6 Wisconsin Spots Where Buttered Burgers Outshine The Beer
Wisconsin might be famous for its cheese and beer, but let me tell you about our real culinary treasure: butter burgers. These heavenly creations feature a beef patty topped with a generous dollop of melted butter that soaks into the bun and creates a mouthwatering experience unlike any other burger you’ve tried. While you might come to these spots for a craft brew, you’ll stay for these buttery masterpieces that have become a beloved state tradition.
1. Solly’s Grille
Walking into Solly’s in Glendale feels like stepping into a butter-soaked time machine. Since 1936, they’ve been drowning their burgers in Wisconsin’s liquid gold; we’re talking about a quarter stick of butter per burger!
The sizzle hits your ears before the aroma reaches your nose. Watching that river of melted butter pool around your burger is practically a religious experience for locals. The bun absorbs it like a sponge, creating that signature Solly’s squish when you take your first bite.
2. Kroll’s East
Forget the Packers for a minute; Kroll’s East is Green Bay’s other claim to fame. Football fans have been fueling up here before games since 1935, and their butter burgers have legendary status.
The magic happens when they charbroil the patty, then nestle it into a toasted hard roll that’s been slathered with a generous helping of creamy Wisconsin butter. What makes these beauties special is how they wrap them in wax paper, trapping all that buttery goodness inside to soak into every bite.
3. Kopp’s Frozen Custard
Most folks know Kopp’s for their mind-blowing frozen custard, but that’s just the finale to the real headliner: their exceptional butter burgers. These hefty handfuls feature a juicy patty with that signature Wisconsin butter melt that makes you forget about counting calories.
The patties have those perfect crispy edges while staying juicy inside. I always order mine with fried onions that practically dissolve into the butter. The combo of savory burger followed by their flavor-of-the-day custard creates the ultimate Wisconsin one-two punch.
4. AJ Bombers
Named for the quirky system that delivers peanuts to your table via mini parachutes and bomber planes, AJ Bombers brings the same playful creativity to their butter burgers. Their Milwaukee Burger; crowned “Best Burger in Wisconsin” on Food Wars; features a butter-soaked bun that’ll make your eyes roll back in pure bliss.
The atmosphere buzzes with energy as those peanut bombs drop from overhead rails. Meanwhile, the kitchen crafts burgers with locally-sourced beef smashed on a flattop and finished with a generous butter bath that transforms an ordinary bun into something transcendent.
5. Mihm’s Charcoal Grill
Tucked away in Menasha, Mihm’s looks unassuming until you bite into their charcoal-grilled butter burger. The smoky flavor from real charcoal elevates their burgers to legendary status among Wisconsin butter burger aficionados.
Family-owned since 1958, Mihm’s hasn’t changed their cooking methods because perfection needs no improvement. The patties develop a beautiful crust over hot coals before meeting their buttery destiny. Their hard rolls somehow maintain structural integrity despite the butter deluge; a feat of culinary engineering that deserves recognition.
6. Oscar’s Pub & Grill
Oscar’s might be the newer kid on Milwaukee’s burger block, but they’ve earned their butter burger credentials with flying colors. Their “Big O” burger has developed a cult following that rivals establishments three times their age.
What sets Oscar’s apart is their attention to the beef-to-butter ratio; substantial enough to satisfy your butter craving without overwhelming the perfectly seasoned Black Angus patty. The neighborhood pub atmosphere keeps things casual while the kitchen takes their butter application very seriously.
Pro tip: Their chipotle butter variation adds a spicy kick that cuts through the richness in the most magnificent way.
