Never was the old adage “Don’t judge a book by its cover” so true as when it comes to some of the best, most delicious restaurants in all of Wisconsin. If you’re looking for fancy decor and white tablecloths, these joints aren’t for you. But if you’re looking for stellar food without the fuss, start making a list and plan to visit these unsuspecting restaurants in Wisconsin.
- Mickey Lu’s - Marinette
Yelp/Matt W
Yelp/Matt C Mickey Lu’s feels like a blast from the past - a greasy spoon type place that looks like it’s from a 1950’s sitcom. The burgers are made over an open flame and you get to watch your meal being made. Located at 1710 Marinette Ave, Marinette, WI 54143. For more information, visit the Facebook page for Mickey Lu BBQ in Marinette.
- Steve’s Pizza Palace - Platteville
Facebook/StevesPizzaPlatteville
Facebook/Steve’s Pizza Plattville Whenever I make a list like this, the comments are full of people telling me I should have added Steve’s. The exterior looks like an Irish pub, but inside you’ll find some of the best pizza anywhere in the state. Located at 175 W Main St, Platteville, WI 53818. For more information, visit the website for Steve’s Pizza Palace in Platteville.
- Broadway Diner - Baraboo
Facebook/Broadway.Diner.Baraboo
Facebook/Broadway.Diner.Baraboo With an outside that looks straight out of a Route 66 postcard and a menu chock full of filling, wonderful meals, this is a spot that can’t be beat. Located at 304 Broadway St, Baraboo, WI 53913. Visit the website for Broadway Diner to learn more.
- Cozzy Corner - Appleton
Yelp/Rick M
Facebook/TheCozzyCorner You might drive by this spot a time or two before you even spot it, but those in the know have taken note and could drive here with their eyes closed. Soul food in central Wisconsin isn’t a combination you’d think would go well, but Cozzy Corner proves us wrong. The food here is full of love and flavor and it’s a total gem you have to find for yourself. Located at 111 N Walnut St, Appleton, WI 54911. To learn more, visit the website for Cozzy Corner in Appleton.
- Wayne’s Pizza - Genoa City
Facebook/WaynesPizza
Facebook/WaynesPizza Another spot that locals rave about in the comments, Wayne’s has deep dish and thin crust and a ton of toppings and the folks in Genoa City are so happy to have them. Located at 100 Elizabeth Ln, Genoa City, WI 53128. For more information, visit the website for Wayne’s Pizza in Genoa City.
- 6th Street Filling Station - Wausau
Facebook/6thStreetFillingStation
Facebook/6thStreetFillingStation This former gas station has been turned into an amazing diner serving up giant plates of spectacular food. Located at 1314 N 6th St, Wausau, WI 54403. Check out the Facebook page for 6th Street Filling Station to learn more.
- Shah Jee’s - Milwaukee
Yelp/Mr K
Yelp/Rick R Tucked into the basement of an office building in Milwaukee’s downtown, these guys are a special lunch spot for those smart enough to seek it out. You’ll love the huge plate of amazing flavors. Located at 770 N Jefferson St, Milwaukee, WI 53202. To learn more, visit Shah Jee’s Facebook page.
- The Launching Pad - Shawano
Yelp/Sara R.
Facebook/Launching Pad Shawano folks love the burgers at the Launching Pad and want everyone to know. Located at 221 Airport Rd, Shawano, WI 54166. Check out The Launching Pad Facebook page to learn more.
- Chili John’s Cafe - Beaver Dam
Facebook/ChiliJohns
Yelp/Steven T A new one to me, Chili John’s is one the locals rave about. Located at 223 Front St, Beaver Dam, WI 53916. For more information, visit the Facebook page for Chili John’s Cafe in Beaver Dam.
- Late’s - Manitowoc
Yelp/Randy D
Yelp/Jay O A big, delicious burger, fries and onion rings you’ll dream about and thick, creamy malts make the meal at Late’s. Located at 1924 S 9th St, Manitowoc, WI 54220. To learn more, visit the Facebook page for Late’s BBQ in Manitowoc.
- Parthenon Gyros - Madison
Yelp/Vickie M
Yelp/Nicole C Anyone that has spent any amount of time in Madison has an affinity for Parthenon. Sure, it’s great late at night, but unlike a lot of those types of places, Parthenon is just as good, if not better, before a bunch of drinks. Located at 316 State St, Madison, WI 53703. For more information, visit the website for Parthenon Gyros in Madison.
Have you been to any of these unsuspecting restaurants in Wisconsin? What other unassuming spots do you totally love? Let us know in the comments!
Yelp/Matt W
Yelp/Matt C
Mickey Lu’s feels like a blast from the past - a greasy spoon type place that looks like it’s from a 1950’s sitcom. The burgers are made over an open flame and you get to watch your meal being made. Located at 1710 Marinette Ave, Marinette, WI 54143. For more information, visit the Facebook page for Mickey Lu BBQ in Marinette.
Facebook/StevesPizzaPlatteville
Facebook/Steve’s Pizza Plattville
Whenever I make a list like this, the comments are full of people telling me I should have added Steve’s. The exterior looks like an Irish pub, but inside you’ll find some of the best pizza anywhere in the state. Located at 175 W Main St, Platteville, WI 53818. For more information, visit the website for Steve’s Pizza Palace in Platteville.
Facebook/Broadway.Diner.Baraboo
With an outside that looks straight out of a Route 66 postcard and a menu chock full of filling, wonderful meals, this is a spot that can’t be beat. Located at 304 Broadway St, Baraboo, WI 53913. Visit the website for Broadway Diner to learn more.
Yelp/Rick M
Facebook/TheCozzyCorner
You might drive by this spot a time or two before you even spot it, but those in the know have taken note and could drive here with their eyes closed. Soul food in central Wisconsin isn’t a combination you’d think would go well, but Cozzy Corner proves us wrong. The food here is full of love and flavor and it’s a total gem you have to find for yourself. Located at 111 N Walnut St, Appleton, WI 54911. To learn more, visit the website for Cozzy Corner in Appleton.
Facebook/WaynesPizza
Another spot that locals rave about in the comments, Wayne’s has deep dish and thin crust and a ton of toppings and the folks in Genoa City are so happy to have them. Located at 100 Elizabeth Ln, Genoa City, WI 53128. For more information, visit the website for Wayne’s Pizza in Genoa City.
Facebook/6thStreetFillingStation
This former gas station has been turned into an amazing diner serving up giant plates of spectacular food. Located at 1314 N 6th St, Wausau, WI 54403. Check out the Facebook page for 6th Street Filling Station to learn more.
Yelp/Mr K
Yelp/Rick R
Tucked into the basement of an office building in Milwaukee’s downtown, these guys are a special lunch spot for those smart enough to seek it out. You’ll love the huge plate of amazing flavors. Located at 770 N Jefferson St, Milwaukee, WI 53202. To learn more, visit Shah Jee’s Facebook page.
Yelp/Sara R.
Facebook/Launching Pad
Shawano folks love the burgers at the Launching Pad and want everyone to know. Located at 221 Airport Rd, Shawano, WI 54166. Check out The Launching Pad Facebook page to learn more.
Facebook/ChiliJohns
Yelp/Steven T
A new one to me, Chili John’s is one the locals rave about. Located at 223 Front St, Beaver Dam, WI 53916. For more information, visit the Facebook page for Chili John’s Cafe in Beaver Dam.
Yelp/Randy D
Yelp/Jay O
A big, delicious burger, fries and onion rings you’ll dream about and thick, creamy malts make the meal at Late’s. Located at 1924 S 9th St, Manitowoc, WI 54220. To learn more, visit the Facebook page for Late’s BBQ in Manitowoc.
Yelp/Vickie M
Yelp/Nicole C
Anyone that has spent any amount of time in Madison has an affinity for Parthenon. Sure, it’s great late at night, but unlike a lot of those types of places, Parthenon is just as good, if not better, before a bunch of drinks. Located at 316 State St, Madison, WI 53703. For more information, visit the website for Parthenon Gyros in Madison.
Looking for more amazing off-the-beaten-path restaurants? Check out our previous article: 13 Under The Radar Restaurants In Wisconsin That Are Scrumdiddlyumptious.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: 1710 Marinette Ave, Marinette, WI 54143, USAAddress: 175 W Main St, Platteville, WI 53818, USAAddress: 304 Broadway St, Baraboo, WI 53913, USAAddress: 111 N Walnut St, Appleton, WI 54911, USAAddress: 100 Elizabeth Ln, Genoa City, WI 53128, USAAddress: 1314 N 6th St, Wausau, WI 54403, USAAddress: 770 N Jefferson St, Milwaukee, WI 53202, USAAddress: 221 Airport Rd, Shawano, WI 54166, USAAddress: 223 Front St, Beaver Dam, WI 53916, USAAddress: 1924 S 9th St, Manitowoc, WI 54220, USAAddress: 316 State St, Madison, WI 53703, USA
The OIYS Visitor Center
unsuspecting restaurants in Wisconsin October 12, 2020 Elisa Regulski What are the best hidden gem restaurants in Wisconsin? As you can see, there is so much more to Wisconsin dining than meets the eye. Sure, you’ll find delicious meals inside our fancy and upscale restaurants, but you shouldn’t skip over the unique diamonds in the rough. If you’re looking for the best hidden gem restaurants in Wisconsin, you’re in luck! We have so many amazing places. For starters, check out our list of these fantastic hole in the wall restaurants. You’ll also find delectable eats at these hometown restaurants in Wisconsin. Happy eating! Where can I find the best pizza in Wisconsin? Wisconsinites love pizza, and it’s easy to see why. The combination of expertly-crafted cheese, fresh crust, and tasty toppings makes for a truly scrumptious meal. We compiled a list of the must-visit pizza places in Wisconsin. The next time you start craving authentic Italian pizza, check out these wonderful restaurants! You definitely won’t be disappointed. Where can I find the best hamburgers in Wisconsin? For a classic, no-fuss burger, visit Wedl’s Hamburger Stand in Jefferson. Sure, it may not look like much from the outside, but believe us – you won’t want to pass this ramshackle shack by. The food is comforting, hearty, and delicious. Eating here is like taking a step back in time! For some mega-sized eats, head over to Frankie’s Pub And Grill. This restaurant is famous for their massive burgers. You definitely won’t go home feeling hungry! In fact, you may want to bring a few friends along to help you devour it all.
The OIYS Visitor Center
unsuspecting restaurants in Wisconsin
October 12, 2020
Elisa Regulski
What are the best hidden gem restaurants in Wisconsin? As you can see, there is so much more to Wisconsin dining than meets the eye. Sure, you’ll find delicious meals inside our fancy and upscale restaurants, but you shouldn’t skip over the unique diamonds in the rough. If you’re looking for the best hidden gem restaurants in Wisconsin, you’re in luck! We have so many amazing places. For starters, check out our list of these fantastic hole in the wall restaurants. You’ll also find delectable eats at these hometown restaurants in Wisconsin. Happy eating! Where can I find the best pizza in Wisconsin? Wisconsinites love pizza, and it’s easy to see why. The combination of expertly-crafted cheese, fresh crust, and tasty toppings makes for a truly scrumptious meal. We compiled a list of the must-visit pizza places in Wisconsin. The next time you start craving authentic Italian pizza, check out these wonderful restaurants! You definitely won’t be disappointed. Where can I find the best hamburgers in Wisconsin? For a classic, no-fuss burger, visit Wedl’s Hamburger Stand in Jefferson. Sure, it may not look like much from the outside, but believe us – you won’t want to pass this ramshackle shack by. The food is comforting, hearty, and delicious. Eating here is like taking a step back in time! For some mega-sized eats, head over to Frankie’s Pub And Grill. This restaurant is famous for their massive burgers. You definitely won’t go home feeling hungry! In fact, you may want to bring a few friends along to help you devour it all.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
As you can see, there is so much more to Wisconsin dining than meets the eye. Sure, you’ll find delicious meals inside our fancy and upscale restaurants, but you shouldn’t skip over the unique diamonds in the rough. If you’re looking for the best hidden gem restaurants in Wisconsin, you’re in luck! We have so many amazing places. For starters, check out our list of these fantastic hole in the wall restaurants. You’ll also find delectable eats at these hometown restaurants in Wisconsin. Happy eating!
Where can I find the best pizza in Wisconsin?
Wisconsinites love pizza, and it’s easy to see why. The combination of expertly-crafted cheese, fresh crust, and tasty toppings makes for a truly scrumptious meal. We compiled a list of the must-visit pizza places in Wisconsin. The next time you start craving authentic Italian pizza, check out these wonderful restaurants! You definitely won’t be disappointed.
Where can I find the best hamburgers in Wisconsin?
For a classic, no-fuss burger, visit Wedl’s Hamburger Stand in Jefferson. Sure, it may not look like much from the outside, but believe us – you won’t want to pass this ramshackle shack by. The food is comforting, hearty, and delicious. Eating here is like taking a step back in time! For some mega-sized eats, head over to Frankie’s Pub And Grill. This restaurant is famous for their massive burgers. You definitely won’t go home feeling hungry! In fact, you may want to bring a few friends along to help you devour it all.
