A town that's known as the quiet side of the Northwoods is a little less quiet these days. Just head down County Highway Y, and see the commotion at a little Wisconsin restaurant called Pickles Bar and Grill. This is no ordinary country bar – it’s the place known for a burger that some say is a masterpiece. The experts agree – it 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 step inside this hidden gem restaurant to find out.

You’ll find Pickles Bar and Grill in the town of Hazelhurst, a place that calls itself the quiet side of the Northwoods.

I love Hazelhurst and spend a lot of time in this corner of the Northwoods.

My regular running route follows County Y and goes right by Pickles.

This year, I couldn’t believe the crowds I saw gathering at the bar – at times, there were so many parked cars, it looked like a country auction was taking place!

I had to step inside to see what makes this place so great.

At a glance, it seems like any classic Northwoods spot. There’s lots of wood decor, there are fish on the walls, and the bathroom doors are labeled “does” and “bucks.”

While I love a lot of Wisconsin establishments, there are many that lean heavily on food that’s largely crafted by food service companies.

That’s not case with the burgers at Pickles.

Every bit of these burgers are crafted with care, starting with the half-pound burger.

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 liked smoked garlic mayo, and of course, some wonderful little pickle slices.

I just barely snuck in before service was called for the night – a visit to Pickles these days can takes a bit of patience.

Because of all the attention its burger has received, the bar has been absolutely slammed this year, 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 Y to burn off the great food at Pickles – maybe I’ll see you there! Learn more about Pickles Bar & Grill near Minocqua on the bar’s Facebook Page – see if you agree that it’s the best burger in Wisconsin! If you’re planning a trip North, here are some must-haves for nature lovers.