A Tiny Farm Town In Wisconsin, Viroqua Is A Midwest Food Destination
In the southwest corner of the state, in the middle of the Driftless region, a small town is making a name for itself as a foodie destination in the Midwest. The restaurants in Viroqua, Wisconsin – as well as the local businesses and producers that supply and inspire them – are next-level for a town of this size. Taking advantage of the abundance afforded by the surrounding farmland and using their small town sensibilities, the folks in Viroqua have created an awesome, unique little town whose companies are having a global impact. You’ve got to pay a visit to experience all the places to eat in Viroqua, Wisconsin. These eateries will delight your taste buds.
As a move was made toward bigger conglomerates in this country, the folks around here fought to keep their small farm - and each other - afloat. They focused on local businesses, created cooperatives and today have a unique, delicious town.
Vernon County has become a mecca of organic farming. Organic Valley was first just a very small co-op that brought together local farms to help them fight against big conglomerates. It's grown to a business that helps nearly 2,000 farms with everything from marketing to distribution and it employs 900 people in Vernon County.
Visit Organic Valley's website to learn more about the co-op and what it does.
Driftless Cafe owner and chef Luke Zahm was a semi-finalist for the James Beard Award for Best Chef Midwest.
The little cafe has a rotating menu based on local crops and the chef's whims. Zahm can tell you where each ingredient comes from and that farm-to-table sensibility has served them well. Folks are traveling from around the midwest to have a meal here - and it's easily one of the best restaurants in Viroqua, Wisconsin.
Commercial kitchens are expensive, as are packaging and labeling equipment. The Food Enterprise Center is a kind of co-op that allows small businesses to share space and resources. Scotchwood Candy Company is one local business that uses those resources. So does Wonderstate Coffee, Fizzeology, Wisco Pop, Sky Moon Farm, Nami Chips and Yooli Foods. It's been so successful that it's also moved into incubating other small businesses outside the food community.
B&E's Trees is another local business that takes advantage of that shared space.
It harvests maple syrup on 64 acres of local woodland. It also collaborates with Central Waters Brewery to create their own Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup. Those barrels move on to Central Waters to create a maple stout.
Fifth Season Co-op provides many of the Food Enterprise Center with their raw ingredients.
Fifth Season is well on its way to doing for organic produce what Organic Valley did for dairy. It's giving advantages to the small farms that they would not normally have.
Vernon Vineyards Winery is one of more than two dozen wineries in this county.
The hilly lands here allow for the grapes to gather the sun and precipitation to run off, making it a good spot for businesses like Vernon Vineyards to thrive.
You'll basically want to eat your way through Viroqua, but it's not the only thing to do here. There's also a couple of local music festivals, the Vernon County Fair, a farmer's market as well as nearby markets in Gays Mills and Ferryville, a Summer Arts Festival in Soldier's Grove and more.
In addition to these restaurants in Viroqua, you’ll find many sandwich shops, bakeries, and other small, local businesses that have been here for awhile and subscribe to the same ideas of local sourcing and community cooperation. Viroqua is truly a unique spot. If you support local farms and darn good food, a trip here has to be on your radar.
Know another Wisconsin destination we should feature? Be sure to nominate it!
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Address: Viroqua, WI 54665, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
Viroqua in Wisconsin
April 19, 2020
Elisa Regulski
What are the best food towns in Wisconsin?
There are so many wonderful food towns in Wisconsin. In addition to all the places to eat and things to do in Viroqua, Wisconsin, Mineral Point also has a wide variety of magnificent restaurants. This lovely town is located just south of Dodgeville, and it’s home to some of the most scrumptious eats in the state. For some spectacular sandwiches and desserts, head over to the Red Rooster Cafe. This cozy eatery will make you feel warm and fuzzy inside. And there are many more awesome food towns in Wisconsin.
What are the best farms in Wisconsin?
If you’re in search of a fun day trip destination, you have to visit a fantastic farm town in Wisconsin. Rowley Creek Lavender Farm, located in Baraboo, is a gorgeous and fragrant getaway. When spring rolls around, this is the place you’ll want to go to soak up all the seasonal beauty. Bring the kiddos along and make family memories you’ll never forget.
What are the best Midwestern restaurants in Wisconsin?
Ardent, located in Milwaukee, is one of the best restaurants in the Midwest. Yes, this restaurant is upscale and fancy, but it deserves a spot on your bucket list. It’s the perfect place to go for a celebratory dinner or romantic date night. This delicious destination was named a James Beard award semi-finalist within its first 8 weeks of opening, so you know it’s amazing.
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