From a brat maker that dates back to 1880 to a downtown street vendor, here are the nine best brats in Milwaukee—according to Yelp.
Hunting down the best brats in Milwaukee is kind of like chasing after the best cheesesteaks in Philly or the best Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa—it’s everywhere. That only means the bar is very, very high and the competition fierce.
From a brat maker that dates back to 1880 to a downtown street vendor, here are the nine best brats to try in Milwaukee according to Yelp, which functions as a veritable bible for honest feedback on restaurants, delis, and butcher shops, among other businesses.
Milwaukee Brat House
1013 N. Old World Third St., Milwaukee
4022 N. Oakland Ave., Shorewood
Why Yelpers Love It: With a name like Milwaukee Brat House, there’s no doubt about the menu’s signature item. Not sure what to order? Spring for the Brat House Sausage Sampler: four different sausages (bratwurst, Italian, Polish, and cheddar-jalapeno) and a pretzel roll, what one Yelper calls “a solid choice.” The “unpretentious and inviting” atmosphere won a Californian over, while many others call out the “build your own brat” feature as completely unique.
Usinger’s
1030 N. Doctor M.L.K. Jr. Drive, Milwaukee
Why Yelpers Love It: While this long-time meat producer in downtown Milwaukee—dating back to 1880—does not have a restaurant, its deli is a bustling spot for take-out orders you can then grill at home. Orders are also available online for home delivery. Yelpers like to buy cooked brats (four in each package) in flavors like cheddar jalapeno, Cajun, and brat n’ onion to take home. In fact, this is the brand you’re most likely to see going through TSA scanners at Mitchell International Airport. On Yelp, there are several shout-outs for the “imperfect” counter (another term for its “sale” area).
Real Dogs
In front of 111 E. Wisconsin Ave., Milwaukee
Why Yelpers Love It: Don’t mistake this for a New York City-style hot-dog cart. Parked in front of Chase Tower in downtown Milwaukee, this is Rick Karbash’s business. He’s been grilling up Usinger’s brats for two decades by now. Yelpers warn that “hungry mobs” of fans swarm the cart at lunch, so either get there early or late—or be prepared to wait. Note that it’s only from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. One Yelper from Pittsburgh wrote, “I got a greasy savory bite of grilled sausage with a nice snappy casing every time,” which pretty much means five-star satisfaction.
Old German Beer Hall
1009 N. Doctor M.L.K. Jr. Drive, Milwaukee
Why Yelpers Love It: If you want to step into Germany—specifically, Munich—for a bit, this is the place. Usinger’s brats are on the menu (including Usinger’s Coarse Ground Bratwurst and Usinger’s Beef Weiner), and they’re the perfect pairing with the Hofbräu München Brewery beers served. Yelpers also rave about the knockwurst, another German-style sausage, and “beer mugs as big as your head.”
Bunzel’s Meat Market
9015 W. Burleigh St., Milwaukee
Why Yelpers Love It: This is not a restaurant but rather a butcher shop that’s family-owned and now on its fourth generation. It’s where locals shop for their brats, and the number-one customer favorite, as stated on their website, is the Honey Mustard Brat. On Yelp, one user quips that there are so many brat varieties one could have a different one every day of the week. A peek at the menu confirms this: there’s Bunzel’s Famous Bratwurst, Beef Bratwurst, the aforementioned Honey Mustard, Jalapeno Cheddar, and Kraut & Onion Beer.
West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe
6832 W. Becher St., West Allis
400 N. Water St., Milwaukee (inside Milwaukee Public Market), Milwaukee
Why Yelpers Love It: At both shops, Becher Meats products are sold and include such a vast array of brat flavors that the offerings change daily. Nearly all of the reviews on Yelp talk about how great the brats here are (stuffed into a pretzel bun) and how they’re even better when paired with a Bloody Mary, another Wisconsin tradition. West Allis Cheese & Sausage Shoppe sells the Lutz Bloody Mary Mix, making this a one-stop shop.
The Dogg Haus
1433 E. Brady St., Milwaukee
Why Yelpers Love It: While this storefront on the East Side is billed as a Chicago-style hotdog spot, brats are also on the menu. What’s different here is that you can build your own brat by adding the toppings of your choice. Most Yelp users are surprised to see brats sold here—but the flavor wins them over. Open since 2005, this is a late-night-dining staple.
House of Homemade Sausage
N112W14934 Mequon Rd., Germantown
Why Yelpers Love It: One Yelp writer reports that the Garlic Bratwurst at this fourth-generation, family-owned butcher shop is “the absolute best bratwurst I have ever had.” Another Yelper calls out the Hungarian brats as “the best I’ve ever had.” While currently in Germantown, in 1939, the owners’ great-grandparents opened the first location on 25th and Center in Milwaukee, followed by another one in Milwaukee. Today, this is the only storefront that remains. It’s been open since 1979.
Von Trier
2235 N. Farwell Ave., Milwaukee
Why Yelpers Love It: What better spot than a German-inspired beer hall to enjoy a brat—with a stein of German beer, of course! In 1978, then-owner Karl Lotharius opened the spot, naming it after his hometown of Trier, Germany. The place is so authentic that you might actually believe you’re in Germany. On the menu is a Milwaukee Brat and a Fancy Illinois Brat (with relish, like a Chicago-style hot dog). A Yelper from Arizona called his brat “out of this world,” which is a pretty high rating for this Wisconsin staple.
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