What else is there to do in Wisconsin? Glad you asked!
Welcome to Wisconsin! I thought I’d start a thread for the out of towners, here’s the scoop on all things Wisconsin. It’s a great state (this time of year at least).
Beer, cheese, and Harley-Davidson. That pretty much sums it up.
Wisconsin is not shy on the craft beer scene. Some of the local favorites are New Glarus Brewing’s Spotted Cow, New Belgium’s Fat Tire Ale, and Leinenkugel’s seasonal beers. For a true northern Wisco experience, get a brandy old fashioned. The area of the state that Road America resides is known as the Brandy Belt – consuming more brandy than the rest of the state combined.
Where should you have this beer? Siebkins in Elkhart Lake. It’s the racer bar in town, with some history to back it up. I’ve personally seen David Hobbs (part time Milwaukee resident, or so the rumor goes – he does own a Honda dealer in town) about 10 beers deep at the bar many years ago. Bring you team sticker and slap it on the wall – if you can find space. Just up the road from Siebkins, the Brown Baer (yes, ‘ea’, as the owners name is Baer) is a good second for a more ‘townie’ local feel with surprisingly good eats. Rumor is the buffalo cauliflower and wings are tops. Also, good place for a Spotted Cow and local brews.
If you have not experienced the fried cheese curd, you must. No – not fried cheese mold. It’s the freshest cheese, formed just as the starter culture is added and it starts to solidify. Separate out the whey, batter them and then those dudes are tossed in a fryer - because everything is better when it’s fried. They are as common as French fries so tracking some down won’t be hard. At the track, The Gear Box at the top of the hill overlooking T14 offers prime examples. For the hardcore curd experience; beer battered cheese curds. Worlds collide, I know!
Wisconsin used to be the supper club capitol of the world. Maybe, I dunno. But, some still exist. Prime rib is the mainstay of the supper club. A great example is Schwarz's Supper Club, in New Holstein. Yes, there is a town called New Holstein (30 mins from the track). So. Much. Wisco. Also, they have a primo example of the beer battered cheese curd. A cheese curd appetizer, end cut prime rib (medium), with a brandy old fashioned and you’re an adopted Wisconsinite.
Frozen custard is the next must have for the Wisconsin tour. Think ice cream, but creamier and at a slightly warmer temperature. True custard has at least 10% milk fat and 1.5% egg yolk. Less than 1.5% and it’s just ice cream. The best frozen custard in the state is Kopps Frozen Custard. It’s a great old timey themed burger joint. There are 3 locations, and one is on the way from Milwaukee General Mitchell Airport for those flying in. They make it all in house, daily. Flavors change daily. Want a burger the size of a small child’s head? They have you covered.
Other food spots are The Paddock Club (Elkhart Lake) for a finer dining experience, Lake Street Café (Elkhart Lake) for a more casual bite, and DeO’Malley’s (Plymouth) for the best pizza in town.
Friday nights in Plymouth (20 mins from the track), there is a dirt track that is well attended. A dirt oval, in Wisconsin, on a warm summer night it tough to beat.
Traveling with your wife and 4 or 5 days at the track starts to get tiresome? For a 5-star spa/hotel experience, check out the American Club in Kohler (20 mins from RA). Downtown Elkhart Lake is also a nice walk – part of which is the original racecourse when it was on public roads. The Ostoff Resort and Hotel is a very nice place as well, and close to the track.
I’m sure others have more to add, so please do. Locals, what are your favs?
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by Purple Frog
