There’s no shortage of specialty and ethnic restaurants in Milwaukee -- some world-famous (like Mader’s) and others that still fly under the radar (like Polonez). But the City of Festivals gives most of the world’s cultures an annual opportunity to spotlight what makes them unique and special -- and for us, a chance to enjoy their wonderful food and drink. Polish, German, Greek, Italian or even home-grown Wisconsin, you just won’t find some of these tasty treats anywhere else.
Here’s a quick guide to some of the season’s best festival cuisine and beverages, and where to find them. Please add your favorites below using the Talkback feature.
Cream puffs
Festival: Wisconsin State Fair
Besides the normal fair attractions, one sweet treat always takes center stage: the original cream puff. It’s a fluffy, puffy pastry filled with cream and sprinkled with powdered sugar. And it brings people from all over to get a taste of this little delicacy -- which is celebrating its 82nd year at the fair. State Fair Park has the Dairy Bakery cooking up the cream puffs from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. throughout the fair’s duration. If you can’t make it to West Allis, the Dairy Bakery lets you preorder the treat for takeout.
Dill pickle soup
Festival: Polish Fest
Don't say "euwww" until you've tried it. Dill pickle soup is basically pickles with more salt and less chewing. And who could complain about that? Sure, the weather is a bit toasty for hot soup, but when you consider how short the window of opportunity is, dill pickle soup from Polish Fest is a "can't miss."
Eggplant strips from the Venice Club
Festival: Most lakefront festivals
Eggplant strips are among the only limp, fried foods that we adore. The almost-too-soft eggplant (that's the grease, dahling) is dipped into a seasoned batter and deep-fried to greasy veggie perfection. Served with a tangy tomato sauce for dipping, and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, this is one festival food that meat eaters and vegetarians can both hork down. They taste great with a cold beer, but you might want to do your guts a favor and share an order with a friend.
Flaming cheese
Festival: Greek Fest
Lots of fests have good food, but Greek Fest has saganaki -- and how many summer events serve food that's on fire?! The flaming cheese -- usually Kasseri or Kofalotiri -- is fried, doused with brandy and set afire. At Greek Fest, it’s more than a flavorful treat, it's a visual one, too. Blow out the fire and prepare your palate for an explosion of tangy, smoky cheese flavor. Interestingly, the fiery version of this traditional Greek fried treat is generally accepted to be an American invention.
Krupnik honey vodka
Festival: Polish Fest
There may be a few places in town where you can order a shot of Krupnik (we’ll check Polonez next time we’re there), but the only venue that sells it en masse has to be Polish Fest. The traditional sweet honey vodka contains about 40 percent alcohol and up to 50 herbs. It dates back to the 16th century and is one of the main ingredients in mead – and for one weekend each year, you can drink little glasses of it on Milwaukee’s lakefront.
Potato pancakes
Festival: Wisconsin State Fair
Head to State Fair and make your way over to the giant yellow slide. Between it and the pig races, you'll find a small chalet with a polka band inside and the smell of sausage and potato pancakes emanating. Stop! This is the Mecca for food at the Fair. The potato pancakes are hearty, crispy and a real treat. Add a sausage link and a High Life and then you can honestly say you've experienced the Wisconsin State Fair.
Roasted sweet corn on the cob
Festival: Summerfest
Although corn on the cob is a snacky staple at almost all summer festivals, it’s no surprise that the mother of all fests, Summerfest, does it the best. Sure, you can you dip your cob into large vats on creamy melted butter just like anywhere else, but the Big Gig supplies the most additional corn toppings for those who wish to spice up their vegetables a bit. Garlic, cracked red pepper, ranch and cheddar cheese flavor are just a few of the super salty ways to ensure your taste buds get saturated with festival food at its finest.
Saz’s fried mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce
Festival: Summerfest
Nothing says Summerfest like mozzarella sticks. The line at the Saz’s building is usually long and winding, but it’s always worth it. It’s one of the better values at the Big Gig, too. For just a few bucks, you can get a few of these unique sticks – they’re your run-of-the-mill mozzarella, but wrapped in an egg roll wrapper and deep-fried. Year after year, the kids at the counter are always friendly, no matter how busy they are. The salty treat conveniently goes really well with a cold beer, too.
Wine coolers
Festival: Summerfest
The Summerfest wine cooler is like no other. There is not a product on the market that tastes like it. The red one is more like punch than wine, and the white variety is similar to white grape juice with a soft kick. Both are served over lots of ice, and although most "real" wine drinkers scoff at them, the Summerfest wine cooler can be quite refreshing on a blazing summer day. That said, be careful. They go down way too easily, and although they don't taste alcoholic, they are. Nobody needs another "the time I puked on the Summerfest rocks" story.
Here’s a quick guide to some of the season’s best festival cuisine and beverages, and where to find them. Please add your favorites below using the Talkback feature.
Cream puffs
Festival: Wisconsin State Fair
Besides the normal fair attractions, one sweet treat always takes center stage: the original cream puff. It’s a fluffy, puffy pastry filled with cream and sprinkled with powdered sugar. And it brings people from all over to get a taste of this little delicacy -- which is celebrating its 82nd year at the fair. State Fair Park has the Dairy Bakery cooking up the cream puffs from 8 a.m. to 11 p.m. throughout the fair’s duration. If you can’t make it to West Allis, the Dairy Bakery lets you preorder the treat for takeout.
Dill pickle soup
Festival: Polish Fest
Don't say "euwww" until you've tried it. Dill pickle soup is basically pickles with more salt and less chewing. And who could complain about that? Sure, the weather is a bit toasty for hot soup, but when you consider how short the window of opportunity is, dill pickle soup from Polish Fest is a "can't miss."
Eggplant strips from the Venice Club
Festival: Most lakefront festivals
Eggplant strips are among the only limp, fried foods that we adore. The almost-too-soft eggplant (that's the grease, dahling) is dipped into a seasoned batter and deep-fried to greasy veggie perfection. Served with a tangy tomato sauce for dipping, and sprinkled with Parmesan cheese, this is one festival food that meat eaters and vegetarians can both hork down. They taste great with a cold beer, but you might want to do your guts a favor and share an order with a friend.
Flaming cheese
Festival: Greek Fest
Lots of fests have good food, but Greek Fest has saganaki -- and how many summer events serve food that's on fire?! The flaming cheese -- usually Kasseri or Kofalotiri -- is fried, doused with brandy and set afire. At Greek Fest, it’s more than a flavorful treat, it's a visual one, too. Blow out the fire and prepare your palate for an explosion of tangy, smoky cheese flavor. Interestingly, the fiery version of this traditional Greek fried treat is generally accepted to be an American invention.
Krupnik honey vodka
Festival: Polish Fest
There may be a few places in town where you can order a shot of Krupnik (we’ll check Polonez next time we’re there), but the only venue that sells it en masse has to be Polish Fest. The traditional sweet honey vodka contains about 40 percent alcohol and up to 50 herbs. It dates back to the 16th century and is one of the main ingredients in mead – and for one weekend each year, you can drink little glasses of it on Milwaukee’s lakefront.
Potato pancakes
Festival: Wisconsin State Fair
Head to State Fair and make your way over to the giant yellow slide. Between it and the pig races, you'll find a small chalet with a polka band inside and the smell of sausage and potato pancakes emanating. Stop! This is the Mecca for food at the Fair. The potato pancakes are hearty, crispy and a real treat. Add a sausage link and a High Life and then you can honestly say you've experienced the Wisconsin State Fair.
Roasted sweet corn on the cob
Festival: Summerfest
Although corn on the cob is a snacky staple at almost all summer festivals, it’s no surprise that the mother of all fests, Summerfest, does it the best. Sure, you can you dip your cob into large vats on creamy melted butter just like anywhere else, but the Big Gig supplies the most additional corn toppings for those who wish to spice up their vegetables a bit. Garlic, cracked red pepper, ranch and cheddar cheese flavor are just a few of the super salty ways to ensure your taste buds get saturated with festival food at its finest.
Saz’s fried mozzarella sticks with marinara sauce
Festival: Summerfest
Nothing says Summerfest like mozzarella sticks. The line at the Saz’s building is usually long and winding, but it’s always worth it. It’s one of the better values at the Big Gig, too. For just a few bucks, you can get a few of these unique sticks – they’re your run-of-the-mill mozzarella, but wrapped in an egg roll wrapper and deep-fried. Year after year, the kids at the counter are always friendly, no matter how busy they are. The salty treat conveniently goes really well with a cold beer, too.
Wine coolers
Festival: Summerfest
The Summerfest wine cooler is like no other. There is not a product on the market that tastes like it. The red one is more like punch than wine, and the white variety is similar to white grape juice with a soft kick. Both are served over lots of ice, and although most "real" wine drinkers scoff at them, the Summerfest wine cooler can be quite refreshing on a blazing summer day. That said, be careful. They go down way too easily, and although they don't taste alcoholic, they are. Nobody needs another "the time I puked on the Summerfest rocks" story.
