Tag Archives: Kopps

Cuisine - American, Cuisine - Desserts, Cuisine - Italian, Cuisine - Pizza, Places - Milwaukee, Places - Wisconsin

Goodbye Milwaukee

Boston skylineIt’s with great sadness, but with a flurry of excitement, that I have to write this post. I have accepted a new job in the Boston metro area, which means that after spending most of my life in Milwaukee, I will be leaving.

When my husband asked me last week, “What will you miss the most about Milwaukee?,” I hesitated. Obviously, I’m going to miss my family and friends. But then the answer quickly turned into a laundry list of food places.

So, I thought I would say goodbye to Milwaukee (and Wisconsin) with a Top 10 list of the things I will miss most. On the flipside, soon I’ll have a Top 10 list of the things I’m most excited about in Boston and New England.

I must apologize that with this move – there may be a little lag between posts. I’m doing my best to write posts in advance but it’s been a little hectic. Hopefully, I won’t be without high-speed access for long in the new digs.

10. The Klement’s Sausage Race at Miller Park

The Sausage Race at Miller ParkWhile I am gaining the Boston Red Sox and Fenway Park in the move, no other MLB team can say that they have Racing Sausages. I have a deep place in my heart for Guido, Stosh, Brett Wurst, Cinco and Frankie Furter. When I first moved back to Milwaukee after grad school, I had the great privilege of being a racing sausage…once. It was a horrifying experience that ended up on ESPN’s “Sportscenter.” (I had also been a sausage that went to greet people in the parking lot, but that also ended poorly.) However, it is also a cherished memory that very few can say they have had.

Continue reading →

Standard
Food - General, Poll

The perfect burger

BurgersI was at a networking event last night and the topic of burgers came up. I mentioned how Kopp’s has the BEST butter burgers anywhere in my opinion. Someone replied (and this was in the Chicago area), “You mean not Culver’s?” My heart raced. I started a cold sweat.

“No, not Culver’s.”

The Kopp’s butter burger starts with the bun. It’s the perfect bun-to-meat ratio. Their huge slabs of burger fill the bun up. I hate those wimpy burgers that don’t even come close to the sides of the bun. Then, they have this cheese. I don’t know what it is because it’s not quite American and it’s not quite cheddar but it melts perfectly. It stays congealed to the burger in a way that I haven’t seen replicated anywhere and I have tried it at home to no success. I don’t think they steam their cheese to get it to the proper consistency so I would love to know what they do.

Continue reading →

Standard
Food - General, Places - Milwaukee

Taking to the skies

The food at Mitchell International Airport in Milwaukee has greatly improved in the past few years according to a report in The Business Journal of Milwaukee.

The airport has greatly expanded its food offerings in the past year and plans to expand more in the coming year, a reflection of growing traffic at Mitchell, longer wait times at airports since Sept. 11, 2001, and rising demand for quality food at airports nationwide.

In the last year and a half, the airport has added Nonna Bartolotta’s restaurant, Alterra Coffee Roasters, Chili’s Too, Quiznos sub shop, Famous Famiglia pizzeria and Johnny Rockets. French Meadow Bakery, a Minneapolis chain offering vegan and organic fare, opened this month, and a Usinger’s Deli is under construction.

Read more: Expanded menu: With traffic increasing, more restaurants planned for airport – The Business Journal of Milwaukee

Don’t get me wrong, Bartolotta’s is VERY Milwaukee. However, why isn’t there a Kopps custard stand at Mitchell? When I lived away from the midwest that was the first thing I wanted when I got off the plane. It’s like the first thing I wanted when I go to Boston is a trip to Dunkin’ Donuts. There are so many things that are so much more true Milwaukee, even true Wisconsin than Bartolottas. How about – O&H Danish. Their kringles are amazing. What a great idea – Alterra coffee and some kringle! How about fried cheese curds to showcase our dairy roots or taking some influence from our German heritage – something from Mader’s or Karl Ratzsch’s. Maybe a beer garden from Miller? There are so many other possibilities. This is a great food town…er, great food state. Let’s embrace our eclectic food heritage.
Standard