| As a foodie living in Green Bay, it should | | | | locals love the Limburger cheese sandwich, |
| never be questioned whether I, a | | | | served with mustard and onion on rye bread |
| Wisconsinite, am proud of our most notable | | | | (with much-needed mint on the side). But I |
| masterpiece: Cheese. Our beer is known to | | | | thought it was safer to suggest a cheese |
| brew up a lot of emotion as well. But to say | | | | appetizer and a few more beers so we'd have |
| that brews and cheese and are the only | | | | room for dinner at the amazing Landhaus |
| culinary creations we can muster up would be | | | | Chalet. This place serves up authentic fondue |
| doing a disservice to other unique food | | | | and Swiss cuisine from Swiss-trained |
| traditions throughout Northeast Wisconsin-and | | | | Executive Chef Mike Neval. |
| the rest of our fine state. | | | | |
| | | | By this time on our journey, it was safe to |
| It is that very argument that brought me | | | | say that I was winning over my skeptical |
| here-behind the wheel of my husband's GMC | | | | family members. |
| Yukon XL-with five of my family members from | | | | |
| back East in tow. That's right-New | | | | As we continued to pack on the pounds during |
| Yorkers-and snobby ones at that. We set aside | | | | our Foodie Fest, we would have yet another |
| a few days to venture out of Green Bay and | | | | day of stuffing our faces to look forward to. |
| hit the road in the Yukon to experience some | | | | It was only about 10 p.m., so we decided to |
| food-Wisconsin style! | | | | head out on the highway in the GMC Yukon for |
| | | | our two-hour trip to Milwaukee. |
| The first stop on our adventure would be like | | | | |
| none other experienced by native New Yorkers: | | | | After checking into the hotel for the night |
| Door County Cherries & Fish Boils. About an | | | | for a little R&R, I thought about the treat I |
| hour's drive from Green Bay you'll find Door | | | | had in store for the next day: Brats! As we |
| County's miles of lovely shoreline. But it's | | | | made are way along Milwaukee's historic Third |
| not just a feast for the eyes, it's also the | | | | Ward district, Usinger's Famous Sausage was |
| force behind two local traditions: Fish boils | | | | calling our name. These guys have been making |
| and cherries. The fishboil features the | | | | authentic German sausage for over a century. |
| freshest whitefish caught by local fishermen | | | | Today, you can get 70 varieties of Old World |
| on Lake Michigan. The Master Boiler throws | | | | sausage, including bratwurst and German-style |
| chunks of fish, potatoes, onions and salt | | | | wursts. |
| into a huge, boiling cauldron until the fish | | | | |
| oils rise to the surface-then he turns up the | | | | We decided to take a factory tour and, of |
| juice on the flames for the infamous | | | | course, purchase a few links to take home |
| "boilover." The oil spills over the side of | | | | with us. But we couldn't wait until we got |
| the pot and leaving the fish steaming hot and | | | | back to Green Bay to try out this stuff. So |
| perfectly cooked. The White Gull dining room | | | | we took a walk next door to Mader's German |
| then serves it up with lemon, melted butter, | | | | Restaurant for a Bavarian Platter, featuring |
| garden fresh coleslaw, and homemade breads. | | | | a selection of Usinger's grilled bratwurst |
| | | | and simmered knockwurst in sauerkraut served |
| Truly a culinary masterpiece unique to | | | | with a slice of kassler rippchen and a potato |
| Wisconsin. | | | | dumpling. After yet another amazing meal, I |
| | | | surprised my delighted guests with some |
| Even though they tried to hide it, my New | | | | tickets to the Milwaukee Brewers game, just |
| Yorker relatives were impressed. But the best | | | | up the interstate. |
| was yet to come. Lake Michigan boasts ideal | | | | |
| conditions for cherry-growing. Both sweet and | | | | The conversion was almost complete! |
| tart cherries are readily available at local | | | | |
| farmer's markets and "pick-your-own" orchards | | | | It was time, yet again, to switch on the |
| in late summer. That said, unbelievable | | | | Yukon XL's OnStar navigation and XM radio for |
| cherry pie would, of course be the featured | | | | our hour-long drive to Kohler-for the Kohler |
| dessert. I could almost see them salivating. | | | | Food & Wine Experience. This festival lasts |
| | | | all weekend and brings in thousands of |
| After waddling back to the GMC Yukon XL | | | | foodies from around Wisconsin. With celebrity |
| (thank God it's roomy) for an overnight stay | | | | chefs, wine tastings, seminars, culinary |
| at a nearby hotel, we would hit the road the | | | | demonstrations, specialty shopping, and more, |
| next day for some Green County beer and | | | | we decided to stay in town the entire |
| cheese. | | | | weekend. Finally convinced that there MAY |
| | | | JUST BE more to Wisconsin than cheese, my |
| It's a three-hour drive, but where else can | | | | guests admitted they were having a fabulous |
| you sample beers like Spotted Cow, Uff-da | | | | time. |
| Bock, or Fat Squirrel other than at the New | | | | |
| Glarus Brewery? It was there we spent the day | | | | Unfortunately, it was already time to head |
| touring the brewery and where my guests would | | | | back toward Northeast Wisconsin and Green |
| get to sample some of the greatest brews | | | | Bay. The extra day spent at the festival put |
| around. I was driving the Yukon so, alas, I | | | | a damper on my plans to take them to Central |
| couldn't partake-but the cheese awaited my | | | | Wisconsin's Cranberry Highway in Wisconsin |
| arrival. | | | | Rapids, where they would have experienced |
| | | | some of the most indulgent cranberry treats |
| After a few hours spent at the brewery, we | | | | known to man. But that would have to be |
| drove a couple miles to Monroe for a stop at | | | | another time, another adventure in the GMC |
| Baumgartner's Cheese Store & Tavern. The | | | | Yukon. |