Where to find Wisconsin’s best burgers
There’s nothing like sitting down for a made-to-order burger after a day of exploration and adventure in Wisconsin. Here’s where to go to find a few of the state’s best burgers—be sure to bring your appetite.
Solly’s Grille, Milwaukee
Originally established as a coffee shop in 1936, Solly’s Grille has been serving its original Butter Burgers for more than 80 years to customers throughout the Milwaukee. Located in the northern suburb of Glendale, Solly’s uses 100 percent sirloin, Wisconsin butter, and other locally sourced products in their burgers, which have been featured everywhere from the Travel Channel to London’s Daily Mail. (They also won a James Beard America’s Classics award in 2022).
The Thirsty Whale, Minocqua
The Thirsty Whale is an institution in Minocqua, serving up tasty bar food on the shores of Lake Minocqua. A local favorite is the Wisconsin Burger, which is covered in loads of bacon and cheddar cheese.
Cross Country Bar & Grill, Rhinelander
Cross Country Bar & Grill is located between Rhinelander in Oneida County and Eagle River in Vilas County and offers easy access to the Northwoods’ snowmobile trails and ATV/UTV trails. The bar has 14 TVs inside, so it’s a great place to watch a game, and the outdoor patio is a great place to grab a bite to eat in the warmer months. Try one of their specialty burgers like the Spicy Burger (with pepperjack cheese and jalapenos), the Olive Burger (topped with a cream cheese/green olive/Greek seasoning mixture), or the French Onion Burger.
Boulder Beer Bar, Boulder Junction
Another Northwoods favorite, Boulder Beer Bar is located in the heart of Boulder Junction in central Vilas County and has been open since 1948, serving up frosty beverages and tasty homemade food. Today, that menu includes northern Wisconsin classics like fish fry on Friday nights and prime rib on Saturdays, as well as the tavern’s popular Super Smash Burger, as well as a dozen local craft brews and other quaffs on tap.
Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry, Madison
Celebrating 50 years in Wisconsin’s capital city, Dotty Dumpling’s Dowry (or just Dotty’s to locals) is a favorite spot for a burger and a beer on the heart of UW-Madison’s campus—it’s just a short walk from State Street and the Kohl Center, where Badgers fans can take in hockey and basketball games. Some of the burger spot’s top bites include the best-selling Melting Pot, which features three cheese, smoked bacon, and English Garlic Sauce, and the Alumni, a seasoned patty topped with cheddar cheese, red onions, and homemade Creamy Stake Sauce.
The Courthouse Pub, Manitowoc
Enjoy a delicious burger at The Courthouse Pub, which sits just blocks from the shores of Lake Michigan in the city of Manitowoc. The Courthouse has been welcoming diners since 2001 and serves up tasty 7-ounce brisket burgers like the Jail Bird (Cooper Sharpe cheese, braised bacon cabbage, and spicy ketchup on a pretzel bun) and the Blue Burger (bourbon BBQ, spring mix, blueberry cheese, and haystack onions on a preztel bun). Grab a seat outside when it’s patio season.
Nutz Deep II, Marshfield
Voted Marshfield’s best burger for more than a decade running, Nutz Deep II is a popular bar & grill in the heart of downtown. Try a specialty burger like the Nutz Deep Burger (with caramelized onions and garlic, Swiss and American cheese, applewood smoked bacon, and the restaurant’s signature sauce) or the Hub City Burger (with cheddar cheese, BBQ sauce, applewood smoked bacon, haystack onions, and chipotle cream sauce).
Trempealeau Hotel, Trempealeau
If you’re looking for a great burger with a side of scenery, head to Wisconsin’s western border to enjoy awe-inspiring views of the Mississippi River and the unforgettable Walnut Burger at the Trempealeau Hotel on the Wisconsin Great River Road.
Jackson Point Sports Grill, Seymour
No burger tour of Wisconsin is complete without a visit to Seymour, which claims to be the birthplace of the hamburger. (Local restaurateur Charlie Nagreen—nicknamed “Hamburger Charlie”—invented the delicacy back in 1885, and the city holds a Burger Fest every summer.) If you’re looking for a burger any other time, head to Jackson Point Sports Grill located within the Crystal Springs Golf Course, where you’ll find classics as well as unique items like the Bacon Mac Burger, which is topped with smoked bacon and homemade macaroni and cheese.
