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I’ve been on a mission to find the best deep fried cheese curds in Wisconsin for over four years. I have eaten curds at over 200 different places. I’m not sure if I have found the best in the state yet but I have found some very good contenders. However, I can confidently say that I have tried all of best deep fried curds in the City of Milwaukee. This is the ultimate list. Dairyland I love Dairyland. I discovered them when they were a food truck at Zocalo Park and became obsessed. Their burgers are top tier. Their chicken sandwiches are drool-worthy. But their cheese curds? Some of the best in Milwaukee. I know you are probably thinking “well they didn’t win best curds in Milwaukee” – and you’re right. But I whole-heartedly believe that they did not win because not enough people have tried their curds. The curds are battered and made with Clock Shadow Creamery cheese. This is your sign to go to Redbar and order them with a side of their homemade ranch. If you try them and hate them, you’re wrong. Black Sheep These curds are a delightful surprise. They are made with pancake batter, topped with powdered sugar, and served with syrup. Sounds weird, right? It is. Oddly enough, it works. Black Sheep has an awesome menu overall, but their curds deserve to be recognized on this list. They are also made with cheese from Clock Shadow Creamery and they are absolutely some of the best in Milwaukee. Camino Camino has two locations – Milwaukee and West Allis. This is a list for the City of Milwaukee so we will focus on that location. Camino is known for a lot of things – their wings, their burgers, and their handmade perogies. Which are all delicious… but don’t sleep on their curds. They are also made with Clock Shadow Creamery cheese and served with Russian Dressing. The dressing is a bit different, but it pairs very well with the cheese curds. Lakefront Brewery You didn’t actually think I was going to leave out Lakefront Brewery, did you? They have been rated top curds in MKE for years and years. There’s a reason: they are delicious. Unshockingly, they are also made with Clock Shadow Creamery cheese curds. They are made with Lakefront’s homemade beer batter and served with some of the best ranch in the city. Every Thursday, Lakefront offers a unique curd flavor: pizza, chocolate covered strawberry, jalapeno… the list goes on. Lakefront Brewery is a Milwaukee staple and their cheese curds are no exception. Heirloom Heirloom began as a a farm to table food truck but they opened a location in Bay View and they make amazing food. I absolutely could not leave them off of this list. CLOCKSHADOW CHEESE battered perfectly. Somehow, these babies are always gigantic. They are served with a drool-worthy jalapeno ranch AND a tomato jam on the side. The people that run this truck are just as wonderful as the cheese curds they serve. These are a must-have in Milwaukee. Who’s on Third Who’s on Third serves battered curds using Lakefront Brewery Riverwest Stein. The cheese curds melt in your mouth. The cheese pull is magnificent. They are served with ranch, marinara, AND Who’s Sauce (fricken delish). Although I’m a ranch girl through and through, I love a unique sauce and I love a variety of sauces even more. Crafty Cow In a turn of events, Crafty Cow uses Ellsworth Creamery cheese in their curds! Ellsworth actually has an entire festival where vendors make tons of unique dishes with curds. I’ve attended. It’s magical. I digress… the curds at Crafty Cow are so tasty. They are served in a big metal bowl and I very much appreciate the portion size. They batter is extremely light and the cheese is super stretchy AND super melty. It’s the perfect combination. They are served with homemade ranch which I love so very much. O’lydia’s I stopped by O’lydia’s on a total whim for my birthday a few years back. It was a completely random choice on my end and it resulted in so much delicious food. They use Clock Shadow cheese curds which makes total sense … they are practically neighbors. These curds are served with a spicy pineapple sauce. Weird? Yes. Delicious? Also yes. The sauce is extremely flavorful and pairs so well with the cheese. These curds are breaded and I like them a lot, which says something because I tend to gravitate towards batter. On Tap The curds at On Tap were eaten on a whim, too, and boy did they make me happy. I’m not sure what cheese they use, but I know that their beer batter is made with Pabst Blue Ribbon beer. It is so light and crispy and the cheese pull is phenomenal. These are also served with homemade ranch and it passed the thick test. On Tap is newer to the scene but they know what they’re doing. A restaurant that knows how to make good curds is a stellar spot in my book.

Over the first weekend in May, Mike and I got the chance to check out Mineral Point, Wisconsin. It's about a 2-hour drive west of Milwaukee and just an hour west of Madison. Mineral Point is Wisconsin’s third-oldest city and proudly calls itself the “Most Cornish Town in the USA.” The town is full of stunning buildings made from 19th-century limestone. So, what did we get up to in this historic Wisconsin spot? Our weekend was jam-packed, and we didn’t quite get through everything on our list, but that just shows how much there is to do in Mineral Point—it’s definitely a place worth visiting. Lodging in Mineral Point We stayed at The Lion & The Porcupine in the Haven room, and it was a great home base for the weekend. The Lion & The Porcupine is perfect walking distance to food & shops. The building has been recently remodeled, so everything feels clean, updated, and thoughtfully done while keeping the building’s historic character. There are also shared spaces, including a communal kitchen and living area, which made it easy to relax and settle in between exploring around town. It’s a historic, beautiful, and comfortable option right in the heart of Mineral Point. Food & Drink in Mineral Point There are so many good spots to eat in Mineral Point - we didn't have time to try them all! Our first stop for dinner was Popolo Pizzeria and it did not disappoint. We started with the spinach artichoke dip (highly recommend) and each got our own pizza (not necessary, but that’s what we did). Everything was really tasty and the restaurant is full of charm. We stopped by Midway Bar & Grill for lunch and ordered their steak sandwich with waffle fries. The sandwich exceeded my expectations. They are known for their pizza at Midway Bar, but we wanted to switch it up a bit. We started one of our mornings at Wild Blue Yonder Coffeehouse. They were celebrating their two year anniversary and giving out samples of Strawberry Shortcake. It was so, so good. Mike and I both ordered lattes and it was the perfect spot to caffeinate first thing in the morning. We also grabbed breakfast at Pointer Cafe - if you are looking for an old school diner, this is it. The portions were big, the service was great, and the vibes were immaculate. Mike tried the biscuits and gravy while I had a classic breakfast. It was all so good. I have heard great things about Eliza’s Lounge so we stopped there for after dinner cocktails. It has such a great vibe! They have a full menu and live music on the weekends. It was one of my favorite spots throughout this trip. We heard great things about American Wine Project so we had to make the stop - such an adorable place! They have tons of seating inside and a gorgeous outdoor area to enjoy wine. Mike and I bought purchased flights and tried samples of several flavors. Shopping in Mineral Point Historic downtown Mineral Point has so many fun shops to visit! We spent hours in the afternoon paroozing the stores. The Violet Fig is a European-style florist and tea-boutique. If I was a loose-leaf tea drinker, this place would be my haven. The store smells amazing and all of the items are perfectly curated. The Station is a beautifully curated yarn shop offering everything you need to create knitted and crocheted pieces along with group knitting spaces. Even if you don’t knit, you’ll find Wisconsin-made gifts and other handmade items. It’s the perfect spot for anyone who loves crafting. I have followed Republic of Letters Books on social media for a while and was so excited to finally visit. This might be one of the hippest bookstores I’ve ever been to. Republic of Letters Books has a wide variety of books, both new and used, a little something for everyone. I love the vibes inside and even left with a new-to-me-book! To know me is to know I love a sweet treat, so we had to make a stop at High Street Sweets. High Street Sweets is a nostalgic candy shop packed with retro treats, local chocolates, and colorful displays that make it hard to leave empty-handed. Aspen Ridge Home & Garden was the last spot on our shopping spree. It is more than just a garden center; it feels like a destination in itself. The space blends plants, restored antiques, garden art, and home décor, creating an eclectic mix that’s both inspiring and easy to wander through. Outdoor Fun in Mineral Point We were lucky enough to be in Mineral Point during the opening weekend of the Mineral Point Market! I bought a homemade pop tart (yum) and Mike purchased a crocheted blanket that he fell in love with. The market takes place on Saturday mornings from May-October where you can find local produce, bread, and other homemade goods. We wanted to get some movement in while we were visiting, so we hiked Merry Christmas Mine Hill. The Merry Christmas Mine Hill is about a 1-mile loop that brought us past old mining artifacts – it was super cool! It is located across the street from Pendarvis – a Wisconsin Historical Site. Unfortunately, Pendarvis was not yet open for the season, but we wandered around the grounds a bit anyway. We also roamed around Shake Rag Alley Center of the Arts. There were a few workshops going on, but we stuck to exploring the grounds. I will definitely be signing up for a workshop when I visit again, though! They have workshops for things like blacksmithing, glass bead making, embroidery, and more.

This is a part two to my first blog listing 5 Day Trips from Milwaukee ( read it here ). Each of these places is within a 2-hour drive time which makes them all great options for a quick getaway from the city. Whitewater I love Whitewater . It is absolutely one of my favorite places in Wisconsin. Whitewater is located about 1 hour and 10 minutes from Milwaukee. Their food/drink scene is superb with places such as Barista Cats Café , Staller Estates Winery , Jessica’s Diner , and Sweet Spot Café . There is an ample amount of places to shop with some of my favorites being The Fuzzy Pig (GREAT place for seasonal décor and gifts!) and Dale’s Bootery - because what woman doesn’t want a new pair of shoes? There are also so many outdoor activities in Whitewater! I love hiking and there are multiple sections of the Ice Age Trail located in Whitewater. There are also lots of lakes that are perfect for beach days, boating, and water sports. So much to do! Fort Atkinson Not too far from Whitewater is another amazing Wisconsin town: Fort Atkinson . Fort Atkinson is located about 1-hour northwest of Milwaukee. Fort Atkinson is such a tight knit community and has so many things to offer. The Fireside Dinner Theatre is located here and if you have never been, you must visit! The dinner food is amazing and the theatre productions are highly entertaining. Aside from that, Fort Atkinson is filled with great places to eat like Paddy’s Irish Pub (get the cheese curds), Beauty and the Bean , The Island Bar and Grill (great if you are looking for lakeside views), and Frostie Freeze for dessert. You can also make a stop at Jones’ Market for some local artisan goods and a quick sandwich. Lake Geneva Lake Geneva is southwest from Milwaukee and you can get there in just under an hour. Lake Geneva is known for being a tourist destination for Chicago-ians (is that a word?) but don’t let that steer you away. The town is absolutely beautiful and has so much to offer. If you are a golfer, Lake Geneva is a great place to go. If you enjoy being on the water, you can do that in Lake Geneva, too. Additionally, they have several great places to eat including two of my favorites: Flat Iron Tap and Oakfire Pizza . If you are a coffee aficionado, be sure to visit Inspired Coffee . The best people work there! There are tons of boutique stores in the downtown area that are great for browsing around. Shop til you drop, baby! Baraboo Baraboo is a little further of a drive than the aforementioned destinations but it is worth the miles. If you are thinking about Wisconsin Dells right now – think again. Baraboo is about 1 hour 45 minutes from Milwaukee and located OUTSIDE of Wisconsin Dells. They are a town that deserves to be recognized. There are so many great places for a foodie but one of my favorites is Tumbled Rock Brewery . They have a gigantic outdoor patio and grass area with an outside bar and live music. They serve awesome pizza and delicious craft beer. It’s an experience, not just a restaurant. Speaking of craft beer, another great thing to do in Baraboo is visit the Al Ringling Mansion and Brewery . You can take a tour of the brewery and learn all about the history of the Ringling Brothers. Pop on over to the Circus World Museum , too, and check out one of the live performances! Fond du Lac Fond du Lac is just over an hour north of Milwaukee and it is such a cute city! Parts of the city are right on Lake Winnebago which is an awesome lake to spend your summer days. Lakeside Park alone has so many things to offer such as a petting zoo, carousel rides, and more. Downtown Fond du Lac is filled with great restaurants and small shops. One of my absolute favorite places to eat in Fond du Lac is The Salty Pig . If you haven’t had brunch here yet, make the trip just for that. When you are finished with brunch, stop at Ledgerock Distillery for a tasty cocktail and sampling. But before you leave town, make a stop at Kelley’s Country Creamery – some of the best ice cream in Wisconsin.