The Plazaburger is a double-stack tavern burger from The Plaza Tavern on North Henry Street, topped with the bar's secret sauce, cheese, lettuce and tomato.
Where to eat it: 1 restaurant across 1 city.
The Plazaburger was created at The Plaza Tavern on North Henry Street in 1964, a block off State Street between the Wisconsin State Capitol and the University of Wisconsin Madison. The double-stack burger with the bar's secret sauce became the signature of the tavern's long lunch and dinner trade, and remains the canonical Plazaburger version in 2026. The Plaza Tavern hasn't changed locations since.
Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy, Eggs
Tip from the editors. Two thin patties beat one thick patty; cook hot and fast. Relish-mayo-ketchup-mustard ratio is the key; chill 30 minutes to settle.
This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.
The Plaza Tavern on North Henry, a block off State Street between the Capitol and UW Madison, is home to the secret-sauce Plazaburger since 1964.
Signature: Plazaburger
Order: The Plazaburger with the secret sauce and a side of fried cheese curds.
Tip: Closed Sundays; the small-town tavern feel makes the dinner shift the right window.
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