History
Wisconsin's cheese curd tradition dates to the state's 19th-century immigrant Swiss and German cheesemakers, who sold the byproduct curds from cheddar production fresh at the dairy door. The fried cheese curd, deep-fried in a beer batter, became a Wisconsin tavern staple in the 1970s when state cheesemakers and brewers cross-promoted. The Old Fashioned in Madison codified the Wisconsin curd as a downtown bar appetizer; today fried curds appear on every Madison tavern, brewery and supper club menu.
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Common allergens: Gluten, Dairy
Make it at home
Ingredients
- 450g fresh Wisconsin cheese curds, chilled
- 150g all-purpose flour
- 350ml cold beer, lager
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- Neutral oil for deep frying
- Buttermilk ranch dressing to serve
Method
- Make sure curds are fully chilled in the refrigerator before battering.
- Whisk flour, baking powder, salt and paprika in a bowl. Whisk in cold beer slowly until smooth and slightly thick.
- Heat oil in a deep pan to 360F. Use a thermometer.
- Toss the curds gently in a little extra flour to coat, then dip each in the beer batter and lower into the hot oil.
- Fry in small batches for 90 seconds until golden brown. Do not overcrowd.
- Drain briefly on paper towels and finish with sea salt while hot.
- Serve immediately with buttermilk ranch. The curds should still squeak inside the crispy batter shell.
Tip from the editors. Fresh curds are essential; they squeak only when fresh. If curds are more than 3 days old, soak in cold water 10 minutes before frying.
Where to eat wisconsin cheese curds
Wisconsin cheese curds in Madison
The Old Fashioned ★ 4.7
The Old Fashioned on North Pinckney, the Wisconsin-tavern flagship on Capitol Square, pours hundreds of Wisconsin beers and the brandy Old Fashioned standard.
DrinkBrandy Old Fashioned sweet, the city's standard
FoodWisconsin supper club menu, fish fry, cheese curds
Tornado Steak House ★ 4.4
Tornado Steak House on South Hamilton, the Capitol Square supper club, pairs a white-linen wine list with aged steaks and the Friday fish fry.
PourSteakhouse-paired California red or Wisconsin sparkling
WineSupper-club bottle list with steakhouse-friendly reds
FoodWisconsin supper club menu, steaks and Friday fish fry
Tipsy Cow ★ 4.4
Tipsy Cow on King Street, just off Capitol Square, runs an American burger menu with Wisconsin cheese curds, craft beer and a long whisky and cocktail list.
OrderA Wisconsin butter burger with fried cheese curds on the side.
TipClosed Sundays; the bar runs faster than the dining room midweek.
The Plaza Tavern & Grill ★ 4.3
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.
OrderThe Plazaburger with the secret sauce and a side of fried cheese curds.
TipClosed Sundays; the small-town tavern feel makes the dinner shift the right window.
Wisconsin cheese curds in Milwaukee
Lakefront Brewery ★ 4.7
Lakefront Brewery on North Commerce Street, founded by Russ and Jim Klisch in 1987, runs the city's defining Friday fish fry, weekly tours and a Riverwest.
Kil@Wat ★ 4.2
Kil@Wat inside the Saint Kate Arts Hotel on East Kilbourn Avenue runs an all-day American gastropub menu with Wisconsin cheese curds, burgers and craft.
OrderFried Wisconsin cheese curds with house buttermilk ranch and the Kil@Wat burger.
TipBar takes walk-ins; gallery hotel lobby spills into the dining room.
Crafty Cow ★ 4.2
Crafty Cow on West National Avenue in Walker's Point makes smash burgers with Wisconsin cheese, fried cheese curds and craft beer; opened by the Lowlands.
OrderThe double-stack smash burger with American cheese and a side of fried curds.
TipLunch is quieter; the Walker's Point patio fills after Brewers home games.
AJ Bombers ★ 4.3
AJ Bombers on North Water Street downtown is Joe Sorge's burger bar with airplane-themed peanut delivery, the Barrie Burger and a deep beer list since 2009.
TryBarrie Burger
Sobelman's Pub and Grill ★ 4.4
Sobelman's Pub and Grill on West St Paul Avenue serves Milwaukee's most photographed Bloody Mary with a brat, slider, cheese and pickled garnish stack.
TryCheeseburger and Bloody Mary
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