Top 10 Foods and Drinks from my tour of the Driftless Region of Wisconsin
I recently joined Travel Wisconsin on a gastronomic journey through the enchanting Driftless Region of Wisconsin! Nestled between the rolling hills, this captivating area is a hidden gem, offering a harmonious blend of nature's beauty and a rich culinary heritage. As a food and drink enthusiast, I couldn't resist the temptation to uncover the culinary delights that this picturesque region has to offer.
The Driftless Region, an area untouched by the last glacial period, is a paradise for food lovers seeking authenticity and uniqueness. Characterized by its majestic coulees (valleys), rugged bluffs along the early stages of the Mighty Mississippi, and crystal-clear streams, this unglaciated land is home to charming towns that celebrate their culinary traditions with pride… and cheese.
One of the major draws of this region is its plethora of artisanal producers, farm-to-table restaurants, local markets, wineries, and breweries. As we embarked on this culinary expedition, we visited several prominent tourist destinations that serve as gateways to the region's culinary treasures. We meandered down the Great River Road, past Lake Pepin, a dammed lake on the Mississippi River, through La Crosse, the largest city in the area, and finally over to Madison, the Capital of Wisconsin.
Below are my top 10 food and drinks from the trip through the Driftless Region:
10) Donut from Scenic View Bulk Foods in Amish Country
This donut, fluffy and covered in icing, cost 50 cents, cash only, and worth every penny. Definitely worthy of a stop at Scenic View Bulk Foods in Amish Country when the bakery is open… which I believe is only on Saturdays.
9) Wisconsin Old Fashioneds
This Wisconsin Old Fashioned came from the Tangled Hickory Wine Bar and Cocktail Lounge in Viroqua, Wisconsin. Definitely different than a classic old fashioned, the Wisconsin version comes in either “sweet” or “sour”, designating which soda topper you get in your whiskey, sugar, and bitters. A sweet version will have a lemon-lime soda, Sprite or 7up, as a key ingredient. The sour variety will use a grapefruit soda like Squirt, or possibly sweet & sour mix with soda water. Either way, it took me by surprise, but I warmed up to it… a little. And I also learned to ask for my old fashioneds the “not Wisconsin” way on occasion.
8) Cinnamon Roll from Fayze’s in La Crosse
Fayze’s Restaurant and Bakery in La Crosse, WI features a full breakfast menu with plenty to offer. They offer a signature Labanese bread with most of their breakfast dishes, but I found the star of the show to be the massive cinnamon roll. The chewy-yet-crusty roll packed layers of cinnamon and came topped with a hefty amount of cream cheese frosting.
7) Beer from the Grumpy Troll Brew Pub in Mt. Horeb
This small town with Norwegian heritage is also the “Troll Capital of the World,” or at least of Wisconsin! There are trolls everywhere, and main street, a historic Wisconsin highway that was bypassed by the interstate system, is referred to as the “Trollway.” It only made sense that a brew pub there is called the Grumpy Troll. Fortunately, the beers made me happy, not grumpy!
6) Pie from Stockholm Pie and General Store
The stop in Stockholm, WI is definitely recommended. The picturesque little community is highlighted by the Stockholm Pie and General Store. It’s like stepping back in time, and the pie is divine. Double lemon, Kentucky bourbon walnut, blueberry buttermilk, and caramel apple crunch with ice cream.
5) Driftless Hummus from Brix Cider in Mt. Horeb
This roasted beet hummus with pesto from Brix Cider in Mt. Horeb added a little freshness to my diet of cheese curds, cheeseburgers, and cheese pizza. A true farm-to-table experience across their menu, the locally grown beets dazzled in the hummus while the pesto added a little pop of acidity. The locally made blue corn chips were also dynamite for dipping.
4) Driftless Cafe Double Cheeseburger
Perhaps the highest rated AKA most recommended stop on our journey was the Driftless Cafe in Viroqua. I realized I hadn’t a burger the entire trip through Wisconsin, so this was the place. St. Brigid’s Meadows beef, AMPI cheese, red onion, house burger sauce, house brioche bun. Damn good burger.
3) Villa Bellezza Winery Marquette Reserve Red Wine
The Villa Bellezza Winery near Pepin is a sight to behold. The entire venue is impressive, with vineyards, event centers, barrel rooms, a cooking school, a restaurant, an outdoor dining area, and tasting room. We tasted wines with the owner, Derrick, and wine maker, Katherine. My favorite was this 2017 red wine, the Marquette Reserve. It had notes of blackberry and cherry and you could really taste the French oak aging.
2) Pizza from Winghaven Pizza Farm
Winghaven Pizza Farm is a business model that’s so hot right now across Wisconsin. Find a farm on a beautiful piece of land with rolling hills, and run a summer-seasonal outdoor pizza and bar operation with live music on the property. Brilliant. In this case, the pizza and drinks were also brilliant. It made for a great evening in rural Wisconsin.
1) Beers at Potosi Brewing Company
Potosi Brewing Company resides in history. The American Breweriana Association’s National Brewery Museum is part of the reconstruction of the historic brewing site that dates back 120+ years. The tours of the brewery, the Transportation Museum, and the National Brewery Museum also include beer tastings. It’s an incredible experience for everyone interested in beer and brewing history.
Standing on a bluff overlooking the Mighty Mississippi between Wisconsin (where I am) and Minnesota (the other side of the river).
The view of the Mississippi River from a bluff in Alma, WI
Drinking a 64 oz margarita at Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant in Platteville, WI.
Wine barrels at Villa Bellezza Winery and Vineyards
The Grumpy Troll Brew Pub in Mt. Horeb
Potosi Brewing Company and National Brewery Museum
A little wild botanical garden and red barn in Wisconsin
Pies in the window at Stockholm Pie and General Store
Vineyards at Villa Bellezza Winery
An Amish horse and buggy outside the Scenic View Bulk Supply in the Driftless region of Wisconsin
The Driftless Cafe in Viroqua, WI
Wildflowers and rolling hills outside Winghaven Pizza Farm
An IPA at Potosi Brewing Company
A view of Alma, WI and the Mississippi River from the bluff