Best of Milwaukee 2022

Bratwurst / Sausage / Sausage Shop
Usinger’s Famous Sausage
1030 N. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive
usinger.com
Let’s be frank (sorry)—it’s hard not to find a good sausage, especially bratwurst, in Milwaukee. In a city of wurst, where we are blessed by sausage makers from large companies to small independents, one stands above the rest: the revered Usinger’s Famous Sausage, a true taste of old Milwaukee since 1880. Find their brats for your grill, and other fine varieties to sample, at their shop downtown or in stores throughout southeast Wisconsin. (Barry Houlehen)

Gift Center Opening

The Usinger Gift Box Center is opening on Friday December 2nd and is open from 9 am to 4 pm Monday thru Saturday. All of our gift boxes featuring Usinger sausages, Wisconsin cheeses and other local goodies are on display and available for immediate purchase. It’s the perfect one stop gift shop. We’ll even carry the gifts out to your car for added convenience. We’re located in our familiar spot, right next to the Usinger retail store on MLK Drive in downtown Milwaukee. Limited free parking is available in the Usinger lot on the south end of our building. All of the Wurstmachers and Elves at Usinger’s wish you and yours the happiest of Holiday Seasons.

Fritz

Last chance to stock up and Save!

The Usinger $10.99 shipping special will end on Sunday the 9th.  Get your orders in now and stock up before the holidays and gameday parties.  Shipping to most states is just $10.99.  Check our website to see if your state qualifies.  Also, watch your mail for the new 2023 Usinger Holiday Gift Catalog.  Order early to ensure on time delivery. 

Happy shopping and enjoy a colorful and tasty Fall season.

Fritz

Come to the Fair!

The Wisconsin State Fair begins on Thursday August 4th thru August 14th. No trip to the Fair is complete without a brat or a hot dog from Usinger’s.  You’ll find our products at the Milwaukee Brat House booth in the air conditioned Wisconsin Products Pavilion.  It’s where you always find the best Fair food at the best price.

You can also visit Usinger’s at our retail store downtown on the same street with a new name now 1030 Martin Luther King Drive.  You’ll find a large selection of our products there.

Hope to see you soon!

Fritz

Fritz’s Blog April 2022

It may not feel like it with a fresh coat of white on the ground but baseball starts in a week and Opening Day in Milwaukee is in two.  Great idea for that roof by the way, there’s also not much time left to save with our $9.99 shipping special.  Get your orders in now for all your tailgating needs and spring and summer get-togethers.  Shipping up to 20 pounds is just 9-99 to most states.  You can check our website for all the details at usinger.com.  We’ve also got a full supply of summertime favorite Mr. Baseball Brats in stock and ready for the first pitch.  You’ll find what you’re looking for online at usinger.com/deli.  Spring is here and summer isn’t far behind, enjoy’em!

Thank you,

Fritz

Fritz’s Blog February 2022

The tastiest holiday in February is coming … and it’s not Valentine’s Day, I’m talking about Fred Usinger Day.  Back in 2005 Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett proclaimed February 23rd as Fred Usinger by special order.  The proclamation recognized Usinger’s importance to the city as a local family owned and operated business for four generations.  It also coincided with Usinger’s 125th anniversary. Each year since the city of Milwaukee has saluted Fred Usinger, Inc. for their accomplishments.  To celebrate this event, our friends at the Old German Beer Hall will be offering a free Usinger brat to patrons beginning at 10am on Wednesday February 23rd, until 8pm.  We’ll also be tapping a keg at about 4pm.  There will be free beer until the keg runs out.  Take a break from the cold and enjoy a hot juicy Usinger brat, and a pretzel or two with your favorite libation as we celebrate Milwaukee’s sausage heritage.  We’re now five generations old and still going strong on Old World Third Street.  Circle February 23rd on your calendar, hope to see you there.

It’s Coming!

Fritz’s Blog

The Holiday Season is upon us.  The elves have been working ‘round the clock to gear up for it.  You’re heard about the worker shortage, well you should try finding elves.  It’s been crazy but we’re ready.  One thing we can’t control is shipping.  It’s always tight this time of year and the labor shortage has compounded that situation.  Your best bet is to order early to make sure your gifts arrive before the holiday.  We’re stocked up and ready to go so get online at usinger.com or on the phone at 800-558-9998.  Wrap your shopping up early this year and enjoy the season.  Spend time with family and friends, and thank you for your loyal support, it’s most appreciated.  Remember, for gifts of good taste, that taste really good, you can’t do better than Usinger’s.  Happy Holidays Everybody!

Fritz

Keep it Rollin’

After a thrilling season and the first NBA Championship in 50 years, let’s keep it rolling Milwaukee.  We’ve got a shot at the best sports year in the history of Wisconsin, and we haven’t even mentioned football yet.  Let’s get back to the Series for the first time in 40 years and win it this time.  We’ve got your gameday food handled here at Usinger’s right thru October.  Brats, Franks, Chops, everything you need to get you to and thru the post season.  Don’t settle for less than the best.  In a championship year you’ve got to bring your “A” game everyday.  You’ll find everything you need for your pre-game, in-game and post-game parties at Usinger’s.  Visit our retail store in downtown Milwaukee or online at usinger.com.  You can also find us at many of your favorite retailers. 

Enjoy the games!

Fritz

Happy Memorial Day

Happy Memorial Day from all the elves here at Usinger’s.  Memorial Day is the unofficial kickoff of summer, and here’s to hoping this one is a little more fun than last year.  While you’re enjoying your tasty brats and other grilling delights it’s important to remember that while the last year has been difficult, the reason for the holiday is all the effort and sacrifice of those who came before us.  Hats off to those in the military and civilians who made our life possible.  Believe it or not Memorial Day is actually older than Usinger’s, having originated back in 1864.  It’s been celebrated after the final Sunday in May since 1971.   Enjoy this holiday happily and safely, and if you can, have a great Usinger brat or hot dog off the grill and raise a glass of cold brew in remembrance of those who passed before us so that we might celebrate this day. 

Fritz

Light’em Up!

Warmer weather has found it’s way to Wisconsin.  It’s time to

get off the lake and get out the grill.  It’s been a rough couple of months so let’s get ready.

First let’s take a little review of some of our favorite grilling links and ways to prepare them.  While they all taste great, there are subtle differences in the way you may want to prepare them. 

Usinger Cooked Brat –  The white brat.  Bavarian style made with finely chopped Pork and Veal.  These are the type served all over Germany.  When grilled they actually swell and get plumper as they are cooked.  Grilling gives them a crispy outer skin and smooth flavorful center.

Usinger Fresh Brat – My method for grilling a fresh brat is “low and slow”.  It’s the opposite of grilling a steak, which you sear right away to seal in the juices and then cook them at a lower temperature.  With a fresh bratwurst it has to acclimate to the heat slowly.  Too much heat too quickly can cause the brat to swell so much that it will break the casing, which is what you are really trying to avoid.  If the casing breaks, all of the juices and spices wind up in your grill.

Usinger Natural Casing Beef Frankfurters – These are meaty, juicy and have more than a hint of fresh garlic.  Grilling enhances the “pop” when you bite into the natural casing.

Usinger Smoked Andouille Sausage – This is a great sausage with lots of complex flavors.  Spicy, smoky and tangy all at once.

Usinger Jalapeno Cheddar – A hardwood smoked, fully cooked bratwurst that is ready to heat and eat. Made from coarsely ground premium pork, Jalapeno peppers, cheddar cheese and our apple wood smoked bacon for extra smokiness. One of my favorites.

Additional tips – Personally, I’m not a fan of parboiling.  It can change the texture of the casing and dilute the flavor of a perfectly spiced sausage.  If you’re short on time, the pre-cooked are quick and don’t require the care of grilling fresh meat.  If you like Kraut, try our Festival style sauerkraut.  It’s pre-cooked also and may be the only condiment you need. 

One more thing – Our shipping special runs thru March 18th.  You’ve still got time to stock up.  It’s just $9.99 to ship up to 20 pounds of your Usinger favorites to most states.  Check the website to see if your state qualifies.  usinger.com

Enjoy!

Fritz