15 Restaurants In Wisconsin That Are Hard To Get In But Totally Worth It
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Nicole
Author
We get it. Sometimes, when you want to eat, you want your meal immediately – no waitlists, no reservations, no hassle.
But that lack of foresight would make you miss out on some of the best food Wisconsin has to offer. From no-frills diners to James Beard nominees, and everything in between, here are some of the most popular restaurants across the state that are worth the work it takes to get a seat. Whether it’s because of popularity, seating capacity, or both, there are just some restaurants that require you to queue up, plan ahead, or find a miracle to get a seat.
Come for a few of their amazing craft cocktails, stay for simple, filling farm-to-table food.
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You might not think you can find thoughtful, fresh food like this so close to the UP, but Blue Heron delivers.
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The chef warns right on the menu that their food is fresh and takes time - meaning not a lot of table turnover. You may have to wait your turn, but the wait will be so, so worth it.
You can try your luck at the bar, which is open seating, or on the patio in warmer weather, but otherwise you need to call a few days in advance to get yourselves a table here.
Yelp/J.S.
Add that they serve some of the most thoughtful vegetarian and gluten-free meals in the city and you're in for a wait.
You know you're out in the boonies a bit when most listings for the joint only mention the county road it's on.
The fish fry is a Wisconsin staple and locals say Moe's does one of the best. Plan to stick around for a bit before you get to eat, but the freshly fried, crispy fish will be your reward.
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Tucked in a strip mall between a bank and a martial arts studio, it's hard to reconcile that this is probably the most crowded restaurant in all of Milwaukee.
On the weekends, you won't find parking or the front door for all the people waiting, but you can stop by and get put on the list and have them text you. Folks aren't lining up for the reputation. Blue's serves hearty breakfast that's both simple and flavorful and they pepper the menu with unusual benedicts and drunken monkey bread. It's worth an early alarm clock - or a *cough* sick day - to try to beat the weekend crowds.
You'll wait in line to place your order and you'll probably hover around waiting for an empty table, as well.
Or you're waiting for a flavorful savory dish that's unique and amazing. And in the meantime, you're drinking house infused lemonade and snacking on a fresh chocolate croissant, so really, the kitchen can take their time.
Ok, some of the wait may have something to do with a certain local quarterback who's been known to dine here.
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If you can plan ahead and snag a chef's table reservation, you'll be talking about it for months. It's the kind of food and experience you expect in a big city - but with the charm and friendliness you expect in Green Bay.
The locale alone is enough to have people lining up, but the continental experience provided by owners with the European credentials to pull it off.
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Le Chateau offers authentic French fine dining in a place most wouldn't expect. Plan ahead and make this a priority on your dining wish list.
In the summer, don't even think of trying to dine here on a whim.
From the obligatory Friday fish fry to relish trays and steak Oscar, you will not regret making plans to eat here.
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This funky little place has an eclectic menu with dashes of New Orleans and tons of Wisconsin farm influences.
Here's a tip: Go for lunch to avoid some of the crowds.
Thrive is committed to being active in their community and the community has responded by giving their patronage in droves. But with quirky dishes and a great philosophy, I'd line up here again and again.
The New York subway-style sign might seem out of place in Stevens Point, but Father Fats uses influences of the big city combined with the fresh farmland ingredients of Wisconsin to produce amazing food.
The plates are meant to be shared, so though it might mean a bit more planning, bring a few friends, help your wait time pass with a few of their craft cocktails and settle in for an awesome family meal.
No one would be surprised if you had no idea what the front of this place looks like since it's usually got a line down the road to block your view.
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Plates can easily serve two and the must-order shakes come with as many straws as you need. Tables turn over fast, so come hungry and get ready for the best ratio of cost to calories in the city.
Literally a diner car, Frank's is an institution without much seating to spare.
It's hearty and happy and the best kind of greasy spoon. If you need more than that to be convinced, I'm surprised you've read this far, honestly.
One's a James Beard nominated restaurant that's a mix between down home Wisconsin and the fanciest restaurant you could imagine and the other is the most popular night-dining spot Milwaukee has ever seen. Both are run by a James Beard nominated chef.
It's just a few seats and meals take a couple of hours as you make your way through amazing plates of complex and simple flavors melded together like no other restaurant in the state.
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You used to have to line up an hour before Red Light even opened (at midnight) to get your hands on authentic ramen that Carlisle would spend days preparing.
But the boozie slushies and flavorful ramen are worth the wait no matter the time of day. A trip here is as close as one can get to Japan in Wisconsin.
Where else do you not mind calling ahead and waiting in line to dine? We’d love to know where else you have to plan to get in, but is well worth the effort.
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