When you’re looking for quality, delicious and smoked meats in Wisconsin, you look for Nueske’s. This family-owned and operated company is in its third generation. The Nueske family first came to the US in 1882 and brought with them a wealth of knowledge on how to cure and smoke meat. In 1933, the current owners’ grandpa started up Nueske’s using his father’s recipes, spices and know-how and eight decades later, this spot is still doing it all by hand – there are no mass production assembly lines here. It’s just the most flavorful, apple-smoked goodness you’ve ever had. Nueske’s bacon is legendary here in Wisconsin and if you’re ever up near Wausau, you’re going to want to take a small detour to Wittenberg and visit the Nueske’s Company Store.
This family business is in its third generation of ownership. The current folks' grandpa started the company in 1933 using his own father and grandfather's recipes. The family came to the US in the late 1800s and brought with them Old World recipes and techniques for smoking meat. For more than 80 years, Nueske's has been serving up the best, most delicious smoked meats and their process hasn't changed much. You'll not find any assembly lines here - just the same old hands-on way of doing things.
The company store is part of a complex of old buildings that have been in the family for generations. You'll find an old schoolhouse that's now an antique store and this gorgeous barn of a building that's home to the best bacon you've ever had.
That small building there on the right is actually Nueske's original smokehouse. The operation outgrew it, but the same recipes and techniques they used when that was capacity are what makes Nueske's worth your time today.
Heading into this store is like finding a candy store for meat lovers. It's bacon paradise. It's wall-to-wall meat just waiting for you to sample, buy and enjoy it. There's a fresh case as well as prepackaged products.
A family-owned small business themselves, Nueske's Company Store also stocks a wide variety of other delicious items from similar companies. From Trig's soda to Door County Pretzels, you'll find all kinds of delicious local products to enjoy.
If you're at all close to this wonderful spot, you're going to want to keep an eye out for their massive sales where you can buy boxes of mis-cut bacon or bacon ends for as low as 99 cents a pound. They come in 10 pound boxes and sell quickly - you'll see folks filling their cars and hear talk of friends deciding who is worthy of sharing their haul with. But even if you visit at a time where these is no sale, you'll still find packages of factory seconds that don't quite meet the high standards here and can be had for incredibly cheap prices.
Make sure you leave yourself time to check out the store and bring a cooler (or two!) so you can stock up and take all the delicious Nueske's treats home with you. This truly is the best bacon you've ever had. Its price usually matches its quality, so getting a bargain here just lets you enjoy the deliciousness more often!
You'll smell Nueske's before you see it, so let your nose lead you to one of the very best places in all of Wisconsin. It's less than 35 miles from Wausau and so worth a little detour if you're in the area. Your tastebuds and tummy will truly thank you.
You simply cannot find smoked meat of better quality than Nueske's. This family knows what they're doing and they're still using the same recipes, spices and techniques that made them a success back in 1933, during the Great Depression. Their attention to detail makes for stellar quality and you'll never be happier than when your fridge and freezer and chock full of Nueske's products.
Nueske’s Company Store is located at 1390 E Grand Ave., Wittenberg, WI 54499. They’re open Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. They’re closed on Sundays.
