“Unique New York”, more like “Matchless Milwaukee”, amirite? If you’re lucky enough to be in town during Summerfest or State Fair, you’ll undoubtedly encounter some odd food. But year-round, we recommend you try some items you can’t find anywhere else.
(Follow along on The Food Tour map!)
Wander into a local dive bar and you’re likely to see a jar from Bay View Packing Company (notably not located in Bay View). You like pickled products? They’ve got’m (except for pickles, natch): eggs, meats, fish. They’ve even got a local competitor in Ma Baensch, whose pickled herring has been around for nearly 90 years. Pub snacks never tasted so…pungent.
For something a little more approachable, head downtown to the iconic Swingin’ Door Exchange. Along with your fresh pour of draught Schlitz, make sure to order a plate of their spicy vermouth carrots. Ask for them blackened; you won’t be disappointed.
Finally, a night on the town would be better ended with Bad Genie rather than bad decisions, although the two can certainly go hand-in-hand. Or scorpion-in-shot, depending on your mood. You can cool off from their packed dance floor with a real scorpion in a shot of liquor. That’s a different kind of heart burn.
Back to The Food Tour list.
All photos by Joe Powell for The Squeaky Curd.