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
Old Fashioned
★ Camp Bar
★ The Packing House
★ Bacchus
Supper Club
★ Five O’Clock Steakhouse
★ The Packing House
★ Joey Gerard’s
Kringle
★ Racine Danish Kringles
★ O&H Danish Bakery
★ Uncle Mike’s Bake Shoppe
Frozen Custard
★ Kopp’s
★ Leon’s
★ Gilles
MKE-Style Pizza
★ Pizza Man
★ Balistreri’s Ristorante
★ Zaffiro’s
Fish Fry
★ Lakefront Beer Hall
★ Kegel’s Inn
★ St. Paul Fish Co.
Classic Milwaukee Beer
★ Miller High Life
★ PBR
★ Schlitz
Fried Cheese Curds
★ Lakefront Beer Hall
★ West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe
★ Milwaukee Brat House
Fresh Cheese Curds
★ Clock Shadow Creamery
★ Wisconsin Cheese Mart
★ West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe
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.