Sunday hot ham and rolls is a long-held tradition for many Milwaukeeans. But, like many other things – including bubblers and Friday fish fry – it’s something that often flummoxes visitors or those new to the area.
The concept is deceptively simple. After church on Sundays, people make a beeline to the nearest bakery or deli and order a pound or two of hot ham. In Milwaukee, most Sunday ham comes with free rolls. Usually "hard rolls" – a special sort of roll that’s soft and tender on the inside yet hard and crispy on the outside.
How the ham sandwiches were made once people got home varied. Some would spread the bread simply with butter, add ham, and eat. Others swear by a smear of mustard or relish or the addition of cheese. In some households, the "hot ham and rolls" tradition also included a dozen doughnuts.
Any way you slice it, the tradition is alive and well. And here are over a dozen spots where you can get your fix.
1. Aggie's Bakery & Cake Shop
7328 W. Greenfield Ave., (414) 482-1288
aggiesbakery.com
Open Sundays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
At Aggie's you can get a pound of Badger Honey Baked Ham with six free rolls (seeded from Peter Sciortino Bakery or unseeded from Norman's Hi-Lo Bakery in Sheboygan).
2. The Bake Sale
6923 W. Becher St., West Allis, (414) 543-4230
bakesalewestallis.com
Open Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Bake Sale offers smoked pulled ham with housemade buttermilk biscuits or hard rolls every Sunday beginning at 8 a.m. Be sure to grab a cinnamon roll while you are there! (Montly pre-orders are also accepted and can be made online).X
3. Butcher Block Meat Market
9340 S. Chicago Rd., Oak Creek
(414) 764-2910
ocbutcherblock.net
Open Sundays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Butcher Block offers hot Badger ham, along with rolls for purchase. Cash or check only.
4. Glorioso’s Italian Market
1011 E. Brady St.
(414) 272-0540
gloriosos.com
Open Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free half-dozen rolls with ham purchase on Sundays only.
5. Grebe's Bakery
5132 W. Lincoln Ave.
(414) 543-7000
grebesbakery.com
Open Sunday from 5 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Head to Grebe's on Sundays to get your fix of Grebe's "Secret" Recipe Baked Badger Ham special. Note: Many people recommend the "better butter" rolls.
6. Java Train
4825 N. 132nd St., Butler
(262) 781-9555
javatrainbutler.com
Open Sunday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Badger ham and rolls are available on Sundays, along with warm German potato salad and quarts of soup. Call your order in ahead for pick-up.
7. Layton Fruit Market
1838 E. Layton Ave., St Francis
(414) 481-3008
laytonfruitmarket.com
Open Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
You know the drill. Hop over to the Layton Fruit Market on either Saturday or Sunday and purchase a pound of ham; they'll give you the rolls for free.
8. National Bakery
3200 S. 16th St., (414) 672-1620
13820 W. Greenfield Ave., (262) 827-4097
5637 Broad St., (414) 423-4620
nationalbakery.com
Open Monday through Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Saturdays from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Interestingly, National Bakery is closed on Sundays, but it's one of the few places in town where you can get your fix every other day of the week (get six free hard rolls with the purchase of one pound of ham).
9. Old World Deli
7630 W Grange Ave, Greendale
(414) 855-0470
Open Sundays from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
It's worth the trip to this Old World hidden gem for their remarkable selection of Polish delicacies. But don't sleep on their hot ham and rolls, available every Sunday!
10. Peter Sciortino's Bakery
1101 E. Brady St.
(414) 272-4623
petersciortinosbakery.com
Open Sundays from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Get six free rolls with the purchase of a pound of ham.
11. Ray’s Butcher Shoppe
4640 W. Loomis Rd.
(414) 423-1322
raysbutchershoppe.com
Open Monday through Thursday from 7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and Sunday from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Purchase a pound of ham and get six free rolls; available every day.
12. Scordato Bakery
5011 W. Howard Ave.
(414) 327-8555
scordatobakery.com
Open Sundays from 7 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Every Sunday Scordato's has your Badger Ham hot and ready along with their housemade breads and rolls. Get 'em while they're hot.
13. Rupena’s Fine Foods
7641 W. Beloit Rd., West Allis
(414) 543-7447
rupenas.com
Open Sundays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
At Rupena's the purchase of a pound of ham earns you six accompanying rolls for free.
14. South Milwaukee Sausage & Meats
1200 Milwaukee Ave., South Milwaukee
(414) 301-4191
facebook.com/South-Milwaukee-Sausage-and-Meats
Open Sundays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Get a pound of Boar's Head ham, plus six Wild Flour rolls every Sunday (while they last) at this South Milwaukee butcher shop.
15. Torres Bakery
4759 S. Packard Ave., Cudahy, (414) 988-0110
facebook.com/theetorresbakery
Open Sundays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Pick up hot ham and freshly baked rolls every Sunday at Torres Bakery in Cudahy.
As a passionate champion of the local dining scene, Lori has reimagined the restaurant critic's role into that of a trusted dining concierge, guiding food lovers to delightful culinary discoveries and memorable experiences.
Lori is an avid cook whose accrual of condiments and spices is rivaled only by her cookbook collection. Her passion for the culinary industry was birthed while balancing A&W root beer mugs as a teenage carhop, fed by insatiable curiosity and fueled by the people whose stories entwine with every dish. Lori is the author of two books: the "Wisconsin Field to Fork" cookbook and "Milwaukee Food". Her work has garnered journalism awards from entities including the Milwaukee Press Club. In 2024, Lori was honored with a "Top 20 Women in Hospitality to Watch" award by the Wisconsin Restaurant Association.
When she’s not eating, photographing food, writing or planning for TV and radio spots, you’ll find Lori seeking out adventures with her husband Paul, traveling, cooking, reading, learning, snuggling with her cats and looking for ways to make a difference.
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