Cuisine - American, Foodie Firsts, Places - Milwaukee

New Sausage Kabob at Miller Park for 2011

The Sausage Race at Miller ParkI don’t think many of my faithful readers know that way back in 2006 I had the pleasure (or curse) of being a famed Klement’s Sausage at Miller Park when I worked for the Milwaukee Brewers. As the story goes, I was wearing horrid, glittery gold shorts, pink tennis shoes and was dressed as Brett Wurst, the bratwurst during a day game. I was pinch-running for a girl who tore her casing just before the 7th inning race.

I thought, “Hey, I’m a little slow, but it’s all in good fun.”

Well, there’s more to being a little slow in baseball. When you only have 90 seconds due to Major League Baseball contracts and radio broadcasts, that really only leaves the famed sausages about 30 to 40 seconds to make it from the far third base side to the far first base side. After wobbling my way around home plate, and teetering near the Brewers’ dugout (Ned Yost came to my aid to hold me up), I finally crossed the finish line – only to be berated by my boss saying that I was the most pitiful sausage ever. This news coming only a few short weeks after I fell out of a golf cart (while dressed as Stosh the Polish Sausage) while making rounds to happy-go-lucky tailgaters in the stadium’s parking lot.

Needless to say, that was my last day working as a sausage and for my beloved home team. My dreams to make it on Sportscenter as a heroic victor were crushed by the highlights of me nearly falling into the dugout being played repeatedly on local television.

Still, I love this endearing mascot that Milwaukee calls their own. And, I’m proud to say that another nod to it will come in 2011 when the Klement’s Famous Racing Sausage Kabob makes its debut at Miller Park.

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Foodie Destination

Foodie Destination: Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant

Exterior Schmidt's Sausage Haus

I had no idea when we traveled to Columbus, Ohio, last fall to visit my sister-in-law that she lived in a food mecca. Food Network shows like “The Best of…” and Travel Channel shows like “Man v. Food” have all come to the home of the Ohio State Buckeyes to enjoy the food.

One of the many foodie destinations we tried on our long weekend trip was Schmidt’s Sausage Haus and Restaurant. Located in the heart of Columbus’s German Village neighborhood, Schmidt’s has been serving up German cuisine like sausages and spaetzel since 1886. The restaurant is located on the end of a cobblestone street. Diners wait outside for their names to be called. Small shops like a delicious fudge store and eclectic jewelry stores are within a stone’s throw.

Schmidt’s is known for their handmade sausages, huge sandwiches and delightful desserts like the jumbo cream puff. I’m a hard sell when it comes to sausages so I was very excited to try theirs. The restaurant has a large menu but most people seem to opt for the “German Autobahn Buffet.”

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Foodie Destination, Foodie Firsts, Places - Milwaukee

Food at Wisconsin State Fair

The Machine Shed's chocolate-covered bacon on a stick.You still have one more day to get ‘yer fill of foods-on-a-stick, fried foods, cotton candy and cream puffs at this year’s Wisconsin State Fair. I made my annual pilgrimage yesterday and had my fill! Surprisingly, I was able to eat dinner last night, too.

Each year, Wisconsin State Fair touts the latest and greatest food experiments on sticks or things that just blow your mind. This year’s great creation was a Krispy Kreme donut cheeseburger from The Machine Shed. No, I wasn’t brave enough to try it, and my heart and veins are thanking me right now. However, we did try one of last year’s new creations that made a sophomore stand. The chocolate-covered bacon on a stick.

I was a bit apprehensive at first. Sweet, dark chocolate coating. Savory, salty, hickory-smoked bacon. The combination is almost mind-blowing (or else that could have been the 90+ degree temperatures with 80% humidity…) I really enjoyed it. You start off with the sweet, thick chocolate coating. With yesterday’s heat, the chocolate covering was melting pretty fast so you had to make quick work. But you bite in and you’re greeted with the chocolate but then slowly you get a hint of the bacon. I would compare it to the combination of french fries and chocolate shakes. A good sweet and salty mixture to balance out your taste buds. The Machine Shed gives you two sticks for $3.

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