's though. Maybe I should at least try it. But I was wondering about custard near Galena.

Plans keep evolving. Since my girlfriend stayed outside of Rockford last weekend on business at the Courtyard (I told her to stay in Middleton, WI but nooooo! ), if we stay there again this Saturday, we get a future free room in most Marriott properties, so we can't pass up that deal. But come Sunday, we'll have to decide on Madison, Milwaukee/Summerfest or ???

I was in SW Wisconsin recently and had a pretty decent burger at the Potosi Brewery Restaurant, just make sure you tell em how you want it done. I did think that their Catfish fry that I had a few years back was a better choice. Since it is in the shadow of the brewery, the Grumpy Girl American Legion Bar doesn't get the publicity that the brewery does but I had an awesome prime rib sandwich there. The locals love the palce and its kind of a mix of small town bar with a supper club-ish concept. They do bar food (burgers and pretty good pizza) but everyone was eating prime rib when I was there on a Saturday night.

On our way up to St. Germain we stopped at my parent's favorite place to stop for breakfast, Schreiner's in Fond Du Lac. The clientele here seems to get older every year. I've never seen this many octogenarians and canes in one place. They always seemed to do breakfast food ok, but since it was almost noon I thought I'd get a burger. I ordered a swiss mushroom burger. A very small burger arrived on a plate barely large enough to hold it. It was the worst hamburger I've ever had. The bun was stale and dry and disintegrated into crumbs as I ate it. The top bun was fused to the tiny grey mushy tastless patty by some sort of cheese. There was about a teaspoon of pink sauce on it. I don't think there was a single mushroom on the burger. A travesty. I will never go to this place again. They ought to be ashamed of themselves. By contrast, the next day I had one of the best breakfasts ever at the Wolf Pack Cafe in St. Germain. They also tout their burger and I'll bet it is light years better than Schreiners.

Had a really great bison and brat burger at Rena's Place at Pitlik's Sand Beach Resort the other day. The "Eskimo Creek Burger" which was a bison & brat combo, 1/3 lb patties of each. Really liked the rich flavor of the bratwurst.

"Eskimo Creek" bison and brat burger


"Ultimate" Bloody Mary with beer chaser


Rena's Place At Pitlik's Sand Beach Resort
4833 Sand Beach Drive
(on County D, east of the boat launch between Dam and Sand lakes)
Eagle River
(715) 479-4955

Milwaukee Mag runs its Best Burgers list. Comments?

Dr. Dawgs is goid, as well as sobleman's. I never got the attraction of Solly's. Imho culvers does better. That and the taxpayer screwjob solly got to move their location. Kopps is above average, just busy on the summer nights. That andthe onein Glendale isnext to a huge car break in area.
B1 is well worth a try.

exvaxman wrote:I never got the attraction of Solly's. Imho culvers does better. That and the taxpayer screwjob solly got to move their location. Kopps is above average, just busy on the summer nights.

Glad it's not just me. I really don't like a 1/4 inch of butter on my burger. I'm not very fond of Kopps' burgers, either, though.

I doubt I'll order a burger at Dr. Dawg's for a while -- the sausages and char salami are too much of an attraction.

exvaxman wrote:Dr. Dawgs is goid, as well as sobleman's. I never got the attraction of Solly's. Imho culvers does better. That and the taxpayer screwjob solly got to move their location. Kopps is above average, just busy on the summer nights. That andthe onein Glendale isnext to a huge car break in area.
B1 is well worth a try.

I'll just repost what I said last time this was discussed. Taxpayers didn't spend a single dime on this move. It was a TIF district. The City sold bonds and those bonds were paid back with the increment in taxes generated. The Taxpayers also came out way ahead in the deal.

eatwisconsin wrote:

exvaxman wrote:A few comments -
As for Solly's. I do not remember all of the details, but there was a large amount of relocation money given to them when the area was rebuilt - The amount upset me a little and I only go in when I have someone from out of town who wants to have one of the "Playboy Magazine's" top ten burgers. Otherwise for burgers, Kopps so I can bring home custard for my better two-thirds or Culvers for a butter burger when I am in that sort of mood.

They were given a lot of money but it was Tax Incremental Finance money and was paid for from the increased property value from several of the new businesses in the area including the one that was built in the former location. Moving Solly's paved the way for a business valued at over 3 million which generates over 70,000 in tax revenue annually. The City's involvement in that neighborhood also got rid of the North Shore Motel, which was really just a brothel and drug house. If you look at that area 15 years ago compared to now, I think any expenditure the City made was well worth it.

I used to work for the City and was there when it moved, so I am a little biased.

budrichard wrote:Now for a quick snack it's Jalsico's on 16th for Lengua tacos! Times change!-Dick

Non-Wisconsinites trying to find this place should know that on street signs, 16th Street is spelled Cesar E. Chavez Drive.

There are several locations. I'm excited to learn that this one, the original, is open 24 hours.

Jalisco Restaurant
1035 S. Cesar E. Chavez Drive
Milwaukee, WI 53204
(414) 672-7070