This Historic Wisconsin Cheese Store Is Known For A Great Pastrami Sandwich
I have eaten pastrami sandwiches across this country, and I know a great one the second I bite into it. This cheese store in the state sits on a road most people drive straight past, and that is exactly how the locals like it.
No flashy signs, no Instagram-friendly walls, just a counter, some seriously aged cheese, and a pastrami sandwich that has been quietly ruining all other sandwiches for people since 1931. The state has no shortage of hidden food gems, but this one felt personal.
The woman behind the counter handed it to me wrapped in paper like she had done it ten thousand times before. She probably has.
Do yourself a favor and do not drive past it.
Wisconsin’s Oldest Cheese Store Still Going Strong
Some businesses open their doors and close them within a few years. Baumgartner’s Cheese Store and Tavern opened in 1931 and never looked back.
Nearly a century later, people are still lining up, and the place has not changed much. That is the whole point.
The storefront looks like it belongs on a postcard. Classic signage, a vintage feel, and a front display full of cheese varieties greet you before you even open the door.
Nothing about the exterior screams for attention, which somehow makes it more appealing.
Located at 1023 16th Ave in Monroe, the shop sits right in the heart of a charming downtown square. Monroe holds the title of Swiss Cheese Capital of the USA, so the setting feels completely fitting.
Walking into a place with this much history changes how you experience the food. Every bite carries a little bit of that story with it.
The Pastrami Sandwich That Made Me Stop And Pay Attention
Forget everything you think you know about deli sandwiches. The pastrami at Baumgartner’s stands out for its balance of flavor.
Tender slices of pastrami are piled generously between fresh rye bread, and the result is something that feels both simple and seriously satisfying.
The meat strikes a balance that pastrami fans dream about. It is lean but juicy, peppery but not overwhelming, with a subtle smokiness that lingers in the best possible way.
A smear of brown mustard adds that sharp, tangy contrast that cuts through the richness perfectly.
Optional Swiss cheese melts into the layers and adds a creamy depth without stealing the spotlight from the pastrami itself. The rye bread holds everything together without being too dense or too soft.
It is the kind of sandwich that makes you slow down mid-bite just to appreciate what is happening. I ordered it without high expectations and finished every last crumb.
That tells you everything you need to know.
Cheese Selection That Makes Wisconsin Proud
Before the sandwiches even enter the picture, the cheese selection alone is worth the trip. Baumgartner’s carries an impressive range of locally made cheeses that shows just how seriously this state takes its dairy.
Sharp cheddars, smoked gouda, the variety is real and deliberate.
The aged cheddars are a standout. Deep flavor, crumbly texture, the kind of cheese that makes you rethink everything you have been buying at the grocery store.
The shop also carries imported varieties alongside local picks, giving you a genuinely curated selection rather than a random assortment. Staff know their inventory well and are happy to point you toward something you have never tried before.
If you want to build a cheese plate that actually impresses people, this is the place to source it. Leave room in your cooler before you visit.
You will not be leaving empty-handed.
A Limburger Sandwich With Deep Local Roots
Ordering the limburger sandwich is better suited to those who enjoy bold flavors, and I mean that as a compliment. Known as the Big Stinky, this sandwich is a regional legend served the traditional way: limburger cheese on dark rye bread with sliced raw onion and brown mustard.
It smells intense. It tastes incredible.
Limburger has a famously strong aroma, but the flavor is surprisingly mellow and rich once you get past the smell.
Paired with the sharp bite of raw onion and the tang of brown mustard, it creates a flavor combination that is bold, savory, and completely unlike anything you have had before.
Some visitors pair it with a Braunschweiger and limburger combo for the full traditional Wisconsin experience. The potato salad served alongside makes for a good palate cleanser between bites.
This sandwich is not for everyone, but it has remained a recognizable part of the menu over the years. It is one of those foods that tells you a lot about the culture and history of a place, and Baumgartner’s serves it with pride.
The Atmosphere Feels Completely One Of A Kind
The inside of this place feels like time slowed down somewhere around 1970 and just never caught back up. A well-worn wooden bar stretches across the room, polished smooth by decades of elbows and conversations.
The decor is quirky, warm, and completely authentic to the region.
Look up and you will spot dollar bills covering the ceiling, each one representing a visit, a memory, or a dare. A whimsical mural depicting animals dressed in festive attire runs along the wall, and it sounds strange until you see it and realize it works perfectly.
The Switzerland-influenced design throughout the space reflects Monroe’s cultural roots in a way that feels natural rather than forced.
The energy inside matches the decor: casual, friendly, and genuinely welcoming. There is no pretension here.
People come in for a good sandwich, a cold drink, and a conversation, and the space invites exactly that. Whether you grab a stool at the bar or settle into a table, the room has a way of making you feel like you have been coming here for years.
It is the kind of atmosphere that is nearly impossible to manufacture.
More Than Sandwiches On The Menu
Beyond the cheese and the signature sandwiches, Baumgartner’s keeps a rotating menu of daily specials that gives regulars a reason to keep coming back. At least three soups are served each day, and the tomato basil bisque has developed a devoted following of its own.
Thick, warm, and deeply flavorful, it is the kind of soup that earns its own fan club.
Specials like a Philly cheesesteak or a shrimp salad wrap show up and disappear based on the day, which keeps things interesting. The chili, modestly labeled as the second best, has regulars arguing it deserves first place.
Soft pretzels served with a rich cheese sauce make an excellent starter, though the cheese sauce might steal more attention than the pretzel itself. The menu is not enormous, but every item on it feels considered and well-executed.
This is not a place trying to be everything at once. It knows what it does well and commits fully to that, which is exactly why the food consistently delivers.
Cold Sandwiches That Deserve More Credit
Hot sandwiches tend to get all the attention, but the cold sandwiches at Baumgartner’s are quietly exceptional. The salami and brick cheese combination on rye is a standout that regulars order without hesitation.
Brick cheese is a Wisconsin original, mild and slightly tangy, and it pairs with salami in a way that feels both classic and completely right.
The Reuben also earns consistent praise, stacked generously and served with the kind of attention to detail that makes a difference between a good sandwich and a great one.
A good pickle on the side and the right bread-to-filling ratio are things Baumgartner’s gets right without making a fuss about it.
Tuna salad, when available, is made in-house and has its own loyal following. Cold sandwiches here come with fresh ingredients and portions that feel genuinely generous rather than calculated.
There is something satisfying about a cold sandwich done this well, especially when it is built on bread that can actually hold up to the fillings. No soggy edges, no skimping on the good stuff.
Just a clean, honest sandwich that makes you want to order a second one.
What To Know Before You Order
A cheese plate at Baumgartner’s is not an afterthought. It is a proper introduction to what Wisconsin dairy can do when it is treated with respect.
The selection changes based on what is available, but the curation always reflects a genuine understanding of flavor, texture, and variety.
Ordering the cheese plate is a smart move for first-timers who want to sample before committing to a full purchase. You get a curated cross-section of the shop’s offerings, from mild and creamy to sharp and aged, which gives you a real sense of the range.
It also pairs well with the pretzel and cheese sauce if you are building a full snack spread.
Cheese curds are another option worth trying when available. They have a slightly different texture that lets the cheese flavor come through more clearly.
If you are visiting with a group, ordering a cheese plate to share while everyone decides on their main order is a solid strategy. It keeps the mood relaxed and gives everyone something to talk about while the kitchen does its thing.
What To Expect When You Visit
Getting to Baumgartner’s is straightforward, and the downtown Monroe square makes the trip feel like a proper outing rather than just a lunch stop. The address is 1023 16th Ave, Monroe, WI 53566, and parking nearby is easy to find.
The surrounding square has its own charm and is worth a short walk before or after your meal.
Hours run Tuesday through Thursday from 8 AM to 9 PM, Friday and Saturday from 8 AM to 10 PM, Monday from 8 AM to 9 PM, and Sunday from 11 AM to 4 PM. The place has built a strong reputation over the years, and that consistency still comes through today.
Prices feel approachable for a place with this much history. The space keeps a steady flow of visitors, adding to its lively and welcoming feel.
Go hungry, bring a cooler for cheese purchases, and do not skip the dollar bill on the ceiling. It is tradition, and Baumgartner’s runs on those.
