Many iconic American foods owe thanks to the immigrants who brought them to our country, and the bratwurst is a perfect example. Originating in Germany in the 1300s, bratwurst is traditionally made from veal, pork or beef and is named for the German "brat" meaning finely chopped meat and "wurst" meaning sausage. With its large number of German settlers, it's no surprise that Wisconsin embraces this delicious sausage including the version created in-state, the beer brat.
We asked readers to help us find the best bratwurst in Wisconsin, and for the past four weeks, they've been voting daily for their favorites. The results are in!
The top 10 winners in the category Best Bratwurst in Wisconsin are as follows:
- Usinger's - Milwaukee
- OSS Madison - Madison
- Brat House Grill - Wisconsin Dells
- The Vanguard - Milwaukee
- Charcoal Inn South - Sheboygan
- Bunzel's Old-Fashioned Meat Market - Milwaukee
- Old German Beer Hall - Milwaukee
- Milwaukee Brat House - Milwaukee
- Über Tap Room and Cheese Bar - Milwaukee
- Von Trier - Milwaukee
A panel of experts picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Daniel Higgins (USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin) and The Gouda Girls: Tina and Katherine were chosen based on their knowledge of the Wisconsin food scene.
Other nominated restaurants included Brat Stop in Kenosha, Estabrook Beer Garden in Milwaukee, Horse & Plow in Kohler, Karl's Country Market in Menomonee Falls, Kegel's Inn in Milwaukee, OB's Brau Haus in Appleton, The Old Fashioned in Madison, Otto's Beer & Brat Garden in Minocqua, State Street Brats in Madison and Weissgerber's Gasthaus in Waukesha.
Congratulations to all our winners!
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The Experts
Jennifer Daskevich
After winning the World Sandwich Championships,... Read More
After winning the World Sandwich Championships, Jennifer took her love of America’s first and still favorite “hand held device” better known as the sandwich, and founded Sandwich America, America’s comprehensive sandwich driven meal occasion platform. Jennifer believes that “a sandwich is the only food genre that is good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or a snack.” Jennifer has won numerous cooking competitions and is a restaurateur, wine sommelier, award winning food photographer, TV food personality with NBC Affiliate WFLA in Tampa and appeared on FYI’s original series World Food Championships. She looks forward to embarking on The Great American Sandwich Trail this summer. Socialize with Sandwich America on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Jennifer Daskevich

After winning the World Sandwich Championships, Jennifer took her love of America’s first and still favorite “hand held device” better known as the sandwich, and founded Sandwich America, America’s comprehensive sandwich driven meal occasion platform. Jennifer believes that “a sandwich is the only food genre that is good for breakfast, lunch, dinner, dessert, or a snack.” Jennifer has won numerous cooking competitions and is a restaurateur, wine sommelier, award winning food photographer, TV food personality with NBC Affiliate WFLA in Tampa and appeared on FYI’s original series World Food Championships. She looks forward to embarking on The Great American Sandwich Trail this summer. Socialize with Sandwich America on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Terry French
Terry French, The World’s Extreme Chef, has cooked... Read More
Terry French, The World’s Extreme Chef, has cooked in 86 countries and traveled around the world 8 times. His global-to-local cuisine perspective and belief that “ hand-held ” food is the carrier of food culture may seem in stark contrast to his being born and raised in Evansville, Indiana. But diversity and uncommon is Terry defined. Winning Food Network’s World Extreme Chef in 2012 celebrated his amazing and adventurous life and his “French’s KISS” belief to food – Keeping it simple and sustainable. From Ice fishing with his father and cooking with his mother as a boy to hosting Taste Asia in Times Square, Terry French makes every meal a cuisine adventure. Terry believes that “Hand-held foods and sandwiches are the global cuisine language. From Thai street food to Philly cheese steaks – the world eats with our hands for centuries and now more than ever”. Follow Terry’s Extreme Chef adventures on Facebook and Instagram .
Terry French

Terry French, The World’s Extreme Chef, has cooked in 86 countries and traveled around the world 8 times. His global-to-local cuisine perspective and belief that “ hand-held ” food is the carrier of food culture may seem in stark contrast to his being born and raised in Evansville, Indiana. But diversity and uncommon is Terry defined. Winning Food Network’s World Extreme Chef in 2012 celebrated his amazing and adventurous life and his “French’s KISS” belief to food – Keeping it simple and sustainable. From Ice fishing with his father and cooking with his mother as a boy to hosting Taste Asia in Times Square, Terry French makes every meal a cuisine adventure. Terry believes that “Hand-held foods and sandwiches are the global cuisine language. From Thai street food to Philly cheese steaks – the world eats with our hands for centuries and now more than ever”. Follow Terry’s Extreme Chef adventures on Facebook and Instagram .
Daniel Higgins
Daniel Higgins is the Food & Drink Reporter for Read More
Daniel Higgins is the Food & Drink Reporter for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin where cheese curds are a regular topic including debates if yellow and white cheese curds taste different (they don’t) and if breaded or battered are better when deep fried (battered). Though he has discovered one universal cheese curd truth to be learned from a lifetime of eating the tasty nuggets of cheese: they better squeak when eaten.
Daniel Higgins

Daniel Higgins is the Food & Drink Reporter for USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin where cheese curds are a regular topic including debates if yellow and white cheese curds taste different (they don’t) and if breaded or battered are better when deep fried (battered). Though he has discovered one universal cheese curd truth to be learned from a lifetime of eating the tasty nuggets of cheese: they better squeak when eaten.
Gouda Girls: Tina and Katherine
Meet the Gouda Girls. They are not your typical... Read More
Meet the Gouda Girls. They are not your typical Mid-West milk maids. While they still love their Beer, Brats and Cheese. Tina and Katherine have turned Wisconsins famous food offerings into awarded winning food truck fare. Based out of Milwaukee, but traveling the state, these girls serve the best of Wisconsins cheeses in Grilled Cheese sandwiches, gourmet Mac and Cheese and their fan favorite, the Wisconsin Cheesesteak. Some of the popular sides include Beer, Brat and Cheese soup, Cheddar Corn Bread and homemade Rice Pudding. The tag line on their truck is "Curbside Comfort". This phrase tells the whole story in two words. The girls have taken their love of cooking and serving to cooking and competing with food sport competitions statewide and world wide. Being fortunate enough to win a competition that qualified them to attend the World Food Championship in 2013, Katherine and Tina have placed 2nd and 5th in the sandwich division. When looking for a true taste of the Mid West, be sure to stop in Milwaukee and share a treat of cheesy goodness.
Gouda Girls: Tina and Katherine

Meet the Gouda Girls. They are not your typical Mid-West milk maids. While they still love their Beer, Brats and Cheese. Tina and Katherine have turned Wisconsins famous food offerings into awarded winning food truck fare. Based out of Milwaukee, but traveling the state, these girls serve the best of Wisconsins cheeses in Grilled Cheese sandwiches, gourmet Mac and Cheese and their fan favorite, the Wisconsin Cheesesteak. Some of the popular sides include Beer, Brat and Cheese soup, Cheddar Corn Bread and homemade Rice Pudding. The tag line on their truck is "Curbside Comfort". This phrase tells the whole story in two words. The girls have taken their love of cooking and serving to cooking and competing with food sport competitions statewide and world wide. Being fortunate enough to win a competition that qualified them to attend the World Food Championship in 2013, Katherine and Tina have placed 2nd and 5th in the sandwich division. When looking for a true taste of the Mid West, be sure to stop in Milwaukee and share a treat of cheesy goodness.