My heart has always belonged to Wisconsin, therefore, it has always beat for cheese curds. Our tradition, our livelihood, this staple appetizer is what makes our MKE Home feel like home. While we make our way through this winter, we'll feature some restaurants and bars that serve these statement snacks, and discover some of our favorites along the way .
Our first stop was at Who’s On Third, in the heart of Old World 3rd Street. This bar is nestled among other watering holes and sports bars. It is the perfect spot for a game day; we chose to go there during a Marquette away game (MU Rah Rah.)
It was a cozy spot to be accompanied by fellow Marquette fans, with several TVs for watching our Golden Eagles. The atmosphere in there for a game day is excellent, many of the guests were all dialed in and cheering for our team.
According to the Who’s On Third Menu, the cheese curds are described as, "A Wisconsin tradition, battered in Lakefront Riverwest Stein." The guest gets a choice of marinara and ranch for dipping sauces, and the curds are sold for $10.
We were all very impressed with the quality of the cheese curds. First of all, they had me at "battered in Lakefront Riverwest Stein." When you batter your curds with one of Milwaukee’s best local beers, you really can’t go wrong.
It was clear that these had been put in the fryer the minute we ordered them; they tasted incredibly fresh. Stringy as soon as you take a bite, and the middle still warm and gooey.
If you ask me, the key to a good cheese curd is the breading. It has to be light, not too oily, and just the right amount of crisp. As far as I’m concerned, this was achieved by Who’s on Third. On the plate you did see some separation between the breading and the cheese, as some of the curds were hallow with little to no cheese in them. This didn’t bother me though, as the breading was exceptional.
The curds get our stamp of approval, and we will certainly be back for more.
Stay tuned as we discover the best cheese curds in the city, and don't be shy to weigh in on your favorites!
