Wisconsin's best bratwurst? Let's find out.

MFL - - thanks for the tips - - Susters is always crowded on Fridays - - gotta try that - - and Basils II is on my list to try = = they sponsored a combine in the demolition derby at the Lions club weekend a couple of weeks ago and it was in the parade....
I was promised some Booyah from the Lions club weekend, but by the time we got there with our bucket, they were sold out..... 

Brad - - my granddaughter and I stumbled into Number 1 China by accident 2 weeks ago, but we were going to eat in, and had to change to take-out because of a last minute meeting - - and the food, though good, suffered in the waiting....  

I think that my big problem on the Chinese restaurant front is that I probably still won't be able to find some of the items that are standard on Hawaiian/Chinese menus....  One think that I am searching for is Gau Gee Min - - a meaty fried dumpling with a healthy amount of meat filling in a folded over wrapper a bit bigger than a wonton wrapper - - it is kind of oblong in shape.... 

I am curious also about Asian products in supermarkets or the locations of Asian specialty stores....  This area is rich in good eating, and I have discovered that it is impossible for me to pass up a Brat fry stand in front of a market - - I have no idea of brands, but I have yet to meet one that I haven't liked!!!!!!  Sigh....

Brad_Olson


I'd say at the very least Chuck deserves credit just for putting up with X1...


Brad

And this means what, exactly?


JRPfeff - of course, Hoesly's and Ruef's are courtesy of both Chuck and I. I didn't specify 'cause I didn't think it mattered.

I'm hoping against hope that someone else will be stopping at Miesfelds; I will if that's what it comes down to. I was hoping to spring Scwai's in Fredonia on the group as it is a most unusual "standard" brat but someone has bring Sheboygans best if we all want to sample imho Wisconsin's best.
Any volunteers?

"Fredonia"?  Wasn't that in Duck Soup?

Buddy

MilwFoodlovers


I'm hoping against hope that someone else will be stopping at Miesfelds; I will if that's what it comes down to. I was hoping to spring Scwai's in Fredonia on the group as it is a most unusual "standard" brat but someone has bring Sheboygans best if we all want to sample imho Wisconsin's best.
Any volunteers?

Last time I drove in Sheboygan county, I got 2 tickets in the span of 9 hours (for the same violation). I will not be driving there, but I think I can talk a friend of mine into it next weekend.

OK SD, keep us informed.

We are going on the 22nd. Dan @ Miesfeld's says he is not going to refuse service to me if I am in my pajamas (they open @ 8am).

He also said they can set aside some City Bakery rolls for me!!!!!   

Whoopee!
Schwai's it is from us then.

MilwFoodlovers


Whoopee!
Schwai's it is from us then.

Give my regards to Rufus T. Firefly.

And don't be an upstart.

I'm thinking of buzzing up to Konop's.

jrp

Hi Jim,

Looks like I won't be able to go to the Brat Throwdown, as I'll be in Yankee Country that weekend.

However, when I was in Buffalo last week, I did stop by Spar's and get 2# of their German Bratwurst. I've never tried their brats, but Spar's is one of the most popular sausage makers in a very sausage-friendly city. I'll relay these guys to the MFLs, X1, or Chuck for the fiesta. Heck, maybe Lake Erie brats can hold their own, but if not, maybe they'll help ensure that no Wisconsin brat falls into last place!

So far. these brats have been purchased.

• Usinger's
• RJ's Meats
• Kramarczuk's (from MSP courtesy of BuddyRoadhouse)
• Christman Meat (courtesy of Brad_Olson)
• Mystery Brats
• Klement's
• Hoelsy's (Courtesy of X1 & ChuckL)
  
• Ruef's (Courtesy of X1 & ChuckL)
• Sendik's Fine Foods
• Johnsonville
• J.L. Richards (courtesy of Brad_Olson)
• Jacobson Bros.  (courtesy of Brad_Olson)
• Spar's (from Buffalo courtesy of Quijote)
• Sorgs  (courtesy of Brad_Olson) 
• Gooseberry's Market

I'm expecting about 6 5 more varieties, for a total of 19 20 kinds on September 6. Still on the list are Karl's, Miesfeld's, Glenn's, Schwai's, and Konop's.
 

At 1-3 lbs. per brand, I think we're going to have more brats than people to eat them!  Add in the side dishes and dessert and we're going to be waddling back home that night.  Smiling contentedly of course, but waddling nonetheless.

Buddy

P.S. Nothing from Karl's Meats in Menomonee Falls?  Can't believe no one has thought of that one.  Or Bunzel's in Milwaukee?  Are L.W. Fine Meats in Milwaukee still in business?  How about C&R Market?  Ray's Butcher Shop in Greenfield?  I used to do business directly with all these guys before we had our network of distributors.  I don't even know if they're all still around, but if anyone wants to do some investigating, these are all places that would be making their own brats.

B.

Unfortunately I will probably be in California part way into a month long campervan trip starting this Wednesday. But had I been able to be there (and I would have) I would have brought from Mackenthun's in St. Bonafacius, MN their Wild Rice Blueberry Brats. Actually Mackenthun's has a wide variety of brats to choose from including cheese curd, Cajun, and all kinds of meats. This past couple of weeks we went through over three dozen and several varieties with guests at our house. Boiled them in New Glarus Spotted Cow beer and then grilled them. St. Bonafacius is a small town just west of where I live in the Lake Minnetonka area.

Davydd, it's a shame you can't be there.  You would have fit in well with the Milwaukee/Chicago crowd and they would have enjoyed meeting you.  Keep your eyes open for future opportunities; we'd love to have you join us sometime.

Buddy

Buddy,

That list is just those that have been purchased so far.  I've got at least 3 more varieties to buy if no one else gets them.

Davydd - Too bad this time.  My company is getting a lot of work in the Twin Cities.  I'll let you know when I get up that way.

Jim

Another brat update, these have now been purchased.

• Usinger's
• RJ's Meats
• Kramarczuk's (from MSP courtesy of BuddyRoadhouse)
• Christman Meat (courtesy of Brad_Olson)
• Mystery Brats
• Klement's
• Hoelsy's (Courtesy of X1 & ChuckL)
  
• Ruef's (Courtesy of X1 & ChuckL)
• Sendik's Fine Foods
• Johnsonville
• J.L. Richards (courtesy of Brad_Olson)
• Jacobson Bros.  (courtesy of Brad_Olson)
• Spar's (from Buffalo courtesy of Quijote)
• Sorgs  (courtesy of Brad_Olson) 
• Gooseberry's Market
• Karl's Country Market
  

Still on the list for purchase are Miesfeld's, Glenn's, Schwai's, and Konop's. I'm debating buying Uke's Mr. Baseball's Brats.  They are made by Usinger, I have no idea if they are different from their regular brats.

Davydd

Wild Rice Blueberry Brats.

 
You, sir, are a tease.
 
Miesfeld's this weekend.

Jim,
  In addition to the Usinger's sausages we picked up last month as we passed thru your town, Annie  gave us a couple of packages of Brats from Carls Meat Market.  I make no claim at expertise in this catagory...but these Carl's Brats are really good!

Mayor Al,

Ann has good taste in bratwurst.

I had a brat at Karl's yesterday when I picked up the brats for the cook-off.  They are one of my top three favorites.  Although, I'll probably have an all new fave after the taste off.

Jim

3 pounds of Miesfeld's award winning brats have been purchased. They're in the freezer but Jim if you want me to run them out, let me know.

I also have 3 dozen hamburger buns from City Bakery. They may or may not make it to the picnic. *cough* Again, if you want me to run them out to you, let me know.


http://www.kodakgallery.c...4ue&localeid=en_US

Also, X1 if you're out there, I got you a stick of Miesfeld's Landjaeger. I will bring it to the party.

S_D,

Thanks for the brats and buns.  The brats can wait until the 6th.  Just defrost them before you bring them. 

I stopped at Glenn's today.  These are purchased for the taste-off.

• Usinger's
• RJ's Meats
• Kramarczuk's (from MSP courtesy of BuddyRoadhouse)
• Christman Meat (courtesy of Brad_Olson)
• Mystery Brats
• Klement's
• Hoelsy's (Courtesy of X1 & ChuckL)
  
• Ruef's (Courtesy of X1 & ChuckL)
• Sendik's Fine Foods
• Johnsonville
• J.L. Richards (courtesy of Brad_Olson)
• Jacobson Bros.  (courtesy of Brad_Olson)
• Spar's (from Buffalo courtesy of Quijote)
• Sorgs  (courtesy of Brad_Olson) 
• Gooseberry's Market
• Karl's Country Market
• Miesfeld's
• Glenn's Market
  

The only ones left to purchase are Schwai's and Konop's.

I'm also doing a mini taste-off of poultry brats.  I've bought these so far.

• Karl's Country Market
• RJ's Meats
• Glenn's Market

Are we ready to start talking side dishes so we don't have any duplications?

I recently came across an avocado, corn, and tomato salad recipe with which I am very happy.  I've already made it a couple of times for Mrs. Roadhouse and myself and it's really good.  Unless someone else had their heart set on making some other avocado based dish (guacamole, etc.), you can put me down for this one.

Buddy

P.S. Just a suggestion for those who don't want to prepare anything, unless JRPfeff has other plans, we're going to need buns.  JRP, what else will you be needing that your fellow Roadfooders can provide?

B.

JRPfeff


S_D,

Thanks for the brats and buns.  The brats can wait until the 6th.  Just defrost them before you bring them. 

I stopped at Glenn's today.  These are purchased for the taste-off.

Golly, you forgot to get the best brats of all -- the ones from Carle's in Bucyrus, Ohio. 
 
http://www.carlesbrats.com/

Michael Hoffman

JRPfeff


S_D,

Thanks for the brats and buns.  The brats can wait until the 6th.  Just defrost them before you bring them. 

I stopped at Glenn's today.  These are purchased for the taste-off.

Golly, you forgot to get the best brats of all -- the ones from Carle's in Bucyrus, Ohio. 
 
http://www.carlesbrats.com/

We've got entries from as far away as Minnesota and Buffalo.  Unfortunately, the folks in Bucyrus seem to afraid of competition, when it isn't rigged.

In the words of a famous American, "Bring 'em on!"

stricken_detective



Also, X1 if you're out there, I got you a stick of Miesfeld's Landjaeger. I will bring it to the party.

Woot! Thanks SD!

Have we decided on a start time for this?  I didn't see one in past posts, but I could have skimmed past it.

Schwai's, here I come.

abe_froeman


Have we decided on a start time for this?  I didn't see one in past posts, but I could have skimmed past it.

Abe -

Things will get started at 2:00.  Once we get a critical mass of guests, the brat tasting will begin.

We'll be asking guests to bring a side dish or adult beverage to share.  Besides the brats, Bobbi will be preparing German potato salad and desserts. 

You may even be able to convince my son Martin and me to prepare our PRIZE WINNING "Anything but ..." entry from this weekend's BBQ contest.  We call it Hot Buttered Rum Grilled Peaches Over Mini Angel Food Waffles.  Martin made the waffles from scratch.  He's an egg separating, stiff peak beating maniac.  Our dessert was a combination of several ideas and was awesome.

Jim

BuddyRoadhouse
I recently came across an avocado, corn, and tomato salad recipe with which I am very happy.  I've already made it a couple of times for Mrs. Roadhouse and myself and it's really good.  Unless someone else had their heart set on making some other avocado based dish (guacamole, etc.), you can put me down for this one.

I make this one every year for our family reunion in May or I get asked about it! Awesome!!! :)

Put me down for the buns (if I can configure some room for them in the freezer!), and I can do one of two things:

Caprese Salad (chunks of fresh mozzarella, chopped fresh basil & tomato chunks, marinated in balsamic, olive oil & cracked pepper)

Fresh Fruit Salad (grapes, strawberries, maraschino cherries, watermelon, honeydew, mandarin oranges, blueberries, fresh pineapple, etc)

Let me know.

I will make some kind of grain-based (couscous, pasta, etc.) salad.

EDIT: Sorry folks, just went back and saw the previous post addressing this issue.  Ignore this post if you'd like, or clip it out and save it to trade with your friends.

Buddy

Do we have a start time in mind?  Our other daughter (the one none of you have met yet.  Yes, she really does exist) is having a birthday on Monday and wants to get together Sunday the 6th to celebrate.  She's throwing the guilt trip at us (wonder where she learned that) and Mrs. Roadhouse, abe_froeman, Mr. Maki and I are seriously thinking about getting back down to Chicago at an early enough hour (7:30-8:00pm) to join up with the kid.

So, JRPfeff, what time are you thinking about launching this pleasure cruise?

Buddy

AlwaysEatingOut
I can't wait until Labor Day.  Time to make a bratwurst run to Mars Cheese Castle at I-94 and Hwy S/aka Hwy 142 in Kenosha.  I'll get my brat on a toasted roll with brown mustard, kraut and a side of hot German Potato Salad.  Here's a hint: stop by the bar and enjoy sharp cheddar cheese spread with crackers on the house.

Avoid Mars Cheese Castle, and get over to Tim and Tom's right across the street while it's still there. They'll be moving it when they widen the Evil I, as will Uke's Harley Davidson. All in the name of progress.

BuddyRoadhouse


So, JRPfeff, what time are you thinking about launching this pleasure cruise?

Buddy

Buddy,

Don't tell anybody but I intend to weigh anchor at 14:00 CDT (that's 2:00 P.M. for you flatlanders). 

The brat tastings will begin as soon as I have 16 tasters available and keep going until a winner is decided.  There will probably be 15-20 minutes between rounds for a total taste-off duration of 2-1/2 hours.  The side dishes will be available all along, but I won't start serving brats for meals until the taste-off ends.

Jim

I stopped at Konop's today after work.  This the updated taste-off list.

• Usinger's
• RJ's Meats
• Kramarczuk's (from MSP courtesy of BuddyRoadhouse)
• Christman Meat (courtesy of Brad_Olson)
• Mystery Brats
• Klement's
• Hoelsy's (Courtesy of X1 & ChuckL)
  
• Ruef's (Courtesy of X1 & ChuckL)
• Sendik's Fine Foods
• Johnsonville
• J.L. Richards (courtesy of Brad_Olson)
• Jacobson Bros.  (courtesy of Brad_Olson)
• Spar's (from Buffalo courtesy of Quijote)
• Sorgs  (courtesy of Brad_Olson) 
• Gooseberry's Market
• Karl's Country Market
• Miesfeld's
• Glenn's Market
  
• Konop's
  

The only ones left to purchase are

• Schwai's (MFL)
  
• Carle's from Bucyrus (Michael Hoffman)
  

Was Bucyrus where pizza was invented by some Polish fellow?

If Hoffman shows up it will be the Roadfood event of the decade.  You could charge admission!

Buddy

Hmmm, Hoffman going to a RF Meet-n-Greet??? It sounds like the 'Second Coming' !! 
 I would get the Choir (Glee Club?) ready to welcome him, and check his Buckeye weiners carefully before serving!
 
PS- Jan and I are among the few to actually share a meal with Mr Hoffman. We found him to be a fine lunch companion !  He cultivates his on-line image, but actually is nice fellow.

Should we let MH know that he's signed up to supply brats?

I'm sure he is a nice fellow.  If he wants to power up the Packard and head to Wisconsin, there will be more than enough food to feed him and any other Ohio (or anywhere else) Roadfooders.  Just one thing, no ketchup on his bratwurst!

Buddy

Actually, it would be the First Coming. But, alas, Hoffman won't be able to grace your gathering, more's the pity. He has a prior committment. He's been commissioned by a secret government agency to seek out those who would put anything but mustard and/or horseradish on a bratwurst.
 
(Additionally, he is required to report any persons he finds putting catsup on a hot dog, but that is secondary to his main assignment.)

mayor al


PS- Jan and I are among the few to actually share a meal with Mr Hoffman. We found him to be a fine lunch companion !  He cultivates his on-line image, but actually is nice fellow.

Knock it off, Al. I have a reputation to maintain.

I revealed the secret...... I am soooo sorry.

Just for fun (and hey, why not, at this point), I may pick up some brats from Ray's Butcher Shop, too.

I don't think the buns are going to make it to the picnic.

What about sauerkraut, Mr Hoffman? My mom's family is German & we like our kraut, onions & mustard on the brats.

stricken_detective


I don't think the buns are going to make it to the picnic.

What about sauerkraut, Mr Hoffman? My mom's family is German & we like our kraut, onions & mustard on the brats.

Whoops! I think of onions on bratwurst as a given -- simmered with the brats and beer. But I did forget about sauerkraut, and for that I apologize.

OK, from a mid-west Iowa boy of Czech/German family, this is how brats were done every Saturday all summer and fall long.

Dad grabbed a case of beer and threw it into the cooler with ice, Mom snagged out 2-3 bottles.

A cast iron kettle was fired up, Mom grabbed a white tupperware out of the back of the fridge with the lard and scooped out a big spoonful, dropped into the kettle, 2 slivered up onions were tossed in to brown up.  Whenever she remembered to come back to the stove the beer was poured in, along with any leftover stock she wanted to use up, or even water to top up to what she thought was sufficient.

A mess of brats were dumped in and simmered at such a low level bubbles hardly broke the surface.

At this point a lot of beer was gone and the grill had a nice coal base slowly dying down.

The brats were pulled out to a plate only to hit the grill.  The onions were sieved out and placed in a aluminum pan with a pad of butter, the pan placed off on the side of the grill,  someone always splashed a little more beer into the onions.

More beer was placed into the cooler, grilling occured, illicit fireworks often erupted, kids with fresh band aids sensed dinner was ready.

THe deck picnic table was lined with warm kraut, 2-3 varieties of mustard (stone, horseradish, dijon), ketchup, the onions, rarely pickle relish, and then the regular summer picnic sides.

I'm pretty certain this happened roughly 2-3,000 times in my youth.

"According to Miesfeld's Meat Market's Chuck Miesfeld, a third-generation sausage maker and many times grand champion in the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors' bratwurst judging contest, the sausage should be grilled over coals with no adornment whatsoever.  He says beer is what you drink with them, not what you cook them in."

- Jane & Michael Stern, 500 Things to Eat Before its too Late

I don't care if you boil your bratwurst in Iowa.  Or boil your pork ribs and fried tenderloins either.  Pre-cooking of bratwurst has not and will not happen here, and is irrelevant to this brat tasting. 

End of discussion.

JRPfeff


End of discussion.

End of enlightened discussion.

Now that's the Michael Hoffman we know and love!

Buddy

I'll get back to you in a few minutes, I have to run to the store for more beer to simmer my brats.

It's my party and I'll fry if I want to.

Take your boiled meat to the cooking technique forum.

The verdict.

JRPfeff


Take your boiled meat to the cooking technique forum.

Boiled? I've never boiled a brat in my life.

WOW! I guess it's true about putting a bunch of monkeys in a room stocked with typewriters and reams of paper!

All kidding aside, Schwai's are now in my freezer! Woo woo!

Stricken, your kidding about no rolls right? Be honest. If you're not bringing Sheeptown hard rolls, Beth will bring Scortino's Italian sausage rolls which I love, just not for brats.
Let us know as we do need something to put our lovely encased meat in.

MFL,

I drive by Miesfeld's every week.  You will have your rolls.

jrp

Dessert Alert!

No pies this time.  THe cobbler was also a false alarm.  We're currently on track for ............

To be continued.

MilwFoodlovers
Stricken, your kidding about no rolls right? Be honest. If you're not bringing Sheeptown hard rolls, Beth will bring Scortino's Italian sausage rolls which I love, just not for brats.
Let us know as we do need something to put our lovely encased meat in.

I underestimated how much room they would take up.    They are delicious with a little butter in a skillet for a minute or two.

WarToad


OK, from a mid-west Iowa boy of Czech/German family, this is how brats were done every Saturday all summer and fall long.

THe deck picnic table was lined with warm kraut, 2-3 varieties of mustard (stone, horseradish, dijon), ketchup, the onions, rarely pickle relish, and then the regular summer picnic sides.

I'm pretty certain this happened roughly 2-3,000 times in my youth.

Lard? Your mom was hardcore!

Change this to butter & you've got it for us. My mother puts brown sugar & butter in the kraut too.  (no ketchup)

JRPfeff


MFL,

I drive by Miesfeld's every week.  You will have your rolls.

jrp

Thanks for putting my mind at ease.
I might not have been sleeping well until the soireé.
 
How'd you learn of Konop's?
They changed the way I make jerky and they make the closest thing to the late lamented South Side Sausage Company's Polish Delights! Just a great meat market in the middle of nowhere.