Iconic Foods of Wisconsin

What to Eat in Wisconsin: 10 Signature Dishes

1. Cheese Curds: Fresh, squeaky, often deep-fried.
2. Bratwurst: German-style sausage, grilled with sauerkraut on a bun.
3. Fish Fry: Beer-battered cod, perch, or walleye with tartar sauce and rye bread—especially Friday nights during Lent.
4. Beer: Legendary brewing heritage; lagers, ales, stouts, craft beers.
5. Booyah: Hearty beef-vegetable stew cooked in huge kettles for community gatherings.
6. Butter Burger: Patty grilled with a slab of butter (Solly's Grille, Milwaukee).
7. Kringle: Danish-style oval pastry with fillings (cream cheese, almond, fruit)—holiday favorite.
8. Frozen Custard: Rich, dense, made with egg yolks; stands everywhere.
9. Pasties: Meat-and-vegetable hand pies (Cornish origin), popular in northern WI.
10. Sour Cream & Onion Chips: Wisconsin claims birthplace of the modern potato chip; this flavor is iconic.