Good food abounds here in Wisconsin. But if you and your crew aren’t sure which delicious spot to try next, how about trying a restaurant that’s been featured on the Food Network? With popular shows like "Beat Bobby Flay," "America’s Best" and "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," these foodies know what they’re talking about. Here are six Wisconsin spots that made the cut.
Delta Diner – Delta
Delta Diner is famous for being in the middle of nowhere. (The "middle of nowhere" being a spot in northwestern Wisconsin's Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest, in between Ashland and Superior.) The 1940s-era diner is also popular for its blue-plate specials with inventive twists.
Guy Fieri, host of "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," raved about the Norwegian pancakes with jalapeño peppers when he visited the diner for his show. Locals clamor for the buttermilk biscuits with red-eye gravy, a concoction made with ground espresso beans.
Franks Diner – Kenosha
Franks Diner, opened in 1926, is a popular breakfast spot and Kenosha landmark. The lunch car diner was featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives," where Guy Fieri indulged in Franks Garbage Plate. The restaurant's signature dish consists of five eggs mixed into a medley of hash browns, green pepper, onion, meat and cheese. The meal is served with a side of homemade bread, crafted from wheat bran, yogurt and honey.
Celebs such as the Three Stooges, Lawrence Welk and Mark Ruffalo have dined at Franks, also known for its spunk. Check out the bottom of the menu, where you'll find friendly admonitions to be nice or leave, close your mouth when you chew and never drink a beer bigger than your head.
The Elegant Farmer – Mukwonago
The Elegant Farmer's roots stretch back to 1946, when a dairy farm family sold their extra fruits and veggies at a roadside stand. Today, the cows are long gone, and the business has evolved into an upscale market featuring a bakery and gourmet food-and-gift shop. The stand-out item? Its Apple Pie Baked in a Paper Bag, voted America's best apple pie by the Food Network, Wall Street Journal, Gourmet Magazine and more.
The pie drew Bobby Flay to Wisconsin for an episode of "Throwdown." (We won't reveal who won.) The Elegant Farmer also has a deli selling additional notable fare, including a Chipotle French Dip sandwich and a Grilled Cranberry Turkey Wrap. Visit in fall during their Harvest Fest for hayrides, a family-friendly corn maze and delicious cider donuts.
Anchor Bar & Grill – Superior
Burgers and fries make up most of the menu at Anchor Bar & Grill in Superior. And that's just fine with the restaurant's fans. In addition to typical burger options such as a bacon burger and cheeseburger, you can nosh on inventive creations like the olive burger, topped with cream cheese and green olives, and the cashew burger, smothered in Swiss cheese and cashews.
If you and your group are extra hungry, go for the Gally Buster, a one-pound burger with three slices of cheese. The restaurant was featured on "Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives” and welcomes both locals and travelers passing through.
The Old Fashioned Tavern & Restaurant - Madison
Named for Wisconsin’s signature cocktail, the Old Fashioned is a downtown Madison institution located right off the Capitol Square. Get a taste of all the state’s specialties here, from beer-battered cheese curds and a Door County Cherry Salad to Green Bay-Style Chili and Double Bratwursts from Sheboygan.
The restaurant has been featured twice on the Food Network, as chef Troy Johnson’s favorite All-American meal and on the show “Midwest Fish Fry” for its tasty fried walleye sandwich.
Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier – Madison
Looking for a sweet stop on your Wisconsin getaway? Stop in at Gail Ambrosius Chocolatier in Madison’s hip Atwood neighborhood to sample out-of-this world flavors like Earl Gray and Sweet Curry with Safron.
The shop was featured on Alton Brown’s “America’s Best,” and when you and your crew bite into these decadent truffles, you’re sure to agree.
Browse more dining, and check out these Wisconsin restaurants worth the drive!
