Old Fashioned

Camp Bar

There’s really no secret formula for this Wisco icon at Camp, other than Central Standard brandy, real sugar (none of that splash of Sprite business) and orange and cherry muddled just so, all carefully crafted in perfect proportion.

Multiple locations; cambarmke.com

Kringle

Racine Danish Kringles

Many a newbie to this flaky pastry has asked the question, “What on Earth is kringle?” Nuts-and-bolts answer: a ring of exceptionally flaky, filled pastry often drizzled with icing. In Wisconsin, we call it pastry perfection. Racine Danish Kringles’ treats come in fruit, nut and specialty flavors like blueberry cheesecake and caramel apple.

2529 Golf Ave, Racine; kringle.com

Supper Club

Five O’Clock Steakhouse

Along with the award for favorite steakhouse, Five O’Clock nabbed this nostalgia-laced category, owing to several key attributes: the dark, retro “Mad Men”-like interior, time-warpy drink list and menu offerings such as prime rib, shrimp scampi and relish tray (natch).

2416 W. State St.; fiveoclocksteakhouse.com

Frozen Custard

Kopp’s

Nothing says pick-me-up like a scoop of the flavor of the day (whether it’s turtle sundae or caramel cashew). The custard crafted by 69-year-old Kopp’s has a dense, rich, exquisite mouth-feel (egg yolks contribute to that) and a brigade of flavor options that target every taste preference. Plus, considering the throngs that Kopp’s attracts, there are few operations with as orderly an ordering system.

Multiple locations; kopps.com

Fresh Cheese Curds

Clock Shadow Creamery

Milwaukee’s one and only urban cheesemaker keeps it fresh, which means these cheddar beauties pass the squeak test. Clock Shadow even offers factory tours for curious (and hungry) dairy devotees.

138 W. Bruce St.; clockshadowcreamery.com

MKE-Style Pizza

Pizza Man

And “MKE style” means cracker-thin crust, classic toppings like sausage and onion, and often pieces cut into squares. Pizza Man, resurrected from its destroyed North Avenue location in 2013 and now a fullfledged local chain, epitomizes this spirit for our readers. Plus, Pizza Man has proved that cream cheese is scrumptious on a pizza!

Multiple locations, pizzamanwi.com

Friday Fish Fry & Fried Cheese Curds

Lakefront Brewery Beer Hall

While the weekly beer-battered ta-do ultimately comes down to the fish (and that’s cod, delish lake perch, smelt and others), the experience encompasses beer (a brewery tour is a must) and the scene (live polka!). All of it is a fantastic pairing for the beer hall’s curds, whose recipe for success melds the pilsner breading and garlic ranch dipping sauce.

1872 N. Commerce St.; lakefrontbrewery.com

Classic Milwaukee Beer

Miller High Life

The Champagne of Beers epitomizes why simple lagers became the world’s most popular beer: just a little bit sweet, just a little bit bitter and a whole lot of fizzy refreshment. Plus, how can you not love the Girl in the Moon logo?

Literally everywhere; millerhighlife.com

Photos courtesy of: Camp Bar; Racine Danish Kringle; Jessi Paetzke; Adam Ryan Morris

Editor’s Pick

Kringle

Bendsten’s Bakery

With so many bakeries baking kringles, what makes Bendtsen’s stand out? In a word, butter. Surprisingly, this ingredient is scarce in the competition. (One Racine bakery’s kringles are even vegan!) The final proof is in the pastry, so give Bendtsen’s a try, and let the deliciousness tell the tale.

3200 Washington Ave, Racine; bendtsensbakery.com

Readers’ Choice Winners & Runners-up

More Best of Milwaukee 2019

Here it is: The cream of Cream City. You chose the winners in dozens of categories, and we added a few that we couldn’t help but chime in on.

“Best of Milwaukee 2019” appears in the September 2019 issue of Milwaukee Magazine.

Find it on newsstands beginning September 2, or buy a copy online.

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