Sandwich America and USA Today 10best joined forces to find the best Bratwurst in Wisconsin. We are sharing the top spots here in honor of National Bratwurst Day, celebrated on August 16.
Best Bratwurst in Wisconsion. Photo courtesy of Usinger’s
About Bratwurst
Many iconic American foods owe thanks to the immigrants who brought them to our country. The bratwurst is a perfect example. Originating in Germany in the 1300s, bratwurst is traditionally made from veal, pork or beef. It is named for the German “brat” meaning finely chopped meat and “wurst” meaning sausage. With its large number of German settlers, Wisconsin embraces this delicious sausage. You must try the version created in-state, the beer brat
Sandwich experts and local experts nominated 20 spots and Best Brat in Wisconsin and USA Today 10best readers cast the votes to determine the best. Here are the top 5.
# 1 Usinger’s, Milwaukee
Usinger’s makes many of the proprietary sausages that our top nominees in the bratwurst category serve, so it’s only fitting that they themselves are a nominee. After learning from the best German wurstmachers, Fred Usinger came to Milwaukee in the late 1870s with $400 and his favorite sausage recipes. Four generations of Usingers have maintained operations of this nationally recognized business devoted to the craft of sausage making. The Usinger’s Sausage shop sits in the heart of downtown Milwaukee.
Photo courtesy of Usinger’s Sausage and Smoked Meats
The great news for you is many of the top nominees for best brat actually get their brats from Usingers’s and you can too. They ship!
For information on how you can get the best brats in Wisconsin visit Usinger’s Website.
Here are the rest of the top five. You can’t go wrong celebrating at any of these places if you happen to be in Wisconsin but you can celebrate this great sandwich anywhere.
# 2 OSS Madison
OSS stands for many things, including Old School Sausages, Our Signature Sausages and Order Some Sides. OSS Madison began with the simple concept of re-imagining favorite dishes like the bratwurst. The menu reads like an international sample menu, with dishes like the Bahn Mi, Lasagna, and the Spicy Casablanca. They also offer The Classic – a good old fashioned bratwurst topped with kraut, sautéed peppers, raw or caramelized onions. Photo courtesy of OSS Madison / Joshua Boll
# 3 Brat House Grill, Wisconsin Dells
Located in a quaint historical building in Wisconsin Dells, Brat House Grill serves over 15 brat dishes, including; Wisconsin cheese brat, Polish brat, andouille brat and the house favorite BHG Big Brat, a half-pound traditional bratwurst served on a big bun for big brat lovers. Top that off with a great selection of beer and live music, and it’s easy to see why locals claim these are the best brats in Wisconsin.
Photo courtesy of Brat House Grill / Facebook
# 4 The Vanguard, Milwaukee
Vanguard’s marquis is simple: Sausage – Spirits – Beer. Enough said. Unlike other brat houses in Wisconsin, The Vanguard makes their sausages fresh in house – all twenty of them – including vegetarian and vegan options. Locals flock to this new joint which has been open just a couple of years but has already become a favorite neighborhood spot to enjoy a sausage and a beer. A simple concept done right. Photo courtesy of The Vanguard
# 5 Charcoal Inn South, Sheboygan
Charcoal Inn South opened in 1984. Sheboygan natives Scott and Roger Prescher had a goal to servie “Sheboygan food” to the community. Charcoal Inn now has two locations, Charcoal Inn South and Charcoal Inn North serving the Sheboygan area. The name is no mistake as the restaurant prides itself on its charcoal-grilled food. The prices are reasonable and they have been noted for their Sheboygan-style brats in several publications. Their huge Double Brat comes with pickles and onions.
Photo courtesy of Sara / Flickr
Whatever you do on this day – celebrate with a brat and a beer and remember #bratsaresandwichestoo!
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