I Found the State’s Best Burger Hiding at Pickles in the Wisconsin Northwoods

One Badger State town that's known as "The Quiet Side of the Northwoods" is a little less quiet these days. Just head down Oneida County Highway Y, and you'll find all the commotion at a little Wisconsin eatery called Pickles Bar and Grill. This is no ordinary country bar, though. Rather, it’s the place known for a burger that many say is a work of art. It seems the experts agree. Pickles recently won the Wisconsin Beef Council's first-ever Wisconsin's Best Burger Contest. So what makes this the best burger in Wisconsin? I had to pay a visit to hidden gem restaurant to find out.

You’ll find Pickles Bar and Grill just outside of the town of Hazelhurst, the town that calls itself "the Quiet Side of the Northwoods." I spend a lot of time in this corner of the Badger State and have become quite fond of Hazelhurst. In fact, when I'm in the area, my regular running route follows County Highway Y and goes right by Pickles.

This year, I couldn’t believe the crowds I saw gathering at the bar as I ran by. At times, there were so many parked cars that it looked like a country auction or an estate sale was taking place. So, I figured I'd better stop in to see what all the fuss was about. Spoiler alert: It was the burger.

At first glance, Pickles Bar and Grill seems like any classic Northwoods spot. There's lots of wood decor, plenty of fish adorning the walls, and the restroom doors are labeled “does” and “bucks.” While I love a lot of Wisconsin establishments, there are many that lean too heavily on food that’s been crafted by food service companies. This is decidedly not the case with the burgers at Pickles. Every bit of these burgers is crafted with care, starting with the half-pound patty itself.

It’s a blend of brisket, short rib, and ground chuck, flavored with a house seasoning blend. There are also a lot of little nice details, like smoked garlic mayo, and of course, some wonderful little pickle slices. I snuck in just under the wire, before service was called for the night. Be warned: A visit to Pickles these days can take a bit of patience.

Because of all the attention its burger has received, the bar has been absolutely slammed, and there are limits to what a small kitchen and staff can do. It’s worth the wait, but if you can’t wait for a table, make plans to return another day. The burger at Pickles is worth it.

This place really blew me away. I need to keep running those miles on County Y to burn off the great food at Pickles—maybe I’ll see you there! Learn more about Pickles Bar & Grill near Hazelhurst on the bar’s Facebook Page. See if you agree that it’s the best burger in Wisconsin, and if not, we'd love to hear about your favorites. If you’re planning a trip North, here are some must-haves for nature lovers.