I’ve compiled a list of restaurants and bars in Wisconsin that have appeared on national television shows. Admittedly, I’ve only been to a handful of them, but I hope to visit some of these places this year.
Anchor Bar and Grill, Superior, “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” – This was a viewer’s choice, so Guy Fieri didn’t actually go here in person to sample the burgers.
Franks Diner, Kenosha, “Diners, Drive-ins and Dives” – Guy Fieri stops by for breakfast and tries the Garbage Plate.
Ian’s Pizza (State Street), Madison, “Bizarre World” – Andrew Zimmern orders slices of Mac and Cheese and Lasagna pizza in his only Madison stop.
Mercado El Rey and Polonez, Milwaukee, “Bizarre World” – The former is a grocery store where Andrew Zimmern ate beef tongue. At Polish restaurant Polonez, Zimmern ate pierogies and duck blood soup.
AJ Bombers and Sobelman’s Pub and Grille, Milwaukee, “Food Wars” – In the battle of best cheeseburger, AJ Bombers was crowned king.
Old German Beer Hall, Milwaukee, “Appetite for Life” – Wearing lederhosen, Andrew Zimmern does the chicken dance with a polka band.
Elegant Farmer, Mukwonago, “Throwdown with Bobby Flay” – Usually Bobby doesn’t leave the New York area, so I was really shocked to see him in Wisconsin to have a pie throwdown.
Martino’s Italian Beef, Benji’s Deli, Red Rock Saloon, Milwaukee, “Man v. Food Nation” – Last year, Adam Richman visited Martino’s for the Italian combo and Benji’s for the Hear-O-Israel sandwich. At Red Rock, he coaches a contestant to take on the Unforgiven Challenge, which is a burger, fries and hot wings in 23 minutes.
Kroll’s West, Curly’s Pub, Champions Sports Bar and Grill, Green Bay, “Man v. Food Nation” – Apparently Adam Richman enjoyed his time in our state, as he also went to Green Bay, where he enjoyed the buttered double cheeseburger and prime rib sandwich at Kroll’s West and the beer brat at Curly’s. At Champions, he coaches two contestants who get one hour to finish a six-pound burger in the Gravedigger Challenge, named after Gilbert Brown.
Solly’s Grille, Bacchus-Bartolotta Restaurant, Milwaukee, “No Reservations” – In his “Heartland” series, Anthony Bourdain learns about the buttery burger at Solly’s and eats, among other things, the beer cheese soup at Bacchus.
The Old Fashioned, Madison, “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” – Troy Johnson raves about the cheese curds at The Old Fashioned as his All-American dish.
